HLCOB C18

Chapter 18

“Yirang?”

O Juk-yeop asked Jaheon as they left the palace.

“Is that not a good thing? The fact that His Majesty granted young master the office of Yirang means He truly trusts you…!”

A smile would not leave O Juk‑yeop’s face as he led Jaheon to the carriage. This uncanny young master seemed capable of swaying even the Emperor’s heart.

“It is not all that good.”

At O Juk‑yeop’s excited tone, Jaheon sighed and spoke.

“What do you mean? It is good! Young master! How many can say they were promised the rank of Yirang before even the capping ceremony? Not even Young Lord Yuan managed that. Moreover, you received a style name from His Majesty.”

Though it literally meant “flower‑like script,” it was, after all, a style bestowed by the Emperor. It could not be changed easily. Others could not freely revile it either; to mock Jaheon’s style was to insult the Emperor. In other words, it amounted to a pledge that the Emperor would back Jaheon.

“…And thanks to young master receiving the Yirang, my lord has been recommended not as Remonstrance Censor but as Censor‑in‑Chief. If things go well, might he not even vie for one of the Three Excellencies?”

Perhaps the Wang clan might become a great house no less than the Caos or the Yuans. Such hope colored O Juk‑yeop’s voice. Yet Jaheon, who knew the Han court would soon collapse, spoke quietly.

“Is Luoyang not too noisy?”

“Pardon? The streets of Luoyang are always noisy.”

Beyond the carriage, the crowded streets of Luoyang teemed with passersby. Though, out in the provinces, harsh taxes had stirred bandits and brought death to many, the people of Luoyang seemed to live tolerably. And when life is tolerable, people fixate on all manner of pointless rumors.

“In that case, the news that I received a style name and the office of Yirang from His Majesty will spread in an instant.”

At Jaheon’s words, O Juk‑yeop asked, puzzled.

“That is true—but it does you no harm, does it, young master?”

“It will.”

Resting his chin in his hand, gazing out the window, Jaheon added,

“Attendant Zhang told me to sit an examination among the men of letters at Hongdu and to have Gentleman Cai judge me. If I receive an excellent evaluation, he said, it will be acceptable for me to be a Yirang.”

“Ah yes. Do you know how vulgar the writings of those who study literature at Hongdu are? Even if young master writes a few ordinary lines, you will surely be first.”

Though O Juk‑yeop did not know Jaheon’s composition skill, he dared assert it. No matter how poor Jaheon’s verse, it would be better than theirs. To his words, Jaheon replied,

“…That is the problem.”

“Pardon?”

Despite being an academy established personally by the Emperor, the literati of Hongdu were infamous for their low quality—because the Emperor favored crude literature. And now to take a test there to prove ability? It was merely saying, “We will turn a blind eye; so take office.” At a glance, it sounded like Zhang Rang had made a favorable proposal.

But it was not.

“The examiner will not be well‑disposed toward me.”

The man presiding over that examination was none other than Cai Yong. A renowned scholar, yet confined to Yirang under eunuch pressure. And how would such a Cai Yong view Jaheon, about to become a Yirang?

“So he did not strike directly.”

Jaheon lowered his eyes. If struck by the eunuchs, one becomes a hero to the Pure‑Stream; if struck by a luminary like Cai Yong, one becomes no different than the eunuchs.

There was reason Zhang Rang had survived so long in Luoyang’s mire.

“So if I receive a low evaluation in this examination, what will become of me?”

In short, Zhang Rang meant to tarnish Jaheon’s reputation by another’s hand.

“No—even if I receive a good evaluation, the result will be the same.”

Jaheon sneered.

“I will be branded a male favorite who seeks office by imperial favor.”

Frankly, were Jaheon Cao Cao, it would not be much of a problem. Cao Cao was the eldest grandson of a Turbid‑Stream house aligned with the eunuchs and was already notorious for debauchery. What wound could “the Emperor’s male favorite” add to such a reputation? None.

But for Jaheon, it was different.

Wang Yun, under whose roof Jaheon had taken shelter, had won renown among Pure‑Stream scholars. So marring Jaheon’s reputation would have greater effect than one might think. The Pure‑Stream forces hiding in Luoyang would no longer consider rallying under Wang Yun. Pure‑Stream scholars were men who would not tolerate even the smallest blot.

They boasted they would never bow to the eunuchs—yet could not stomach a flaw in their own side; Jaheon found it laughable.

“Moreover, the man I became entangled with the moment I arrived in Luoyang was Young Lord Cao. The Pure‑Stream scholars will even come to doubt my lord.”

Zhang Rang’s snare was dank and foul.

“In short, he has set the board so Pure‑Stream figures cannot gather under my lord.”

With one move aimed at Jaheon, had he not also swept away the chance for allies to gather under Wang Yun?

“……”

At Jaheon’s words, O Juk‑yeop, who was driving the carriage, fell silent. Jaheon assumed O Juk‑yeop had grasped the situation as well. After traveling in silence for a time, they could make out the residence ahead. Then O Juk‑yeop cautiously spoke.

“By the way, young master—since we are on the topic of Young Lord Cao.”

“……?”

Jaheon gave him a puzzled look. The carriage halted before the residence and the gate opened. Alighting, Jaheon kept his eyes fixed on O Juk‑yeop’s odd expression. Under Jaheon’s gaze, O Juk‑yeop’s lips worked, and at last he confessed the truth.

“He has not left yet.”

“…What does that mean?”

Glancing furtively around, O Juk‑yeop whispered in Jaheon’s ear.

“…Y‑Young Lord Cao.”

“……?”

As Jaheon frowned and stared vacantly at O Juk‑yeop—

“You are back?”

A voice already somewhat familiar was heard. Unlike the Emperor’s raspy, metallic tone, it was low.

“I was quite forlorn without my beauty.”

Its owner was Cao Cao, who, even after receiving the imperial rescript, had no thought of leaving.

Cao Cao’s point was this:

After this affair, Father will be furious to the roots of his hair; if I go out now and head to the Cao household, I will die. So if you dislike a friend dying, hide me.

“……”

Jaheon was speechless.

To begin with, whether Cao Cao died was none of Jaheon’s concern. And in truth, would they really kill a precious grandson? Moreover…

“…Since when were we friends?”

“Since yesterday.”

“……”

At Cao Cao’s brazen reply, Jaheon answered flatly,

“None of my concern; be on your way.”

Then Cao Cao, shamelessly sprawled on the sitting room couch, took out Jaheon’s snack box and added,

“Now, now—how cold. Are we not accomplices?”

“Let us be precise: you were used by me.”

To this, Cao Cao, grabbing handfuls of pine nuts and walnuts from the packed snack box, asked,

“Do you think His Majesty did not know that?”

“……”

After a pause, Jaheon gave a sardonic smile.

“So, you already knew His Majesty’s temperament?”

“Apologies, but yes.”

Recalling the Emperor, Cao Cao spoke.

“His Majesty’s nature is not different from what is known.”

Pressing his temples, Jaheon answered,

“It was not unforeseen—only the worst among the scenarios anticipated.”

A dark ruler is not necessarily a fool; among tyrants some are brutal. Yet Jaheon had not cooled and added with a sneer,

“…If you are so curious to see mourning, you can go to Yuzhou; with this year’s drought there, there is not a house that has no funeral.”

“How heartless. I thought you would return alive.”

“At this point, after all is done, what cannot be said?”

“I remained because I thought you would return alive.”

“……”

With a face and a disposition that so readily stirred curiosity—would the Son of Heaven be different? Cao Cao grinned at Jaheon.

“I thought His Majesty would take a liking to you.”

Popping ginkgo nuts into his mouth, Cao Cao spoke. Jaheon, worn down by Cao Cao’s impishness, finally raised the white flag. From the outset, after dealing with the Emperor, he had little strength left to deal with Cao Cao.

“…Are you truly staying here to avoid the wrath of your grandfather and father?”

“Yes. If I return after your appointment is settled, the anger of Grandfather and Father will have cooled somewhat. Then I mean to go home.”

“……”

“In earnest. I swear by heaven.”

Cao Cao, who a little earlier had spoken like a seasoned politician, shrugged; he seemed every bit the eighteen‑year‑old boy. It really was no more than the flailing of a clever youth to avoid corporal punishment from grandsire and sire. And it did not seem a lie. Somehow deflated, Jaheon admitted the truth.

“Zhang Rang has laid a trap that hangs by office. I will not be able to receive appointment right away.”

“Of course not.”

Cao Cao said lightly,

“Zhang Rang will hardly welcome your lord forming a base in Luoyang; he will try to diminish your reputation as much as he can.”

At Cao Cao’s precise reading of the situation, Jaheon’s brow twitched.

“…Do you think I can escape Zhang Rang’s snare?”

“Do you not? You chose the stratagem of luring me because you had a way to repair the infamy bound to spread widely in Luoyang.”

“……”

Indeed, from the moment Jaheon lured Cao Cao, the rumors about him could not help but be bad. No matter how beautiful, rumors that a man seduced a man would follow. Why then did Jaheon adopt such a plan? With a playful gleam, Cao Cao’s ink‑dark eyes curved gently at Jaheon.

“Infamy spreads faster than fame.”

The answer was obvious.

“So instead of spreading a good name from the start to make yourself known, is it not faster to turn infamy into fame?”

Jaheon, it meant, had a way to turn infamy into renown.