Yuan Shao was stirring in Hebei, and after capturing Xiapi, Cao Cao did not dare linger.
After resting for two days, they would return to Xudu. The families of the surrendered generals, along with Chen Gong and Lu Bu's wives and concubines, would be brought back as well.
Cao Cao enjoyed taking other men's wives. Beyond their beauty, it also served as an example and a symbol: he could treat his enemies' families well, or, put another way, win over the hearts of the other side's people.
Lu Bu's wives, Lady Yan and Lady Cao, were not particularly beautiful. Instead, Cao Cao took Du Shi, the wife of his subordinate Qin Yilu, into his bedchamber.
Before the army set out, Cao Cao said to Zhang Liao, "We've been checking the population in the city these past two days, but we haven't found the general Gao Shun or Lu Bu's daughter. Wenyuan, do you know why?"
Zhang Liao cupped his fists and replied, "My former lord demoted General Gao to Military Sima and put him in charge of patrols and security inside the city. He and Miss Lu had a teacher-student bond, so perhaps they took advantage of the chaos to escape?"
"Gao Boping was a talented general. It's a pity to lose him. What does that Lu girl look like?" Cao Cao asked.
"Miss Lu is beautiful, and her martial skills are no worse than mine," Zhang Liao sighed.
"She's a woman, yet her martial skills are no worse than Wenyuan's?" Cao Cao asked, his face full of disbelief.
When Zhang Liao nodded firmly, Cao Cao's slight disappointment vanished at once.
As the two were talking, his personal guard Xu Chu came to report. "My lord, although we haven't found Miss Lu's whereabouts, we found a box of scrolls in her room. This is one of them."
Cao Cao thought to himself, What books could a woman possibly read? He took the scroll indifferently, then opened it and was soon drawn into its story. Excitedly, he asked, "How many volumes are there?"
"About a hundred," Xu Chu replied.
"Good. Pass the order: the whole army will return to Xudu at once. Don't bother looking for Miss Lu anymore. A woman is but a duckweed adrift in troubled times. Even if she manages to survive, she won't make much of a splash." Cao Cao paid it no mind.
"Yes, my lord." Xu Chu cupped his fists and left.
Cao Cao left three thousand troops to garrison Xiapi for the time being, then set off for Xudu with Liu Bei and the others in a grand procession.
At dusk, the army camped in the wilderness to rest. Cao Cao summoned Liu Bei to the central tent and said, "Xuande, you helped me destroy Lu Bu. I'll submit a memorial to the Son of Heaven and request a reward for you."
"Thank you for your kindness, my lord." Liu Bei cupped his fists in gratitude.
After what had happened at Baimen Tower, he was keeping a closer eye on Cao Cao. This fellow wouldn't have called me here just to chat for no reason.
Just then, Cao Cao said, "The new Lady Du I've taken was originally sought by Yunchang, but my men had already brought her into my tent. So I can't give her to General Guan now. Xuande, explain the matter to him for me. Don't hold it against me, Cao Mengde."
"Women are like clothes. My second brother would never hold it against you, my lord," Liu Bei said gravely.
Cao Cao patted Liu Bei on the shoulder and laughed. "I hear you have a wife as lovely as white jade. Why didn't you bring her back to Xudu? She could have helped ease your loneliness on the road."
"My wife's father is gravely ill and bedridden. She's staying at home to care for him, so she couldn't travel with me," Liu Bei explained.
"So that's how it is. I invited you here today for no other reason than to drink wine and enjoy a book," Cao Cao said.
"Enjoy a book?"
Cao Cao led Liu Bei to one side. A beautiful wooden chest sat on the table, packed tightly with scrolls.
"These are the most interesting spoils I've found in Xu Province," Cao Cao said, pointing to the chest.
Liu Bei picked up the top scroll. The title read: The Legend of the Condor Heroes, written by Jin Lao.
As soon as he unrolled it, he found himself immersed in the novel's unusual story. He read with great enjoyment and finished a volume in no time. Amazed, he said, "Who is Jin Lao? This story is so cleverly conceived that I can't put it down."
"Hahaha, you noticed too? I heard someone copied it for Lu Bu's daughter. I plan to read by lamplight tonight," Cao Cao said with a laugh.
"Miss Lu is Jin Lao? That's truly unbelievable." Liu Bei shook his head and sighed.
"Not so. I once heard Wenyuan say that Miss Lu heard it from Lan Ziyu. I suspect that man knows Jin Lao. He must have written that line about the imperial throne and hegemony, too. One day, I'll personally go to Xiaopei and seek him out," Cao Cao said, stroking his beard.
"I'd like to meet this Jin Lao as well." Liu Bei suspected Jin Lao was Lan Tian's master and hoped to reach him before Cao Cao did.
"If you're not tired, Xuande, why don't you read this book with me?" Cao Cao invited him.
"I couldn't ask for anything more."
Cao Cao and Liu Bei read until midnight before finally stopping. Outside the tent, Xu Chu and Zhang Fei, who were on guard, had also stood in the bitter cold until midnight.
Meanwhile, back at Gan Family Village in Xiaopei, Gan Ji's illness suddenly took a turn for the worse again.
Lan Tian hurried into the city to look for a doctor. Of the two men who had treated Gan Ji before, he found only one. After checking Gan Ji's pulse at the village, the doctor shook his head repeatedly.
"How is he?" Lan Tian asked anxiously.
"Your father was first afflicted by wind-cold, then suffered a terrible fright, which left him bedridden. Doctor Xu and I managed to suppress it with strong medicine last time, but now the freezing weather has brought his old illness back. I'm afraid I can do nothing. Unless..."
"Unless what?"
"I've heard of a man named Hua Tuo, skilled at treating all kinds of difficult illnesses. Young Manor Master, you could seek him out," the doctor suggested.
Hua Tuo? Lan Tian was stunned. Of course he knew the famous doctor was capable, but where in the vast world could he be found?
"Sir, do you know where Master Hua is?" Lan Tian asked hopefully.
The doctor shook his head. "I heard he once traveled around Xu and Yang, but Xu Province has been plagued by war these past few years. He may have gone elsewhere. If you want to find him, you may need to ask one of the regional lords for help."
Lan Tian was dumbfounded. That was as good as saying nothing. He had neither reputation nor power; which regional lord would do him such a favor? For the first time, he felt utterly helpless.
Xiapi had fallen, and Lu Bu was dead. He had sent people far and wide to inquire, but there was still no news of Lu Lingqi.
Now Gan Ji's illness had worsened. Lan Tian realized how utterly useless he really was. In this age, simply living in peace as a farmer was nothing but a pipe dream.
Life's three great sorrows were meeting those one resented, parting from those one loved, and wanting what one could not have. He had already suffered two of the three. His wish to scrape by in this world had been shattered by merciless reality, like trying to scoop the moon from the water.
"I'll do my best to find Master Hua. Is there anything else you can do?" Lan Tian asked.
"I can only do my best, but without a miracle cure, your father doesn't have much time left," the doctor said with a sigh.
"Little brother, Father's asking you to come in," Gan Qian called from inside.
"I'm coming."
Lan Tian went to Gan Ji's bedside. Long bedridden and with little appetite, Gan Ji had grown extremely thin.
Lying on the bed, Gan Ji spoke slowly. "Tian'er, there's something... I'm sorry about."
"Adoptive father, you've been so good to me. Please talk less and rest more," Lan Tian comforted him.
Gan Ji shook his head. "I know my own body. I was the one who let Miss Lu leave. I was afraid it would put you and Qian'er in a difficult position.
"She's a good girl, really. I don't even know whether she's married now. I made that decision for you, my son. Don't hold it against me. Cough, cough."
"I won't." Lan Tian knelt beside the bed, tears spilling from his eyes and falling onto the quilt.
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