Chapter 68

“Sleeping in the open, braving the wind, and refusing to eat, I swear.”

“Drinking the blood of the enemy general, intending to use it as rouge.”

“The victory song sung on horseback is the Qingping tune.”

“It is not the time when Wang Zhaojun left for the frontier.”

As the recitation ended, the frozen air melted in an instant, and the official residence buzzed with activity.

The poem I recited was one of the four poems bestowed by Emperor Chongzhen to the female general Chen Yangyu, the only female general recorded in the 24 official histories of China.

I had memorized it because I liked it, but I never thought it would be used like this. Indeed, it’s true that there’s no harm in learning and memorizing.

Cao Cao, known as one of the top literary figures of his time, along with his sons Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, who inherited his talent, closed his eyes and moved his lips as if savoring the poem.

Having roughly grasped the meaning of the poem, Cao Cao half-opened his eyes and asked, “The Wang Zhaojun mentioned in the last line, is it related to what I mentioned earlier?”

It was a coincidence, but Cao Cao seemed to firmly believe it. True to his love for poetry, his eyes shone as if asking for my interpretation.

When I nodded, Cao Cao looked satisfied, as if he had expected it, but also hardened his expression and smiled wryly.

He had realized the message I was trying to convey through the poem.

The last four lines Cao Cao pointed out: Wang Zhaojun married the Xiongnu for peace, but the poem claims it’s not that time, meaning it was for struggle, not peace.

It was a consistent theme.

The fighting spirit to never retreat and fight to the end.

The determination not to yield to your bluff, the resolve to face battle without retreat.

Cao Cao seemed to feel that he didn’t have much time left. Driven by strong vengeance, he might live longer than in the original history, but the physical fatigue and mental stress would likely shorten his lifespan.

Reading that I had no intention of retreating, Cao Cao hid his disappointment and withdrew his initial proposal. Yet, he naturally framed it as if he was being generous.

“A good poem. That resolute mindset is also good. Very well. I will consider your proposal.”

Although I stepped forward, the overall responsibility for this negotiation still lay with Guan Yu. When I looked back at Guan Yu, he nodded as if telling me to do as I pleased and stepped back leisurely.

“In exchange for returning the prisoners, we will set the border at Xinye and take the territory south of it.”

“And?”

“We will set the duration of the truce.”

“Preposterous. Not setting a date means the truce lasts until you attack again, doesn’t it?”

Cao Cao’s interpretation was correct.

When I acknowledged it, a general from Wei, whom I had seen before, Xu Huang, suddenly stepped forward.

“King of Wei! There’s no need to listen further. If they want a quick battle, we can give it to them.”

It wasn’t our side that countered Xu Huang’s argument, but Hu Jun Zhang Ji, who had come as an envoy.

“Marquis Doding, please watch your words! Have you forgotten that Marquis Anping is a prisoner?”

“This is a matter of national importance. I also admire Marquis Anping and know how precious he is. But he wouldn’t want this important matter to be ruined because of him.”

As Zhang Ji and Xu Huang’s voices grew louder, other ministers added their comments, and the interior of the official residence became chaotic.

“Enough. I accept the proposal.”

“King of Wei!”

“King of Wei!”

Xu Huang and Zhang Ji, who had been at odds, now spoke in unison to dissuade Cao Cao. But Cao Cao shook his head and stood firm.

“Zitong (Zhang Ji’s courtesy name), it seems their preparation was more thorough than your scheme.”

Zhang Ji, who had advised bringing Sun Quan into the fold, looked so remorseful that he seemed on the verge of tears and prostrated himself before Cao Cao.

“Everything is due to my inadequacy! I will accept any punishment.”

“How could this be your fault? It’s my complacency to blame, so who should I reprimand?”

Cao Cao sighed.

After the unbelievable defeat at Chibi, Cao Cao suffered consecutive losses in battles against Liu Bei, so his frustration must have been immense. But Cao Cao was Cao Cao.

“I accept the truce. We will set Xinye as the border. In return, we will receive the prisoners from Yangfan, as well as Yu Jin and the seven armies.”

This was not my area. When I looked at Guan Yu, he stepped forward, realizing it was his turn.

“We accept your conditions.”

Guan Yu bowed with full courtesy, as if he were facing Liu Bei himself. For him, the negotiation had gone better than expected, so he might have thought Cao Cao was being considerate.

In fact, this was a negotiation where we made concessions to quickly eliminate the uncertainty in the south.

“Are you leaving now?”

“We are both busy.”

We were busy because of Sun Quan’s invasion of Jing Province, and Cao Cao was busy because of the rebellion started by Wei Feng and the resulting public sentiment. It wasn’t the time to enjoy a banquet with dangers in the rear.

Cao Cao also didn’t ask further, as if it was a routine question.

“But it’s a pity to send you off like this. Is Zhong Gang here?”

“Yes, King of Wei. You called?”

Xu Zhu, Zhong Gang.

If Liu Bei had Zhao Yun, Cao Cao had Xu Zhu, who was as massive and imposing as Zhao Yun.

Of course, unlike Xu Zhu, Zhao Yun wasn’t Liu Bei’s personal guard, but in terms of protecting their lords and their families, the two were comparable.

“Bring my swords.”

Xu Zhu quickly returned with several swords. Although the Yitian Sword might be fictional, as the most powerful man of his time, Cao Cao’s swords were all famous blades at first glance.

Among them, two swords looked like twins, and Cao Cao picked them up.

“They are called Baekbyeokdo.”

“Baekbyeokdo?”

It was a name I hadn’t heard before. People usually think of the Yitian Sword and Qinggang Sword when they think of Cao Cao’s swords.

When I unconsciously repeated the name, Cao Cao explained the history behind the swords.

“I forged five identical swords and bestowed them upon my children who preferred literature over martial arts.”

Five twin swords. But they weren’t completely identical; the symbols engraved on them differed. They were a dragon, tiger, bear, horse, and sparrow.

The sword symbolizing the dragon was for Cao Cao himself, the tiger for his heir Cao Pi, the bear and horse for Cao Zhi and Cao Lin.

Cao Cao, Cao Pi, and Cao Zhi were the Three Caos, known for their literary talent, so they were very suitable for those who excelled in literature.

Listening to Cao Cao’s explanation with interest, I suddenly heard his declaration in my ear.

“I will bestow the last Baekbyeokdo upon you. This will be the token of our negotiation.”

Cao Cao, without leaving room for misunderstanding, looked straight at me and extended the Baekbyeokdo.

The action, along with the words, was exquisite. By adding that it was a token of negotiation, not just a simple favor, he blocked the option of refusal.

When I hesitated for a moment, Ma Chong, who was part of the delegation, hurriedly approached and whispered urgently.

“General, you must not accept it.”

“Deoksin.”

“That sword is a poisoned chalice. At best, he treats you like his sons, making the earlier proposal genuine, which could incite internal strife. At worst, he traps you, who bear the fate of a phoenix, as a mere sparrow. Please refuse.”

It might seem like paranoia, but this was an era where superstitions were still considered truths. Ma Chong’s worries weren’t entirely unfounded.

But the words that came out of my mouth were contrary to Ma Chong’s anxious advice.

“Shall I go and receive it directly?”

If it was within arm’s reach, using a hidden weapon would be instantaneous. No matter how close the guards were, unless they had a sword at my throat, stopping me would be impossible.

Even a young Cao Cao couldn’t guarantee safety, and with death not far off, if I decided, he would meet his end. His ministers wouldn’t stand idly by.

If I couldn’t refuse, I could make them withdraw instead.

But he was Cao Cao. Before Zhang Ji, Yang Biao, and Chen Jun could advise, Cao Cao voiced his decision.

“I grant it.”

“King, King of Wei!”

“Your Majesty!”

Despite the desperate cries, Cao Cao remained calm.

Clunk. As my foot stepped onto the first step of the platform where Cao Cao sat, sharp glares shot from all directions. Unfazed, I took the next step.

The moment I stood on the platform where Cao Cao’s throne was located after climbing all five steps.

“You hesitate.”

Cao Cao spoke as I looked away from the Baekbyeokdo in my hand.

“If you strike me down now, you can kill me. Will you do it?”

At Cao Cao’s words, the sharp sound of swords being drawn echoed from all sides. In the tense standoff, I calmly admitted.

“I did consider it.”

“Not now, you mean.”

“Yes. There’s no need for that. You know, Cao Gong.”

That you will soon die.

Even without saying the latter part, Cao Cao nodded as if he had heard my thoughts and laughed out loud.

“Right. You already knew. That’s why.”

Handing over the Baekbyeokdo, Cao Cao looked at me with regret-filled eyes.

“Even now, I don’t think Liu Bei is superior to me. But I must admit that I myself raised Liu Bei as a rival.”

Taking Liu Bei in, marrying his father and mother, and placing me under Liu Bei’s command was contradictory, but it was Cao Cao himself.

If he had followed Cheng Yu’s advice and killed Liu Bei when he took him in, he would have undoubtedly unified the world.

Closing his eyes briefly to erase his regrets, Cao Cao spoke as a poet, not as a ruler.

“I want to give you a farewell poem.”

“I would be honored to listen.”

Cao Cao stood up and walked along the path before him, slowly parting his lips.

The poem, a response to my poem and a farewell gift, echoed through the official residence.

It was a recitation signaling the time of parting.

“Wearing a battle robe made of Shu brocade.”

“Riding a horse adorned with peach blossoms, seeking an official position.”

“Even women willingly endure hardship and blame.”

“Why must a general be a man?”