The second year of Jian'an.
Outside the Office of the Minister of Works in Xudu.
The towering vermilion gates and ranks of armored soldiers were a testament to Cao Cao's immense power as the current Minister of Works.
But the scene in one of the courtyards inside was something else entirely. A teenager of sixteen or seventeen, dressed in silk brocade, was dancing alone beneath the setting sun.
He was even humming a rather stirring song: “I stand in the howling wind! I wish I could wash away this endless heartache!”
“Look up to the heavens, ”
The boy was Cao Shuo.
Two servants stood in a corner of the courtyard. One shook his head and sighed. “Ah, the Second Young Master is having another episode. But you have to admit... that tune is pretty catchy.”
The other sighed too, his voice full of regret. “Tell me about it. A high fever two years ago burned his mind.”
“He used to be the genius boy everyone in Xudu knew. Now he's a complete fool.”
“It really is heartbreaking.”
As he spoke, he shuddered all over
Cao Shuo had appeared beside him at some point, staring straight at him.
“You called me a fool?”
“S-Second Young Master!” The servant's legs went weak, and he nearly fell to his knees. “I would never dare!”
Cao Shuo scoffed, then suddenly pointed at the sky. “Then tell me, how far away is the sun?”
“Huh? Well... I don't know, sir...” the servant stammered.
“What about the moon?” Cao Shuo asked again.
“I... I don't know that either...” The servant's voice was almost breaking into tears.
What kind of ridiculous questions were these?
“I know,” Cao Shuo said with complete seriousness.
“So, ”
He gave a mocking smile. “That makes you the fool. Your whole family are fools.”
