Chapter 33: Too Much Bullying

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"The world was in chaos. Back then, when I recruited soldiers in Guanzhong, all the elders of the Cai family came. In the end, every last one of them died in battle. Only his mother survived. The Cai family's lineage was supposed to be completely severed, yet Cai's sister disregarded her reputation and lay with a passing soldier, leaving behind a Cai child. She vowed never to marry for life, just to ensure the Cai family's bloodline would continue. Wugou, tell me, is this not a sin I have committed?"

"In times of upheaval, where can peace be found? One cannot place all blame on Your Majesty. As for Cai's sister, her filial piety is indeed admirable. If the Cai family line persists, she deserves the highest praise," the Empress Zhangsun hurriedly replied. In her eyes, the fate of a thousand Cai families could never compare to the importance of the Emperor's state of mind.

"So I am pondering what title to bestow upon Cai Cong. There are countless who have fought on the battlefield, but only the Cai family lost every male to the cause of the Tang dynasty. And Cai Cong, though still a child, rescued tens of thousands of our people. Such merit must be rewarded generously."

"This is a matter of state and military affairs. Your Majesty must consult with the ministers; I shall not speak further. However, Cai's sister has shown both loyalty and filial piety, and has raised her son well. Though she bore a child out of wedlock, her virtue remains unblemished, her conduct irreproachable. I wish to reward her, granting the single name 'Jie,' and conferring upon her a fourth-rank imperial command, with the title Lady Xiao Jia. What does Your Majesty think?"

Zhangsun wished to set an example for all women in the Empire. Cai Cong's mother was indeed a worthy model. To prevent the family line from ending, she endured immense disgrace, and yet managed to raise such an outstanding son—how rare and difficult that was.

"Excellent. You oversee the inner palace, so women's affairs are yours to decide. I will consider Cai Cong's noble title further. You have no idea, today he presented several clever suggestions. He might even approach you to partner in business. You two can decide that; I won't interfere."

Hearing the Emperor's words, Zhangsun's heart stirred again. She knew better than anyone the Emperor's rage when he first returned, yet after this conversation, he was now willing to partner in business with Cai Cong.

Though he said he would not interfere, after years of marriage, Zhangsun understood this was the Emperor's way of avoiding suspicion. There were matters men should not handle directly, and so the women of the household must step forward. Look around Chang'an: in every noble household, who manages their businesses but the mistress?

"Such trivial matters will be managed by me; Your Majesty need not concern yourself," Zhangsun said forcefully—not out of displeasure, but to ensure the Emperor's name was clear. Even their private conversations were recorded by court historians.

When Cai Cong left the palace, he saw Meng Baolai waiting at the gate with thirty soldiers. Meng Baolai had earned promotion for his contributions at Weishui; he was now a minor official of the ninth rank. Seeing the imperial guards clear the way, eunuchs attending Cai Cong, and others carrying gifts bestowed by the palace, Meng Baolai was full of admiration. "Master is master—wherever he goes, he's treated as such." Meng had struggled for years to finally earn an official rank, whereas this young master, after a month in confinement, was personally welcomed back by the Emperor and showered with gifts.

"Greetings, young lord. It's been many days; your bearing is even greater than before," Meng Baolai hurried forward, smiling widely and flattering him.

"Normally, I'd be pleased to hear that, but not today. There's disgrace in the family. My mother was frightened—have you prepared the carriage?" Cai Cong's expression was grim, for he hadn't expected Cai Tian to be so bold.

"It's ready. We'll depart at once. I never thought that country bumpkin Cai Tian would dare such recklessness. Brothers from the Right Martial Guard are keeping watch; as soon as he's found, he'll be brought back for you to handle." Meng Baolai dared not call himself an official before Cai Cong, even though Cai Cong had been dismissed and was now a commoner. He personally fetched a mounting stool, helped Cai Cong onto the carriage, and sat beside the driver.

Their convoy—several carriages and fifty horsemen—paraded through Chang'an, then headed along the official road toward Cai Village. Twenty imperial guards escorted Cai Cong home and would return after, while Meng Baolai's thirty men remained as his protectors, not leaving without orders.

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There's a saying: evil lingers for a thousand years. Cai Tian had fled, but left his wife and children to suffer. Before Cai Cong arrived, a group had already reached Cai Village. A dozen burly men entered, shouting to seize Cai Tian's wife and children as collateral for his debts.

Pitifully, Cai Tian's wife and two children wept until their eyes were nearly blind. The men clearly knew the place well, going straight to Cai Tian's house, smashing everything, then dragging his wife and children away, saying they would sell them to pay the debt. Even the family's two chickens and fifty pounds of rice were taken.

Such commotion had already alarmed the neighbors. The women stayed indoors caring for the elderly and children, while the men silently grabbed clubs and surrounded the intruders. To let outsiders bully their own—if no one stood up, Cai Village folk would have to hide their heads in their trousers every time they went out.

"What are you doing? Want to fight? I'll tell you—Cai Tian owes our gambling den three hundred taels of silver. Now that he's run off, it's only right we take his wife and children as payment. If you don't want us to take them, fine—give us four hundred taels and we'll release them. Anyway, a village woman won't fetch much."

The leader didn't dare start a fight, but shouted loudly. Hearing him, the villagers painfully parted to make a path. To repay debts is only natural. In any village, they'd have to let them take the family—blame it on her marrying the wrong man, blame the children for being born to him.

"Charging a hundred taels of interest for a single day is too harsh. I have two hundred and eighty taels—I'll give it to you now. Please release them, and I'll pay the remaining one hundred and twenty taels in two days."

Cai's sister walked forward, trembling. If Cai Tian's wife hadn't limped to alert the villagers, she feared she would've been killed last night. However frightened she was, she had to step up now.

"Heh... What a joke. Not even enough for the principal, and you want us to let them go? Fine, hand over the silver first. We'll take the people, but we promise to treat them well for three days. Within three days, bring us three hundred taels to redeem them."

"You bastards, that's outrageous! Giving you so much and still demanding three hundred more—why not just rob us?" a villager cursed.

"No interest? With compounding interest, plus their meals and lodging, three hundred taels is already little. If you weren't poor peasants, we'd ask for five hundred."

Cai's sister gritted her teeth in anger. If Cai Tian hadn't squandered the money meant for supplies, she wouldn't have had to spend so much on materials, and wouldn't be short.

"You see, the three of them aren't worth three hundred taels. How about this—give you another one hundred and fifty taels in three days. If you agree, let them go. If not, you get nothing; take them away if you want!" Cai's sister was no fool—they wanted money, and in these times, a village woman and two children were worth little.

"Ha, should've said so earlier. Our boss said, what can you mud-legs cough up anyway? The boss intends to make an example—understand? Take them away," the leader grinned. They never believed the village could raise much. They wanted to warn others: if you don't pay debts, the consequences are dire.

"Let's go!" He waved, signaling his men.

"Don't leave! They must stay," Cai's sister shouted. The villagers again closed in. Earlier, lack of money forced them to allow it, but now, with funds offered, they refused to let the family be taken.

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"What are you doing? You peasants want to fight? Listen, I have Cai Tian's written IOU. Taking his family as collateral is perfectly legal. Report it to the authorities, and you'll still have to hand them over," he shouted, pushing aside the villagers, intent on leaving with the captives.

At that moment, dust billowed in the distance as a troop of cavalry escorted a carriage, charging straight toward them. The gambling den men, seeing the armored riders with sabers and bows, were terrified, immediately stepping aside and losing all the bravado shown to the villagers.

"What's going on here? Why are so many gathered? Who are you, and why are you dragging people?" The cavalry halted, their leader asking arrogantly.

"Reporting to the officer, we're from the Lucky Gambling Den. Someone in this village owes us a huge gambling debt, so we've come for his wife and children as collateral," the gambling men replied, smiling obsequiously. Soldiers and bandits—they were all the same, after all. And with so many guards escorting a carriage, surely someone important was present—not someone they could provoke.

"Release them and leave," Meng Baolai jumped off the carriage and spoke casually, then walked straight to Cai's sister and bowed respectfully. "Baolai greets Lady Cai. May you be well."

"It's General Baolai! Please, don't call me lady—I'm just a village woman. My son... sigh, I beg you, help my benefactor!" Cai's sister recognized Meng Baolai, though he was no longer her son's subordinate, and her son was still in prison.

"I was so focused on greeting you, I forgot the young lord is still in the carriage!" Meng Baolai slapped his forehead.

"With everyone gathered, has something happened again?"

As they spoke, Cai Cong awoke inside the carriage, lifted the curtain, and rubbed his eyes, asking.

Thank you all for your votes. Yesterday, readers urged for more updates, which made me happy. But before the New Year, I have no time to write; after, I'll strive to update more. Thank you, everyone, for your support!

(End of chapter)