Chapter 13: Deeds of Rogues and Tricksters

Within the imperial palace, Emperor Li Shimin listened intently as Li Ji recounted Cai Cong’s strategies, growing ever more pleased. In fact, these plans had originally come from Li Shimin and his ministers, so he naturally found them agreeable.

“This child is truly remarkable. Last time, he stirred up unrest in Chang’an, and now he presents so many schemes. Is he really just an eight-year-old boy?” Li Shimin spoke with deep admiration—eight years old! When he was that age, he was still playing with bamboo horses.

“Your Majesty, perhaps you have forgotten—during the Qin Dynasty, Gan Luo was granted the rank of Senior Minister at twelve. Was that not even more extraordinary? There are always prodigies in this world. If such talents can serve Your Majesty, it will be a blessing for our Tang Dynasty.”

The one stepping forward was Chu Suiliang. Do not assume his words were mere praise; his meaning was clear—if they can be used, so be it; if not, eliminate them. Scholars’ hearts can be cold indeed.

“My loyal subject speaks wisely. But whom should we send to persuade the Turkic tribes?” Li Shimin, ruler of all under heaven, would not be swayed by a child. He sought a solution to the Turkic problem, to deal with Xieli.

Li Shimin asked who might go. The hall fell silent. Military officials fidgeted with their fingers; civil ministers studied their boots. These warriors would have no trouble cutting down foes, but persuasion was beyond them. As for the civil officials, those with ability could not go, or did not dare, and those without ability would be useless.

“What? In this vast hall, not one dares to go? Just now you spoke of Gan Luo, who at twelve persuaded Qin to reclaim over a dozen cities. What about you?” Li Shimin’s displeasure was palpable as his gaze swept over everyone.

“I am willing to try.” Fang Xuanling stepped forward, his words calm.

Before the emperor could respond, Li Ji interjected, “Your Majesty, Lord Fang must not go. With the population swelling in Chang’an, countless issues arise. Only Lord Fang and Lord Du can resolve them. It would not be appropriate for either to leave.”

“Your words are sound. But, Maogong, since you say they cannot go, do you have a suitable candidate?” Li Shimin smiled, but his eyes hinted that if not, trouble would follow.

“I do not, but that boy from the Cai family has recommended someone,” Li Ji replied with a bitter smile.

A cold glint flashed in Li Shimin’s eyes, though his voice remained calm. “Oh? Who is this wise person he recommends? Is it someone I know?”

“Your Majesty certainly knows him—he recommends Li Daliang, Lord Li. He says Lord Li is adept in both civil and martial matters, the perfect choice.” Li Ji smiled bitterly again. Li Daliang was a true talent in history, though at this time he was still serving as Sima in Jinzhou.

“But Jinzhou is far away. I do have someone to recommend,” Li Ji said, smiling.

“Let me guess—you mean that boy from the Cai family?” Li Shimin glanced at Li Ji, whose smile was inscrutable, and spoke quickly.

“Nothing escapes Your Majesty. Indeed, it is him.” Li Ji accompanied his words with a bit of flattery. Before he could finish, ministers leapt to object. Entrusting the fate of the nation to a child—anyone still in possession of their senses would never agree.

Not only civil officials objected, even the military officers looked at Li Ji with changed expressions. With so many talented officials and generals in Tang, how could such an important matter be entrusted to a child?

“Perhaps you all think me foolish for entrusting the nation’s affairs to an eight-year-old, but how do you know? That boy, without anyone realizing, became my peer in conversation, not someone deliberately seeking my favor. That alone proves his extraordinary ability.”

Li Ji spoke calmly, and everyone present could not help but take notice. Xu Maogong was a wily old fox—his martial skill was respectable, but he relied more on strategy. Yet even he had been outmaneuvered by a mere child.

“Maogong, this is a matter of great importance. Does Cai Cong have sufficient confidence?” Li Shimin asked sternly. His decisiveness was absolute; if the boy could devise so many plans, it was not strange he might possess the skills of a strategist.

“I dared not be so bold at first. But while conversing with the Cai family boy about Xieli, he showed utter disdain, and spoke incisively of Xieli’s many shortcomings. I was drenched in sweat as I listened. The hero who unified the steppe became, in his mouth, a worthless fool.

But that’s not the most important thing. The crucial point is that after hearing him, I found myself agreeing, even seeing Xieli as nothing more than a paper tiger. If I may speak boldly, had this boy been born thirty years earlier, he would have been Your Majesty’s mortal enemy.”

Li Shimin drew a sharp breath. His ministers were all men of exceptional insight, proud and unruly, yet within days, a child had won them over. Was the boy a prodigy? Li Ji had elevated him to an unprecedented height.

“In ancient times, heroes were everywhere, and strategists left countless legends. Behind the records of the Six States’ ministers and the return of the Jade of Zhao, the shadow of the strategists can be seen. Since that is so, I hereby appoint Cai Cong as Middle Dispersed Official, granting him full authority in this matter.”

Li Shimin spoke calmly and bestowed the rank of proper fifth grade—a position that many might strive for a lifetime and never attain.

After court, Li Ji rode swiftly back to the Right Martial Guard and instructed Cai Cong to prepare to receive the imperial decree. In dramas, the arrival of the decree is often chaotic, with officials arranging incense tables and the whole family kneeling. In reality, a young eunuch would come in advance to notify them.

About an hour later, a young eunuch arrived and told Cai Cong to prepare. Half an hour after that, a procession of imperial envoys approached, reciting ornate, ancient prose that praised Cai Cong to the skies before finally presenting the decree to the boy, who was by then exhausted from standing.

Thankfully, it was not the Ming or Qing eras, or his knees would have been ruined. Cai Cong thought to himself, still dazed as he accepted the decree. Middle Dispersed Official—do not be fooled by the unimpressive title, it was a post that allowed one to participate in government affairs. Proper fifth grade! A county magistrate was only seventh grade.

“Haha, are you so happy you’ve lost your words?” Li Ji laughed brightly at the side. After so long, it was the first time he’d seen Cai Cong looking so stunned. Before, the boy was always calm and composed, hardly seeming like a child.

“I am still just a child!” Cai Cong clutched the oversized court robe and cried out in distress. The Tang Dynasty had no custom of assigning official attire, but even so, they’d brought him such garments, leaving him no room to refuse.

“Haha… What does it matter if you’re a child? So long as you have ability, even someone of low birth can be given a chance by His Majesty, let alone you, who are a free citizen.” Li Ji spoke proudly, as if he took immense pride in following a wise ruler.

“Even if I am given a chance, this one is too great! One step to paradise, one step to hell! Such matters should be handled by you important people. I ought to be at home, watching over my mother.”

“Too late. I tell you, your mother will be protected by my men, but you must ensure those major tribes withdraw their forces.”

“Give me people. Surely I can’t go find them myself?” Cai Cong sat up straight, his words sly.

“What kind of people do you want?” Li Ji was a bit nervous. In these days, everyone from captains to night-soil workers in the guard had been roped into conversations with the boy. After every talk, they regarded him almost as a benefactor. Now, at his word, the Right Martial Guard would scramble to carry out his wishes.

“Why are you staring at me? I told them to let me go, but no one dared. In the end, they still listen to you. Give me twenty rogues and thieves.”

Cai Cong was thoroughly frustrated. He’d been lecturing these men on politics every day, yet still no one dared let him leave.

“Rogues and thieves? Since the days of Lord Mengchang, they have not been seen and are said to have vanished. You may be disappointed.” Li Ji shook his head. “Though the term sounds unsavory, in a coup or a war, such men play a vital role. Therefore, they’ve been purged repeatedly, and their lineage has long been broken.”

“Impossible!” Cai Cong cried out loudly. In later times, he’d encountered disciples of such men. Besides their skill in disguise, they excelled at taming and manipulating animals. Once, in Paris, he’d tricked someone out of a Zhang Daqian painting, only to have it snatched away by an eagle.

“You are so certain—have you met these extraordinary men?”

“If I had, would I need to ask His Majesty for people?” Cai Cong rolled his eyes in annoyance. “You say their lineage is broken, but did not Liu Bang slay the white serpent, and Chen Sheng kill the fish? Do you think the fish leapt up by itself? When Emperor Yuan of Han was attacked, Lady Feng rescued him and rose in status. Their lineage is not broken, merely hidden.”

“You impudent boy! At least I am your elder, have you considered my feelings?” Li Ji said angrily, waving his sleeve and marching off without a backward glance.

“Someone! Someone!” Li Ji stormed off, and Cai Cong couldn’t care less. Riches unrepaid at home are like wearing fine clothes at night. He was going to find his mother.

“Here, here! Congratulations, young master, congratulations! An eight-year-old fifth-grade official—aside from the imperial princes, I’ve never heard of anyone so young holding such high office. One day, you’ll surely be a marquis or prime minister!”

A tall and robust man hurried over, bowing low with a fawning smile, even extending his hand for a reward.

“Get lost. I don’t have a single coin on me. It’s a wonder I haven’t extorted you. How dare you ask for reward money? Prepare a carriage—I need to visit my mother,” Cai Cong said irritably. The man took no offense and ran off cheerfully to make arrangements.

Now that he was appointed Middle Dispersed Official by the emperor, he was no longer a prisoner, and his freedom could not be restricted.

Ci’en Temple had become the base of the Cai family. The monks there, with their bright white rice and kindly faces, were always ready to spread Buddhist teachings to the villagers.

“Master, you say I do good deeds—will my son then return home safely?” Cai Jie’er sat on the open ground, hands pressed together, respectfully asking the old monk seated above. Many villagers sat around, idly passing the time listening to Buddhist sermons.

“Amitabha! Your son is a man of great fortune; he will naturally turn misfortune into blessing,” the old monk replied, eyelids barely raised, his tone calm.

“When will my son return home? As a mother, not seeing him leaves my heart unsettled!” Cai Jie’er spoke with sorrow. All the others had been released, only her son remained absent—how could she rest easy?

“What is destined will come. Wait calmly; there’s no need for worry,” the old monk glanced at her and continued his recitation of Buddhist tales.