Finally earning an attribute point made Yuan Shu extremely happy.
His miserable stats had finally improved by a small step.
However, a single point was just a drop in the bucket; he would have to keep working hard.
"Ding! Does the host wish to allocate the attribute point or use the special talent recruitment card?"
The system's cold voice inquired.
"Not for now. Remind me again when I return home."
"Ding! Rewards temporarily stored and awaiting collection."
What exactly is this talent recruitment card?
Yuan Shu was particularly eager to use the card immediately.
But since he was still at the banquet with Cao Cao, he suppressed his urge and decided to wait until he got home.
Because Yuan Shu, the prodigal spender, had shelled out a fortune, Drunken Immortal Pavilion gave their table special attention.
Before long, a dazzling array of delicacies was brought to the table.
One table couldn't hold everything, so the staff added another table to their private room.
The restaurant even took the liberty of gifting Yuan Shu, their big spender, two bottles of Drunken Immortal Brew.
Looking at the feast before him, Yuan Shu didn't even know where to start. He turned to Cao Cao and said:
"Brother Mengde, please help yourself."
Cao Cao wasn't one to hold back, and the two began feasting and drinking wine, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
The food was excellent, but Yuan Shu found the wine disappointing.
During the late Eastern Han Dynasty, brewing techniques were still rudimentary. The alcohol content was generally low, resembling modern rice wine with a slightly sour taste.
Moreover, the wine was somewhat murky, which felt unpleasant to Yuan Shu, who was used to modern liquors.
However, the low alcohol content did have one advantage—it was almost impossible to get drunk. For now, he would make do.
With his tolerance honed by modern baijiu, Yuan Shu was practically a thousand-cup-drunk-never type in this era.
In fact, Drunken Immortal Brew, the signature wine of the restaurant, was considered the finest of its time.
Otherwise, it wouldn't fetch such a staggering price of ten thousand coins per bottle.
If it were any other kind of wine, Yuan Shu would have found it even harder to swallow.
After three rounds of drinks and five courses of dishes, Yuan Shu was still fine. Cao Cao, however, who hadn't been tested by modern alcohol, began to feel tipsy.
Not wanting to stand out too much, Yuan Shu pretended to be drunk as well and started chatting heart-to-heart with Cao Cao.
Patting Cao Cao on the shoulder, Yuan Shu slurred,
"Mengde, today you killed Jian Tu. It was impressive, sure.
But have you thought about what would happen if Jian Shuo retaliated against you?
Although Jian Tu threatened you publicly today, he wasn't entirely wrong in what he said.
Jian Shuo is indeed a trusted favorite of the Emperor."
The Emperor's trust in eunuchs was well-known throughout the land.
Among them, the most infamous were the "Ten Attendants."
The leaders, Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, were even praised by Emperor Ling as,
"Eunuch Zhang is my father, Eunuch Zhao is my mother."
For an emperor to regard eunuchs as his parents, it was clear the empire was on the brink of ruin.
As one of the Ten Attendants, Jian Shuo held immense power and was not someone Cao Cao could afford to offend at this time.
Cao Cao, emboldened by the alcohol, felt compelled to speak his mind.
He gave Yuan Shu a mysterious smile and said,
"Gonglu, things aren't always as they appear. Do you think I, Cao Mengde, act on impulse?
I dared to kill Jian Tu in public today for a reason."
Yuan Shu pressed on, "Oh? Is there more to this matter? Please, Brother Mengde, tell me in detail."
Cao Cao lifted his cup, took a sip of Drunken Immortal Brew, and said with a smile,
"If Jian Tu were Jian Shuo's father, then even if he caused chaos in Luoyang, I wouldn't meddle. On the contrary, I'd treat him with the utmost respect.
But alas, he's only Jian Shuo's uncle.
Leaning on this connection, he ran amok in Luoyang, causing public outrage.
Even the court's moralists frequently criticized Jian Shuo because of him.
His existence had become a significant burden for Jian Shuo.
If you were Jian Shuo, Brother Gonglu, and I removed such a great nuisance for you, would you avenge his death?
Or would you let the matter rest, sparing yourself from making new enemies while avoiding further criticism?"
Hearing Cao Cao's words, Yuan Shu, who had been somewhat tipsy, suddenly sobered up.
Is this guy even human? This level of scheming was just too much!
By killing Jian Tu, Cao Cao eliminated a thorn in Jian Shuo's side, earned the public's applause, and greatly deterred the unruly noble scions of Luoyang.
It was a brilliant move, benefiting Cao Cao in every way with no drawbacks.
The people would praise him as a good official.
The court's moralists would laud his courage in standing against the powerful.
Even Jian Shuo himself might secretly appreciate Cao Cao for removing a hidden threat.
Cao Cao's intelligence was only in the 80s, yet he could already scheme like this.
Just how smart were the strategists with intelligence scores above 90?
They'd probably sell him out, and he'd thank them while counting the money.
Yuan Shu suddenly felt a sense of crisis.
No, no, I must quickly find myself a strategist; this era is simply too dangerous.
While the two were enjoying their meal, the signature song and dance performance of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion began.
The beauties on stage were carefully selected by the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, each one a first-class beauty.
These women sang and danced enchantingly, mesmerizing the high-ranking officials and nobles watching below.
Often, there were guests who couldn't control themselves and spent a fortune to buy a particular beauty they fancied.
Cao Cao, drinking and watching the graceful dancers on stage, almost started drooling.
Seeing Cao Cao's infatuated expression, Yuan Shu thought to himself, "Little Cao, you're still too young."
Drooling over a beauty—far from being the future mighty Cao Mengde who would shake the eight directions.
He smiled and said to Cao Cao:
"Mengde, since you like them, why not take one home?"
"I'll cover the cost."
Cao Cao hurriedly waved his hands and said to Yuan Shu:
"No need, Gonglu. I appreciate your kindness."
Yuan Shu continued to persuade:
"It's just a beauty. How much could it possibly cost? Why be so polite with me, Mengde?"
Cao Cao glanced around, making sure no one was paying attention to him, then leaned closer and lowered his voice to Yuan Shu:
"Gonglu, it's not about being polite with you.
It's just, well, these beauties… They're fine to look at, but taking one home isn't my style.
They're not my type."
Yuan Shu, curious, smiled and asked:
"Oh? Then what kind of beauty does Mengde prefer?"
Perhaps the joy of drinking loosened his tongue, and Cao Cao shared a rare personal secret.
He leaned in close to Yuan Shu and whispered mysteriously:
"Though these women look fresh and radiant, they're all too inexperienced.
I prefer someone more mature.
Ideally, someone who's been married before.
Such a woman is elegant and poised, truly unmatched—though not something for outsiders to understand."
Hearing this, Yuan Shu covered his forehead and sighed internally, "How could I forget about this?"
The nickname "Cao the Wife-lover" was known across the world.
He raised his wine cup and laughed as he said to Cao Cao:
"Mengde, you're truly a remarkable man. Let's drink to that!"