Vol. 2 Chapter 18 - ‘Cao-Cao’
***After 'Cao-Ce' and the 'Xiahou-Cousins' walked through the streets of Luoyang to finally arrive near the 'Official-Residence' of the 'Minister' of 'Finance'. 'Cao-Song'.***
A.D. 182 Luoyang, 'Cao-Song's' 'Official-Mansion'
/povMC/
"I'm going to love this city!.. so this is my grandfather's mansion awarded to him by our current emperor?.." I ask the servant leading the way.
"Yes 'eldest-grandson'.. your grandfather has urged me to escort you straight to him.." the housekeeper said to me.
"And my father?.. what of him?.." I asked.. after the man only mentioned 'Cao-Song' and did not mention my father 'Cao-Cao.
"It is not my place to say 'young-master'.." he stuttered out feeling uncomfortable by my question.. that would have to be 'corrected' immediately..
"Your place is where I say it is!.." I tell him as I smoothly unsheathed one of my 'tanto-daggers' and gently placed it on his right inner thigh.. leaving a small scar ripped in the clothes he was wearing.. leaving my 'Valyrian-steel' dagger placed on one of the 'major-arteries' in his leg.
"If my blade penetrates your leg on this 'spot'. you will die of blood loss in a matter of breaths.. answer my question immediately if you wish to live.." I order him to answer my questions.
"The young master is at a brothel!.. There is a courtesan named the 'Lady-Bian'!.. He went there to 'court' her after he resigned from his position.. of 'security-chief' of the 'butcher's-section' of Luoyang!.. please don't kill me 'Eldest grandson!.." the man said as he begged for his life..
So I sheathed my 'drawn-blade' and freed him from the clutches of death's grasp he found himself in just a moment ago.
"You are free to live for now!.. forget seeing my Grandfather!.. Lead me and my guards to this brothel!.. then you have my word I will even reward you.. you will become my 'personal butler'!.. and you will be rewarded for being so!.. now make haste!.. I would like to fetch my father immediately!.." I tell the man.. informing him of my offer which is not an offer.. least it's not one he can refuse and still live afterward..
"Yes!.. at once 'Eldest-Grandson'.." He says as he starts to lead the way as asked.
"From now on refer to me as your 'sire'!.. 'carry-on!.." I said to let him know how he should refer to his new 'liege-lord'.
"Yes 'sire'!.." He said perfectly just how I wanted him to.
"Good!.. you shall be known as 'Alfred' from this moment henceforth!.. the 'Head-Butler' of the 'Eldest-Grandson' of the 'Qiao-County'. 'Cao-Clan'!.. yes that sounds fucking glorious 'Alfred'!.. let's make haste and carry on!.." I speak out loud to myself as we make our way to this brothel.
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***After arriving at the brothel 'Phoenix-Clouds'..***
/povMC/
As we enter the brothel looking for my father. I stop to think.. yes. 'A-Perfect-Circle's'. 'The-Package' is the perfect song. I then proceed to grab my 'qin' from my back. I started to 'strum' at the strings of the piano.. then I sang "Clever got.. me this far..
Then tricky.. got me in..
Eye on what.. I'm after..
I don't need.. another friend..
Smile and drop.. the cliche..
Till you think.. I'm listening..
Take just what.. I came for..
Then I'm out.. the door again..
Peripheral on.. the package..
Don't care.. to settle in..
Time to feed.. the monster..
I don't need.. another friend..
Comfort is.. a mystery..
Crawling out of.. my own skin
Just give me.. what I came for
Then I'm out.. the door again..
Lie to get.. what I came for
Lie to get.. just what I need
Lie to get.. what I crave..
Lie and smile.. to get what's mine..
Eye on.. what I'm after
I don't need.. another friend
Nod and.. watch your lips move..
If you need.. me to pretend..
Because clever.. got me this far
Then tricky.. got me in
I'll take just.. what I came for
Then I'm out.. the door again
Lie to get.. what I came for
Lie to get.. what I need now
Lie to get.. what I'm craving
Lie and smile.. to get what's mine..
Give this to me..
Mine, mine, mine..
Take what's mine..
Mine, mine, mine..
Take what's mine..
Mine, mine, mine..
Lie to get.. what I came for..
Lie to get.. what I need now
Lie to get.. what I'm craving
Lie to smile.. and get what's mine..
Give this to me..
Take what's mine..
Mine, mine, mine..
Take what's mine..
Give this to me..
Take what's mine..
Mine..
Take what's mine..
Take what's mine..
Take what's mine..
This is mine..
Mine..
Mine.."
By the time I finish my little performance, I have already found my target.. my father 'Cao-Cao.. courtesy name 'Mengde'.
'Cao-Cao' was a Chinese 'statesman-warlord'.. and a prominent poet who rose to power during the end of the Han dynasty (c. 184–220)..
Ultimately taking effective control of the Han 'central-government'.. He 'laid' the foundation for the state of Cao Wei (220–265).. established by his son and successor 'Cao-Pi'.. who ended the 'Eastern-Han dynasty and inaugurated the 'Three-Kingdoms'.. period (220–280).
Beginning in his lifetime.. a 'corpus' of legends developed around 'Cao-Cao'.. which built upon his talent.. his cruelty.. and his perceived eccentricities.
"Father!.." I shouted to him.. making everyone in the brothel turn to the upper-floor railings where he stood.. with a beautiful young woman who I knew would be 'Cao-Pi's'.. birth mother..
"Ce'er!.." he shouted as he and the 'brothel-girl' walked down the stairs and made their way to us..
When they finally made it to us. I looked at my father and he wasn't as short or dark-skinned as the history books made him out to be.. ofcourse he wasn't tall or light of skin color by any means.. just not as dark or short as the jokes about the warlord portrayed him as..
I shouted to make sure my voice could be heard over the 'wealthy family' members enjoying the music or dances the 'courtesan' was performing for them. I said, "Let's go to grandfather's now!.. There are too many people here and it's important news I have brought to you father!.. let's make haste!.."
After that, we turned around and the group left headed to 'Cao-Song's' residence.. turns out my father had just done buying the brothel contract' for the now 'Consort-Bian'.. who is also following my father.. the 'Xiahou-Cousins' and myself.. it is known.. it is written.