Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3958 Cao Cao's Story:
That morning, Cao Cao was chopping wood in the courtyard.

Although he had recovered from his illness, his physical strength was far from what it used to be. After chopping a few pieces of firewood, Cao Cao had to stop and catch his breath.

Even so, Cao Cao was unwilling to sit idly by.

Because whenever I have a moment of free time, those old memories surge up like a tide.
When people get old, all that's left are memories.

If some of these memories are still pleasant, then so be it...

But the memories that now fill Cao Cao's mind are not pleasant.

Therefore, Cao Cao preferred to keep himself busy so that his mind would not be immersed in memories, and he could gain a moment of peace.

The axe fell, cracking the firewood in the middle, which then fell to either side.

The axe struck the wood precisely where the grain was right. If the axe had struck the wrong side, or if the grain of the wood was not straight, the axe would have gotten stuck in the wood, and you would have to slam it down several times along with the wood to separate the firewood.

That's how things are in this world.

Finding the right path makes things twice as easy.

The approach Cao Cao had previously taken was clearly flawed...

So, what is Fei Qian's approach...?

Cao Cao sighed and shook his head to clear his mind.

After chopping all the firewood at hand, Cao Cao put down his axe, slowly straightened up, gently pounded his lower back twice with his hand, and then, with a slight limp, picked up the chopped firewood, held it in his hands, and stacked it under the eaves to shelter from the rain.

These are all winter supplies.

The sunlight slanted down onto the pile of firewood, seemingly infusing it with heat and giving it a faint fragrance.

Cao Cao smiled slightly, but the smile quickly froze amidst the noise outside the courtyard.

The noise is getting closer...

The voice was loud and had a somewhat arrogant tone.

Cao Cao was very familiar with this type of sound.

He frowned and turned to look outside the courtyard.

Sure enough, after a moment, the sound stopped outside the courtyard, and then someone coughed heavily twice, "Is Cao Mengde here? An elder from the clan has come to visit!"

As the arrogant voice faded, an aged voice echoed, "Cao Cao! This old man has come from afar, surely not just to sweep the tracks behind closed doors?"

Cao Cao frowned even more deeply.

Cao Cao vaguely recognized the aged voice; it belonged to an elder within the clan, whom Cao Cao would address as his uncle according to seniority.

Cao Cao hesitated for a moment, then did not immediately go to open the gate. Instead, he tidied up the clutter in the courtyard and changed his outer robe before opening the gate.

There were three people standing outside the door, or rather, blocking the way.

Uncle Fu followed behind the three of them, looking helpless.

Cao Cao nodded slightly to Uncle Fu, then turned his gaze to the leader.

"Third Uncle," Cao Cao said calmly, bowing slightly, "it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Uncle Cao raised his cane slightly, his slightly cloudy eyes scrutinizing Cao Cao from head to toe. After a long while, he finally spoke, "Cao Aman, you still recognize this old man."

"I have never forgotten my elders in the clan." Cao Cao stepped aside to make way for them in the doorway. "Please come in. My humble abode is simple and unpretentious; I hope you will not find it offensive."

Uncle Cao snorted and took the lead, picking up his cane and stepping into the courtyard.

The three of them entered the courtyard and the first thing they did was look around.

Hut, old mat.

A pile of freshly chopped firewood, a well, a locust tree, and a few old clothes hanging on a line.

"Heh, so they knew we were coming..." The middle-aged man among the three muttered to himself.

The former Prime Minister Cao lived a life of luxury, residing in an opulent and luxurious place, but all of this before me...

The three of them naturally didn't believe it.

After the old man sat down, the scrutinizing look in his eyes intensified.

"You live in a place like this?" the old man asked.

Cao Cao nodded. "The side courtyard of the estate is quiet."

"Quiet?" Uncle Cao clearly didn't believe it, then laughed heartily, "It is quiet enough! Back in Xuchang, you lived in the Prime Minister's mansion, such a grand display... Now, hiding in this side courtyard, it really is... quiet..."

Cao Cao pretended not to hear the sarcasm in those words.

"The three of you have come from afar. May I ask what brings you here?" Cao Cao asked without wasting any words.

Uncle Cao was silent for a moment, exchanged glances with the other two, then lightly tapped the ground with his cane, making a soft, resonant sound, seemingly to bolster his imposing presence. "Mengde, do you know why this old man has come?"

Cao Cao lowered his eyes. "Please enlighten me, Third Uncle."

"I came for you!" Uncle Cao's voice deepened. "The Cao family, since its inception, has maintained a clean and orderly lineage, never bringing shame upon itself... I never imagined you... Though you rose to the position of Prime Minister... in just a few years, you have squandered this vast legacy in a single day! Squandered it all!"

Uncle Cao tapped his cane on the ground a few more times.

Cao Cao remained silent.

Seeing that Cao Cao did not respond, Cao Sanshu's tone grew even more sorrowful, "Do you know what kind of lives your clansmen have lived while you were imprisoned in Chang'an these past few years? Ah? The Cao family has been disgraced! Not to mention the clansmen who died following you on the battlefield, even the descendants of the clan are pointed at and cursed as descendants of traitors in the county school! And you, you, are hiding here, carefree and at ease! And peaceful! Ah?! Ha!!"

Cao Cao listened in silence.

He sat upright on the worn-out mat, his back straight, his hands resting on his knees.

The sunlight slanted across Cao Cao's face, only revealing his outline, but not the shadows beneath his wrinkles.

In addition, the clansmen who came with Cao Cao's third uncle also criticized Cao Cao and recounted the various hardships they had endured over the years.

Cao Cao listened silently, and only when the three of them had finished talking and stopped did he look up at the old man and ask, "Then... what does Uncle think I should do?"

"Well?" Uncle Cao sneered. "You should at least apologize to the clan! Don't you know how many clansmen you've implicated with this defeat? I don't need you to do anything else, just return to the clan, admit your mistake in front of everyone, and make a statement. Is that... the right thing to do?"

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes slightly. "Just an apology?"

The old man stroked his beard, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Cao Cao chuckled coldly, "Since it's merely an admission of wrongdoing, then I'll personally write a letter, sincerely repenting, how about that?"

"What?!"

Before the old man could speak, the arrogant middle-aged man jumped up, shouting, "You think you can fool your clansmen with such tricks?!"

"Trying to deceive me?" Cao Cao stared at the arrogant middle-aged man. "Who are you? And how dare you accuse me of deceiving you?"

"I am Cao Zilian's younger cousin!" the arrogant middle-aged man's voice rose, almost piercing the roof, "Brother Zilian died for you in Yanzhou!"

Cao Cao's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Cao Hong...

When Cao Cao faced Fei Qian, Cao Hong, wounded, fought alone against Zhao Yun, Wei Yan, and others, but was ultimately defeated and died in battle.

Cao Cao sized up the middle-aged man.

I haven't heard of Cao Hong having any younger cousins, but...

Cao Cao and Cao Hong were also separated by blood. It doesn't seem right to say that Cao Hong's lineage was reduced to just Cao Hong himself, without any other cousins.

Moreover, now is not the time to investigate whether Cao Hong's cousin is real or not.

Cao Cao naturally felt a sense of guilt towards Cao Hong. He lowered his voice and asked, "Then... tell me, what do you intend to do?"

"You think one letter is enough to settle things?" the arrogant middle-aged man said loudly. "At least show some sincerity! Sincerity!"

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes again. "What constitutes sincerity?"

"Why are you playing dumb?" The arrogant middle-aged man's face darkened with anger upon hearing this. "Sincerity! Don't you understand sincerity?! You've been prime minister for so many years, you must have some savings, right? Even if they've all been confiscated, you still have a few private properties in this world..."

Cao Cao understood.

The so-called apology, repentance, and admission of wrongdoing are just pretexts.

The real purpose is money.

They didn't believe he was really poor.

They assumed he must have hidden something valuable somewhere.

It might be gold ingots, or silver, or perhaps a jeweled land deed or something.

They wanted to take advantage of his downfall and squeeze these things out of him.

"Third Uncle," Cao Cao turned to the old man instead of the middle-aged man, and calmly said, "I was imprisoned in Chang'an for five years, and when I came out, I had nothing. This side courtyard was lent to me by the master, and the clothes I'm wearing were also provided by him. All I have now are these two hands..."

Cao Cao raised his hand in acknowledgment.

These are no longer the hands of a prime minister, but the hands of an old farmer.

Rough, cracked.

The nails were as short as the fingers, and there was still dirt and grime between the fingers.

"...All I have is a bowl of porridge earned with these two hands; I have absolutely no hidden wealth or savings to give you."

Uncle Cao's face darkened. "Cao Mengde, what do you mean by that? Are you saying I've come to you to ask for money on my own behalf?"

"My third uncle has come to demand an explanation," Cao Cao replied neither humbly nor arrogantly. "However, I truly have no means to compensate you. If my third uncle insists on an explanation, I have a few strings of cash here, which are the wages the manor lord gave me a few days ago. I can offer them to the clan... Consider it a token of my goodwill..."

Uncle Cao's face turned ashen. He abruptly stood up, slamming his cane on the ground, and roared, "Cao Mengde! Are you trying to humiliate me?! A few strings of cash? How many men from your clan did you take to the army back then? They died on the battlefield, all for a few strings of cash? You hoarded wealth and goods, yet you offer a few strings of cash to your clansmen?!"

Just as Cao Cao was about to say something, the courtyard gate was suddenly pushed open.

Madam Ding stood at the entrance of the courtyard, followed by several servants, all carrying carrying poles and wooden sticks. The air instantly thickened with the smell of gunpowder.

Uncle Cao was immediately startled. His gaze fell on Madam Ding, and after a moment of scrutiny, he recognized her.

After all, Madam Ding was once a daughter-in-law of the Cao family. Although they had divorced, Qiao County was not a large place, and the older generation of the clan still remembered these old stories.

"Oh, it's Ding." Uncle Cao waved his hand, as if shooing away some insect. "Since you and Mengde have divorced, according to etiquette you are no longer a member of the Cao family. This matter has nothing to do with you. It's against the rules for you to take him in. We've come to find him too, what's it to you? Go away, go away."

"Is that so?" Madam Ding entered, her posture ramrod straight. "Whom I take in is my business, and it's none of anyone else's concern. Lord Cao is temporarily residing here, but he hasn't disturbed anyone. Everything he eats and uses is produced on the estate; he hasn't used a single penny from the Cao clan."

Uncle Cao's face grew increasingly grim. "What are you saying? He betrayed the Cao clan, naturally..."

"He betrayed the Cao family?" Madam Ding interrupted Uncle Cao's third words. "Back then, as Prime Minister, he wielded immense power. The Cao family built ancestral halls extensively in Qiao County, greedily acquired land, embezzled wealth, and kept slaves. You all received a share of everything! You benefited from his protection for so many years, yet you never uttered a single word of thanks? Now that he's fallen on hard times, he comes here to say he betrayed his clan?!"

Uncle Cao's hands trembled, and his beard quivered as he stammered, "You! You, you, you..."

"Now he's defeated, old, sick, and penniless! And now you remember he's a member of the Cao family!" Madam Ding sneered. "You're not here for an apology, you're here for money! Too bad you've got it wrong! He truly has no money! Every penny he has now was earned through clearing land, chopping wood, carrying water… His few strings of coins are indeed meager, but they're clean! They're worlds apart from the wealth you've amassed!"

Uncle Cao was trembling with rage, banging his cane on the ground. "You...you woman, how dare you spout such nonsense! Cao Mengde! You just let her speak to the elders of the clan like that?!"

Cao Cao slowly stood up.

"Third Uncle," Cao Cao said, "what she said is exactly what I wanted to say... In my life, I have wronged my family, my brothers Zilian, and those who followed me... I should indeed apologize... but I owe you nothing! The benefits you gained by using my name back then far exceeded what you deserved... Gentlemen, please leave."

Uncle Cao's face turned a deep purplish-red.

"Very well...very well!" Uncle Cao glanced sideways at the servants outside the courtyard carrying wooden sticks and carrying poles, his beard twitching. He leaned on his cane and walked out, but stopped at the door, turned back, and glared fiercely at Cao Cao and Lady Ding. "You...hmph, better watch yourselves!!"

After saying that, he left without looking back.

Two clansmen followed closely behind, making their way away.

The courtyard fell silent again.

Cao Cao bowed to Lady Ding, saying, "...Thank you for rescuing me, Madam."

"You've worked hard to clear the land for Zhuangzi, so naturally I must protect you..." Madam Ding turned to leave, but paused for a moment at the courtyard gate, then turned her head slightly. "If Zhuangzi is like this, then the world... isn't it the same? People fought and died for you, but did you protect them? In your life, you've not only failed your family, but you've also failed the world..."

Cao Cao was taken aback, then slowly lowered his head.

Madam Ding has passed away.

The sound of footsteps followed the corridor, growing fainter and fainter until it disappeared around the corner.

Cao Cao stood alone in the courtyard, silent for a long, long time.

……

……

Cao Cao did not expect those people to come again.

After the unpleasant parting that day, Cao Cao thought that they had completely broken off relations and would treat each other as strangers from now on.

That morning, while he was repairing the fence in the backyard, he suddenly heard voices coming from the front yard, even more noisy than before!

Cao Cao couldn't help but get angry. He thought that the old man from the Cao family had brought his men to attack him. Suddenly, a sense of malice arose in his heart. He went to the corridor, grabbed a short axe for chopping wood, and pushed open the courtyard gate...

Then, Cao Cao was stunned.

The people were still the same third uncle and the two clan members, but this time, their expressions were completely different from before.

Uncle Cao had a smile on his face.

Even the arrogant middle-aged man lowered his head, bent over, and revealed a fawning smile.

This smile was the one Cao Cao was familiar with back then.

But now, Cao Cao only felt something was an eyesore and disgusting...

Behind the three, a group of men carrying goods were noisily approaching.

"Mengde," Uncle Cao paused for a moment upon seeing the axe in Cao Cao's hand, his smile stiffening slightly, but quickly returned to its amiable form, laughing heartily as if he hadn't seen anything, "This old man is back again... Don't worry, don't worry, this time I'm not here to argue with you, but to apologize! Come, quickly present the gifts!"

Cao Cao stood at the entrance of the courtyard, not going to meet them, but simply throwing his axe behind the courtyard wall.

He watched his third uncle approach with a big smile on his face, feeling puzzled but not saying anything.

The third uncle walked closer and, seeing that Cao Cao did not move, did not take it seriously. He simply had his men put down the loads they had brought.

"Ah, this... Haha, that... Well, these past few days, I've thought it over repeatedly, and I feel that what I said last time was indeed too harsh... Mengde, after all, you did contribute to the Cao family, and now that you're down on your luck, instead of helping us, the clan comes to our door to criticize us. That's not fair... It really isn't fair..."

As he spoke, Uncle Cao even sighed dramatically, "That's why I brought some things today to apologize! They're nothing valuable, just a small token of my appreciation; Mengde, please accept them!"

If it were Cao Cao of yesteryear, he would likely have accepted the gifts with a smile, while secretly pondering the calculations behind such behavior. But now, he simply stood there, looking at the goods that had arrived, remained silent for a moment, then shook his head, "I appreciate Uncle's kindness... but I cannot accept these things."

Uncle San's smile froze instantly. "Why? Are you angry because we were rude before? Ah, old man, I simply bow to apologize..."

Cao Cao immediately declined, saying, "I am currently residing on the estate, and my food and clothing are provided by the estate owner; I lack nothing. These items are useless to me. Besides... one should not accept rewards without merit. Since I have done nothing for the clan, how can I accept such things?"

"What are you saying!" Uncle Cao's expression changed, but he quickly put on a smile again. "What do you mean by 'no merit'? Although you're now a commoner, you still bear the Cao surname... It's only right that the clan takes care of you! It's only right!"

With that, the old man waved his hand, turned to leave, and said, "I'll leave the things here. Take good care of yourself, and I'll come to see you again another day... I won't see you off, I won't see you off..."

After the clansmen put down their belongings, they were about to leave when Cao Cao stepped forward and called out in a raised voice, "Fu-ge'er!"

Uncle Fu, who was standing to the side, responded.

Cao Cao bowed to Uncle Fu and said, "If these people aren't taking them with them, then please have Uncle Fu arrange for a few servants to carry these items to the entrance of the village."

Cao Sanshu's smile froze completely. He turned around, his triangular eyes narrowing as he stared intently at Cao Cao. "Mengde! What...what do you mean by this? I only meant well..."

"I should be grateful for your kindness, Third Uncle," Cao Cao interrupted the old man, bowing slightly. "However, I am now a commoner, living under someone else's roof, and dare not accept anything from you. Please forgive me, Third Uncle. As for these things, it would be best if you took them back as they were, to avoid causing any discord... It's getting late, and the roads are difficult to travel. Please take care."

After Cao Cao finished speaking, he said no more and stood at the entrance of the courtyard with his eyes slightly lowered.

Uncle Fu had already led several farmhands forward and politely asked the clansmen to take their things back.

Uncle Cao was so angry that his face turned pale, but he didn't retaliate. He just glared at Cao Cao and waved for his clansmen to pack up their things.

"Mengde," his third uncle said before leaving, "don't forget, you are ultimately surnamed Cao!"

Uncle Fu stood to the side, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

Cao Cao shook his head. "No need to say more. I know what I'm doing."

That afternoon, a rider came from the official road and went straight to the front of the village.

The messenger was a messenger from the prefectural government, dressed in a blue official robe with a copper seal hanging from his waist. He handed over a letter bearing the official seal, stating that it was a summons order personally signed by Tang Gong Feiqian.

Uncle Fu dared not delay and quickly led the messenger into the manor, then hurriedly went to the backyard to find Cao Cao.

When Cao Cao heard that the messenger from the prefecture had come to summon him by the Duke of Tang, he paused for a moment before leisurely washing his hands, straightening his clothes, and heading to the front hall.

The messenger was already waiting in the hall. When he saw Cao Cao enter, he showed no disrespect. He bowed and explained his purpose. Tang Gongfei had heard that Cao Cao was farming in the countryside. Considering his talent and strategy, he disregarded past grievances and summoned him to serve as an advisor in the court.

After listening, Cao Cao remained silent for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Please inform Lord Tang that I am old, frail, and ill, and unfit for service. Please select another capable person. I regret that I cannot comply with the summons."

The messenger was taken aback, clearly not expecting to be refused. He tried to persuade him a few more times, but Cao Cao's mind was made up, and in the end, the messenger had no choice but to leave with the letter.

Cao Cao stood in front of the hall and watched the messenger leave. Then, to everyone's surprise, he turned back to the side courtyard and continued to pick up his axe and chop wood.

We need a lot of firewood in winter, but we don't have enough right now.

The axe fell, and the firewood cracked with a series of sharp sounds.

Click, click.

Amidst the sound of chopping wood, Madam Ding arrived.

"Did you refuse the summons from Lord Tang?"

She stood outside the courtyard and asked directly.

Cao Cao put down his axe and nodded.

"Why?" she asked again.

Cao Cao did not answer immediately. He looked up at the sky and let out a long breath.

“I owe a lot of debt,” he said. “When I was young, I always thought there was plenty of time, that everything could be dealt with later. Whether it was world affairs or family matters, those debts could be put aside for now, left unpaid until this battle was won, that state was pacified, and the world was at peace… But… sigh… but the world is never at peace… after this battle, there’s another; after pacifying one state, there’s another… and then the debts just keep piling up, getting longer and longer…”

Cao Cao paused, then turned to Lady Ding, "When there are finally no more battles, and you look back, the people you should have compensated are no longer there... and that debt... can never be repaid..."

Madam Ding trembled and leaned against the courtyard gate.

"Lord Tang has summoned me to Chang'an," Cao Cao continued, "to hold a minor post and participate in court affairs. Sounds good, perhaps with fine clothes and sumptuous meals, perhaps without the burden of labor... But what then?"

He raised his head and looked at Madam Ding with a calm gaze.

"You're right... In my life, I've made many mistakes and let many people down... Now, I don't want to go to Chang'an carrying these debts... I just want peace of mind..."

"I want to stay... to repair Ang'er's grave, clear the weeds from his mound, erect a fine tombstone, and inscribe my debts to him... to cultivate those few acres of barren land behind the mountain, and eat the beans I grew myself... and also, to stay..."

Cao Cao paused, looked at Lady Ding, and then smiled, "Stay and watch the peach blossoms behind the mountain too..."

He spoke his last words very softly.

Madam Ding remained silent.

After a long while, she suddenly turned her head and said in a hoarse voice, with something indescribable in her tone, "Those...those peach blossoms, they won't bloom until spring..."

"I know," Cao Cao said with a smile. "I can wait... This time, I will wait..."

Madam Ding paused for a moment, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she didn't say anything and left.

Cao Cao watched Lady Ding's departing figure, smiled slightly, and picked up his axe again to chop wood.

We need to stock up on firewood to get through the winter.

However, in Cao Cao's mind, although winter had not yet arrived, spring seemed to be just around the corner.