Towards the end of Eastern Han Dynasty, Guo Jia was gambler,who analysed pattern with great accuracy , won many dices games and he spent some on food and wine and woman at the brothel.
His lover, Diao chan was a angpai at the Dian Hua Yuan (Dian Hua Brothel) who served feudal lord and generals, and swordsmen.
He was frustated that he won’t get to see and bonk her often as she was often booked overnight by powerful generals and feudal lords.
He was a known nuisance at the Dian Hua Yuan, he was slept on the dining hall after drinking, and waiters /room keepers had to carry him out.
When he was sober, he went to casinos to play and win most of the time.
By chance, Cao Cao and his brother, Cao Ren, accompanied by his assistants.
Guo Jia winning style made Cao Ren lost money most of the time.
Brutish Cao Ren angrily shouted at Guo Jia and accusing him of cheating.
Cao Cao intervened and asked Guo jia to have a few round of games with him.
After few games, Cao Cao was impressed with him and asked him to use his talents to plan to help him achieve total domination of Central Realm (Zhong Guo), he refused as he wanted to gamble and have fun with his beloved Diao Chan.
He left the casino..
Cao Cao looked at him, determined to have him as advisor, sent one of his scout to spy on him and report his lifestyle.
After one week, scout came back with report on Guo Jia .
Cao Cao decided to make advance booking at Diao Hua Yuan for Diao Chan.
1 hour before midnight, Cao Cao arrived with his squad of soldiers.
Owner of Dian Hua Yuan greeted him as Commander Cao.
He was led to the large private room where Diao Chan was already there dressed in red.She greeted him as Commander , and 2 waitresses provided food and wine and then walked out of the room and close the door.
Diao Chan played music on zither.
Cao Cao listened , and his mind think hard of the poems which go with the music played by Diao Chan.
When she finished playing , she went to him, kneeled before him, then sat with him, having meal with him.
Then Cao Cao began to recite poetry and Diao chan listened attentively.
After meal, Diao Chan stripped and help him up, undressed him and both went to the rectangular bathtube.
Diao Chan massage his shoulders while he sat and closed his eyes..
Then he asked her what made her go into this trade.
Diao Chan stopped massaging and went inside the bathtube and told him her sad past. her father was killed in a war and she offered herself so that she can bury her father decently. and she had a childhood boyfriend named Feng Jiao (that is Guo Jia’s alias). He was drunkard and felt depressed after she become prostitute in order to repay debt to brothel owner.
Then Cao Cao thought of way to win Guo Jia over to his side.
Diao Chan began to help him up and then squat down to suck his penis.
After few minutes ,he stopped her and told her to keep him company on bed,
Diao Chan look at him strangely because he was different from other men she encountered.
Cao Cao then talk of war ,and that he wanted to unitify the Central Realm.
Morning, both of them woke up and Cao Cao put on clothes and walked out.
He asked Cao Ren to give him all the money which was casted aside as fund to carry out small battle against weaker military commanders.
Cao Ren advised against it as he felt that MengDe (Cao Cao’s alias) should not use military funds to redeem immoral woman .
Cao Cao assured that he was using money to recruit remarkable talent who can help him fight bigger wars and get more money in return.
Cao Cao then entered Dian Hua Yuan again to see brothel owner saying he wanted to buy Diao Chan. of cos, owner was not willing as she was biggest money spinner.
Brothel owner was terrifed when Cao Cao threatened him ,and agreed to let her go with him.
Cao Cao then asked Diao Chan to go inside horse carriage. She assumed he wanted to keep her for his own use.
But she was wrong.
Man Chong (alias -Boning) was startled when he saw squad of soldiers surrouding the hut and he informed his room mate.
Man Chong: Feng Jiao, there are soldiers.
Man Chong assumed that soldiers came to rob and took an axe , and stood in front of soldiers and horsemen.
Cao Cao get down and greeted him, asking for Guo Jia.
Man Chong bellowed" what do you want with him?"
Cao Cao: tell Guo Jia to come over , I have a gift for him
Man Chong then ran inside and alert Guo Jia.
Guo Jia came out as saw Cao Cao who then asked Diao Chan to come out of the carriage.
Guo Jia was overjoyed to see her and hug her.
Cao Cao: so, Feng Xiao, do you want to work with me to unitify the world?
Guo Jia looked at him and kneeled down before him, saying " Thank you, Commander Cao.."
Man Chong looked at him and then kneel before Cao Cao beseeching him to take him in..
Cao Cao looked at him, thinking Man Chong had the look of fighter and take him in.
(next tale-Emperor Xian’s tale.)
Emperor Xian escaped from Li Jue and Guo Si, with the help of Dong Cheng.
Once on the run from evil Dong Zhuo’s men, he wrote edict appealing to warlords to take him in, promising great honours.
He ate dirty food and developed illness . He had asthma when he was young.
He and other enunch, officials and empress Fu Shou and Consort Dong seek shelter from worn out temple.
At the temple, he wrote decree again asking regional warlord to take them in.
Major war lord refused to take them in because they fear loss of power once they welcome emperor to their cities.
Emperor Xian coughed a lot and one imperial doctor felt the pulse and warned the empress that he may not live long.
Empress and Consort and Dong Cheng discussed with senior officials .
Elderly Eunuch: Your Majesty and Your Ladyship, Your Excellency, may I have the permission to speak?
Empress looked at him with disdain: my, my ,you lowly servant, what right do you have to say?
Elderly Eunuch kneeling down , ‘‘sorry, your majesty. If His Majesty ..
Dong Cheng interrupt: what aducity …
Then he felt stressed and worried.
Dong Cheng: speak your mind and give us your suggest to prolong his majesty health..
Eunuch: His Majesty got a twin brother.. I was the one serving previous Emperor and his Empress. When previous empress was pregnant, she invited jealousy from other consorts. On the night she was poisoned, and palace maid delivered two babies from late empress womb, one is the current emperor.
Dong Cheng: where is the other one?
Eunuch:I gave him away to a family.
Dong Cheng, (idea hit him): do you have family residence?
Eunuch: yes, here is the document
Dong Cheng : excellent.
Dong Cheng: your majesty and your ladyship. We can send him over to act as Emperor while His majesty is recuperating.
18 year old Ma Ping, was a 3rd child from Hui family (the religion is Muslim)
He happily herded the goats and watched them eating dress.
He had no idea that he was a prince of Great Han…
If you find my writing absurd, my apologies..
I got the idea from the drama where Sima YI and Emperor Xian were childhood friend and Emperor Xian was on good term with Cao PI and Cao Zhi, and he gave his throne to Cao Pi because he wanted to be free of all troubles.. no Hua Xin in drama where he forced emperor to give his throne to Cao PI…
Old Eunuch , with two attendants set out to look for Ma family.
Ma Tianbao ,his wife and 2 sons were surprised to see Old Eunuch.(they don’t know that he was a palace eunuch.)
They thought of him as a merchant who needed someone to look after Ma Ping as he would be away doing business and it is difficult to take care of him during turbelence period
Now that he was back ,and said he wanted to take Ma Ping away to help take care of business.
Ma Tianbao then summoned Ma Ping and Old Eunuch look at him ,
Ma Tianbao then told Ma Ping that he was not his son and that person was his grandpa.
Ma Ping felt indigant and asked that old Eunuch why abandon him when he was toddler.
Old Eunuch: you must understand , (he hestitant for a moment , as he meant to say Your ..)( then he pause) , Grandson. it was dangerous to bring you along as there was war . and your father wanted to see you and hope that you take over his business.
Old Eunuch asked him to hop on to horse carriage .
Meanwhile, Cao Ren told Cao Cao that he doubt Guo Jia ability to strategise .
Cao Cao then asked Guo Jia over to see the map and let him analyse which city should be conquered.
Guo Jia told Cao Cao that he should take Wen County which is near to Lu Bu base. He then laid out plan for Cao Cao. After he destroyed Lu Bu, he should plan to tackle Yuan Zhao, the major warlord in the north .
Cao Ren: hmmmm! a baggart!
Cao Cao: okay, I will do as you suggested…
Xun Yu (Wen Rou) : Commander, here is important notice ..
Cao Cao took a note and read.
Then he look excited and said " this is very rare and god -given opportunity.
Emperor and his team are starving and need food to eat.. He was look for someone to take him in.I am thinking of taking him, using him.. "
Cao Ren: what! he would be a burden ..
Xun Yu: don’t be disrespectful! He would be useful to us.
Guo Jia: If you take care of Emperor, you would be blessed with wealthy and houour.
Cao Cao : okay.. Lets put attack on hold. Focus on rescuing emperor.
In the horse Carriage, Ma Ping asked questions but eunuch refused to answer.
Till, horse carriage reached its destination, Eunuch asked Ma Ping to alight.
When he alighted, all he saw was the ruin temple.
Eunuch : get in.
Ma Ping hestiated and wondering what he up to.
Then two attendants grabbed him, made him move.
Upon entering, he saw group of people -men and women in court attire,
Ma Ping was taken to the guy who resembled him, who accompanied by two lady and a man whose attire was more grand.
Eunuch, then forced Ma PIng on his knee, before kneeing down himself.
Eunuch: Your Majesties, Your Ladyship, Your Excellency.. I have brought him.
Ma Ping was shocked to meet the imperial family.
Emperor Xian was pleased to meet long lost twin brother.
Ma Ping realised he himself was the Prince and was shocked.
Emperor Xian, then conferred him Imperial title, and Eunuch then revealed himself ..Ma Ping was shocked and eunuch told him the real story..
Dong Cheng after some thought, then told 4 Imperial members- Emperor, Empress, Lady Dong, Ma Ping that no one knew that His Majesty got twin brother and therefore, Ma Ping should be in disguise.
Eunuch then gave him make-up which made Ma Ping face disfigured and wear veil and senior eunuch robe.
In the meantime, scouts arrived to report to Dong Cheng that a group of horsemen,was near the temple.
Dong Cheng then alerted Imperial family who then worried about their fates.
Then Cao Cao get off his horse, then kneel,asking all his men to get off and kneel.
All chanted ’ Your Majesty!!!!" and bowed several times.
Dong Cheng heard that and reported to Imperial family.
Emperor Xian was happy and exclaimed there were people who were loyal to Han Dynasty after all.
Imperial family summoned all of them to the hall.
Emperor, flanked by Empress and Lady Dong, who were seated and old eunuch and Ma Ping stood besides them.
Dong Cheng stood , 2 steps below.
Old Eunuch shouted loudly to let them come to the hall.
Cao Cao, Cao Ren, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Man Chong entered the hall, then kneeling before Imperial family, chanting" Wan Sui, Wan Sui, Wan.Wan SuI'
Emperor Xian happily asked all to rise.
Cao Cao then asked for Imperial Family well-being and told them have pork soup and mantou (plain bun) first before go to Xuchang.
Cao Cao then have men brought in large barrel of soup and boxes of mantou.
His men then offer them a bowl and mantou.
Ma Ping ( in enunch robe and veil) politely refused pork soup but accept mantou.Ma Ping was influenced by Hui custom- refused to eat pork.
soldier don’t know why this enunch refused pork.
Emperor Xian love pork rib in sweet and sour sauce.
Man Chong looked at Ma Ping but take no notice.
Cao cao then asked his men to register the name of court officials , eunuchs and palace ladies in the ruined temple.
Xun Yu, flanked by Man Chong , and Guo Jia, asked all of them to lie up and get background check.
Cao Ren , was outside with his troops.
Cao Cao conversed with Imperial Family.
Xun Yu looked at Ma Ping who was in veil,and asked him why wear veil.
then old Eunuch told Xun Yu that his face was disfigured during war..
Xun Yu then asked Ma Ping to lift his veil a little.
Then Xun Yu let him off , old enunch felt so relieved.
Emperor Xian then conferred Cao Cao noble title - Marquis and grant him power.
Emperor Xian then asked Cao Cao to help to rebuild capital- Loyang.
Cao Cao promised that he will help rebuild capital but need a lot of taxes.
and told Emperor that Imperial family should settle in Xuchang first . then when Loyang was ready , he and his men would escort imperial family.
In reality, Cao Cao had no intentions of keeping promise.
Cao Cao then advised the Imperial family to move to Xuchang next day and stay in his humble abode first.
Emperor Xian assented..
Cao Cao then sent 3 horsemen - one to Xiahou Dun , to notify him of Imperial family arrivals and get welcoming party to greet Imperial family.
One to his residence to inform his wife, Bian that he had met Emperor and was promoted to Marquis. she was to get place cleaned up so that Imperial family can stay for a short time.
One to Dian Wei to order him to get builders to set up mini palace with assembly hall.
Bian and her sons- Cao Pi, Cao Chong, Cao Zhi, Cao Zhang , and daughter- Cao Jie. were pleasantly surpised to know that Cao Cao was promoted to nobility and would bring Imperial family to their house.
Bian then instucted maid and manservants to get ready and instructed sons and a daughter on proper rites when meeting Imperial family.
In the meantime, Emperor Xian coughed , coughed ,coughed and his wives, his father-in -law-Dong Cheng, and Ma Ping worried.
Consort Dong then asked her father to delay travelling.. Ma Ping went over to feel the pulse.
These shocked the rest present. Ma Ping told them not to worry. as his elder bro don’t feel sick on the day but ill at night.
It turned out Ma family got uncle who was a physician and herbalist and Ma Ping learnt the medicine from him.
Dong Cheng told Lady Dong and Empress Fu Shou that he don’t trust Cao Cao completely.
Then Emperor Xian had to cough cough cough throughout the night , his wives sleep together in the seperate room.
Next morning, his wives applied facial cream on Emperor face so that he was not appear sick.
Imperial family then began to move , escorted by Cao Cao’s soldiers.
Few hours later, the party reached Xuchang and gate opened ,there were welcoming party by city dwellers who went to kneel, chanting ‘wan sui wan sui, wan wan sui.’'
Imperial party went to Cao residence and was welcomed by Bian ,Cao Pi, Cao Zhi, Cao Zhang,Cao Jie , Cao zhong .. all went on kneel bowed to Imperial family.
Emperor Xian asked them to rise,. Cao Jie looked at him, fell in love with him at first sight.
at the welcoming banquet, Emperor was greeted with dishes , and he loved one- big roast piglet..
Empress that revealed that Emperor loved pork dishes.
(spolier alert: Emperor Xian died and Ma Ping impersonated him, Man Chong and Guo Jia spotted personailty change in Emperor and investigate him. Thats why title- Guo Jia -military detective..)
(Now at Starbucks, sitting in a discreet corner, facing a group of university female students studying, )
Ma Ping, in a senior enunch uniform, with a veil, was alone with Emperor Xian who was training former to speak like emperor, the rite and so on..
Then Emperor coughed as it was nighttime..
Cao Cao, and his family was in other side of the residence, scheming with his adult family members- Cao Pi, Cao Zhi, Cao Zhang , and Lady Bian. Cao Chong was sleeping as he was a child.
Few days later, Cao Cao and his men went to see Emperor Xian, who was accompanied by Eunuch , Ma Ping, Emperor Fu, Consort Dong and Dong Cheng.
Cao Cao and his men, went on their knees, chanting " Long Live Your Majesty!" and Emperor Xian told them to rise up.
Cao Cao told Emperor that new palace was set up and was ready for him.
Then Imperial family set out to the palace and many people lined up to see Imperial family, kneeling before the Family. Cao Cao and his men were on horse back, ordinary soldiers marched in row.
Upon reaching the palace, Emperor and Han officials, Kong Rong, Dong Cheng and others were impressed with new set up..
Emperor then seated on the throne, all officials went on knees , chanting’’ long live your majesty.’’ bowed three times. Then Emperor asked them to rise..
Cao Cao, then submitted proposal - appointing his own men to ministerial and governor posts and setting up of Imperial Household Agency to manage Imperial family affairs. Guo Jia would be Head of this agency, Man Chong be vice head as well as Investigation Bureau Head, which make him head of security services (same as our ISD) , Cao Ren be Commander in chief of all troops, and Xun Yu be Governor of Xu Chang ,and as well as finance minister.
He proposed tax system which would be used to improve the well-being of the people ..
Emperor Xian then asked when Imperial family will move to Loyang, traditional capital of Han Dynasty ..
Cao Cao, lowered his head, lied that we need a large revenue and build up of troops to pave the area which belonged to other bandits and feudal lords not loyal to Han.
(truth is :Cao Cao had no intention to move to Loyang , he plan to wage wars to builld up his own powerbase , not for the Han Imperial family but for his own family.. )
Cao Cao then asked Cao Ren to set up recruitment centre where citizens signed up to join army. (all of Cao Ren’s trusted soldiers to be Imperial Guards but their duties to keep Emperor prisoner. For example, Imperial family ordered the arrest of one Cao Cao’s offspring, will Imperial Guards obey? No, but if Cao Cao ordered the arrest of Imperial Prince, Imperial Guards will obey Cao Cao’s order.)
These new citizen soldiers will be sent to fight other warlords under Imperial banners, it was just an excuse to expand territorities for Cao Cao..
Lady Bian asked her family friends to send their daughters to them and she pay them handsomely.
Her trusted female servants was to hold the ranks of senior palace ladies and they trained Cao family’s friends’ daughters to be palace ladies. They plan to keep Imperial House under survellience.
Dong Cheng sensed something wrong but don’t have proof..
After all set up in place, Cao Cao summoned his own advisors and generals to his manor, to study plan for conquest, proposed by Guo Jia.
Guo Jia look at the map , give advice, and then Cao Cao asked Cao Ren to follow Guo Jia’s proposal.
Cao Ren obeyed and walked out.. He mumbled to himself’ what can drunkard and gambler do? can he strategizes???"
Few days later,Cao Ren set up camps at the area and he and Guo Jia walked around ..
Guo Jia looked the sky, then walked uphill to observe the scenary.
he then asked Cao Ren to move the invading forces with archers fire arrows supports to the point. He told Cao Ren that all must be ready before 1 hour of a certain time. because there would be a change in wind direction.
Cao Ren said okay but in his heart, " can he predict weather?? what a baggart !!"
nevertheless, all soldiers move to the area and stood ready ..
One observer holding the flag to detect the wind change.
As predicted , wind change direction and Cao Ren was amazed, Guo Jia then said ’’ fire !"
All soldiers moved to the city gates, storming the gate doors but guards cannot fire arrow because the windy condition don’t favour defenders .
Cao’s troops fired arrows with fiery tips and all defenders were killed and captured.
City were looted and girls seized , and men surrendered and be interrogated by Man Chong. Most of the captured wanted to be Imperial forces.
Girls were stripped naked and inspected by Man Chong’s men
Cao Cao was impressed and Cao Ren was convinced of Guo Jia’s ability.
Seized city treasury was recorded by Xun Yu and diverted most of these treasury to Cao Cao and small percentage of the treasury was reported to Imperial family…
Cao Cao decided to hold military banquet in palace garden this night to celebrate victory. Guo Jia , as Head of Imperial Household Agency , went to see Emperor Xian in Inner Palace, formally requested that Emperor be present to grace the occasion.
Emperor assent. but Dong Cheng and Empress Fu and Consort Dong felt that Emperor must leave early to rest.
Guo Jia told them that Emperor cannot be spolit sport, he must join in occassion to boost the morale of Imperial forces fighting to reunity the Central Realm.
Dong Cheng felt powerless as he don’t have forces behind him, all Imperial Guards and generals are Cao Cao’s men.
Thus, Ma Ping was told to stand in as Emperor Xian. He was taught by Empress Fu, Consort Dong and Dong Cheng to know what to say and not to say.
Later that night, Ma Ping (as Emperor) was accompanied by empress ,consort and Dong Cheng, old enunch, and enunch wearing veil (it was the emperor) went to the feast.
Cao Cao and his men, went on knee,shouting slogan “Long Live your majesty!” and Ma Ping sat on throne with empress and consort flanking each other. Emperor Xian as veiled enunch and old enunch standing side by side.
Cao Cao order the feast to began and giant boar was grilled, and wine served..
Ma Ping refused to drink wine. and Empress pinched his hand. Ma Ping looked at empress who glared at him.. Guo Jia and Man Chong were puzzled by their behaviour.
Cao Cao : Your Majesty, toast up!
all the generals , civil officers , rised up the cup, in the direction of ’emperor'.
Ma Ping ,as ‘’emperor’’ , whispering to Empress Fu Shou, saying ’’ my religion forbade me from drinking wine.’'
Empress Fu Shou looking at Ma Ping in annoyingly manner..
Cao Cao: Your Majesty!
Empress Fu then stood up ,saying ’’ His Majesty was not feeling well, therefore he refrained from drinking wine.. Let me drink wine on his behalf'
Empress then drank the wine.
Cao Cao and his men then drank the wine.
Veiled enunch rolled his eyes as he looked at his younger brother disappointedly..
At this point, Cheng Yu (one of Cao Cao’s advisors) stood up, bowed to Ma Ping,saying" Your Majesty, you are not feeling well? do you want me to call in physician?"
Ma Ping looked so nervous..saying ’’ I have seen the physician, and he told me to have enough rest. that’s all''
Ma Ping then tried to excuse himself by saying he need to go to bed..
Cao Cao : wait ! your majesty! lets have wild boar meat and watch the dancing performance.
Ma Ping then looked at Empress Fu shou, his hand nudged hers under the table. Empress Fu Shou looked at him annoyingly..
Cao Cao then asked for main courses to be served..
Attendents then placed wild boar meat and veggie with chicken meat, clear pea soup on the emperor.
Ma Ping then asked attendent to take away wild boar meat..
but attendent don’t listen to him..
Then he nudged Fu Shou again, she looked at him annoyingly..
He whispered to her’‘I cannot touch that meat’'
Man Chong looked at Imeprial Couple in amusement.
Xun Yu: this meat is delicious! ahh, Your Majesty, why don’t you eat ? It was known that this is your favourite dish?"
Ma Ping express disgust.
Cao Cao then called in dancers to perform dance.
All beautiful girls in see thru attire, with red dudou (ancient Chinese lingerie) visible , dancing in the centre..
Ma Ping shutted his eye and look down at the dish and drink veggie soup slowly.
Guo Jia: Your Majesty! you don’t enjoy the dance performance.
Ma Ping was too engrossed in mind - reciting .
Empress Fu pinched his arm, then Ma Ping looked at Guo Jia..
Ma Ping : huh? what did you say just now?
Guo Jia ( looking at him with puzzled look): Your majesty , do you enjoy dance performance?
Ma Ping: no , I am not feeling well. I need to go and rest.
but Cao Cao told him not to be spoiltsport as not to dampen the mood of soidiers.
At this time, enunch wearing veil experienced dizziness , (he is Liu Xie, aka Emperor Xian) Old Enunch know and help him , then both bowed to Ma Ping , seeking to leave.
Ma Ping nodded, Fu Shou and Consort Dong had the concerned look on their face.
Guo Jia felt weird and wondered why Empress , Consort, Emperor, show concern for this veiled enunch…
At the end of the feast, Ma Ping finished soup and veggie with chicken slice, but wild boar meat and wine untouched, Empress fu Shou and Consort Dong looked so lost..
Cao Cao recited poem , then followed by Cao Pi and Cao Zhi to finish , everyone cheered..
When it is equivalent to 1am, Ma Ping and Empress, Consort get to leave when Cao Cao and his men bowed to them, bidding them farewell.
Ma Ping at Inner area of the palace ,kneel down as ordered by ill Emperor Xian who berated former for his behaviour, reminding him that his surname is Liu, not Ma and that he should let go of former religion and teaching of Ma family.
Next day, Guo Jia went thru the lunch and dinner item picked by Imperial Family before passing them to Imperial Kitchen.
Imperial family picked veggie dishes, Imperial Pork Ribs, egg with sliced pork, and pork meat and pea soup, and wine for lunch and dinner.
Guo Jia was puzzled because that night , emperor never touched wild boar meat and wine.
Ma Ping, having lunch with enunchs, insisted that cook serve fresh rice ,as other rice was mixed with pork meat. and he keep distance from pork dish.
Eunuchs asked him, he replied that he don’t eat pork because of his religion, and Eunuch gossips about Emperor behaviour last night , he don’t take pork dish despite Empress said loudly few days ago that he love pork so much.
Ma Ping felt uneasy and excused himself.
One enunch felt something odd about Ma Ping . His voice sound manly.
He and all enunchs speak like sissy, because essential of yang energy was removed when their penises cut off.
In afternoon, Cao Cao decided to launch campaign against Lu Bu who was deeply entrenched in the well defended fortess ,with favourable defence terrain. He asked Guo Jia to plan and gave advice.
Guo Jia looked at the map, and then told Cao Cao that he would came up with plan few days later.
Cao Ren asked Guo Jia whether he can influence weather change just like last time.
Guo Jia felt so stressed that he seek solace in Diao Chan in his manor..
He cannot find the way to kill Lu Bu who was in heavily forited area with suffiicent food supply..
(What would Diao Chan do?)