Chapter 6: This Young Master Has More Money Than He Can Spend
Cao Cao publicly executed Jian Tu with the Five-Color Punishment Stick, causing an uproar among the onlookers.
Jian Tu was not a nobody; he relied on his nephew, a eunuch favored by the emperor, to act with impunity.
This old man practically walked sideways through Luoyang City, disregarding the law entirely.
Not just commoners, but even many noble families' young masters were furious but dared not voice their anger.
No one expected him to be executed on the spot by Cao Cao!
At this moment, everyone had the same thought: the newly appointed Luoyang Northern Commandant was a tough character.
From now on, they'd better behave cautiously when in the northern part of the city.
Cao Cao didn't even glance at the lifeless body of Jian Tu. Instead, he addressed the crowd loudly:
"Everyone, there are laws in the nation and rules within families!
Jian Tu disregarded the law, repeatedly violated the curfew, and even threatened officials of the Han Dynasty.
According to Han law, he was executed to serve as a warning!
You all need not worry; as long as you abide by the law, this Five-Color Punishment Stick in my hand will never fall upon you."
The surrounding commoners instinctively nodded, while some noble young men, seeing Jian Tu's fate, showed fear in their eyes.
Cao Cao then ordered his soldiers to disperse the crowd, restoring order to the area.
At this moment, Yuan Shu approached Cao Cao with a smile and said:
"Mengde, what a coincidence to catch you in the midst of your duties."
Seeing Yuan Shu's smile, Cao Cao felt a twinge of suspicion.
When had this guy ever smiled like this?
Wasn't he always arrogant, practically tilting his nose to the sky? What's with the sudden change today—could it be that he needs something from me?
Cao Cao's guess was right. Yuan Shu did have a favor to ask, though his purpose was rather peculiar—he wanted Cao Cao to teach him how to squander money.
Seeing Yuan Shu, Cao Cao immediately shed his stern and heroic demeanor, instead flashing a sly grin as he said:
"Well, Brother Gonglu, what wind has blown you to the northern part of the city?
Didn't you always say the north side was a poor area? What's the matter—missing me already?"
Yuan Shu thought to himself, "This Cao Mengde truly lives up to his reputation as a cunning hero. The speed at which he changes his demeanor is astonishing—he really knows how to adapt to the situation."
Covering his head, Yuan Shu replied to Cao Cao:
"Two days ago, I drank with you, Brother Mengde, and ended up bedridden from a hangover for two days.
Now that I've just recovered, I thought I'd check on you to see if you were suffering the same fate."
Cao Cao thought inwardly, "Do you think everyone's as hopeless as you, Yuan Gonglu?
You can't handle your liquor, yet you drink like your life depends on it.
It's a miracle you're still alive after that."
However, outwardly, he spoke warmly to Yuan Shu:
"Thank you, Brother Gonglu, for your concern.
I'm just a rough military man, tough as nails, unlike your noble and delicate self.
A little drink is nothing to me."
Yuan Shu, hearing Cao Cao's sincere tone, sneered inwardly.
"This Cao Cao is exceptional at feigning humility. A mere military man? With all his attributes above 90 in his prime, except for his combat strength, which is just under 70?"
Feeling that the pleasantries had gone on long enough, Yuan Shu moved on to the main topic:
"Brother Mengde, I woke up today feeling rather lethargic, and nothing tastes good.
I was thinking of finding some entertainment to lift my spirits.
Pleasure is better when shared, so naturally, I thought of you first.
Do you know of any good places for some fun?"
Cao Cao, hearing this, thought to himself, "As expected, a spendthrift remains a spendthrift—three sentences in, and he's back to his usual ways."
Yet, he still found Yuan Shu's behavior a bit odd today.
Normally, it was Cao Cao and Yuan Shao teaming up to trick Yuan Shu into footing the bill for their extravagant outings.
Yuan Shu would sometimes even complain about the expenses.
But today, here he was, offering himself up.
Since the meat was already on the chopping block, Cao Cao naturally wouldn't let it go.
He smiled and replied to Yuan Shu:
"Brother Gonglu, Luoyang City has no shortage of fun places.
But they all come at a price. May I ask how much you've brought with you today?"
The cunning Cao Cao wanted to first gauge how much Yuan Shu had on him before deciding how best to fleece him.
Hearing this, Yuan Shu knew Cao Cao was planning to set a big trap for him.
But wasn't this exactly what he wanted? Yuan Shu cheerfully said:
"Brother Mengde, feel free to pick the most entertaining place.
As for the expenses, let's start at 100,000 coins, with no upper limit!"
Hearing Yuan Shu's words, Cao Cao's eyes widened in disbelief.
What? Start at 100,000 coins, with no upper limit?
Was Yuan Shu out of his mind?
Previously, when Cao Cao and Yuan Shao teamed up to exploit Yuan Shu, the most they ever squeezed out of him was just over 10,000 coins.
Even then, Yuan Shu was so upset that he sulked for days.
Could it be that he really drank himself stupid a few days ago?
A wave of guilt surged in Cao Cao's heart. He suddenly felt reluctant to exploit this fool.
After all, Yuan Shu's current state was partially due to him and Yuan Shao.
So, Cao Cao sighed and said:
"Brother Gonglu, why not forget it for now?
You've just recovered, and both Lord Yuan and Brother Benchu are very worried about you. Let's gather in a few days instead."
Yuan Shu found Cao Cao's response strange.
What's going on?
Just moments ago, this crafty Cao was eagerly plotting to rip him off, and now he's suddenly grown a conscience?
No way, what about his mission to squander wealth?
No, he had to provoke Cao Cao a bit.
So, in a mocking tone, Yuan Shu said:
"That won't do. I haven't spent any money these past few days, and my hands are itching.
It's unbearable not being able to spend the tens of thousands of coins I have lying around.
Ah, the frustration of not being able to burn through so much wealth—Brother Mengde, you wouldn't understand, would you?"
Seeing Yuan Shu's smug expression and hearing his arrogant words, an unexplainable rage boiled within Cao Cao.
He thought to himself, I was feeling sorry for you and planned to let you off the hook, but you don't appreciate it. Fine, don't blame me for what happens next.
Today, Cao would teach Yuan Shu a lesson.
With this in mind, Cao Cao plastered a smile on his face and said to Yuan Shu:
"Since Brother Gonglu is so generous, how could I refuse?
Last time, we didn't drink to our heart's content. How about we go to Drunken Immortal Tower today and drink to the fullest?"
The Drunken Immortal Tower was the most luxurious restaurant in Luoyang. Its rumored owner was none other than Emperor Liu Hong himself.
Liu Hong, the Emperor of the Han, was a peculiar man. He loved money more than his imperial duties and seemed to enjoy running small businesses more than ruling the country.
There was even a ridiculous story of him playing role-playing games with palace maids and eunuchs, pretending to be merchants and customers inside the palace.
In the later years of his reign, he openly sold government positions, with every office having a clear price tag.
Such reckless behavior caused the Han bureaucracy to crumble completely.
Given his obsession with wealth, one could imagine how expensive the restaurant he owned must be.
By suggesting the Drunken Immortal Tower, it was clear Cao Cao was truly provoked by Yuan Shu.
At this moment, Yuan Shu still didn't know the actual cost of dining at the Drunken Immortal Tower, but from the sly look on Cao Cao's face, he could guess it wouldn't be cheap.
Nevertheless, Yuan Shu responded with great magnanimity, smiling at Cao Cao:
"Fine, I'll go along with Brother Cao's suggestion. Today, this young master is treating!"