Chapter 119: Lackeys at the Gate

Cai Cong and Xu Jie burst into laughter. This man was truly insufferable; if they didn't drive him away, there would be no way to enjoy a pleasant conversation.

"This uncle of mine has no character. I hear he has offended many of his colleagues and can barely survive in Chang'an anymore. He must be looking to you to save him!"

"The Ministry of Personnel’s annual assessment is about to begin. It seems he’s on the verge of being demoted to a provincial post; otherwise, he wouldn't be acting so tactlessly."

Cai Cong spoke calmly. Regardless of how imposing Xu Jingzong might become decades later, he was currently a low-level figure not even worth a second glance.

"Marquis, pay no mind to my uncle. If you help him, he will eventually drag you down with him."

"I have no intention of helping him. You don't know him as well as I do. This man must not be given power, or it will be a disaster for the nation!"

Since they were relatives, Cai Cong didn't say too much more. Before long, the conversation ended. Xu Jie and his wife headed home, while Cai Cong went back to facing the wall.

Unexpectedly, a servant soon reported that Xu Jingzong was requesting an audience. Cai Cong wore a playful smile and told them to make him wait, while he picked up a copy of the *Doctrine of the Mean* and began reading with relish.

"My Marquis is currently busy. You’ll have to wait. When he has time, he will naturally summon you," Xiao Liuzi said, adding a stool in the gatehouse for Xu Jingzong to sit on.

"Brother Liuzi, I trouble you. Do you know when the Marquis will be free?" Xu Jingzong asked anxiously, slipping some silver into Xiao Liuzi's hand.

"Please don't call me brother; that would ruin the hierarchy. As for when the Marquis is free, how could a servant like me know?"

Though he said this, he pocketed the silver without hesitation. The Marquis hadn't been this standoffish in the past, but since he was today, the servants would follow suit: eat his food, drink his tea, but get nothing done.

What could Xu Jingzong do? He could only sit and wait, turning the cold bench into a warm one. He even shared lunch with Xiao Liuzi, mocking himself, "I never expected the Marquis's estate to provide a meal. Saved ten copper coins. Liuzi, please ask for me, see if the Marquis is free yet."

"Uncle, you're putting me in a difficult spot. The Marquis will see you when he’s free. If I go and disturb him now, wouldn't I be smashing my own rice bowl?"

"Just ask for me. I didn't bring much, but take these ten taels of silver. I will reward you handsomely later." Xu Jingzong smiled as he handed over the money, cursing the vampire under his breath while keeping a straight face.

Cai Cong had just finished eating and was picking his teeth when he remembered: "Almost forgot, is Xu Jingzong still here?"

"Yes! Marquis, he seems very anxious. He’s been sitting there all afternoon, looking restless. If you don't want to see him, I can send him away."

"No need. Let him in. I’m idle anyway; let’s see what he has to say."

"Very well, I'll go call him in."

Xu Jingzong walked in with a hunched back. Upon seeing Cai Cong, he immediately knelt. "This humble official pays his respects to the Marquis."

"What is this? You are not a condemned official; there is no need to kneel." Before the Song Dynasty, people didn't kneel so easily, and anyone who did so constantly was held in contempt. Although Cai Cong said this, he remained firmly seated, not even making a gesture to help him up.

"I am willing to be a dog at your gate, Marquis. Please, save me." Xu Jingzong had abandoned all shame, no longer calling himself an official, but a lowly person.

Cai Cong gave a mocking smile and walked out of the room barefoot. Xu Jingzong followed behind, carrying Cai Cong's shoes like an old servant.

"Do you know? The phrase 'dog at my gate' makes me quite wary," Cai Cong said, hands behind his back, his tone indifferent.

"I see no humility in those words, only endurance and an insatiable attachment to power. If you were to gain power one day, I fear I would be the first person you’d want to kill."

"I wouldn't dare! I truly wouldn't dare!" Cai Cong's words terrified Xu Jingzong, who fell to his knees in a panic.

Cai Cong smiled coldly. Wouldn't dare? This showed that Xu Jingzong was very confident in his future. As long as he could catch his breath, he was certain he would reach high office. Once he did, what wouldn't he dare to do?

"You are currently despised by everyone in the court. I will petition His Majesty to transfer you to the New Army. Remember! I hate being stabbed in the back more than anything. If that day ever comes, there will be no place in this world for you to hide."

Cai Cong turned to look down at Xu Jingzong. He didn't fear people like venomous snakes—even venomous snakes could be used for their antivenom. With the current Xu Jingzong, he could crush him with a flick of his wrist. As for the future? That was for later.

The desperate Xu Jingzong felt as if he had grasped a lifeline. Overjoyed, he kowtowed repeatedly. "Thank you, Marquis! Thank you, Marquis! I will follow your lead in everything."

"Just don't regret it. Regional posts are actually very good for training; one doesn't necessarily need to be a court official to rise to power. Go back and wait for the military department's official document."

"Thank you, Marquis! Thank you! This one takes his leave!" Xu Jingzong was beaming. He had risen through the ranks from the provinces; to be sent back there would have been a death sentence for his career.

"This man has discarded even the integrity of a scholar. I fear he will betray you in the future! Aren't you afraid he’ll bite back, Marquis?" a voice whispered from the shade of a tree. The speaker was hidden in the darkness, like a shadow.

"You probably don't know, but this man has even less integrity than you think. However, I don't consider him a threat; he isn't even worthy of my attention yet. Why are you here?"

"Marquis, Monetler eventually lost to Jieli. He is dead," the shadow said calmly. This outcome had long been expected. The one to finish off Jieli would be the Great Tang—it had to be, or how else could the humiliation at the Wei River be washed away?

"Although I have done your Thieves' Guild a favor, you shouldn't be telling me these things. His Majesty has stripped me of all positions, including the one overseeing the chaotic Turks. You should report these matters to His Majesty or Li Jing." Cai Cong sat on the stone steps and laughed. Li Shizimin’s talk of "self-reflection" hadn't been a joke; aside from his title, he had been stripped of everything. Even the New Army was officially under Li Ji's name, though the actual affairs were managed by Meng Baolai.

"I know that, and I have already reported to His Majesty. But there is one thing I felt you should know."

"What is it?"

"Monetler was shot to death from a distance on his way to surrender to the Tang. The arrows used were the same as those used to shoot you. We suspect it is the same person. Unfortunately, the attacker vanished after a single strike."

"Are you saying that the remnants of Li Youliang's faction have all fled to the Turks?" Cai Cong stood up immediately. They had cast a wide net, but this group had still escaped. It was impossible that no one had helped them from behind the scenes.

"It is highly likely they fled to the Turks. Someone must have intervened in secret, otherwise, they could never have broken through the layers of defense to reach them."

"As long as we know where they are, they are dead men walking. My hundred-plus brothers are still waiting for justice; they cannot rest in peace."

Cai Cong roared in anger. No wonder they hadn't been able to find them for so long—they had fled to the Turks.