Chapter 43: Cai Da's Big Scam

  Two men were talking, when they saw a palace eunuch led in by the house servant, who transmitted an imperial edict summoning Cai Yu to enter the palace immediately. Cai Yu dared not hesitate, and after sending away Huang Qianshan, he quickly changed into court attire and came out with a small package in his hand. The house servant and the eunuch both knew that inside was Cai Yu's traveling kit, which consisted of a simple set of short clothes and leggings, as well as some props used by the actors during their performances. What for? That's where it gets interesting.

  Cai You, although the eldest son of Cai Jing, could become an official without doing anything. However, to hold a high position and wield great power, one needs the emperor's favor. Civil officials can accumulate achievements through governing local areas and administrative affairs, thereby receiving heavy use. Military generals can establish their reputation by conquering in all directions, suppressing rebellions, and defending a region. Cai You was neither accomplished in literature nor successful in military campaigns; what made him receive the current emperor's favor? The answer lies in his appearance.

  When Cai Yong believed in Taoism, he called himself the Emperor of Tao. Cai Yong catered to his interests and often talked about the magical changes of Taoist gods in the emperor's ear. Another thing was that in front of officials, he wore short clothes and mixed with dwarfs and jesters, performing street plays to win favor. He was born with a dignified appearance, but dressed as a strange creature, with excellent results, often making officials laugh heartily. The second-in-command of the Imperial Secretariat, a man enfeoffed as a national duke, used this method as a means of promotion, ridiculous or pitiful?

  Cai You hastily entered the palace and was led by an inner attendant to the Huixu Pavilion, which was built in the second year of Daguang and housed the imperial collection of Emperor Zhezong. Why had the official summoned him here? As he entered the pavilion, he suddenly caught sight of his youngest brother, Cai Xian, also present. The official stood before a bookshelf, holding a scroll behind his head with both hands, looking up as if deep in thought. This was no ordinary surprise - what situation could have prompted the official to summon both brothers to the Huixu Pavilion, where the imperial collection of Emperor Zhezong was stored?

  "Your humble servant Cai You..." He started off like this, and looked just like he did the last time they met in the Dou Qi Pavilion.

  "Stop your nonsense, I'm tired of listening!" The official's tone was not small. He glanced at his brother and saw that he couldn't hide the triumphant look on his face, gritting his teeth in anger, but could only kneel down and say "I deserve to die! I am guilty!"

  The emperor didn't turn his head back, and with an unchanged fierce tone said: "Guilty? What crime have you committed, speak up and let me hear!"

  Cai You was taken aback, "I was just being polite, how could you take it seriously?" Fortunately, he knew the emperor's temperament well and bowed his head, saying: "Regardless of the reason, if it made Your Majesty angry, it is our fault as officials. If we were good officials, we would share the worries with the ruler and not bother him with trivial matters all the time. Wouldn't that be a crime for us as officials?"

  At first glance, it seems like self-blame, but in fact, the spearhead is pointing at his own brother. You spend your days eating and doing nothing, yet you dare to speak ill of me in front of His Majesty. Do you think that will make the imperial family happy? Do you know what this emperor likes most? He likes peace and quiet! If not, would Tong Taishi dare to deceive the world by saying that the recovered city of Youyun was a great achievement, and even be enfeoffed as a king for being an eunuch? Are we all just foodies? Holding such a big handle against him and not impeaching him? Hmph, you're still too tender!

  The Emperor listened to these words, and indeed remained silent for a long time. After a while, he snorted: "If you have the heart to worry about me, why did the front line suffer a great defeat? Why did bandits rise up together in Hebei and Shandong?"

  Cai You sighed silently, he was getting annoyed himself, how long would this drag on? Helplessly, he had to bring it up again. As the second-in-command of the Imperial Secretariat, there was still a superior above him, his words didn't count for much. As for Hebei and Shandong, weren't they in the process of being dealt with? The newly formed militia corps hadn't just won a victory, wiping out several thousand of those damned bandits?

  Upon hearing this, Zhao Jie's anger slightly subsided, and he put the book back on the shelf. After a moment of turmoil, he asked: "The other day you said that the Daming Fu Xiangyong Camp had completely cleared out the bandits within the borders, eliminating five or six thousand people. Is this true?"

  Cai You last time no matter how the official family asked, did not mention the two words "Xu Wei", just because our emperor has a habit, relying on impression to use people. At this time still did not mention, mentioned the official family also can't remember, so replied: "Absolutely true, since the formation of the village brave camp, without going through one day's training, the commander-in-chief reported that the national heart is urgent, immediately opened the battle with extremely small losses, and annihilated all the bandits in the territory. Now the road to Daming Prefecture, it really is not closed at night...

  "But how did I hear that you exaggerated your military achievements? And also said that the great name of the county's militia camp had only a few hundred soldiers, how could they annihilate five or six thousand bandits?" Zhao Jie was furious again.

  Cai You glared at his brother with a venomous gaze, and stiffened his scalp, saying: "Those rural brave camp officers and soldiers, grateful for the emperor's great grace, everyone died in effect, one against ten, the bandits were just a mob, touched and collapsed, so they won a complete victory."

  Zhao Ji listened and did not respond for a moment. Cai You knew that the official must have taken in a few words, and was about to breathe a sigh of relief when his brother, who had been hiding behind him, suddenly came out and bowed to the official, saying: "Your Majesty, since the rural militia is so good at fighting, there is a bandit named Wang Shan in Shandong who has gathered over 10,000 men and is roaming between Qi and Yan. Zhang Shunye, the governor of Jining Prefecture, has petitioned the court to send troops to join forces and eliminate them. Why not take advantage of the proximity and dispatch the rural militia from Daming to assist in the battle? It would also save the court a lot of trouble and expense."

  The Emperor was delighted to hear this, as it suited his intentions perfectly. Using local militia would not only save trouble but also expense. He turned to Cai Yu, who was still kneeling on the ground, and asked: "What do you think?"

  Cai You himself slapped his own mouth, saying that the great name of the village was brave and had annihilated five or six thousand thieves. With one against ten, it's not a problem. Now there are more than 10,000 thieves in Shandong, your great name village can kill half of them, how can you refuse? At this time, he hardened his scalp again: "I have no objection."

  Zhao Ji's heart widened for a moment, and he ordered Cai You to calm down. His tone was slightly more relaxed as he said: "Last night, I dreamed of a white tiger appearing in the north, looking up at the sky and roaring loudly. What omen is this?"

  Cai Yi heard this, his mind quickly turned, the White Tiger is a ferocious beast, most beloved by military strategists, and now it appears in the north... Ah! He had an epiphany and bowed: "Congratulations to Your Majesty, the appearance of the White Tiger indicates that you will obtain a general as fierce as a tiger or wolf!"

  "Oh? Why did you appear in the north?" Zhao Ji asked in puzzlement.

  "Your Majesty is heading to Tokyo, and the White Tiger appears in the north, indicating that this will inevitably occur in the northern border." Cai You continued to persuade.

  Zhao Ji sank into deep thought for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing loudly, sweeping away the depression that had been pent up in his chest. The two brothers of the Cai family looked at each other in confusion - what was so funny? What was the official laughing about?

  "I have always said that among all the civil and military officials in the court, if we discuss the study of Taoist principles and the comprehension of profound mysteries, no one surpasses Ju An. Now it is indeed so."

  Cai Yong, also known as Ju'an, heard this and finally put his mind at ease. He steadied himself, thinking that this ordeal was over. Just as he was feeling relieved, he heard the official say: "You said earlier that the Emperor would obtain a general like a tiger or wolf in the north, if it's not Guo Ziyi, who is it?"

  Cai You was stunned for a while, what? Guo Yao Shi? What does he have to do with it! I'm referring to Xu Wei!