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On this day, Cai Yong sat quietly in the side hall, with ink and brush prepared in front of him, yet he did not pick up the brush. Instead, he seemed lost in thought.
As the saying goes, when people grow old, they are often left with only memories. Cai Yong was no exception. He was reminiscing about the ups and downs of his life.
Cai Yong's life had been full of turbulence.
The first time was during the reign of Emperor Huan of Han, when he was summoned to serve as an official. However, Cai Yong felt that the eunuchs' control over the court was too corrupt, so he feigned illness halfway and returned home.
The second time he became an official was through the recommendation of the incorruptible Qiao Xuan, who treated him with great kindness. Cai Yong served as a subordinate official and later became the magistrate of Heping County. He was then summoned to the capital to serve as a court gentleman, working in the Dongguan Library to collate books, and was promoted to the position of court advisor. It was during this period that he created the famous Xiping Stone Classics.
However, due to his youth and lack of experience in political struggles, he misjudged Emperor Ling of Han's apparent efforts to restore the dynasty's glory. At the time, Emperor Ling, troubled by frequent natural disasters, sought Cai Yong's candid advice on governance, assuring him that he could speak freely without fear. Cai Yong took this at face value and wrote a bold critique of the current political issues, which earned him the enmity of the eunuch Cao Jie. Cao Jie falsely accused Cai Yong, leading to his exile to Shuofang, a harsh and cold region near the Xianbei territory in the north of Bing Province...
Fortunately, Cai Yong was later pardoned during a general amnesty declared by Emperor Ling. After his pardon, Cai Yong wandered the land, living in various places, including a long stay in the Jiangnan region, before being summoned back to Luoyang...
Despite suffering many setbacks due to his straightforward nature in his youth, Cai Yong's sincere heart had never changed, even after enduring so many trials. Now, in his old age, was he to change?
Cai Yong smiled faintly, picked up the ink stick, and began grinding it carefully. Then he took up the brush and swiftly wrote a line of characters.
When Fei Qian arrived, following the Cai family steward, he happened to witness this scene.
Seeing Fei Qian, Cai Yong set down the brush and gestured for him to sit.
Cai Yong looked at his disciple. Although they hadn't spent much time together, he found Fei Qian to be amiable, gentle, and well-mannered—traits that resonated with his own temperament. In some ways, Fei Qian even surpassed Cai Yong's younger self, being both principled and adaptable. He was indeed a rare talent, though Cai Yong wished he could further refine his literary skills.
Once Fei Qian was seated, Cai Yong asked, "Have you mastered the *Zuo Zhuan*?"
Fei Qian was about to rise to answer, but Cai Yong stopped him. Fei Qian replied, "I have mastered it."—Being able to recite and comprehend a text was the basic requirement for studying a book. Cai Yong's standard was simply to understand the meaning of the text, so his demand wasn't particularly high.
Cai Yong nodded and said, "The *Zuo Zhuan* serves three purposes: first, to understand history and apply its lessons to the present; second, it encompasses a vast array of knowledge; third, it contains principles for navigating life. As you read it, you must reflect deeply."
Fei Qian nodded in agreement.
Cai Yong continued, "A few days ago, you mentioned the story of Chong'er. While what you said was not wrong, I am now old and weary. I truly do not wish to endure the 'soil of the wild man' or the 'water for washing hands' again!"
Fei Qian's expression changed upon hearing this. Was Cai Yong saying he didn't want to leave?
The "soil of the wild man" and "water for washing hands" were two incidents from Chong'er's period of exile. The first occurred when Chong'er fled to the Wulu region of the Wei State. Starving, he begged for food from a farmer tilling the land. Instead of giving him food, the farmer picked up a clod of soil and said, "There is no food. If you want to eat, eat this..."
The second incident happened when Chong'er fled to the Qin State. Duke Mu of Qin gave Chong'er five women as concubines, including his daughter Huai Ying. Once, when Huai Ying held a basin of water for Chong'er to wash his hands, Chong'er casually waved her away after washing.
Huai Ying became angry and said, "Qin and Jin are equal states. If that is so, have you treated me as a servant? Why did you act so carelessly? Do you look down on me?" Chong'er, living under someone else's roof, grew fearful. He removed his outer garments and confined himself to apologize to Duke Mu.
In his youth, Cai Yong had offended the eunuch Cao Jie by speaking out against the political corruption of the time. Cao Jie framed him, turning Cai Yong from a high-ranking official into a prisoner, leading to twelve years of exile. During those twelve years, although Cai Yong's life was never in immediate danger, he suffered greatly and truly experienced the fickleness of human relationships. The life of an exile was something he never wished to endure again...
Although he was now renowned throughout the land, fleeing again might not be as harsh as it was in his youth. But after all, he was old and no longer had the energy to wander...
Fei Qian wanted to persuade Cai Yong further, but as soon as he opened his mouth, Cai Yong stopped him.
Cai Yong handed Fei Qian the paper on which he had just written and gestured for him to read it.
Fei Qian took the paper and saw a line of bold, flowing characters: "I traversed ten thousand miles, crossing deserts, serving my lord and fighting the Xiongnu. When the road ended and my arrows and blades were broken, my soldiers perished, and my name was ruined."
What did this mean? Fei Qian was momentarily puzzled.
Seeing his confusion, Cai Yong smiled and asked, "Ziyuan, have you read the *Book of Han*?"—The *Book of Han* was one of the additional readings Cai Yan had assigned to Fei Qian, along with many other books...
"I've read some of it," Fei Qian replied, wondering why Cai Yong had suddenly brought up the *Book of Han*.
Then it hit him. No wonder Cai Yong had mentioned the *Book of Han*—this line was from the book and referred to a very famous figure: Su Wu.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, the Han dynasty continuously waged war against the Xiongnu, and relations were tense. In the first year of the Tianhan era, Qiedihou Chanyu ascended the throne. Fearing an attack from Han, he sought to ease tensions by returning some Han envoys who had been held captive. Emperor Wu, in recognition of this gesture, sent Su Wu as a court gentleman to escort the Xiongnu envoys back to their homeland and present gifts to the Chanyu as a gesture of goodwill.
However, upon arriving in Xiongnu territory, Su Wu realized that the Xiongnu's conciliatory stance was merely a temporary tactic. Taking advantage of internal discord among the Xiongnu, Su Wu attempted to assassinate the Chanyu. Unfortunately, the plot failed, and Su Wu was captured. He refused to surrender and was exiled to Lake Baikal to herd sheep.
Li Ling, who had served alongside Su Wu as a court gentleman, lacked such fortitude and surrendered to the Xiongnu. When Su Wu eventually returned to Han, Li Ling came to bid him farewell and wrote these four lines: "I traversed ten thousand miles, crossing deserts, serving my lord and fighting the Xiongnu. When the road ended and my arrows and blades were broken, my soldiers perished, and my name was ruined."
Li Ling's words were both an excuse for his surrender and an expression of admiration for Su Wu's unyielding integrity.
By writing these lines, Cai Yong was not praising Li Ling but expressing his own desire to emulate Su Wu's steadfastness and preserve his own integrity...
Fei Qian couldn't help but feel anxious. Cai Yong, don't you realize that this will only lead to tragedy once again?
How can I save you, Cai Yong?
And how can I save you, Cai Yan?
*****
A/N: Cai Yong endured twelve years of exile, and Cai Yan was captured by the Xiongnu for twelve years... Sometimes, fate is truly merciless.