Battle Royale of the Sinners

Chapter 368: Cai Wenji

In history, Cai Yong started his career as a clerk under an official. As he was talented in mathematics, calligraphy, music, and astronomy, Cai Yong was later promoted to work in Luoyang library.

In 175, Cai Yong and many scholars engraved the Five Classics in stone, which became Xiping Stone Classics, and it became a role model for the later generation scholars.

As a royalist, Cai Yong was a part of an anti-eunuch faction. He works conflicted with eunuch clan in the palace, but his political attack was not successful.

In 177 and 178, Cai Yong was exiled to the frontier as he and his uncle were framed by the eunuch faction with a crime he did not commit. He tried to return to the capital later to protect his works, but Cai Yong had to evict himself from the capital city because of the political infighting.

In 189, Dong Zhuo occupied the capital and forced Cai Yong back to Luoyang. Dong Zhuo threatened Cai Yong with the death of his family. Thus, unwillingly, Cai Yong returned.

Later in 192, Wang Yun imprisoned Cai Yong because he was found allegedly grieved for the tyrant's death. Cai Yong died in prison without being able to finish his works.

Throughout his life, Cai Yong faced many unfortunate injustices. However, he left behind many treasure works, including the Book of the Later Han, which survived until the modern days.

Cai Yong might be bad in politics, but his culture, arts, and his hard-working nature were in the top tier. He was a valuable asset to boost the kingdom's culture, arts, and knowledge for the later generations.

As for Cai Wenji, Cao Cao protected her after Cai Yong's death, so she could continue her father's legacy. She was considered one of Cao Cao's friend that he treasured, even though she was not his wife or a concubine.

…

In this world, the eunuch did not have enough times to pick a fight with Cai Yong as they were busy with Liu Ping. As a result, Cai Yong managed to refuge in Chenliu until Cao Cao stole it from Zhang Miao.

Because of Cai Yong's cultural knowledge and his arts, Cao Cao visited him many times, and they became friends.

Then, a couple of months ago, Cao Cao sent him a letter, asking him for a favor.

Cao Cao wanted Cai Yong to live in Ye City as his deep mole, so he could influence Tong's political movement in the court.

However, no one expected the rumored lolicon like Tong to be interested in a reserved woman.

…

Tong gazed at Cai Wenji in a trance, recalling the background of Cai Yong and this young woman.

The works of Cai Yong could benefit the country in the long run, which Tong had the urge to change this man's fate by sheltering him under his wings.

But his subconscious interest toward a famous poet Cai Wenji was higher at the moment.

Cai Wenji was a well-dressed musician. Unlike other performers, she did not reveal her skin. Her blue robe has long sleeves, yet they did not interfere with her performance earlier.

Her manner, etiquette, subtle expression, and her natural beauty attracted Tong's eyes that he forgot about his current position again.

Although Tong had Du Shi as his concubine, she was different than this reserved and cultured girl. Cai Wenji's high-class traditional beauty charm stunned Tong for a long time.

Xun Yu and Cai Yan noticed Tong's awestruck expression, which they misunderstood him.

Cai Yong was shocked at first that this young emperor interested in his daughter, but he was relieved that Tong was not as lustful as emperor Ling. If it were him, he would not mind giving his daughter to Tong.

Still, not everything went according to the plan of his friend.

'I was expecting to be a spy for Cao Cao. To think that I can be Zhang Tong's father-in-law …'

Cai Yong coughed and snapped Tong from his trance.

"Thank you for your kindness, your majesty. Oh, by the way, my daughter is the leading performer in this trope, and she had just come of age last year. I see that you like her performance. Would you like her to be your personal musician?"

Tong glared at Cai Yong, "You said you won't sell your daughter, but you are selling your daughter now?"

"You misunderstood me, your majesty. I'm not selling my daughter. I'm only asking if you have an available job in the palace for a musician."

"That's the same, isn't it?"

"Haha, of course not."

While the façade continued, Cai Wenji glanced at Tong, observing this young emperor's face for the first time. As a public performer, she came across many men who desired her body. Therefore, she could tell if Tong was a beast or a gentleman.

Within Tong's eyes, there was no trace of lust or desire, only curiosity and concern.

Cai Wenji sighed in relief, believing that Tong was not a bad man. She mustered her courage and interjected, "Your majesty, if you would like, I can be by your side and use my art for you."

Sensing the escalating misunderstanding, Tong stuttered, "I-It's alright. Y-You don't have to force yourself. I'll chastise your father later for his inconsideration, alright?"

Cai Wenji kowtowed, "Please don't chastise my father. This is my will."

Tong smacked his forehead again. He leaned back to his throne, unable to think of an excuse to chase this father and daughter away.

'I want to protect Cai Yong for his future works, but I don't want to be at odds with him. Do I really have to accept his offer?'

Xun Yu grinned. He walked to Tong's side and whispered, "You should take her in, your majesty. This will eliminate all bad rumors about you."

"I have bad rumors? What is this about? Why was I not aware of this?"

"It might sound impolite, but commoners said you were smitten by Lady Du."

"I'm smitten!?"

"Yes. I think servants in the palace spread this. Since you only gave your affection to Lady Du and refused all other potential concubines, everyone believes in it."

"…"

"I know it might be bad for the lady, please accept this girl. You always called for lady Du every night, right? I don't blame you that you failed to impregnate her, but at least you should give her a break."

"…"

This was the third time that Tong facepalmed himself.

In the end, Tong accepted Cai Wenji into his palace. All Tong's supporters celebrated as they introduced themselves to Cai Yong with enthusiasm, planning to drag this elder to their side.

Cai Yong was over the moon, happy that his daughter was hand-picked by the hard-to-get emperor. Even though Tong refused to bless him with a position in the court, he did not mind it since he got a connection with Tong now.

Meanwhile, Tong introduced Cai Wenji to Du Shi.

The two girls formed a click in an instant when they began talking about culture and arts. For hours, they left Tong out of the loop that Tong had to excuse himself from the awkwardness.

Fortunately, Cai Wenji was a reserved girl. She did not enter his chamber at night like Du Shi, who tirelessly attended Tong every night even though he never asked for it.

Looking at the hard-working Du Shi, Tong felt a bit guilty.

'I should stop using the contraceptive system on her. Someone might think that I'm infertile if she's here every night, but she never gets pregnant.'

For three months, Du Shi refused to share Tong with Cai Wenji, though they were on friendly terms on the surface. She changed her mind later once the palace physicians found that Du Shi got pregnant.

Cai Wenji finally mustered her courage and visited Tong after Du Shi stopped attending him at night.

Just like Du Shi, Cai Wenji was found pregnant later in December.

Cai Yong's status was strengthened as Tong had to assign him with the position of Minister of Writing. He would lead a department, which was in charge of producing and inheriting learning materials for the next generations, such as annals, historical records, and classics.

As it was Cai Yong's favorite career, he accepted it without a condition.

December, 189 A.D.

A letter arrived at Cao Cao in Qiao City. It was from Cai Yong.

Reading the letter, Cao Cao burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Zhang Tong, you lusty brat! You finally impregnated Cai Yong's daughter! You sure have good eyes."

Cao Cao was elated. With a spy like Cai Yong, he could sabotage Tong's political power from the inside. Still, the development exceeded his expectation.

"What do you think, Putin?"

"A bit unexpected. Unfortunately, your plan has just failed, Mengde."

"How does it fail? Cai Yong is their Minister of Writing now. He has also tied his bond with Zhang Tong."

"He has become Zhang Tong's relative. Do you think he will betray his daughter and his potential grandchild?"

"But he's my friend! His daughter is his property, he will-"

Cao Cao froze for a whole minute before he started sweating, "Fuck, I messed up! Cai Yong can act as a double agent with this kind of relationship. Did he report our deal to Zhang Tong?"

"Yeah, you messed up big time. Relationship during an espionage mission is a taboo. Cai Yong can't be used as a mole anymore."

"Did we just give Tong a talented officer?"

"Not us, you did."

"…"

Cao Cao picked a wine jar and smashed it on a distant wall, venting his anger.

It was rare to see Cao Cao's frustration. Pu Jing stood still, observing his lord dealing with his setback.

Cao Cao took two minutes to manage his temper. He stared at Pu Jing with an exhausted expression, "What can I do to take that monster down? I'm out of ideas."

Pu Jing smirked, "Can you destroy a country for your ambition?"

Cao Cao bit his lower lips and shook his head, "I'm not that stupid. If you want me to ally with the Xiongnu, I won't do it, ever!"

"Then, don't fight him. Both of you are protecting the country. What's the point of fighting him anyway?"

Cao Cao grabbed Pu Jing's collar, "It was you who wanted me to fight! I had always wanted to unite my forces with him, but you ruined my chances!"

Staring into Cao Cao's bloodshot eyes, Pu Jing snorted, "Then, don't fight. Raise him instead."

Cao Cao clenched his fist and choked Pu Jing, "This will be the last time I'm hearing sick advice from you. If it doesn't work this time, your head will be used as my wine bowl!"

Pu Jing remained indifferent, "Take it easy, Mengde. You know that I'm the only one who can fight Zhang Tong, right?"

"… Tell me about the plan."

Cao Cao released his grips, and Pu Jing staggered backward a step. The former premier adjusted his voice as he explained, "We'll serve him as we spoil him. We'll live under his banners as Liu Xie's supporter."

Cao Cao frowned, "Liu Xie? The crown prince?"

"Yes. That prince that you had planned to exalted him, but Zhang Tong stole it."

"What's the point of joining the weaker side-… Never mind, I get it."

Cao Cao sighed as he gazed at a system menu, his clan chat. He checked the list of his clan members.

Pu Jing

Cao Cao

Xiahou Dun

Xiahou Yuan

Cao Ren

Cao Hong

There were many other officers that Cao Cao wanted to add into the clan chat, but Pu Jing could only add one person a year.

Pu Jing also regretted using this feature later than the others. As he was the only reincarnator, his faction grew the slowest among all clans.