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When the group entered Zhang Miao's central command tent, it was naturally Kong Zhou who took the seat of honor due to his higher rank. There was no dispute about that. Zhang Miao, as the Grand Administrator of Chenliu and the host of the military camp, occupied the first seat on the left—this too was expected. However, what came as a shock was that Fei Qian was then arranged to take the first seat on the right!
This meant Fei Qian was placed above both Zhang Chao and Cao Cao!
Compared to the seating arrangement from the previous day, this was a world of difference.
Logically speaking, there was nothing inherently wrong with this arrangement. Although Fei Qian was not a regional grand administrator, he represented Liu Biao, the Inspector of Jing Province. Thus, ranking him half a step below Liu Biao's status was somewhat justifiable.
But in ancient times—even in later generations during banquets—seating was never a casual matter.
This arrangement startled Fei Qian.
Are they joking? If I actually sit there, I wouldn't even know how I died…
Thus, Fei Qian repeatedly declined, adamantly refusing to take the seat. He insisted on sitting below Cao Cao, yielding the more honorable positions to Zhang Chao and Cao Cao.
The three of them—Zhang Chao, Cao Cao, and Fei Qian—went back and forth in polite refusal, none willing to take the seat first. In a moment of inspiration, Fei Qian simply dashed to the lowest seat and planted himself there, refusing to budge.
Only then did Kong Zhou laugh and mediate, instructing Zhang Chao and Cao Cao to take their seats.
Zhang Miao chuckled and said, "Today, we are fortunate to have Inspector Kong Zhou here to boost morale. Coincidentally, we are near the Wu Chao Marsh, where the pork is plump and tender—a perfect opportunity to indulge."
After speaking, he ordered his subordinates to prepare the feast, then enthusiastically asked Cao Cao what he had been up to lately.
Cao Cao, ever the eloquent speaker, vividly recounted his recent adventures…
Fei Qian pricked up his ears and listened carefully—
Cao Cao doesn't seem the least bit affected by Dong Zhuo's warrant for his arrest…
Who knows if that pig-slaying incident was real or fake?
This guy looks a bit darker and thinner than when he was in Luoyang—he must have had a rough time lately. But then again, it seems the enforcement of law in the Han countryside only applies to commoners. Who would have thought a wanted criminal could sit and chat freely with high-ranking officials and local magnates?
And that Chen Gong—was he really the county magistrate who helped Cao Cao escape? How did he later end up with Lü Bu? And why did they rebel against Cao Cao together?
Was Zhang Miao involved back then?
Fei Qian remembered the broad strokes of history but not the finer details…
But right now, Zhang Miao and Cao Cao seem to be on good terms. So if they later turned against each other, what caused it? Did Cao Cao mess around with Zhang Miao's concubine again?
While lost in these wild and irrelevant thoughts, his mind brimming with questions, Fei Qian failed to notice when Cao Cao finished recounting his experiences and shifted the topic onto him…
"I am ashamed. Compared to Senior Brother Mengde's heroic deeds, my own are hardly worth mentioning…" With that, Fei Qian briefly summarized his journey since leaving Luoyang.
When Cao Cao heard that Fei Qian had married into the Huang family of Jingxiang, his eyes flickered. He suddenly interjected, "...Ziyuan, while in Jingxiang, did you meet Pang Degong?"
"...To be honest, I studied under Lord Pang for a short time…"
Cao Cao clicked his tongue and sighed, shaking his head. "Ziyuan, to have such fortune—truly enviable…"
—Cao Cao meant every word.
If Cai Yong was the pinnacle of northern scholarly culture among the gentry, then Pang Degong of Jingxiang was the southern counterpart. That Fei Qian had won the favor of both cultural giants not only amazed Cao Cao but also stirred genuine envy in his heart…
After all, the one thing Cao Cao had always despised was the label of being from a eunuch's family. Though he deeply admired his grandfather Cao Teng's legacy, he resented how others persistently viewed him as a eunuch's descendant.
That was why, back when he served as the Northern Commandant of Luoyang, he had dealt harshly with Jian Tuo, the uncle of the eunuch Jian Shuo—to prove he was not of the same ilk as the eunuchs…
Back then, it was precisely because of this incident that he had finally managed to become a disciple of Cai Yong, a leading figure among the scholarly gentry. It had not been easy. Yet now, this junior brother before him seemed to have effortlessly entered Cai Yong's circle and even secured a place under Pang Degong's tutelage. Though it might not be widely known yet, in terms of scholarly reputation, Fei Qian's starting point was already far better than Cao Cao's had been. How could Cao Cao not envy him?
When Kong Zhou learned that Fei Qian was not only Cai Yong's disciple but had also studied under Pang Degong, he clapped his hands and laughed. "Marvelous! Marvelous! Ziyuan's fortune is extraordinary, uniting the strengths of north and south. This calls for a grand toast!"
Immediately, Zhang Miao and the others echoed his sentiment…
Amid the lively conversation, Zhang Miao's subordinates bustled about, setting up the banquet.
No one mentioned Fei Qian's deputy, Yi Ji, as if they had all suddenly forgotten about him. Fei Qian had his suspicions—after all, Yi Ji had no connections to Chenliu or its people. So while this banquet was ostensibly a welcoming feast, it was, in reality, an implicit alliance ceremony centered around Chenliu…
Naturally, Yi Ji had no place in it…
Fine wine, beef, mutton, roasted fish, and some pickled vegetables were served. Likely due to military constraints, everything was presented in large platters, quickly covering the low tables.
Kong Zhou led the opening remarks, and after a few rounds of drinks, he suddenly proposed playing the Shang Zheng drinking game…
Zhang Miao, seemingly unskilled in such games, excused himself by saying he hadn't brought any Shang tokens. Unexpectedly, Kong Zhou claimed to have brought his own and sent someone to fetch them…
Judging by Zhang Miao's expression, Fei Qian guessed he was inwardly cursing Kong Zhou. Zhang Chao, too, appeared uncomfortable—clearly not a fan of the game. Only Cao Cao remained unperturbed.
When the Shang tokens arrived, Kong Zhou laughed heartily, shook them, and drew one. "This rule is simple. Choose one of the four arts—qin (zither), qi (chess), shu (calligraphy), or hua (painting)—and compose a five-word verse in response. Those who fail must drink four cups as penalty."
Kong Zhou swayed his head and recited:
"Strings hum with melody,
Their echoes linger long.
May this pure, lovely tune,
Carry my heart's sweet song."
Then, stroking his beard, he looked expectantly at Zhang Miao. Zhang Miao blinked repeatedly but couldn't come up with anything. Resigned, he drank the four cups as penalty.
Next was Cao Cao, who pondered before saying:
"Arm outstretched, ink flows bold,
The brush births fragrant might.
Writing of life's grand dreams,
To echo in court's light."
Cao Cao naturally passed. Unfortunately, when it was Zhang Chao's turn, he too was stumped and had to down four cups.
The qin had been taken by Kong Zhou, shu by Cao Cao—leaving only qi or hua…
After a moment's thought, Fei Qian chose qi (chess) and recited:
"Heaven and earth in lines unfold,
Mounts and seas at center hold.
Black and white scheme in the fray,
Victory and loss in soul stay."
Cao Cao's eyes gleamed with admiration, and he slapped the table in praise. "What grandeur—'Heaven and earth in lines unfold'! 'Victory and loss in soul stay'! Ziyuan, such heroic spirit deserves a grand toast!"
*****
A/N: I improvised these lines—forgive their clumsiness…