Chapter Twenty-Seven: Elder Brother Is Most Pleased

Shi A was momentarily stunned when he saw Dian Wei mistake Cao Hong for Cao Cao, but Cao Hong had already chuckled and said, “You’ve misunderstood, valiant one. The person who issued the proclamation is my kinsman. I am Cao Hong of Peiguo, styled Zilian.”

Dian Wei was taken aback, stared at Cao Hong for a long while, then burst out laughing, “Ah! So that’s how it is! But you’re also of the Cao family, aren’t you? To dare to issue a proclamation calling the heroes to punish traitors against the Cao clan—I truly admire your courage! Come, please sit, please sit!” With that, Dian Wei invited Cao Hong and his three companions to take their seats.

After they had settled in, Cao Hong ordered several jars of wine. At this moment, Dian Wei noticed that Shi A’s right thumb was severed. His thick brows arched as he asked, “Brother Shi, what happened to your finger?”

Shi A smiled calmly and recounted how he had challenged Cao Hong to a sword duel. Dian Wei listened intently, glancing at Cao Hong, and finally exclaimed in disbelief, “Your swordsmanship actually bested Brother Shi? In a duel, even I might not win unless I exert my full strength.”

Cao Hong replied with a gentle smile, “Brother Dian, your martial skills are already near the pinnacle—truly the greatest I’ve ever encountered. Compared to the Three Companions, the Twin Charms, and the Immortal, you are but a shade behind. There’s no need for such modesty.”

Dian Wei laughed heartily, straightening his back as a mighty aura surged forth. Liao Hua, Shi Huan, and Shi A were all awed by this presence, while Cao Hong remained unruffled; after all, he too had stood at the summit, his temperament and cultivation unmatched by the others.

Dian Wei stared at Cao Hong with his large eyes for a while, then asked suspiciously, “Have you suffered an injury before? I sense your skills and judgment should far exceed what I see now.”

Cao Hong praised, “You have keen insight, sir. I have indeed been injured and am presently recuperating.” He had been exposed to gamma rays and transmigrated—if that wasn’t injury, what was?

Dian Wei exclaimed, “With your skills, who could injure you? One of the Six Masters? The Great Virtuous Teacher? Lü Fengxian?”

Cao Hong smiled, “There are countless experts in the realm; those you’ve mentioned are merely renowned. I was wounded by a group assault.” This was his convenient excuse.

Dian Wei was moved, “Then it must have been a powerful faction.”

Cao Hong smiled and shifted the topic, “Just now, I heard you speak of seeking service under my elder brother?”

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Dian Wei replied candidly, “Indeed! In the past, I was a formidable figure—if a county magistrate crossed me, I’d slaughter him in broad daylight! Now, wishing to serve the nation and eliminate traitors, I was given only a minor post as a tent officer, which is truly frustrating!”

Cao Hong was surprised, “With your extraordinary skills, you must be a hero wherever you go. Why submit to military service?”

He genuinely didn’t understand—skilled fighters fared well in any era. Even in modern times, with Dian Wei’s abilities, he could be a crime boss, mercenary leader, or high-paid bodyguard with ease.

“Ah, it’s a bitter tale. Once, to avenge a friend, I killed a county magistrate of this region in full view. The crime was committed in Chenliu, and I prepared to flee, but a kinsman of Prefect Zhang protected me. I am a grateful man, so I have aided the Zhang family in Chenliu since then. Whenever local ruffians or idlers threatened Zhang’s interests, I’d teach them a lesson. Now that the Zhangs are raising troops against traitors, I naturally wish to earn military merit and make a name for myself. Yet, these days, lineage matters greatly, and I am undervalued, so I am not put to good use.” Dian Wei spoke with indignation.

Cao Hong then realized how deeply ingrained class notions were in the late Han; even a master like Dian Wei dared not challenge such norms and hoped instead to earn merit and status. This showed that the people had fully accepted the prevailing values of pedigree and privilege. Otherwise, with his abilities, Dian Wei could have roamed free as a heroic outlaw.

“It seems the scholars of the Eastern Han were masters at indoctrination! The Six Masters stand above the world, surely either controlling the rules or disregarding them entirely—like myself. Dian Wei’s inability to reach the pinnacle stems from his mindset!” Cao Hong mused inwardly.

In truth, Dian Wei’s skills fell short of perfection because he was influenced by worldly values and couldn’t let go of attachments. Thus, despite his prowess, he remained a step behind. This explains why the late Han produced so many brilliant generals, yet they needed to seek service under powerful factions; few could truly ignore society’s judgments.

Cao Hong asked, “The Zhangs have shown you kindness. If you choose to leave, would they not try to hold you back?”

Dian Wei laughed, “The Zhangs are now lords of Chenliu; do they care about my coming or going?” His words carried a note of helplessness, which Cao Hong deeply understood. Dian Wei, like Cao Hong in his past life, was just a chamber pot for the powerful—used when needed, and otherwise forgotten. The only difference was that Cao Hong’s chamber pot was a bit more valuable.

Sharing the same plight, Cao Hong’s fondness for Dian Wei increased, and he said, “In that case, let me introduce you to my elder brother.”

Dian Wei was overjoyed, and they agreed to visit Cao Cao after their meal. The group drank and conversed merrily until midday, and then the six made their way to Cao Cao’s villa.

Upon entering, Shi A, Shi Huan, and Liao Hua retired to their rooms. Cao Hong led Dian Wei to the main hall, where they found Cao Cao enjoying lunch, attended by two beautiful maidservants. He ate, joked with them, and occasionally behaved improperly, only noticing Cao Hong and Dian Wei when they entered.

Dian Wei watched and wondered, “Is this the hero who issued the proclamation? He seems nothing but a lecher. Perhaps appearances are deceiving.”

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“Ah! Zilian, and this gentleman is...?” Cao Cao looked at Dian Wei with curiosity.

Cao Hong replied, “Elder brother, this valiant man has come to seek your service. His name is Dian Wei, but I do not know his courtesy name.” He turned to ask.

Dian Wei answered freely, “I am but a commoner, what need have I for a courtesy name?”

Cao Cao was taken aback, scrutinized Dian Wei for a few moments, then, as if invigorated, stood up and strode over. With his height of about one meter sixty-five, he gazed up at the two-meter-tall warrior, then seized Dian Wei’s hand and exclaimed, “A valiant man! Truly a valiant man! For such a hero to look favorably upon me, Cao Mengde—it is my great fortune! Today, I appoint you as my personal guard, what say you?”

A personal guard—a bodyguard, not a high rank, but close to the leader. Dian Wei was no fool; he understood the significance, and Cao Cao’s sincerity far surpassed that of Zhang Miao and the like. Moreover, this was a hero who dared to challenge Dong Zhuo.

Dian Wei was deeply moved, immediately knelt and declared loudly, “I will serve my lord unto death!”

Cao Hong watched coldly, realizing that Cao Cao truly had a way with people; his sincerity, whether real or feigned, was always compelling.

Cao Cao laughed heartily, taking advantage of Dian Wei’s kneeling to hide his expression, then turned to Cao Hong, winked, and said, “Zilian! I am truly delighted, truly delighted!”

Cao Hong was left perplexed, wondering what his elder brother was up to now.