Chương 74: Cao Cao's Visit, Drunken Spring Pavilion

That morning, the sun was shining brightly, and Liu Ce was strolling around the backyard of the Zhen residence.

Since the award ceremony and that exhausting celebration banquet, he had a rare two days of peace and quiet.

This Zhen mansion truly lives up to its reputation as the residence of a wealthy man from Hebei; the backyard is exquisitely decorated.

The artificial hills and flowing water, pavilions and towers, and flowers, trees and shrubs are all well-maintained.

Liu Ce strolled around with his hands behind his back, looking at the artificial hill and teasing the koi in the pond, feeling his whole pace slow down.

Looking at this place, he thought to himself: If this were modern times, it would be a 5A-level scenic spot, with tickets costing at least two hundred.

As he strolled around, he saw an ancient zither that looked very old placed in the pavilion.

"Oh? There's such a thing?"

Liu Ce became interested. In his previous life, he was a busy office worker who had no time for refined pursuits. However, he had joined a club and learned a little guitar in college.

In this lifetime, all I've ever done is fight wars or give up; I've never even touched anything.

On a whim, he sat down at the zither, touching it here and plucking at it there, producing a few off-key "zhengzheng" sounds that amused him.

"Looks like I'm not cut out for this."

So he began to "struggle" with the guqin, trying to find a fingering technique that could produce harmonious sounds. His focused expression made it seem as if he was trying to overcome some technical challenge.

After a while, he gave up and began to think about playing a song on the guqin. The steward of the Zhen family walked over in a hurry.

"My lord," the steward bowed respectfully, "there is a young master Cao outside the door requesting an audience, saying he is an old friend of yours."

"Cao Cao?" Liu Ce was taken aback, thinking to himself, "What is this Boss Cao doing here in the middle of the morning?"

He waved his hand: "Please invite Cao Cao in, and bring him directly to the backyard."

"Yes."

Before long, and before anyone could be seen, a hearty laugh and greetings could be heard approaching from afar:

"Champion Marquis! General of the Cavalry! Bo Lue! My dear brother Bo Lue! I've been looking for you everywhere!"

Cao Cao, dressed in a well-tailored brocade robe, with an excessively bright smile on his face, strode into the backyard with the speed of the wind.

He immediately spotted Liu Ce fiddling with the guqin and chuckled.

"Oh! Our fierce general, the General of the Cavalry, is he going to switch careers and become a refined scholar, studying music, chess, calligraphy, and painting?"

Liu Ce stood up, brushed off imaginary dust from his hands, and laughed:

"Having nothing to do, I was just browsing. What brings you here today, Brother Mengde?"

Cao Cao completely ignored his polite words, took two steps forward, grabbed Liu Ce's arm, and his eyes lit up:

"What's the point of studying this instrument? That's so boring! Come with me! I'll take you to a really great place! I guarantee it'll be a hundred times, a thousand times, more interesting than this pile of wood and strings!"

Liu Ce was pulled so hard he stumbled, not knowing whether to laugh or cry:

"What a wonderful place! It's so mysterious. If I'm bored, I might as well stay here and keep practicing on this guqin. Maybe I can even play a beautiful tune."

"What are you even thinking about! I bet you can't even tell the difference between the five notes of the pentatonic scale!"

Cao Cao tightened his grip, practically dragging Liu Ce away.

"You absolutely have to go to this game today! Put everything else aside! You'll definitely find it worthwhile if you go."

If you find it boring, you can come back and hit me with your halberd, and I won't fight back!

Liu Ce was half-heartedly dragged along by him, while still making threats under his breath:

"Hey, hey, hey! Mind your manners! I am the Marquis of Champion and General of Chariots and Cavalry, personally appointed by His Majesty! Cao Mengde! How dare you lay a hand on me like that? Be careful, or I'll report you for 'harassing a superior' and send you to Youzhou to starve with me!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao immediately adopted a fawning expression, released his hand, and bowed, saying:

"Oh dear! Your Excellency, please forgive me! General, please calm down! I was being presumptuous! I just had something good to share with you, Your Excellency!"

"My lord, you are so magnanimous, please do me the honor of accompanying me! I beg you!"

He looked just like a waiter trying to attract customers.

Liu Ce was amused by his rapid change of expression, and knowing that he probably couldn't avoid it today, he said helplessly:

"Alright, alright, since you're at least somewhat 'sincere,' lead the way!"

The two stepped out of the imposing gates of the Zhen residence, where, as expected, a clean but not particularly luxurious carriage was parked. Cao Cao solicitously lifted the carriage curtain:

"Please, Your Excellency!"

He shoved Liu Ce into the carriage, then quickly climbed in himself, and called out to the driver:

"Same place! Hurry up!"

The carriage began to sway and wobble. Cao Cao leaned closer to Liu Ce, winking and making faces as he began to promote it:

"Bo Lue, I'm not trying to criticize you, but you've just achieved great merit and received a reward. It's time for you to relax and enjoy yourself!"

What's the point of staying cooped up in the Zhen mansion every day, surrounded by flowers, plants, old zithers, and paintings?

Once we get there, you'll see that this is the real "Immortal's Cave" and "Happy Forest" of Luoyang!

It's a million times more comfortable than eating dry rations, sleeping on straw mats, and smelling horse manure in the army! I guarantee you'll never want to leave!

Liu Ce mentally screamed, "Thank you, Boss Cao! When have I ever been eating dry rations and sleeping on straw mats in the army?"

The food standards in our army are better than those of a mid-level official like you in Luoyang! I even have my own special meals!

"And the smell of horse manure... My camp is cleaner than your study! You're really going to any lengths to slander my military life just to drag me off to some 'indulgence'!"

But he didn't say it aloud; he just cooperated by showing a slightly interested expression.

Then he feigned curiosity: "Oh? Is it really that good? Better than the palace... um, better than ordinary restaurants?"

"Absolutely!" Cao Cao patted his chest.

"The palace has strict rules, you can't really relax there! A typical restaurant is just for a meal! It's different there, there's wine and meat, music to listen to, and... hehe, anyway, I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"

The carriage rumbled along, winding through streets and alleys, and after about half an incense stick's time, it finally stopped at a bustling street corner.

This street is bustling with people during the day, and the sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments can be faintly heard. The fragrance in the air is also particularly complex and rich.

Liu Ce followed Cao Cao out of the carriage. Looking up, he saw a three-story wooden pavilion with carved beams and painted rafters, adorned with colorful silks and lanterns. Although it was not lit up in broad daylight, its grandeur was still evident.

Above the entrance hangs a gleaming gold plaque with three large, elegantly written characters: Drunk! Spring! Pavilion!

Two young women, dressed in brightly colored ruqun (traditional Chinese dresses) and dressed in flamboyant attire, stood at the door, gently waving round fans and their eyes sparkling.

Upon seeing Cao Cao, she immediately beamed with a radiant smile, her voice both sweet and charming:

"Oh! Young Master Cao! It's been quite a while since you last visited! The ladies have been missing you terribly! We've been saving your private room, 'Listening to the Rain Pavilion,' upstairs for you. Please come in, please come in!"

Liu Ce's mind went blank for a moment, and he instantly understood! Wasn't this the most famous and most expensive "high-end entertainment club" in Luoyang?!

Boss Cao, Boss Cao, you dragged me out of the house this morning just to go to a brothel!