The next day, the rain had stopped, but the sky remained overcast.
Madam Cai, having been scolded the day before, claimed illness and refused to rise. Luo Mu had also slept poorly during the night. After breakfast, a servant came to inform him that Cai Yu had sent a summons, inviting him to attend a meeting.
Luo Mu took the note, fully aware of Cai Yu’s intentions. Without changing his robe, he wiped his hands and said directly, “Prepare a sedan chair. I will go at once—don’t let my brother wait too long.”
Cai Yu was a notorious bandit in Chazhou. In Hezhou, Yan Heru even addressed him as “Master.” Known for his generosity, he often supported various outlaws and enjoyed a reputation for righteousness within their circles. Yet he and Lei Changming of Luoshan were never on good terms. The reasons were unclear, but it was known that while Lei Changming lived, the two ignored each other even at gatherings of bandit leaders.
When Luo Mu arrived at the Cai residence, Cai Yu had already served several rounds of food and drink. His mansion was grander than Luo Mu’s, staffed with over a thousand servants, but Cai Yu himself cared little for formalities. Most of his guests were bandits or outlaws, and his banquets were lavish feasts of roasted meats and strong liquors.
Upon seeing Luo Mu, Cai Yu leaned back with a broad smile, waving him over. “You’ve arrived late, Mengzheng. Three cups for your tardiness—come, sit.”
Luo Mu, always deferential before Cai Yu, took his seat, noting the strange attire of the other guests but asking nothing. Once Luo Mu had drunk, Cai Yu said, “I heard your wife troubled you yesterday?”
A flicker of panic crossed Luo Mu’s face. “Brother—”
“She deserved the scolding!” Cai Yu pressed lightly on Luo Mu’s arm with a laugh. “You’re her husband; a man should manage his household. Some matters she ought not to meddle in. She’s been spoiled at home and hasn’t learned respect. In future, scold her where needed—don’t worry about my face. Pamper her too much, and she’ll grow unruly.”
Cai Yu knew everything that had happened in Luo Mu’s household. His touch was light, yet that made it all the more commanding—Luo Mu dared not resist. Though Luo Mu had passed the imperial examinations and served as an official in Quandu, in Chazhou he was as powerless as a child. Here, the bandit troubles during the Yongyi era were severe. Before Zhongbo’s defeat, they ignored even General Shen Wei of Jianxing; afterward, they paid no heed to Quandu.
A thin sweat appeared on Luo Mu’s forehead.
Seeing it, Cai Yu was satisfied and withdrew his hand, then continued with a chuckle. “It’s quite the story—I heard half a month ago that Quandu would see a new ruler at the Dragon Court. The commander of the embroidered uniform guards, Han Cheng, was so anxious he ran back to his hometown to place a young child as heir. But Lord Haige disagreed, ran his head into the palace beam, and died instantly, blood and brains splattering on Han Cheng—he wet himself on the spot.”
They all laughed. In the retelling, Han Cheng had been transformed into a hunchbacked, despicable figure.
Afterward, Cai Yu sighed and said, “Even as outlaws, we must honor loyalty and righteousness. Lord Ge’s actions command respect. As the saying goes, scholars die for counsel, warriors die in battle. Yet throughout three dynasties, such steadfast ministers are rare.”
Luo Mu listened quietly, focused on eating, his hand carefully picking only what was near him. Though handsome, he carried an air of timidity.
Cai Yu, engrossed, went on: “Still, I doubt Lord Ge expected that the Dragon Court, denied to the Han child, would eventually go to a woman. Since the founding of Dazhou, such a thing has never occurred. Isn’t this against heaven’s principle, yin and yang reversed? A sign of the empire’s decline! I’d rather heed the words of a naive child than obey a woman’s orders. A man should stand tall—what does it mean to bow to a woman? Qidong produced Qi Zhuyin, but she simply rode a lucky wave with the Empress Dowager in power; otherwise, how could she rise to generalship? Another female emperor in Quandu… chaos!”
Those around him nodded in agreement. One bearded man struck the table: “Master Cai is right. What kind of ruler is a woman? The previous ones were bad enough, but men should govern according to heaven’s law. If the ministers bow before her, they are all weaklings, no wonder we’ve suffered at the hands of the Twelve Border Tribes.”
Cai Yu continued: “A daughter is for home and hearth, marriage is her duty. Pamper her, no harm. But sending her to command troops or rule? That is wrong.” He shook his head at the state of Quandu’s students, saying they had been spoiled by books and could no longer distinguish right from wrong.
Their conversation shifted from Quandu politics to military affairs in Qidong, then the Northern campaigns, and eventually to Lei Changming.
“That Lei Changming,” the bearded man said, “was lucky—he helped Young Master Yan when he was in danger, that’s why he rose. But he won’t last long; he’s arrogant. How could he maintain an army in Luoshan? Against the imperial troops, he’s done for.”
Cai Yu snorted. Others chimed in, praising himself as one of the twin heroes of Zhongbo, and deriding Lei Changming’s abilities.
Cai Yu was unmoved. He stretched comfortably in his chair and said, “Do you know why I despise Lei Changming? He’s dirty.” He emphasized the last word as a servant offered him a smoking pipe. He inhaled twice and continued:
“Lei Changming used to escort caravans—you all know that. But why did he stop? He claimed it was to enjoy life after marrying into the Zhu family of Duanzhou. False. He had a habit. Once, he saved a widow and her child from despair, but later, after drinking, he beat them to death. Even in Duanzhou, his habits persisted. He valued his reputation, never acted openly. When he saved Young Master Yan, the child was young. I was a friend of the Yan family, and though I hadn’t met the child, I treated him as precious. I chased him for four days to ensure his safety, without quarreling with Lei Changming.”
After that, whenever Lei Changming met Cai Yu, he naturally lowered himself, and Cai Yu never warmed to him.
“Young Master is a good child, grateful for Lei Changming’s help, and has often aided Luoshan bandits,” Cai Yu concluded. Today, he had intended to ask Luo Mu about Kong Ling, but old tales carried the conversation away, and by the time he remembered, Luo Mu had already left.
Luo Mu entered a sedan chair and, instead of returning home, headed to a water-paint shop to buy some cosmetics popular in Quandu to appease Madam Cai. Chazhou’s largest water-paint shop was run by merchants from Juexi. Luo Mu was a regular; upon his arrival, a manager greeted him, serving tea before apologizing: “Forgive us, Master Luo, but we are out of stock today. The good items are still at the shop on the east side. May we deliver them to your residence tomorrow?”
Luo Mu nodded, started to leave, then remembered Cai Yu’s light touch earlier and reconsidered. He asked, “Which east-side shop?”
The manager called a clerk to personally lead him there.
The shop was small but conveniently located along the main road for unloading. Inside, few people were present. The clerk led Luo Mu to a courtyard, offering tea while he waited.
After a short while, the curtain lifted to reveal Kong Ling.
“You…” Luo Mu asked in surprise.
Kong Ling did not answer, but raised the curtain and stepped aside. Behind him, dressed in white, was Shen Zechuan. Luo Mu rose.
Shen Zechuan had arrived by sedan chair, untouched by the rain. He gestured for Luo Mu to sit. Qiao Tianya followed, replacing the tea at Shen’s side.
Seeing Luo Mu still standing, Kong Ling said, “Mengzheng, this is—”
“Director,” Luo Mu respectfully bowed. “I have long heard of your virtue. Student Luo Mengzheng humbly awaits your guidance.”
“I’ve heard from Mr. Chengfeng about your prudence and keen insight. Today, I see it’s true,” Shen Zechuan smiled. “I no longer hold the post of embroidered uniform director. No badge, no office—just a commoner. I should be the one to pay respects.”
Luo Mu dared not accept. Shen Zechuan, a close imperial aide and formerly northern commander of the embroidered guards, was enough to make local prefectures cautious. His authority spanned multiple oversight offices, and he had connections with top officials.
The very fact Luo Mu called himself a “student” revealed his awareness of Shen’s power.
Unlike previous commanders, Shen’s background was unconventional. His father, Shen Wei, had perished in Zhongbo’s defeat. Despite rumors of execution, Shen Zechuan survived and was repeatedly promoted by Emperor Tianchen. His youth and influence made him formidable.
Luo Mu finally understood that Kong Ling’s confidence was genuine.
Fortunately, Shen Zechuan only spoke and did not rise formally. Luo Mu steadied himself, standing respectfully before Kong Ling: “Master, you’ve come to Chazhou. I failed to welcome you properly. I will send someone at once—”
“I accompanied the Dingdu Marquis from the capital. These are Quandu rebels. There is no need for courtesy,” Shen said after sipping tea. “I’ve wanted to meet you, Master Luo. Today, I am fortunate to have Mr. Chengfeng accompany me.”
Kong Ling smiled at Luo Mu. “Mengzheng, no need to be formal. Director is the backbone of Chizhou, and we come to resolve Chazhou’s bandit troubles—our own people.”
Luo Mu’s gaze softened. Carefully, he asked, “How did you know I would come?”
“Chazhou is small. News spreads quickly. Your fourteenth concubine is notable and strong-willed, fond of Quandu cosmetics. You naturally would come personally to please her,” Kong Ling said to Shen Zechuan with a shake of his head. “Even back at the academy, you were favored by the young lady. You were quite charming even before entering officialdom.”
Hearing the mention of the academy, Luo Mu relaxed slightly. “I was always disciplined, with my studies and with you. Where’s the charm? But you—befriending everyone, treating all as brothers.”
With that, the atmosphere eased. Kong Ling led Luo Mu to a seat.
Shen Zechuan sat in the high seat. His words were not as imposing as Luo Mu had feared. “Our purpose, I believe, Master Chengfeng has already discussed. Yesterday was inconvenient; naturally, you had reservations. Today, speak freely. Any difficulties may be negotiated.”
Shen’s tone was mild, yet the last phrase left no real room for negotiation. Luo Mu understood immediately: “negotiation” here meant action would be swift. He had no choice.
Luo Mu lifted his head, the timidity gone. “If Director can pacify the Chazhou bandits, I am willing to follow. But Cai Yu is not Lei Changming. Director lacks the Marquis’s twenty thousand troops. Alone, it is difficult.”
Shen Zechuan replied calmly, “Our meeting today outweighs a hundred thousand troops.”