The General of the Inner Palace
I handed over the better pieces of jewelry to Cai Yan after the government soldiers had withdrawn.
Rings, hairpins, necklaces, bracelets—I gave her everything.
“Ah…”
She hesitated for a moment at the sight of so many treasures.
“Sister, these are ornaments you wouldn’t even see in Chang’an!”
“Mm, it does seem that way.”
The Cai sisters recognized the valuables and marveled at them. These were pieces that Lady Bai, Cao Cao’s wife, had brought from Yan Province, so they were exceptionally rare. It pained me to lose a few to those greedy soldiers earlier, but if it meant clearing suspicion and being able to move freely through Chang’an again, it was a worthwhile trade.
“How could we possibly accept something so precious?”
“You must accept them. Thanks to you, I was able to escape danger as well.”
At those words, Cai Yan smiled gently and passed everything her sister had shown interest in over to her.
“Lin, these are for you.”
“Really? Thank you, sister.”
So Cai Yan’s younger sister was Cai Lin? The elder sister named with the jade of blazing flames—Yan—and the younger with the jade of lush forests—Lin. Cai Yong truly was a master of literature, naming both daughters with the character for jade.
The younger sister, Cai Lin, carefully selected only the most valuable pieces. In contrast, the elder, Cai Yan, took only a single ring and one hairpin from what I had given her. Still seeming burdened by even that, she opened a wardrobe in the inner room and took something out.
“These are among the few remaining in our household…”
“Hm?”
What she pulled from the old box were bamboo slips inscribed with characters.
“Could these be writings by your father, Lord Cai Yong?”
Cai Yan gave a serene smile and nodded. This was an incredible gift. Cai Yong’s calligraphy was said to be worth its weight in gold across the Central Plains.
“Is it truly all right for me to take these?”
“We have been selling them little by little over the years just to survive, my sister and I. Right now, it seems you, my lord—who introduced yourself as a merchant—have greater need of them.”
I had received something truly magnificent. I expressed my gratitude to Cai Yan and rose from my seat.
“I will visit again soon. Chang’an is growing noisy, but if anything happens from now on, I will definitely help you.”
As I prepared to leave, Cai Yan stood and followed me out like a gracious hostess seeing off an honored guest, bowing respectfully. She was a woman whose elegance shone through not only in her appearance but from beginning to end.
That was when I made up my mind.
I would cause a major disturbance in Chang’an, but when it came time to escape, I would definitely take the Cai sisters with me.
Late that night, still in disguise, I returned to the inn where the Wei merchant caravan was staying and summoned Jeong Yun to tell him everything that had happened.
“Young master, is that true?”
“I told you it would get a little noisy, didn’t I?”
“Just earlier, government soldiers came around searching for a suspicious man who had assaulted officers. I expressed ‘mild disapproval’ and sent them away, but…”
“I went in disguised as a merchant, handed over a few pieces of jewelry, and they let me go. These bastards here will turn a blind eye to even a murderer if you slip them a few coins.”
The situation had become even more interesting because of that.
“The atmosphere inside Chang’an is already grim. If word spreads that soldiers were beaten by some nameless hero, how do you think people will react?”
“Even if they don’t show it outwardly, they’ll be absolutely delighted. And the rumors will keep circulating.”
“I plan to stir up a few more disturbances like this. Then the government troops will be out in force, eyes blazing, right?”
“W-will you be all right, young master?”
Jeong Yun asked with uneasy eyes, but I already had a plan.
“My mission is not only to search Chang’an but to make contact with General Dong inside. Since he’s gathering heroes, I need to move in a way that reaches his ears.”
After performing a couple more feats like today, I would create an opportunity to meet Dong Cheng and immediately prepare for the Emperor’s escape.
“And one more thing.”
“What is it?”
“Keep an eye on the Cai sisters I mentioned earlier. Make sure we can take them with us when we leave Chang’an.”
“It won’t be easy, but… then tomorrow I will accompany you, young master.”
Having received my orders, Jeong Yun began moving his subordinate merchants and intelligence network.
The next day.
Once again in disguise, I headed openly to where the Cai sisters lived. This time I brought Jeong Yun and a cart loaded with daily necessities.
“Hey, didn’t we go to that house yesterday? You’re going again?”
“Look, only two women live there. The house may be big, but inside it’s empty as a cleaned-out jar.”
“Since the Grand Marshal has his eyes on those women, no one would dare even flirt with them.”
The soldiers snickered, but Jeong Yun spoke calmly.
“Aigoo, good sirs. Right now, famous inscriptions and writings from that household are selling for very high prices outside Chang’an.”
“Hmm, what writings are so expensive?”
“We were asked by the great merchants of Yan Province to come here. They said the Cai sisters’ family possesses many exceptional books.”
“Hah, those Yan Province fellows have terrible taste. What’s so valuable about some dead man’s grave of words (books) that they’d trade valuables for them?”
“By the way, that bastard who caused trouble around here yesterday is nowhere to be seen. Hey merchant, if you see any suspicious fellow, report him immediately.”
“Yes~ Yes~”
Jeong Yun had skillfully buttered up the soldiers, securing free access to the Cai sisters’ home. Of course, the soldiers didn’t recognize me at all, which allowed me to move about secretly without issue.
Crash—
“Aaaargh!”
“You dare resist while doing business here without permission? You’re finished, you bastard!”
In the marketplace, soldiers had overturned a street stall selling food and were brutally beating the owner. Eventually, unable to endure any longer, the stallkeeper brought out his bundle of money. The soldiers snatched it with smug satisfaction and left.
Those beastly bastards—calling themselves government troops when they’re nothing but thieves!
Shh, watch your words. If they hear you, they’ll beat you until there’s nothing left but bones.
Aigoo, that poor man. They’ll come back regularly to extort him from now on.
Damn those lightning-struck dogs! That Guo Si calls himself Grand General, but all his underlings do is look for chances to rob people!
While the commoners muttered among themselves, I quietly followed the soldiers under Guo Si who had committed the extortion. When we reached an alley, I drew my sword.
“Haha, see? Knock them down, give them a few whacks with a club, and money comes right out!”
“Today was pretty profitable. We can have a proper drink later.”
“So you commit robbery right out in the open?”
“Huh? Who the hell are you?”
“The Grand Marshal has declared that if Guo Si’s soldiers extort the people, they deserve death!”
There were no witnesses in the alley, and I had already drawn my sword. Screams soon echoed, but I slipped away calmly, changed my disguise once more, and returned to the inn as if nothing had happened.
Because of this, for the next several days the government troops in Chang’an searched frantically with fire in their eyes.
“It’s not just that they’re looking for the culprit. There are constant brawls between Li Jue’s and Guo Si’s factions as they accuse each other of suspicion.”
“Mm. Every time I beat someone, I made sure to say it was on Li Jue’s orders for one side and Guo Si’s for the other.”
“It happened right when Li Jue was at the Mi’e Detached Palace and Guo Si had gone hunting with General Fan Chou.”
“Have the two of them still shown no reaction?”
“The truth is… during the time Li Jue and Guo Si have ruled, Chang’an has been so chaotic that they pay little attention to public security in the markets. They’ll probably dismiss it as a trivial fight among their underlings.”
Listening to Jeong Yun, it was clear both men were indeed worthless trash.
“And finally, this evening we received an invitation from General Dong.”
“Well done. Since it’s this evening, I’ll have to go myself.”
Dong Cheng had ears as well, so he would already know exactly what was happening outside. And he would surely see this situation as an opportunity.
“Jeong Yun of the Yan Province merchant caravan greets Lord Dong.”
“Mm. Sit.”
This was my first time meeting Dong Cheng. As the father of Lady Dong, the current Emperor Liu Xie’s consort, he was an imperial relative. Though his face showed his age, he had a solid, authoritative presence.
“My lord, this time I have brought wine cups, an inkstone, yellow jade, and other items.”
“The stewards will appraise those. What about the other matter?”
“You are looking for merchants who possess righteousness and chivalry, correct?”
“Indeed!”
Hearing that, I nearly burst out laughing. Jeong Yun, also beaming, spoke to Dong Cheng.
“My lord, you must have heard the recent rumors circulating in the marketplace?”
“You mean the righteous man who punishes the tyrannical government soldiers? I don’t know who he is, but I would very much like to meet him.”
“Hehehe, in fact, I have brought him with me.”
“What?”
“It is this very young master before you.”
“What do you…?”
I peeled off my fake beard, wiped my face with a damp cloth, and revealed my identity.
“Ah—!”
“I greet the General of the Inner Palace. I have no great name to offer, but I am called Jo Ga of Yan Province.”
“Y-you’re Jo Ga of Yan Province?”
That alone was enough for Dong Cheng to understand immediately. He examined my face carefully, then suddenly grabbed my hand.
“So you were the hero who has been punishing those wicked government soldiers lately? What a truly remarkable friend has come to us!”
As expected, approaching after laying the proper groundwork allowed for such a dramatic alliance. Dong Cheng continued praising me for a while before clearing his throat and asking both Jeong Yun and me.
“I will pay for the goods you brought today in two days.”
“What? My lord, are you offering credit when you have never done so before?”
“I will definitely settle the payment in two days. But at that time, make sure this ‘Jo Ga the Strongman of Yan Province’ friend comes with you as well. Understood?”
Oh ho. It looked like he wanted to establish familiarity today and have a proper discussion in two days.
“Understood. Then I shall return in two days.”
“Mm, do so.”
Jeong Yun bowed, and I left with my fake beard reattached. We passed several Chang’an government soldiers on the way, but they didn’t recognize us at all and simply walked by. Once back at the inn, I could finally laugh heartily.
“Half the plan has succeeded.”
“Saying he will pay in two days clearly means something will happen within that time…”
“Earlier I noticed shadows following us.”
“Pardon?”
“They followed us on purpose to test whether we are trustworthy. If nothing unusual happens in the next two days, he’ll call us then and give us ‘a certain request.’”
I could tell even with my eyes closed. For the time being we would be under surveillance, but we had work to do as well.
“Jeong Yun, can you send someone to Hongnong territory tonight?”
“Yes, young master.”
It was about time for Dian Wei, who was gathering useful merchants in Hongnong, to start moving as well. We would safely escort the Emperor, and just as in history, he would enter my uncle’s embrace without incident.
Of course, it wasn’t only the Emperor—I would have to include the ‘other companions’ staying in Chang’an as well.