Chapter 56: A Frenzied Revenge

"Your Highness, the Earl of Chang’an is far too arrogant—he completely disregards you," complained Lady Zhangsun’s wife as soon as Cai Cong departed.

With a cold sneer, Lady Zhangsun slammed her chopsticks on the table. "No matter how brazen he is, he can't compare to you lot. Who gave you the audacity to so openly humiliate a noblewoman? The head of the Imperial Kitchen has just resigned, and all the royal chefs have followed suit. Who is Cai Jie, you ask? Her son is revered as a culinary deity—every chef in the Imperial Kitchen is but a disciple’s disciple to him. And what of the cooks in your own households? If word gets out, you’ll need someone to taste every pastry and sip of water in your own homes for fear of poison."

"He’s merely a rustic upstart, nothing more! Your Highness, I am your sister-in-law—you mustn’t take the side of an outsider!"

"Hmph! Go home and ask your husbands if any of them dare offend the Earl of Chang’an and insult his mother. The last who tried met with execution of his entire clan at a mere word from him. Besides, Lady Xiao Jia is a title I conferred myself—do you no longer acknowledge my authority? All of you, leave at once!"

With that, Lady Zhangsun rose and departed for Qingning Palace, giving these noblewomen no regard. She had always felt a special connection with Cai Cong, and she and her husband had silently encouraged a bond between their own child and this one—a relationship of both mentor and friend. And now these women dared meddle?

The remaining ladies looked at each other in dismay. They all had their own cliques, and it was hardly surprising that a newcomer like Cai Jie should find herself bullied. As for Lady Zhang Liang’s conduct, it was understandable—her family had longstanding grievances with the Cais. But the other two families’ involvement was baffling; after all, they all made their living in the same empire and had no reason for such enmity. To openly humiliate the mistress of a household was a declaration of unending feud.

Suppressing his anger, Cai Cong spent the journey home comforting Cai Jie, coaxing her to laughter. Back in the village, he cheerfully mingled with the villagers, paid his respects to the patriarch, and acted as if nothing had happened.

But when night fell and the crowds dispersed, Cai Cong’s face darkened as he returned to the barracks and summoned all the squad leaders. The men in camp were lively but not drunk; the prostitutes had all left. The unique New Year’s celebration had left the soldiers in high spirits.

"It’s the New Year, and I shouldn’t bring up unpleasant matters," Cai Cong said, his tone grim. "But tonight, my mother was insulted without cause by several noble households. As her son, I cannot let this grievance go unanswered." All of Chang’an would be watching the Cai family’s response come morning. If he showed weakness, he’d be trampled by all.

The squad leaders knelt in unison. "We await your orders, my lord, and would die a thousand deaths for this cause."

"Let tonight be a real combat exercise. Jungle warfare only tests your survival skills. Now, your targets are the households of Li Xiao-chang, Zhang Liang, and Zhangsun Anyie. Enter the city at the second watch, leave before dawn. You have one hour to set their homes ablaze. Can you do it?"

"We swear to accomplish the mission!" they answered, quickly assigning roles for support, arson, and retreat.

"Bao Lai, you’ll lead men openly into the city and bring Zhang Wen and the other three managers to me. I want them to know true regret." Cai Cong gave a cold laugh. Tonight, with the city gates unguarded for the festivities, slipping into Chang’an would be no challenge.

"Yes, my lord!" Bao Lai answered deferentially, not daring to say more before Cai Cong’s wrath.

"Go, then! Your safety is paramount—I want every one of you back here unharmed by dawn," Cai Cong finished, waving them away and closing his eyes.

Meng Bao Lai led ten men on horseback toward Chang’an, while others donned disguises—beggars, scholars, farmers, even women—and made their way to the city.

As Sun Tzu says: If the general treats his soldiers as brothers, the soldiers will treat him as their father. Cai Cong’s youth was long forgotten—he treated these men well, and they would die for him.

At the appointed hour, his men mingled with the crowd and passed easily through the gates. Some scouted the terrain, others procured flammable oils and waxes, while many prepared escape routes.

When the time came, the stolen oil was quietly poured over the courtyards of the three targeted homes. Cai Cong dared not violate the deepest taboos—the inner quarters were strictly off-limits.

The air was dry, and the fires caught instantly—let alone with so much accelerant. Flames leapt skyward, illuminating the night as if it were day. Gan Xinda cast a cold glance at the Zhangsun estate before vanishing into the darkness.

Panic seized Chang’an. The fire brigade shoved aside all who blocked their way, while the Right Guard quickly sealed the city gates. Three prominent officials’ homes set ablaze in a single night—Chang’an was in uproar.

Cries and curses filled the air. Lady Zhangsun Anyie’s wife, her face drained of color, fled with her husband through the rear gate as servants tried in vain to douse the flames. Their meager water was useless; the fire crept relentlessly from the front to the inner chambers.

The blaze was too fierce—by the time the fire brigade arrived, their wagons of water made no difference. The three households evacuated, neighbors knocked down walls to halt the spread, and only then was disaster contained.

Hibiscus Garden, a favorite haunt of the people of Chang’an, was bustling with festivities—originally a royal retreat, now open to the public. Yet unnoticed, shadows slipped silently into Taiye Pool.

Taiye Pool connected to the city moat. Gan Xinda and his companions, using air trapped in animal bladders, swam underwater out of the city. Once outside, they changed into clothes cached in advance and stealthily returned to camp.

Their awe for Cai Cong was now absolute. A month ago, none would have imagined committing such a deed in Chang’an and escaping unscathed, their enemies none the wiser.

By dawn, all had returned safely to camp, their eyes blazing with fervor as they looked to Cai Cong.

"My lord, we have not failed you. The three houses must now be nothing but ashes," Gan Xinda reported. He alone knew how much oil they had poured—once the fire was set, there was no saving it.

Cai Cong nodded calmly. He hadn’t expected his men to be so ruthless, burning everything to the ground. But so be it; the next steps would show those families the true meaning of pain.

"Tonight’s events are not to be spoken of," he ordered. "You all have the makings of elite soldiers now, but should any of you ever abuse your skills for evil, I will personally strip you of everything. Is that clear?"

"We understand, my lord!"

"Good. Go rest—you’ve earned it. Your rewards will be sent directly to your homes. Bao Lai, bring Zhao Wen and the other three managers here, then find Wei Guo and tell him to fetch Uncle Cai Gang and bring back all his finest weapons."

Cai Cong’s tone was even, and the room emptied. The four managers of Taibai Pavilion entered, kneeling respectfully.

"Rise. I’ve called you here tonight to ask: without affecting the operation of Taibai Pavilion, how much silver can you raise?"

Zhao Wen thought for a moment. "Excluding the Huang family’s funds, perhaps fifty thousand taels."

"Good! Once you return, investigate thoroughly what businesses Zhang Liang, Li Xiao-chang, and Zhangsun Anyie own. Buy up shops next door to theirs—whatever they sell, you sell the same, but at lower prices. If they lower theirs, you lower yours. If they sell at a loss, you sell for even less. I want every one of their enterprises driven out of business—do you understand?"

"My lord, this benefits us little. To take on three dukes at once, our finances will be stretched thin," Zhao Wen protested—after all, it was real money at stake, and if Cai Cong was unbothered, they certainly were not.

"Worry not about the funds—I will supply you with all you need. Just see that their businesses close. Understood?" Cai Cong spoke calmly. After acquiring Coal Mountain, he had set Cai Gang and the blacksmiths to work smelting iron and steel, had even managed to purchase an iron mine, and had found the pale sand needed for glass. He would never want for money again.

"We understand!" the four answered in unison. Zhao Wen now realized his master, for all his kindness, bore the face of a demon when crossed—he meant to utterly destroy the three families.

"Return to Chang’an at once and see to this—waste not a moment."

"Yes, my lord. We take our leave."