Chapter 114: This Is Fine Wine

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At that time, the Pavilion Master was trapped in Mei Fort, where bandits forcibly compelled him to drink poison, intending to replicate the assassination of the young emperor by poisoning. The situation was perilous, hanging by a thread, yet the Pavilion Master remained calm and composed, leaving behind a famous poem titled "Passing Mei Fort," a testament to his great wisdom and courage.

Although the poem is renowned for the line, "Since ancient times, who has not died? Let me leave a loyal heart to illuminate history," it cannot conceal the regret that one couplet has been lost—a lamentable misfortune for literary circles.

—From the Chronicle of Zhang Yu

At this moment, Zhang Yu felt an inexplicable exhilaration. Previously, the brewing technique described was supposed to distill the wine to a certain degree, achieving the refined quality of fine or tribute liquors of later eras. Initially, Zhang Yu thought the system merely distilled the cup's contents. It wasn’t until he accidentally recited an incantation that he realized this brewing technique was far more than simple distillation.

Because a forgotten jar of aged wine, covered in dust and left by a wall, suddenly became impeccably clean, as if purified.

...

“Gentlemen, wouldn’t you care for a cup?” Zhang Yu shook the wine vessel.

“......”

“Ah, raise the cup to invite the bright—tomorrow, so many tomorrows. The Grand Tutor’s gift is truly delightful!”

At last, he had created an original piece.

The warrior commander, with thick brows like rugged mountains, stared suspiciously at Zhang Yu’s wine cup, as if doubting whether he really drank the poisoned wine.

Zhang Yu knew exactly what he was thinking.

“Fuu~~ shh shh shh shh... gulp!”

Playing with the wine between his lips, teeth, throat, and tongue in a teasing manner, he then drained the cup, raised the empty vessel toward the commander, and smiled:

“General, rest assured, the Grand Tutor is no despicable, deceitful villain who poisons others. This is fine wine—you may share a drink with me!”

Unable to resist, the commander was enticed by the alluring fragrance as if it tickled his heart. He stepped forward quickly, poured a small amount into another cup, glared at Zhang Yu, and slowly sipped.

Even in this situation, a fool would know the cup should hold poison, yet he had never seen such fragrant poison nor someone so vigorous after drinking it for so long.

Who among the wise could explain this?

As the fine wine touched his throat, the commander felt as though he had been poisoned.

Poisoned by this exquisite wine.

One cup, two cups… until the bottom of the bottle was utterly dry.

“You!” The commander turned to the woman who had brought the wine and demanded, “Is there any more?”

The sudden shout startled her back to reality. She bowed her head and replied hurriedly, “...I don’t know, sir!”

Zhang Yu was overjoyed, thinking, “Have you ever seen someone bring two bottles of poison wine?”

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“Since that’s the case—”

“Hm!?”

“Swish!”

The warrior commander drew his long sword from his waist. “Poisoned wine is useless; I must act personally. I beg your pardon, young master.”

“Damn, how could I forget this part?” Zhang Yu was instantly stunned.

Of course, their purpose was to kill him—poison or blade, it didn’t matter. As long as Zhang Yu was dead, their mission was accomplished.

“It seems... the drunkenness must be solitary.”

The sword rose high, while Zhang Yu remained utterly fearless, though his face paled. Hastily, he raised a feather fan.

“Stop!”

The commander suddenly turned his head. “Lord Weiyang?”

...

“Today, Master Zhang Yu realizes how elegant and enchanting Miss Dong’s voice is—it truly feels like listening to celestial music.”

Zhang Yu was filled with relief after narrowly escaping death. Dong Zhuo’s elite soldiers were beasts, not here for amusement. Without sufficient means of protection, one could easily lose their life.

“Say something sensible and quickly thank Han and my master.”

“Master?”

Wang Yue stepped forward. “I have accepted Miss Dong Bai as my disciple. This is not the time for details. Let us first escort the young master out of Mei Fort.”

“Fear not. As long as the Grandfather is absent from Mei Fort, it is I, Dong Bai, who hold authority here.”

“Who told you he’s absent...” Zhang Yu felt a sudden tightening inside.

Fortunately, Dong Zhuo had indeed left Mei Fort and was now at the Grand Tutor’s residence in Chang’an.

As his prestige grew, even his most trusted subordinate, Li Ru, treated him with great reverence, maintaining a clear distance between ruler and subject.

No one dared to speak casually with him anymore.

As one ages, it is inevitable to reminisce about past glories and youthful memories, but who could Dong Zhuo confide in?

Moreover, who would dare hear the inner thoughts of the Grand Tutor?

Only Zhang Yu, the doomed one in Dong Zhuo’s eyes, fit the role perfectly.

That night, deep into the quiet hours, the candle flickered gently.

“Wen You, you’ve come.” Perhaps because he had just opened his heart, Dong Zhuo greeted Li Ru’s late-night visit with a tone warmer and more familiar than usual, as if unrestrained and unguarded. He smiled and patted the seat beside him. “Come, sit quickly.”

“Yes, Grand Tutor.” Li Ru keenly sensed the change.

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How long had it been since he saw the Grand Tutor like this? He sighed inwardly.

“Coming so late, do you have urgent news to report?”

“Indeed. I—”

“Tonight, let us forget the difference between lord and subject and speak as father and son-in-law.”

Li Ru was moved inside but did not fully comply. Once they both seated properly, he began:

“I heard the other day at Wang Yun’s residence, you had a quarrel with General Lü?”

“Hmph.” Dong Zhuo snorted coldly. “That traitor dared to demand Diao Chan from me—truly a treacherous villain without loyalty or filial piety!”

“Grand Tutor, please calm your anger. In my opinion, this is Wang Yun’s scheme!”

“Hm?”

“You know, we Western Liang people have never been welcomed by these aristocrats. Many secretly plot against you.

“You and Lü Bu are like father and son, and General Lü’s bravery is unmatched, always protecting you. Anyone who wants to harm you must first eliminate General Lü.

“Don’t you think Wang Yun’s arrangement was too coincidental? I suspect this is a beauty trap—he uses a stunning woman, first gifting her to General Lü, then to you, to sow discord between you two. At the right moment, he can either persuade you to remove Lü Bu or ally with Lü Bu to plot against you. Both are plausible strategies!”

“Not just a beautiful woman—Chan’er, she...”

“Grand Tutor!”

“Hmm... Wen You, I believe you. So Wang Yun truly intends this?”

“In my view, at least eight or nine out of ten.”

“But without solid proof, he is the current Minister over the Masses, a respected scholar. It’s not easy to move against him directly.”

Upon hearing this, Li Ru knew Dong Zhuo had no intention of targeting Wang Yun. A Minister or a scholar, how many such figures had the Grand Tutor already dealt with?

With a light sigh, Li Ru continued, “If so, then ignore him. We’ll devise our own counterplot.”

“Good! Wen You, what’s your plan?”

“Grand Tutor, you could gift Diao Chan to General Lü—”

“Impossible! This must never happen.”

“Grand Tutor! Between a woman and the realm, which weighs more?”

“This is not a choice between a woman and the realm. If I give Diao Chan to Lü Bu, wouldn’t the world think I fear him? Wouldn’t that make this traitor even more arrogant and reckless?

“If that were so, my reputation would be ruined. Where would my dignity as Grand Tutor be?”