Chapter 7 Cai Jing

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  On this day, Cai Jing was sixty years old. Gao Qiu had finished his noon break and tidied up neatly, wearing a white robe with a dignified air as he went out to pay his respects. Yan Qing and Xu Guanzhong carried the birthday gifts behind him, while the others, such as Lu Qian and Yang Zhi, were now all military officers of the Imperial Guard, so this time they were purely private visits and none of them brought any guards.

  After passing by the Dasanguo Temple, head north from the Sweet Water Lane to the North Gate of Jingling Palace. The private residence of Cai Jing is right across the street. At this time, since Cai Jing has resigned as prime minister, officials from all over do not come to fawn on him, and there are only about a dozen carriages in front of his gate, which is desolate compared to his later glory. It is said that after Cai Jing's resignation, many people in the court and the countryside were delighted by his misfortune. A student from Taixue borrowed Su Shi's "Man Ting Fang" and added a sentence: "Tell the elders of Qinjiao, just wait for Cai Yuan Chang". Unfortunately, although Cai Jing was defeated, he still lived in the capital, which made the student's hope fall through.

  Gao looked at the large mansion in front of him, and his heart suddenly became apprehensive. The owner of this mansion was none other than Cai Jing, a powerful minister who would hold great power for nearly twenty years to come. This was Gao's first encounter with such a heavyweight figure since arriving in this era nine hundred years ago. Perhaps this meeting alone would be enough to determine his future path in life - if this era's life wasn't just a dream.

  "My father, Gao Qiu, has already given me a surprise, but I don't know what Cai Xiang Gong will do?" As he thought about this idea, Gao Qiang stepped onto the jade stone steps in front of Cai Jing's mansion, as if stepping onto a battlefield that would decide his fate.

  Yan Qing handed the congratulatory note to the doorman, but there were two of them. Although Gao Fang didn't come in person, since he had accepted Cai Jing's note, this gift was still necessary. The gifts included a set of high-quality stationery, ten kilograms of top-grade milk incense from the Western Regions, some precious gold and ivory utensils, and most importantly, a genuine work by Yan Lu Gong from the Tang Dynasty. Cai Jing was skilled in calligraphy, so sending this was exactly what he liked. As for Gao Fang's own gift, it wasn't worth mentioning, only because the note was sent in the name of Cai Jing's wife, and the return gift was just a normal exchange, including some cosmetics and clothing for women, among which were a few pieces of Xiang embroidery silk and eighteen North pearls that were relatively precious.

  The post was thrown in, and soon someone came out to greet the guests. The name of the person who came out to welcome them was Cai Jing's eldest grandson, Cai Jiong. This Cai Jiong is currently studying at the Imperial Academy for the imperial examination, and has no official title or fame. The two men were about the same age and had the same social status, so it was appropriate for him to come out and greet them as he did, especially since he had been invited by the inner house.

  After exchanging a few pleasantries, Cai Jue led Gao Qiang directly into the back hall. Yan Qing and Xu Guanzhong were only in the roles of Gao Qiang's attendants and gate guests, so they naturally waited at the gatehouse.

  Gao walked along the way, looking around, and saw that although this house was big, it was obviously designed by a master craftsman. The corridors and pavilions were winding and repetitive, with every flower bed and screen wall carefully arranged. As he walked, it felt like being in a painting, making one feel carefree and joyful.

  Beyond a ancient tree that reaches the sky, suddenly the scene opens up, in front of two study rooms lies a pool of emerald water, a Taihu stone stands strangely in the middle of the pool, surrounded by walls covered with vines and flowers. This small world seems to be isolated from the rest of the world, making one's heart calm down, even speaking becomes softer.

  Gao's heart was racing as he thought that this must be Cai Jing's study, and just a dozen steps away from the wall behind which was the infamous Cai Jing, one of the most notorious officials in Song Dynasty history. His heart couldn't help but thump loudly in the quiet environment, yet he couldn't calm down.

  Cai Jie walked out of the study and slightly bowed: "Grandfather, Gong Qiang from the Commander's Mansion is here to see you."

  After a brief pause, an elderly voice from inside the house said, "Please come in."

  Gao Qiang, following Cai Jie into the inner quarters, immediately knelt down and said: "Your humble servant Gao Qiang, not daring to be presumptuous, offers longevity to his honorable father on behalf of the family!" Then came a string of phrases like "May your longevity be as firm as Mount Nan" and "May your good fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea", all of which he had hastily asked Wen Rengzhang, that knowledgeable scholar, about the previous night. Knowing full well that Cai Jing was erudite and worldly-wise, if his own words were to come out coarse and unrefined, wouldn't that greatly detract from his impression?

  That hoary voice spoke in a gentle tone: "Young master, please rise. Your respected father is busy with official duties, and you have come to congratulate me on my humble birthday on his behalf, which shows that you are thoughtful."

  Gao Qiang stood up straight and respectfully by the side, slightly raising his head to size up Cai Jing. This infamous villain of a lifetime surprisingly looked quite good, although he was already in his twilight years. Nevertheless, his expression was elegant and his spirit was sharp. Three strands of white whiskers fluttered on his chest, his clean face had a straight nose and neat eyebrows, but his two slender eyes were the epitome of a treacherous minister's appearance. As they opened and closed, there seemed to be a glimmer of divine light, and at this moment, he was also sizing up Gao Qiang from head to toe.

  Four eyes met, and in an instant, a spark was struck. He felt two warm yet cool gazes piercing through his heart, as if he had been stripped bare, leaving no secrets unexposed. Flustered, he lowered his head again, muttering to himself: "So formidable! This legendary figure, who has held power for over twenty years, indeed has a unique aura. Regardless of whether they are loyal or treacherous, this demeanor is not something ordinary people can match."

  Cai Jing smiled slightly, waved his hand to let Cai Jie retreat, and the room was left with only two people, Gao Qiang and him. The only sound was the gentle breeze blowing outside the window, but inside the study, there was not a single sound. The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat eerie. Gao Qiang stood aside with his head down, feeling a slight sweat on his palms, and his legs gradually becoming heavier. Although he knew it was due to excessive tension, he couldn't help but react naturally, unable to suppress it.

  Just then, Cai Jing suddenly spoke up: "Xian Qi, this time the Duke's mansion trip, Shi Jie has a high opinion of you."

  As soon as he finished speaking, a huge stone was lifted off Gao's heart, and his breathing became much smoother. He hurriedly smiled and said: "I, Gao, do not dare to be unworthy of Uncle Liang's love, but I am indeed young and ignorant, causing Uncle Liang a lot of trouble, I am ashamed."

  Cai Jing nodded and said, "Young people who are not arrogant or impatient are rare, but they cannot lack a sharp edge. Otherwise, worldly affairs will be difficult to handle, and relying solely on stability will accomplish nothing."

  Gao said with a busy tone, but in his heart he muttered: What did Cai Jing mean by saying that I have a sharp air? Anyway, don't care about him, just nod and agree.

  Cai Jing said again, "Yesterday, Xianqi was discussing at the Imperial Academy, and someone mentioned a phrase that showed concern for the country, but I don't know where it came from."

  Gao said sorry to Lu Fangweng and said, "I'm going to be a thief for once, sir. This is not from He Yan, but from my humble self, who was inspired by the story of Ji Bu in the Han Dynasty when I read it. I didn't know about rhymes and word patterns, so I only came up with these two sentences."

  "Oh, I see. But what's the second half of the sentence?"

  "What I did late at night must wait until after the coffin is closed."

  Cai Jing murmured to himself, reciting the poem twice, and suddenly burst out laughing: "Good, well said! Ji Bu was originally a general under Xiang Yu, but after Han defeated Chu, he changed his ways and became gentle. Thanks to the great hero Guo Jie, he escaped punishment. Later, he became a good general for Han. If at the time of his initial defeat, he hadn't cared about his own useful life and had lightly gone to his death, how would he have later been enfeoffed as a marquis, sheltering his sons, and become a famous minister of Han? It's precisely that after things are settled, one must wait for the coffin to be closed!"

  Gao Gong heard this and couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy: it seems that for everyone, their posthumous reputation is something they care about, let alone these great figures who hold immense power and whose every move can leave a lasting mark on history. However, this presents an opportunity to flatter: "The benevolent minister assists the current sage, continues the legacy of the previous emperor, and his merits surpass those of Wang Anshi; such a posthumous reputation is naturally something that can be anticipated."

  Cai Jing heard this and burst out laughing: "Xian Qi is indeed a wonderful person, such words I have never heard before. However, nowadays I am idle at home, the various methods I used to practice are gradually being abandoned, and after my death, I may not have the face to see Wang Anshi!"

  This gradually led to the main topic, and Gao Kuo hastily said: "The prime minister's great talent is unparalleled in the present day, and all the laws he has enacted are good laws for the benefit of the world. If Prime Minister Zhao abolishes them without establishing new ones, then after a long time, there will be chaos. At that time, even if the current emperor wants to restore them, it will be difficult to do so." This flattery was so excessive that even Gao Kuo himself felt embarrassed, but he had no choice but to continue flattering.

  Cai Jing heard this and burst out laughing again: "Is the virtuous contract really thinking like that? I'm afraid that even ten taels of silver wouldn't be a good way to live in the world, would it?"

  Gao Fang heard him say that he had spoken at the Imperial Academy yesterday, and knew that Cai Jing had many ears and eyes. At this moment, more than half of them already knew about the matter of someone reporting from Jiangnan, so they shifted the topic to Cai Jing's method of governance. He had already thought out what to say in his heart: "I think, sir, that when you suggested this method, it was because the small money was not enough for use, and it was a temporary measure. Later on, we should adopt a better method. If Prime Minister Zhao petitions to stop using the ten-cash system, he will only be taking credit for your achievement."

  Cai Jing was surprised by his words and couldn't help but ask, "Do you have any insights on this matter of the ten copper coins?" You're clearly a spoiled brat who only knows how to scheme and deceive, just like your father. How did you even know about this? I'll test you then.

  With a strong and vigorous spirit, he thought to himself that it was time for him to show his face. He reviewed the monetary theory from his university foundation courses in his mind once again, and smiled: "Although I am not well-versed in learning, I have always been quite particular about financial management. From my observations of past financial treatises, I occasionally gain some insights. It seems that all transactions require the circulation of money, so the amount of currency minted should be determined by the needs of market exchange. All goods in the world have their prices, and the quantity of goods is measured by price. After removing the speed of circulation, we get the amount of currency in circulation. Once this number is fixed, if it increases, there will be more money and higher prices; if it decreases, there will be less money and lower prices, causing suffering for the people." This half-articulate speech left him drenched in sweat, thinking to himself that even expressing the basic formula of monetary economics - Fisher's equation (the quantity of money multiplied by its velocity equals the price level of goods and services multiplied by their transaction volume) in classical Chinese was a chore. He wondered if Cai Xiang would understand it or not.

  Cai Jing did not disappoint him, and after frowning in thought for a moment, he suddenly exclaimed: "Xian Qi is indeed a great talent! The saying 'add to it and the price soars, subtract from it and the goods are cheap' is enough to dispel my doubts of many years! Xian Qi must have been sent by heaven to me!" As he spoke, he couldn't help but get up and walk in front of Gao Qiang, patting his shoulders repeatedly, with a deep sense of regret at not having met earlier.

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