Cai Yong was one of the greatest Confucian scholars of the late Eastern Han Dynasty.
During the Jianning era, his primary duty was compiling historical records at Dongguan Pavilion. By the Xiping era, however, he grew concerned that the Confucian classics—being far removed from the time of the ancient sages—had accumulated numerous textual errors. These inaccuracies often misled scholars and distorted teachings.
To resolve this, Cai Yong joined forces with figures like Tang Xidian, Yang Ci, and Ma Midi, submitting a memorial to Emperor Ling of Han requesting a formal revision of the Six Classics.
Their proposal was approved.
The corrected texts were carved onto stone tablets and placed at the entrance of the Imperial Academy for public reference. These became the famous Xiping Stone Classics.
Once completed, the impact was immense—over a thousand scholars came daily to study and copy the inscriptions, with carriages clogging the streets of Luoyang. Cai Yong's reputation soared, and he became a revered teacher across the realm.
Fall from Favor
In the first year of the Guanghe era, strange omens plagued the empire. Emperor Liu Hong sought explanations, and Cai Yong responded bluntly: these signs were the result of women and eunuchs meddling in state affairs.
This bold accusation angered powerful eunuchs like Cao Jie. In retaliation, they fabricated charges against Cai Yong, leading to his imprisonment.
Though he narrowly escaped execution—thanks in part to imperial favor and pleas from others—he was exiled to the frontier, first to Shuofang and then Wuyuan.
Later, a general amnesty allowed him to return home. But misfortune struck again.
At a farewell banquet, the Wuyuan prefect Wang Zhi—brother of the eunuch Wang Fu—invited Cai Yong to drink and dance. Disliking his association with eunuchs, Cai Yong refused, offending him.
Wang Zhi retaliated by falsely accusing Cai Yong of slandering the court. Other hostile eunuchs joined in.
Realizing the danger, Cai Yong fled south to Jiangdong.
Emperor Liu Hong knew the truth—but valuing Cai Yong's talent, he chose not to pursue him.
A New Summons
Years later, Liu Hong decided:
"Cai Yong has rested long enough—it's time he returns to service."
He instructed Zhang Rang to send a personal letter alongside an imperial edict, ensuring Cai Yong's compliance.
Zhang Xin's Opportunity
Far away in Yuyang, Zhang Xin stared at the name in the letter:
Cai Yong.
His eyes lit up.
Cai Bojie of Chenliu… a peerless genius!
Though not a battlefield strategist like Tian Feng or Ju Shou, Cai Yong's value was far greater at this stage.
Why?
Because he was a scholar of national renown.
If Zhang Xin could win his approval, his reputation among scholars would skyrocket—making future recruitment far easier.
After all:
Cao Cao was considered half his disciple Wang Can studied under him Gu Yong was also his student
And beyond that—
Cai Yong was a master writer.
Which meant one thing:
Books.
Zhang Xin's greatest bottleneck in spreading education wasn't paper—it was content. Even with improved papermaking, without books, nothing could advance.
Cai Yong possessed tens of thousands of volumes in his lifetime. Even after years of war and displacement, he left over four thousand books to his daughter, Cai Yan.
Zhang Xin smirked.
If I don't get a few thousand books out of him, that would be a waste of his trip…
Then his thoughts drifted—
I wonder… will he bring Cai Zhaoji with him?
He shook his head immediately.
"Focus on learning, not women."
March to Ji County
Zhang Xin quickly wrote letters, ordering troop movements, then personally escorted supplies to Ji County.
There, he visited Liu Yu, thanking him for his past support.
Liu Yu, a modest and virtuous man despite his imperial lineage, took a strong liking to Zhang Xin—especially his peaceful policies toward the Wuhuan.
The two parted on excellent terms.
Arrival of Gongsun Zan
Two days later, Gongsun Zan arrived.
Young, handsome, and imposing, he entered the command tent and saluted.
But before Zhang Xin could exchange pleasantries—
"Where is the military tally?" Gongsun Zan demanded.
Zhang Xin tried to respond calmly, but Gongsun Zan cut him off again, even producing the imperial edict.
"The situation is urgent. I have no time for courtesy!"
Furious but constrained, Zhang Xin handed over the tally.
Gongsun Zan accepted it and left without another word.
As he exited, Zhang Xin overheard him mutter:
"These so-called officials…"
Niu Feng bristled with rage, ready to chase him down—but Zhang Xin stopped him.
"He holds the imperial edict. Let it go."
Still, anger flickered in his eyes.
Gongsun Zan… I treated you with respect, and you repay me with arrogance.
Fine.
When the day comes that you clash with Liu Yu… I'll make sure you regret it.