Chapter Seven: Poetry Enhances the Spirit of Wine

“Hey, have you heard? Lady Cai is hosting a poetry gathering at her residence today. I hear many renowned scholars will be attending,” one scholar said as he ate with his companions.

“Yes, yes, all of Luoyang knows about it! If only I could go and learn, how wonderful that would be,” another scholar replied, his tone full of longing.

“Oh, come off it, with your skills, you think you could participate?” a third scholar sneered.

“What did you say?!” The offended scholar instantly flew into a rage, grabbing the other’s collar.

“Gentlemen, use your words, not your fists.”

...

At Cai Yong’s residence, Liu Yao, as one of his disciples, followed at his side to greet the guests. Cai Yong’s influence was truly extraordinary; already, nearly a hundred people had arrived.

“Berjie, you look splendid today, glowing with health,” came a teasing voice.

“Haha, Beran, Junlang, it is an honor to have you both here. My humble abode is graced by your presence,” Cai Yong replied, laughing heartily. The guests were Liu Yu and Liu Yan, both imperial kinsmen.

“And this young man?” Liu Yu now turned his gaze to Liu Yao at Cai Yong’s side.

“Oh, this is my newly accepted disciple, Liu Yao,” Cai Yong said casually.

“Liu Yao!” Both men exclaimed in surprise. “Greetings, Your Highness!”

“Please, don’t. You are both kin of the imperial family; by rank, I should call you imperial uncles. Just address me as Yao’er,” Liu Yao sidestepped their bows.

“We wouldn’t dare,” they replied modestly, though in their hearts they accepted it.

“All right, enough talk. The guests are nearly all here, the poetry gathering is about to begin. Let’s take our seats,” Cai Yong interjected.

Looking around, they saw that most guests had arrived, and so they found their places and sat down.

Liu Yao watched as everyone settled, and soon food and drink were brought out. The atmosphere felt more like a banquet than a poetry gathering.

As the host, Cai Yong naturally spoke first. “Ahem, welcome, everyone, to this poetry gathering. This young man is my new disciple, Liu Yao, who recently won the imperial favor!”

“Ah!” An astonished cry erupted from the crowd, followed by lively, overlapping discussions.

“Hmph!” Liu Yu’s dissatisfied snort cut through the hubbub, reminding everyone of the impropriety of their behavior before the imperial prince. They hurried to correct themselves, “Greetings, Your Highness!”

Seeing so many people ready to kneel to him, Liu Yao felt a flutter of pride. No wonder so many dream of being emperor—it’s this feeling of being above all others. But outwardly he said, “Please, no ceremony. Today, I am no prince, only a humble scholar.”

The crowd, seeing the prince so approachable, felt newfound affection for him.

Cai Yong continued, introducing all present. Liu Yao listened, amazed.

—

“Good heavens, all of these are famous names: Cai Yong, Liu Yan, Liu Yu, Liu Biao, Liu Dai, Wang Yun, Zhang Miao, Tao Qian, Lu Zhi, Zhang Wen, Tian Feng, Kong Rong, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Liu Yao, Xun You—and even Cao Cao, who had been sent out as an official, somehow appeared.” These men would either become regional warlords or renowned scholars in the years to come.

But Liu Yao’s attention was drawn to five in particular: Tian Feng, Xun You, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, and Cao Cao. At this time, Tian Feng was serving as censor, and Xun You as imperial attendant; both were officials in Luoyang, but would be dismissed once Dong Zhuo seized power.

“Tian Feng and Xun You—two big fish, famous strategists of the Three Kingdoms. I must find a way to bring Tian Feng to my side. But Xun You... alas,” Liu Yao sighed.

If Liu Yao wished to restore the Han, he would inevitably clash with the great aristocratic families. The Xun clan, to which Xun You belonged, was among their leaders. Even if Xun You served him, family interests would always come first. If he ever truly recruited Xun You, when the time came to oppose the families, betrayal would be a constant threat. Even if not, mistrust would linger in his heart. Mutual suspicion between ruler and minister is disastrous; Liu Yao could only regretfully let Xun You go.

As for Yuan Shao—tall, handsome, with flowing beard and elegant bearing, and a pedigree of four generations of high office—it was no wonder so many flocked to him, though he was indecisive and lacked true strategy.

Yuan Shu, on the other hand, had the face of a petty man, always looking down on others with disdain, as if he were the third greatest in the world. An obstinate noble, whose status alone gave him the right to compete for domination at the end of the Han.

The greatest rival of the Three Kingdoms, Cao Cao, appeared short, stout, dark-faced, with small eyes and a bushy beard. His appearance was unremarkable compared to Yuan Shao, but anyone who underestimated him would pay dearly.

At Cai Yong’s signal, the assembled scholars began to recite and compose poems, applause and praise echoing throughout.

“Gentlemen, I recently received a fine batch of wine from a friend, and wish to share it with you all,” Cai Yong declared as the evening progressed.

“Berjie, I never imagined you’d keep such good wine hidden! If I’d known, I would have come begging long ago,” Liu Yu joked.

“Haha, Master Cai, you have good wine and didn’t tell me—are you looking down on me, Mengde?” Cao Cao feigned indignation.

“Mengde, if I’d called you, would I have any wine left for myself?” Cai Yong replied, knowing Cao Cao was not truly angry. He had a certain fondness for Cao Cao, and their friendship was strong.

Soon, two servants carried in four jars of wine.

“Berjie, this is unfair—so little wine, how can it be enough?” Kong Rong protested, his face stern.

“Kong Beihai, it’s not stinginess—there simply isn’t much. I have little to offer,” Cai Yong said helplessly. “Gentlemen, you honor me by attending today, and I have nothing better to offer than this wine. But as there is not much, each guest may have only one cup. My apologies.”

The hall erupted in complaints, voices of dissatisfaction everywhere. But when Cai Yong ordered the jars opened, the aroma filled the air and all fell silent, swallowing eagerly.

Cai Yong had each guest’s cup filled, and the four jars were nearly empty. Everyone gazed at the clear, fragrant wine, barely able to contain themselves, but as the host had not yet spoken, no one dared drink.

“Before we savor the wine, allow me to recite a poem to enhance our merriment,” Cai Yong proposed.

“Haha, to hear your masterpiece is our greatest honor!”

“Indeed, indeed.”

Cai Yong paced a moment, then began to recite, shaking his head in rhythm:

Bring in the Wine

Do you not see the waters of the Yellow River, descending from the heavens, rushing to the sea, never to return?
Do you not see in bright halls, the sorrow of white hair, morning like black silk, evening turned to snow?
When life is at its height, one must seize joy—do not let the golden goblet face the moon in vain.
Heaven gave me talent for a reason; a thousand pieces of gold spent will come again.
Roast lamb, slaughter oxen, let us delight—let us drink three hundred cups at once!
Confucius, Prince Wang, bring in the wine—let the cups never cease!
Let me sing a song for you—please lend me your ear.
Bells and drums, jade platters—these are not worth praise; I wish only to be ever drunk, never to awaken.
Since ancient times, sages and worthies have been lonely; only those who drink leave their names behind.
Prince Chen once feasted at Ping Le, ten thousand coins for a jug, indulging in revelry.
Why speak of having little money? Simply buy wine and share a cup with you.
Fine horses, furs worth a thousand gold,
Call the boy to bring out and exchange for fine wine, to join you and dispel the sorrows of all eternity.

“Bravo! What a line—‘to join you and dispel the sorrows of all eternity,’ now is the time for a hearty drink!” Kong Rong exclaimed. Praise erupted from all around.

Meanwhile, Cai Yong’s face was flushed. The crowd believed it was from his enthusiasm, but in truth, Cai Yong was glaring at Liu Yao, who was quietly laughing behind his hand. This poem, copied from Li Bai and slightly altered by Liu Yao the day before, had been given to Cai Yong to recite, under the pretense of avoiding attention.

Cai Yong forced himself to subdue his embarrassment. “Gentlemen, let us drink this cup—cheers!”

“Cheers!” echoed throughout the hall.

Everyone tasted the wine together.