Chapter 8: The Pantheon Stares in Vain

The cracking of the "Caisheng Zhege" child trafficking case caused a massive sensation in Yangzhou and throughout the Jiangnan region. Cai Jing, seizing the moment, took the opportunity alongside Tong Guan to significantly bolster their reputations. Naturally, they did not forget to include their young protégé, Yang Lin, whose recent success as the top scholar in the prefectural examinations made him an easy target for the praise of poets and scholars, especially since he had been the first to arrive at the crime scene.

Only Yang Lin could not bring himself to be happy. The tragic scenes were etched into his mind, and what made it even more heartbreaking was that few parents came to claim these children. The victims had been tortured beyond recognition, their identities lost to trauma, and, more importantly, they were either dead or maimed. They were not from wealthy families, and few parents had the means to support them. Even if they were taken back, they would have to endure the gossip of the village and the exorbitant costs of medical treatment.

The officials handling the case suggested using the illicit gains seized from the traffickers to provide for these children. However, the various officials at the yamen were displeased; those funds had already been earmarked for their own pockets, and getting them back would be as difficult as reaching the heavens.

Yang Lin, who had been closely following the matter, arrived at the yamen once again with his attendant, Yang San. He saw a crowd of guards and attendants gathered at the entrance—a clear sign that high-ranking officials were present. Inside, Cui Bohao, the Judicial Commissioner of Huainan East Circuit, Yangzhou Prefect Cai Jing, and Yangzhou Vice-Prefect Zhang Mu were arguing over the case.

While the resolution of the case had earned Cai Jing great renown, he had no desire to handle the aftermath. The officials of the Huainan East Circuit were disgusted by the Yangzhou Prefect’s greed. Though this was a minor matter to them, the relentless self-promotion by Tong Guan, Cai Jing, and their subordinates had turned it into a grand tale of wisdom and bravery. The stories of how Cai Jing and his cohorts had meticulously deduced the truth, boldly stormed the abandoned temple, and wrestled with the criminals were being embellished and spread everywhere.

Heaven knows the case was only solved because Yang Lin’s jade pendant had been stolen, and the thief had foolishly tried to pawn it at the Yang family’s shop. The officials of the Huainan East Circuit did not want to dwell on how the case was actually solved; they just wanted Yangzhou to take responsibility for the unclaimed children. Yet, even this was something Cai Jing and his cohorts were unwilling to do.

The children were severely mutilated and required vast quantities of medicinal herbs to survive. Furthermore, the traffickers had never intended for them to live past the age of ten. The more wretched they looked, the more money they brought in. Many suffered from hidden ailments; keeping them alive was a liability, and should any of them die, it could become a stain on their record or a potential scandal in the future.

As the bickering continued in the hall, the expression on Judicial Commissioner Cui Bohao’s face grew increasingly grim. Just then, a bailiff announced, "Yang Lin, the top scholar, requests an audience."

Cui Bohao had heard of this young scholar. Rumors claimed that despite coming from a merchant family, he was as gentle as jade, possessed extraordinary talent, and carried himself with such integrity that he was almost saintly. As all scholars admired such character, his expression softened slightly. "Show him in."

Yang Lin straightened his robes and stepped into the hall, bowing respectfully. "Student Yang Lin pays his respects to the esteemed officials."

Indeed, a man of refined appearance! Influenced by the rumors, Cui Bohao looked at Yang Lin with the same air of respect one might afford a true gentleman. Cai Jing smiled at him as well, viewing this new scholar as someone who brought him various political advantages for his return to the imperial court. As for Tong Guan, as an Imperial Commissioner, his eye for talent was keen; he knew exactly what the Emperor liked. Having spent his time in Yangzhou enjoying the scenery, he had been delighted by the peerless treasures brought to him by the Yang father and son. He knew that in the palace, the Emperor’s favor was the greatest political capital.

Tong Guan was particularly fond of the Yang family and even rose to greet him. "Wenyuan, I was just speaking of you. Talk of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives."

Yang Lin smiled at Tong Guan. When Cai Jing ordered his attendants to bring a seat, Yang Lin excused himself, claiming his youth, and stood to the side to listen.

Cui Bohao did not mince words, his voice thick with anger. "The entire Yangzhou administration has gained great fame from this case. Even village children know of Prefect Cai’s keen insight. Now that human traffickers are being hunted everywhere, Yangzhou has performed a great service. Since that is the case, surely the duty of caring for these abandoned children falls to Yangzhou as well?"

Cai Jing sneered, showing no fear of his nominal superior. He was an official with roots in Bianliang, and his influence was not to be compared with these local bureaucrats. "The Judicial Commissioner is mistaken. Solving the case was our duty, but adopting the survivors is not. By rights, this should be handled by the Huainan East Circuit."

Yang Lin, having listened for a while, felt his heart grow cold. After weighing his options, he stepped forward. "Esteemed officials, I witnessed these children in the temple that day. They are truly pitiful. Aside from the three reunited with their parents and the two who died that day, there are five left with nowhere to go. Their skin has been scarred and grafted by these monsters. I have consulted physicians; they require rare herbs for daily baths, followed by supplements of ginseng, astragalus, angelica, donkey-hide gelatin, rehmannia, and white peony.

"These items are prohibitively expensive for ordinary families. My family is fortunate enough to have some means, and I am willing to adopt these five children. Furthermore, I will provide the necessary medicines for the two who were reunited with their parents. I beg the officials to grant this request."

Upon hearing this, Cui Bohao’s gaze toward Yang Lin was filled with reverence. "To improve oneself when poor, and to improve the world when successful—the sages teach us well. Scholar Yang truly lives up to his reputation."

Cai Jing assumed Yang Lin was simply trying to help him save face and felt a flicker of gratitude, though he knew that for men like them, true trust was impossible; should interests conflict, they would betray each other in an instant. Yang Lin was well aware of this.

Since someone had stepped forward to pay, the matter was easily resolved. The Song court displayed a rare, newfound efficiency, and soon the paperwork and contracts were finalized. The unfortunate children were placed into Yang Lin’s care.

Yang Lin sent several carriages to bring them back to his estate. Yang San looked on with disgust. "Young Master, these children are neither human nor beast. Keeping them in the house..."

Yang Lin kicked him lightly and scolded, "Clear out the backyard, build some beds, and buy some soft bedding."

Yang San, having never seen his gentle master lose his temper, scrambled up and hurried off to work. The children were lifted from the carriages. Having spent these days in terror at the yamen with no one to care for them but the occasional delivery of food and water, they were listless.

Yang Lin noticed one of the older children clutching a younger one, looking slightly more alert than the others. He asked, "What is your name?"

The little girl, wary, kept her head down and remained silent. Yang Lin sighed and said, "It seems none of you know your own names. Heaven and earth are indifferent, treating all things as straw dogs. You were born human and have suffered this calamity, but do not despair. Know that there is still kindness and mercy in this world. From today on, I will show you the beauty of this life."

The little girl looked up, confused. In the sunlight, Yang Lin’s face seemed to glow; from her perspective, he appeared to be one with the sky behind him. They say people are future Buddhas, and Buddhas are those who have walked the path. At that moment, Yang Lin seemed like a deity, both heaven and father to her.

"From now on, you shall be called: Yang Tian’ai, Yang Tianren, Yang Tianci, Yang Tian’an, and Yang Tianning."