Meng De POV
Perhaps only Kong Rong is capable enough to do this entire ritual so smoothly. Of course, I know that he is only doing this for propriety’s sake and not because it’s me.
“Alright,” I nodded and gestured towards Kong Rong when he was done, “Come. Say it, what’s the matter today?”
“Un, I came today just to share some of my thoughts with Imperial Chancellor.”
“Alright, go ahead and speak freely.” I decided to be patient for the moment and listen to what Kong Rong had to say. I then signalled to Xun Yu with my eyes to get some tea over.
“Umm, Imperial Chancellor?” Kong Rong asked.
“Un?” I looked at him and saw that he had a troubled face, “What’s the matter?”
“Ah… Did you not hear what I just said?”
Eh? Kong Rong was speaking before? My hearing is actually quite good so no matter how soft he spoke, I should have been able to hear something at least.
As expected, I wasn’t able to hear because it’s Kong Rong. His long-winded and excessive blabbering has been automatically filtered out by my ears.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.” I said as I smiled, “I gave orders to Xun Yu to get some tea so I didn’t hear what you said.” I shifted my gaze to Kong Rong and gestured with my eyes to Xun Yu who’d just left the room.
“Imperial Chancellor! Is this how you treat those lower ranked than you?! I may not be the Chancellor of Beihai now, but I’m still the Palace Counsellor and am in charge of palace affairs! This treatment is far too disrespectful!”
“What Lord Kong Rong said is right,” I quickly replied and saluted him, “The Palace Counsellor position is indeed not a lowly position and is no easy job as well. I, Cao Cao, respect you for that.”
“Hmph!” When he heard my appeasement, Kong Rong shifted his posture and put on the airs of a scholar. He then stared at my nose and continued in a different tone, “Imperial Chancellor Cao, I heard that our armies are heading towards Yang state where they are gathering at Wan city and Fan city. What are you planning with this?”
“Lord Kong Rong is well-connected indeed. That is indeed the case.” I smiled and nodded, “As you have heard, these are our preparations for a southern expedition to punish Liu Biao, Sun Quan and all other traitorous retainers. But these are just the beginning stages of my preparations. I have not made a decision as to when, how and what yet. Better to start early, wouldn’t you agree?”
As I spoke, Kong Rong began to shake his head and he continued immediately after I finished, as though what I said was complete rubbish, “Imperial Chancellor Cao, Liu Biao and Sun Quan to the south are both officials of the Great Han and have no intention of going against the Great Han. We just need to send a few edicts to them, give them some honours and positions, and they will defer to Imperial Court authority. By stationing troops along the Yangtze River, you will only incite fear amongst the southern feudal lords and invite a reaction from them.”
“As expected of a learned man like Lord Kong Rong, what you said does make sense.” I said as I raised my hands and clapped, “But do you know how large the armies of Liu Biao of Jing state and Sun Quan of Jiangdong are? And if they are truly loyal to Imperial Court?”
“They are naturally–”
“Lord Kong Rong, if one bases the measurements of one’s clothing on an estimate, it doesn’t matter even if the estimates are wrong as clothing can be adjusted. With matters of governance, one can’t afford to leave things to chance as the consequences can be dire.” I interrupted Kong Rong’s baseless words and continued on, “Let me tell Lord Kong Rong then. Liu Biao of Jing state has at least 150,000 to 200,000 men. Sun Quan of Jiangdong also has around 150,000 or so men as well. Dare I ask Lord Kong Rong, as a local governor, is there a need for this many troops?”
“What’s wrong with drafting more troops in such troubled times?”
“It is because they exist that we are in troubled times, no?! Lord Kong Rong has mixed up cause and effect!”
“The troubled times we are in were a result of the Yellow Turban Rebellion and Dong Zhuo, what does it have to do with officials of the Great Han!”
It is difficult to admit one has made mistakes in the first place, much less the sort of understanding mistake that Kong Rong has made. As I stared at Kong Ring, I began to feel irritated.
“Hu…”
Kong Rong’s expression was also darker than before. Unlike Ma Teng however, his face only makes one irritated.
“Imperial Chancellor Cao, I fully understand what you said. But what about the commoners in the south? They will get caught in the crossfire and suffer from the conflict that will ensue.” Kong Rong said, all the while looking at me with pleading eyes.
In his gleaming eyes, I could see justice, virtue and moral courage. Unlike what he said before, I have to admit that I sympathise with his point on the commoners. In fact, I can even agree with him on this and deep down, I wish I could pull back my troops because of this.
But, I can’t.
Because I am Cao Cao and not Liu Bei. My path has long been decided by myself.
“What do you think, Lord Kong Rong?” I said and closed my eyes. I then smiled and continued in as calm and normal a tone as possible, “I don’t particularly care about the fates of the commoners in the south.”
Every word was steeped in mockery. This wasn’t an act as I really was mocking myself.
“Cao Cao?! How can you be such a crazed warmonger!” As expected, Kong Rong got up angrily and yelled as he pointed at me.
“They are supposed to be subjects of the Great Han. Now that the Great Han is in trouble and the southern feudal lords are unruly, they have the responsibility of punishing these traitorous officials in the name of justice. Not only have they not done that, they have the audacity to live in comfort. Such subjects ought to be punished as an example to the rest.” I closed my eyes and frowned as I delivered this long speech in one breath. When I opened my eyes, the fat scholar looked utterly bewildered, “Additionally, Lord Kong Rong should mind his manners. I am not close enough with you that you can address me directly!”
“Un, un un un.” Kong Rong muttered as he shook his head and then subsequently nodded, all the while having a look that said ‘how did I only know what you are like today’. You’ve never liked me, why are you acting like this?
“Lord Kong Rong, if you have anything you wish to say to me, please do go ahead.”
“I do indeed have the intent of doing so!” Kong Rong exclaimed, “I now know what you, Cao Cao, are really like!”
Just as I expected.
“What did you learn about me?”
“Your ambitions stretch to the end of the south right?”
“I am an official of the Great Han. Everything I do is for the sake of restoring the governing authority of the Great Han and there are no personal ambitions I have to speak of.”
These words were perhaps the most honest words I’ve said in this conversation so far.
“Shut up!” But clearly, Kong Rong didn’t buy it.
“Cao Cao! You are nothing but an evil treasonous thief! No matter how capable or how intelligent you may be, you are nothing but a villain! A damn villian like will only bring harm to the Great Han!”
“Well said!!”
*Pa*!
As soon as he finished, I exclaimed loudly and clapped my hands together, letting out a clear and loud sound that gave Kong Rong a shock. He frowned and looked at me while i returned the gaze with a relaxed expression. After a few moments, I opened my mouth and slowly said, “Lord Kong Rong is truly a virtuous man who thinks of both the nation and its people, as expected of a renowned scholar and official of the Great Han and a descendent of Confucius. Your words before have struck this lowly one deeply and made me feel much anguish and shame.” As I said so, I lowered my posture and looked up at Kong Rong, “Now then, since I am such an evil, irredeemable criminal and you are righteous and awe-inspiring, I think it is a given that you should take my position.”
“… Eh?” Kong Rong frowned as he uttered a sound in a sincere tone that was not steeped in a respectful, polite tone. Unexpectedly, it was a confused ‘eh’ even though what I said was easily understandable.
“I mean what I said,” I said as I got up and took a brush from the side, dipped it in ink and began writing on a piece of blank silk, “I can write a letter of appointment right here and now.”
“Ah… Lord Cao Cao…”
“Presently, Xiongnu, Wuhuan and the Koreans are regularly violating our borders. To the west, there is Zhang Lu; to the south, there is Liu Biao; and to the east, there is Sun Quan. All of these feudal lords pay no heed to central authority and continue to increase their forces day by day. To put it simply, the Great Han is going through an unprecedented crisis with myriad threats, both internal and external, which could spell the end of the dynasty.”
“L, Lord Cao Cao!”
“Unfortunately, my abilities are limited. All I can do is plead with his majesty to let Kong Rong Kong Wen Ju take charge and shoulder the responsibilities of being the Imperial Chancellor of the Great Han. I hope, with all of my heart, that his majesty will listen tp this request and the advice and recommendations from Lord Kong Rong when he takes helm–”
“Umm, Imperial Chancellor Cao–”
“Is there a problem?!” I didn’t hold back at all and roared at Kong Rong while throwing the brush in my hands at him, “Are you saying you can’t do it?!”
Meng De POV
Perhaps only Kong Rong is capable enough to do this entire ritual so smoothly. Of course, I know that he is only doing this for propriety’s sake and not because it’s me.
“Alright,” I nodded and gestured towards Kong Rong when he was done, “Come. Say it, what’s the matter today?”
“Un, I came today just to share some of my thoughts with Imperial Chancellor.”
“Alright, go ahead and speak freely.” I decided to be patient for the moment and listen to what Kong Rong had to say. I then signalled to Xun Yu with my eyes to get some tea over.
“Umm, Imperial Chancellor?” Kong Rong asked.
“Un?” I looked at him and saw that he had a troubled face, “What’s the matter?”
“Ah… Did you not hear what I just said?”
Eh? Kong Rong was speaking before? My hearing is actually quite good so no matter how soft he spoke, I should have been able to hear something at least.
As expected, I wasn’t able to hear because it’s Kong Rong. His long-winded and excessive blabbering has been automatically filtered out by my ears.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.” I said as I smiled, “I gave orders to Xun Yu to get some tea so I didn’t hear what you said.” I shifted my gaze to Kong Rong and gestured with my eyes to Xun Yu who’d just left the room.
“Imperial Chancellor! Is this how you treat those lower ranked than you?! I may not be the Chancellor of Beihai now, but I’m still the Palace Counsellor and am in charge of palace affairs! This treatment is far too disrespectful!”
“What Lord Kong Rong said is right,” I quickly replied and saluted him, “The Palace Counsellor position is indeed not a lowly position and is no easy job as well. I, Cao Cao, respect you for that.”
“Hmph!” When he heard my appeasement, Kong Rong shifted his posture and put on the airs of a scholar. He then stared at my nose and continued in a different tone, “Imperial Chancellor Cao, I heard that our armies are heading towards Yang state where they are gathering at Wan city and Fan city. What are you planning with this?”
“Lord Kong Rong is well-connected indeed. That is indeed the case.” I smiled and nodded, “As you have heard, these are our preparations for a southern expedition to punish Liu Biao, Sun Quan and all other traitorous retainers. But these are just the beginning stages of my preparations. I have not made a decision as to when, how and what yet. Better to start early, wouldn’t you agree?”
As I spoke, Kong Rong began to shake his head and he continued immediately after I finished, as though what I said was complete rubbish, “Imperial Chancellor Cao, Liu Biao and Sun Quan to the south are both officials of the Great Han and have no intention of going against the Great Han. We just need to send a few edicts to them, give them some honours and positions, and they will defer to Imperial Court authority. By stationing troops along the Yangtze River, you will only incite fear amongst the southern feudal lords and invite a reaction from them.”
“As expected of a learned man like Lord Kong Rong, what you said does make sense.” I said as I raised my hands and clapped, “But do you know how large the armies of Liu Biao of Jing state and Sun Quan of Jiangdong are? And if they are truly loyal to Imperial Court?”
“They are naturally–”
“Lord Kong Rong, if one bases the measurements of one’s clothing on an estimate, it doesn’t matter even if the estimates are wrong as clothing can be adjusted. With matters of governance, one can’t afford to leave things to chance as the consequences can be dire.” I interrupted Kong Rong’s baseless words and continued on, “Let me tell Lord Kong Rong then. Liu Biao of Jing state has at least 150,000 to 200,000 men. Sun Quan of Jiangdong also has around 150,000 or so men as well. Dare I ask Lord Kong Rong, as a local governor, is there a need for this many troops?”
“What’s wrong with drafting more troops in such troubled times?”
“It is because they exist that we are in troubled times, no?! Lord Kong Rong has mixed up cause and effect!”
“The troubled times we are in were a result of the Yellow Turban Rebellion and Dong Zhuo, what does it have to do with officials of the Great Han!”
It is difficult to admit one has made mistakes in the first place, much less the sort of understanding mistake that Kong Rong has made. As I stared at Kong Ring, I began to feel irritated.
“Hu…”
Kong Rong’s expression was also darker than before. Unlike Ma Teng however, his face only makes one irritated.
“Imperial Chancellor Cao, I fully understand what you said. But what about the commoners in the south? They will get caught in the crossfire and suffer from the conflict that will ensue.” Kong Rong said, all the while looking at me with pleading eyes.
In his gleaming eyes, I could see justice, virtue and moral courage. Unlike what he said before, I have to admit that I sympathise with his point on the commoners. In fact, I can even agree with him on this and deep down, I wish I could pull back my troops because of this.
But, I can’t.
Because I am Cao Cao and not Liu Bei. My path has long been decided by myself.
“What do you think, Lord Kong Rong?” I said and closed my eyes. I then smiled and continued in as calm and normal a tone as possible, “I don’t particularly care about the fates of the commoners in the south.”
Every word was steeped in mockery. This wasn’t an act as I really was mocking myself.
“Cao Cao?! How can you be such a crazed warmonger!” As expected, Kong Rong got up angrily and yelled as he pointed at me.
“They are supposed to be subjects of the Great Han. Now that the Great Han is in trouble and the southern feudal lords are unruly, they have the responsibility of punishing these traitorous officials in the name of justice. Not only have they not done that, they have the audacity to live in comfort. Such subjects ought to be punished as an example to the rest.” I closed my eyes and frowned as I delivered this long speech in one breath. When I opened my eyes, the fat scholar looked utterly bewildered, “Additionally, Lord Kong Rong should mind his manners. I am not close enough with you that you can address me directly!”
“Un, un un un.” Kong Rong muttered as he shook his head and then subsequently nodded, all the while having a look that said ‘how did I only know what you are like today’. You’ve never liked me, why are you acting like this?
“Lord Kong Rong, if you have anything you wish to say to me, please do go ahead.”
“I do indeed have the intent of doing so!” Kong Rong exclaimed, “I now know what you, Cao Cao, are really like!”
Just as I expected.
“What did you learn about me?”
“Your ambitions stretch to the end of the south right?”
“I am an official of the Great Han. Everything I do is for the sake of restoring the governing authority of the Great Han and there are no personal ambitions I have to speak of.”
These words were perhaps the most honest words I’ve said in this conversation so far.
“Shut up!” But clearly, Kong Rong didn’t buy it.
“Cao Cao! You are nothing but an evil treasonous thief! No matter how capable or how intelligent you may be, you are nothing but a villain! A damn villian like will only bring harm to the Great Han!”
“Well said!!”
*Pa*!
As soon as he finished, I exclaimed loudly and clapped my hands together, letting out a clear and loud sound that gave Kong Rong a shock. He frowned and looked at me while i returned the gaze with a relaxed expression. After a few moments, I opened my mouth and slowly said, “Lord Kong Rong is truly a virtuous man who thinks of both the nation and its people, as expected of a renowned scholar and official of the Great Han and a descendent of Confucius. Your words before have struck this lowly one deeply and made me feel much anguish and shame.” As I said so, I lowered my posture and looked up at Kong Rong, “Now then, since I am such an evil, irredeemable criminal and you are righteous and awe-inspiring, I think it is a given that you should take my position.”
“… Eh?” Kong Rong frowned as he uttered a sound in a sincere tone that was not steeped in a respectful, polite tone. Unexpectedly, it was a confused ‘eh’ even though what I said was easily understandable.
“I mean what I said,” I said as I got up and took a brush from the side, dipped it in ink and began writing on a piece of blank silk, “I can write a letter of appointment right here and now.”
“Ah… Lord Cao Cao…”
“Presently, Xiongnu, Wuhuan and the Koreans are regularly violating our borders. To the west, there is Zhang Lu; to the south, there is Liu Biao; and to the east, there is Sun Quan. All of these feudal lords pay no heed to central authority and continue to increase their forces day by day. To put it simply, the Great Han is going through an unprecedented crisis with myriad threats, both internal and external, which could spell the end of the dynasty.”
“L, Lord Cao Cao!”
“Unfortunately, my abilities are limited. All I can do is plead with his majesty to let Kong Rong Kong Wen Ju take charge and shoulder the responsibilities of being the Imperial Chancellor of the Great Han. I hope, with all of my heart, that his majesty will listen tp this request and the advice and recommendations from Lord Kong Rong when he takes helm–”
“Umm, Imperial Chancellor Cao–”
“Is there a problem?!” I didn’t hold back at all and roared at Kong Rong while throwing the brush in my hands at him, “Are you saying you can’t do it?!”
