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Fei Qian stood before Cai Yong's residence, unexpectedly hesitating for a moment.
What was it like to feel apprehensive upon nearing home? At this moment, Fei Qian finally understood the sentiment. His visit to Fei Min's estate had left him disheartened—not only had he failed to engage in any meaningful discussion, but he had also been inexplicably lectured.
Though Fei Qian had made several probing attempts, all he could discern was that Fei Min was currently rather optimistic about the overall political situation, leaned toward the Yuan clan in terms of factional alignment, and held some personal dissatisfaction over Fei Qian's unauthorized marriage. As for other aspects, there wasn't enough information to draw any conclusions…
The lack of support from Fei Min didn't particularly bother Fei Qian. After all, he had never felt much attachment to the main branch of the Fei family, and his reincarnated soul didn't hold the same strong sense of familial loyalty as people of the Han Dynasty did. In fact, as he left Fei Min's estate, he even felt a faint sense of relief.
If Fei Min had offered his support and joined the plan, even if their goals aligned temporarily, what would happen if their opinions diverged in the future? Would Fei Qian have to consider compromising to some extent?
Still, paying a visit to the family head was an unavoidable step. The entire Han Dynasty operated under such social norms, and without absolute power, rashly challenging these rules would only lead to utter ruin.
Within a family, political disagreements were permissible—members could even pledge loyalty to different factions and fight each other to the death. Yet, once one side was defeated, they could often sit down together, share drinks, and converse amicably. The defeated would acknowledge their loss with grace, while the victor would still afford them due respect…
The remnants of the rites from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods still lingered in the Han Dynasty.
Thus, as long as Fei Qian visited the family head and discussed the current political climate, he could openly declare to the world that the lack of Fei family support was due to differing political views. Far from looking down on him, others would instead criticize Fei Min's choices.
Of course, this was contingent on Fei Qian's success. If he failed, then all of this would be moot.
But when it came to Cai Yong, Fei Qian couldn't afford to be as indifferent as he was toward Fei Min…
After his journey to Jingxiang, Fei Qian had gained a deeper understanding of the scholar-official clans of the Han Dynasty. Though the Chenliu Cai clan was currently lacking in numbers, its prestige was immense, and its lineage stretched far back into history.
Cai Yong hailed from Chenliu's Yu County and was a descendant of Cai Shudu, the fourteenth son of King Wen of Zhou. Cai Zhongming, one of his ancestors, was enfeoffed with the land of Cai, and his descendants thus took Cai as their surname. By the Han Dynasty, the Cai clan had become a renowned family known for its loyalty and filial piety. As early as the reign of Emperor Gaozu of the Western Han, Cai Yong's fourteenth-generation ancestor, Cai Yin, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Feiru for his outstanding military achievements.
Cai Yong's sixth-generation ancestor, Cai Xun, was fond of Huang-Lao philosophy and served as the magistrate of Mei County during Emperor Ping's reign. At the beginning of Wang Mang's usurpation, Cai Xun was appointed as the magistrate of Yarong. Gazing at the official seal and ribbon, he sighed to the heavens and declared, "I have pledged my name to the Han Dynasty, and in death, I shall remain loyal. Zengzi once refused a gift from Jisun—how could I serve two dynasties?" He then fled with his family into the deep mountains, joining the likes of Bao Xuan and Zhuo Mao in refusing to serve the Xin Dynasty. Later, after Liu Xiuzhang defeated Wang Mang, he issued an edict commending Cai Xun.
Cai Yong's grandfather, Cai Xie (courtesy name Shuye), rose to prominence during Emperor Shun's reign and was promoted to the position of Xincai County Magistrate due to his outstanding performance as a Minister of Works.
Cai Yong's father, Cai Leng (courtesy name Bozhi), was a man of pure character and was posthumously honored as Duke Dingzhen.
Cai Yong's mother, Lady Yuan, also came from a prominent family—she was the younger sister of Yuan Pang, the Grand Tutor.
His uncle, Cai Zhi (courtesy name Ziwen), served as a Secretary during Emperor Ling's reign.
Yet despite such illustrious lineage, the Cai clan's dwindling numbers in this generation meant that after Cai Yong—the family's great standard-bearer—met his tragic end, the entire clan fell into decline…
Moreover, during his time in Suanzao, Fei Qian had witnessed firsthand the power of the Cai clan's reputation. Though Chenliu's governor, Zhang Miao, and Yuzhou's Inspector, Kong Zhou, didn't know Fei Qian personally, merely mentioning Cai Yong's name instantly made them treat him with warmth and familiarity. Had Fei Qian not gone against their wishes during the election of the Guandong scholar-official coalition leader, causing relations to cool, maintaining good connections with them wouldn't have been difficult at all.
However, Fei Qian's feelings toward Cai Yong weren't rooted in a desire to exploit his reputation or family background. Instead, he genuinely appreciated Cai Yong's earnest efforts to nurture him.
Back in Luoyang, Cai Yong had personally instructed him, imparting knowledge without reservation, never looking down on him for being merely a collateral branch of the Fei family.
Moreover, despite knowing the risks, Cai Yong had meticulously arranged Fei Qian's path in Jingxiang, using his own accumulated connections and prestige to pave the way for him.
Though Cai Yong wasn't Fei Qian's blood relative, he had done no less for him than family would have. It could truly be said that without Cai Yong's deep affection, Fei Qian would never have achieved what he had today…
Thus, one of Fei Qian's most important goals in returning to Luoyang was to alter Cai Yong's fate!
Of course, Fei Qian was well aware of how difficult this task would be. The main challenge wasn't meeting Cai Yong—it was changing his mindset. Even if Fei Qian knocked the old man unconscious and abducted him, it would be pointless if Cai Yong's convictions remained unshaken…
This had happened once before when Cai Yong was young—
In the second year of the Yanxi era (159 A.D.), Cai Yong was only twenty-seven. His fame as a skilled qin player reached the ears of the powerful eunuchs Xu Huang and Zuo Guan, who summoned him to the capital to perform.
In truth, given Cai Yong's reputation, talent, and family background, an official career was inevitable. But he hadn't expected to be summoned as a mere entertainer rather than for his expertise in the classics and history, of which he was so proud.
Under pressure from the Governor of Chenliu, Cai Yong reluctantly set out for the capital. By the time he reached Yanshi, only a few dozen li from Luoyang, he could delay no further. In desperation, he deliberately exposed himself to the rain, using the resulting illness as an excuse to return home.
In Cai Yong's eyes, he would rather live in seclusion than compromise his principles by serving the so-called "Five Marquises"…
And that sigh Cai Yong had uttered after Dong Zhuo's death—wasn't that also a reflection of his unwavering integrity, his refusal to bow to power?
Faced with such a man—one who would rather break than bend, who upheld the ideals of a pure scholar—Fei Qian truly didn't know if he could achieve his goal this time…
The gatekeeper of the Cai residence was lazily basking in the sun, intermittently dozing off. Suddenly noticing several figures standing motionless before the gate, he irritably glared at them, ready to shout them away—only for his expression to instantly brighten as he recognized Fei Qian. Scrambling to his feet, he hurried out and bowed deeply.
"Young Master Fei! It's been so long—how have you been?"
"Is my teacher home?"
"Yes, yes! Allow this lowly one to announce your arrival…"
Fei Qian nodded, steeling his resolve. No matter what, he would do everything in his power!
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