Chapter 46: Cai Jing Requests to Resign

“Su Weikang, please explain this matter to everyone.” Zhao Huan called upon Su Weikang, the Prefect of the Capital.

Su Weikang felt his head spinning. To speak in front of so many dignitaries was no different from being roasted over a fire. But if he could handle this hot potato well, it would benefit him, since he was serving the emperor directly.

He stepped forward and addressed the assembly: “Your Majesty, after investigation by the Capital Prefecture, the group responsible for abducting children is the Dongjiang Gang, located in the Western Market of Bianjing.”

“Dongjiang Gang?” Li Gang muttered the name to himself, clearly unfamiliar. Though he held high office, he knew little of matters among the populace.

“Your Majesty, please allow me to lead troops to thoroughly investigate the Dongjiang Gang and rescue the abducted children,” Li Gang petitioned.

Zhao Huan nodded. “Granted.”

Li Gang, anxious, prepared to depart at once, but Zhao Huan stopped him.

“No need to rush, Minister Li. I believe Minister Su has already taken measures to control the Dongjiang Gang. As the local official of Bianjing, such an incident places responsibility squarely on your shoulders, Minister Su!” Zhao Huan’s voice was stern.

Su Weikang’s face turned bitter. He thought to himself how difficult it was to be a capital official; the saying was true. Though he was Prefect, there were many above him, and he had to tread carefully to avoid offending any powerful figures. The Dongjiang Gang was backed by Grand Preceptor Cai; he could not intervene even if he wished.

Yet these thoughts remained unspoken. He stepped forward and respectfully said, “Your Majesty, I have already ordered constables to monitor the Dongjiang Gang in secret. There will be no mistakes this time.”

“Good. If you handle this well, consider it atonement. Otherwise, I will remove you from office!” Zhao Huan spoke calmly, but his words carried weight. It was clear he truly cared about this matter, otherwise he would not have been so angry.

Su Weikang quietly wiped the sweat from his brow, grateful for his caution in assigning people to watch the gang. Had he not, he would have dug his own grave.

“I summoned you today to ask: how could such a grave incident occur without a single report to me? Don’t tell me none of you knew. If so, what use are my censors and officials?” Zhao Huan’s voice rose, harshly questioning them.

“Do you know how I learned of this?” Zhao Huan suddenly asked.

The ministers, seeing his anger, all knelt, heads bowed, none daring to offend him at such a moment.

Zhao Huan answered his own question: “Two of my Imperial Guards were found drowned in the river. They were my guards, and someone dared to treat them so. Such crimes must be punished!” He pointed at the ministers. “Investigate. Investigate thoroughly. I want every detail uncovered, no matter who is involved. No leniency. Zhao Ding, Li Gang, Wang Shu—I order you three to investigate and report back to me.”

Minister of War Li Gang, Minister of Justice Zhao Ding, and Assistant Minister of the Court Wang Shu hurriedly accepted the imperial order.

Among the officials, Cai Jing finally understood Zhao Huan’s purpose in summoning him: it was a performance for his benefit, a warning that action would soon be taken against him. Moreover, the emperor wanted him to fully experience the dread of impending punishment.

He thought matters would end here and the officials could depart, but Zhao Huan was not finished. He sat silently, and the ministers, uncertain of his intentions, barely dared to breathe.

“This matter reminds me of something else. Soldiers fight and die on the front lines for the nation, but their families’ safety and wellbeing are neglected. Shouldn’t their children receive the court’s care? And if we grant pensions to those killed in battle, what of those wounded? How will their future lives be secured?” Zhao Huan asked his ministers.

The Song dynasty had always favored civil officials over military, neglecting the needs of soldiers. Zhao Huan’s question had never been considered by them.

For Zhao Huan, it was the first time he had thought of it himself: if warriors are free from worries, their fighting spirit would multiply. It was like the difference between “Comrades, charge with me!” and “Comrades, charge ahead!”—the effect was worlds apart.

“Ministry of War and Ministry of Revenue, discuss this matter and report your solution to me,” Zhao Huan ordered.

Li Gang was greatly excited at this news, but Minister of Revenue Zhu Shengfei wore a bitter expression. If the court funded support for wounded soldiers, it would be a considerable expense, and as Minister of Revenue, Zhu Shengfei always felt his funds were insufficient.

After the ministers departed, Zhao Huan kept Cai Jing behind.

“Thank you for waiting, Grand Preceptor. Since ascending the throne, I have been busy and have not had the chance to properly converse with you. Today, I finally found the time. Please do not blame me,” Zhao Huan said. “When my father ruled, you handled state affairs, and it was never so arduous as it is now.”

Hearing these words, Cai Jing felt a chill in his heart. Though Zhao Huan praised him, Cai Jing was terrified. Throughout history, those whose achievements overshadowed their sovereign met ill fate—was Zhao Huan planning to destroy him with praise?

Cai Jing was a shrewd veteran, and today’s events made it clear to him that Zhao Huan would no longer tolerate his presence. What remained was whether he understood his own position.

“All thanks to Your Majesty’s favor. Your words are far too generous for an old minister like me,” Cai Jing replied, kneeling with respect. “Your Majesty, I am old and my eyesight is failing. I increasingly yearn for my homeland. I beg Your Majesty to allow me to retire and return home.”

In truth, Cai Jing no longer held any real post at court. His request was more a declaration of his attitude and stance, hoping that by such means, Zhao Huan would spare his life.