Three Kingdoms: Prince of the Great Wei, Prime Minister Cao

Chapter 23: Cao Cao: My Heart is Warmed by Ju’er!

Cao Cao’s actions were subtle.

However, Cao Ju still noticed his father’s discreet attempt to revive the “Cao Family Covered Rice.” Strangely, a feeling of being unable to look directly at it welled up within him.

“Father!”

“The day is growing late. You should rest early!”

“I won’t disturb you any longer.”

Glancing at the outside sky, Cao Ju requested to take his leave. Upon seeing Cao Ju’s request, Cao Cao didn’t immediately grant permission.

Instead, he instructed Cao Ju, “Later, organize what you’ve discussed with me today into a written document and present it to me.”

“As detailed as possible.”

“It will serve as a future reference for me.”

Upon hearing his father Cao Cao’s request, Cao Ju nodded slightly.

Even if Cao Cao hadn’t suggested it, he intended to present the details of the imperial examination system to Cao Cao in written form.

“Very well!”

“I shall take my leave, then!”

With those words, Cao Ju turned around and calmly walked towards the door. Behind Cao Ju, seated in the main position, Cao Cao watched Cao Ju’s departing figure, a pleased expression on his face, his gaze somewhat entranced.

Gazing faintly at Cao Ju’s retreating figure, Cao Cao seemed to see his lost sons, Cao Ang and Cao Chong, lightly waving to him and smiling before merging into Cao Ju’s form.

Almost involuntarily, Cao Cao softly said, “Zixiu, Cangshu!”

The voice was barely audible.

“Hmm?!”

Hearing the faint voice that reached his ears, Cao Ju instinctively turned back, puzzled.

Unable to discern the content of Cao Cao’s words, he mistook Cao Cao’s call for himself and inquired, “Father, do you have any further instructions?”

Cao Cao quickly collected himself as he watched his son pause and look back.

Then, he resumed speaking to Cao Ju as usual, “Nothing. It’s nothing!”

“Zimu!”

“If there’s anything next time, discuss it with me first. Don’t act rashly.”

Cao Ju nodded slightly, observing Cao Cao’s seldom-displayed affection in front of his son, which made him both a great strategist and a person.

“Alright!”

Cao Ju continued walking towards the door. However, the instant he turned around, he was suddenly struck by an idea. With his back turned to Cao Cao, Cao Ju spoke, “Father, I have persuaded Xun Yu!”

“From now on, whether you assume the title of Wei Duke or Wei King, he is highly likely to remain silent, refraining from conflicting with you as a loyal subject of Han.”

“If you no longer wish to employ him in the future.”

“Perhaps after the conclusion of this campaign in the south, you could send him to establish and promote education.”

“In terms of virtue, he is undoubtedly a rare, gentle, and refined gentleman.”

“In terms of status, if this leader of Yingchuan scholars advocates for the establishment and promotion of education, it will likely lull those noble families and clans to some extent, causing them to lower their guard.”

“On this matter, I implore Father to carefully consider.”

As he finished speaking, it was as if he feared his father, Cao Cao, would refuse. Without waiting for Cao Cao’s response, Cao Ju had already opened the door and walked out. Cao Cao was left in the room with a wry smile, unsure of what to say.

“After all the twists and turns, my son is still interceding on your behalf, Xun Wenruo!”

His gaze turned northward towards Shouchun. Cao Cao seemed to be engaging in a silent conversation across the void. He murmured to himself,

“Wenruo!”

“Having abandoned thoughts of death upon seeing my son, what is your evaluation of him?” Cao Cao said, a smile escaping his lips.

At this moment, his expression revealed a parent’s pride in boasting about their exceptional child to others.

However, this pride didn’t linger on Cao Cao’s face for long. He suddenly realized that, over the years, apart from focusing his attention on his three sons, Cao Pi, Cao Zhi, and Cao Zhang, he hadn’t paid much attention to his other children. He hadn’t even noticed how exceptional Cao Ju had become.

This realization prompted him to reflect on whether he cared enough for Cao Ju and his other sons. This, in turn, led Cao Cao to develop a curiosity about what Cao Ju had experienced when he wasn’t receiving his father’s attention, resulting in the remarkable transformation that had led him to become so outstanding.

“Summon someone!”

“Have Lu Hong come to see me immediately.”

Not long after Cao Cao gave this order, the door to the study was pushed open. A man dressed in plain black attire, unremarkable in a crowd, walked in and knelt before Cao Cao with one knee, his face lowered in respect.

“Lu Hong, Chief of Staff, greetings to the master!”

“I am at your service. What instructions do you have, master?”

The newcomer was Lu Hong, a Cao Cao’s covert organization member, similar to Zhao Da, whom Cao Ju had killed. Lu Hong held a prominent position as one of the heads of the intelligence agency under Cao Cao.

Upon seeing Lu Hong, Cao Cao immediately stated, “I want you to handle a task.”

“Dispatch someone to investigate my son Cao Ju’s performance over the past few years and then report every detail to me.”

“Very well!”

“You may leave now.”

Cao Cao didn’t treat Lu Hong with excessive respect. His attitude was more like someone who summoned and dismissed him at will. Similarly, Lu Hong had no hint of dissatisfaction because people like them, responsible for intelligence gathering, were essentially Cao Cao’s hounds, his hidden blades.

“Understood!”

Lu Hong acknowledged with a bow before stepping out. Once Lu Hong had left, Cao Cao lovingly stroked the two volumes of “Mengde’s Art of War” on the desk and let out a satisfied chuckle.

“Back then, when Liu Jiyu’s envoy, Zhang Song, visited Xuchang, he deceived me using his photographic memory ability, making me believe that the ‘Mengde’s Art of War’ I had diligently composed had already been written by someone else. In a fit of anger, I discarded it.”

“Who would have thought..”

“My son Ju has managed to retrieve it for me and even had it printed into a book.”

“Truly…He has won my heart!”