Chapter 107: A Triple Blessing (Part Two)

A swift horse, moving like a flash of lightning, burst out of Chunhua Gate and galloped in the direction of Runan.

At the same time, bathed in the morning light, a caravan of carriages slowly approached from the direction of Longshan. More than twenty riders escorted several carriages, soon arriving outside the North Gate of Xudu. Xiahou Lan spurred his horse forward, took a waist token from his bosom, and handed it to the gate guard.

The bronze-cast token, featuring a tiger-head and cloud motif, was about the size of a palm. The front was engraved with the characters "Hu Ben" (Tiger Guards), while the back bore the inscription "Colonel Dian." Upon seeing the characters, the guard immediately adopted a respectful expression. The token revealed the origin of the procession: they belonged to the entourage of the Tiger Guard Colonel, Dian Wei. The guards dared not cause them any trouble. Who did not know that after being released from prison, Dian Wei had become even more favored by the Minister of Works, Cao Cao, and was now practically inseparable from him?

Xiahou Lan took back the token and returned to the caravan. With a shout, the procession slowly set into motion and entered the gates of Xudu.

Traveling along Guanghua Street, they turned into a side street and stopped outside a residence. Xiahou Lan dismounted immediately.

"Young Master, we have arrived!"

Cao Peng, dressed in white robes with wide sleeves, leaped from his horse. He wore his long hair in a bun secured with a cyan silk headscarf, and on his feet were black leather shoes. He handed the reins to Xiahou Lan and stepped onto the stairs.

"A-Fu, you’ve finally arrived!"

Wang Meng walked out from within, followed by Deng Juye and his wife. Wang Mai and Deng Fan brought up the rear. Seeing Cao Peng, Wang Meng stepped forward with a hearty laugh, extending a large, fan-like hand to ruffle Cao Peng’s hair.

"A-Fu, this house is truly large... It has thirty more rooms than our place in Jiyang, and there’s even a garden!" Wang Mai grabbed Cao Peng’s arm, her face beaming with joy. Deng Fan nodded repeatedly, like a chick pecking at grain.

Cao Peng smiled, turned back down the steps, approached one of the carriages, and said softly, "Father, Mother, we are home."

Indeed, this residence was the new home for the Cao family.

As the Cao family gradually established themselves in Xudu, the desire to set up their own household grew stronger day by day. While the Dian family fortress was spacious, in Cao Ji’s heart, it always felt like someone else’s home. Dian Wei was very warm toward them, but living under another’s roof was not a long-term solution. Cao Ji’s appointment as the Director of the Arsenal was already set in stone, making his desire to purchase a new home even more pressing.

However, settling down in Xudu was no easy feat. The Cao family was no longer the small group they once were. Back in Jiyang, they were a family of seven, which was easy to manage. But now, the heroes from the Tufu Mountain alone numbered nearly twenty. That did not even include the three members of Deng Juye’s family; counting everyone inside and out, they were a group of nearly forty. Furthermore, there was the family of Guo Yong, who would soon be arriving. Guo and his wife had three sons and two daughters—another seven people—making for a medium-sized household. With so many people, the house had to be large, or simply housing them would be an issue.

Previously, relying on Dian Wei, they hadn’t felt the pressure. But once they moved out, all sorts of problems followed. Guo Yong was a very practical man and had already begun to settle into his role, helping Cao Ji organize the files from the Minister of Works’ office and familiarizing himself with the operations of the Heyi Workshop. Most of his family was still in Shangdang, but Hou Sheng had already ordered them to be sent over, and they were expected to arrive before the end of the year. Since these people had cast their lot with them, they could not be treated poorly. Although Cao Ji was not of high birth, he understood this simple truth very well. Hou Sheng, under pressure from Cao Hong, had agreed to let Guo Yong come. Theoretically, Guo was now a retainer of the Cao family, and Cao Ji could treat him however he wished, but Cao Ji was an honest man who knew he would rely heavily on Guo at the workshop. He reasoned that everyone had come from hard times, so why distinguish between high and low?

Everyone’s origins were humble.

Dian Wei’s Tiger Guard mansion was large, but it was adjacent to the Cao residence, and it would not do to carve off a piece of it privately. Xu Chu had wanted to help, but his own household was vast, with thousands of clan members still waiting for arrangements; he had no spare resources. However, both men gifted twenty *yi* of horseshoe gold as a housewarming present. Forty *yi* of gold was worth a considerable amount on the market.

However, the cost of living in Xudu was high, especially with the influx of wealthy clans, which drove land prices ever upward. Xudu was far smaller than Luoyang, so even with money, one could not always find a suitable property, leading to constant delays.

It was then that Cao Hong had sent word—or rather, the messenger was Cao Zhen.

"I have a residence in the northern district of Xudu, bought before the Lord moved the capital. I intended to keep it for myself, but after arriving in Xudu, the Lord granted me a mansion, so my old place has sat empty. It was originally a villa for a wealthy merchant, and it isn't too small. During the Zhongping era, that merchant was killed by the Taiping rebels, and his family fell into ruin. I bought it from his son for a modest price... Hearing that A-Fu was looking for a place in the city, I am willing to sell it to you for one hundred thousand coins."

One hundred thousand coins—that is, one hundred strings of cash. Truth be told, this price was not excessively expensive. However, Cao Zhen knew that Cao Hong had bought it for only twenty strings. Cao Zilian’s greedy nature was on full display here. One *yi* of horseshoe gold was worth about one hundred thousand coins. Cao Peng did not lack the money, but after moving in, there would be many other expenses. Although they had forty *yi* of gold, supporting such a large family made things slightly tight.

Just as Cao Ji hesitated, Cao Hong had someone relay another message: "I know that Master Cao is new to the city and may be tight on funds. How about this: I can give the mansion to Master Cao for free. However, I have one request: every three months, please craft a sword for me. It does not need to be of the level of the 'Tiangang' or 'Disha' blades, just an ordinary quality will suffice. The blade must bear your mark, and I am willing to pay five *yi* of gold for each sword. If Master Cao agrees, I will have the paperwork processed immediately, and I shall not go back on my word."

An ordinary sword for five *yi* of gold? And a mansion thrown in? Even Cao Peng found it strange. Since when had Cao Hong become so generous?

Later, Cao Zhen, feeling a bit embarrassed, secretly told Cao Peng the truth: "The fine swords crafted by Master Cao are now extremely popular. But because my uncle always makes such high-quality blades, many people can only dream of owning one. If you were to make even a standard sword, it could sell for ten *yi* on the market. Five *yi* of gold is likely a bargain. My uncle would never miscalculate such a sum."

Cao Peng suddenly realized the truth. This was much more in line with Cao Hong’s style! He was a man who wouldn't rise early for profit, possessing the soul of a cunning merchant. However, if this could further strengthen his relationship with Cao Hong, wouldn't he have another powerful backer in the Cao camp?

Looking at it this way, five *yi* of gold was just right.

Thus, Cao Ji agreed. He didn't really know the true value of the swords he crafted, but five *yi* of gold sounded very tempting. Over a month, it amounted to over a hundred thousand coins. Added to his six-hundred-stone salary as Director and Wang Meng’s six-hundred-stone salary as a Tiger Guard, they would have enough to support the whole family comfortably.

He was content. Only those who are content can find lasting joy.

Cao Ji and Wang Meng stood outside the gate, looking at the grand mansion covering nearly ten *mu* (about 6,600 square meters), their hearts overflowing with joy. It had three courtyards and nearly a hundred rooms. All facilities were well-preserved. While it lacked the imposing grandeur of the Tiger Guard mansion, it had its own unique charm. Besides, Cao Ji was only a minor director; if he lived too luxuriously, it would invite gossip. The size of this residence was just right for the Cao family.

When could Cao Ji have ever imagined he would own such a grand home?

He said to Wang Meng, "Brother, I keep feeling like all of this is a dream."

Wang Meng laughed upon hearing this. "Junshi, we are not dreaming. I believe that from here on out, our lives will only get better."

As he said this, Wang Meng stole a glance at Cao Peng, only to see the boy’s expression remained calm and composed. He wondered what kind of achievements this child would reach in the future. With that thought, he looked toward Wang Mai, who was chatting and laughing with Deng Fan beside Cao Peng. *Mother of my child, I have not failed your trust!*

As Wang Mai grew older, her strength increased. Especially after channeling *Qi* into her bones, Wang Meng could clearly feel that he was struggling to hold his own against her strength. One generation was growing old, and another was rising! Although he was not yet forty, watching Wang Mai, Deng Fan, and Cao Peng’s generation slowly mature filled Wang Meng with deep emotion. Perhaps the most correct thing he had ever done in his life was to become friends with Junshi.

Thinking of this, Wang Meng couldn't help but smile. "Junshi, hurry and take your sister-in-law to see our new home."

"Let's go!"

Cao Ji, filled with excitement, stepped through the gate with Wang Meng. As for Lady Zhang, she still felt a bit dazed. She knew about the house purchase but had never been to see it. Organizing the house had been handled by Lady Hong and Deng Juye, while she remained in the Dian family fortress to care for Cao Nan, who was nearing her due date.

Now, seeing her new home, her face beamed with smiles. Lady Zhang was a traditional woman, and her home was her everything. Seeing Cao Ji and Wang Meng enter, she finally snapped back to reality. "Peng'er, hurry and show me our new home."

Cao Peng walked over, supported Lady Zhang, and helped her up the steps. With every step, Lady Zhang paused to offer a silent prayer. She prayed for the heavens to bless their family with peace, to bless her son’s promising future, to bless her daughter’s smooth delivery, and to ensure that all of this was not just a dream. Cao Peng supported her silently, listening to her quiet murmurs, and felt waves of emotion.

He remembered when he first arrived in this era; Lady Zhang had cared for him almost without sleep, feeding him spoonful by spoonful, saving all the best food for him while she and Cao Ji hid in the kitchen to eat thin porridge. Looking at the satisfaction on his mother’s face, Cao Peng felt that everything he had done was worth it.

Killing, fleeing... what did it matter? Wasn't it all just to ensure his parents could live in peace for the rest of their lives?

His eyes reddened, and his nose felt sore. In his mind, the kind face of his father from his previous life appeared. Cao Peng closed his eyes and prayed silently along with Lady Zhang. *Dad, are you doing well in heaven?*

Just then, a cry of surprise came from behind. Cao Peng turned around quickly. He saw Cao Nan holding her stomach, leaning against Deng Ji, moaning incessantly.

"A-Nan, what’s wrong?"

"Brother, it's time... it seems the baby is coming!"

"What do you mean, it's time?" Deng Ji had been full of joy, ready to show Cao Nan their new home. He did not know how to react when Cao Nan suddenly cried out in pain.

Cao Peng’s expression changed instantly. He ran to Cao Nan’s side in two strides. "Sister, what’s wrong?"

"A-Fu, it hurts... I think the baby is coming!"

Hearing this, Cao Peng shuddered and immediately snapped back to reality. "Dong Xiao! Dong Xiao, come quickly!"

He called for Wang Mai and Deng Fan to come over and pushed Deng Ji aside. "First, carry my sister into the room! Tiger-head, Big Bear, be careful—my sister is going into labor! Quickly, find Dong Xiao!"

Cao Peng shouted loudly, and the area in front of the Cao residence descended into chaos. Deng Ji remained stunned, grabbing Cao Peng’s arm. "A-Fu, what do you mean, it's time?"

"My sister is going into labor! The baby, the baby is about to be born!"

For a moment, Deng Ji stood frozen at the bottom of the steps, acting as if he were a fool, unable to speak for a long time.