Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 132 The First New Year's Eve After Transmigrating

Chenliu Commandery was first established in the first year of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty's Yuanshou era (122 BC). It governed seventeen counties, including Chenliu, Junyi, Yongqiu, Weishi, Suanzao, and Xiangyi.

Located in the heart of the Central Plains, this place borders Yanzhou to the north, Yuzhou to the south, Xuzhou to the east, and Guanzhong to the west, making it a vital transportation hub in the Central Plains region.

In addition, the land is fertile and agriculture is developed, earning it the reputation of "the granary of the world".

Before the outbreak of war, Chenliu had a population of over one million, making it the most populous prefecture in Yanzhou.

It must be said that Zhang Miao managed Chenliu quite well. Even after several upheavals, Chenliu County still has a population of nearly 400,000.

Compared to Yingchuan County next door, where nine out of ten houses are empty, it is indeed much better.

Except for the papermaking workshops, all the workshops in Juancheng were to be relocated to Chenliu County.

There were too many secrets in the workshop, and Cao Yan was worried about staying too far away, as it was also inconvenient for him to make money.

The garrison outside the workshops in Juancheng was replaced by Cao Ren's troops, replacing the armies of Cao Ang and Zhao Yun.

Cao Cao also knew the importance of papermaking technology, and he only felt at ease having the person he trusted most guard it.

Wei Zhen had already chosen a location for Cao Yan's workshop in Chenliu County. It was a place far from the crowds, nestled against the mountains and by the water, easy to defend and difficult to attack.

With the help of the Wei family, Cao Yan was relieved of a lot of worries.

Moving is a physically demanding, tedious, and time-consuming task.

Cao Yan and his group were busy until the end of the year before they finally got everything arranged.

Cao Yan and the others moved into a new house, which was more spacious than the one in Juancheng, enough for Cao Ang, Zhao Yun, Xiahou Lan, Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu, Dian Wei, Man Chong, Cao Xiu and their group to live in.

Zhao Yun, Xiahou Lan, Cao Ang, Zhuge Liang, and Cao Xiu were all quite young, with the oldest, Cao Xiu, being eighteen years old and the youngest, Zhuge Liang, being only thirteen.

Young people easily bond with each other, and with them around, the whole mansion becomes lively.

On New Year's Eve, light snow began to fall in Chenliu County.

Cao Yan stood under the eaves watching Cao Ang and Xiahou Lan build an earthen stove in the courtyard.

The two men, wrapped in thick cotton-padded coats, their noses red from the cold, argued heatedly over whether the stove should be built with three or four layers of bricks.

Zhao Yun squatted in front of the stone table, chopping dumpling filling, the blade leaving afterimages.

As Zhuge Liang wrote the Spring Festival couplets, he said to Xu Shu beside him, "Brother Yuanzhi, the ink should be ground to be thicker."

Xu Shu and Zhuge Liang are now inseparable, they even sleep in the same bed at night, they're practically inseparable.

After grinding the ink for Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu picked up the cut peach charms and glanced at them every now and then.

Seeing that Zhuge Liang had finished writing the four characters "abundant harvest of the five grains," he couldn't help but laugh and say, "Kongming's calligraphy is getting more and more refined."

"Not bad..." Zhuge Liang straightened up and smiled as he admired his masterpiece.

Just then, Cao Yan came out of the house carrying a stack of newly cut paper window decorations. He bumped into Man Chong carrying a ceramic jar toward the kitchen and asked curiously, "Bo Ning, what's in that jar?"

Man Chong lifted the clay seal on the earthenware jar, and a sweet and sour plum aroma, mixed with the fragrance of wine, immediately wafted out.

Seeing Dian Wei approaching, Man Chong hurriedly pressed down on the mouth of the jar: "This is prepared for staying up all night tonight, it can't withstand you 'taking a bite', old Dian."

Clearly, Dian Wei was a repeat offender.

Dian Wei remained silent and turned back to chopping firewood.

As the sun began to set, wisps of white smoke rose from the steamer on the stove.

Cao Yan rolled up his sleeves and taught everyone how to make dumplings.

Zhao Yun's dumplings were crooked and uneven as he kneaded them, muttering, "This is much harder than practicing spearmanship."

Xiahou Lan learned very quickly; with swift movements of her fingers, the dumplings were arranged in neat rows on the bamboo tray.

Cao Ang, however, hid to the side and secretly sculpted a small clay figure out of dough. The figure was so lifelike that it was impossible to tell whose likeness it was modeled after.

As everyone was laughing and joking, they suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves coming from outside the courtyard, the sound of horses' hooves crunching through the snow growing louder as they approached.

Just then, Cao Xiu suddenly ran into the backyard and shouted, "My lord has arrived!"

Cao Xiu had only been in Yanzhou for a short time and was still quite reserved, generally addressing Cao Cao as "Lord" in public.

The voice just fell,

Cao Cao, dressed in a thick fur coat, entered through the snow with Xu Chu, Xi Zhicai, and Guo Jia following behind him.

Xu Chu was holding a large food box in his arms. When he opened the lid, the aroma of roasted meat wafted out.

Xi Zhicai carried two jars of fine wine, the red silk sealing them still covered with snowflakes.

Guo Jia was holding a string of candied hawthorns in his hand. When he saw Cao Yan looking over, he hurriedly hid them behind his back.

"Hey! It's your big brother!"

"I've met my father!"

"I've met my lord!"

Guo Jia still couldn't escape Cao Yan's clutches, and Cao Yan forcibly snatched the candied hawthorn from him and shared it with Zhuge Liang. "I originally intended to send you back to Juancheng to celebrate the New Year with your father and the others," Cao Cao said, putting his arm around Cao Yan's shoulder as they walked into the house, "but thinking that it would be more lively here, I shamelessly came to freeload on the New Year's Eve dinner."

Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.

Xu Chu came to Dian Wei's side, squatted on the earthen stove, and began to turn the venison on the grill. Oil splattered on the charcoal fire, and flames rose from time to time.

The fire in the hearth crackled and popped as people stayed up to welcome the New Year, and glass lanterns hung from the pillars, reflecting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the snow.

Cao Yan specially ordered the craftsmen to make a large round table. Although there were a lot of people, they could still squeeze in.

Cao Yan poured a cup of plum wine for everyone. Cao Cao, holding his wine cup, looked around at everyone and sighed, "So many of us haven't had a proper New Year's Eve!"

Now that we've established ourselves, let's celebrate properly tonight!
Dry!!"

"Dry!!!"

Everyone raised their glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

Various kinds of wine and meat were served.

Cao Yan taught everyone the "Two Brothers" finger-guessing game, and the atmosphere at the table instantly became lively.

After a few rounds of drinks, Cao Cao suddenly noticed the sachet dangling from Cao Yan's waist and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Zian, your sachet is quite elegant. Could it be the gift of some young lady?"

The entire table fell silent instantly.

Zhuge Liang tightened his grip on the wine cup, but the corners of his eyes subtly twitched upwards.

Cao Yan looked down at the sachet, but Guo Jia snatched it away with lightning speed: "The embroidery is exquisite, the stitches are fine and dense, it must have been made by a woman's skillful hand! Hiccup~~~"

Then, Guo Jia shook the sachet and looked at Zhuge Liang, asking, "Kongming, do you know which girl made this?"

Cao Yan snatched the sachet back, tucked it into his waistband, and said, "Stop fooling around, this was a gift from Kongming."

Guo Jia looked incredulous, but Xu Shu suddenly realized.

Cao Cao asked with a smile, "Kongming, tell me the truth, was it you who gave it to Zian?"

Zhuge Liang put down the lamb leg and nodded seriously, saying, "It was a gift from me."

Before anyone else could speak, he added, "But the sachet was hand-sewn by my eldest sister."

Before he could finish speaking, Cao Ang choked on his drink with laughter.

Zhao Yun and Xiahou Lan exchanged a glance, both looking as if they had just realized it.

Cao Cao put down his wine cup and said to Cao Yan, "Zi'an is twenty-three this year, and Mengxue has also come of age, hasn't she?"

Zhuge Liang replied, "My elder sister is sixteen years old this year and has already reached the age of marriage."

Suddenly, the charcoal fire in the hearth exploded with a "bang," sending a trail of sparks flying.

Cao Yan suddenly recalled the first time he saw Zhuge Mengxue under the eaves of the Zhuge family's house. Her black hair cascaded down to her shoulders, she wore a white dress that was as white as snow, her face was beautiful, and her temperament was gentle...

Cao Cao smiled and said, "I have seen Mengxue. She is indeed intelligent and beautiful, and she is a good match for Zian."

Then, he turned to Cao Yan and said, "The young lady has already expressed her feelings so clearly, you can't let her down!"

Cao Yan then realized that his memory of Zhuge Mengxue was so clear and profound.

He also realized that he actually had feelings for Zhuge Mengxue, but he had never paid attention to it before.

Seeing that everyone was looking at him and the atmosphere had become more lively, he stopped being coy and said frankly, "To be honest, I do have a lot of feelings for Mengxue."

Cao Cao laughed and punched Cao Yan on the shoulder, then turned to Zhuge Liang and said, "Tomorrow I will send someone to present the betrothal gifts. You, as the younger brother, must not be reluctant to part with your sister."

Zhuge Liang stood up and bowed solemnly: "How dare I... It is my elder sister's good fortune."

When the clapper of the New Year's Eve vigil struck three times, the snow stopped, and Cao Cao and the others all drank under the table.

Cao Yan walked out of the main hall, stood under the corridor, and looked at the night sky, lost in thought.

Zhao Yun took the fur cloak and gently draped it over Cao Yan's shoulder.

Cao Yan said softly, "Thank you, Zilong."

Zhao Yun stood side by side with Cao Yan and replied, "The people of Yanzhou should be thanked! Without you and our lord, they would not have been able to get through this year."

Yes!

Without Cao Cao and Cao Yan, Yan Province might have already fallen into the hands of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, or become a hunting ground for Yuan Shu, the leader of the outlaws...

The hearth still radiated warmth, and sporadic firecracker sounds could be heard in the distance.

Cao Yan touched the sachet at his waist and suddenly felt a special warmth at the end of the year.

Perhaps, this is the best age.
-

With close friends by your side,
There is a good person to remember.
There's a lively atmosphere.

(End of this chapter)