Chapter Text
The fourth son of the Cao household was leading a one-man war in the courtyard of the main house. His name was Cao Zhi, and he was a little boy of five years. Old enough to wear proper trousers, though his hair was still shaved in the middle and braided into two ox-horns on the sides. His sword was a stick, and his horse was a broom. Cao Zhi ran this way and that, leading soldiers that only his eyes could see.
“Crossbows back, ji forward! Hold fast and prepare to engage!” He had plenty of brothers but preferred to play alone. It wasn’t as much fun, but at least there was no one to scold him for being annoying or twist his arm when he talked back.
Victory was at hand, such was his concentration, Cao Zhi did not hear the horses arriving at the main gate or the servants rushing out to greet “Lord Cao!” A moment later, a man dressed in a short, plain riding coat stepped quietly into the courtyard and stopped under the shade of a tree to watch him.
“One more push, men! Calvary to the left and right! We’ll break their arrays and put them to route!” Most people would have been surprised to hear such a young child recite word-perfect battlefield commands at an age when most were singing nursery rhymes. The man in the shade watched him attentively without speaking a word. There was a complicated expression on his face.
Cao Zhi turned around and finally noticed that he had attracted an audience. The instant his eyes alighted on the man, his face split into a gap-toothed grin.
“Eldest Brother! Eldest Brother!” he cried and ran forward with his arms outstretched. Then, he remembered that his half-brother was now a man grown and the Heir Apparent to boot, so giving him a big hug was Not Proper anymore. He quickly stopped and bowed. “Greetings, Elder Brother. Zhi hopes you have travelled well.”
“I did, thank you,” replied his eldest brother, Cao Ang. He returned the bow, and his movements seemed a hundred times more refined in the boy's eyes. “I trust you’ve been in good health, Fourth Brother?”
“Yes. I am well.” Cao Zhi said, suddenly feeling very shy. It had been nearly a year since they had last spoken. Cao Ang left home as a brother and returned as a lord, capped and gowned, with a sword at his side and a dusty whip hanging from his belt. Between working in the civil service and accompanying Father on campaigns, there was a noticeable change in his manners and speech. The fifteen years between them suddenly felt as impassable as a mountain. Cao Ang had become impossibly tall, grand and grown-up. Almost more imposing than Father.
Perhaps it would be better if Cao Zhi played in the inner courtyard, out of his brother’s way. “May I take my leave, Eldest Brother?”
“Hold it,” Cao Ang commanded. His face was stern, but there was no mistaking the humorous twinkle in his eyes. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice? How dare you approach your liege with your weapon bared!”
Cao Zhi realised that he was still holding onto his stick. He giggled and made a show of putting it into his belt, in place of a scabbard. “Please forgive your vassal’s impudence.”
“I fail to see what’s so funny, young man.” Cao Ang said, dead serious, which only made his little brother laugh harder. “I could have been run through!”
It happened just like that. As swiftly as a burst of water unblocking a choked-up stream. Any lingering awkwardness was gone, and the two of them began chatting and laughing like no time had passed.