“Intention”: War for the Han Frontier sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne
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Cao Pi bowed respectfully and withdrew; Cao Cao turned to the latest
correspondence from Ma Teng and frowned sombrely.
“…Do not rile me, Ma Teng,” Cao Cao muttered. “And do not challenge me,
Han Sui; I feel a migraine poised to strike, and you would do well to be
polite.”
Cao Cao made the long journey to Liang Province to meet with Ma Teng and
Han Sui: he first passed Yingchuan Prefecture in western Yan Province, where
his ‘cousin’ Xiahou Yuan was serving as a prefectural administrator and
protector.
“It is good to see you, Miaocai!” Cao Cao said as he ignored protocol
and hugged the burly, thick-whiskered Xiahou Yuan at the gates of the
prefectural capital.
“You have a migraine,” Xiahou Yuan guessed as he patted Cao Cao’s back.
“My head is a burden that I would gladly be rid of!” Cao Cao chuckled
ironically. “Please, tell one of my many enemies that they are welcome to it!”
Cao Cao backed away and sighed gratefully; it was then that Xiahou Yuan
noticed that Xu Yòu was present. Yuan smiled falsely and said, “Mister Xu Yòu,
we’ve not met often but I recognise you immediately nonetheless.”
Xu Yòu bowed silently.
“Have you no kind words for me, Miaocai?” Xiahou Dun asked.
“Of course I have, you rascal!” Xiahou Yuan chuckled as he hugged Xiahou
Dun.
“We won’t be stopping long, sadly,” Cao Cao said. “But never fear,
Miaocai, for I am hoping that things are about to change for the better: once
my worst enemies are eradicated, you can come to Xuchang and we can all be together.”
“I’ll ensure that your horses are rested and fed and your stocks
replenished,” Xiahou Yuan promised. “I take it that you’re going to Liang
Province…?”
“Enough about the Qiang,” Cao Cao pleaded. “Day after day, they dominate
proceedings as Liu Biao, Yuan Shao and Liu Bei do. Let’s have a get-together,
just us, where we enjoy wine and only talk about better times!”
“That sounds wonderful,” Xu Yòu said. “We’re earned it, I think!”
Xiahou Dun fought the urge to attack Xu Yòu, who had effectively invited
himself to a private family banquet; Xiahou Yuan grimaced and shook his head
discreetly.
“…Of course we’ve earned it, Ziyuan,” Cao Cao replied carefully. “It
will be… most pleasant indeed…”
The banquet was, at first, conspicuously devoid of the merriment and
reminiscing that Cao Cao had suggested; the five men - Xiahou Yuan, Xiahou Dun,
Cao Xiu, Xu Yòu and Cao Cao - did nothing but eat, drink tea or wine and
exchange the occasional joke or anecdote. Xu Yòu became very drunk within a
short time and excused himself; once he was gone, Xiahou Yuan sighed and said,
“What a frustrating, irritating little man he is, Mengde. I know that he is
your friend, but…”
Cao Cao clutched his aching head and replied, “He’s lucky that I have so
much to celebrate at the moment, else I’d have publicly humiliated him at the
very least.”
Xiahou Dun harrumphed angrily.