Chapter 45: The Ringleader of the Six Outlaws

But this time, Cai Jing miscalculated. At the entrance of the Longde Hall, a young eunuch stopped him and said respectfully, “Grand Preceptor Cai, His Majesty requests your presence.”

“His Majesty? Which one?” Cai Jing asked, puzzled.

“Grand Preceptor, surely you jest. Under heaven, is there a second ‘His Majesty’?” The young eunuch’s words carried a subtle, biting sarcasm.

Stung by the eunuch's veiled barb, Cai Jing glared at him and replied, “The Retired Emperor has urgently summoned me. I must see him first. Afterwards, I will go see His Majesty.”

He tried to continue forward, but several eunuchs blocked his way.

“Grand Preceptor, please don’t make things difficult for us,” the young eunuch said politely, though his actions were anything but.

“What do you mean? You dare to stop me?” Cai Jing barked, his years as prime minister lending his anger a formidable presence.

“Grand Preceptor, we are only following orders. Please, do not make things hard for us,” the young eunuch replied, still courteous.

“And if I refuse?” Cai Jing stepped forward, his tone threatening.

The eunuch grinned, revealing sharp white teeth. “His Majesty instructed us long ago: those who defy his orders may be executed on the spot.”

Once, Cai Jing would have dismissed such words as mere jest. But after witnessing Tong Guan’s instant death at Yue Fei’s hand, he believed this emperor was not to be trifled with.

“Hmph, I’ll go with you. But if the Retired Emperor holds you responsible, I wonder if you can bear the consequences!” Cai Jing threatened.

“Please, Grand Preceptor,” the eunuch ignored Cai Jing’s words, bowing in a gesture of invitation.

Cai Jing snorted coldly but had no choice but to follow the eunuch.

He was led to a pavilion in the imperial garden.

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“What is the meaning of this? Wasn’t I told His Majesty urgently wished to see me? Where is he now?” Cai Jing was genuinely angry, feeling he had been played by Zhao Huan.

“Grand Preceptor, I do not know,” the young eunuch replied, polite but distant.

“Hmph, daring to toy with me. I’ll have you reported to Director Da Fu for your insolence,” Cai Jing threatened.

“As you wish, Grand Preceptor,” the eunuch answered mechanically.

Cai Jing let out a long breath, feeling he might die of frustration because of this eunuch. “Hmph, we’ll see about this!” He shot the eunuch a glare and turned to leave.

But once again, he was stopped.

“What is the meaning of this!” No matter how well he concealed it, Cai Jing could not help but tremble with anger, his thin frame shaking.

“Grand Preceptor, forgive me. I have no intentions of my own—all of this is as His Majesty instructed,” the eunuch replied softly.

“Don’t use your position to pressure me! I served the Retired Emperor before you were even born,” Cai Jing angrily jabbed his finger at the eunuch’s forehead.

The eunuch showed no anger. Seeing Cai Jing sit down, he withdrew from the pavilion, but if Cai Jing tried to leave, he would return to block him—turning the pavilion into Cai Jing’s prison.

“You…” After several exchanges, Cai Jing’s temper was completely spent, and he sat quietly in the pavilion.

Sitting there, sweat soon began to bead on Cai Jing’s forehead. Whether from the heat or anxiety, he did not know. It was early summer; the temperature difference between day and night was great. Cai Jing had entered the palace early and wore thick clothing, and now, under the sun, he felt overwhelmed.

He waited in the pavilion for two hours, his mind and body near collapse, before Zhao Huan finally appeared, arriving leisurely before all.

Upon seeing Zhao Huan, Cai Jing seemed to see his savior and hurried to greet him, bowing and saying, “Your Majesty, at last you have arrived.”

Zhao Huan patted his own head apologetically. “Grand Chancellor Cai, forgive me. The morning court was busy and delayed me, so I have arrived late. That attendant, how could he let you wait in the pavilion? Truly inconsiderate!” He paused, then added, “But some sun is good—when one grows older, basking in the sun is beneficial to the health.”

---

At first, Cai Jing thought Zhao Huan was about to scold the young eunuch who brought him here. Though Cai Jing knew full well the eunuch acted on Zhao Huan’s orders, he still hoped to hear the eunuch reprimanded, just to soothe his own spirit.

But it was clear Zhao Huan had no intention of letting Cai Jing feel comfortable. With a twist of words, it seemed Cai Jing had benefited, leaving him with nowhere to vent his frustration.

“Your Majesty speaks truly,” Cai Jing could only grit his teeth and reply.

“Grand Chancellor Cai, come, let us speak in my imperial study.” With that, Zhao Huan strode ahead.

This nearly made Cai Jing cough up blood. If they were to speak in the study, why had he been made to wait in the sun for so long? But he dared only grumble inwardly—he could not contradict His Majesty. It was clear Zhao Huan meant to humble him; what could he do?

When they reached the imperial study, Cai Jing was startled. He had expected only himself and the emperor, but instead found the room crowded with people.

Upon entering, he saw Chen Dong of the Imperial Academy cast him a cold glance, filling Cai Jing with a sense of foreboding.

Zhao Huan took his seat upon the dragon throne and the assembly bowed.

“Today I have gathered you all because something has happened below—something that has stirred the people of Bianjing to outrage. Please, pass this around and read it.” With these words, Zhao Huan handed the latest edition of the Great Song Daily to Li Gang.

The case of abducted children had seen new developments. It turned out many of the kidnapped children were sons and daughters of frontline soldiers—some orphans, their fathers killed in battle, their mothers remarried, and then abducted to be traded.

After reading, everyone was furious, especially the military officers, who stomped in indignation. With so many generals fighting at the front, such things happening in the rear would surely chill the hearts of those risking their lives.

“Your Majesty, who is responsible for this?” Li Gang, Minister of War and Chief of the Privy Council, was first to speak.