"Xiaochuan!"
Xiang Yu quickly supported him.
"Put this talisman in his mouth."
Cao Yi walked over and handed a healing talisman to Xiang Yu.
"Sir, it's you."
Xiang Yu was no fool; after a moment's thought, he realized that Xiaochuan's sudden strength had to do with the person before him.
"Yes."
Cao Yi did not deny it.
Xiang Yu felt a pang of melancholy.
Noon.
Cao Yi welcomed the first lunch prepared by locals in the Qin dynasty.
It was held in a modest ancient hall, which was cleaned thoroughly.
Sitting north and facing south, there was a polished red lacquer table, behind which knelt Xiang Liang, looking pleased.
On the left side of the first table, knelt Cao Yi; the second and third tables were occupied by Xiang Yu and Xiaochuan, respectively.
Strong women continuously entered, bringing food.
The first thing that caught Cao Yi's eye was a bowl of millet rice served in an unidentifiable bronze vessel, which would barely score a 10 for taste, aroma, and appearance.
The second was blanched greens. In modern times, only those on a diet would eat it. Oh, in this era, it's called "cabbage" or "sung"—this dish should be called blanched sung.
The third dish was stewed dog meat, and even from afar, an appetizing aroma wafted through. In modern times, it would be condemned by dog lovers, but it was quite normal in this era. The most famous dog butcher in history, Fan Kua, belonged to this time. However, it was forbidden to eat, as the regime had four taboos: no dog, cattle, wild goose, or black fish meat.
The fourth was stewed lamb, with a faint gamey smell.
The fifth was a steaming bass, which looked the most appealing among the dishes.
The sixth was wine.
Overall, the food quality of the Qin dynasty's nobility was not as good as that of a modern middle-income person.
"Daoist Priest, are you surprised there's no pork?"
Xiaochuan's voice came.
"Not surprised."
Cao Yi shook his head.
Before coming, he had researched that pork was rarely consumed in this era due to its strong gamey flavor.
In the "Guo Yu: Yue Yu," there's a record about Gou Jian: "If a son is born, he is rewarded with two jars of wine and a dog; if a daughter is born, with two jars of wine and a pig."
Translated into modern terms, it meant that having a son was rewarded with two jars of wine and a dog, while a daughter was rewarded with two jars of wine and a pig.
This reflects the low status of pork in ancient Chinese diets.
"Sir, please."
Xiang Liang's voice rang out.
Cao Yi turned to see Xiang Liang holding a wine goblet, one hand clutching his sleeve and the other raising the goblet to drink.
When Xiang Liang saw Cao Yi down the drink in one go, he exclaimed, "This is a fine wine from Liang, renowned for its strength! You downed it without flinching—truly impressive!"
Renowned for its strength?
Cao Yi set down the goblet, licking his lips, feeling completely unaffected.
Turning his head, he noticed Xiang Yu gazing at him with admiration, like a newly graduated college student watching his boss down half a bottle of fifty-proof liquor.
Just how poor was the drinking capacity of the Qin people?
"Daoist Priest, your drinking ability is impressive!"
Xiaochuan leaned in, sticking out his tongue, his cheeks slightly flushed.
Could it be that my drinking ability is too good?
Cao Yi began to doubt himself.
A strong woman came over, carrying a wine jar, and refilled the goblet.
"Yu'er, why aren't you toasting the sir?"
Xiang Liang's voice came again.
Xiang Yu picked up the goblet, straightened his back, and said, "I deeply appreciate you, sir, for saving me after I recklessly damaged your peach orchard."
Cao Yi took the goblet, politely replied a few words, and drank again.
Xiang Yu's mouth twitched, hesitating for two seconds before drinking his goblet of wine, immediately breaking into a fit of coughing.
Cough cough, so the mighty King of Chu has such poor drinking ability?
Xiang Yu's heroic image crumbled in Cao Yi's mind.
"Alcohol is a taboo for martial artists; I drink very little."
Xiang Yu wiped the wine from his mouth with his sleeve, looking somewhat embarrassed.
Hearing Xiang Yu's explanation, Cao Yi realized he had fallen into a misunderstanding.
A true martial artist should have various self-discipline requirements like excellent football players; they wouldn't be like characters in novels or films, with astounding drinking capabilities.
"However, today I'll make an exception."
Xiang Yu said as he poured himself another goblet.
He picked it up, turned around, and spoke with a hint of sadness to Xiaochuan: "Xiaochuan, with our farewell tomorrow, who knows when we'll meet again? Let this goblet of wine be a farewell toast."
Xiaochuan was moved, raised his goblet filled with wine, stood tall, his eyes reddening: "Brother Yu, over this past year, thanks to you and the master, I, a wanderer, have not been left homeless."
Xiang Yu felt even sadder after Xiaochuan's words, sighing, "I really don't want to part with you so soon. The rescue from the law court and the retreat from the captain feels like just yesterday."
"I feel the same, but I really want to,"
Xiaochuan hadn't finished speaking before he began to choke up.
"You don't necessarily have to part ways."
A light, airy voice interrupted.
Xiaochuan and Xiang Yu, who were on the verge of tears, stiffened and turned to look.
"You can go north together,"
Cao Yi said with a smile.
Both Xiaochuan and Xiang Yu's eyes brightened simultaneously, but they quickly dimmed again, knowing that their master (uncle) wouldn't agree.
"What's wrong?"
Cao Yi looked at the two friends, who suddenly seemed deflated like punctured balloons, with confusion.
At that moment, a light cough sounded.
Cao Yi turned to Xiang Liang and immediately understood; they feared he wouldn't agree.
In this household, Xiang Liang was the authority; his words could not be disobeyed.
"Sir, Yu'er has many things to do."
Xiang Liang managed a forced smile.
If someone else had suggested taking Xiang Yu north, he would have already lost his temper.
After painstakingly nurturing one, to lose him and then to lose another? Did they think Xiang Liang was as foolish as a pig?
"This statement is incorrect."
Cao Yi shook his head slightly.
Xiang Liang clenched and then relaxed his fist in his sleeve, continuing to smile: "I would like to hear your thoughts."
Cao Yi picked up a goblet from the table and drank it as if it were refreshing water.
Xiang Liang winced at the sight.
"During the Spring and Autumn period, there was a founding monarch who worked diligently throughout his life, leading to a prosperous and stable society."
Cao Yi paused here.
"That's not bad,"
Xiang Liang responded, confused.
"The problem was that this monarch lived too long, over seventy years, ultimately outliving his equally wise eldest son."
Cao Yi paused again.
"That's simple; the legitimate heir should be established, without a legitimate heir, the eldest should succeed,"
Xiang Liang blurted out, deeply entrenched in the concept of the patriarchal system.
"At that time, a minister said the same thing. The old monarch accepted this proposal, naming his legitimate grandson as heir, but fearing that his grandson was too young to control the proud and brave generals, he ruthlessly eliminated most of them."
Cao Yi paused for the third time.
"Although it was for the sake of the state, there was too much bloodshed. What if a conflict broke out? Who would lead the troops to defend against enemies? While the old monarch had prestige during his reign, once he was gone, his young grandson would be utterly incapable of resisting the wolves and tigers from both within and outside the country."
Xiang Liang expressed his skepticism with a long list of concerns.
"After careful consideration, the old monarch sent over twenty of his sons to the border to manage the troops."
Cao Yi paused once more.
"Leading soldiers with his own sons! Even if the meat rots, it will rot in one pot. This old monarch really did have good intentions,"
Xiang Liang sighed, realizing that even he couldn't have done better.