Cao Pi is sixteen years old this year, and Cao Zhi is only eleven years old this year. They usually stay at home and study, and rarely have the opportunity to go out alone.
This time, the Wangde Building in Xuchang City organized a grand auction. Because it was organized by the old man, they got permission from Cao Cao to come to Xuchang to support the old man.
After all, it was a commercial activity, and it would not be good for either Cao Cao or Cao Ang, who was Cao Cao's successor, to come forward. However, Cao Pi and Cao Zhi had no scruples in this regard, so they were the only two who came.
Cao Pi was a stable young man with both civil and military skills. However, although he appeared to be an honest young man on the surface, he was actually a man with many evil intentions.
Cao Zhi was quick in thinking and highly intelligent. Xie Lingyun of the Southern Song Dynasty even said, "There is only one stone in the world, and Cao Zijian has eight fights." However, Cao Zhi was extremely accomplished in literature, but politically he was not even worthy of carrying Cao Pi's shoes.
But now they basically have no chance to compete for the successor. Cao Cao has already chosen Cao Ang as his successor, a person that Cao Pi and Cao Zhi admire from the bottom of their hearts.
Cao Ang is much older than the second eldest brother Cao Pi. He is also good at both civil and military affairs, and is also a good man in military affairs.
Moreover, Cao Ang was filial to his parents and loved his brothers very much, so he was recognized by all the Cao clan members, not to mention that Cao Ang also had the support of a group of veteran generals, advisers, and Lu Yan.
In this situation of absolute crushing, even if Cao Pi wanted to compete for the throne, he had no chance of winning, so he might as well just be an honest and happy prince.
Cao Zhi has not been back to Xuchang City for half a year, and everything he sees now feels strange.
A group of more than ten of them wandered around Xuchang for a long time. Cao Zhi suddenly said to Cao Pi: "Second brother, it's almost noon. Let's go get something to eat first."
Originally, Cao Pi wanted to visit the legendary Goulan Land again, but having Cao Zhi around was still a bit of a hindrance.
But it wasn’t appropriate to visit Goulan Place in broad daylight, so I agreed, “Okay, let’s go to the restaurant in front of us to have something to eat.”
Cao Pi and Cao Zhi led the guards into the restaurant.
This restaurant is owned by the Chen Deng family, and its business is also very prosperous on weekdays.
Recently, the auction has attracted a large number of outsiders to Xuchang, so almost every restaurant in Xuchang is full, making it even more difficult to find a seat.
After entering, a waiter came to greet me.
Although Cao Pi and Cao Zhi were plainly dressed, their own temperaments and the guards behind them revealed their unique identities.
The waiter had been exposed to all kinds of people and had already developed the ability to recognize people at a glance. When he saw Cao Pi and Cao Zhi and his entourage coming in, he immediately came up to greet them diligently and said: "You two gentlemen, the hall is already full. I just want to see them."
There is only one private room left..."
Before the waiter finished speaking, Cao Zhi, who was always outspoken, said: "Young Moji, we want the elegant room, and we will bring you all the good wine and food. My brother is not short of money!"
"You two gentlemen, please follow me!" Hearing this, the waiter bent even lower.
Cao Pi laughed dumbly and said: "Don't listen to him... We want the private room. We can choose some more distinctive dishes. As for the wine, forget it. Father won't let us drink."
Cao Zhiba frowned and muttered in a low voice: "Why do you have to be eighteen years old before you can drink? I really don't know where my father got the rules..."
Cao Pi heard that Cao Zhi was slandering Cao Cao behind his back. What would happen if someone listened to him?
"Pah!" In desperation, Cao Pi slapped Cao Zhi on the back of the head and shouted in a low voice: "Don't talk about your father behind his back. If someone with intentions listens to it, I can't protect you!"
Cao Zhi calmly glanced at the waiter who was pretending to be deaf and mute, and said softly: "I know, I know... Why can't you imitate the verbosity of your elder brother?"
Before Cao Zhi could finish speaking, Cao Pi reached out and slapped Cao Zhi on the back of the head again, and scolded him in a low voice again: "Don't talk about big brother behind your back!"
"..."
After the two Cao brothers had eaten and drank enough, they waited for almost time before leaving the restaurant and heading towards Wangde Building.
There was still some distance from Wangde Building, but the street was already crowded. Various carriages were parked on the roadside, causing traffic jams.
Under the escort of the guards, Cao Pi and Cao Zhi arrived in front of Wangde Tower smoothly.
There were more than a dozen guards armed with knives outside the Wangde Building. Compared with the lively and festive atmosphere on weekdays, it now seemed unusually solemn and solemn.
After Cao Pi's accompanying guards presented the specially-made invitation letter, Wangdelou's guards gave way to the passage.
Then a well-dressed female receptionist came out and led Cao Pi and Cao Zhi to the seats prepared for them.
Cao Pi and Cao Zhi have special status. Their seats are in an independent luxury box on the second floor.
Sitting in the box, you can see all the conditions on the first floor, but because each box is covered by curtains, people outside cannot see the specific conditions in the box. This adds a sense of mystery to the box, and also unconsciously
This time highlights the identity of these people who can enter the main box.
After entering the box, Cao Zhi stood by the curtain and looked down through the curtain, and suddenly exclaimed: "This place is really big!"
In order to prepare for this auction, Wangde Building has been closed to visitors for more than a month.
All the tables and chairs used for diners to eat on the first floor have been removed and replaced by a several-square-meter table. The rest of the place is filled with seats.
The seats in the hall on the first floor were almost full. Cao Zhi counted the heads and found that there were about fifty people.
Cao Zhi looked up to the second floor and found that there were nine more private rooms that were exactly like theirs.
However, the other private rooms were also blocked by curtains, and Cao Zhi could not see whether there was anyone inside or who was sitting with valuable status.
Just as Cao Zhi was looking at the venue curiously, a group of fair-looking waitresses came in carrying some tea, fruits, and pastries.
Cao Zhi has always been informal. He took some fruits from the plate that the waitress had not put down and asked Cao Pi: "Second brother, how much money did you bring?"
"Good tea!" Cao Pi took a leisurely sip of tea. After the waitresses left, he replied: "My father told me to get the 'unparalleled treasure' sponsored by my husband. How much do you think I brought?"
Cao Zhi's eyes twitched and he murmured: "Then you still have to sell your father?"
Cao Zhi dodged the cakes that Cao Pi threw at him and asked with a smile: "You said that Lu Qiaoqi is already very rich, why does he still want to make so much money?"
"Lu Qiaoqi never makes money for himself..." Cao Pi heard this and shook his head: "Most of the recently opened steel mills and shipyards were funded by him and Chen Liujun. How much do you think they can afford?
Living at such a huge expense?"
Cao Zhi put away his smile and nodded: "Lu Qiaoqi does not love fame or money. He is a free and easy man, and he can be regarded as a role model for our generation!"
"Why don't you learn Lu Qiaoqi's martial arts skills? You're going crazy every day." Cao Pi glanced at Cao Zhi and said.
Unexpectedly, Cao Zhi laughed and said: "Hahaha! Haven't we already learned Lu Qiaoqi's literary talent? It will be enough to learn his free and easy style!"
Cao Pi looked at Cao Zhi laughing wantonly, but he sighed in his heart: "We are in the Cao family, how can we be truly free and easy at all... Sigh."