C76. Cai Ji Banquet.
After the conscription started, the weapons were not sufficient. The production of weapons requires iron, but the iron ore is still in Zhong Ji's iron ore mine, and Yuan Li does not have the face to directly claim it.
Once the conscription was on track, he began to prepare the troops and horses to go to Yuanzhou to eliminate the Yishan Army.
Upon hearing this, Zhong Ji was extremely excited. He hurried back from Zhang Ming's place at night, requesting to bring troops and horses to fight the bandits together.
Yuan Li knew that this was a sore spot for him, so he sent ten elite guards to protect him and nodded in agreement with the request.
Zhong Ji bowed deeply to Yuan Li and walked alone under the Loquat tree in the courtyard.
The Loquat tree had grown green leaves and tender branches with the spring breeze, swaying slightly in the dim sunset.
Zhong Ji looked up at the branches and leaves, the remaining twilight piercing through the cracks onto his body.
He remembered the looks and smiles of his wife and children, and the tragic scene before their departure. Unconsciously, tears filled his face.
He could finally, finally avenge his wife and children!
*
Five days later, Wu Kai led his troops towards the Yishan in Yuanzhou.
This was ultimately a matter of eliminating bandits in the territory of the provincial governor of Yuanzhou, which didn't have a good reputation. Therefore, they sneaked in very stealthily, and an official from Jixian vaguely knew that a group of troops had left in the middle of the night.
Half a month after Wu Kai took Zhong Ji to fight the bandits, the county magistrate of Guangyang, Cai Ji, suddenly invited Yuan Li to a banquet.
When he received the invitation, Yuan Li was somewhat surprised. He looked at the invitation for a while, thinking about why Cai Ji invited him to the banquet.
Normally, Cai Ji and he maintained a respectful distance. Since Cai Ji had suffered losses at his hands, he would never go to him without a reason.
This was the first time that Cai Ji invited Yuan Li to a banquet. Yuanli couldn't figure out Cai Ji's purpose, so he decided to attend the banquet.
When he arrived at the venue, he realized that Cai Ji not only invited him, but also invited Chu Hechao.
A man stood upright in front of the table, accompanied by a guard behind him. The old and frail Cai Ji was bowing and smiling to Chu Hechao.
As Yuan Li approached, the man's expressionless face twitched slightly, and he turned to look at Cai Ji. "You also invited the provincial governor?"
Cai Ji chuckled, "The governor has taken care of me quite a bit, so I naturally can't forget about the governor."
Chu Hechao didn't believe those words. He sneered, took his seat confidently, and watched as Yuan Li approached.
Cai Ji personally led Yuan Li to his seat, warmly saying, "It's a great honor for me that the provincial governor can attend."
Yuan Li politely exchanged pleasantries with him and was then seated opposite Chu Hechao.
Chu Hechao finally spoke, saying, "Provincial Governor."
Yuan Li remained composed and replied, "General."
Cai Ji, sitting at the head of the table, looked at the two of them thoughtfully and clapped his hands.
With the sound, well-trained servants entered in a line, placing dishes and wine on the table one by one. Shortly after, a group of beautiful Hu dancers entered, dressed in light attire, dancing exotic dances in the middle of the banquet accompanied by music.
Looking at the faces of these women, it is clear that many of them are from the Xianbei and Xiongnu tribes. Yuan Li glanced at these Hu dancers and then back at Cai Ji.
With such grand gestures, Cai Ji's intentions were not simple.
Sure enough, after three rounds of drinks, Cai Ji stood up, raised his glass towards Yuan Li and Chu Hechao, and said, "Alas, I am old and confused. Before the arrival of General Chu, I have made many mistakes in Youzhou. I apologize to General Chu here."
Saying this, Cai Ji bowed shakily and finished the drink in his cup.
Chu Hechao remained still, and Yuan Li, pretending not to know, asked, "Why do you say such things, sir?"
Cai Ji sighed again, "Although I am the county magistrate of Guangyang, I have been ineffective and failed to do what I should have done, causing hardship to the people and low tax revenues. This is my fault, and I regret it deeply."
As he spoke, Cai Ji had five large boxes brought in. When the boxes were opened, they were filled with gold.
Cai Ji secretly watched the expressions of Yuan Li and Chu Hechao and said, "This is the money I obtained after selling off my family's assets. I heard that the governor is recruiting soldiers, and there may be a shortage of funds. Although I am incompetent, I know that the governor's actions are for the good of Youzhou. I am willing to offer this money to assist the governor and make up for my past mistakes."
Yuan Li understood.
Cai Ji was trying to make amends with them. Repenting for his past embezzlement of taxes and his rule as a local emperor in Youzhou.
But why did he choose this moment to repent? Better late than never?
Yuan Li smiled faintly, "Sir Cai's generosity is too much. I dare not accept these gifts."
Cai Ji was surprised, thinking that Yuan Li was refusing his apology, and he glanced at his steward.
The steward walked out and brought in three more large boxes.
Cai Ji felt heartbroken, but he maintained a friendly smile, "Governor, your words are too modest. If you still refuse to accept, I will empty my coffers and provide everything the soldiers of Youzhou need."
Though the eight large boxes of gold were not all of Cai Ji's wealth, it was evident that he had made a significant sacrifice. Yuan Li, keen-eyed, noticed that some of the gold had traces of being melted, probably from melting down jewelry from his home.
This amount of gold could almost offset the embezzled tax revenue from Cai Ji's past.
Although Yuan Li didn't know the sudden reason for Cai Ji's repentance, since the money was offered to him, there was no reason to refuse. He graciously accepted and thanked Cai Ji.
Cai Ji then cautiously looked at Chu Hechao.
Chu Hechao squinted as he looked at the eight large boxes of gold, showing some satisfaction. He nodded, "Well done."
This time, Cai Ji could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
With this matter settled, the atmosphere at the banquet became even more harmonious. Cai Ji, in high spirits, continued, "May I ask, General and Governor, is the previous batch of troops and horses that departed in the night heading to Yuanzhou to deal with the bandits?"
Yuan Li and Chu Hechao locked eyes for a moment, knowing that the main topic was about to be discussed.
After their silent communication, Yuan Li recovered and calmly replied, "Yes."
As the county magistrate of Guangyang, Cai Ji could easily find out about Zhong Ji's visit to Yuan Li. Despite his incompetence, he could guess the purpose of Wu Kai and Zhong Ji's journey. Since he already knew, there was no need for Yuan Li to deceive him.
Cai Ji continued to ask, "I wonder if the decision to deal with the bandits was the governor's or the military's idea?"
Chu Hechao responded lightly, "Is it important whose idea it was?"
Cai Ji was taken aback but not angered. He chuckled and stroked his beard thoughtfully, lowering his voice subtly, "Generals, please don't mind this old man's bluntness. Yanzhou is the territory of Che Kangbo. Sending troops to Yuanchou to besiege the Yishan army, regardless of whether it's overstepping boundaries, if Che Kangbo finds out, it could lead to misunderstandings that we are attacking Yuanchou. This could cause major trouble and make people think we have ulterior motives."
While this reasoning had some merit, it was somewhat exaggerated. Yuan Li had only sent a thousand cavalrymen to deal with the bandits, not a large force stationed at the border of Yuanchou.
Even if Che Kangbo misunderstood, would he really believe that these thousand cavalrymen could defeat him?
Che Kangbo was a weak and indecisive man, easily swayed by whoever bullies him. He was unlikely to confront the Yishan army, and Yuan Li didn't think he would challenge Youzhou over this matter.
However, Yuan Li was prepared for the worst-case scenario. Even if Che Kangbo found out about this and was displeased, Yuan Li could justify his actions by claiming to be eliminating bandits for the good of the country and the people.
Che Kangbo might grumble in private, but that would be the extent of it.
Yuan Li had no intention of backing down and stated, "The Yishan army is too ruthless and oppressive, as you should know. A horse trader from Jiyin County in Yuanchou, Zhong Ji, came to me for help. How could I stand idly by? Although the Yishan army is a bandit group in Yuanchou, they harm the people of all the prefectures and counties passing through Yuanchou. They are a tumor in Northern Zhou. I believe when Che Kangbo learns that we have rid him of this scourge, he will be grateful that his people are safe from harm."
Cai Ji wanted to say more, but Yuan Li, rubbing his temples and looking slightly drunk, interrupted, "I am weary from the wine. Sir Cai, may I borrow a room for a brief rest? I will return shortly."
Seeing that Yuan Li had hardly touched his drink, Cai Ji understood that he was using it as an excuse to avoid discussing the matter further. Helplessly, Cai Ji had Yuan Li escorted downstairs to sober up.
Once Yuanli left, Cai Ji immediately turned to Chu Hechao and asked, "General, should we reconsider the matter of the Yishan army?"
Chu Hechao casually watched the Hu dancers perform, then unexpectedly remarked, "You seem to be speaking up for Che Kangbo. Did he ask you to persuade us in private?"
Cai Ji broke out in a cold sweat and instinctively protested, "I swear I am innocent!"
"Could it be..." Chu Hechao's gaze turned sharp as he looked at Cai Ji, "Are you speaking on behalf of the Yishan army?"
With a loud "clank," Cai Ji's glass fell to the ground. Instantly, his face changed, and he clumsily knelt down, trembling, "I dare not! I have no connection to those bandits!"
Chu Hechao remained silent, letting Cai Ji continue to kneel. After a sip of wine, his brows furrowed suddenly, "Stop."
The dancing Hu women came to a halt in groups of three or two.
Chu Hechao's gaze swept over them. he asked, "One person is missing, where did she go?"
He suddenly turned to the steward of the Cai mansion, his eyes sharp.
The steward, still kneeling, his face buried in his arms, trembled as he replied, "It seems... she, she followed Governor Yuan when he left."
Chu Hechao's breathing hitched.
With a sharp snap, he forcibly crushed the fabric in his hand.