Chapter 5: Petition to Take the General's Daughter as a Concubine

Looking at the mess the Danyang faction's key members had made, even Cao Bao himself found it unbearable.

The Danyang faction's ally was the Xiapi Tianzi Army—what exactly was that? It was a band of rebels.

Another ally and vassal of the Danyang faction was Zang Ba’s Langya Army—what was that? Also a band of rebels.

Led by Tao Qian, the Danyang faction had nearly become the dominant force of the outlaw bands; everywhere they went were brigands, and in every conversation, rebels were mentioned.

But Cao Bao couldn't simply abandon the Danyang faction.

Although he was the leader within the Danyang army, not all the troops belonged to him. Among them, the forces of his deputy, General Xu Dan, numbered four thousand; other officers and commanders each had their own troops. Cao Bao’s actual personal forces amounted to only about ten thousand.

He lacked the ambition to break away and form his own banner, yet feared being eliminated after completely submitting to Liu Bei.

Cao Bao was caught between fearing the Danyang faction dragging him down and being unable to live without them.

He resented Liu Bei’s assumption of the governorship of Xuzhou but dared not rebel outright.

He resented Liu Bei’s friendliness toward Chen Yuanlong and Mi Zhu, yet feared refusing Liu Bei’s overtures.

He was like a rat trapped in a bellows, pressured from both sides, on the verge of a mental breakdown.

At that very moment, Liu Feng appeared and offered him an alluring olive branch.

How could Cao Bao not be tempted?

What moved Cao Bao most was the very boy standing before him—Liu Feng.

Though only ten years old, he displayed such vision, eloquence, and ability.

Once Liu Feng reached adulthood, what a formidable prodigy he would become.

Even more enticing was that Liu Bei, who had passed thirty-five, had three sons, but Liu Feng was the only legitimate eldest son.

This was an undisputed legitimate heir; all of Liu Bei’s future legacy would belong to Liu Feng.

Judging by Liu Feng’s current capabilities, he was more than qualified to inherit Liu Bei’s estate.

And Cao Bao would be his father-in-law!

After much hesitation, Cao Bao finally asked with difficulty, “Young master, do you intend to marry my daughter Qing’er?”

Liu Feng immediately sensed that matters were likely settled.

Though Cao Bao appeared hesitant, he had already mentioned his daughter’s intimate name—a privilege reserved for close relations.

Liu Feng realized this was the final step, but felt some things needed to be clarified to avoid future complications.

With a serious expression, Liu Feng said, “General, the position of principal wife is not mine to decide; that must be determined by my father. For now, Liu Feng can only offer the status of a concubine. But I assure you, I will treat your daughter with equal respect.”

Hearing that Qing’er would only be a concubine, displeasure was evident on Cao Bao’s face.

Yet secretly, he breathed a sigh of relief.

That was the truth.

If Liu Feng had promised principal wife status, Cao Bao would have turned hostile on the spot.

Such a matter could not proceed without Liu Bei’s presence.

Either Liu Feng was deceiving him, or deceiving Liu Bei—either way unacceptable.

But if Qing’er was to be a concubine, that was another matter entirely.

Cao Bao had to admit he was moved.

His family was a powerful clan in Danyang, but as a scholar-official, his influence was limited to Danyang and unrecognized by Central Plains literati.

In the Han dynasty, regional discrimination was not only common but politically accepted.

Henan scholars ranked first, those from Xuzhou and Hebei could reach second tier.

As for Cao Bao, a Danyang scholar, he barely made the third tier.

Cao Bao fell silent for a moment, then took the box Liu Feng offered, examining and tasting its contents.

He found the Snow Salt savory and fresh, without any off-flavors, its pure white color truly worthy of its name.

The aroma, taste, and appearance of the Snow Salt were unlike anything Cao Bao had ever encountered.

Such a precious commodity, Liu Feng had acquired by a stroke of fate and was willing to share ten percent of the profits with the Cao family.

At last, Cao Bao made up his mind, lifting his gaze to fix Liu Feng with a fierce aura.

No matter what, Cao Bao was a major figure in Xuzhou’s military and leader of the Danyang army, having fought several battles with tens of thousands of troops under his command; he had a commanding presence.

“I want twenty percent of the Snow Salt profits.”

Liu Feng frowned slightly, but Cao Bao’s price increase was expected, and if it were just an extra ten percent, Liu Feng was willing to concede.

After all, two thousand Danyang soldiers were too important to Liu Feng now; he had to get them at all costs.

He just couldn’t give in too easily, fearing Cao Bao might lose his wits and turn hostile, which would be a major problem.

Before Liu Feng could respond, Cao Bao raised four fingers on his right hand.

“I won’t bully you. This extra ten percent profit will be Qing’er’s dowry; the Cao family will not touch it. Also, I’ll give you two thousand more troops, for a total of four thousand, in exchange for twenty percent of the Snow Salt profits.”

Four thousand in total!?

Liu Feng gasped.

Cao Bao now commanded about twenty thousand Danyang troops, with only around ten thousand truly his personal forces.

Securing two thousand had already been satisfying for Liu Feng; his real bottom line was only one thousand.

He had only offered two thousand as a starting bid, expecting Cao Bao to negotiate.

But unexpectedly, Cao Bao not only agreed outright but doubled the offer; four thousand troops were nearly two-fifths of his forces.

What Liu Feng did not know was that Cao Bao himself had made a bold decision.

The Great Bandit feared the Danyang troops in Cao Bao’s hands.

So Cao Bao thought, why not hand over half the troops, letting Liu Bei have more soldiers than him, so he would no longer be so wary?

Even better, these troops would be given not to Liu Bei himself, but to his son—the sole legitimate eldest son, Liu Feng.

Chen Yuanlong invests in Liu Bei, giving money, grain, and men, rallying support and coercing Tao Qian to step down.

Why couldn’t Cao Bao invest in Liu Feng?

Liu Bei was nearing forty with only this one legitimate eldest son; even if others were born later, they could not threaten Liu Feng’s status.

Moreover, Liu Feng had shown such prodigious talent before him today.

This bet was Cao Bao’s to make.

Chen Yuanlong, Mi Zizhong—let’s see who laughs last.

Liu Feng confirmed, “Four thousand troops, twenty percent of Snow Salt profits?”

Cao Bao relaxed, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

“Yes, four thousand troops, twenty percent of the profits.”

Liu Feng then bowed deeply before Cao Bao.

“Son-in-law thanks my honored father-in-law.”

Cao Bao was momentarily stunned, then laughed heartily, rising to help Liu Feng to his feet.

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“Young master, be careful where you step.”

Pan Zhang carefully assisted Liu Feng into the ox cart.

Having drunk several cups at the Cao residence, Liu Feng was noticeably tipsy.

Cao Bao was quite unscrupulous—taking advantage of being the prospective father-in-law to ply Liu Feng with drink.

However, the alcohol these days was very mild, even weaker than the large-bottle beer of the former world, though there was a great variety.

Besides the familiar clear and turbid wines, there were many types of fruit wines.

Tonight, Cao Bao had served premium turbid wines and various fruit wines, including a rare bottle of Western grape wine, much to Liu Feng’s satisfaction.

Liu Feng was still young, and most Han dynasty wines now resembled beverages; the common turbid wine was a kind of fermented rice similar to modern sweet rice wine.

Sometimes it was even classified as a food rather than an intoxicant.

Therefore, it was not taboo for children and women to drink.

Cao Bao spared no expense to show respect to Liu Feng this time.

He brought out his treasured clear wine “Winter Snow Chant,” along with grape wine and the finest fruit wine made from sugarcane, called “Golden Nectar Brew.”

Liu Feng was not fond of drinking, but could not refuse Cao Bao’s hospitality, and these drinks were more like refreshments than strong alcohol.

So, unguarded, he drank too much and left the Cao residence in a drunken state, supported by Cao Bao and Pan Zhang.

However, once the ox cart started moving and Liu Feng was alone inside, he regained his composure.

His earlier drunkenness had been an act all along.