Fei Qian finally managed to complete the entire apprenticeship ceremony, which was no easy feat. Especially at the end, when he was supposed to present the gifts, both Cai Yong and Liu Hong stepped forward, leaving Fei Qian holding the gifts and unsure of what to do.
Fortunately, Liu Hong and Cai Yong had already privately agreed on how to divide the gifts. Each took half, which resolved Fei Qian's predicament and allowed the ceremony to proceed smoothly.
Even so, the onlookers were stunned, and many couldn't help but feel envious and resentful toward Fei Qian. Having Cai Yong, a literary giant, as a master was already something to be jealous of, but now he also had Liu Hong, a titan in the field of mathematics, as another master. This was simply too much. While others couldn't even secure one master, Fei Qian had managed to get two. Who exactly was this guy? Someone should go home and make a voodoo doll of him...
Being Cai Yong's disciple did have its perks. The apprenticeship gifts didn't cost much, but the return gifts were plentiful—Cai Yong gave him a copy of *Zuo Zhuan*, Liu Hong presented him with *Annotations on the Nine Chapters on Mathematical Procedures*, senior brother Cao Cao gifted him a jade pendant, and to Fei Qian's delight, Cai Yan also gave him a present—the two scrolls of parchment from India and Arabia...
There was even a glass bead, which looked suspiciously like something Fei Qian had made himself...
Well, the gifts themselves weren't important; what mattered was who gave them. Regardless of the other gifts, anything from Cai Yan, Cai Zhaoji, would have been precious, even if it were just a piece of scrap paper.
Cai Yong mentioned that he had three other disciples who were currently not in Luoyang, so Fei Qian would have the chance to meet them later. Fei Qian made a mental note—three more return gifts to collect...
These three senior brothers were Gu Yong, Ruan Yu, and Lu Cui. Adding Cao Cao as the fourth, and if Cai Yan were included, Fei Qian would be Cai Yong's sixth disciple.
Fei Qian seemed to have some vague recollection of senior brother Gu Yong—he might have been from Jingzhou or Yangzhou and eventually served under Sun Quan of Eastern Wu. As for the other two, Ruan Yu and Lu Cui, Fei Qian had no memory of them at all and would have to inquire about them later.
After the apprenticeship ceremony, a grand banquet followed, a tradition that seemed to transcend time.
Fei Qian, led by Cai Yong and Liu Hong, went to the largest restaurant in Luoyang, the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, to toast various high-ranking officials and scholars. Despite being a seasoned drinker in his past life, Fei Qian couldn't withstand the endless rounds of toasts. After a few rounds, he finally succumbed to the alcohol and passed out...
**************
Unlike Fei Qian's blissful experience, Cao Cao was now deeply conflicted.
During Fei Qian's apprenticeship ceremony, Yuan Shu had approached him and revealed his plan to rescue the deposed emperor, which left Cao Cao both surprised and intrigued.
He never expected Yuan Shu to have such boldness! To be honest, Cao Cao hadn't even considered the idea of exposing Yuan Shu. Despite their strained relationship over the years, they had once been like brothers, and exposing him would have been beneath Cao Cao.
On the other hand, the plan held an irresistible allure for him.
While others might hesitate and worry about the risks, Cao Cao was different. His grandfather Cao Teng's story was one he had grown up hearing and deeply admired.
In the eighth month of the first year of the Jiankang era, Emperor Shun of Han passed away, and his two-year-old son, Emperor Chong of Han, ascended the throne. However, in the first month of the Yongxi era, less than half a year after his coronation, Emperor Chong mysteriously died—officially, it was said to be due to illness.
Two emperors dying within a year was not a good sign.
Thus, the court officials believed that an older and more virtuous member of the imperial family should be enthroned, as they would be less likely to die prematurely.
After much debate, the scholars favored Liu Suan, the Prince of Qinghe, while the regent General-in-Chief Liang Ji had other ideas. To maintain his grip on power, Liang Ji insisted on enthroning Liu Zuan, the eight-year-old son of Liu Hong, the Prince of Bohai, who became Emperor Zhi of Han.
So, the practice of regents deposing and enthroning emperors was not without precedent, even before Dong Zhuo.
Later, under the constant guidance and influence of the scholars, Emperor Zhi began to see General-in-Chief Liang Ji as increasingly despicable and eventually turned against him. During a court session, Emperor Zhi openly called Liang Ji a "domineering general."
Of course, Emperor Zhi's young and weak arms were no match for General-in-Chief Liang Ji, and he was tragically poisoned to death...
After Emperor Zhi's death, the court officials continued their usual business, divided into two factions. One faction, led by the scholar Li Gu, supported the enthronement of the Prince of Qinghe, while the other, led by General-in-Chief Liang Ji, supported the enthronement of Liu Zhi.
As for how Emperor Zhi died, no one bothered to investigate—after all, he was already dead. What was the point of investigating when there were more immediate benefits to be gained?
The greatest benefit, of course, was the opportunity to enthrone a new emperor.
At this critical moment, Cao Cao's grandfather, Cao Teng, saw his chance. He personally visited Liang Ji, expressing that the eunuchs under his leadership supported Liang Ji. He pointed out that the Prince of Qinghe was a strict and principled man, and if he were enthroned, it would be difficult to ensure peace. However, if Liu Zhi were enthroned, they could enjoy long-lasting wealth and power.
With the alliance between the regent and the eunuchs, the scholars were forced to retreat. Liang Ji and Cao Teng then enthroned Liu Zhi as Emperor Huan of Han.
After Emperor Huan ascended the throne, Cao Teng was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Feiting and promoted to Grand Chamberlain for his role in the succession, earning him great prestige.
Now, a similar opportunity seemed to present itself before Cao Cao. After the deposed Emperor Shao of Han was removed, if the new emperor enthroned by Dong Zhuo did not last long, the deposed emperor might have a chance to return to the throne. If Cao Cao were to rescue the deposed emperor from peril, he would, like his grandfather Cao Teng, achieve an unparalleled feat and secure a high-ranking position...
Of course, this also came with significant risks. But when had seeking wealth and power ever been without risk? Was it worth exchanging temporary danger for lifelong prosperity?
Cao Cao was hesitant, so he didn't wait for Fei Qian's apprenticeship banquet to end before rushing home to consult his father, Cao Song. After all, this matter would affect the entire family, regardless of success or failure.
Cao Song listened quietly as Cao Cao explained the situation, then asked, "What do you intend to do? If this fails, what will become of the Cao family?"—The fact that you came to me for advice shows that you're somewhat inclined to proceed. But if it fails, what will happen to the entire Cao family?
"I haven't fully decided yet. But opportunities like this are rare..." Cao Cao lowered his head, reluctant to let go of the chance. "If Father doesn't approve... then I'll let it go..."
Cao Song looked at his son, his heart filled with unspoken words that ultimately turned into a sigh. What could he say? His son was willing to risk his life for wealth and power. Could he, as a father, tell him to abandon the plan for the sake of the family's safety? Even if he did, would his ambitious son truly listen?
"Go ahead," Cao Song said after a long silence. "I... give you my permission..."
"Yes!" Cao Cao prostrated himself and kowtowed to his father before turning to leave.
"Aman!" Cao Song called out to Cao Cao, who had taken a few steps toward the door. His lips trembled, but in the end, he only said, "...My son... take care..."
Cao Cao bowed once more and strode out, leaving Cao Song in the room, gradually swallowed by the shadows.
***************
That day, Cao Song packed his belongings and, before the city gates closed, left Luoyang with Cao Cao's three younger brothers—Cao De, Cao Bin, and Cao Yu—heading to Langya in Xu Province to seek refuge with Prince Liu Rong.
*****
A/N: The Han dynasty regents were quite skilled at poisoning emperors... Similarly, the scholars were adept at forgetting about emperors... As for why Dong Zhuo, who followed the fine tradition of Han regents, was so vilified, I can only say that Luo Guanzhong's *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* has left too deep an impression.