Chapter 77: The Old Fox

"Understood. You may leave," Cai Cong waved his hand dismissively, his gaze settling on the respectfully attentive Zheng Wenfu. A flicker of both displeasure and approval crossed his eyes—this man was undoubtedly clever, never engaging in even the slightest conflict and eliminating every potential threat to himself. Cai Cong felt certain that his upcoming endeavors in Zhengzhou would proceed smoothly, without obstruction.

The banquet that followed was exceedingly pleasant; beautiful dancers and melodious music intertwined, and Cai Cong's once stern expression relaxed. The atmosphere lifted, as though the guests had been freed from a noose around their necks. After a few cups of wine, conversation became uninhibited.

Only Zheng Wenfu remained restrained, sipping lightly and never losing composure. By the end of the feast, his demeanor was unchanged, his speech measured, as if nothing had happened.

"It seems everyone is quite satisfied. I, too, am content," Cai Cong said, surveying the lively scene with gratification.

"Thank you, sir," the guests replied in unison. Some local gentry, intoxicated, loudly expressed their gratitude, embarrassing the officials and gentry of Zhengzhou to the point they wished for a hole to crawl into.

"No need for such courtesy. The files will arrive soon, and some may find themselves unable to eat, even if I press them," Cai Cong remarked, smiling benignly. Yet this single statement sobered many, sweat breaking out as they nervously watched him.

The vast hall fell silent; Cai Cong was unconcerned, picking at his food with casual disregard. It was poor form, but worse still was the quality of the dishes—truly unpalatable.

Waiting was agonizing. Even Gongsun Neng felt his back drenched in sweat, and the sight of wine and delicacies no longer inspired any appetite.

Old Meng ascended the restaurant, swept his gaze across the room, and strode before Cai Cong, kneeling as he reported, "Your Lordship, all files from the Prefect’s Office covering the past three months have been brought. Some clerks attempted to burn them, but were executed on the spot. The files are downstairs—would you care to review them?"

"Bring them up," Cai Cong replied coldly.

"Wait! Is this how a royal envoy acts? Do you intend to purge all Zhengzhou officials and gentry? How does this differ from Chao Cuo’s methods? Are you not afraid of being accused of overstepping your bounds?" A local gentryman in brocade with the Five Blessings motif stepped forward, his words full of threat. Given his family’s deeds over the past months, death was inevitable.

"Please reconsider, sir!" Everyone shouted, knowing none among them was clean; even the lightest offenses were dereliction of duty.

---

"I recall your name is Zhao Shiping. An excellent name, though I suspect you’re anything but," Cai Cong said, forcing a piece of fish belly into his mouth.

The next moment, he spat it out, slammed the table, and shouted, "Seize this traitor! Behead him and display his head. Order all members of the Zhao family imprisoned, pending further investigation."

"What are you doing? Why kill me? Save me, sir! Master Zheng, help!" Zhao Shiping was seized, struggling and crying out for help.

Gongsun Neng, bleary-eyed, glanced at him, then took another swig of wine. Zheng Wenfu watched with a smile, as if Zhao Shiping’s pleas were not directed at him.

The blade rose and fell—Zhao Shiping’s large head rolled down the stairs, blood splattering across the wooden steps. Everyone stared in terror at Cai Cong, who continued picking meat from a fish head, instinctively bowing lower.

"Do you really think I’m Chao Cuo? Or that His Majesty is Emperor Jing of Han? Remove the banquet, bring up all the files—I will review them one by one, to see whether the suffering of the people is due to disaster or human malice."

Cai Cong pushed aside his table, sneering. The banquet was swiftly cleared, and Old Meng had several boxes of files carried up.

Cai Cong examined each file meticulously, reviewing them repeatedly. When angered by a particular case, he threw the file to the ground. Old Meng, amid anxious glances, would retrieve and set it aside.

"Sir, I confess. I took bribes and ruled in favor of the gentry in a dispute with Ma Jiang Village. The truth is those gentry blocked the upstream water, killed several villagers who went to reason with them. Blinded by greed, I convicted Ma Jiang Village, causing downstream villages to lose water and become destitute. I beg mercy!"

The Zhengzhou Deputy Commissioner, frightened by Cai Cong’s furious gaze, knelt and pleaded for his life.

"You are the first to confess. I will not kill you. Take him away and have him confess everything in detail. If any lies are found, I will flay him alive," Cai Cong said indifferently. No need for threats—the severed head on the floor was warning enough.

"I acknowledge my crimes."

"We acknowledge our crimes."

"Spare us, sir!"

With the Deputy Commissioner taken away, those with guilty consciences rushed to kneel and beg for mercy, fearing they might lose the chance to plead if implicated later.

---

"Separate everyone and place them in isolation. Have them write down their offenses—then compare their confessions. If anyone lies or deceives, behead them," Cai Cong said coldly, setting aside the files. His gaze fell on the unbowed Zheng Wenfu and Gongsun Neng.

"One is the leader of Zhengzhou’s officials, the other the head of a venerable family and literary circle. Do you believe yourselves innocent?"

"Heh. I have neglected military and political affairs for years—I do not deny my dereliction. Tomorrow, I will submit a memorial to retire. There is no need for you to waste your effort on this useless man," Gongsun Neng replied, reeking of wine, his words tinged with sorrow. How difficult had his rise been, only to find his achievements laughable before the old family—his commands carried no weight.

"I examine myself daily and find no wrongdoing. The innocent need not fear. I ask you to judge fairly," Zheng Wenfu said with a smile, raising his cup in salute to Cai Cong and drinking it in full. Unlike Gongsun Neng, he was composed and elegant.

"That is best. Xu Jie, post notices throughout Zhengzhou: I am here by imperial order to provide disaster relief. Any who have grievances may come forward. Command Skinny Monkey to survey the water sources. If they meet at least half my requirements, they’ll be spared. If not, they’ll see how I deal with them."

With that, Cai Cong, accompanied by the drunken Gongsun Neng and guarded by the army, moved into the Prefect’s residence. Five thousand elite troops entered the city, sending shockwaves through Zhengzhou—especially as many prominent figures were arrested, spreading terror.

Within the Prefect’s residence, Cai Cong and Gongsun Neng sat opposite each other. Cai Cong bowed low, then straightened and spoke with gratitude, "Thank you for your righteous assistance today, Prefect Gongsun. I am deeply grateful."

"You are too kind, sir. I am but a useless man—after so many years, I have not even taken control of Zhengzhou. I could only feign madness and foolishness to support your authority," Gongsun Neng replied, now rid of all despondency, self-deprecating after receiving Cai Cong’s formal thanks.

As Prefect, all military and civil affairs were in his hands—without a royal governor above him, he was the most powerful man in Zhengzhou. Yet fate had dealt him an unfortunate place; even within the army, most were loyal to local powers led by the Zheng family, and he had never gained even half the military authority.

Still, if he wished to stand against the outsider Cai Cong, he had the means. Anyone who could attain such a position was no stranger to intrigue.

"I did not expect that old fox Zheng Wenfu to remain so composed. I pushed him forward from behind, yet he became ever more humble—unlike his usual manner," Gongsun Neng lamented. Today, Zheng Wenfu’s prominence was entirely due to his efforts behind the scenes. Otherwise, no matter how inattentive the restaurant manager, he would not have mixed up the seating order. Officials first, the gentry after—that was the rule.