Three Kingdoms: A wise grandson, Cao Wei can last for three generations!

Cao Rui sat by the stove, looking at the lively scene before him, and a feeling he couldn't quite describe welled up in his heart.

He knew that such days wouldn't last long. Cao Cao was getting old, the struggle between Cao Pi and Cao Zhi continued, Ma Chao was still eyeing Hanzhong covetously, Liu Bei had established a firm foothold in Yizhou, and Sun Quan was sharpening his sword in Jiangdong.

The world is not yet at peace, and the flames of war have not yet ceased.

But at least, the people of Xudu won't have to suffer from the cold this winter. At least, on this Laba Festival, they can drink a bowl of hot bone broth.

This is enough.

He picked up a slice of mutton, put it in the pot, and watched it simmer in the boiling broth. Then he scooped it out, dipped it in the sauce, and put it in his mouth.

Hot, fresh, and fragrant.

He smiled.

"Grandfather, next winter, your grandson will make you something even more delicious."

Cao Cao looked at him with a gentle gaze.

"Okay. Grandpa will wait."

In the winter of the sixteenth year of Jian'an, on the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, which was the day before the Lunar New Year, Cao Rui hosted a hot pot banquet at his residence and invited his three teachers, Jia Xu, Pang Tong, and Xun Yu.

Jia Xu sat by the stove, slowly simmering mutton in the hot pot, the dipping sauce both spicy and salty.

Pang Tong held the wine jug, took a sip of wine, dipped a piece of meat in the broth, and hummed with delight.

Xun Yu ate lightly, just boiled cabbage and tofu, dipped in vinegar, and he was satisfied.

"Gentlemen," Cao Rui said, raising his teacup, "I am deeply grateful for your guidance over the past year. I would like to offer you this toast."

Jia Xu picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and said, "You've made considerable progress this year. But don't be arrogant; you still have a long way to go."

Pang Tong laughed heartily: "Old fox, can't you say something nice?"

Jia Xu glared at him: "What's the use of nice words? If they were useful, I'd say them every day."

Xun Yu smiled slightly, put down his chopsticks, and looked at Cao Rui.

"You've done a lot this past year. You made ice in the summer and stoves and hot pots in the winter. These things are all beneficial to the country and its people. But there's one thing you must remember."

Cao Rui listened attentively.

"You have talent and ability, which is great. But talent can be a blessing if used well, and a curse if used poorly."

Your grandfather was a bright and promising young man in Luoyang. But what happened afterward? He endured hardship and displacement, narrowly escaping death countless times.

Xun Yu paused, his gaze deep: "It's not because he lacks talent, but because he's too showy. Showing off one's talents can easily hurt others, and it can also easily hurt oneself."

Cao Rui's heart skipped a beat. These words were similar to Jia Xu's saying, "Concealing one's talents is more important than revealing them."

"Thank you for your guidance, sir."

Xun Yu nodded and picked up another piece of cabbage.

Jia Xu snorted from the side, "Wenruo is just too upright. It's good to hide your talents, but you can't hide everything. You have to show them when you should, otherwise how will anyone know you're capable?"

Pang Tong took a swig of wine and mumbled, "You're both right. The key is—when to reveal yourself and when to conceal it. You have to figure that out yourself."

Cao Rui nodded, keeping the three teachers' words in mind.

Outside the window, the snow was still falling. Inside, the hot pot was bubbling and steaming. Three of the world's top strategists were sitting around a seven-year-old child, eating hot pot and chatting.

If outsiders saw this scene, they would probably be astonished.

He picked up his teacup and offered another toast to the three teachers.

"Gentlemen, I look forward to your guidance next year."

Jia Xu snorted: "What's there to instruct? I've taught you everything I needed to. The rest, you'll have to figure out for yourself."

Pang Tong laughed heartily: "Old fox, can't you be a little gentler?"

Xun Yu smiled slightly, said nothing, but looked at Cao Rui with gentle eyes.

That night, all three teachers drank quite a bit. Jia Xu, unusually, spoke a few more words, recounting some of his past experiences in his youth—following Li Jue and Guo Si in Liangzhou to conquer the world, later joining Zhang Xiu, and then following Cao Cao.

"In my life, I've had four different masters." He took a swig of wine, his voice low. "Each of them was kind to me, and I've been worthy of each one. But the one I admire most is your grandfather."

Cao Rui asked, "Why?"

"Because he is tolerant." Few people in this world can let go of the hatred for the murder of their child.

Xun Yu held his teacup, remaining silent. Pang Tong glanced at him, but also said nothing.

Cao Rui knew that Xun Yu's heart belonged to the Han Dynasty, not the Cao family. This knot in his heart couldn't be untied by a hotpot meal.

But he hoped that one day, Xun Yu could see that the Cao family was not a traitor to the Han dynasty, and that the Cao family was capable of pacifying the world.

In the winter of the sixteenth year of Jian'an, on the eve of the Lunar New Year, the Prime Minister's residence was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations.

Cao Cao sat in the main seat, raised his wine cup and said: "Gentlemen, another year has passed. This year, we fought a war and won against Xiliang; we built the Bronze Sparrow Terrace and feasted guests from all over the world; we made ice, heated the stove, and ate hot pot."

He paused, then looked around. "This year has been tough. But next year will be even tougher. Liu Bei has entered Shu, Sun Quan is growing powerful, and the world is still unsettled. We have to keep fighting and keep striving."

He looked at Cao Rui with gentle eyes: "But there is one thing that makes me very happy—my grandson Cao Rui is seven years old. He made ice in the summer and built stoves in the winter, saving many people in Xuchang from freezing to death. This makes me happier than if I won ten battles."

All the officials turned to look at Cao Rui. Cao Rui was a little embarrassed and lowered his head, picking at the food in his bowl.

Cao Cao continued, "I'm not praising him. What I'm trying to say is—what have we been fighting all our lives, killing so many people, all for?"

For the sake of peace throughout the land. What is peace throughout the land? It means that people don't freeze in winter, don't suffer from heatstroke in summer, and have food to eat and clothes to wear.

He raised his glass: "Come, let's drink to peace throughout the world!"

The assembled officials responded in unison, "Cheers!"

That night, Cao Rui drank a cup of wine—which Cao Cao poured for him himself, but it was only a small half-cup.

"Drink up, a real man shouldn't be unable to drink."

Cao Rui picked up his wine cup and took a sip. It was still slightly sweet and not spicy, but he still pretended to be experiencing the spiciness.

Cao Cao looked at him and burst into laughter.

"Good! Good lad!"

Ma Yunlu watched him from the side, a smile on her lips, and secretly handed him a piece of candy.

"Have a piece of candy to help with the hangover."

Cao Rui took the candy, put it in his mouth, and found it slightly sweet.

He looked around—Cao Cao was talking to Xun Yu, Cao Pi was serving food to Zhen Mi, and Cao Zhi was playing with the dog, Xiao Bai.

Jia Xu sat alone in a corner drinking, Pang Tong and Xu Chu were playing a drinking game, and Xu Hu stood to the side holding a bowl and grinning foolishly.

Xiahou Dun, Cao Zhen, Cao Hong, and others continued drinking and eating meat.

Ma Yunlu sat beside him, holding a bowl of hot soup, sipping it slowly.

......

Outside the window, the snow had stopped. The moon peeked out from behind the clouds, shining brightly on the snow-covered ground.

Cao Rui suddenly felt that this winter was really nice.

He leaned against the small stove, feeling warm and cozy, his eyelids growing heavier and heavier. Ma Yunlu glanced at him, said nothing, but simply took off her fur coat and covered him with it.

"Go to sleep, next year will be better."

Cao Rui mumbled a response, closed his eyes, a smile on his lips, and fell into a deep sleep.

The sixteenth year of Jian'an passed just like that.