Chapter 2 Born in the First Year of Jian'an

How large is Zhongyang Town?

According to the official record, there are two hundred and seventeen households, totaling nine hundred and thirty-six people. In the era of Cao Youxue, this would be considered nothing remarkable. But in the era in which Cao Peng lives, a town of two hundred and seventeen families is already quite a large settlement.

The town nestles against Mount Zhongyang and falls under the jurisdiction of Wuyin County. Yet, due to its distance from the county seat, it does not attract much attention.

Qin River flows from Mount Zhongyang, passes through Wufang County (which is now Suiping County in Zhumadian City), and eventually merges with the Ru River.

"Father, is Liu Jingzhou the same as Liu Biao?"

Cao Youxue, now renamed Cao Peng, feigned curiosity as he asked Cao Ji for guidance.

After lying in bed for more than ten days, his bones had grown soft with idleness. Unwilling to continue resting, he ignored Madam Zhang's protests and began to walk about.

Cao Peng was frail from birth. It was said that Madam Zhang had carried him during a time of war and rampant banditry. Once, bandits had even attacked the outskirts of Zhongyang Town, nearly breaching its defenses. The fright caused Madam Zhang to go into labor early, resulting in Cao Peng's premature birth.

The shock deprived Madam Zhang of her milk, so Cao Peng was raised on thin gruel instead of mother’s milk, leaving him weaker than his peers from the start...

Cao Youxue had inherited scattered memories from Cao Peng, but they were of little use. A thirteen-year-old child who had never left Zhongyang Town could hardly provide much valuable information. All he knew was that Cao Ji was a blacksmith of modest skill. He could repair farm tools and make small objects, but when it came to large items, he was out of his depth.

In times of chaos, what holds the greatest value? The answer is simple: weapons.

Skilled craftsmen were often recruited by local warlords. As for mediocre smiths like Cao Ji, they were not held in high regard.

Yet, perhaps it was for the best. By avoiding entanglement in the blood-soaked struggles, Cao Ji's family had remained safe and sound. The small town of Zhongyang was peaceful and isolated. Although Cao Youxue had a faint suspicion about the era in which he found himself, he could not be certain. Last night, he had overheard Cao Ji mention Liu Jingzhou, so this morning, eager for confirmation, he left his bed, sat on the threshold, and casually inquired.

"Hush!"

Cao Ji was startled. He quickly set down his hammer and hurried to Cao Peng, gesturing for him to speak no more.

"The name of Liu Jingzhou is not one that humble folk like us should mention lightly."

"But it’s just a name, Father. Why are you so nervous?"

Cao Peng felt a hint of disdain but immediately understood: Just as I suspected—this is the Three Kingdoms!

In later generations, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" became a household tale, beloved by young and old alike. As the saying goes, "The young should not read Water Margin, the old should not read Three Kingdoms..." Of course, Cao Peng could not be ignorant of this classic and had read various editions more than once. Like many men, he longed for the passionate era of clashing armies and galloping horses. From what he knew, only Liu Biao was ever called Liu Jingzhou in history.

But who, then, was this Young General Zhang?

Cao Ji, flustered and exasperated, said, "Child, how can you be so thoughtless? Liu Jingzhou is a renowned figure in the realm and a member of the imperial clan. How can commoners like us call him by name? If others overheard you, you could be accused of grave disrespect... Peng’er, you must be careful with your words. In these times, no one’s intentions can be trusted, and danger lurks everywhere!"

Cao Peng was still somewhat disgruntled, but seeing his father’s anxious demeanor, he nodded and promised to be more cautious in the future.

Is this, then, the difference between commoners and the aristocracy? Cao Peng mused, casting a glance at Cao Ji, who was mending a hoe.

Though it is said that "anyone can become a king or general," the gulf between social classes has never truly vanished. The death of one privileged class is but the birth of another. True equality between people is an unattainable ideal—now, or ever.

These thoughts left Cao Peng feeling dispirited.

He sat dazed on the threshold, watching Cao Ji sweat over his work, his mind already drifting far away.

"Old Cao!"

A booming voice snapped Cao Peng from his reverie.

A burly man, likely in his early thirties, with dark skin, thick brows, and large eyes, entered the courtyard. He looked imposing. Beside him stood a sturdy boy, as robust as a young tiger.

Cao Peng’s memories included these two. The man was Wang Meng, a hunter of Zhongyang Town; the boy was Wang Mai, a close friend of Cao Peng.

As a hunter, Wang Meng often had dealings with the blacksmith Cao Ji. Although Cao Ji's skills were not outstanding, he was adept at repairs, which required little expertise and cost, making him a popular choice.

Seeing Wang Meng, Cao Ji immediately set aside his hammer and greeted him.

"Old Wang, where have you been lately? Haven’t seen you in some time."

"Where could I go?" Wang Meng said, pulling two animal traps from his bag. "I made a trip to Wuyin a few days ago... By the way, I need your help repairing these traps."

"Of course, I’ll get right to it!"

Cao Ji took the traps, and the two squatted in the courtyard to discuss the repairs.

Meanwhile, the boy Wang Mai dashed over to Cao Peng. "Afu, I heard you were sick?"

Wang Mai was one of Cao Peng’s few friends in Zhongyang Town. They were close in age, but whereas Cao Peng was frail, Wang Mai was robust. Whenever the local children bullied Cao Peng, Wang Mai would always stand up for him, protecting him like an elder brother.

Cao Peng, inheriting his predecessor’s feelings, felt a natural fondness for Wang Mai. Perhaps it was more memory than true sentiment, but what did it matter? To outsiders, Cao Peng was still Cao Peng.

"Yes, I don’t know what happened—I suddenly fainted a few days ago. I’ve been bedridden since, but today I finally got up. I’m mostly fine now, just a bit dizzy and weak in the legs."

Wang Mai grinned. "You’re too frail! You need to eat better food. In a few days, when my father and I go hunting in the mountains, we’ll bring you something good to eat. Then you’ll get strong, just like me!"

These simple words warmed Cao Peng’s heart.

"Wang Mai, did you and your father go to the county seat?"

"Yes, we went, but there wasn’t much fun. It’s livelier than Zhongyang, but that’s about it."

"Did you hear any interesting news?"

"Interesting news?" Wang Mai thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Nothing much, really."

Father and son shared the same prominent brows—Wang Meng’s were thick and straight, nearly meeting in the middle. Wang Mai’s were the same, especially when he frowned in thought, his brows knotting together amusingly.

Cao Peng asked, "I heard that Young General Zhang has formed an alliance with Liu Jingzhou?"

"Oh, that! They allied quite a while ago—must be over twenty days now. They say Young General Zhang and Liu Jingzhou’s envoy made the pact in Rangcheng. Afu, do you know where Rangcheng is? Even on horseback, it takes several days from Zhongyang. They say Young General Zhang is a formidable warrior, undefeated in mounted combat within three bouts. His spear skills are legendary. Too bad I’ve never seen him myself."

"Is Young General Zhang actually Zhang Xiu?"

Wang Mai looked at Cao Peng in surprise, then nodded. "Yes, Young General Zhang is Zhang Xiu! Afu, what’s got into you today? You never used to care about these things—why the sudden interest?"

Cao Peng, startled, forced a laugh. "I heard my parents talking about them last night, so I was curious."

"I thought so. You never asked about these matters before."

Wang Mai was a straightforward soul and had no reason to doubt Cao Peng.

"But I did hear that we might see war around here."

"Oh?"

"When we went to Wuyin, people there said that Lord Cao’s troops have already occupied Yuzhou. He has escorted the Emperor to settle in Xuchang and is now the pillar of our Han Dynasty. It’s likely that before long, Lord Cao will send his army to Nanyang."

"Lord Cao?"

"The very same Lord Cao who escorted the Emperor to Xuchang earlier this year... I think I mentioned it to you before."

"Ah, I forgot!"

The old Cao Peng, due to his frail health, knew little of the outside world and had never been ambitious. His memories were filled with trivialities, not worth mentioning.

A look of longing flashed in Wang Mai’s eyes. He sighed softly, "If Lord Cao’s army comes to Wuyin, I am determined to join the army."

"Join the army?"

"Yes! With my abilities, I’ll surely earn a title and become a general! Afu, when that day comes, I’ll ask you to be my strategist."

Cao Peng couldn’t help but laugh. "Very well, I’ll wait for you to invite me out of retirement."

Wang Mai was filled with youthful ambition, eager for glory and success.

As for Cao Peng, he seemed to have learned some letters and read a few books. According to his memories, when he was young, a magician once lived in Zhongyang Town. Cao Peng studied with him for a few days, but had to stop due to illness. Not long after, the magician left and was never heard from again—perhaps, in these troubled times, he had fallen victim to the sword.

Even so, Cao Peng was considered literate. In Wang Mai’s eyes, anyone who could read was a person of great talent.

"Wang Mai, time to go home!" Wang Meng had finished his business with Cao Ji and called out to his son.

"Afu, I’ll see you tomorrow!"

Cao Ji, sitting on the threshold, smiled and nodded, watching Wang Meng and his son leave the courtyard.

"Peng’er, you should rest inside for a while. The weather’s turning—it wouldn’t do to catch a chill, or your mother will blame me again..."

"Understood!"

Cao Ji nodded in response and stood up.

According to Wang Mai, it was earlier this year that Cao Cao escorted the Emperor to Xuchang and made it the capital. If he remembered correctly, that was the first year of the Jian’an era... The first year of Jian’an! Who would have thought I’d be reborn eighteen hundred years in the past, in the time of the Three Kingdoms!

Cao Peng returned to his room, but did not lie down.

This simple clay house was divided into inner and outer rooms. Since he had been unconscious, he stayed in the inner room, while Cao Ji and his wife slept outside to care for him more easily. All in all, the family was not wealthy, but not destitute either.

Ordinary—no more, no less.

But Cao Peng knew that in these turbulent times, no one could hope for lasting peace.

Sooner or later, war would engulf Nanyang Commandery, and Zhongyang Town would not escape its ravages. Countless innocents would suffer.

In such a chaotic world, what could I possibly do?

Standing inside the doorway of his small room, Cao Peng unconsciously clenched his fists, lost in thought...

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Today is the first day, so I’m uploading two chapters. From now on, there will be a guaranteed update of six thousand words daily. In this new year, Old Xin will strive hard—please give your support. Favorites, recommendations, and clicks are all most welcome...