Chapter 404: Underestimating One's Own Strength

  "The prince's words are worth more than ten years of reading for Liu Tao. I think the prince doesn't need to ask any teachers to instruct him, he can already be a teacher for others."

  "Governor Liu is too modest, but Liu Bian asked the Emperor to summon Cai Dafu back to the capital as a teacher, but unexpectedly the Emperor did not approve. I hope Governor Liu can help persuade the Emperor on this matter."

  "Liu Mou had also heard that the Emperor had once sent Lu Shangshu to teach the Crown Prince, but he didn't expect that today Lu Shangshu would push his way into court and decline, saying that his own abilities were insufficient to teach the Crown Prince. It seems that the Crown Prince's seeking a teacher is false, and what he really wants is to find an opportunity to rescue Cai Gong back to the capital."

  "That's right, now Lingnan is in a state of war and chaos, and Cai Daoren, a scholar, has been forced to flee to the outside world. It's really very difficult for him. Letting him return to the capital as soon as possible can also save him from suffering. Moreover, Cai Daoren is a man of strong will and integrity, and the treacherous officials in the court are all afraid of him. Once he returns to Luoyang, I believe those treacherous people will be more restrained."

  "This is a great thing, Prince. Among the officials in the imperial court, many are old friends and students of Mr. Cai's. They have been trying to find ways to rescue Mr. Cai, but they were blocked by the ten officials. If you can make this happen, all the Confucian scholars in the imperial court will be grateful to you."

  "I don't need their gratitude, as long as Lord Cai is safe and sound. As for those courtiers, as long as they understand what true loyalty is and who they should be loyal to, that's all that matters."

  "Don't worry, Your Highness, I will convey your words to them and they will support you in becoming the crown prince from now on."

  Chancellor Liu Tao bowed respectfully to Liu Bian, expressing his reverence in his heart. Liu Bian smiled and returned the courtesy: "Everything is entrusted to Chancellor Liu; we await your good news."

  In the following days, Emperor Ling sent Xun Yu, Chen Yin, Zheng Tai, Cui Lie, Liu Yu and Wang Yun one after another to be a teacher for Liu Bian, but all of them were tactfully declined by Liu Bian.

  Of course, Liu Bei did not make the matter of rescuing Cai Yong widely known. For those court officials who were not Confucian scholars and whose hearts were not clear, he simply let them know that it was difficult to rescue him and retreat. Therefore, only a few people knew his thoughts, including Xun Yu, Chen Deng, and Zheng Tai.

  It was right in front of Wang Yun that Liu Bian did not tell him his own thoughts, because he was not clear whether Wang Yun insisted on killing Cai Yong, was it really because Cai Yong sighed for Dong Zhuo, or was there any past grievances between them.

  However, when Wang Yun was leaving, Liu Bei suddenly came out with a sentence: "Lord Wang, may I ask one more question, how is Diao Chan?"

  "Who is Diao Chan?" Who knows, Wang Yun was completely bewildered, seemingly having no idea who Diao Chan was. This made Liu Bei extremely curious, and he hastily smiled awkwardly and said:

  "Oh, I must have remembered it wrong."

  After Wang Yun left, Liu Bian carefully thought back to history. Diao Chan was originally a palace maid, and later escaped to Wang Yun's home during the Luoyang riots, where she was adopted as his goddaughter. This should be what happened afterwards.

  "So, Diao Chan should still be in the palace at this time and shouldn't be too old. Two months later when I return to the palace, I must find her and have Mother Empress arrange for her to be in my palace as a palace maid training plan."

  Liu Bian's heart grew anxious, for Emperor Ling had been stalling for fifteen days and still hadn't agreed to let Cai Yong return to the capital. With only half a month left before the deadline, he couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency.

  "No, it won't work. I have to get the empress dowager to urge the emperor again. And I also need to go to Chancellor Cai's house and see if we can come up with a solution."

  Liu Bian then had Shi Daoren enter the palace to see Empress He, while he himself took Liu Guan and Zhang with him to visit the family of Cai University Scholar. Of course, they were in disguise, and secretly there were also some Hu Lin army soldiers who changed their clothes, led by Huang Zhong, protecting Liu Bian around them.

  Now among these hundreds of imperial guards, nearly a hundred of the original guards had already become completely loyal to Liu Xuan. Among the later five hundred imperial guards, there were also dozens who were loyal to him, because Liu Xuan would occasionally reward them and was very concerned about their family situation, knowing who had difficulties at home and would generously help them out.

  So now Liu Bian's merits have increased by more than 500 points again, and his faith has reached over 120 points. Moreover, he found that he can increase his merits by more than 10 points every day, and his faith can also be increased by a little bit.

  Cai Yong's home was not far from the outer wall of the Yong'an Palace, and it took only three streets to get there. It was a small gate and a small house with more than ten rooms. The front door was very quiet and the big gate was closed tightly.

  Since then, because Liu Bian often sent people to support them, their days have also become much better. Moreover, several old mothers and maidservants sent by Liu Bian took good care of them.

  Of course, Cai Yong's elderly mother, wife and daughter also knew that they were helped by the current Crown Prince Liu Bian, who wanted to make Cai Yong his teacher and had already refused many ministers in the court.

  So, when they heard that Prince Liu Bian was coming to visit, the three of them, grandmother and grandson, did not avoid suspicion and invited Liu Bian into the house, while Liu Guan, Zhang San and others were in the main hall, where someone naturally served fragrant tea.

  "This old man and his daughter-in-law thank Your Highness for your great kindness."

  As soon as they met, Cai Yong's elderly mother wanted to kneel down, and Liu Bian hastily supported her, saying with great affection: "Madam Cai doesn't have to be so polite. The Grand Scholar is the most famous Confucian in the world, and Liu Bian has always admired him from the heart. However, he was young and ignorant in the past, so he couldn't assist when Master Cai was exiled. Now that Liu Bian has some ability, he wants to make Master Cai his teacher and also wants to save him from suffering. But now it seems that there are too many treacherous people around the Emperor, and the eunuchs led by Cao Jie will definitely stop this matter, so I don't know if it can be done."

  "It turns out that the prince had always wanted to save Yong'er from her suffering, I was ignorant and truly ashamed. Yan'er, thank the prince on behalf of your grandmother and father."

  Liu Bian had just entered when he saw Cai Wenji hiding behind his grandmother and mother. At that time, Cai Wenji was only twelve or thirteen years old, still in her youth, looking very delicate and with a sharp gaze, exuding a kind of spiritual energy, no wonder she could become a talented woman.

  At this time, Cai Wenji came before Liu Bian under her grandmother's urging and curtsied: "Cai Yan thanks the imperial prince for his kindness. If you can save my father from his suffering, I am willing to be a slave or servant to repay your great kindness."

  Cai Wenji spoke as she lifted her head to observe Liu Bian, finding that the prince in front of her was a handsome young man who didn't look much older than herself. However, he exuded an air of majesty and his eyes were clear and bright, with a smile on his face, making her feel a sense of fondness at first glance.

  It is by