Chapter 44: The Shield

Cai Jing’s residence, within his private study—at first glance, the luxury of this room even surpassed that of Zhao Huan’s own quarters. Cai Jing was a man devoted to pleasure; when Zhao Ji first ascended the throne, he advocated frugality in all things, but it was Cai Jing, this treacherous minister, who led him astray. In the end, Zhao Ji became obsessed with the Flower and Rock Tribute, stirring widespread resentment among the people.

Cai Jing sat in a grand armchair. Though now deep into old age, he remained vigorous, his gaze fixed intently upon his sixth son, Cai Qiong, as if it might ignite him.

“Unfilial son, have you still not severed ties with the East River Gang?” Cai Jing’s eyes bore into his son as he roared the words.

It must be said, Cai Jing’s life could be called a great success. He had served as prime minister for sixteen years, second only to the emperor himself, basking in unparalleled glory. His success extended to his sons as well—six among eight held important offices in court, a source of immense pride to him. But as with a barrel whose capacity is determined not by its longest stave, but its shortest, Cai Jing now felt that the fate of the Cai family might be undone by this very sixth son whom he had always looked down upon.

Cai Qiong paid little mind to his father’s words. With five brothers more capable than himself and a younger brother married to a princess, he lived forever in their shadows, and the weight of it was immense. That pressure never became a driving force for Cai Qiong—instead, he had long given up on himself, mingling with the local ruffians of Bianjing from a young age. As the son of the sitting prime minister, he was the undisputed overlord among the city’s ne’er-do-wells.

Soon enough, Cai Qiong had gathered his own followers and formed what became the East River Gang—a den of thugs infamous for bullying the weak, extorting the innocent, and forcing women into prostitution. Whenever trouble arose, Cai Qiong’s protection ensured the gang never faced consequences from the authorities, and emboldened by this impunity, they escalated their crimes to include human trafficking.

“I’ve already cut all ties with them,” Cai Qiong replied, not knowing what had provoked his father’s fury, though in truth, even if he did know, he would not have cared. The East River Gang had become his personal treasury, and since turning to the slave trade, the profits had been immense. In the past, he had to beg the family for money, and as the least favored son, even asking for funds was uncomfortable. Now, with his own private vault, he simply sent his men to seize villagers and sell them off for quick and easy silver.

“Truly, you have no further dealings?” Cai Jing’s gaze was sharp as a blade, as if striving to see through his son’s soul.

“None at all,” Cai Qiong answered quickly. Years on the streets had, if nothing else, taught him to lie with consummate skill.

Cai Jing did not look away for a moment.

Cai Qiong, feeling uncomfortable under that burning stare, hurried to speak before his resolve faltered. “Father, why are you looking at me like that? Do you not believe me?”

“Believe you? Hardly!” Cai Jing silently scoffed to himself. He did not for a moment trust that the young emperor Zhao Huan would have published two scathing articles in the Great Song Daily for no reason—such things did not appear out of nowhere. Clearly, someone was about to be targeted. Cai Jing’s instincts told him trouble was brewing, and he was only too aware that the new emperor harbored little fondness for him.

“I don’t care what you’ve done before, but from now on, you must sever all ties with the East River Gang. Otherwise, you can prepare to see the entire Cai family buried alongside you!” Cai Jing thundered.

“What happened, Father, to make you so angry?” Cai Qiong asked, puzzled.

“See for yourself the trouble you’ve caused!” Unable to contain his fury at his son’s uselessness, Cai Jing snatched the Great Song Daily from the table and flung it into Cai Qiong’s face.

One glance at the paper left Cai Qiong stunned—he had not expected their deeds to be exposed so publicly. As Cai Jing’s son, he had grown up steeped in the ways of power, and he understood well enough what it meant to be named in the Great Song Daily—this was the emperor’s own mouthpiece.

“Father, what is the meaning of this?” Cai Qiong’s voice faltered.

“You ask me? I should be asking you! Useless fool, you can’t do anything right—now you’ve landed us in real trouble. Let’s see how you get out of this,” Cai Jing fumed.

“Please, Father, save me! I only did it to make more money for our family,” Cai Qiong pleaded, truly panicked at last.

Seeing his son’s distress, Cai Jing felt certain that he had indeed committed some unspeakable act behind his back. Though Cai Jing himself had done little good in court, his own misdeeds were always shielded by imperial favor. With such protection, anything was permissible, but should that favor be withdrawn, all would be lost.

“Save you!” Cai Jing snorted coldly, then shouted, “Now you want me to save you? Just now you claimed you had nothing to do with it!”

Cai Qiong bowed so low his forehead nearly touched the floor; for once, he had no choice but to submit.

“Ungrateful son, get out of my sight! Our Cai family has no place for such as you!” Cai Jing cursed him out of the room, only stopping when Cai Qiong had finally left.

Once his sixth son was gone, the third son, Cai Xiao, spoke softly to Cai Jing: “Father, are we truly to abandon the sixth brother to his fate?”

Cai Jing glared at him, then, his voice tinged with bitterness, replied, “It seems these old bones must go beg the Retired Emperor for help. If only you children would cause me less worry!”

Cai Xiao agreed meekly, but in his heart, he paid little heed to his father’s words. Human trafficking? How serious could it be? Was it truly worth so much anger? Cai Xiao did not understand: Cai Jing’s fury was not born of anger, but of fear.

Cai Xiao could not perceive the deeper meaning behind these events, but to Cai Jing, it was as clear as day—the new emperor was ready to move against him. He had known, ever since the deaths of Zhu Mian and Tong Guan, that this day would come; he had simply not expected it so soon.

At dawn the next day, Cai Jing entered the palace, prepared to seek an audience with the former emperor, Zhao Ji.