Chapter Three: Father and Son in One Accord

As the evening lights began to flicker, the city of Yangzhou remained as bustling as ever, with wine shops and brothels glowing brightly.

The moment Yang Lin stepped through the gate of his family estate, he noticed two carriages waiting in the courtyard.

"Lin'er, you've finally returned." Yang Tong stood nearby, rubbing his hands together; it was clear he had been waiting for a long time.

Knowing his father suffered from obesity and struggled to stand for extended periods, Yang Lin frowned and scolded, "Yang San, why didn't you bring a chair for my father?"

"Oh, it’s just standing for a little while, no harm done. Don't blame him; I chose to stand myself. I feel terrible, Lin'er, that you had to lower yourself and abandon your scholarly integrity to visit the Prefect on my behalf."

Yang Lin was momentarily speechless. Yang Tong naturally assumed his visit to the Prefect was to solicit help for a bribed examination, never imagining it was for his own future.

His reputation as a man of upright character, cultivated by his predecessor over the last decade, was deeply ingrained in the public mind. This was no bad thing; a good name is a valuable asset, especially in this era.

Without the heart to correct him, Yang Lin lifted the cover of the carriage behind him, revealing it to be filled with jewels. Wealthy merchants of the Song Dynasty were never short on money, especially in a place like Yangzhou.

"Yang San, let’s go. Father, wait at home for my news. Do not worry."

With that, Yang Lin boarded another carriage and set off into the night toward the Cai residence.

Yang Tong watched the carriage disappear, a complex expression on his face. The taciturn old butler beside him whispered, "The young master..."

"It is fine. What we seek is to secure him a clean, honorable status. My original intent was to buy him a title so he could live a life of comfort and safety. But if Lin'er has grander ambitions, what harm is there in helping him catch the wind?"

Cai Jing’s residence was not far from the Yang estate; they arrived after crossing just one street. Upon presenting his calling card, they were ushered inside without the need for an announcement.

It seemed Cai Jing had already given orders. *Heh*, this old scoundrel was nowhere near as indifferent as he had acted during the day; his pursuit of power had likely reached the point of obsession.

"The master has instructed that you be taken to the study to speak with him, Scholar Yang."

As the *Jieyuan* (top-ranked scholar) of the provincial examinations, Yang Lin was destined for officialdom. Even without the day's events, he would have been treated with respect in the Prefect’s home, for the Cai Jing of today was not yet the corrupt Prime Minister who would eventually hold the entire court in his palm.

Entering the study, the room was as bright as day, illuminated by red candles. Several scrolls of calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls for Cai Jing’s appreciation. Cai Jing’s skill in calligraphy and painting was no mere boast; had he not been such a notorious traitor, he would surely be celebrated by later generations as a master artist.

Cai Jing was dressed in loungewear, a white cloth wrapped around his head and his hair still damp, as if he had just finished bathing.

Yang Lin straightened his robe and hat outside the door, announced his name in a clear voice, and stepped inside.

"Student Yang Lin pays his respects to the Prefect."

"Wenyuan, what brings you here in the dead of night?"

*The old dog is putting on quite an act,* Yang Lin thought, though he replied with great reverence, "I have come specifically to congratulate the Prefect on your imminent promotion to the imperial court, where you shall assist in governing the nation."

Cai Jing’s face remained as still as water. He waved his hand with a smile, "Oh? You are well-informed, Wenyuan. I do not even know this myself, yet you are so certain I will enter the imperial court?"

Only two concubines remained in the study, standing behind Cai Jing to serve him. Yang Lin glanced around and stepped forward. "I have something to discuss with the Prefect in private."

Cai Jing waved his hand, and the two women retreated gracefully, leaving the two men alone.

"Prefect, that I achieved the rank of *Jieyuan* is entirely due to your grace, and I am not one to forget such kindness. Even if we serve in the same court in the future, I shall remain your loyal follower. Since the Emperor ascended the throne, he has appointed Tong Guan as an Imperial Commissioner to search the Jiangnan region for ancient calligraphy, paintings, and rare flowers and stones. This is a heaven-sent opportunity."

Cai Jing was highly satisfied that Yang Lin had pledged his loyalty first, and hearing his thoughts on Tong Guan align so perfectly with his own, he felt even better. This lad would be a useful assistant when he eventually entered the capital...

With this thought, Cai Jing’s gaze softened. "In your opinion, Wenyuan, how should I seize this heaven-sent opportunity?"

Yang Lin had a plan ready. "The Prefect will soon enter the court, where reputation is paramount; you cannot involve yourself in such matters directly. My father is a merchant here in Yangzhou with ample wealth. Even if it costs us our entire fortune, our family will find the most exquisite treasures for the Emperor."

The Yang family had more than just "ample wealth." Having served as Prefect for so long, Cai Jing knew that Yang Tong was wealthy enough to rival a nation. With the Yang family handling the logistics, Cai Jing could save his own money and effort, ensuring the task was done well while preserving his resources for further political maneuvering.

One must understand that for a degraded official to return to the imperial court, the preparations required were immense; it was a path fraught with obstacles.

Yang Lin, however, was not worried. If Cai Jing couldn't catch the eye of Zhao Ji, then he wouldn't be Zhao Ji. This pair of "perfect" ruler and minister would eventually come together to bring ruin upon the country. If he wanted to make a mark for himself, he had to board this express train.

Having bared their hearts, the two talked with increasing enthusiasm. When two sticks of incense had burned away, Yang Lin smiled and said, "The hour is late; I shall not disturb you further."

Cai Jing rose to see him off personally, gripping his hand. "Wenyuan, I leave the matter of the Commissioner Tong Guan in your hands."

"Rest assured, Prefect, I shall not fail your trust."

Cai Jing let out a long sigh and suddenly laughed. "If all goes as planned, there will be no shortage of rewards for you."

Yang Lin had been waiting for these words. He feigned deep emotion and bowed his farewell.

After Yang Lin departed, Cai Jing stood at the door with his hands behind his back and remarked with a chuckle, "That boy... he is a character. He might prove useful in the future."

Leaving the Cai residence, Yang Lin felt a surge of excitement. This "letter of recommendation" had been delivered at the perfect moment. In a few days, Cai Jing would be in Bianliang and named Prime Minister—there would be no opportunity left for him then.

He knew that once Cai Jing gained power, he would promote his own cronies to consolidate his position. Having spent so long in Yangzhou, he had no other connections in the capital—how could he be forgotten?

As he pondered, the carriage passed through the bustling market and returned to the estate.

True enough, Yang Tong was still waiting at the gate, though this time he was sitting in a chair.

Seeing his son step down from the carriage, Yang Tong stood up and asked, "Lin'er, how did it go? What did the Prefect say?"

"Father, gather all our shop managers. We are to acquire rare calligraphy and paintings. The older the better, the more famous the better. Also, procure as many rare and curious objects as you can find."

Yang Tong was indignant. "That steward at the Cai residence promised that for thirty thousand strings of cash, we would get a *Jieyuan* title. Your literary talent is already exceptional; it’s not as if they had to pick some brute. Why the greed? Why do they demand more money? Truly, there is not a single honest soul in the government."

Yang Lin laughed heartily. "Father, this time it is not just about buying a *Jieyuan* title. The future of the Yang family depends on this. Do not be stingy with the money."

Yang Lin’s words carried great weight in the Yang household. Just as a merchant in later times might be wealthy but still listen to his son who is a civil servant, Yang Tong, despite his skepticism, nodded in agreement.