Chapter 90: Talents Buried by History

Stop! If you have something to say, speak quickly. If not, release us at once. Otherwise, we will leave. Who will remain in this place to watch the flower beauty procession?

Chunyu strode forward and blocked Du Yunlong’s path with a firm hand on her hip, speaking with sharp, sideways glances and a fierce expression. Cai Cong was completely stunned, never having imagined that such a gentle girl could possess such a bold and spirited side.

“This… this… it is truly too embarrassing to speak of,” Du Yunlong said, covering his face with his sleeve, his voice as faint as that of a mosquito.

“Men of honor should speak boldly and openly. Is it truly embarrassing after seeking help? Since you have asked, you must answer. Your current manner only makes you appear inferior and merely loses face for yourself.”

Du Yunlong was deeply moved and respectfully performed a full salute to Chunyu: “Du Zhengxing thanks Miss Chunyu. Your words have enlightened me. Though I have lost face, my conscience is clear.”

Having spoken, he turned to Cai Cong, cupped his fists in greeting, and asked, “I have heard that among your clan is Mr. Cai Gang, who possesses the talent of Fan Li. His business spans many regions across the Tang Dynasty, including the Western Regions and the lands of the Tujue. Is this true?”

“It is indeed so. Is there any problem with that?”

Cai Cong spoke casually. Neither he nor Changsun could appear in person; business matters naturally required agents. Cai Gang would be an excellent choice.

“How could it be otherwise? Mr. Cai Gang possesses the talent of Fan Li and is no ordinary merchant; who would dare belittle him?” Du Yunlong waved his hands in haste and continued, a touch embarrassed: “In fact, I wish to ask Lord Cai to introduce me. This official wishes to discuss business with Mr. Cai Gang.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than his head seemed ready to hide between his legs. Cai Cong’s eyes widened as though he had misheard. He did not believe this was an embarrassing matter. In the four classes of society—scholar, farmer, artisan, merchant—the scholar class stood at the apex, naturally carrying its own pride. Merchants prioritized profit over righteousness and were the most despised by all.

In later times even a prime minister could negotiate across the table, yet in this era a scholar turning merchant would likely be crushed by his ancestors’ coffins and dragged out to strangle this disgraceful scoundrel who corrupted the family tradition.

“County Magistrate Du, your courage is truly immense! His Majesty has already decreed that officials are forbidden from engaging in commerce, yet you dare?”

Cai Cong raised his large thumb toward Du Yunlong. Though no one paid the decree any heed, an official boldly announcing his intent to engage in commerce was an entirely different matter.

“Lord Cai, do not misunderstand! This is not that this official wishes to engage in commerce!” Du Yunlong immediately panicked. Such words could not be spread; if they were, later when he resigned and returned to his hometown, he might not even be allowed through his own home gate.

“Not you? Perhaps you wish to act as a matchmaker?” Cai Cong immediately recalled Zhang Liang and the others, picked up his teacup without expression, and asked.

“Alas, it is because this official is incompetent. Although Gongyi is quite prosperous, some places still have impoverished common people. For example, several villages twenty miles north of the city, where mountains abound and roads are rough, the people have no land to till.

They can only hunt and gather herbs to survive. When they go to market, they exchange herbs and hunted animals for food. Yet in such a vast county, how can those herbs and animals always find buyers?

This official has seen it with my own eyes. Their lives are so miserable that not a single grain remains in the house. Two people must share one set of clothes, and the child has nothing to wear, so they wrap themselves in rags to cover their shame. It is truly too tragic.”

“How could this be? Since they are so wretched, why do they not simply move away?” Du Yunlong’s words were choked with emotion, moving Xia Yun to tears as she asked, puzzled.

“How to move? Their ancestors have lived there for generations. If we move away, will the old ancestors still need it?” Du Yunlong’s eyes were red, yet what could he do? Only those who could not survive would leave their ancestral land.

“Then what does this official hope you will do to help? Would it be to ask my uncle to run at a loss?” Cai Cong took a sip of tea and spoke casually. He had already guessed what Du Yunlong intended, yet the idea was far too advanced. Could this Du Yunlong also hail from another world?

“Lord, why do you say such things? Your family is so wealthy. If it is a loss, then it is a loss. It is not as though you cannot afford it, and your wife would surely agree if she knew.”

Xia Yun pouted from behind, and Chunyu quickly tugged at her sleeve.

Cai Cong’s face darkened at once. This was clearly ruining Cai’s sister-in-law with her overly kind heart. Were the family’s riches blown in by the wind?

“Adults are speaking; children do not interrupt,” Cai Cong said unhappily. Everyone nearly burst out laughing, holding it back with great effort. You seem to be the child here?

“Cough cough, how dare I ask Lord to run at a loss. These mountain folk guard the treasure mountain yet know it not. This official has checked the county records; those great mountains hold abundant riches—whether birds and beasts or rare herbs—all are plentiful.

Yet the mountain folk do not understand! Previously some merchants did come to purchase, but in the first year of Wu De an epidemic struck, many died, and many merchants perished. Those places were regarded as inauspicious and no one came again.

This official is thinking: can we have the local government officials allow the mountain folk to collect goods, then send the Cai family business caravan’s men to buy, and have the government distribute the money to the mountain folk?”

Before Du Yunlong finished speaking, Cai Cong gasped and asked subconsciously, “Which investment bureau are you from?”

“Huh?” Du Yunlong was momentarily dazed and even spoke in Guanzhong dialect.

“Nothing, nothing. County Magistrate Du’s idea is very bold!” Cai Cong smiled and spoke with deep meaning.

“This official also knows that such a thought is beneath the literary arts and damages the government’s prestige, yet seeing those destitute people, this heart aches unbearably. To come up with this strategy is truly… truly… never mind. Zhengxing will now return to write a memorial requesting resignation and need not wait for the Ministry of Personnel’s arrival.”

Du Yunlong’s heart was desolate, instantly aging ten years. He had never held much hope anyway, only risking his reputation for a sliver of possibility. Now seeing Cai Cong’s mockery, how could he not despair?

“County Magistrate Du, why resign? This official did not say your idea is bad; on the contrary, your idea is excellent, doing what others cannot! This official admires it,” Cai Cong said with utmost sincerity. This Du Yunlong, in later history, has no record in the annals, probably because he himself put this idea into practice.

Without harsh methods, doing ahead-of-time things, the consequences are miserable. For example, someone was nailed to a pillar and burned alive, someone went mad, and others were beaten to death as though possessed by ghosts.

If Cai Cong had not appeared, Du Yunlong’s fate would also have been a tragedy: imprisoned under the charge of disrespecting imperial authority, then, in the view of disrespecting the literary arts, ending his life with his own belt.

“Lord Cai, do not mock this official. Such a heretical idea—who would accept it?” Du Yunlong laughed bitterly. In his view, Cai Cong was directly mocking him.

“By no means think so. This official asks you: why did you read the sage books and endure hardships in the cold window?”

Cai Cong asked loudly.

“This official was still a scholar back then. In the former Sui, the people were suffering. At that time, this official vowed to secure warmth and food for the people,” Du Yunlong said loudly; he was nearly forty, yet the dreams of back then remained like water in the mirror, untouchable.

“This is correct. Scholars should inherit the interrupted teachings of the past sages, open peace for ten thousand generations, and establish fate for the common people. Although your talent is insufficient for inheriting the teachings, your idea to seek peace and livelihood for the people is good.”

Cai Cong spoke as if it were only natural. Du Yunlong trembled with excitement, prostrated himself on the ground respectfully, and said, “Zhengxing studied at five years old and it has been thirty-seven years. I know the reason but not the principle. Today, hearing your words is like a spiritual awakening that illuminates my mind. Lord Cai, please accept this gift from Zhengxing.”