The Cao residence.

Upon hearing the emperor's edict, Cao Song was sitting in his study, writing a memorial of gratitude.

He had seen courtesans from the Western Regions among some aristocratic families and had always longed to buy two of them.

However, because of Madam Cao's existence, he always had the desire but not the courage.

Now that the emperor has issued an edict for them to take concubines, Cao Song is naturally overjoyed.

Cao Song sat at his desk, racking his brains for words of praise, a silly smile playing on his lips as he wrote.

Just then, Madam Cao entered with a cup of fragrant tea, but Cao Song, who was engrossed in writing, was completely unaware of it.

Seeing this, Madam Cao assumed that Cao Song was busy with official duties, so she smiled and shook her head. She moved quietly to the table without saying a word, afraid of disturbing him.

"Hmm~, put the tea down and leave. Don't bother me!!"

Upon smelling the aroma of tea, Cao Song assumed it was brought by the steward and did not look up, continuing to write with his head down.

Hearing this, Madam Cao was also taken aback. She looked down curiously, wanting to see what her husband was writing, and why he was so engrossed in it.

Cao Song wrote:

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness, but I am old and fear my body cannot bear it. Therefore, I only need four beauties from the Western Regions, and no more!"

"Four beauties from the Western Regions...four...!"

Upon seeing this, Madam Cao's face immediately darkened, and she glared coldly at Cao Song, who was still engrossed in writing.

"Cao Jugao...!"

"ah...!"

Hearing the noise, Cao Song couldn't help but look up.

"Madam... when did you arrive?"

When Cao Song saw his wife standing beside him glaring at him through gritted teeth, he couldn't help but shudder.

"Hmph~, tell me... what's going on here? You old geezer... four beauties from the Western Regions!"

Madam Cao snorted coldly, picked up Cao Song's memorial of gratitude, and stared at Cao Song with a frosty expression.

"Gulp!"

Seeing the murderous intent in Madam Cao's eyes, Cao Song couldn't help but swallow hard, and then stammered:

"My lady, you've misunderstood. This is His Majesty's will. He wants to bestow this upon me, and I dare not refuse..."

"Afraid to refuse? I think you're just afraid His Majesty won't give it to you...? You old geezer, you just wait...!"

As she spoke, Madam Cao stormed out.

Upon seeing this, Cao Song hurriedly called out, "Hey, Madam, where are you going?"

"Where's the stick?! Old Xu, bring me a stick! As thick as my arm...!"

Hearing the lady's angry roar outside, Cao Song was so frightened that his legs went weak.

"Ouch! Madam, have mercy...!"

A scream reached the ears of the servants of the Cao family.

Immediately, to the astonishment of the servants in the Cao household, Cao Song clutched his head and screamed as he fled the study, running out of the mansion.

"Cao Jugao, you old bastard, since you have the guts to want a woman, then don't run away...!"

Soon, Madam Cao, carrying a stick, also chased after them while shouting.

The news that Lady Cao was chasing the Grand Minister of Agriculture all over the streets quickly reached the palace.

"Nonsense...! What's wrong with a few more concubines for a dignified Minister of Agriculture and the head of the Cao family? No one can touch Madam Cao's position as the principal wife. How can she be so disrespectful?"

Upon hearing the news, Liu Hong, unusually, lost his temper.

He had heard that Lady Cao was fierce, but he didn't expect her to be so shrewish that she even dared to hit the Grand Minister of Agriculture. If other women of the Han Dynasty were to learn from her, what would become of them?

Women's status can be elevated, but that's not an excuse for you to act recklessly. If things continue like this, what about the status of us men? How can we have multiple wives and concubines?

As one of the representatives of men, Liu Hong naturally would not allow such a thing to happen. Weren't the bloody lessons of later generations enough?

"Jian Shuo!"

"This servant is here...!"

"Issue my decree to immediately reprimand Lady Cao's behavior. Also... the Grand Minister of Agriculture is loyal to the country and works hard for the people. I have decided to reward the Grand Minister of Agriculture with four beautiful women from the Western Regions. He has no choice but to accept them!"

"Oh, look!!"

After receiving the order, Jian Shuo hurriedly ran outside.

"etc!"

"His Majesty?"

"You'll stay by the Grand Minister of Agriculture's side for the next couple of days, and also keep an eye on the experimental fields, paying close attention to the fertilizer situation..."

"promise!!"

Imperial Guard Camp.

During their breaks from training, Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Liu Bei, Dian Wei, Wen Chou, and others gathered together to discuss the matter of the imperial edict.

Liu Bei looked at everyone and spoke first:

"Your Majesty's words are entirely true. Now our Han Dynasty is strong and well-equipped, with hundreds of thousands of armored soldiers. The surrounding states will naturally submit to our command. We only need some women; who would dare to refuse us?"

Yuan Shao nodded. "Xuande is right. In the past, when our great Han princesses married into foreign lands, it was such an honor and a great honor for them."

But instead of being grateful, they have become even more arrogant and have not only failed to respect the Han Dynasty for many years, but have also frequently violated the majesty of the Han Dynasty!

Now, His Majesty's edict, an eye for an eye, demands that they offer up ten times the number of their women. This truly inspires the pride of every Han man!

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