066. Cao Hong’s Slander

“How is it that you busy men have the leisure to spend time at the tavern today?”

After seeing off Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, Cao Xin walked over to the neighboring table and invited his colleagues to share a drink.

Xun You replied with a smile, “Today is our day of rest. I heard the tavern is serving a new dish called steamed buns, so I invited Zhong Yuantang and Guo Jia to try it together.”

Xiahou Yuan, chewing hungrily on his meat, chimed in, “Gongming and I just returned from drilling troops outside the city. It’s been a long time since we’ve enjoyed a meal here, so we thought we’d treat ourselves.”

Though both Xiahou Yuan and Xu Huang were high-ranking generals with stipends of over a thousand bushels, their income was stretched thin—supporting their families, assisting relatives, upgrading equipment, and subsidizing their personal guards meant their pay seldom sufficed. Even today, their little feast was modest—just two small dishes—yet their appetites were insatiable. Faced with a table laden with mouthwatering delicacies, once their chopsticks were raised, they hardly set them down—after all, when treated by a generous patron, it would be a shame not to indulge.

“Cao Ziyu, I’ve heard all the dishes here at the tavern originate from your household. Have you tasted all these yourself?” asked Guo Jia, chicken in one hand and a cup in the other.

Cao Xin glanced over the table. There were twenty-two dishes in all: chicken, duck, fish, and various meats, cooked in every imaginable style—steamed, fried, braised, and roasted—truly a splendid spread.

“I’ve tasted them all. Why do you ask?”

A collective sigh passed around the table. In these times of famine, from the emperor down to the officials, most survived on coarse grains; even a daily meal of steamed barley was considered a blessing. Yet Cao Ziyu dined on fine meats and fish with every meal—such extravagance was almost unimaginable.

“Ahem… General Ziyu, I wonder if I may speak frankly,” Zhong Yao ventured, holding a steamed bun hesitantly.

Cao Xin laughed heartily, “Master Yuanchang, speak your mind—there’s no need for formality at this table.”

“General Ziyu, rumor has it you’re particular about your meals, spending hundreds of strings of cash on a single sitting. Don’t you think that’s excessive? With war and famine everywhere, many go hungry. Even the Chancellor urges his ministers to practice thrift. Forgive me if I dampen the mood, but I hope you’ll understand my concern,” Zhong Yao said tactfully.

“You’re not wrong, Master Yuanchang—this manner of dining is indeed wasteful. But perhaps that’s not entirely a bad thing.”

“Oh?”

“Do you know how many people this tavern supports?” Cao Xin smiled as he spoke.

The others looked puzzled.

“Cao Ziyu, don’t keep us in suspense—out with it,” urged Guo Jia.

“This tavern provides livelihoods for at least twenty thousand people. The preparation of these exquisite dishes requires a multitude of hands; the tavern hires workers, and from farmers to hunters, vegetable growers, vintners, potters, craftsmen, fishermen, and herbalists—across the entire Yu Province—nearly three thousand families depend on the Taibai Tavern to make a living. If the tavern didn’t purchase their goods, they’d go hungry.”

Furthermore, in the past six months, the tavern has contributed over twenty thousand bushels of grain to Xuxian County. The leftovers are delivered daily, free of charge, to the orphanage in Xudu, improving the lives of the orphans there. With its profits, the Taibai Tavern reclaims wasteland around Xudu, builds farms, cultivates more grain, and raises more pigs, sheep, and cattle.”

Cao Xin smiled gently, meeting their gazes.

“So, Master Yuanchang, do you still think this extravagance is wasteful?”

“I suppose not,” Zhong Yao conceded, though something still bothered him.

Xun You smiled, “Ziyu, if a little luxury at the table supports more people, then wouldn’t the Chancellor’s call for austerity actually harm the people’s livelihood?”

“It’s not quite the same. My approach is to take from the people and use it for the people, spending all that is earned. The Chancellor’s aim is to spare the people’s labor, allowing them rest—which is also for their good. Our goals are the same.”

“To take from the people and use it for the people? That’s an excellent principle,” Zhong Yao praised, nodding.

Xun You’s eyes lit up. He dipped a brush in water and wrote the phrase on the hem of his robe.

Cao Xin’s eyelid twitched—what a strange habit, always recording these sayings. No, when Xun You leaves, all his drafts must be burned to prevent them from influencing the course of history.

——

“Chancellor!”

At the Chancellor’s residence, Cao Hong strode into the council hall, dressed in coarse cloth.

Inside, Cao Cao was playing Go with Xun Yu, while Cheng Yu and Dong Zhao watched. It was a day of rest, with little government business, and the atmosphere was relaxed.

“Zilian, you’re here. Zhongde, Zilian has something for me—take over and finish this game with Wenruo,” Cao Cao said, setting down his stone and rising.

Cheng Yu’s mouth twitched; the Chancellor’s side was all but lost—how was he to continue? But, not wanting to offend, he saluted and sat down.

“Haha, Zilian, what brings you here?” Cao Cao clapped Cao Hong’s increasingly stout shoulder.

“Heh, Chancellor, on my way here I passed by the Taibai Tavern. Guess what? I happened to see Dian Wei and Zhang Fei fighting—quite the spectacle! Several thousand people were watching,” Cao Hong replied, his double chin quivering.

Cao Hong’s family was wealthy—worth hundreds of thousands—and he lacked for nothing. During his convalescence, he’d grown even heavier; his coarse tunic was stretched to the breaking point, revealing the silk beneath.

“Oh? Why were they fighting?” The prospect of Dian Wei and Zhang Fei, two mighty warriors, clashing drew the curiosity of Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, and the others.

“Haha, I heard Zhang Yide got drunk and refused to pay his bill. Cao Ziyu sent Dian Wei to deal with him—he gave Zhang Fei a real thrashing, pinned him to the ground. Thousands witnessed it,” Cao Hong said, miming punches.

“That… seems excessive.” The Chancellor’s brow furrowed. “Liu Xuande and his brothers are guests from afar and should be afforded respect in Xudu. Moreover, Zhang Yide was drunk and not in his right mind. Beating him publicly has brought shame on Liu Xuande and his brothers—it was wrong.”

“You’re right, Chancellor. Cao Ziyu, relying on his strong men, has been stirring up trouble in Xudu. He knows you advocate austerity, yet persists in traveling in a golden carriage, dressed in silks, and even has his servants wear silk—utter extravagance! He’s clearly defying your edict. You must rein him in,” Cao Hong said indignantly.

Cao Cao frowned. He was already aware of Cao Ziyu’s golden carriage and lavish attire. But his austerity edict was only a recommendation, not a mandate for all to wear coarse cloth.

As a member of the Cao family, Cao Ziyu ought to support the edict, but his obvious lack of cooperation was troubling.

“Chancellor, after you issued the austerity edict, I immediately adjusted my business: all silks at my shops became more expensive, while coarse cloth was made affordable for all. Everyone can buy homespun now.”

“Well done, Zilian,” Cao Cao commended.

“Also, my Wangjiang Restaurant has changed too—less luxury, simpler meals, lower prices so everyone can afford to eat.”

“Excellent, Zilian!” Cao Cao patted his shoulder again, pleased with its resilience.

“But Chancellor, while I’ve responded to your edict, Cao Ziyu’s business has only grown more extravagant and wasteful. His taverns and perfumeries are pushing more liquor and perfume, hoping to profit from the New Year. I heard Taibai Tavern released a new dish—steamed buns—so complicated it takes hundreds of people working together to make one,” Cao Hong declared, exaggerating the process as he described it.

As Cao Cao listened, his expression darkened. Such an elaborate dish was a scandalous waste.

“Chancellor, Cao Ziyu and the Taibai Tavern are the very epitome of extravagance. If you wish your austerity edict to succeed, you must punish Cao Ziyu severely and close the Taibai Tavern. Otherwise, people will say: if even the Chancellor’s kin won’t obey, why should we? Chancellor, Cao Ziyu is arrogant and debauched, the greatest obstacle to your edict. If you confiscate his wealth for military provisions, I guarantee your edict will be enforced across the realm.”

Cao Hong spoke with fervor.

“Confiscate Ziyu’s estate?” Cao Cao stroked his beard, a gleam in his eye. Ziyu was so wealthy—if they seized his assets, it would feed the army for a long time.

——