Chapter 75: A Kindred Spirit in the Zheng Family’s Ancestral Home

At this moment, Cai Cong from Shandong had already entered the Henan Circuit. The Shandong of ancient times was not the same as the current province; it encompassed parts of what would later become Hebei Province, Shandong Province, and sections of Henan Province. In the early Tang dynasty, it was a vast region, collectively referring to the Henan, Hedong, and Hebei Circuits.

At the outset of the Tang, the empire was divided into ten circuits, and the noble families of Shandong dominated nearly three of them. This attests to their formidable power, capable even of influencing the rise and fall of the imperial house in times of chaos.

“Master, the hills outside Yingyang Commandery have all been cleared. We’ve exterminated five hundred bandits, captured six leaders alive, and there are over five thousand refugees. Please instruct us on how to proceed,” Xu Jie, covered in blood, knelt before Cai Cong, speaking loudly.

“Pile their heads outside Zhengzhou as a warning. Place all the captured leaders in prison wagons. Order the army to enter the city,” Cai Cong said calmly, seemingly unmoved by the overwhelming stench of blood.

“Yes, sir! But what should we do with the refugees? The bandit leaders are shouting that they are servants of the Zheng family, and Zhengzhou is the Zheng family’s stronghold. I fear you may be in danger,” Xu Jie said worriedly. He was originally to be confined for five days, but the army’s campaign had given him a chance to redeem himself, allowing him to kneel here and speak.

“I am the imperial envoy. I did not come here to admire flowers and the moon, but to kill,” Cai Cong replied coldly. Hearing the bandits claim they were Zheng family servants had ignited a fury in his heart, like a storm at sea, eager to tear all things asunder.

A reputation built over a thousand years, with the world prizing marriage to the daughters of the Seven Clans and Five Surnames, yet beneath the surface lay such filth and darkness—it chilled one to the bone.

Inside Zhengzhou city, in an abandoned courtyard of the Zheng family estate, several men climbed out of a well, disheveled and exhausted.

Soon after, the Zheng family’s chief steward arrived, his face dark, accompanied by several servants carrying food boxes.

“How many times have I told you, unless there’s something urgent, don’t come looking for me. Why are you here this time?” the steward said irritably. These men were notorious strongmen of Zhengzhou; if seen within the Zheng family estate, how could the family maintain its reputation in the future?

“Zheng Xin, you dare ask why we’re here? You promised to warn us if the officials moved against the bandits, so we took the risk and did this disgraceful work. Why, today, when the soldiers slaughtered everyone in the camp, did you give us no warning?” the leader threw down a boiled chicken, grabbed the steward’s collar, his eyes red with rage. His wife and children had been killed before he could escape, hacked down by soldiers, and he hadn’t even the courage to look at their bodies.

“What nonsense! When did Zhengzhou send troops to suppress bandits? Without the Zheng family’s leadership, do you think the city’s officials can command anything?” Zheng Xin pushed his hand away, speaking with pride.

“Damn it, are you saying I lied to you? Those soldiers were fierce, well-armed—my hundred men were slaughtered like vegetables! You say I tricked you?” The bandit leader flew into a rage, overturning the table, pacing violently.

“Such a thing happened? Stay here, don’t leave. I’ll report to the master at once,” Zheng Xin, sensing trouble, hurried away.

When he reached the council hall, he found the master and all the heads of the family branches present. Everyone was silent, as if something momentous had occurred.

“Master, there’s been trouble in the hills…” Zheng Xin began, but the master, Zheng Wenfu, waved him silent, so he stood respectfully to the side.

“No need for extra words. This young imperial envoy came quietly, and upon arrival cast hundreds of bandit heads for a warning—he certainly made his presence known! What do you all think we should do?”

Zheng Wenfu, leader of the middle generation of the Zhengs, was calm, resolute, and decisive, earning wide respect. No sooner had he spoken than someone stepped forward, saying, “Since he gave us a warning, we should return the favor. Tell Governor Gongsun that, due to unrest, the envoy must not enter the city—cool his enthusiasm for a few days.”

“Exactly,” another chimed in, “let him wait, and when he finally enters, instruct all local gentry not to cooperate with him. He wants to provide disaster relief? I’d like to see what he can do without the support of local gentry.”

“Then he’ll realize that Zhengzhou is ruled by the Zhengs, not by some…some imperial envoy. Ha ha…”

Everyone voiced their opinions, while Zheng Wenfu listened quietly, tapping his fingers on the chair—thud, thud, thud. The sound was not loud, but gradually silenced the room.

“Are you all finished?” Zheng Wenfu suddenly opened his eyes. Everyone fell silent; when he asked this, it meant he was dissatisfied with their answers.

“If you’re done, let me speak. Inform Governor Gongsun: ask him to contact all local gentry to prepare to welcome the imperial envoy. Tell him the Zheng family will certainly attend.

Xin, aren’t there many in the city who lost family to the bandits? Tell them the imperial envoy is mighty—he has destroyed the bandits and captured their leaders. This is their chance for revenge. I don’t care what they do, but I don’t want to see those bandits alive. Do you understand?”

Zheng Wenfu spoke unhurriedly, his every word brooking no refusal. Zheng Xin nodded quickly and strode from the council hall.

“Master, why? They all worked for the Zhengs. Are we to kill them just because of a mere child? Who will dare work for us in the future if word gets out?” someone asked, unable to understand how a child could be more threatening than the thousand-year-old Zheng family.

“Foolish! If today’s visitor were a duke, I’d let him wait outside the city for ten days. But Li Shimin sent Cai Cong. He is here! I will greet this imperial envoy with utmost respect, not daring the slightest neglect.”

Zheng Wenfu rebuked, then continued slowly, his eyes shining.

“Enlighten us, master, for we do not understand,” those present bowed, confusion in their eyes.

“No matter which high official arrives, when faced with the Zheng family of Yingyang, they must show respect, and hesitate before acting. Thus, it’s easy to manipulate them.

But Cai Cong is different—young, with a child’s temperament.

When the Xieli surrounded Chang’an, he forced them to release thirty thousand civilians, threatening two armies ready to march into the steppe and devour men. If anyone dares order him kept outside the city, he’ll attack, slaughtering officials and Zhengzhou’s gentry. Do you believe it?”

As Zheng Wenfu spoke, he trembled slightly. From what he’d learned over the past half year, Cai Cong was a gentle-mannered lunatic. If Cai Cong were present, he’d applaud—never expecting someone a thousand miles away to so thoroughly understand his current mindset.

“Master, isn’t that a bit exaggerated? Attacking the city, killing officials and gentry—does he intend to rebel?” someone asked doubtfully. Who would dare such a thing?

(End of this chapter)