Chương 75: Yuan Shao, "Speaking Nonsense"

"Cao Cao! You..."

Liu Ce was both angry and amused. He was about to say something to Cao Cao when Cao Cao covered his mouth.

"Shh—! My lord! Keep your voice down!"

Cao Cao leaned close to his ear, lowered his voice, and spoke with an unquestionable, experienced tone.

"Since we're already here, what's wrong with looking around? Besides, this Drunken Spring Pavilion isn't your average brothel; it's an elegant place! Countless scholars, poets, and young masters from prominent families gather here to compose poems, listen to music, and discuss philosophy!"

He released his grip, but still held onto Liu Ce's sleeve, winking and whispering in a knowing tone:

"Bo Lue, you're in the prime of your life, and now you've achieved great success. Why not come to a place like this to broaden your horizons and experience Luoyang's top-notch 'elegance'? What man doesn't come to a place like this to socialize and socialize?"

Don't act like a clueless, naive kid! Don't make a fuss! Just follow me and see how I handle this. You can learn from me! I guarantee you won't regret it!

Liu Ce was speechless for a moment, his mind in turmoil:

"Holy crap! Two lives! In my past life I was a law-abiding youth, but in this life I've been fighting wars ever since I transmigrated here. This is truly my first time entering such a legendary place! I've learned so much, really learned so much! Boss Cao, you really are an expert in this area, you know it like the back of your hand!"

While he was still in a daze, he was already being "invited" into the Drunken Spring Pavilion by the enthusiastic madam and girls (mainly for Cao Cao).

As soon as he entered the building, the aroma that blended the scents of high-end cosmetics, mellow wine, and exquisite pastries, along with a faint, ambiguous fragrance, overwhelmed Liu Ce like a tidal wave.

This smell was like two completely different worlds from the masculine smell of sweat, rust, and hay he was familiar with in the military camp!

The hall was already filled with guests, some sitting around listening to music, others chatting and laughing in hushed tones, while graceful maids dressed in light gauze robes moved among them carrying platters of wine and fruit.

From upstairs, melodious singing and soft piano music drifted out, mixed with the laughter of men and women.

Liu Ce felt a strong shock to his senses, and his steps became unsteady.

"Holy crap... this is an ancient nightclub... no, a high-class club! Having lived two lives, this is the first time I've ever been to a place like this... it's truly... an eye-opener!"

Liu Ce was shocked, feeling a sense of wonder akin to "Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden".

Cao Cao was clearly a regular here, familiar with the place, and nodded to the beautiful women he encountered along the way.

He led Liu Ce straight up to the second floor.

The second-floor corridor was even more quiet and elegant, with carpets and red gauze lanterns hanging in the air. Various musical instruments and laughter could be heard coming from the closed private rooms.

Reaching the innermost room, Cao Cao pushed open the door: "My lord, please!"

Liu Ce went inside and saw that the private room was indeed quite impressive.

The space was spacious and elegantly decorated. Several landscape paintings hung on the walls, and a round mahogany table was placed by the window, on which fruit and an unopened jar of wine were laid out.

The window was half-open, allowing me to hear what was happening downstairs while still ensuring privacy.

"Sit down, sit down! Don't be shy, make yourself at home!"

Cao Cao pulled Liu Ce to sit in the main seat, and sat down beside him. He picked up the jar of wine, and with a "smack," broke the clay seal, releasing a faint aroma of wine.

He poured a glass for each of them and said generously:

"Come on! Let's have a drink first! This is 'Spring Dew White' brewed by Zui Chun Fang themselves."

Although it's not as potent as that divine brew you treated me to last time, it's still one of the best wines in Luoyang! Much better than those bland imperial wines in the palace! Have a taste!

Looking at the clear wine in front of him and then at Cao Cao's expectant eyes, Liu Ce had no choice but to pick it up and take a sip.

Hmm, the taste is indeed mellow, and the alcohol content is a bit higher than that of regular cloudy liquor, but he was still wondering to himself:

"Boss Cao knows this place way too well! He even knows the specialty drinks inside and out! Looks like he's been here quite a bit for 'work inspections'!"

The two had just taken a sip when the door to the private room was gently pushed open again.

A tall, handsome young man, around thirty years old, walked in.

He wore a fine brocade robe with cloud patterns, and held a pure white feather fan in his hand (very impressive). A perfectly measured smile played on his lips, and he exuded the noble air of a young master from a prominent family and... a subtle sense of superiority.

As soon as he entered, his gaze fell on Liu Ce. He closed his feather fan, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, his movements fluid and graceful, his tone warm yet measured.

"I am Yuan Shao of Runan, Yuan Benchu. I have long admired your illustrious name, which resounds like thunder in my ears. To meet you today is truly an honor! An honor indeed!"

Name: Yuan Shao, courtesy name Benchu Gender: Male Age: 30 [Strength]: 72 (Third-rate) [Command]: 82 (Second-rate) [Politics]: 85 (Second-rate) Intelligence: 76 (Third-rate) [Appearance]: 82cm Special skills: [Four Generations of High Officials]: In the early stages, you receive a huge boost to reputation, initial resources, and talent attraction, allowing you to quickly build a powerful force. However, this boost will gradually diminish over time or after a major defeat.

[Popularity within the country]: During the period of power development, the success rate of recruiting famous scholars and civil officials is extremely high, and a prosperous situation with a wealth of talents under one's command is likely to emerge.

[Indecisive and Prudent]: When multiple strategic options are presented simultaneously, the individual will be in a prolonged state of "hesitation" and will have a very high probability of choosing the worst or most unfavorable option. Furthermore, this will cause loyal and outspoken members of the ally to be "imprisoned" or "demoted".

Upon hearing this, Liu Ce exclaimed, "Oh wow! This is Yuan Benchu, the eldest son of the Yuan family, a family that has produced four generations of high-ranking officials (after adoption, according to etiquette), and the future overlord of Hebei!" He rose to return the greeting:

"So it's Brother Benchu. I've long admired you. Your contribution is insignificant and not worth mentioning. Please sit down."

Cao Cao chimed in with a laugh, "When Yuan Shao heard that I was coming to see you, Bo Lue, he insisted on coming along, saying he absolutely had to see the great hero who quelled the Yellow Turban Rebellion with his own eyes! I couldn't stop him!"

Yuan Shao sat down, took the wine bowl handed to him by Cao Cao, and said with a smile:

"Champion Marquis, please don't be offended by my abruptness. It is truly your illustrious achievements in suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion that are now a well-known story in the streets and alleys of Luoyang!"

Even my uncle (Yuan Kui) remarked at home the other day, saying, "Among the members of our Han imperial family, to have produced such a talented young man as you, Bo Lue, who can both wield the sword to pacify the world and... well, is also so young and promising, is truly rare!"

Liu Ce was speechless for a moment, and almost spat out the wine in his mouth:

"Yuan Benchu, Yuan Benchu, your uncle Yuan Kui was practically tearing me apart alive in the Jiade Hall a few days ago, desperately trying to strip me of my power, but in your mouth it's all just 'admiration' and 'praise'?"

Your Yuan family's ability to say one thing to one person and another to someone else is truly an ancestral skill! If I didn't know the inside story, I would have been completely fooled! I really thank your whole family!