Chapter 2: Born in the first year of Jian'an

Wang has gone home

In Cao Peng's memory, there is indeed an impression of these two individuals

However, Cao Peng knows that in these turbulent years, it is likely that no one can attain peace

Peng'er, you should also go back to your room and rest for a while. The weather is not good; you mustn't catch a cold. Otherwise, your mother will blame me again...

The most similar feature between him and Wang Meng and his son is their thick eyebrows. Wang Meng has a pair of horizontal eyebrows that nearly connect. Wang Mai is the same, especially when he furrows his brows in thought; the two eyebrows twist together, creating a very amusing appearance

He sat blankly on the threshold, watching Cao Ji sweat profusely, but his thoughts had long since soared into the clouds.

According to official statements, there are a total of 217 households, comprising 936 individuals. In the era of Cao Youxue, this was not considered significant. However, in the time of Cao Peng, a small town with 217 households could already be regarded as a large town

Cao Ji said in exasperation: "You child, how can you be so inconsiderate?"

Father, is Liu Jingzhou the same as Liu Biao

Old Wang, where have you been recently? It has been a few days since you last came over

Cao Peng could not help but laugh, "Alright, I will wait for you to invite me out of the mountains."

Craftsmen like Cao Ji, who are only half-skilled, are naturally not held in high regard

Cao Ji was startled and quickly put down the hammer, running over to Cao Peng to signal him not to speak carelessly

Indeed, with my abilities, I will surely be granted a noble title and become a general! Ah Fu, when that time comes, I will invite you to be my strategist

Wang chuckled and said, "Your constitution is truly too weak; you need to eat more good food"

Wang Mai is a straightforward person and naturally would not doubt Cao Peng

Cao Peng stood inside the door of the small house, instinctively clenching his fists, lost in thought

Liu Jingzhou is a renowned figure in the world and also a member of the Han royal family. How can we, mere commoners, dare to address him directly by name? If others were to overhear, it would surely lead to a serious charge of disrespect. Peng'er, you must be more cautious in your speech from now on; in these times, people's hearts are difficult to gauge and impossible to fathom

In Wang Mai's mind, those who are literate are all individuals of great capability

General Xiao Zhang, is it not Zhang Xiu

In such a chaotic world, what more can I do

Although it is said that nobility and high-ranking officials are not determined by birth, the disparity in social status has never truly disappeared. The demise of one privileged class is, after all, the birth of another privileged class. The inequality among people can never be genuinely eliminated, whether in the present or in the future, it remains the same.

Perhaps this fondness stems more from the memories of Cao Peng... But what difference does it make? At least in the eyes of outsiders, Cao Peng is still Cao Peng

Interesting things

Cao Gong

Cao Peng asked, "I heard that General Xiao Zhang has formed an alliance with Liu Jingzhou?"

Well, a few days ago, for some unknown reason, I suddenly fainted

As for Cao Peng, he seemed to have read some books and recognized a few characters. According to his memory, when he was young, there was a sorcerer who lived in Zhongyang Town. Cao Peng studied with that sorcerer for a few days, but later had to give up midway due to health reasons. Not long after, the sorcerer also left, and there was no news of him thereafter. In these chaotic years of war, he may have already become a victim under someone else's blade.

He sighed and said softly: "If in the future Cao Gong's troops approach Wuyin, I will certainly enlist in the army"

However, even so, Cao Peng can be considered a literate person

Wang possesses a certain grandeur reminiscent of the saying 'If one becomes rich and noble, do not forget those who were with you,' and harbors lofty ideals.

A thirteen-year-old child, who has never stepped outside of Zhongyang Town, naturally could not provide Cao Youxue with much useful information. He only knew that Cao Ji was a blacksmith, and his skills were not particularly exceptional. He could help repair agricultural tools and forge some small items, but when it came to larger objects, he was at a loss. In chaotic times, what is the most valuable thing? The answer is simple: it is weapons.

However, I have heard people say that there might be a war in our area

According to Wang Mai, Cao Cao welcomed the Emperor at the beginning of the year and subsequently established the capital in Xuchang

I have been lying on the couch all this time, only getting up today... I am mostly fine now, just feeling a bit dizzy, and my legs are not very strong.

Moreover, due to the shock she experienced, Zhang ceased to produce milk.

Indeed, I went to the county town... However, there isn't much to see; it's just a bit livelier than Zhongyang, and apart from that, I felt nothing else

How could the name of Liu Jingzhou be something that people like us can casually mention?

This also meant that Cao Peng had never consumed breast milk since childhood, growing up on rice porridge instead, which resulted in his constitution being significantly weaker than that of his peers

Upon seeing Wang Meng, Cao Ji immediately set down the iron hammer and approached him.

Wang looked at Cao Peng in surprise and nodded, saying: "Yes, General Xiao Zhang is indeed called Zhang Xiu"

Cao Peng had an instinctive fondness for this deceased man, who was his only friend during his lifetime

Oh, this matter...

It was at the beginning of the year when Lord Cao welcomed the Son of Heaven to establish the capital in Xuchang... I believe I have mentioned this matter to you before

Wang Mai is one of the few companions of Cao Peng in Zhongyang Town. Firstly, the two are of similar age, and secondly, while Cao Peng is frail, Wang Mai is quite robust. Whenever the children in the town bully Cao Peng, Wang Mai always stands up for him, caring for Cao Peng like an older brother.

A hint of longing appeared in Wang's eyes.

But this is also good; not getting involved in those bloody storms, the Cao family has remained safe and sound to this day. The small town of Zhongyang is very peaceful and quite isolated. Although Cao Youxue vaguely guessed the era he was in, he could not be certain. Last night, he heard Cao Ji mention Liu Jingzhou, so the very next morning, he eagerly went out to the fields, sitting on the doorstep, seemingly casually inquiring.

The alliance has long been established! It has been about twenty days, I suppose. I heard that General Xiao Zhang and the envoy from Liu Jingzhou formed an alliance in Rangcheng.

Old Cao

This simple earthen house consists of two rooms, divided into inner and outer sections. Due to his previous state of unconsciousness, he resides in the inner room, while the Cao couple lives in the outer room for the convenience of caring for Cao Peng at any time. Overall, the Cao family is not wealthy, but it cannot be said that they are destitute.

Wang Mai, did you and your father go to the county town

He had been lying in bed for over ten days, and his bones felt numb from the prolonged inactivity. He truly did not want to continue lying down, so despite Zhang's objections, he began to get up and move around.

Cao Peng returned to the room but did not lie down

As a hunter, Wang Meng naturally had to interact with Cao Ji, the blacksmith. Cao Ji's skills were not particularly exceptional, but he was quite adept at repairs. Most importantly, these repairs did not require much technical expertise, and the costs were relatively low, making it quite economical

Have you heard any interesting news

Cao Ji took the two clips and squatted in the courtyard with Wang Meng, whispering to each other

Wang Mai thought for a moment and shook his head, saying, "I haven't heard of anything interesting."

Alright, I will take care of it for you right away

I was just saying, how could you suddenly ask about these things out of the blue

Uh, I forgot!

Could this be the so-called distinction between commoners and aristocracy

Cao Peng was taken aback and quickly replied, "I heard my father and mother talking about them last night, so I wanted to ask a question."

Cao Peng's constitution was quite frail. It is said that when Zhang gave birth to him, it coincided with a time of war and rampant banditry.

Oh?

Skilled artisans are mostly recruited by local lords

In a couple of days, my father and I will go into the mountains to hunt some delicious food for you... By then, you will surely become strong, haha, just like me

This time when I went to Wuyin, I heard from the people there that mhetushu.com, Cao Gong's troops have already occupied Yuzhou

Cao Ji sat on the threshold, smiling and nodding, watching Wang Meng and his son leave the small courtyard

In later generations, the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" has become widely known and is familiar to both men and women. It is often said that one should not read "Water Margin" when young and should not read "Three Kingdoms" when old. Of course, Cao Peng could not be unaware of this classic masterpiece, and he has read various versions of the "Three Kingdoms" more than once. As a man, he naturally yearns for the passionate era of iron horses and golden spears. According to Cao Peng's understanding, the historical figure referred to as Liu Jingzhou seems to be none other than Liu Biao.

Hehe, if departing from Zhongyang, it would take several days to travel on horseback... I have heard that General Xiao Zhang is extremely formidable, unmatched in mounted combat... It is said that his marksmanship has reached an extraordinary level. Unfortunately, I have not seen it and do not know what it looks like

However, which general is General Xiao Zhang

At this moment, Wang Meng had also finished discussing matters with Cao Ji, stood up, and called for Wang Mai

Ordinary, an utterly ordinary family

In the past, Cao Peng, due to health reasons, was not very aware of external matters. Or rather, he belonged to the type of person who was content to go with the flow, lacking any significant ambitions. At least in the memories that Cao Peng possessed, most were trivial matters, unworthy of mention

Cao Ji nodded in agreement and stood up

The strong man is named Wang Meng, and he is a hunter from Zhongyang Town; the younger one is named Wang Mai, who is very familiar with Cao Peng

Afu, do you know where Rangcheng is located

Cao Youxue obtained sporadic memories from Cao Peng, but they proved to be of little use

Cao Peng could not help but feel somewhat dismissive, yet he immediately understood: as I had suspected, it truly is the Three Kingdoms

Wang Meng said, taking out two animal traps from his pocket, "A few days ago, I went to Wuyin... By the way, I came today to ask you to help me repair these two traps"

Cao Peng thought to himself and subconsciously glanced at Cao Ji, who was repairing the hoe

However, due to the considerable distance from the county seat, the library is not given much attention

Upon reaching this point, Cao Peng could not help but feel a sense of despondency.

Cao Youxue, who has been renamed as Cao Peng, assumed a curious expression and sought guidance from Cao Ji

Enlistment

The Zhuang River flows out from Zhongyang Mountain, passes through Wufang County (which is today's Suiping County in Zhumadian City), and then merges into the Ru River

Afu, I will head back now... I will come to find you again tomorrow

These words were spoken very simply, and Cao Peng felt a warmth in his heart as he listened

Cao Peng was still somewhat displeased, but seeing his father's anxious expression, he thought for a moment and nodded, indicating that he would pay attention in the future

A loud voice awakened Cao Peng from his contemplation

How large is Zhongyang Town

It is situated against the backdrop of Zhongyang Mountain and falls under the jurisdiction of Wuyin County.

He, the elder, established the capital in Xuchang on behalf of the Son of Heaven, serving as the backbone of our great Han. It is estimated that it will not be long before Lord Cao may very well march his troops to Nanyang.

A burly man walked in from outside the courtyard, appearing to be in his early thirties, with a dark complexion, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, exuding a formidable presence. Beside this man was a young boy, quite sturdy, looking as robust as a small tiger.

Where can I go

Isn't it just a name? Why must you be so anxious, Father?

The young Wang Mai swiftly ran up to Cao Peng and said, "Ah Fu, I heard that you are ill"

On one occasion, bandits even attacked outside Zhongyang Town, nearly breaching the town itself. The Zhang family was frightened, which also caused Cao Peng to be born prematurely

Afu, what is wrong with you today? When I used to talk to you about these matters, you were never interested. Why are you taking the initiative to ask today?

It was also in this year that the Han Dynasty changed its era name to 'Jian'an'...! ... In the first year of Jian'an, I never expected that I would be reborn in the Three Kingdoms period, eighteen hundred years ago!

The Nanyang Commandery will inevitably ignite the flames of war, and when that time comes, Zhongyang Town will also unavoidably be affected by the ravages of war, leading to the suffering of countless lives

Shh

Understood