Chapter 2, Mourning at the Banquet.

Well, well, well, after ten years of not seeing each other, you have turned out to be so handsome, quite reminiscent of your brother's demeanor

Hahaha, everyone, this time we have successfully captured Yanzhou, and your contributions are indispensable..." Cao Cao, seated at the main position, first rewarded the meritorious officials of this campaign, and then said: "Now my father Cao Song, along with my brother Cao De and my nephew Cao Xinyuan, are coming to Xuchang. We must certainly welcome the three of them and show them hospitality. In a few days, the old lady will pass through Xuzhou on her way back to Huaxian, Taishan. I deeply feel reluctant to part with her and have tried to persuade her to stay. However, today we must not return home without getting drunk. Come! Let us raise a glass to the old lady, hahaha!" Then he continued: "Now my father Cao Song, along with my brother Cao De and my nephew Cao Xinyuan, are coming to Xuchang. We must certainly welcome the three of them and show them hospitality. In a few days, the old lady will pass through Xuzhou on her way back to Huaxian, Taishan. I deeply feel reluctant to part with her and have tried to persuade her to stay. However, today we must not return home without getting drunk. Come! Let us raise a glass to the old lady, hahaha!"

The magnificent banquet hall is now filled to capacity. Apart from Cao Cao seated in the main position, the elder Cao Song is also sitting beside him. The hall is attended by a group of meritorious officials, including both civil and military officials who participated in the coalition of the Eighteen Lords alongside Cao Cao, as well as prominent gentry from the local region of Yanzhou.

This is also why Cao Xin, after nearly 10 years of traversing, has never planned for his own future. If it were another protagonist from a different novel, wouldn't they have started plotting grand strategies for the world from the age of 7 or 8?

Cao Xin's previous life was that of a lazy person. Although he worked in a museum, he spent his days reading novels and various historical anecdotes, casually passing the time and earning a salary as a homebody.

"Father, I am here, I am here," he said, laughing heartily. He helped the old man steady himself, and Cao Cao looked at Cao Song, suddenly bursting into loud laughter. However, upon noticing that the latter was not even wearing shoes, the originally squinted eyes unexpectedly flashed a hint of compassion. With a tone of heartfelt emotion, he said, "Father, it has been several years since we last met; are you well?"

At this moment, Cao Xin was standing beside the carriage with Cao De, quietly observing Cao Song and his son reminiscing. It was only then that Cao Xin had the opportunity to closely examine the other party.

It is night in the city of Xuchang, the provincial capital.

The old gentleman has passed away ~ The old gentleman has passed away, this time going to Xuzhou will surely be a one-way trip ... Alas, woe is me ~

Father, Zhong Cao, A Man has been waiting for a long time! Hahahahaha

Suddenly, a phrase was exclaimed from Cao De's mouth, and as soon as the words ceased, a deep and joyful voice echoed from afar

Ah Man! My son Ah Man, your father is deeply worried about you, hahaha. At this moment, Cao Song's murky old eyes were already glistening with tears as he looked at Cao Cao, who was now just within reach. Cao Song, forgetting to wear his shoes, rushed out of the carriage barefoot, stumbling as he approached Cao Cao

However, what Cao Dewan never anticipated was that everything that followed would be completely beyond his expectations as a father

Cao De was taken aback when he heard Cao Cao pointing behind him, but then he smiled in realization and said: "Elder brother has forgotten, this is my son Cao Xin. The eight-year-old child from back then has now grown into a robust young man of seven feet tall. Hahaha."

Although at this moment Cao Cao has not yet achieved his hegemony, the feeling of being profoundly unfathomable and inscrutable seems to be innate, leaving Cao Xin with an indescribable sense of oppression and dread

Although Cao Cao is very amiable now, there seems to be a certain aura about him. Even in the scene of a family reunion, Cao Xin can still sense a suffocating feeling, a suffocating feeling of a sovereign

At the end of the setting sun, fine yellow sand spreads, covering the crimson waves of dusk. The clouds at the horizon grow increasingly dim, as if night will descend in just a moment.

However, for Cao Xin, being transported to this official family, aside from eating, drinking, and sleeping, doing something else would truly be unworthy of his status. This is precisely why his father and grandfather were so astonished when Cao Xin made those remarks.

However, the source of this voice is unmistakably Cao Xin and Cao Anmin

"Well, well, haha... Back then, when you failed to assassinate Dong, I sold off my properties to support you, helping you to establish a great enterprise. Now you possess all the prefectures of Yanzhou..." As he spoke, Cao Song choked up and looked at the group of civil and military officials behind Cao Cao, expressing with deep emotion: "With such civil and military officials assisting you, I am truly gratified, truly gratified"

Cao Song nodded, a trace of a smile appearing on his aged and weathered face; perhaps his grandfather was also eager to see his eldest son, Cao Cao, as soon as possible

Who is this?

For a moment, the bystanders were all stunned, unable to comprehend that a dignified lord of Yanzhou would so disregard his image and run towards an ordinary little cart from hetushu.com, with a group of civil and military officials closely following, not daring to lag behind

From a distance, the city gate appeared to be just within reach. However, compared to the joy of his father and grandfather, Cao Xin could not bring himself to feel happy.

All is well, all is well, hehe.

Indeed, as Wen Ruo has said, Father, Zhong Cao, please return to the city with me, and I will host a welcoming feast for you.

Thank you for your kind praise, Uncle. I feel unworthy of such compliments. I am but an ordinary person, and to possess even a fraction of your wisdom is indeed a blessing from heaven

Very good, very good. The latter raised a glass at the same time

The figure in the car shook slightly; originally in a gloomy mood, Cao Xin suddenly heard this sound and, together with Cao Song, leaned out to look outside the car.

At this moment, Cao Xin seemed to have not heard his father's words; his mind was filled with swirling thoughts, leaving him unaware of the need to raise his cup

Unlike the other two, Cao Xin maintained a serious expression throughout the journey. The faster the carriage moved, the more uneasy he felt, as if he were in a hurry to be reborn.

"Zhong Cao, it has been many years since we last met. How have you been?" At this moment, Cao Cao turned his gaze towards Cao De and Cao Xin. Although he was speaking to Cao De, his attention suddenly fixed on Cao Xin.

Cao Cao assisted Cao Song into the carriage as they entered the city, while the middle-aged scholar who had been present suddenly noticed Cao Xin's inexplicably serious expression. He was taken aback for a moment, then let out a curious "Eh," and quietly withdrew.

However, although Zihua and the books traversed to this world in the year 184 AD, during the time of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, it is now already the year 194 AD. Over these years, Cao Xin has mostly been like many noble youths, climbing walls and playing with dogs. However, the current Cao Xin can no longer continue in this manner

Indeed, at the city gate, hundreds of armored soldiers stood imposing. A middle-aged man, with a majestic and dignified appearance, was quickly running towards the carriage, surrounded by a group of civil and military officials, laughing loudly as he ran.

Father, you see, my elder brothers have already gone out of the city to welcome us

Fortunately, the carriage, under the driver's guidance, was nearing the gates of Xuchang

However, Cao Xin is not without merit; at least in his previous life, he was an enthusiast of cold weapons. In his youth, he even won the championship in a martial arts competition in a certain city. Therefore, after his transmigration, Cao Xin's foundation is exceptionally solid, and he can wield any weapon with remarkable skill. As a result, the vassals who practiced martial arts with Cao Xin later tended to avoid him, fearing that they might end up with a few wounds from his strikes.

In this instance, Cao De sat at the head of the left side of the assembly, while Cao Xin knelt beside him, bowing his head in silence, which made him somewhat out of place amidst the lively banquet

Oh? After stroking his black beard, Cao Cao's eyes suddenly brightened as he began to scrutinize Cao Xin closely

As the words fell, the civil and military officials at the table raised their cups in unison and congratulated, saying: "Wishing the old patriarch longevity and eternal health"

At this moment, a scholar beside Cao Cao suddenly approached and said with a smile: "My lord, the wine and water have all been prepared. As the day is getting late, it would be better to invite the old lady to the inner court for a discussion"

Although Cao Xin had met Cao Cao a few times when he first traversed to this world, at that time the Yellow Turban Rebellion was occurring, and Cao Cao was in a position of subservience to the bandits. Consequently, his father, Cao De, had some entanglements with Cao Cao. Although later, after Cao Cao's assassination of Dong Zhuo, Cao De reconciled with Cao Cao, during that period, Cao Cao was involved with the eighteen warlords. Thus, for the first time in ten years, Cao Xin was directly facing his uncle, the future Emperor Wu of Wei, Cao Cao.

This is very good

Father, after a night of travel, we have finally arrived at the city of Xuchang

This is Cao Cao

"Xiner? Xiner! What is the matter with you? Why are you so silent? Hurry and raise a glass with everyone"

The carriage slowly entered the city of Xuchang, seemingly having just experienced a great battle. The city gates still bore some traces of blood, and several areas of the city walls were covered with fresh earth, likely remnants from recent repairs. Cao Xin observed all of this with keen eyes, feeling increasingly anxious in his heart, thinking to himself that he absolutely could not allow his father and grandfather to pass through Xuzhou

A single remark from Cao Xin immediately caused the ministers behind him to nod in agreement, and Cao Cao burst into hearty laughter.

Ladies and gentlemen, please. Just as we are gathered to celebrate Cao Song's longevity and well-being, and as the wine is about to be enjoyed, a sudden sound of weeping unexpectedly breaks through the laughter in the hall.

At this moment, on the left side of the seating area, Cao De was raising his cup with the various civil and military officials while saying something to Cao Xin.