Chapter 23: Cai Yong is Demoted

  Idle Zhang Rui went to investigate the dynamics of the Yellow Turbans, which might be a bit difficult for others, but the previous generation's Zhang Rui still had many ways.

  In the past few days, Zhang Rui frequently visited the slums of Luoyang and really discovered some clues. For a few taels of silver, he got the news that every night there would be Yellow Turban Sect disciples coming to preach, and Zhang Rui was preparing to disguise himself at night to see what's going on.

  However, something that happened at this time disrupted Zhang Rui's deployment. Cai Yong was accused of speaking out and advising, and the ten attendants framed him, causing Emperor Ling to fly into a rage and wanting to behead this treacherous minister on the spot. Fortunately, a group of old ministers begged bitterly, and he was exiled back to his hometown instead.

  Zhang Rui heard Xun Yu tell himself the news, and he rode his horse directly to Cai Yong's house, with Xun Yu following closely behind.

  Cai Yan's sister is waiting for me, thought Zhang Rui. Zhang Rui thought back to his first encounter with Cai Yan, the song "Feng Qiu Huang" they played together, discussing state affairs together, drinking wine together, laughing together, and that last kiss.

  Zhang Rui couldn't help but tighten the reins in his hand, and the whip was fiercely lashed onto the horse's buttocks. The horse, in pain, galloped frantically, scaring pedestrians on the street to dodge to one side.

  At last, he saw the Cai residence in the distance. Xun Yu was anxiously waiting for something at the gate of the Cai residence, occasionally stomping his feet.

  "Gong Da brother, where is he?" Zhang Rui asked without even dismounting his horse.

  "Zhi Bo, you're late! Mr. Cai is determined to leave and no one can stop him. He's probably already left the city by now. Let's hurry and chase after him at the East Gate!" Xun Yu shouted as he jumped onto his horse.

  Zhang Rui's heart is as sharp as a knife, Cai Yan's sister, I must wait for me.

  Cai Yong, being a straightforward person, had often spoken out to remonstrate, and the Ten Eunuchs deeply resented him. However, as he was an old minister, Emperor Ling trusted him greatly and could not find any pretext against him. This time, when Emperor Ling was enraged, how would Zhang Rang and others let Cai Yong off easily? They added fuel to the fire on the side, reversing black and white.

  This time, Cai Yong was exiled and thoroughly hurt the old man's heart. At this moment, he just wanted to leave this sorrowful place. He packed up his things at home and prepared to return to his hometown of Chenliu. It is said that he packed up his things, but in fact, Cai Yong had nothing much, only a cart of books and a qin (a zither-like musical instrument). As for Wei Zhongdao, as soon as he heard that he was being exiled, he ran back to the Wei family home in Hedong.

  Have the steward find a carriage, and he and his daughter sat in the carriage. The two carriages set off like this.

  It was just Yang Biao, Yuan Fang and other old friends who had been advising him all along. There were also young people like Cao Cao and Yuan Shao who had been begging him. That's why it took so long.

  "Gentlemen, please don't see me off any further, or we'll have left Luoyang. I thank you for your kindness, but the current emperor's heart has been blinded by flattery. Moreover, he favors eunuchs like Cao Jie and others, so I've lost all hope and just want to return to Chenliu as a recluse, playing the zither and writing, and thus end my miserable life." Cai Yong said this after they had already passed through the city gate of Luoyang.

  "Fei Bai, you're so big now, not a child anymore, what nonsense are you talking about? The Emperor was only temporarily blinded by the ten attendants. If you stay for two more days, we'll go to plead with the Emperor and have him retract his order." Yang Bi said tearfully.

  "Yes, Fei Bai, don't be impulsive, you left and made me wait for a group of old friends, what should I do? Usually, there are still people like you who respond to my calls from afar. Now that you're gone, how can I cope with Wen Xian and the others? Those damned eunuchs will eventually pay the price for this." Yuan Feng chimed in.

  "Alas, everyone, don't persuade me anymore. Now that we are about to leave Luoyang, I'm afraid Cai Mouren will not be able to bear it and return to Luoyang again." said Cai Yan.

  "Uncle Cai, now that you're gone, isn't it just making Zhang, Zhao Zhong and others happy? We've lost a pillar in the midst of the current, how can we resist the ten eunuchs from now on?" Cao Cao said with righteous indignation.

  "Yes indeed." Yuan Shao and others echoed in agreement.

  "Gentlemen, don't persuade me any more. My mind is made up. Since I have already left Luoyang, what face do I have to return?"

  "Father, why don't you wait a bit longer? Yang and Yuan are here, if you leave now, it may be hard to see them again. Can you bear to part with them like this?" Cai Yan said in the carriage.

  Cai Yong's daughter is a bit different, she knows her own affairs, Cai Yan doesn't care about her own business, especially when she's with friends, she just plays the piano and sings beside him. Today his daughter is really a bit different, maybe she doesn't want to leave Luoyang. Alas, it's hard for her, having to follow him in his wanderings.

  "Yan'er, Yan'er wait for me." A young man came galloping from afar with Xun Shi's uncle and nephew. Could it be that Yan'er was acting so strangely today because of this kid?

  Cai Yan was originally still able to sit quietly in the carriage, but upon hearing this voice she could no longer restrain herself and suddenly jumped out of the carriage, looking towards Zhang Rui.

  Zhang Rui rushed over from a distance and quickly dismounted his horse. He finally caught up, Zhang Rui thought to himself. Seeing Cai Yong, Yang Bi, Yuan Fang, Cao Cao, Yuan Shao and others were all there, even the thick-skinned Zhang Rui's face turned slightly red, looking a bit embarrassed.

  After all, in this era, when facing the girl's father, talking about romance with a girl is still a bit embarrassing! But why do I feel a little excited just thinking about it (this guy is really stupid)?

  "Dad, I'll be right back, okay? I'll explain on the way." Cai Yan begged, looking at Cai Yong. Seeing Cai Yong nod, Cai Yan walked towards Zhang Rui.

  "Yan'er, must you go?" Zhang Rui said with a hint of sadness in his heart.

  "Zhi Bo brother, Yan Er can only follow Father, Father is old, Yan Er has to take care of him by his side." Cai Yan's eyes were already filled with tears.

  "Yan'er, don't cry. Puyang is not far from Chenliu. Once I've finished my business in Luoyang, I'll come find you, okay?" Zhang Rui wiped away Cai Yan's tears.

  Cai Yan finally sat on the horse-drawn carriage, and the horse-drawn carriage finally started moving forward. Zhang Rui looked at the horse-drawn carriage going ahead, and all sorts of thoughts about Cai Wenji surged up in his heart. At this moment, Zhang Rui suddenly thought of Tang Dynasty Yuan Zhen's poem "Lis".

  "The sea of troubles is hard to become water again, the magic mountain is no longer a cloud. Picking flowers and reluctant to look back, half for the Taoist way, half for you."

  Cai Wenji in the carriage heard Zhang Rui's poem, her whole body shook, she took out the zither from the carriage, thought of her first meeting with Zhang Rui and all sorts of things. That "Phoenix Seeking Phoenix" began to play unconsciously.

  Zhang Rui also unconsciously took down the flute that was stuck at his waist and slowly joined in.

  Everyone's heart is filled with sadness, who still has the heart to listen to the sound of the piano and flute. The horse carriage can no longer be seen in the distance.

  Cai Yong listened to the tune and closed his eyes to savor it for a long time before asking, "Yan'er, you should tell your father about this young man's background."

  "Dad, I only know that his name is Zhang Rui, and he's from Puyang. He's a friend of Da Ge," Cai Yan said with a red face.

  "Puyang, okay, Dad has a friend's family in Puyang which is also a big family, it's been so long since we last saw him, now that I finally have some free time, I'll go visit this old friend and coincidentally ask about this kid."

  "Housekeeper, let's go, we're going to Puyang."