Chapter 52: Lady Bu

Cough, cough, cough... In a residence in Linhu County, Lujiang Prefecture, a young gentleman dressed in white held a handkerchief to his mouth, coughing repeatedly. His face was so pale and delicate, even more frail than the famous Lady Lin.

"Young Master Dongguo, are you feeling any better?"

A slender girl entered the courtyard carrying a basket of melons and fruits. She looked about fourteen or fifteen, dressed in a green linen gown with her hair styled in two knots, clearly a maidservant.

"Miss Lian'er, thank you for your trouble these days," the young master said, rising to bow.

"Please, young master, I don't deserve your thanks," Lian'er replied, blushing and stepping aside. "It was the madam who asked me to care for you, so if you wish to thank someone, thank her."

"I must thank Madam, and also you, Miss Lian'er. I wouldn't have survived these days without your care," the young master said with a courteous smile.

Lian'er pursed her lips in a smile and glanced at him. He was tall, handsome, with red lips and white teeth, clothed in a scholar’s white robe, his every movement revealing an uncommon grace. Secretly, she thought how charming and pleasant he was—polite, gentle, humorous. If his family background were suitable and he was still unmarried, he would make a perfect match for her young mistress. She recalled Madam's instructions to look after him well, suspecting Madam, too, had such thoughts for her daughter’s future. If a match was made, Lian’er would accompany her mistress as part of the dowry. The thought brought a blush to her cheeks.

"Miss Lian'er, I have been recovering here for many days and have not yet had the chance to thank Madam Bu in person. Might I pay my respects to her today, if it is convenient?" the young master inquired politely.

Lian'er giggled. "Young master, you couldn't have chosen a better time. Before I came, Madam said that if you were feeling better, I should take you out for a walk. Today is the Double Ninth Festival—would you like to go?"

"Of course, please lead the way," the young master replied, shaking out his sleeves and following her out of the courtyard.

—

The Bu family’s residence was modest, with three sections front to back. The family lived in the rear, while the young master stayed in an eastern side room. Since there were no men in charge of the household, he had little contact with the family.

As they walked, he asked Lian'er about the Bu family’s background. Their ancestors included one of Confucius’ seventy-two disciples, Bu Shucheng, and in the Qin and Han dynasties, they had produced a Marquis of Huaiyin—a family of some standing. Originally from Guangling in Xuzhou, they had fled when the villainous Cao’s army ravaged Xuzhou, making the region unsafe. Madam Bu, fearing disaster, took her daughter to Shouchun County. But after a few years, Cao’s army marched again, this time toward Shouchun. Fearing another massacre, Madam moved her family to Linhu County for refuge.

"That villain Cao, always killing and pillaging—one day he’ll be struck by lightning or choke on his drink!" Lian’er cursed, smacking her lips.

The young master smiled wryly. The infamous Chancellor Cao's reputation was indeed foul. Thank goodness he hadn’t revealed his true identity, or they might have drowned him again.

"Why don't you curse Cao along with us?" Lian’er asked, blinking with curiosity.

"Ah?"

"Weren’t you fleeing Shouchun, too? That day we rowed south and found you in the water—you must also have been escaping the chaos. That villain forced you from your home, nearly cost you your life. Don't you hate him?"

"Er, yes, you are right. That villain deserves to be struck by lightning one day," he said, gritting his teeth for effect.

Lian’er laughed delightedly, treating him as one of their own.

In the front courtyard, the Bu family was holding their Double Ninth ancestral rites. The festival, originating in the Warring States period, evolved over time: on the ninth day of the ninth month, people wore cornelian, ate mugwort cakes, drank chrysanthemum wine, honored their ancestors, and remembered departed loved ones. As outsiders, both the young master and Lian’er did not intrude but observed quietly from the courtyard.

There were not many members of the Bu family: Madam Bu, her daughter, the young mistress, her elder brother and his wife, and two young male cousins. Each had red cornelian tucked in their hair and held yellow and white chrysanthemums.

Before the rites, Madam Bu took a bamboo stick and struck a wooden trough several times, then handed it to her daughter, her brother, and his wife, each taking a turn.

The young master, puzzled—he had celebrated Double Ninth in Yingchuan, wearing cornelian, eating mugwort cakes, drinking wine, but never seen this wood-striking ritual—quietly asked Lian’er about it.

She covered her mouth and smiled, "The trough stands for Cao; striking it is to beat the villain. This practice started in Huainan in recent years: on Double Ninth, people strike the trough to drive away illness and disaster, and to prolong life. Since you are unwell, the more you strike, the better."

He twitched his lips and, seeing Lian’er watching, nodded vigorously. "I'll strike a hundred times—beat that villain soundly!"

Lian’er giggled, hiding her smile.

—

After striking at the villain, the Bu family burned incense and offered prayers to their ancestors, reciting odes and sipping chrysanthemum wine.

"Young master, Madam invites you to share some chrysanthemum wine," Lian’er said.

"Wine?" His eyes lit up, and he strode forward, bowing to thank Madam Bu and the family for saving his life.

Madam Bu, a woman of about thirty, was dignified and graceful, with the poise of a true lady of a great house. Her daughter, in the bloom of youth, stood half hidden behind her mother, bright eyes appraising the guest.

As a male outsider, it was not proper for him to converse much with the ladies, so after expressing thanks and bowing to the ancestral tablets, he recited an eloquent eulogy, praising the Bu family’s ancestors with elegant words and a sonorous voice, displaying great literary talent.

The family was delighted and looked at him with new respect. Madam Bu even had her daughter offer him a cup of chrysanthemum tea, wishing him a swift recovery. He accepted and sipped it politely.

Suddenly, a young man of about eighteen or nineteen rushed in, sweating, crying, "Terrible news!"

This was Bu Zhi, styled Zishan, the eldest cousin. He had helped rescue the young master from the water. During his convalescence, the young master had spoken with Bu Zhi several times and found him an exceptionally talented youth.

"Zishan, we are holding ancestral rites—what is this commotion?" the elder uncle scolded.

"Father, mother, aunt, terrible news—Cao’s army is on the march!"

His news was met with disbelief. "Zishan, Cao was beaten by Lord Yuan and Lu Bu; he’s nowhere to be found, perhaps already dead. How could he attack us?"

"Father, it is General Cao Xin, one of the six generals, who has brought over a thousand cavalry from Nanyang into Huainan. He defeated Chen Lan at Yiyang, beheaded Liu Xun, prefect of Lujiang, then captured Hefei and is now searching everywhere for the villain. Ten days ago, Generals Zhang Xun, Lei Bo, and Ji Ling found him at Feishui West Marsh and were about to kill him, but Cao Xin arrived in time, rescued Cao Mengde, and killed Lei Bo and Ji Ling on the spot, while Zhang Xun was routed and fled."

Everyone gasped. This General Cao Xin was ferocious—Huainan had only a handful of famous generals, and now half were dead at his hands.

"After finding the villain, Cao Xin rallied scattered troops, accepted the surrender of thousands of Yuan’s soldiers, and gathered over eight thousand men in three days. With these troops, he took Feidong, Feixi, Chengbo, Lu'an, and Yangquan. Three days ago, he besieged Shouchun, and the traitor Chen Lan opened the gates for him. Shouchun fell, Lord Yuan fled, and most of Huainan is now under Cao’s control. I hear Cao Xin is about to march south and attack Lujiang Prefecture. Father, aunt, we must leave at once or it will be too late!"

The Bu family frowned. The elder uncle sighed, "We fled from Guangling to Shouchun, then from Shouchun to Lujiang. Where else can we go?"

"To Jiangdong, where Sun Bofu rules," Bu Zhi suggested.

"Let’s not panic," Madam Bu said calmly, her hands folded before her. "Zishan, is it General Cao Ziyu himself leading the attack, or another of the villain’s commanders?"

"It is General Cao Xin himself, with Zhang Baiji, Cao Chun, Cao Xiu, and others under his command. The rest of Cao’s generals have not yet arrived in Huainan."

"If it’s General Cao Ziyu himself, there’s less cause for alarm. He is from Xuzhou. When the villain ordered the slaughter of Xuzhou’s people, it was Cao Ziyu who intervened, saving countless lives. He is strict in command and never harms the innocent or disturbs the people. If he leads the troops, we need not rush to flee. Let us watch how things develop."

Bu Zhi hesitated. "But the villain is also in Hefei. Not long ago, he was defeated by our forces and suffered great losses. If he seeks revenge, Lujiang is not safe."

Madam Bu frowned slightly. "Zishan, have you heard any reports of Cao’s army sacking cities or plundering the people?"

"No, in fact, three days ago when they took Shouchun, some soldiers tried to cause trouble, but Cao Ziyu held a public court in front of Yuan’s palace, condemned the offenders, and executed over twenty of the worst, flogging more than eighty on the spot."

Bu Zhi added, "Cao Ziyu also posted proclamations throughout Huainan, declaring that anyone who saw Cao’s soldiers robbing or harassing people could report them to him, and he would show no mercy."

The Bu family breathed a sigh of relief. The young master could not help but smile wryly—who would have thought that the notorious, decadent Cao Ziyu would have such a good reputation among the people?

"Brother Dongguo, you are learned and wise—what is your view of the situation in Huainan?" Bu Zhi asked, approaching him. He had spoken to this scholar several times and knew his knowledge surpassed that of any gentleman he had met.

"Zishan, you flatter me," the young master replied after a moment’s thought. "In my opinion, Lujiang is safe for now. Cao Ziyu has only a few thousand troops—he cannot pursue further campaigns after pacifying Huainan. Besides, after suffering so much at Lu Bu’s hands, the villain will surely turn on Xuzhou next, before considering Huainan or Jiangdong. What your family needs to guard against is not Cao's army, but Sun Bofu’s forces. Sun Bofu has unified the counties of Jiangdong and will surely covet Huainan and Lujiang next."

Bu Zhi nodded slightly, glanced at his aunt and cousin, then said quietly, "Brother Dongguo, I’ve heard that Cao Xin is fond of women and often seizes beauties among the people. Three days ago, when Shouchun fell, some saw him leave the palace with Lady Feng, Yuan Shu’s favored consort. Given our situation, I worry..."

He did not finish, but the young master understood, secretly mocking someone yet smiling as he replied, "No need to worry. I have a friend who knows Cao Ziyu. He says that, while Cao Ziyu is fond of beauty, he never takes women by force. He is so confident in his looks and abilities that he disdains such methods."

He curled his lip in disdain.

"I see. Brother Dongguo, you are indeed widely read and well connected," Bu Zhi admired.

"Ha, not at all. Zishan, shall we have a drink? Let me treat you today," the young master offered, patting his chest.

"Thank you, Brother Dongguo—I accept gladly."

—

Guided by Bu Zhi, the young master went to a tavern in Linhu County. They ordered some dishes and a pot of fine spirits from the Huizhong Trading House, drinking and chatting merrily.

Midway, when he went to the lavatory, a man followed him in. Startled, he retreated a few steps, covering his rear. "What do you want?"

"Are you Master Guo?" the man asked, bowing.

He blinked. "What Master Guo?"

"Ha, Master Guo, it is good to see you well. I am a clerk from Huizhong Trading House. By order of the Sixth General and Madam, I have been searching everywhere for you. The innkeeper said someone resembling you was here, and sure enough, it is you!"

Hearing the mention of the Sixth General, Guo Jia relaxed, though puzzled. "How did Cao Ziyu know I was in Linhu?"

"Ha, our general had no idea. But he said Master Guo is addicted to wine—if you were alive, you would surely visit taverns and order our spirits. He told us to watch the taverns, and it worked!"

Guo Jia twitched his mouth. "Your Sixth General knows me too well. By the way, friend, do you have any money? Lend me some, and I’ll repay you in Xuchang."

"Of course!" The man handed him two gold ingots, worth a hundred strings of cash.

Guo Jia was a bit shaken—was everyone under Cao Ziyu so wealthy?

"Master Guo, the general also asked us to remind you that you still owe him twenty thousand strings of cash."

Dong! Guo Jia’s hand slipped, and a gold ingot fell, landing squarely on his toe.

"Ow! That scoundrel Cao Ziyu! I’ve gone missing and he still remembers to collect his debts? Damn, he’s ruthless! Ruthless!"