Chapter 180: New Year Arrives
Time gradually reached the end of the year, the New Year’s atmosphere grew increasingly thick, and Cao Cao also returned to Xuchang from Youzhou.
In the official residence, Jia Xu was reporting to him on the events of the past few months. Jia Xu was a bit nervous; he knew his lord would definitely be angry.
Sure enough, when Cao Cao heard that Sun Ben had attacked Danyang Commandery on his own initiative, he was instantly furious, his face turning ashen as he raged, “That fool will ruin my great plans!”
“My lord, this subordinate failed in his duties. Please punish this subordinate!” Jia Xu sighed.
Cao Cao restrained his anger and asked again, “Did he inform you beforehand?”
Jia Xu shook his head. “He kept it very secret. The informants this subordinate placed by his side were unaware until he crossed the river, but it was already too late.”
“What’s the situation now?”
“This subordinate has already forced him to retreat back.”
Cao Cao pondered for a moment and said, “By next year, the northern campaign should be over. If he can hold out in Danyang Commandery for a year, it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.”
Jia Xu gave a wry smile and said, “This subordinate also hopes for that, but in fact, it’s impossible.”
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes slightly. “You mean Gan Ning?”
“Exactly!”
Jia Xu nodded and continued, “My lord, Gan Ning doesn’t even bother to engage Sun Ben. He directly prepared two approaches for us, civil and military. The civil one is occupying Hefei, posing a problem for us to solve Sun Ben ourselves.”
“And the military one?” Cao Cao asked, his face grim.
“He told this subordinate that if we refuse to withdraw Sun Ben’s army from Danyang Commandery, he will go to war with us directly.”
“Hiss—”
Cao Cao drew in a sharp breath. “He said that?”
“My lord, I can guarantee he means it. He mobilized an army of one hundred thousand and over a thousand warships to Jiujiang Commandery, fully prepared to turn against us. With my lord on the northern expedition, this subordinate cannot bear such a risk.”
After a long pause, Cao Cao nodded and said, “You did the right thing. No matter what, the south cannot be in chaos now; it would affect my grand plan.”
Cao Cao paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back. Finally, he stood by the window, gazing out for a long time. After a while, he sighed softly and said, “We have raised a tiger that now threatens us!”
“My lord, it’s just a bit more difficult. No matter how fierce he is, he can’t compare to Yuan Shao.”
Cao Cao nodded slowly. “Correct! Even the fiercest tiger can’t withstand my iron fist. Once I cross the river, I will be a dragon that has crossed the river!”
Cao Cao regained his confidence and said to Jia Xu, “Pacify Sun Ben well. Though he did something foolish, if used properly, he can still play an important role.”
“This subordinate understands!”
On the last day of the seventh year of Jian’an, the Son of Heaven issued a decree abolishing the Three Excellencies System and restoring the Chancellor System, formally appointing Cao Cao as Chancellor, Duke of Wei, and granting him the Nine Honors. From then on, Cao Cao was known as Chancellor Cao.
On New Year’s Eve in the south, the second snow of winter fell.
Early in the morning, Xiao Qiao eagerly pulled Xu Wei out onto the street. Actually, she didn’t want to shop; it was to admire the newly installed windows on the carriage—pure crystal windows with very high transparency. With thin gauze curtains drawn, they could clearly see outside, but those outside could not see in.
Only one window was installed; the other was left open for ventilation.
These high-purity crystals actually came from Yuan Shu, who obtained them from the Luoyang imperial palace. After going around, they ended up in Gan Ning’s hands as his private wealth. Xiao Qiao complained that opening the windows was cold, so Gan Ning remembered he had high-quality crystals in his storeroom.
“So beautiful!”
The two could clearly see the street scenes and couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
Xiao Qiao laughed. “Now I can keep my word. I don’t have to walk on the street anymore, so he won’t always worry about something happening to me.”
Xu Wei extended her slender finger and tapped her nose, laughing. “You’re so beautiful; which man wouldn’t be moved upon seeing you? If not for Sang Ye and the others with you, you’d have been snatched away on the street long ago.”
“Aren’t you the same?”
“I’m not as stunningly beautiful as you, and besides, I don’t casually go strolling.”
“You’ve eloped three times; isn’t that dangerous?”
“Well…” Xu Wei was suddenly speechless.
“Alright! Alright!”
Xiao Qiao hugged Xu Wei and laughed. “You’re just as beautiful; no need to be modest. We’re difficult sisters whom our husbands neither cherish nor love; we must stick together.”
At this moment, the female guard Sang Zhi knocked on the window from outside and said, “Madam wants you back.”
“Ah! Then let’s go back!”
The carriage slowly turned around and headed toward the Wuchang Marquis Residence.
In the study, Da Qiao said to her husband, “I talked with Doctor Liu yesterday. She said A Yu and Yun Qing are both ready for consummation. Husband, today is New Year’s Eve; shall we…?”
Gan Ning pondered for a moment and said, “Xu Wei’s matter hasn’t been settled with her father yet. Let her wait a bit longer!”
Xu Wei’s father insisted his daughter be the main wife, so the marriage proposal in Xuchang ended unhappily. Gan Ning naturally had his principles. He had already decided to make Da Qiao his main wife. Deep in his heart, he recognized Da Qiao as his wife; they not only had the reality of husband and wife but also the affection.
Xu Wei could no longer replace Da Qiao’s position in Gan Ning’s heart.
Gan Ning still wanted to give Xu Wei a choice, to wait until she was a bit more mature and make a rational decision.
Da Qiao nodded and said, “Yun Qing’s situation is special; I understand. What about A Yu?”
Gan Ning smiled. “It’s not just that her body is ready for consummation; her mind must accept it too. Think about yourself. You initiated sharing a room with me. Why did you take the initiative then?”
Da Qiao blushed and thought for a moment before saying, “I especially wanted a child and especially wanted to become your woman.”
“Exactly. That’s your mind being prepared. Xiao Qiao isn’t ready yet. If you don’t believe me, go ask her. If she’s truly ready, I don’t mind taking her into my room.”
Da Qiao nodded gently. “Alright! I’ll sound her out.”
Da Qiao left the study and, just as she stepped out of the courtyard, saw Xiao Qiao and Xu Wei holding hands as they returned.
“Older Sister, why did you urgently call us back?”
“Today is New Year’s Eve, with so much to do. You two run off to play and leave a pile of things for me?”
Xu Wei hurriedly took Da Qiao’s hand and admitted her mistake. “Older Sister, don’t be angry. It was my fault; I know I was wrong.”
“Knowing you’re wrong is good!”
Da Qiao truly liked Xu Wei’s obedience. She smiled faintly and said, “The chief steward just sent this year’s total accounts. I’ve put them in your study. Go take a look; just a rough check is fine. We have other things this afternoon.”
“I’ll go right now!”
Xu Wei hurriedly returned to her own courtyard.
Xiao Qiao said timidly, “Older Sister, what should I do?”
“First, your attitude must be clear. Do you admit your mistake?”
“I was wrong!”
Da Qiao patted her younger sister’s face. She was half a head taller than herself but still acted like a child.
“The whole family is bathing to welcome the New Year today. Go prepare that extra-large bath basin; we’ll bathe together.”
Xiao Qiao jumped in fright. “Bathe together? With Gan Lang?”
Da Qiao nodded. “If you’re unwilling, forget it; no forcing.”
Xiao Qiao lowered her head for a long while and said, “Will Yun Qing join too?”
“I’ve asked Yun Qing; she’s shy and wants to bathe alone.”
“Then… then I’ll pass too and bathe alone.”
Da Qiao looked at her younger sister. “Have you thought it through?”
Xiao Qiao thought for a long while and nodded gently. “Older Sister, I’m not ready yet.”
Da Qiao sighed inwardly. Her younger sister truly wasn’t ready for consummation; they’d wait a bit longer!
“Alright! I’ll arrange the bathing. You go help Yun Qing with the accounts. This afternoon, we’ll prepare the New Year’s rewards together; I can’t manage alone.”
