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Cai Yong, courtesy name Bojie, was a native of Yu County, Chenliu Commandery. He was a famous minister, writer, calligrapher, and the father of the talented woman Cai Wenji during the late Eastern Han Dynasty.

Cai Yong was well-versed in literature, mathematics, astronomy, and music from a young age. In the third year of Jianning reign of Emperor Ling of Han (170 AD), Situ Qiao Xuan summoned Cai Yong to serve as the magistrate of Heping County. Soon after, he entered the court as a Gentleman of the Palace and was later promoted to Consultant Gentleman of the Palace.

In the fourth year of the Xiping era (175 AD), Cai Yong, together with Tang Xidian, the General of the Five Offices, Yang Ci, the Grand Master of the Palace, and others, corrected the texts of the Six Classics; he personally wrote the texts on a stele, which was then engraved by craftsmen and erected outside the gate of the Imperial Academy, and was known as the "Xiping Stone Classics".

Cai Yong was falsely accused by the eunuch Cheng Huang for submitting a memorial to the emperor, and his entire family was exiled to Shuofang. Because he had worked with Lu Zhi, Han Sui, and others to supplement the "Records of the Later Han Dynasty" at the Eastern Pavilion but had not completed it, Cai Yong petitioned Emperor Ling of Han and was granted a pardon, allowing him to return to his hometown.

Later, he was persecuted by eunuchs and spent twelve years in exile. In the sixth year of Zhongping (189 AD), Emperor Ling of Han died, and Dong Zhuo, the Minister of Works, seized power. Hearing of Cai Yong's reputation, he specially summoned Cai Yong to the court. Dong Zhuo appointed Cai Yong as the Chief of the Imperial Academy and recommended him as a high-ranking official. He was then appointed as the Imperial Censor, and later as the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat.
Soon after, Cai Yong also served as the governor of Ba Commandery, and later remained in the palace as a court attendant. In the first year of the Chuping era of Emperor Xian of Han (190 AD), Cai Yong was promoted to Left General of the Palace Guard and followed Emperor Xian to move the capital to Chang'an, where he was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Gaoyang.

In the third year of the Chuping era (192 AD), Minister Wang Yun plotted to kill Dong Zhuo. Cai Yong was implicated, imprisoned, and punished. He died in prison not long after, at the age of sixty.

As a renowned scholar of Confucian classics in the late Han Dynasty, Cai Yong made significant contributions to literature. He verified the engraving of the Five Classics on stone and wrote "Ten Meanings of the Records of the Han Dynasty".

He excelled in all forms of writing, including inscriptions, poems, fu (rhapsodies), eulogies, eulogies, memorials, and essays. His various short fu works further expanded the artistic expression of fu to a certain extent, playing a guiding and exemplary role in the flourishing of short fu in the Wei and Jin dynasties.

In addition, Cai Yong created the Feibai script, enriching Chinese calligraphy. Later generations have held polarized opinions about Cai Yong. The Eastern Jin historian Pei Songzhi believed that although Cai Yong was trusted and employed by Dong Zhuo, he was by no means one of his henchmen.

Fan Ye, a historian from the Southern Song Dynasty, also sympathized with Cai Yong emotionally, believing that Cai Yong's death was "a feeling of sentiment that a scholar cannot forget," that is, the idealistic sentiment of a sentimental person.

However, thinkers such as Wang Fuzhi and Gu Yanwu in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties mostly held a critical attitude towards Cai Yong's "political wavering" in serving under Dong Zhuo.

Cai Yong was from Yu County, Chenliu Commandery. He was a filial and righteous man. For three years, he served his bedridden mother without taking off his clothes. After his mother passed away, he built a house next to her grave and lived there. He always followed the rules of etiquette.

Cai Yong lived with his uncles and cousins, and the family did not separate for three generations, which was praised by the villagers. Cai Yong was learned in his youth. He studied literature, arithmetic, and astronomy under Grand Tutor Hu Guang, and was also proficient in music.

During the reign of Emperor Huan of Han, five eunuchs, including Xu Huang and Zuo Guan, abused their power and acted arrogantly. When they heard that Cai Yong was good at playing the qin (a seven-stringed zither), they told Emperor Huan and ordered the governor of Chenliu to urge him to set off for the palace.

Cai Yong was unwilling to go, and halfway there he feigned illness and returned home. In his personal life, Cai Yong disliked associating with his contemporaries, but he had a passion for collecting antiques.

Inspired by Dongfang Shuo's "Guest's Difficulties" and the question-and-answer style writing of literati such as Yang Xiong, Ban Gu, and Cui Si, he drew on the strengths of many and created "Explanation of Teachings" to encourage himself to distinguish right from wrong.

In the third year of Jianning of Emperor Ling of Han (170 AD), Cai Yong was summoned by Situ Qiao Xuan to serve as the magistrate of Heping County. Later, he was ordered by the court to go to the capital to serve as a Langzhong (a court official), where he participated in the work of collating ancient books in the Dongguan (Eastern Pavilion) and was also appointed as a Yilang (a court official).

Cai Yong believed that there were many errors in the classics and texts that have been passed down, which led many later scholars to misinterpret the original meaning and spread the falsehoods.

In the fourth year of the Xiping era of Emperor Ling of Han (175 AD), he, along with Tang Xidian, the General of the Five Offices, Yang Ci, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, and others, specially petitioned Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong, to revise the Six Classics, and Emperor Ling of Han agreed.

Cai Yong later personally inscribed the revised classics on a stone tablet, which was then erected outside the Imperial Academy for later Confucian scholars to study. This was known as the "Xiping Stone Classics".

In the past, in order to prevent the formation of cliques and the practice of favoritism among prefectures and counties, the imperial court formulated the "Three Mutual Law," which stipulated that families with marital ties and people from You and Ji prefectures could not serve as officials in each other's jurisdictions.

As the restrictions became increasingly stringent, the selection of talented individuals became more difficult, leading to long-term vacancies in the positions of governors of You and Ji provinces. Seeing this situation, Cai Yong submitted a memorial to the court, hoping to abolish the ban, but his request was not adopted.

In July of the sixth year of the Xiping era (177 AD), Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong, issued an edict of self-reproach, summoning Cai Yong, Grand Master of Ceremonies Yang Ci, Grand Master of Remonstrance Ma Ridi, and Gentleman of the Palace Zhang Hua to the Jinshang Gate to submit memorials and remonstrances on the merits and demerits of the court's policies. The reason for this was that in that year, the people suffered from frequent natural disasters and were harassed by the Xianbei from the outside. The people were filled with fear and anxiety, and Emperor Ling of Han was also anxious and wanted to find the source of the disasters.

Compared to the ministers and officials in the court who only sought to protect themselves, Cai Yong's incisive and straightforward words attracted the attention of Emperor Ling of Han, who specially summoned him to speak further on state affairs.

Emperor Ling of Han praised Cai Yong for his "extensive learning and profound knowledge, and his dedication to public service even after retirement." Inspired by this, Cai Yong immediately submitted a memorial outlining his views.

Cai Yong pointed out that the frequent occurrence of disasters was a warning from Heaven to Emperor Ling of Han. In order to resolve the disaster, Emperor Ling of Han could not easily believe the slander of women and sycophantic officials.

In his memorial, he impeached Grand Commandant Zhang Hao, Grand Master of Ceremonies Wei Zhang, Commandant of the Changshui Cavalry Zhao Xuan, and Commandant of the Tunqi Cavalry Gai Sheng for corruption and perverting the law. At the same time, he recommended Guo Xi, Minister of Justice, Qiao Xuan, Grand Master of Ceremonies, and Liu Chong, the former Grand Commandant, who were skilled in planning, and believed that Emperor Ling of Han could consult with them on state affairs.

After reading Cai Yong's memorial, Emperor Ling of Han was deeply moved and got up to use the restroom. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the eunuch Cao Jie secretly read the memorial and revealed its contents to other officials. Upon learning this, the officials who had been impeached by Cai Yong all looked at him with suspicion and plotted their revenge.

The eunuch Cheng Huang quickly sent someone to write an anonymous letter falsely accusing Cai Yong. Cheng Huang knew that Cai Yong and the Minister of Works Liu He had a long-standing feud, so he claimed that Cai Yong had asked Liu He for a private matter but failed, and was now taking revenge for his personal grudge by deliberately slandering Liu He.

Cai Yong was soon arrested and imprisoned on charges of using his official position to complain and falsely accuse a minister, a crime deserving of no pardon, and was sentenced to death.

The eunuch Lü Qiang, pitying Cai Yong's innocence, submitted a memorial pleading for his life. Emperor Ling of Han, appreciating Cai Yong's talent, also issued an edict sparing him from death, but Cai Yong and his family were exiled to the north.

During his exile, Yang Qiu, the cruel official and son-in-law of the eunuch Cheng Huang, sent assassins to kill Cai Yong. However, the assassins were moved by Cai Yong's loyalty and righteousness and could not bring themselves to do it, thus saving Cai Yong's life.

Yang Qiu, unwilling to give up, bribed local officials to have Cai Yong poisoned. The bribed officials, however, informed Cai Yong of the plot, warning him to be vigilant. Cai Yong escaped again and subsequently settled in Anyang County, Wuyuan Commandery.

When Cai Yong served as a court official in the Eastern Pavilion, he worked with Lu Zhi, Han Shuo and others to compile the "Records of the Later Han Dynasty". When he was exiled, the manuscript was not yet completed.

Cai Yong then submitted a memorial to Emperor Ling of Han, explaining his work, "Ten Meanings of the Records of the Han Dynasty," and arranged the ten chapters by category, appending them to the end of the memorial.

Emperor Ling of Han admired Cai Yong's talent and, coinciding with a general amnesty the following year, pardoned Cai Yong and allowed him to return to his hometown from exile. The entire period from exile to amnesty lasted nine months for Cai Yong.

As Cai Yong was about to depart for his hometown, Wang Zhi, the prefect of Wuyuan Commandery, held a farewell banquet for him. During the banquet, Wang Zhi rose to sing and dance to entertain the guests, but Cai Yong, seated below, remained unmoved by his attempt to curry favor. Wang Zhi was the younger brother of Wang Fu, a eunuch, and was known for his pride. Cai Yong's actions made him feel utterly humiliated in front of his guests, so he angrily berated Cai Yong for disrespecting him, and Cai Yong stormed off.

Wang Zhi harbored resentment and immediately reported to the court, falsely accusing Cai Yong of harboring resentment in his place of exile and making many slanderous remarks against the court; the eunuchs and favored officials in the palace became even more disgusted and wary of Cai Yong.

Knowing that he would not escape disaster if he returned to the capital, Cai Yong simply exiled himself and lived in seclusion in Wu County and Kuaiji County for twelve years.

In the sixth year of the Zhongping era (189 AD), Emperor Ling of Han died, and Emperor Shao Liu Bian succeeded him. General He Jin summoned Dong Zhuo to the capital to plot the elimination of the eunuchs. However, the plot was exposed, He Jin was killed, and Dong Zhuo led his troops into the capital, seizing power and controlling the government.

Dong Zhuo knew that Cai Yong was very famous, so he specially summoned him to serve in the court. Cai Yong originally claimed to be ill and refused to serve, but Dong Zhuo threatened to exterminate his entire clan, so Cai Yong had no choice but to obey and was appointed as the chief priest.

Although Dong Zhuo was crude and cruel, he respected Cai Yong very much. He recommended Cai Yong for high rank, appointed him as Imperial Censor, then as Imperial Secretary, and finally promoted him to Minister.

Afterwards, Cai Yong served successively as the Prefect of Ba Commandery and the Attendant-in-Ordinary. In the first year of the Chuping era of Emperor Xian of Han (190 AD), Cai Yong was appointed as the Left General of the Palace Guard and followed Emperor Xian of Han to move the capital to Chang'an. He was then enfeoffed as the Marquis of Gaoyang Township.

Dong Zhuo's staff flattered him, comparing him to Jiang Ziya, hoping the court would honor him as "Shangfu" (a title of respect for the emperor). Dong Zhuo consulted Cai Yong about this matter, and Cai Yong explained that Jiang Ziya had the merit of assisting the Zhou in overthrowing the Shang, so he was specially given the title of Taigong.

Although Dong Zhuo currently holds a high position and wields great power, he is still inferior to Shangfu (the Grand Tutor). It is advisable to wait until the Guandong region is pacified and His Majesty returns to the capital before discussing this matter. Dong Zhuo heeded his advice.

In June of the second year of the Chuping era (191 AD), an earthquake occurred, and Dong Zhuo consulted Cai Yong. Cai Yong stated that the earthquake was caused by the dominance of Yin over Yang, and by the officials' failure to follow the established rites.

Cai Yong believed that it was inappropriate for Dong Zhuo to ride in a golden-dragon-patterned blue-canopied carriage during the spring suburban sacrifice. Dong Zhuo then changed to riding in a black-canopied carriage.

Because Dong Zhuo admired Cai Yong's scholarship, he always treated him with great courtesy, and whenever he held a banquet, he would ask Cai Yong to play the zither to entertain the guests.

Dong Zhuo was stubborn and self-willed in his political affairs. Cai Yong offered many suggestions that would benefit the court, but Dong Zhuo rarely took them seriously. Seeing that Dong Zhuo's evil deeds were difficult to correct, Cai Yong once told his cousin Cai Gu that Dong Zhuo was strong-willed and liked to cover up his mistakes, and that he would not be able to accomplish anything great.
Therefore, he had been looking for an opportunity to leave and seek refuge in Shandong. His cousin, Cai Gu, learned of his plan and dissuaded him, explaining that Cai Yong's appearance was unusual and that he would be surrounded by onlookers wherever he went, making it difficult to conceal himself. Only then did Cai Yong abandon his idea of ​​escaping.

In the third year of the Chuping era (192 AD), Minister Wang Yun conspired with Lü Bu to assassinate Dong Zhuo; after Dong Zhuo's death, his entire clan was exterminated. Later, Cai Yong sat beside Minister Wang Yun and inadvertently mentioned Dong Zhuo's fate, letting out a long sigh with a solemn expression.

Wang Yun was furious and rebuked Cai Yong for being a subject of the Han dynasty yet harboring personal favors towards the traitor Dong Zhuo, saying that such behavior was no different from that of a rebel. Wang Yun then had Cai Yong arrested and handed over to the Court of Justice for punishment.

Cai Yong submitted his resignation and apology, pleading to be punished with having his forehead tattooed and his feet cut off so that he could complete the writing of the History of Han. Many high-ranking officials cherished Cai Yong's talent and submitted memorials to plead for him, but Wang Yun refused.

Grand Commandant Ma Ribei advised Wang Yun that Cai Yong was a genius of his time, knowledgeable about much of the history of the Han Dynasty, and should be allowed to continue writing the History of the Han Dynasty.

Moreover, Cai Yong was renowned for his loyalty and filial piety, and executing him on this baseless charge would alienate the people. Wang Yun, however, insisted that Cai Yong was a treacherous minister, stating that having him write the document would not only be detrimental to the emperor's virtue but would also subject him to future slander.

Soon after, Cai Yong died in prison. Afterwards, Wang Yun regretted his actions, but it was a pity that Cai Yong could not be reborn. When scholars inside and outside the court heard that Cai Yong had died, they all wept for him.

Cai Yong! In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, he was arguably the most famous and top scholar in the land!
Even with everyone pleading for his release, Wang Yun still refused to let him go. So, in the end, with nowhere else to turn, Cai Yong died in prison, his death shrouded in mystery.

Thus, the great Confucian scholar Cai Yong ultimately died at the hands of Wang Yun.

Because Cai Yong later had a daughter named Cai Wenji, whose story is so famous that even in modern times, many games use Cai Wenji as a character.

In the novel *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, the story of Wenji returning to Han and Cai Wenji kneeling to beg Cao Cao is also an important plot point.

However, at the same time, when reading this history, everyone may have a question.

But what exactly did Cai Yong, Cai Wenji's father, do? Why is it that whenever Cai Wenji is mentioned in later generations, she is always referred to as "Cai Yong's daughter" before her name?

Simply put, the reason why Cai Yong is not so famous in later generations is mainly because he lacks representative works. Or rather, although he did leave behind a lot of works during his lifetime, most of these works have not survived to the present day.

Cai Yong was involved in a wide range of subjects, from classical texts to poetry and painting. Unfortunately, none of these works have survived to the present day.

The lack of representative works is actually the fundamental reason why Cai Yong himself is not very famous.

At the same time, Cai Yong, in this very same way, led the famous "Jian'an style" in history! The cultural trend of the entire Wei and Jin period was basically started by Cai Yong.

From the poems of Cao Cao and his sons to the paintings of the Jian'an period, and the essays of the Seven Scholars of Jian'an, almost all of them were influenced by Cai Yong!

If Dong Zhuo was the culprit who ignited the chaos at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, then Cai Yong was the one who guided the great cultural explosion at the end of the Han Dynasty!

To better understand just how important Cai Yong was in history, we need to start with Cai Yong's own experiences.

Cai Yong was born into a family of scholars; his family had always been cultured since his ancestors' time.

The Cai family, however, seemed to lack talent in officialdom. Before Cai Yong, the previous generations of Cai family ancestors had mostly only reached the level of county magistrate, and had not accomplished anything particularly significant. (End of Chapter)