Cao Cao’s Condolences and Cao Pi 3

It didn’t take much time or preparation to leave Chengdu for the condolences. Everything necessary had already been sent through Han Dang. I just needed to bring Liu Bei’s edict appointing me as the chief envoy (zhengshi) of this condolence delegation.

Of course, since I became the chief envoy, the scale of the delegation also increased, so a bit more preparation was needed. Not for the condolence items, but for reinforcing the personnel to escort me.

And a proxy was also needed to manage the Luanling Army while I was gone.

‘Zhang E, Ma Dai, and Fu Qian alone won’t be enough.’

But that was an issue of rank and status rather than ability, so it would be fine to just appoint someone of suitable high position as my proxy.

“We’re together again.”

“Indeed.”

The one I greeted with a bright smile was Zhao Yun.

Just like when he was assigned by Liu Bei out of concern for my safety when rescuing Ma Chao’s family members in Hanzhong long ago, Zhao Yun was sent along this time as well.

And in addition:

“I heard General Pang will join us from Nanzheng.”

Pang De was coming too.

“It reminds me of Hanzhong.”

Jin Diao and Wei Yan weren’t here, but three out of five was a majority.

Jin Diao, who manages the king’s direct troops, and Wei Yan, who became the commander of South Jingzhou in recognition of his recent merit, were understandably difficult to bring along.

Before our official departure, I checked the personnel and supplies. From Chengdu to Ye, it would take at least a few months for such a long journey, so managing food and daily necessities was important.

Meanwhile, I casually suggested to Zhao Yun that we could speak informally, but Zhao Yun was adamant:

“Although we may be close privately, you are of higher rank than me, Rear General. Moreover, you are the chief envoy of this delegation, so how could I improperly lower my speech?”

True to his reputation as someone benevolent and upright, with no one to find fault in his character, Zhao Yun maintained a strict hierarchy despite his friendliness towards me.

With all preparations complete, our full-fledged journey to Nanzheng, where we would meet up with Han Dang who had departed earlier, began.

As we were about to leave Shu territory with our backs to Chengdu, Zhao Yun asked:

“You seem to be in an especially good mood. Did something good happen?”

“Ah, was it showing on my face?”

I rubbed my mouth sheepishly, smiling. I hadn’t been conscious of it, but I could feel the corners of my lips slightly raised.

As for something good, there certainly was. It happened just as I was leaving home to depart for the condolence journey.

One person was waiting for me as I was about to leave early in the morning to make the assembly time.

Mother was standing in front of the house gate.

“Mother…”

“Were you going to leave without saying anything?”

As I stood still like a stone, Mother strode over to me and adjusted my collar.

“The weather hasn’t fully warmed up yet. Dress warmly.”

“…Yes.”

Mother tidied up my clothes and held onto my collar for a moment, then slowly let go and looked up at my face, saying:

“Did you think I would hate you?”

“No. I didn’t think that. It’s just…”

I myself wasn’t confident. I didn’t have the courage to face Mother.

I tried to say that, but the words wouldn’t come out. My mouth and tongue moved, but the words lingered in my throat, refusing to come out.

Mother wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly.

“What parent could hate their child? I’ve always, constantly worried about you. How could I resent you?”

“Even though I knew about Uncle’s death and turned a blind eye?”

“Even so. Rather than an unworthy daughter, I’d prefer to be an unworthy mother.”

I feel ashamed of myself. How selfish I was. How cowardly.

I hated my base self for averting my eyes from someone I should never turn away from, while claiming I would face them. I had been intoxicated with military achievements.

“Don’t forget. This mother will always be on your side. Whatever you do, I will love you.”

The maternal love deeply imbued in every word melts my heart.

“You’ve only lived in the south so you might not know, but the north is cold. By the time you reach Ye it will be summer, but it’s different from the summer here. I’ve packed some clothes, so take these too.”

“Yes… Mother.”

As I answered while holding back tears, Mother patted my shoulders and said:

“Stand tall. Wherever you go, remember that you are my daughter and have the blood of the Xiahou family. You must be confident before anyone. Remember this when you go to Ye.”

“Yes. I’ll never forget.”

“Good. That’s enough then.”

Mother took her hands off my shoulders and pulled something out from her bosom, pressing it firmly into my hand. It didn’t seem to be coins or valuables judging by the light weight.

I shifted my gaze from the silk pouch in my hand to Mother, giving her a questioning look.

“I packed some snacks so you won’t be bored on the way. Eat them as you go.”

Mother, who must have spent the past few days since hearing I would be going on the condolence delegation thinking about what I might need and preparing.

I now realize Mother’s affection that I had understood intellectually but not accepted emotionally.

I hugged Mother preciously and left the best words I could in that moment:

“I’ll be back.”

And now, I let go of my horse’s reins for a moment and took out the silk pouch I had carefully tucked away.

As I untied the string, a faint sweet and savory smell wafted from inside the pouch.

“General Zhao.”

“Yes?”

When Zhao Yun turned his head at my call, I took out the contents of the pouch and held it towards his mouth, saying:

“Would you like some taffy?”

§

Perhaps because it started with happy and joyful events before departure, the weather was clear and bright, and the breeze was cool.

Passing through mountains and fields filled with spring scents, I set foot on Wei territory.

If until then I had felt like I was on a pleasure trip, from here on I scrutinized and memorized the surroundings carefully and meticulously like an inspector on an official tour.

It was impossible to openly draw maps, but how would they know what I was engraving in my brain?

Crossing the Qinling Mountains, the Chang’an we encountered was surprisingly massive. It had a grandeur befitting its reputation as one of the largest cities of the time.

In contrast, Luoyang was splendid. Luoyang, which had functioned as the capital of the Later Han until Cao Cao moved the capital, truly felt like a place where an emperor had lived.

Chengdu, Nanzheng, Chang’an, Luoyang, and then Ye.

The long journey over mountains and across waters continued even as the seasons changed.

By the time the condolence delegation that departed in late spring of March finally neared Ye, full-fledged summer was beginning.

Still, perhaps because it was further north, or because the average temperature in this era was lower than in the 21st century, it was bearable enough.

“We seem to have almost arrived.”

If what the guide assigned to us said about traveling by water up to near Ye was true, then Zhao Yun’s words would be correct.

The Zhang River flows through Ye, so it’s possible to arrive by boat. But apparently that would be against proper etiquette, so our party had to disembark partway and pass through Ye’s city gates by land.

It felt like unnecessary formality, but when I thought about how we were using that very formality to enter, it wasn’t unreasonable.

As Ye’s city walls came into view, I felt like this long journey was coming to an end. At the same time, I tilted my head at the sight of a group coming towards us from Ye’s city gates.

“It looks like they’re coming to us.”

“Hmm, they must be coming out to welcome the delegation.”

As Pang De said, we approached them without much concern, but as the distance closed, we fell into increasing confusion.

The carriage so luxurious it bordered on extravagant, and the attire of the attendants.

An escort too large to be simply welcoming a delegation.

All of it pointed to one person.

The King of Wei, Cao Pi.

Surely Cao Pi wouldn’t come out personally just to welcome a condolence delegation? However, the style and scale of the approaching group was undoubtedly that of a king.

Even as we were at a loss for what to do amidst the cognitive dissonance, they steadily closed the distance and finally came to a stop before us.

“Is this the condolence delegation from Shu?”

At the question from the general at the lead, Zhao Yun stepped forward from our side to answer.

“It is!”

“Then quickly dismount and pay your respects! You are in the presence of His Majesty the King of Wei!”

Damn. It really was him.

The delegation members on horseback all looked at me at once. They were asking what they should do.

If it were wartime it would be different, but right now we were guests visiting them. As long as they don’t cross the line first, it would be proper for us to show courtesy too.

I nodded and dismounted first, stepping forward.

“I am Zhang Ran, chief envoy on behalf of His Majesty the King of Hanzhong.”

“So you are…”

The Wei general who had been staring at me intently cleared his throat and moved his horse to the side.

Following him, the escort troops also neatly parted, creating a path leading to the carriage.

“Go on. His Majesty the King of Wei is waiting for you.”

I walked proudly through the Wei army ranks.

Recalling Mother’s words, I held my head high and reached the carriage. There I could clearly see a man sitting in the shade of a large and beautiful parasol.

A man of about thirty wearing clothes full of exquisite decorations.

He wasn’t wearing the proper royal attire of gunbok and crown, but his identity was clear.

Cao Pi. Our eyes met.

“Ho… Indeed. No wonder that Zixuan fellow said so.”

His gaze was exactly like a snake’s. An intense, slimy gaze like a small snake slithering across skin licked over my face.

Seemingly finished with his inspection, Cao Pi nodded and said to me:

“Come up. I shall bestow upon you the honor of riding in the carriage with me.”

And to Cao Pi’s offer, I

“I decline.”

answered immediately.