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The drinking game posed no challenge for Kong Zhou. As a well-read scholar, he was thoroughly familiar with poetry and verse. However, such refined activities inevitably left Zhang Miao and Zhang Chao feeling somewhat awkward.
It wasn't that Zhang Miao and Zhang Chao were unlearned—composing a poem or two wasn't an insurmountable task for them. But being put on the spot to produce a fitting verse in the blink of an eye was considerably more difficult, especially under the watchful eyes of the crowd. The more they panicked, the harder it became to think of anything. As a result, after two rounds of drawing lots, neither could come up with anything and had to drink as forfeit.
The atmosphere grew noticeably colder, but unfortunately, Kong Zhou, caught up in his own excitement, failed to notice.
By the third round, Cao Cao hesitated briefly before excusing himself, claiming he couldn't think of anything, and drank as penalty.
Taking the cue, Fei Qian followed suit without hesitation, immediately accepting the penalty and drinking.
Only then did Kong Zhou begin to realize the situation and, somewhat embarrassed, asked Zhang Miao if they could switch to touhu (a traditional game of throwing arrows into a pot).
This suggestion was met with unanimous delight.
Touhu was far more enjoyable. Even if one missed, it was perfectly normal—after all, no one could guarantee steady hands after drinking so much. More importantly, compared to composing poetry, touhu was much simpler and more familiar to Zhang Miao and Zhang Chao. At the very least, they wouldn't have to endure the humiliation of drinking forfeit round after round…
Thus, the atmosphere in the grand tent grew lively once more.
The scene was boisterous—applause and congratulations, toasts exchanged, and even some dancing and flailing of sleeves in celebration of a successful throw…
Fei Qian wore a smile on his face as he leisurely ate and drank, all the while observing the people around him.
Kong Zhou seized an opportunity to praise Zhang Miao again, offering a few cups of wine as a subtle apology for his earlier lack of consideration.
Zhang Miao, of course, returned the toast, signaling that it was no big deal and that he bore no grudge.
Cao Cao and Zhang Chao, meanwhile, seemed to be deep in conversation about something, both laughing heartily and swaying drunkenly…
Cao Cao seemed to notice Fei Qian's gaze and turned to raise his wine cup in a silent toast.
Fei Qian hurriedly raised his own cup in response and drank.
After a while, two or three jars of wine had been emptied, averaging about half a jar per person. Fortunately, the alcohol content of Han Dynasty wine was low.
By this point, everyone seemed thoroughly intoxicated and had let their guards down. Kong Zhou even struck a plate and sang a song with the flair of a true literatus…
Later, Kong Zhou and Zhang Miao began reminiscing about old times in Chenliu, their conversation so animated that Zhang Chao joined in, forming a small circle where they chatted and laughed uproariously…
Suddenly, Fei Qian noticed Cao Cao walking toward him. As he passed by, Cao Cao mentioned needing to excuse himself for a moment and lightly patted Fei Qian's shoulder.
Understanding the hint, Fei Qian—who had also been looking for a chance to speak with Cao Cao alone—stood up shortly after, using the same excuse to leave the tent.
Sure enough, Cao Cao was waiting not far ahead.
The two strolled out of the camp, stopping at a small mound where Cao Cao gazed up at the sky with a sigh and asked, "After I left Luoyang… how has our teacher been?"
Fei Qian could empathize. Cao Cao had been hunted down after his departure and had since been busy recruiting troops, leaving him little means to gather news from the court.
After a long silence, unsure whether to deliver good or bad news, Fei Qian decided to relay the information he had seen in the court bulletins. Then, cautiously, he added, "Though our teacher seems fine for now… in the future… there may be some risks…"
"Risks?" Cao Cao frowned, glancing at Fei Qian. "It shouldn't come to that… Grand Tutor Yuan surely has the magnanimity to…"
Fei Qian gave a bitter smile, unsure how to respond.
Grand Tutor Yuan—
Naturally, Cao Cao believed Dong Zhuo's downfall was inevitable. That was why he had hurriedly raised troops to join the anti-Dong Zhuo coalition—otherwise, by the time the dust settled, there'd be no spoils left to claim.
But was it really that simple?
In an ideal scenario, if Dong Zhuo fell, the Yuan family's Yuan Wei would undoubtedly take power. Given the Yuan family's four generations of prominence, they would have no need to kill Cai Yong to assert authority. Instead, they might adopt a conciliatory approach to showcase their magnanimity…
But the problem was—Grand Tutor Yuan's days were numbered.
And once Yuan Wei died, given the current situation, Dong Zhuo would inevitably elevate Wang Yun as his representative. Based on Fei Qian's observations in Luoyang and historical records, Wang Yun was far from benevolent.
Moreover, though Wang Yun had nominally been in charge of national education, his reputation paled in comparison to Cai Yong's. Throughout Henei and even the entire Han Empire, when people spoke of cultural luminaries, the first name that came to mind was Cai Yong, the mastermind behind the Xiping Stone Classics. As for what Wang Yun had or hadn't accomplished—who cared?
To put it in modern terms, it was like a deputy premier being overshadowed in prestige by a mere university lecturer…
And if that lecturer remained content with teaching, it might be tolerable. But seeing him step into politics and rise higher and higher—that was simply unbearable.
Thus, if Dong Zhuo failed, Cai Yong would inevitably meet his end. But even if Dong Zhuo succeeded, would Wang Yun coexist peacefully with Cai Yong?
Who would tolerate a subordinate whose fame and talent eclipsed their own, casting a shadow over their achievements?
One didn't need military merit to overshadow their superior—reputation alone could suffice…
Back in Luoyang, Fei Qian had only considered Dong Zhuo's historical defeat. But now, the fact that Sun Jian hadn't arrived at Suanzao served as a warning—what if history didn't unfold as he remembered?
What if history, like a capricious maiden, decided to throw a tantrum?
Fei Qian could only shake his head with a bitter smile, remaining silent.
Cao Cao, however, keenly noticed Fei Qian's expression and suddenly thought of another possibility, his face darkening…
While Fei Qian was concerned about Cai Yong, Cao Cao's mind turned to the potential fate of Yuan Wei—
Recalling the recent official appointments Fei Qian had mentioned, Cao Cao broke into a cold sweat. "Ziyuan, are you suggesting… that the traitor Dong would dare move against Grand Tutor Yuan? That… that's impossible. Wouldn't Dong fear plunging the empire into chaos?"
Fei Qian understood Cao Cao's reasoning. The Yuan family represented the scholar-official class and had once recommended Dong Zhuo for promotion. Regardless of the scale of this favor, the relationship existed. If Dong Zhuo acted against Yuan Wei, he would be shattering the long-standing unspoken rules of hierarchy and scholarly ethics—an utterly destructive move that would outrage the eastern gentry and incite unrest…
"…And isn't it already chaotic now?" Fei Qian murmured softly, his words striking Cao Cao's ears like rolling thunder.