“Yellow Sky”: Crisis for the Han Dynasty sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne
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“…Because I fear you may not like what I have to say,” Xu Shao replied
honestly. “But very well… do you really want to know what I see in you, Cao
Mengde…?”
“I do,” Cao Cao insisted. “What good is man with no reputation?”
“…Very well,” Xu Shao replied wearily. “You will be a capable man and a
hero in times of peace; but in chaotic times… you will be a most villainous and
magnificent ‘hero’ indeed.”
Cao Cao was momentarily struck dumb; his hands quivered, and he did not
know whether he should be angry or upset. But as he pondered the appraisal
further, a smiled formed on his face. Cao Cao roared with laughter, pointed at
Xu Shao, shook his head with disbelief at such frankness, and left the famous
appraiser, who was gripped with a sense of dread.
“I wonder,” Xu Shao murmured after Cao Cao had gone, “what I have just
unleashed…”
*************
10
The eunuch Wang Fu walked into his quarters within the imperial palace
and grunted irritably. His fellow eunuch Cao Jie - who had followed him to
discuss some matters that had arisen at court - noted the gesture and asked,
“Does something specific bother you?”
“He won’t pay,” Wang Fu replied icily.
“Who won’t?” Cao Jie prompted.
Wang Fu ensured that they were alone before he replied, “Prince Kui.”
“I suppose he thinks that his status gives him the right to refuse us,”
Cao Jie scoffed.
“We are the court now… perhaps
he’d like to be made aware of that,” Wang Fu said as he sat at his desk and
started to write something on a piece of cloth paper.
“We’re still no closer to finding out who left that slanderous message,”
Cao Jie complained. “Worse still, the newest officials that are entering the
court are not all of them as ‘quiet’ as they should be. Must we increase our
remit yet aga-”
“I intend to deal with the Prince of Bohai,” Wang Fu interrupted. “It
must be understood that refusing us has consequences… no matter what status the
person may think that they have.”
“He is the brother of the last emperor,” Cao Jie noted cautiously.
“Aha! That is how we will win, of course,” Wang Fu cackled as he got to
his feet. “Is it enough to be humble prince, I wonder, when you are so close to
the former majesty…?”