Chapter Six: Little Cai Yan

Cai Yong’s Residence.

“Teacher, I’ve come to see you!” Liu Yao called out loudly as soon as he entered Cai Yong’s estate.

“Oh? Yao’er, how did you manage to get out?” Cai Yong heard the servant’s report and came out from the inner hall.

“Hehe, Teacher, I’ve brought something good for you this time.” With that, Liu Yao lifted up a jar of wine and presented it to Cai Yong as if showing off a treasure.

“This is… wine?” Cai Yong looked at the jar with some confusion. Seeing Liu Yao nod, his face filled with delight as he began to drink.

“Excellent wine! Remarkable! I have never tasted such fine wine in my life!” Cai Yong exclaimed loudly, startling everyone around.

“Teacher, do you think fine wine like this could fetch a good price?”

“Hm?! Does that mean you brewed this wine yourself, Yao’er?” Cai Yong caught the implication in Liu Yao’s words.

“That’s right, Teacher. I’ve come to ask you to help me produce this wine on a large scale and, based on it, establish a trading company.” Liu Yao explained his idea.

Cai Yong frowned immediately. “But, scholars and farmers…”

“Scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants—merchants are considered the lowest class, always seen as profit-driven. Teacher, is this what you wanted to say?” Liu Yao interrupted him directly.

Cai Yong was taken aback, then nodded.

“Teacher, you’re too narrow-minded. Without merchants, where would you buy food and clothing? Merchants are essential for such things. Only through this can we earn enough wealth to prepare for the coming chaos, and not all merchants are villains.”

Cai Yong was stunned by Liu Yao’s words. He had always thought of merchants as cunning scoundrels, never considering this perspective. “Ah! Yao’er, just tell me what I should do.”

Cai Yong felt helpless. He always felt that in front of Liu Yao, he was the student and Liu Yao the teacher.

“Teacher, do you have any small workshops under your name?”

“There are two or three, though they’re not often used.” Cai Yong stroked his beard.

“Good. I’ll give you the method for brewing the wine later. I must trouble you to oversee this.” Liu Yao said apologetically.

“I’ve always said I will do my utmost, Yao’er. No need for such words. But if you’re founding a company, have you chosen someone to manage it?” Cai Yong asked.

“Uh!” Liu Yao was caught off guard. “Well…”

“Hahaha!” Cai Yong laughed heartily, seeing Liu Yao so embarrassed for the first time. “Alright, I have someone in mind.”

“Who is it?”

“Zhang Fang, come in.” Cai Yong called toward the door. Shortly, a man in his thirties entered. “Master, you called?”

“Yao’er, this is my steward. He’s been with me since his teens, nearly twenty years now. Completely trustworthy. He manages all issues in my household; entrusting him with the company will be no problem.”

Liu Yao studied the man—plain appearance, honest face, the kind you’d forget after a glance. He then looked at Cai Yong and said, “Teacher, I trust your judgment.”

“Very well. Zhang Fang, this is His Highness the Crown Prince. From now on, he is your lord.” Cai Yong said with some emotion.

Zhang Fang looked at Liu Yao in surprise, then knelt, “Greetings, my lord.”

“Please, rise.” Liu Yao personally helped Zhang Fang up. “I’ll be relying on you from now on. Teacher will tell you the important matters.”

Zhang Fang was moved that the prince would treat a minor figure like himself with such respect. “I will serve you with all my heart and repay your kindness.”

“Alright, you may go now,” Liu Yao said.

“Yes.”

Once Zhang Fang had left, Liu Yao turned to Cai Yong, “Teacher, let’s call this wine ‘Fiery Clouds.’”

“A fine name! The wine burns like fire as it goes down—most fitting.” Cai Yong praised, eyes narrowed in approval.

“Also, Teacher, this wine needs at least fifteen days to brew. Before that, we can…”

The hall was soon filled with Liu Yao’s mischievous laughter and Cai Yong’s cries of surprise.

An afternoon passed quickly as the master and student talked, completely forgetting the time.

Two growling stomachs interrupted their conversation. Liu Yao touched his stomach in surprise and looked outside at the setting sun. “Teacher, I didn’t realize it had gotten so late!”

“Yes, your ideas are so fascinating I lost track of time as well,” Cai Yong nodded.

“Master, the meal is ready. Please come to the dining hall.” Zhang Fang was already there, waiting quietly so as not to disturb them.

“Understood. Yao’er, it’s late. Why not stay the night at my house?” Cai Yong asked.

“Of course, Teacher. I’d already told my father I’d stay with you for a few days,” Liu Yao replied cheerfully.

“Haha, you rascal. Come, let’s eat.” Cai Yong laughed, then turned to Zhang Fang, “Go bring the young lady as well.”

“Yes.”

“Cai Yong’s daughter—that must be the famous talented beauty of the Three Kingdoms, Cai Yan, also known as Lady Zhaoji! So she’s already born at this time.” Liu Yao mused inwardly, then asked aloud, “Teacher, you already have a daughter?”

“Yes, I have only one child, Cai Yan. She’s four this year, two years younger than you,” Cai Yong replied casually, but his mind was spinning: “My student is so gifted—certain to rise high in the future. Yan’er is also exceptionally clever, even at a young age a budding beauty. Their ages match perfectly. If I could arrange a match between them…” He couldn’t help but stare at Liu Yao.

Liu Yao, feeling Cai Yong’s gaze, was covered in goosebumps and sensed a plot unfolding around him. “Is this old scholar plotting against me, seeking revenge for all the times I’ve beaten him at chess?” If only Liu Yao knew Cai Yong wanted to marry Cai Yan to him, he might just rush over and plant a kiss on the old man.

At the dinner table, the two waited a moment before a small figure darted over and jumped into Cai Yong’s arms, pouting, “Papa!”

“Cough, cough, Yan’er, mind your manners. There are guests here.” Cai Yong said awkwardly, not expecting his daughter’s unladylike side to be exposed to her future son-in-law. He glanced at Liu Yao, relieved to see no reaction. In truth, Cai Yong was making a fuss over nothing—the two children were so young. Of course, Liu Yao was a time traveler, so that was another matter.

“Ah!” Cai Yan finally noticed the other person at the table. Her face flushed red and she shyly hid behind Cai Yong, clutching his sleeve, peeking at Liu Yao.

As Cai Yan sized up Liu Yao, he was doing the same. “No wonder she’s famed as one of the beauties of the Three Kingdoms—still a little girl, but already has the makings of a beauty.”

Cai Yong pulled Cai Yan forward and introduced her, “Yan’er, this is my pupil Liu Yao. You may call him Senior Brother; he is the Crown Prince.”

Cai Yan stammered, “C-crown prince… S-senior brother, hello. I’m Yan’er.” Then she turned to Cai Yong, nibbling her finger, “But Papa, I know what a senior brother is, but what is a crown prince? Is it something you can eat?”

Cai Yong and Liu Yao were stunned by her words, then exchanged glances and burst into laughter, tears streaming down their faces.

Cai Yan was baffled by their laughter and looked at them in confusion.

After a long while, Liu Yao wiped away his tears. “Junior Sister, may I call you Yan’er?”

“Of course! Papa calls me that,” Cai Yan nodded, still bewildered.

“Yan’er, the crown prince is me. I am the crown prince—do you understand?” Liu Yao explained.

“Oh, got it. So the crown prince is senior brother?” The clever Cai Yan quickly understood.

“Hehe, enough talking. Let’s eat,” Cai Yong said.

“Oh.” Both replied in unison. Silent meals and strict household rules—Cai Yong’s family was well disciplined. The meal passed quickly. That night, Cai Yong prepared a guest room for Liu Yao to rest.

In the days that followed, Liu Yao stayed at Cai Yong’s residence. Whatever he did, little Cai Yan followed him like a shadow. Liu Yao enjoyed the company of this beautiful, intelligent little girl, happy to play and study with her.

Cai Yong, watching from the side, could hardly contain his grin, looking thoroughly pleased with his successful scheming.

Meanwhile, two days earlier, Cai Yong’s invitations had already been sent out.