Chapter 651: Cai Wenji
Chapter 651: Cai Wenji
September 25, 2017
As the power dynamics shifted among the influential figures in Luoyang, and various schemes were being plotted, there was one individual actively making his moves within the city.
This person was none other than Xin Ping, the first true scholar-official recognized by the system to have pledged allegiance to Lu HaiKong's faction a few months ago.
Ever since then, Xin Ping had been busy, except for the brief period when he was protected by Zhang Lang during Lu HaiKong and Huangfu Song's confrontation.
Of course, Xin Ping's activities were noticed by many, but the powerful figures at court didn't pay much attention. This was because Xin Ping's actions primarily targeted the lower classes.
On one hand, Xin Ping spread the news of Lu HaiKong's victories against the Yellow Turbans and the Wu Xian Allied Army among the commoners of Luoyang. With his experienced propaganda team from Flame Mountain Fortress, he successfully established a towering image of Lu HaiKong among the fearful citizens within a few months.
On the other hand, Xin Ping used his collection of ancient artifacts, worth tens of millions, to bribe officials from less prestigious backgrounds. While drawing them closer to Lu HaiKong, he also expanded his network of connections in Luoyang.
Xin Ping had openly worked to build Lu HaiKong's reputation, and he didn't try to hide this fact. However, for his next move, Xin Ping was much more discreet, acting mostly in secret and employing clever methods. With Zhang Lang occasionally providing covert assistance in the background, Xin Ping's actions went largely unnoticed by He Jin and his associates.
Therefore, they didn't think much of Xin Ping's actions, even though there had just been a Yellow Turban Rebellion originating from the lower classes. He Jin, who also rose from the commoners, didn't pay much attention to the citizens of Luoyang.
Consequently, they didn't anticipate the situation when Lu HaiKong arrived in Luoyang.
Lu HaiKong had informed Xin Ping of his arrival in advance, and Xin Ping had made the necessary arrangements. The citizens of Luoyang were also aware of Lu HaiKong's impending arrival.
Thus, when the day finally came, countless citizens gathered outside the city gates, eager to catch a glimpse of the legendary Lu HaiKong, who had been the talk of the town for the past few months.
Many had arrived early and waited outside the gates, blocking the official road leading to and from the city gates, creating a bustling crowd. The citizens were abuzz with excitement, eagerly awaiting Lu HaiKong's appearance.
Witnessing this scene, He Jin, who had been preparing to give Lu HaiKong a hard time upon his entry into Luoyang, turned pale. Despite not valuing these commoners, he wasn't foolish. With tens of thousands of citizens gathered, it was not an opportune time for him to cause trouble.
Not only was it inconvenient to stir up trouble, but He Jin also had to dispatch people to maintain order. This wasn't his initial intention, but to give Lu HaiKong a hard time, he specifically took on the task of welcoming Lu HaiKong. If anything went wrong during this time, he would be held responsible.
So He Jin listened to his subordinates' advice and dispatched people to maintain order.
"This Lu HaiKong, what a grand entrance. I want to see what kind of person this fellow is!" He Jin said coldly from atop the city gate.
Meanwhile, there was another person who shared similar thoughts with Dong Zhuo—Cai Yong.
When the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, Cai Yong was invited by a friend to take refuge in Luoyang. He had been in the city for some time and was aware of the rumors about Lu HaiKong circulating among the commoners. However, as a scholar, he viewed these rumors with skepticism.
After all, Lu HaiKong's background was no secret. Many knew that Lu HaiKong was a former mountain bandit, and scholars like Cai Yong generally held a negative view of such blood-stained individuals.
With Cai Yong's wisdom, it wasn't difficult to discern the exaggerations in the rumors. Under these circumstances, his evaluation of Lu HaiKong was naturally lower.
What displeased Cai Yong the most was the grand entrance before him.
It wasn't because he was blocked by the citizens and couldn't enter or leave the city gates with his daughter that he was dissatisfied. What truly bothered him was that Lu HaiKong had orchestrated such a grand spectacle to build his reputation, disregarding the safety of the citizens. There were likely tens of thousands of people crowded outside the city gates, and any mishap could lead to a severe safety incident.
To build his reputation, Lu HaiKong disregarded the lives of the citizens. Could Cai Yong possibly respect such a person?
Although Cai Yong didn't respect him, the little girl by his side, around ten years old, was very interested.
The little girl wore a pure white Hanfu, her jet-black hair simply yet elegantly tied up. Despite some baby fat on her face, her features were delicate, giving off a scholarly and gentle aura even at such a young age.
She was leaning against the window of the carriage, slightly lifting the curtain to peek outside.
The little girl, who rarely ventured outside, was clueless about the commotion in the city. However, her confusion was soon addressed by the people nearby.
The citizens, their faces flushed, eagerly awaited Lu HaiKong's arrival while discussing his heroic deeds. From their conversations, the little girl caught snippets of information, vaguely sketching an image in her mind—a grand general akin to Wei Qing or Huo Qubing.
But before this image could fully form, her father, Cai Yong, interrupted.
"Yan'er, don't look."
Hearing her father's call, the little girl gently lowered the curtain she had lifted and joined him. With sparkling eyes, she asked, "Father, what kind of person is General Lu HaiKong?"
Cai Yong was taken aback by her question but, being the meticulous scholar he was, he paused to consider his response, offering his honest opinion: "Perhaps a valiant and decisive warrior, but also a cunning and heavy-hearted tyrant."
Cai Yong's initial assessment was fair, but before he could finish, his expression darkened as he recalled the connection between Lu HaiKong and Zhang Lang. It was as if he had swallowed a fly, leaving a bitter taste.
"I heard that Lu HaiKong was once a mountain bandit, wreaking havoc on the borders of Bing Province and tormenting the citizens. To survive, he aligned himself with the Eunuch Party's Zhang Lang, cleared his name, and climbed the ranks to his current position. This man is deeply scheming, with no bottom line when it comes to advancement. He's a base and dishonorable person."
This assessment reflected Cai Yong's genuine thoughts; as a scholar, he spoke his mind. However, he didn't consider whether his daughter could understand his words. To his surprise, she seemed to grasp the gist of what he said, and the image she had formed of Lu HaiKong crumbled.
She didn't understand the terms 'Eunuch Party' or 'cleared his name,' nor could she fathom how a mountain bandit could become a general. But the last few words she heard were clear.
Compared to a stranger she had never met, the little girl naturally trusted her father's words.
(A 16-9 book, no mistake!)
As the little girl's image of Lu HaiKong crumbled, the bustling voices outside the carriage gradually faded into silence.
Amidst this silence, a disciplined clatter of hooves reached the ears of Cai Yong and his daughter. Simultaneously, an inexplicable feeling washed over them.
This sensation was subtle yet extraordinary, prompting Cai Yong to lift the carriage's curtain and peer outside. The little girl quietly joined him, and together, they looked out the window. In that moment, both were stunned by what they saw.
As they lifted the curtain, they beheld a cavalry unit approaching, each soldier clad in battle robes seemingly dyed red with blood.
At that instant, the feeling and scene merged, intensifying an aura they had never experienced before.
It was an aura filled with blood, iron, and flames. Within this aura, they seemed to see a crimson flame enveloping Lu HaiKong and his Bloodstained Legion, transforming them into an even more formidable Iron Blood army.
This was an undefeated army, forged in blood and fire!
In that moment, upon seeing this army, everyone understood.
Among the tens of thousands of citizens, many had wondered about Lu HaiKong before meeting him, discussing his image until their faces were flushed. They all had countless speculations, each with their own opinions and mental images of Lu HaiKong and his troops.
But when they finally laid eyes on the real Lu HaiKong and his Bloodstained Legion, all disputes vanished. Everyone was deeply moved, and in that instant, they all agreed that this was the very legion and general they had imagined.
No, it was even better and more impressive than they had envisioned.
Upon seeing this army, no one could speak; no words could express the excitement they felt.
At that moment, as Lu HaiKong arrived, within that small, not-so-luxurious carriage...
A little girl, around ten years old, witnessed a general riding a majestic warhorse, adorned in golden armor, with a splendid longsword hanging at his waist.
The image that had faded moments ago was instantly reborn, even grander...
(End of Chapter)
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