Chapter Two: First Steps in the Officialdom

At night, Cai Yong was still pondering over the matters that Luo Ang had recounted to him earlier in the day, so much so that he didn't notice his daughter entering the room.

"Father! Father!" Cai Yan stood beside him, reminding him gently.

Cai Yong snapped out of his reverie upon hearing Cai Yan's voice and saw her by his side, not knowing when she had arrived. "Wenji, is something the matter?"

"Father, I've called you several times, but you didn't respond."

"What's wrong, Father? Why do you look so troubled?"

Cai Yong sighed and said, "Earlier today, I deliberately asked Zicheng about affairs at court, and to my surprise, he analyzed each detail thoroughly. Now, the Emperor favors the eunuchs and employs treacherous ministers; not to mention He Jin, the powerful relative. Though I am the Left General of the Imperial Guard, I am unable to persuade His Majesty."

Cai Yan said, "Father, you shouldn't trouble yourself too much over this."

"If a courtier does not concern himself with the matters of the court, what is he then?" Cai Yong questioned. "My daughter, you do not understand the workings of the court."

Meanwhile, in Luo Ang's room.

Luo Ang lay with his hands behind his head, gazing at the ceiling, and sighed. He murmured, "I never expected that upon arriving in this era, I would be taken in by Cai Wenji, the renowned female scholar of the Eastern Han. Yet, according to history, Cai Yong was killed by Wang Yun; Cai Wenji first married Wei Zhongdao, who died young, forcing her out of his family. After Dong Zhuo’s death, she was seized by the Left Wise King, bore him two children, and was later redeemed by Cao Cao, marrying Dong Si."

Here, he resolved to change history, determined not to let it repeat itself.

Just then, Cai Yan entered. She saw a bamboo scroll on Luo Ang’s desk, noticed the writing upon it, and picked it up out of curiosity. Reading the poem titled "An Answer to the Dream in the Boudoir," attributed to the Tang poet Zhang Ruoxu, she recited:

"Years pass swiftly at the frontier,
From towers, farewells gaze afar.
Testing robes for warmth,
Opening the mirror to seek spring’s light.
Swallows peek through silk curtains,
Bees alight upon painted garments.
Love hastens the peach and plum to bloom,
My heart soars with music’s flight.
Washed and adorned, I await at dawn,
Wind-blown flowers linger at dusk.
Where does the soul enter dreams?
Silence closes the heavy doors."

Cai Yan was deeply captivated by the poem, for it vividly portrayed tender feelings of love.

Luo Ang saw that Cai Yan had entered without him noticing. He immediately rose from his bed and greeted her, "Miss!"

Cai Yan, hearing Luo Ang’s call, returned from her reverie and turned to him, speaking softly, "Master Luo."

"Please, don’t call me Master Luo; it sounds too formal. Just call me Zicheng."

Cai Yan nodded and asked, "Zicheng, did you write this poem?"

Luo Ang’s heart leapt at her question, for the poem was actually Zhang Ruoxu’s, and he had spent an entire week memorizing it.

Caught in a dilemma, Luo Ang forced himself to reply, "Yes."

"I never expected you to compose such a beautiful poem," Cai Yan praised.

Luo Ang smiled awkwardly at Cai Yan, secretly thinking, "Forgive me, Zhang Ruoxu—I had no other choice."

The next morning, Luo Ang’s "An Answer to the Dream in the Boudoir" spread throughout the streets and alleys of Luoyang.

In an instant, Luo Ang became a famed poet of Luoyang. His poem circulated across the nation, making him a rising star in the poetic world.

Luo Ang was astonished to learn that the poem he had transcribed so casually had spread so widely. Nevertheless, he was proud to have written it before Zhang Ruoxu’s birth, thinking he could use this fame to rival Cao Zhi, the legendary poet of the Three Kingdoms.

Soon after, Cai Yong returned from the court and summoned Luo Ang to his study.

Luo Ang quickly entered Cai Yong’s study.

He bowed and said, "My lord, may I ask why you have summoned me?"

"Sit first, then we shall speak."

Luo Ang took the seat on the left and looked at Cai Yong.

Cai Yong recounted the events at court: "Zicheng, just as you predicted, today I did not intervene, and Zhang Rang and He Jin quarreled fiercely in the court."

"He Jin and Zhang Rang each seek to control power at court, so they may do as they please," Luo Ang remarked, laying bare their motives.

Cai Yong, hearing Luo Ang’s words, immediately understood the deadly rivalry between He Jin and Zhang Rang—it was all about seizing authority.

"If not for your insight, Zicheng, I would never have realized it," Cai Yong said.

Luo Ang replied modestly, "You are too kind, my lord!"

"By the way, Zicheng, how about I recommend you for an official post?"

Luo Ang purposely declined, "There’s no need—I am content as a commoner. But, my lord, you must be cautious of Julu County."

"Julu? Why should I be wary of Julu?"

"Because soon, a rebellion will erupt in Julu, fiercer than the uprising of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang in Qin times!"

"Why Julu?" Cai Yong asked curiously.

Luo Ang answered solemnly, "Julu is near the capital, making rebellion more likely. Now, the people are displaced, gnawing bark and eating grass roots—survival itself is a challenge, let alone rebellion!"

Cai Yong listened to Luo Ang’s heartfelt words and began to ponder.

Luo Ang saw Cai Yong deep in thought and started to plan his own path to officialdom, dreaming of unifying the realm step by step.

Cai Yong said, "In that case, I shall recommend you for office tomorrow. Do not decline."

"Thank you, my lord!"

"Also, the poem you wrote last night, ‘An Answer to the Dream in the Boudoir,’ has spread through the streets of Chang’an and many districts—your talent is truly remarkable!"

Luo Ang replied humbly, "You flatter me, my lord. I have only read a few books, and my learning is shallow—hardly worthy of such praise. Compared to Sima Xiangru of the Former Han, I am but a firefly to the moon, a crow to the phoenix!"

"If you claim to have read little, how could you write such a fine poem?"

Luo Ang smiled awkwardly and said no more, for Cai Yong was a renowned literary figure, his calligraphy and musical skills unmatched.

On the third morning, Cai Yong attended court early. He planned to recommend Luo Ang to Emperor Ling, believing from his face and talent that Luo Ang was destined for greatness.

Zhang Rang and He Jin, as before, quarreled loudly in the court.

Cai Yong now stepped forward and addressed Emperor Ling, "Your Majesty, I have a student who has told me there will soon be a rebellion in Julu!"

He called Luo Ang his student to smooth his path into officialdom.

Zhang Rang and He Jin stopped their quarrel, intrigued by Cai Yong’s words.

Not only they, but all the civil and military officials in the hall turned their curious gaze upon Cai Yong.

Emperor Ling looked at Cai Yong in wonder, "Who is your student, and why does he make such bold claims?"

Zhang Rang mocked, "Your student speaks so boldly—surely he is a man of empty reputation."

"Indeed," He Jin agreed with Zhang Rang for once.

Cai Yong ignored their jibes and continued, "Your Majesty, though my student speaks thus, he has grounds for his claim!"

Emperor Ling’s curiosity peaked, "What are these grounds?"

"Now, the people are displaced, gnawing bark and eating grass roots—survival itself is a challenge, let alone rebellion!"

Emperor Ling asked, "Why in Julu and not elsewhere?"

"Julu is close to the capital, making rebellion more likely," Cai Yong replied.

"Who is this student who dares to speak so boldly?"

"He is Luo Ang, styled Zicheng!"

"Is it the Luo Ang, Zicheng, who composed ‘An Answer to the Dream in the Boudoir?’" Emperor Ling asked in surprise.

"It is."

He Jin scoffed, "How could a mere scholar know anything of military affairs? He only theorizes, without any real talent for command!"

Zhang Rang’s eyes shifted as he said to Emperor Ling, "Your Majesty, summon this man and test his military acumen. If he has talent, use him; if not, grant him a minor post, lest the world accuse Your Majesty of cruelty."

His intention was to wrest Luo Ang from Cai Yong.

Cai Yong recognized Zhang Rang’s ploy, but chose not to contest it for now, intent on bringing Luo Ang into the court first, then dealing with Zhang Rang.

"Your Majesty, Zhang Rang speaks wisely."

Emperor Ling asked, "Where is he now?"

"I have brought him, and he awaits outside."

"Very well, summon him."

Luo Ang entered, came to the center, and bowed, "Your servant Luo Ang greets Your Majesty!"

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"You are Luo Ang?" Emperor Ling asked.

"I am."

He Jin challenged, "Do you know anything of military affairs?"

Luo Ang replied calmly, "I know a little."

"Good. Tell me: in warfare, how do you manage supplies and marshal troops?"

Recalling the Art of War, Luo Ang answered, "Sun Tzu said: ‘The use of troops involves a thousand chariots, a thousand leather-covered wagons, and ten thousand armored soldiers, with provisions supplied over a thousand li. The expenses within and without, the cost of guests, glue and lacquer, and the upkeep of arms and armor, daily expenses amount to a thousand gold pieces; then a force of ten thousand may be raised. As the saying goes: ‘Before the troops move, the supplies must go first.’ General, you have served on the battlefield for years, and surely know the value of military logistics."

He Jin pressed, "What difference does it make, knowing or not knowing?"

"If the General entrusts the supplies to a drunkard, the army will collapse without a fight," Luo Ang said. "Victory does not depend on numbers, but on quality. If the troops are many but undisciplined, defeat is certain. In the past, Xiang Yu broke the cauldrons and sank the boats—was this not an example of the few overcoming the many?"

He Jin was rendered speechless by Luo Ang’s retort.

Emperor Ling said, "Luo Ang, since you are Cai Yong’s student and possess both military talent and literary flair, I appoint you as the General of the Front. Serve the court well!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Luo Ang clasped his hands in gratitude.

After court, Luo Ang and Cai Yong walked side by side.

Cai Yong said, "Zicheng, I did not expect you to silence He Jin so thoroughly."

"You flatter me, my lord. I merely quoted famous lines from military texts and cited historical generals’ command, nothing remarkable," Luo Ang replied modestly.

Cai Yong recalled something and asked, "By the way, Zicheng, have you ever bribed Zhang Rang?"

Luo Ang shook his head, "Never. I take you, Guan Longfeng, and Bi Gan as my models—how could I ever bribe such a scourge to the nation as Zhang Rang?"

Cai Yong nodded, "That is best."