Mouqiu Dian

"Uncle, how do you like these dishes?"

"This little Yuan City of yours actually has so much delicious food?!"

"I've never even seen these dishes in Luoyang..."

Guo Jian stared at the array of delicacies before him, his eyes wide.

Guo Jian was very particular about his food. When Cao Mao had offered to take him to sample the local cuisine, he had been rather dismissive. He had not thought there could be anything here to tempt his palate.

But once the proprietor brought out the dishes, he could no longer sit still.

Every single dish the proprietor served was something he did not recognize, something he had never even heard of.

And in both flavor and appearance, they far surpassed what Guo Jian usually ate.

For someone who thought so highly of himself, this was a little hard to accept.

Cao Mao laughed and hurried to explain, "Uncle, as the saying goes, food is the people's heaven. Though I'm not as wise as the Prince of Pengcheng, I understand that much."

"All these years, I've been studying the principles of food. Every dish you're eating now was personally improved by me."

"You have that talent too?"

"Hahaha, don't laugh at me for saying so, but eating is my greatest passion."

"Eating might seem simple, but there's nothing simple about it. No matter how precious the ingredients, failing to cook them with care is squandering heaven's gifts."

"When it comes to eating, even the Grand General doesn't eat as well as I do!"

Cao Mao began describing all sorts of dishes-beggar's chicken, meatball soup, and more-leaving Guo Jian utterly astonished.

Though Guo Jian had originally looked down on cooking, Cao Mao's words now stirred his interest.

"Can I try all of those?"

"Hahaha, why not? I've heard foreign merchants passing through say there are even more ingredients beyond the frontier and overseas... Uncle, keep eating. We can talk as we eat!"

Guo Jian stood on no ceremony and began eating heartily.

Normally, Cao Mao ate downstairs alongside the other diners, but with Guo Jian present, they had gone upstairs, where it was more private.

Guo Jian thoroughly enjoyed the meal and still wanted more.

"This little Yuan City truly is extraordinary!"

Cao Mao laughed and quickly summoned the proprietor.

"Zixuan, my uncle has graced your establishment in person. This is an honor for you!"

The proprietor hurriedly nodded. "It is my honor, and an honor for all of Yuan City!"

"Here's what you'll do. Send a few people to my residence later. In a few days, they'll accompany my uncle to Luoyang."

"Huh?"

"Once you reach Luoyang, open a restaurant and send my uncle food every day. No repeating the previous day's dishes. Make sure he eats well. If he isn't satisfied, I won't let you off!"

Guo Jian asked, "Why go to all that trouble? Why not simply live in my residence and serve as my cook?"

"Uncle, I'm sending him to Luoyang not just to cook for you, but to let everyone in our Guo Family have a taste too. It'll be more convenient for him to stay outside. Besides, how could someone of such lowly standing enter your residence?"

Now Guo Jian was genuinely moved.

Ever since he arrived in Yuan City, the boy had called him uncle at every turn and treated him with every courtesy, truly respecting him as an elder.

After a moment's thought, he removed a jade pendant from his waist and tossed it to Cao Mao.

"Take it!"

"Uncle... this is..."

"The Emperor of the Filial and Enlightened Ancestor once bestowed this on me. I've treasured it, but today I'm giving it to you. Since you treat me as your uncle, consider it a gift from an elder."

"Ah! This is far too precious!"

"It's fine! I have several more at home! Just take it!"

"Thank you, Uncle!"

Cao Mao bowed and solemnly hung the jade pendant at his waist.

In truth, though Guo Jian was somewhat spoiled and arrogant, he was still much easier to get along with than those crafty old foxes.

The proprietor, too, was beside himself with excitement.

Luoyang!

In this day and age, one could not simply open a shop wherever one pleased. Local loyalties ran deep, and even doing business in the neighboring county meant overcoming countless obstacles, let alone going to Luoyang.

But now, with the Guo Family backing him, the proprietor could open a branch in Luoyang without a worry. A shop in Luoyang was a very different prospect from one in Yuan City.

He looked gratefully at Cao Mao, but offered no words of thanks. Instead, he bowed and said, "I will make certain Lord Guo is satisfied. From now on, I will personally deliver food to the lords' residences every day, without fail!"

Cao Mao waved him away.

The proprietor then had fine wine brought over. The two resumed their meal, and Guo Jian was thoroughly at ease.

"Mao, why hasn't Wang Su come yet? I've been here two days, and there's still no word from him?"

"Uncle, he's Sima Zhao's father-in-law, puffed up with success. I hear the Grand General's health is poor. Who knows what he's plotting? It would be strange if he wanted to be friendly with our Guo Family!"

Guo Jian sobered up at once.

"You mean...?"

"Heh, Uncle, think about it. Who at court most wants to take our Guo Family's place?"

Guo Jian flew into a rage. "So that's what Wang Su is up to! I wondered why the bastard was acting like this. He wants to replace us! If Sima Zhao rises to power, then his daughter will be..."

"Exactly. That's the heart of it."

"He's waiting for us to go pay our respects to him. He wants to see us bow our heads and claim credit before the Grand General..."

"That old dog!"

Guo Jian burst into curses.

"Mao! We won't go begging him! We'll wait for him to come to us! Once he does, I'll make sure you and Zishou get your revenge!"

Cao Mao asked uneasily, "Uncle, could that jeopardize the greater cause? If we offend Wang Su..."

"Why should we fear him?! His daughter married Sima Zhao, but my elder brother is Sima Shi's son-in-law!"

"Say no more! I have my own plans!"

"Yes!"

Luoyang, the Mouqiu Residence.

Night had deepened. Candlelight flickered in the study as a resolute-looking young man sat before it, head lowered, writing furiously.

The young man's brow was furrowed, his eyes full of anger and resentment.

His brush moved faster and faster, as though he meant to pour every grievance in his heart onto the page.

"Father, you hold the weighty responsibility of guarding a region, yet sit calmly by while the state topples. You will face the condemnation of all beneath heaven!"

"When the state is about to fall, loyal men must emerge. Raise the banner to punish the traitors, and the loyal and righteous throughout the realm will answer. The moment to uphold the altars of state is now!"

As he wrote furiously, a crash rang out, and someone burst through the window into the room.

The young man jumped in fright, flinging the brush from his hand.

He hurriedly drew his sword and stood in front of the letter, facing the intruder.

The newcomer was a burly man whose features were indistinct in the candlelight. He was panting heavily and seemed utterly exhausted.

"Master of Documents and Palace Attendant Censor Mouqiu Dian..."

Even the newcomer's voice was rough.

Mouqiu Dian frowned. "Who are you?!"

"I'm a messenger. I have a letter for you."

"I don't know you!"

"Nor do I know you... but the man who wrote the letter does."

"Don't be afraid. I haven't come to harm you. My lord entrusted me with bringing this letter across a thousand miles to place it in your hands."

He took a letter from inside his robe and held it out to Mouqiu Dian.

Mouqiu Dian continued watching him warily, not daring to approach.

The man suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right."

"Fuck Sima Shi!"

"What?"

"My lord told me that if I said that, you would trust me."

Mouqiu Dian was dumbstruck. Just then, a servant's voice came from outside.

"My lord? What happened?"

Mouqiu Dian studied the burly man before him and sheathed his sword. "Nothing! Go and rest!"

Once he was certain the servants had left, he stepped forward and took the letter from the man.

He opened it and began reading.

After just one glance, his eyes widened despite himself.

He read the letter over and over several more times, scarcely able to believe it.

"You came from Yuan City?"

"Yes. My lord sent me to find you. He also said I could trust you completely. There were too many inspections along the road, and I had no travel pass, so I was delayed for quite a few days. Fortunately, I still managed to deliver the letter."

"A true man of valor!"

Mouqiu Dian looked at the rough fellow before him with admiration, all his earlier wariness gone.

"Please, sit."

"I am Mouqiu Dian. May I ask your name, brave sir?"

"Liu Lu."

"Master Liu... please rest here for now. I understand everything the Duke of the Village has instructed. Since he has placed such trust in me, I will not fail him."

"There's no need for such courtesy. As long as you understand my lord's instructions... I still have to return to him, so I'm sorry for the trouble, but I won't stay. My lord is kindhearted, and I worry that wicked men might bully him..."

Liu Lu rose unsteadily, bowed to Mouqiu Dian, and turned to leave.

After only a few steps, he suddenly collapsed.

Mouqiu Dian blanched and rushed forward, only to discover that the man had merely fainted.

He had probably gone many days without closing his eyes, pushing himself to the very brink of collapse.

Mouqiu Dian looked at the letter in his hand, then at the brave man lying unconscious on the floor, and could not help exclaiming:

"What a hero that Duke of the Village must be, to command the service of such a righteous man!"