Chapter 143 Private Banquet

When Yuan Xi returned to his residence, he noticed Huan Shi in a corner of the courtyard, holding a swaddled infant and chatting with the Cao Xian and Cao Jie sisters.

Hearing footsteps, Huan Shi and her daughters turned to see Yuan Xi, and they quickly stepped forward to offer their greetings.

Yuan Xi nodded slightly, noticing Cao Hua's chubby, rosy cheeks inside the swaddling clothes, as she contentedly sucked on her fingers, making little smacking sounds.

Seeing this, Huan Shi felt a little embarrassed and pulled the swaddling clothes closer to her chest, saying softly, "Please forgive my daughter's behavior, Master Yuan."

Yuan Xi smiled and said, "Not at all. Since she is the orphan of Master Wenli, Xi will certainly not allow her to suffer any hardship. Madam, if you have any difficulties, you can come to me at any time."

Huan Shi quickly thanked him, then timidly said, "This humble woman has no way to repay your kindness, except to send my two daughters to serve you, Master Yuan."

"Ah Xian has already followed you, but why haven't you taken Ah Jie as well? Has she offended you in some way?"

Hearing this, Cao Jie also secretly raised her eyes to peek at Yuan Xi.

Yuan Xi had a headache. Cao Jie was also a budding beauty, with a slender figure. Compared to the slightly plump Cao Xian, they were like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each with their own strengths.

However, Cao Jie was several years younger than Cao Xian. Although she was of age, she was still too young for Yuan Xi. Therefore, after Cao Hua arrived that day, Yuan Xi had sent her back.

He pondered for a moment and said to Cao Hua, "How are your reading and writing skills?"

Hearing this, Cao Hua raised her head and said, "Reporting to Master Yuan, my father had a collection of books, and I have read a little over half of them, about a hundred volumes."

Yuan Xi recalled that when Wu Zhao had inquired about Cao Xian and Cao Jie's knowledge of the classics, they had answered fluently. He then said, "My concubine, Wu Zhao, is currently organizing the classics and is short of staff. However, there are not many women who can read."

"You can go and help her for now."

Cao Jie quickly replied, "As you command, Master Yuan."

Yuan Xi gave a few instructions, and Cao Xian took Cao Jie to find Wu Zhao. Seeing this, Huan Shi breathed a sigh of relief.

She said softly, "Thank you for your great kindness, Master Yuan."

Yuan Xi was silent for a moment, then said, "Madam has had a hard life. If Master Wenli knew in the afterlife, he would surely be gratified."

He understood Huan Shi's intention. Huan Shi and her daughters were still Cao Cao's family members and could be sent back at any time.

But if Cao Xian and Cao Jie became Yuan Xi's concubines, they could rightfully stay. Rather than returning to Cao Cao's side, the situation was much better on Yuan Xi's side.

Huan Shi's eyes were slightly red, and she bowed deeply before leaving with Cao Hua in her arms.

Yuan Xi returned to his room and wrote a letter to the Zhen family, which he had someone deliver.

In less than half a day, the Zhen family sent several large carts. Yuan Xi stepped forward to take a look and saw that they were neatly filled with large boxes, each marked.

Yuan Xi opened a few boxes and saw that they contained valuable gold, silver, and Shu brocade, all neatly arranged.

He thought to himself that the Zhen family's efficiency was truly high, and they had good channels for procuring goods. They had prepared the things he needed so quickly.

He returned to his room and began to handwrite New Year's greetings. From Tian Feng to Ju Shou, from Chunyu Qiong to Zhang He, there were many people he needed to visit. This was an important part of the schedule before the New Year.

It was always good to make more connections. At least, whether in officialdom or on the battlefield, there would be fewer troubles in the future. In comparison, these gifts were nothing.

At this time, greeting cards, like formal writing, were written on bamboo slips. Yuan Xi used bamboo slips, with auspicious words written at the top, such as "Happy New Year," and the name of the recipient at the bottom.

Regarding greeting cards, the High Ancestor Liu Bang had a famous story passed down to later generations: an empty promise to give ten thousand coins as a gift.

Because he was fleeing from enemies, Lu Taigong had moved to Pei County to settle down. Because he had a good relationship with the magistrate of Pei County, Pei Gong, the leading figures in the county all came to Lu Taigong's house to congratulate him on settling in the area.

The host of the banquet was Xiao He, an aide of Pei Gong. Xiao He announced Pei Gong's rule: those whose congratulatory gifts were less than one thousand coins would sit down to eat in the hall below.

As a result, Liu Bang came empty-handed and said that his congratulatory gift was ten thousand coins. Lu Taigong heard this and quickly came out to greet him. Seeing that Liu Bang was imposing and extraordinary, he recruited him as his son-in-law and betrothed his daughter, Lu Zhi, to him.

Of course, there are many unreasonable aspects to this story. Liu Bang was a pavilion chief, a local strongman who had connections in both legal and illegal circles. Even if he didn't bring money, Lu Taigong wouldn't dare to neglect him. Moreover, daring to openly lie and not being afraid of the host exposing him is even more intriguing.

Yuan Xi guessed that when Lu Taigong came to Pei County to avoid disaster, he urgently needed a backer. Coincidentally, the Pei Gong at the time wanted to marry Lu Taigong's second daughter, Lu Zhi, as a concubine, which Lu Taigong was very unwilling to do, putting him in a difficult position.

At this time, Liu Bang, who was not afraid of trouble, appeared. He needed Lu Taigong's financial support to start a rebellion and was willing to marry Lu Zhi as his wife, which Lu Taigong naturally couldn't have asked for more.

Liu Bang's empty promise was equivalent to breaking Pei Gong's rules. Xiao He's final decision to let Liu Bang sit down was equivalent to the two of them helping Lu Taigong and openly standing on the opposite side of Pei Gong.

In the end, both sides had their needs and hit it off. Any excuse was just for outsiders to see.

Therefore, a seemingly ordinary matter contains countless hidden secrets and calculations. Ultimately, it all comes down to the complexities of the human heart.

The reason why Yuan Xi thought of this matter was because the current situation was just like that time.

If he wanted to poach talents from Liu Bei and even Yuan Shao, it wouldn't be as simple as private bribes, great profits, and treating them with courtesy to win their admiration and loyalty.

People who can be bought with wealth and great profits are likely to betray for the same reasons in the future.

Therefore, if Yuan Xi wanted talents to be wholeheartedly loyal, he had to prescribe the right medicine, find out what they consistently pursued, and make them believe that he could fulfill that wish!

To recruit Zhao Yun and Tai Shi Ci, he used the idea of saving the people from misery. To lure Chen Deng, he used the idea of restoring the world.

For Gao Lan, he exploited the conflict between him and Yuan Shang. For Guo Jia, he did the opposite, using arrogance against arrogance.

As for Tian Feng, Zhang He, Ju Shou, and others, Yuan Xi had not yet found a clue and could only take his time.

Facing the heroes of the Three Kingdoms was like solving complex mathematical problems, requiring him to peel back the layers, step by step, in order to finally find the only correct answer.

Yuan Xi spent two days visiting all the strategists and generals in Ye City, not even leaving out Xu You, because it was easy to deceive a gentleman, but difficult to guard against a villain.

Then, the next evening arrived, the day to meet Yuan Xing.

This time, he brought Wu Zhao and Cao Xian along, finally gathering two maids.

Of course, these two maids were both daughters of famous scholars and Confucians. There were not many people in the world who dared to do this, except for Yuan Xi.

It was Cao Xian's first time going out with Yuan Xi, and she secretly peeked at the street scene through the gap in the curtain, unable to hide the curiosity and joy on her face.

Wu Zhao was very helpless. The gentry in Ye City all knew that Cao Xian was the orphaned daughter of Bian Rang and the adopted daughter of Cao Cao. Bringing her out in public for people to see was Yuan Xi clearly establishing his image as a lecherous and unscrupulous man.

Sure enough, as soon as the three of them met Yuan Xing, she quietly complained to Yuan Xi, "Is that the orphaned daughter of Wenli? Half of the gentry in Ye City knows!"

"Can't you restrain yourself a little? You brought dozens of women back to Ye City back then, and the rumors still haven't subsided."

Yuan Xi said with righteous confidence, "What? As a dignified member of the Yuan clan, what's wrong with taking a daughter of Cao Cao!"

Yuan Xing opened the door and sighed, "You tell them."

They saw the two women sitting upright. Zhen Rong looked like she had lost the will to live, while Zhen Mi covered her face with a light veil, hiding behind Zhen Rong, revealing half of her face, her eyes curved like crescent moons.

Yuan Xi was sweating profusely. He didn't expect the Zhen Mi sisters to have arrived long ago and had been caught red-handed. He coughed and pointed at Cao Xian with righteous indignation, "Ask her, what have I done?"

Cao Xian quickly shook her head.

Zhen Rong raised her head and looked at Yuan Xi, but for some reason, her face felt hot. She quickly turned her face away and said, "You haven't officially married into the Zhen family yet, so you have nothing to do with me."

Yuan Xing smiled and said, "What? If your younger sister marries over, will you have something to do with my second brother?"

The speaker meant no harm, but the listener took it to heart. Zhen Rong's face became even hotter. She said angrily, "I knew I shouldn't have come!"

Zhen Mi's face was also slightly red, and she said softly, "Sister Yuan, you always bully us sisters."

Hearing this, Yuan Xing said sadly, "See, I always work hard but get no thanks. Don't look for me next time."

Zhen Mi quickly went up and shook Yuan Xing's shoulders, acting spoiled for a while before finally making Yuan Xing feel better.

Yuan Xi asked Zhen Rong, "Why didn't Brother Gao come today?"

Zhen Rong said helplessly, "What would he do here? He's busy with those military matters all day long, often not returning home at night."

She felt a faint sense of guilt towards Gao Lan, so she was even more considerate to him at home. It seemed that the relationship between husband and wife was even more harmonious at night?

Thinking of this, she became even more afraid to talk to Yuan Xi and quickly said, "It's been several months since you've seen my younger sister. I heard that you're going to fight again after the New Year. You should talk to her more."

Cao Xian looked left and right, finally understanding the relationship between everyone present.

The master was actually meeting with his unmarried wife in private!

If this were spread among the gentry, who knew what rumors would be stirred up? The master was too bold!

However, Cao Xian also felt a hint of secret joy in her heart. Yuan Xi brought her along on such occasions, which meant that he didn't treat her as an outsider.

Zhen Rong consciously made way, and Yuan Xi sat beside Zhen Mi, smiling sideways, "How have you been, young lady?"

Zhen Mi's eyes curved even more like crescent moons, "I have been well, Master Yuan."

Yuan Xi felt Zhen Mi so close, her breath like orchids. Every time he met Zhen Mi, no matter how upset he was before, his mood would calm down the moment he saw her, like a small boat passing through a storm and finding refuge in a harbor.

Zhen Mi was born into a prominent family, knowledgeable and intelligent. What was rare was her pure heart. Yuan Xi had a thought: if Madam Liu was like Zhen Mi, the Yuan family wouldn't have become like this, right?

He naturally reached out and poured tea from the teapot beside him into Zhen Mi's teacup, smiling, "There were some twists and turns in Xuzhou this time, but I managed to return before the New Year, so I could see you, young lady."

Seeing Yuan Xi personally pour tea for her, Zhen Mi couldn't help but feel sweet in her heart, and said softly, "You've worked hard, Master Yuan. I heard that you put a lot of effort into the Mi family's trade route for the sake of the Zhen family."

Yuan Xi smiled, "In the end, it's still our own business. However, it did take a lot of effort on the Mi family's side, that's true."

Hearing the words "our own," Zhen Mi's face turned red, and she quickly covered it up, saying, "I heard that there's a young lady in the Mi family, about the same age as me?"

Yuan Xi honestly said, "Although not as beautiful as you, young lady, she is still very beautiful."

Zhen Mi's eyes lit up, "Did you see her, Master Yuan?"

"I'm very curious and would like to hear about it."

Seeing Zhen Mi's appearance from afar, Wu Zhao thought that this young lady was completely trapped. If Master Yuan wanted to elope with her now, she would agree without hesitation, right?