My Three Kingdoms is not right

In the complex balance of power among various parties in Xudu, Liu Xun found himself in a rather unique position.

He possessed the nobility of a member of the royal family, yet he was a man who posed no threat, thus naturally attaining a transcendent status.

He had close relationships with the leaders of the three factions: Cao Cao, Yang Biao, and Xun Yu, and often invited people from both the court and the public to banquets regardless of their faction.

Thus, Wannian Villa gradually became a special place in Xudu.

Princess Wannian's banquet became the most sought-after "top salon" in Xudu, with invitations extremely difficult to obtain.

It can be said that the place was always full of guests and the cups were never empty.

But today, Wannian Garden only invited two guests.

In the tranquil Taoranting Park, a gentle breeze blows and the stream murmurs.

Sitting to Liu Xun's left was Yang Biao, who was still wearing a slightly worn dark blue blouse, her graying sideburns neatly combed.

The guest on the other side was the newly appointed Grand Master of Works—Kong Rong.

She was a 20th-generation descendant of Confucius, a renowned Confucian scholar, and an old friend of Yang Biao. She had been summoned to Xuchang by the imperial court and had arrived less than a month ago.

"Please try my cooking while it's hot," Liu Xun said, taking his seat at the head of the table and gesturing with his hand.

Kong Rong and Yang Biao looked down at the small cup in front of them.

A bowl of clear chicken soup.

The soup is clear, almost transparent.

What makes it special is that a cluster of snow-white flowers gently sways in the center.

"What is this?" Kong Rong asked curiously.

"Tofu," Liu Xun smiled, "uncut tofu strips."

Kong Rong stared blankly at the "chrysanthemum" in the cup, speechless for a long time.

The tofu strips, as thin as hair, spread out slowly in the chicken soup, like a blooming white chrysanthemum. Each strip is uniform, and each "petal" unfolds naturally, giving it a crystal-clear beauty under the sunlight.

Yang Biao was also stunned.

She was the head of the Yang family of Hongnong, and had been living a life of luxury since childhood. What kind of delicacies hadn't she seen? But the dish in front of her was beyond her understanding of "dishes".

I carefully picked up the spoon, scooped up a spoonful, and put it in my mouth.

The shredded tofu melts in your mouth, the umami of the chicken soup blends perfectly with the delicate aroma of the tofu, creating a smooth and exquisite flavor with an indescribable elegance.

"Wonderful." Yang Biao put down his spoon and exclaimed sincerely, "It seems simple, but it's actually exquisite. How were these tofu strips cut?"

Liu Xun explained, "This dish is called 'Wensi Tofu.' A block of tofu is cut into eighty horizontal cuts and eighty vertical cuts. Each cut must be even, resulting in a total of six thousand four hundred unbroken tofu strands."

Kong Rong and Yang Biao exchanged a glance, both seeing amazement in each other's eyes.

Such dedication, and the knife skills that allow them to cut tofu into hair-thin strands, are truly breathtaking.

Liu Xun was secretly pleased with himself. Although he hadn't had the chance to fight on the battlefield, his hard-earned swordsmanship hadn't gone to waste.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness." Kong Rong put down his spoon and said seriously, "However, the court has just been established and the world is not yet at peace. Your Highness has the talent to govern the country, and should use it to help the nation, rather than indulging in such... exquisite things."

The atmosphere in the pavilion seemed to freeze for a moment.

Liu Xun glanced at Yang Biao. The dignified Grand Commandant was leisurely savoring his tofu, seemingly already accustomed to Kong Rong's style.

"Mr. Wenju is absolutely right," Liu Xun continued, "Precisely because the world is not yet at peace, we must proceed step by step in everything we do."

His invitation to the two men today was actually to offer them advice.

"Yesterday, Mr. Wenju submitted a memorial advocating that, according to ancient custom, no feudal lords should be enfeoffed within a thousand li of the capital region?"

Kong Rong raised an eyebrow: "Exactly! Although Cao Cao has rendered meritorious service in welcoming the emperor, he monopolizes military power and issues most of his orders through the Ministry of Works. If this continues, where will the court's authority be?"

"Only by increasing royal taxes and honoring the imperial family can we avoid repeating the mistakes of the Zhou and Qin dynasties in their decline."

Liu Xun sighed inwardly.

Kong Rong was exceptionally talented, but perhaps too bookish.

Before coming to Xuchang, he believed that Cao Cao was the Duke of Zhou of his time, capable of assisting the emperor and restoring the Han Dynasty.

He even wrote a six-character poem in praise:

"Cao Cao was selfless and concerned for the country, so he reduced the amount of rich and delicious food served to him. His officials followed suit, and although they received their salaries, they were often hungry."

When she arrived in Xuchang and saw Cao Cao's absolute power, she immediately reversed her stance and began to dislike her in every way.

"I understand that you are devoted to the country," Liu Xun said, carefully choosing his words. "But right now, the only thing the court can rely on is Cao Cao's power."

"Once you leave Yingchuan and pass Chenliu, the imperial decrees become nothing more than empty words. Of the thirteen provinces in the empire, the imperial court can only command the two provinces of Yan and Yu, which are under Cao Cao's control."

"Therefore, I think you don't need to be too hostile towards Cao Cao."

Kong Rong remained silent for a moment, then said proudly, "I understand Your Highness's meaning, but I cannot turn a blind eye to Cao Cao's various actions."

"I cannot tolerate any dissent. Cao Cao appears respectful on the surface, but in reality, he is undermining the court. How is he any different from Dong Zhuo back then?"

Liu Xun was helpless and was about to say a few more words of advice when Yang Biao laughed and said, "Your Highness, there's no need to persuade her. With her bad temper, she'll feel uncomfortable if she keeps things to herself."

Liu Xun looked at Kong Rong's stubborn expression, then at Yang Biao's nonchalant demeanor...

He suddenly felt a headache.

"Grand Commandant, I haven't even addressed you yet," Liu Xun said helplessly, looking at Yang Biao.

"Oh? Please enlighten me."

"At the beginning of the month, a banquet was held in the palace, and Cao Cao was a quarter of an hour late. You reprimanded her for her improper conduct in front of all the court officials."

"really."

"After she apologized and took her seat, you kept glaring at her, which eventually made her lose her appetite. She then slipped away under the pretext of changing her clothes."

"hehe!"

"Please don't laugh," Liu Xun said, shrugging. "Grand Commandant, shouldn't we take things a little less seriously?"

Yang Biao picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and then slowly began to speak:

"Your Highness, this old minister understands your meaning."

"You are painstakingly maintaining the current balance, maneuvering between various parties, hoping to give the court more breathing room, and worrying that conflict will break out again in Xuchang."

"I have seen and deeply appreciate this dedication. I am sure Wenju feels the same way."

Kong Rong, who was standing to the side with his face tilted back, nodded awkwardly.

She hadn't really thought that much about it before...

Yang Biao smiled slightly and continued, "But this old minister's actions are not for his own pleasure, nor are they based on any personal likes or dislikes towards Cao Cao. I presume Wenju feels the same way."

Kong Rong nodded awkwardly.

She genuinely disliked Cao Cao and couldn't tolerate him...

Yang Biao put down his teacup: "In this court, someone needs to stand up and show Cao Cao a bad attitude, to embarrass her. With this force around, Cao Cao will have some scruples and won't go astray."

"Moreover, this old minister did this for Your Highness's sake."

"For me?"

"Yes." Yang Biao nodded. "If one day, Kong Wenju is no longer in the court, nor am I, Yang Biao, nor those who dared to stand up and contradict Cao Cao, would Cao Cao still consider Your Highness an ally?"