Chapter 82

It has been a week since arriving in Yeopdo. Three days have passed since the banquet, yet there has been no news about the requested audience with the Emperor.

Though he is called the Emperor, the current court is tightly controlled by Prime Minister Cao Biao. If he wished, blocking an audience would not be difficult.

Since we had rejected Cao Biao’s proposal, this situation was inevitable. As it was expected, there was little unrest within the delegation. However, there was a small concern that we might be stuck in Wei indefinitely.

But if we remained idle, that small concern could turn into fear and chaos. We couldn’t just sit and wait.

We needed to either negotiate with Cao Biao or publicly declare our intention to abandon the audience.

One of these options had to be firmly decided.

“Let’s first attempt to push for the audience.”

When I suggested this direction in front of Zhao Yun, Bang Deok, and Han Yeom, each reacted differently.

Han Yeom, being more of a diplomat, was positive, while the straightforward general Bang Deok was somewhat negative. Zhao Yun remained neutral, seemingly prioritizing my instructions as the person in charge.

Although Bang Deok wasn’t entirely pleased, he had no intention of opposing my authority, so the next steps were quickly decided.

“Let’s go to the Prime Minister’s office.”

Cao Biao was still a man who did his job. During working hours, he stayed at the Prime Minister’s office rather than the Wei Palace, handling his duties.

Of course, he wasn’t purely working; he also enjoyed his hobbies and held banquets within the office, but it didn’t significantly hinder his duties, so he wasn’t entirely unfit as a ruler.

Upon entering the Prime Minister’s office, as expected, the sounds of music and laughter, rather than the rustling of scrolls, reached our ears.

Seeing the Wei soldier stutter in surprise at our visit, Bang Deok growled like a fierce beast.

“Announce us.”

“Yes!”

The soldier, responding briskly as if to a superior, hurried inside.

Someone guarding the Prime Minister’s office should be quite firm, but Bang Deok’s presence was overwhelming. Plus, Zhao Yun was there too.

“You may enter.”

The soldier, who had just gone in, quickly returned and opened the door wide. Though we were only three, our presence was no less significant than the entire office.

As we entered, engaging in a subtle power struggle, we soon reached the center of the banquet. There, we were greeted by Cao Biao and his close aides: Cao Biao’s top four confidants.

O Ji, whose head was quite good and often provided helpful advice, but whose character was flawed.

Zhu Shuo, who, though not exceptionally talented, supported Cao Biao more than anyone else.

These two weren’t particularly noteworthy. But the other two were different.

Zhen Jun, who had risen to the position of Sikong, established the Nine-rank system, and held both civil and military positions as Chief Minister and General.

And Sima Yi, who, alongside Zhen Jun, received Cao Biao’s trust and was destined to be Zhuge Liang’s rival in history.

‘Didn’t see him at Dongjakdai. Was he summoned from the provinces?’

This banquet seemed to welcome Sima Yi’s return to the capital, given that Cao Biao had him seated right next to him.

Seeing me, Cao Biao stood up with an exaggerated gesture.

“If you wanted to see me, you could have sent a message. How could I not invite you? Come, join us. Why aren’t you making space?”

As Cao Biao tapped Zhu Shuo, I cut straight to the point.

“There’s no need. I came here despite the rudeness to ask about the audience with the Emperor. If you give me an answer, I will leave immediately.”

The term “audience” referred to meeting the Son of Heaven. Cao Biao, using his position as Prime Minister, was blocking our access to the Emperor. His permission was equivalent to the Emperor’s approval. Without Cao Biao’s consent, we’d have to climb walls at night to see the Emperor.

But Cao Biao brushed it off with a jest.

“Why ask me? It’s up to the Emperor’s will.”

“Everyone knows that Your Highness’s thoughts are the Emperor’s will. Why jest?”

In the original history, it was about time for the abdication plot. However, with the loss of Jing Province and the Battle of Yiling averted, and Liu Bei’s rapid rise, the abdication seemed delayed. But Cao Biao’s desire to become Emperor was undeniable.

Though not as blatant as Dong Zhuo, who openly declared himself Chancellor and treated the Emperor as a non-entity, Cao Biao was also acting as the supreme ruler, handling state affairs at will.

‘After all, Cao Cao did the same.’

Familiarity breeds contempt. In the past, such actions would have branded him a traitor, with righteous men plotting assassinations. But after experiencing Cao Cao, Cao Biao’s tyranny was tacitly accepted.

The Han Dynasty was already a dead body, just without a formal declaration.

Once the political situation stabilized after the succession, Cao Biao would likely bring up the abdication, but that was for later.

At my pointed remark, Cao Biao stopped pretending. He silently admitted to blocking our audience with the Emperor, then smiled as if he had a good idea.

“Then let’s do this. We’ll make a bet, each wagering a wish.”

“A wish, you say?”

“If you win, I’ll allow the audience. But if I win, you stay here.”

It was a blatant condition and an unnecessary proposal at that.

Seeing the Emperor was a nice-to-have, not a must. After all, I wasn’t truly a loyal subject of Han.

“I understand Your Highness’s intention. I have no intention of accepting the bet, so we will take our leave now.”

As I turned to leave, Cao Biao’s voice echoed behind me.

“Shouldn’t you?”

A foreboding premonition struck. The worst-case scenario I had considered surfaced in my mind. Could Cao Biao really go this far? The assumption I had tucked away in a corner of my mind became reality.

“Your victory includes your safe return.”

“Are you threatening us now?”

“Threatening? Of course not. I’m merely concerned about your long and perilous journey back.”

Don’t you know what might happen?

Cao Biao added with a detestable smirk.

Zhao Yun and Bang Deok, who had accompanied me, spoke up.

“You must not yield.”

“We can break through.”

Yes. With Zhao Yun, Bang Deok, and myself, honed through continuous battles, escaping wouldn’t be difficult. But what about the others? They likely wouldn’t make it.

“It’s a bluff. If they attack us, the delegation they allowed, the world will condemn them. They wouldn’t dare.”

“You know as well as I do that justification can be fabricated.”

“You have the truce rights granted by Cao Cao. Attacking us first would tarnish Cao Cao’s prestige.”

Well. When has Cao Biao ever considered Cao Cao’s legacy? The unfilial son who barely held a proper funeral for Cao Cao.

But Zhao Yun’s words couldn’t be ignored. Considering the weakened authority of the Cao family, Cao Biao’s actions might change.

Noticing the trend towards ignoring and leaving, Cao Biao drove the final nail.

“By the way, Liu Bei’s daughters are staying here. Shouldn’t you at least see their faces before you go?”

Even Zhao Yun, who had been calmly analyzing and persuading, was at a loss for words.

Liu Bei’s two daughters, whom he couldn’t save at Changban. Prioritizing Adou and Lady Gan, Zhao Yun’s hands clenched tighter than ever.

Cao Biao’s web, though seemingly loose, was meticulously crafted.

Even a dog eats half of what’s in its own yard, and Cao Biao was the king of a nation, and a politically capable one at that.

“I’ll accept the bet.”

At my agreement, Cao Biao spoke with satisfaction.

“Traditionally, a bet should have stakes for both sides to be fair. Therefore, we’ll have three rounds.”

One round with Cao Biao’s chosen game.

One round with my chosen game.

And if it’s still tied, each chooses one game, and the final game is decided by drawing lots.

It was obvious that each would choose their strong suit, making it a 50-50 bet relying on luck. The chance of a reversal was slim.

In summary, it was a surprisingly fair bet for Cao Biao.

“Agreed. Let’s do it.”

“Then I’ll choose the first game. Zhai.”

Cao Biao called Zhu Shuo, who quickly cleared the food table and brought out what appeared to be a game board and pieces.

“It’s Tan-ki (彈碁).”