Editing Cai Lun (section)

==Life and career==
===Birth and background===
Cai Lun was born in [[Guiyang Commandery]] ({{lang|zh-Hant|桂阳郡}}; modern-day [[Leiyang]], [[Hunan]] province){{sfn|Tsien|1985|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Lx-9mS6Aa4wC&pg=PA40 40]}}<ref group="‡">{{harvtxt|''Hou Hanshu'' (78/68:2513–14)}}: "{{lang|zh-Hant|蔡伦字敬仲，桂陽人也。}}"<br />"Cai Lun's courtesy name was Jingzhong, and he was from Guiyang Commandery."</ref> in the [[Eastern Han dynasty]] (25–220 CE).{{sfnm|1a1=Holdstock|1y=2018|1p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=7-mKDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA101 101]|2a1=Provisional Urban Council|2a2=Hong Kong Museum of History|2y=1998|2p=60}}{{efn|The [[Han dynasty]] {{ill|桂阳郡|zh|lt=Guiyang Commandery}} is not to be confused with the unrelated modern-day [[Guiyang County]] or the city of [[Guiyang]].}} His exact year of birth is unknown; estimates include {{circa|50}},{{sfn|Li|Denecke|Tian|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=tO4wDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA51 51]}} {{circa|57}},{{sfn|Day|McNeil|1996|p=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780415060424/page/122/mode/2up 122]}} and {{circa|62}}.{{sfn|''Britannica''|2020}}{{efn|Sinologist [[Rafe de Crespigny]] suggested that Cai was the same age as [[Zheng Zhong]], a fellow [[eunuch]],{{sfn|de Crespigny|2016|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=jSJ4DgAAQBAJ&pg=PA176 176]}} whose birth year is also unknown.{{sfn|de Crespigny|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA1130 1130]}}}} Other than being born into a poor family, virtually nothing is known of his early life.{{sfn|Narita|1966|pp=1–2}} Guiyang was a southern [[Commandery (China)|commandery]], where [[Han Chinese]] had immigrated for hundreds of years to plant and cultivate rice.{{sfn|Monro|2016|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=-Y6mCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA57 57]}} Legends suggest there was a pool near his home, south of which was a stone mortar that Cai would later use for [[papermaking]].{{sfnm|1a1=Tsien|1y=1985|1p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Lx-9mS6Aa4wC&pg=PA107 107]|2a1=Hunter|2a2=Hunter|2y=1978|2p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=1sEp3rtK994C&pg=PA52 52]}}

===Early imperial court service===
{{further|History of the Han dynasty#Policies under Guangwu, Ming, Zhang, and He}}

It is not known how Cai came to be in the service of the imperial court in [[Old City of Luoyang|Luoyang]] (modern-day [[Luoyang]], [[Henan]] province), which was distant from his birthplace.{{sfn|de Crespigny|2016|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=jSJ4DgAAQBAJ&pg=PA176 176]}} The {{Transliteration|zh|Hou Hanshu}} reports that he was first employed during the end of the {{Transliteration|zh|Yongping}} era (58–75) of [[Emperor Ming of Han|Emperor Ming]].{{sfn|de Crespigny|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA27 27]}}<ref group="‡">{{harvtxt|''Hou Hanshu'' (78/68:2513–14)}}: "{{lang|zh-Hant|以永平末始给事宫掖}}"<br />"He began serving in the palace at the end of the {{Transliteration|zh|Yongping}} era".<br />{{harvtxt|Hunter|Hunter|1978|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=1sEp3rtK994C&pg=PA50 50]}}: At the close of the reign of {{Transliteration|zh|Yongping}}, Cai Lun was employed at the court".</ref> The site of modern Guiyang Commandery was known to have had various iron mines at the time,{{sfnm|1a1=Poo|1y=2018|1p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Z7paDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA98 98]|2a1=Wagner|2y=2001|2p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=hgpCx2c9JQEC&pg=PA91 91]}} so the former director of the [[Paper Museum]] in Tokyo, Kiyofusa Narita, suggested that "through the assistance of some who were in charge of the iron foundry, he found opportunity to go to the capital city".{{sfn|Narita|1966|p=2}} Narita cited Cai's future court appointment to oversee the production of weapons, especially [[Chinese swords|swords]], as evidence that he must have learned the skills to do so earlier in his life, likely from the iron foundry.{{sfn|Narita|1966|p=2}} Alternatively, if there is any truth to the various [[#Folklore|folktales about Cai]], his supposed habits of trickery may have helped him receive a court appointment.{{sfn|Blake|2011|p=55}}

Cai is known to have been a eunuch in 75 CE, although it is possible he was employed somewhat earlier in the {{Transliteration|zh|Yongping}} era;{{sfnm|1a1=Tsien|1y=1985|1p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Lx-9mS6Aa4wC&pg=PA40 40]|2a1=Hunter|2a2=Hunter|2y=1978|2p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=1sEp3rtK994C&pg=PA50 50]}} sinologist [[Rafe de Crespigny]] suggested this was in the early 70s.{{sfn|de Crespigny|2016|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=jSJ4DgAAQBAJ&pg=PA176 176]}} In the Han dynasty, eunuchs were employed in imperial service and were the only people eligible for certain specialized tasks, such as watching over the [[Imperial Chinese harem system|imperial harem]] and the imperial household; there were also certain promotions available exclusively for them.{{sfn|Cartwright|2017}} Cai's position was probably as a liaison between the [[privy council]] and the emperor, and likely involved duties akin to a [[chamberlain (office)|chamberlain]] for the imperial family.{{sfn|Monro|2016|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=-Y6mCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA57 57]}} Narita notes Cai's role meant he would have had many chances to become acquainted with the most powerful people in the empire.{{sfn|Narita|1966|p=2}} Around 80 CE, during the subsequent {{Transliteration|zh|Jianchu}} era (76–84) under [[Emperor Zhang of Han|Emperor Zhang]], Cai was promoted to a ''[[Xiao Huangmen]]'' ({{lang|zh-Hant|小黄門}}; "Attendant at the Yellow Gates").{{sfn|de Crespigny|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA27 27]}}<ref group="‡">{{harvtxt|''Hou Hanshu'' (78/68:2513–14)}}: "{{lang|zh-Hant|建初中，为小黄門。}}"<br />"At the beginning of the {{Transliteration|zh|Jianchu}} era, he served as {{Transliteration|zh|Xiao Huangmen}}".<br />{{harvtxt|Carter|1925|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=PgEYAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA3 3]}}: "During the period {{Transliteration|zh|Jianchu}} (76–84), Cai Lun formed part of the Imperial Guard."</ref> The positions, with a salary-rank of 600 ''shi'' or ''dan'',{{efn|During the Han dynasty, the power a government official exercised was determined by his annual salary-rank, measured in grain units known as ''dan'' ([[wikt:石|石]] or ''shi'', a unit of volume, approximately {{convert|35|L|USbsh}}).{{sfn|Bielenstein|1980|p=131}}{{sfn|de Crespigny|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA1221 1221]}} See [[Government of the Han dynasty#Salaries]] for further information.}} involved delivering and receiving messages between the imperial palace apartments and the outside court.{{sfn|de Crespigny|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA1218 1218]}}

===Palace intrigue and workshop===
Since 82 CE, [[Liu Qing (prince)|Liu Qing]], Zhang's son from his concubine [[Empress Jingyin|Consort Song]], had been the [[Taizi|designated heir]], secured by the favor of [[Empress Ma (Han dynasty)|Empress Ma]].{{sfn|de Crespigny|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA539 539]}} However, Ma's death in 79 CE made [[Empress Dou (Zhang)|Lady Dou]] the empress, and—aiming to develop her family's power—she adopted [[Emperor He of Han|Prince Zhao]] with the intention of installing him as heir.{{sfn|de Crespigny|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA160 160]}} As a result, when Song became ill in 82 and asked for herbs, Dou falsely accused her of planning to use the herbs for witchcraft against Zhang.{{sfn|Peterson|2000|p=105}} Dou then ordered Cai to interrogate Consort Song and her sister, another imperial consort, to force a confession; they both killed themselves.{{sfnm|1a1=de Crespigny|1y=2007|1p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA27 27]|2a1=Peterson|2y=2000|2p=105}} Believing Dou's accusation, Zhang replaced Liu Qing with Prince Zhao as heir.{{sfn|de Crespigny|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA539 539]}}

Prince Zhao, ruling as Emperor He, was 10 years old at his accession in 88 CE, so Dou took control as [[empress dowager]] and secured her authority by giving various positions to her four brothers, particularly [[Dou Xian]],{{sfn|de Crespigny|2007|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA161 161], 1130}} who promoted Cai to {{ill|中常侍|zh|lt=Zhongchang shi}} ({{lang|zh-Hant|中常侍}}; "Regular Attendant") for his loyalty.{{sfnm|1a1=de Crespigny|1y=2007|1p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA27 27]|2a1=de Crespigny|2y=2016|2p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=jSJ4DgAAQBAJ&pg=PA176 176]}} Cai served as a private counselor to He in political matters;{{sfn|Narita|1966|p=3}}<ref group="‡">{{harvtxt|''Hou Hanshu'' (78/68:2513–14)}}:"{{lang|zh-Hant|及和帝即位，转中常侍，豫参帷幄。}}"<br />"After Emperor He took the throne, he became {{Transliteration|zh|Zhongchang shi}}, and he participated in key strategic decisions."<br />{{harvtxt|Carter|1925|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=PgEYAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA3 3]}}: "The Emperor He, on coming to the throne, knowing that Cai Lun was a man full of talent and zeal, appointed him a privy counsellor."<br />{{harvtxt|Hunter|Hunter|1978|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=1sEp3rtK994C&pg=PA50 50]}}: "The Emperor He, upon his accession, learning of Cai Lun's superior qualities and talents, named him private counsellor".</ref> this post gave Cai a salary-rank of 2000 ''shi'', and was the highest eunuch-exclusive position, which also made him a chief eunuch of the palace.{{sfn|de Crespigny|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA27 1218]}} In the {{Transliteration|zh|Hou Hanshu}}, Cai was characterized as, in the words of de Crespigny, "honest, cautious and a good judge of policy".{{sfn|de Crespigny|2016|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=jSJ4DgAAQBAJ&pg=PA177 177]}}<ref group="‡">{{harvtxt|''Hou Hanshu'' (78/68:2513–14)}}:"{{lang|zh-Hant|伦有才學，尽心敦慎，数犯严颜，匡弼得失。每至休沐，辄闭門绝宾，暴体田野。}}"<br />"Cai Lun was talented and learned. He used his full effort and was careful. He often was willing to correct the wrongs, even when it offended the stern faced [those in power]. When he had vacation days, he would close his door and not entertain guests, but spent time in the field."</ref> Cai was also designated {{Transliteration|zh|Shangfang Ling}} ({{lang|zh-Hant|尚方令}}; "Prefect of the Palace Workshop"{{sfn|de Crespigny|2016|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=jSJ4DgAAQBAJ&pg=PA176 176]}} or "Prefect of the Masters of Techniques"{{sfn|Bielenstein|1980|p=52}}) later in 88 or 89 CE.{{sfnm|1a1=de Crespigny|1y=2007|1p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA27 27]|2a1=Tsien|2y=1985|2p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Lx-9mS6Aa4wC&pg=PA40 40]}}<ref group="‡">{{harvtxt|''Hou Hanshu'' (78/68:2513–14)}}:"{{lang|zh-Hant|后加位尚方令。}}"<br />"He was later given the additional post of Shangfangling."</ref> While in this eunuch-only position,{{sfn|Bielenstein|1980|p=52}} he would have been responsible for the production of instruments and weapons for imperial use.{{sfn|Tsien|1985|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Lx-9mS6Aa4wC&pg=PA40 40]}} The role had a salary-rank of 600 ''shi''—though this was in addition to the 2000 ''shi'' from his continued {{Transliteration|zh|Zhongchang shi}} post.{{sfn|Bielenstein|1980|p=61}}

When Emperor He came of age in 92 CE he led various officials, especially [[Zheng Zhong]], in a [[coup d'état]] to overthrow the Dou family.{{sfn|de Crespigny|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA1130 1130]}} Cai was not involved in their removal, and though he was previously allied with the family, he was undisturbed by the Emperor's coup.{{sfn|de Crespigny|2016|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=jSJ4DgAAQBAJ&pg=PA176 176]}} In 97 CE, his position as {{Transliteration|zh|Shangfang Ling}} expanded in scope, as he became responsible for [[Ceremonial weapon|ceremonial swords]] and other items. The {{Transliteration|zh|Hou Hanshu}} describes his craftsmanship as high-quality and a model for later generations.{{sfnm|1a1=de Crespigny|1y=2016|1p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=jSJ4DgAAQBAJ&pg=PA176 176]|2a1=de Crespigny|2y=2007|2p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA27 161]}}<ref group="‡">{{harvtxt|''Hou Hanshu'' (78/68:2513–14)}}:"{{lang|zh-Hant|永元九年，监作秘剑及诸器械，莫不精工坚密，为后世法。}}"<br />"In the 9th year of the {{Transliteration|zh|Yongyuan}} era [97], he oversaw the manufacturing of imperial swords and other equipment, which were all made carefully and well, and he became an example for later generations."<br />{{harvtxt|Carter|1925|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=PgEYAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA3 3]}}: "In the ninth year of the period {{Transliteration|zh|Yongyuan}} (97) Cai Lun became inspector of public works. By his plans and according to his arrangements, engineers and workmen made, always with the best of materials, swords and arms of various sorts. Later generations could do no better than imitate his methods of work."<br />{{harvtxt|Hunter|Hunter|1978|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=1sEp3rtK994C&pg=PA50 50], [https://books.google.com/books?id=1sEp3rtK994C&pg=PA52 52]}}: "In the ninth year of the reign of {{Transliteration|zh|Yongyuan}} (97), Cai Lun was made inspector of works and through his efforts the engineers and workmen by the use of fine materials and skill produced swords and arms that served as models for future generations."</ref>

===Development of paper===
{{see also|Papermaking|Science and technology of the Han dynasty}}
[[File:Making Paper.gif|thumb|[[Woodcut]]s depicting the five seminal steps in ancient Chinese [[papermaking]]. From the 1637 ''[[Tiangong Kaiwu]]'' of the [[Ming dynasty]].{{sfn|Provisional Urban Council|Hong Kong Museum of History|1998|p=60}}|alt=A gif of five images of workers completing various manual tasks to create paper]]

In 105, Cai publicly declared that he had invented a new composition for paper with a new papermaking process.{{sfn|Eliot|Rose|2009|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=CFiDCjMcnvcC&dq&pg=PA99 99]}} Writing had a long history in China with writing surfaces being [[bamboo and wooden slips]] (wood for short text and [[bamboo]] for lengthy text).{{sfnm|1a1=Hunter|1a2=Hunter|1y=1978|1p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=1sEp3rtK994C&pg=PA48 48]|2a1=Carter|2y=1925|2p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=PgEYAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA1 1]}} These media were inconvenient as they were awkward to store, heavy, and difficult to write on.{{sfn|Hunter|Hunter|1978|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=1sEp3rtK994C&pg=PA48 48]}} After [[Meng Tian]] purportedly created an animal-hair brush for writing in 3rd-century BCE, [[silk]] and [[Textile|cloth]] became alternatives that addressed these issues, but they were too expensive for widespread use.{{sfn|Hunter|Hunter|1978|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=1sEp3rtK994C&pg=PA48 48]}} The absence of a practical solution motivated continued experimentation with different materials; Cai's [[Pulp (paper)|pulp]] solution proved the most effective.{{sfn|Carter|1925|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=PgEYAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA2 2]}} His process still used bamboo, but also introduced [[hemp]] waste, old rags, [[Fishing net|fishnets]], and most importantly, [[Bark (botany)|bark]] from trees (likely [[Morus (plant)|mulberry]]).{{sfnm|1a1=Hunter|1a2=Hunter|1y=1978|1p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=1sEp3rtK994C&pg=PA52 52]|2a1=Tsien|2y=1985|2pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Lx-9mS6Aa4wC&pg=PA4 4], 40, 57}} The materials were boiled to a pulp that was beaten with a wood or stone mallet before being mixed with a large amount of water. The resulting mixture was then processed with wooden [[sieve]]s and the excess water removed, leaving the paper finished once dry.{{sfn|Day|McNeil|1996|p=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780415060424/page/122/mode/2up 122]}} The paper that resulted from this method is often referred to as "Cai Hou paper" ({{lang|zh-Hant|蔡侯纸}}).{{sfn|Tsien|1985|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Lx-9mS6Aa4wC&pg=PA295 295]}} This event and its context are relayed in an often cited passage of the {{Transliteration|zh|Hou Hanshu}}:{{efn|English translations of the excerpt are included in {{harvtxt|Carter|1925|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=PgEYAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA3 3]}}, {{harvtxt|Hunter|Hunter|1978|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=1sEp3rtK994C&pg=PA50 50], 52}}, {{harvtxt|Tsien|1962|p=[https://archive.org/details/writtenonbamboos0000chie/page/136/mode/1up 136]}} and {{harvtxt|Tsien|1985|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Lx-9mS6Aa4wC&pg=PA40 40]}}.}}
{{Blockquote|
|text=<poem>{{lang|zh|自古書契多編以竹簡，其用縑帛者謂之為紙。縑貴而簡重，並不便於人。倫乃造意，用樹膚、麻頭及敝布、魚網以為紙。元興元年奏上之，帝善其能，自是莫不從用焉，故天下咸称蔡侯紙。}}
In ancient times writings and inscriptions were generally made on tablets of bamboo or on pieces of silk called {{Transliteration|zh|chih}}. But silk being costly and bamboo heavy, they were not convenient to use. Cai Lun then initiated the idea of making paper from the bark of trees, hemp, old rags, and fishing nets. He submitted the process to the emperor in the first year of {{Transliteration|zh|Yuanxing}} [105] and received praise for his ability. From this time, paper has been in use everywhere and is universally called the "paper of Lord Cai."</poem>
|source={{Transliteration|zh|Hou Hanshu}} 78/68:2513–14<ref group="‡">{{harvtxt|''Hou Hanshu'' (78/68:2513–14)}}: "{{lang|zh-Hant|自古書契多編以竹簡，其用縑帛者謂之為紙。縑貴而簡重，並不便於人。倫乃造意，用樹膚、麻頭及敝布、魚網以為紙。元興元年奏上之，帝善其能，自是莫不從用焉，故天下咸称蔡侯紙。}}"<br />{{harvtxt|Tsien|1962|p=[https://archive.org/details/writtenonbamboos0000chie/page/136/mode/1up 136]}}: In ancient times writings and inscriptions were generally made on tablets of bamboo or on pieces of silk called {{Transliteration|zh|chih}}. But silk being costly and bamboo heavy, they were not convenient to use. Cai Lun then initiated the idea of making paper from the bark of trees, hemp, old rags, and fishing nets. He submitted the process to the emperor in the first year of {{Transliteration|zh|Yuanxing}} [105] and received praise for his ability. From this time, paper has been in use everywhere and is universally called the "paper of Lord Cai."</ref>
}}

Many legends about the inspiration for Cai's invention exist; one of the most popular said that Cai was inspired by watching [[paper wasp]]s make their nests.{{sfn|Holdstock|2018|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=7-mKDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA101 101]}} Tsien suggested that Cai was inspired by the people of his birthplace, who used bark from mulberry trees to create cloth as a writing surface.{{sfn|Tsien|1985|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Lx-9mS6Aa4wC&pg=PA4 4]}} Irrespective of its origin, in 105 CE, Cai's new papermaking process both impressed He and earned him fame throughout the empire.{{sfnm|1a1=Hunter|1a2=Hunter|1y=1978|1p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=1sEp3rtK994C&pg=PA52 52]|2a1=Carter|2y=1925|2p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=PgEYAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA3 3]|3a1=Hart|3y=2000|3p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=jvbNRbDKY1wC&pg=PA37 37]}}

===Final years and death===
After the infant [[Emperor Shang of Han|Emperor Shang]]'s eight-month reign, in 106 CE Emperor He was succeeded by 13-year-old [[Emperor An of Han|Emperor An]], while [[Deng Sui|Lady Deng]] ruled as empress dowager.{{sfn|de Crespigny|2007|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA531 531], 580}} Both Cai and Zheng maintained influence in Deng's court.{{sfn|de Crespigny|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA27 27]}} In 110 CE, Deng assembled more than 100 scholars—including {{ill|Liu Zhen (Eastern Han)|zh|劉珍 (東漢)|lt=Liu Zhen}}, {{ill|Liu Taotu|zh|劉騊駼}} and [[Ma Rong]]—in the Eastern Pavilion of the palace to begin creating a definitive edition of the [[Four Books and Five Classics#Five Classics|Five Classics]].{{sfn|de Crespigny|2007|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA127 127], 593}} She appointed Cai to oversee and supervise the production; de Crespigny said that this meant Cai "was seriously concerned with scholarship".{{sfn|de Crespigny|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA27 27]}}<ref group="‡">{{harvtxt|''Hou Hanshu'' (78/68:2513–14)}}: "{{lang|zh-Hant|四年，帝以經傳之文多不正定，乃选通儒谒者劉珍及博士良史诣东观，各雠校汉家法，令伦监典其事。}}"<br />"In the fourth year of the ''Yuanchu'' era, the Emperor, finding that the various classics often did not have standard texts, selected the yezhe Liu Zhen, along with other well-learned people and good officials to gather at Dongguan to edit and correct the Han laws in accordance, and made Cai Lun in charge of the project."</ref> In 114 CE, he was awarded the title of ''[[Marquess#Equivalent non-Western titles|marquis]]'' and the imperial court [[Feoffment|enfeoffed]] him as the lord of {{ill|Longting, Shaanxi|zh|龙亭镇 (洋县)|lt=Longting}}, a small village of 300 families{{sfnm|1a1=Hunter|1a2=Hunter|1y=1978|1p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=1sEp3rtK994C&pg=PA52 52]|2a1=Narita|2y=1966|2p=12}} in modern-day [[Yang County]], [[Shaanxi]].{{sfn|Provisional Urban Council|Hong Kong Museum of History|1998|p=60}}<ref group="‡">{{harvtxt|''Hou Hanshu'' (78/68:2513–14)}}: "{{lang|zh-Hant|元初元年，邓太后以伦久宿卫，封为龍亭侯，邑三百户。}}"<br />"In the first year of the ''Yuanchu'' era, Empress Dowager Deng, on account that Cai Lun had long been in service, created him the Marquess of Longting with a fief of 300 households."</ref> Later that year Zheng died and Cai succeeded him as the head of the Dowager's household.{{sfn|de Crespigny|2016|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=jSJ4DgAAQBAJ&pg=PA177 177]}}

An assumed power after Deng's death in 121 CE, though the court was dominated by the influence of Empress [[Yan Ji]] and her brothers.{{sfn|de Crespigny|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA935 935]}} Remembering Cai's part in the death of his grandmother, Consort Song, An ordered Cai to report to the [[Ministry of Justice (imperial China)|Ministry of Justice]] to answer the charges, and presumably sentence him to death.{{sfn|de Crespigny|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA27 27]}} Ashamed that the Emperor would send him to death in a dishonorable way, Cai bathed and dressed in formal clothes before [[Suicide|killing himself]] by drinking poison.{{sfn|de Crespigny|2007|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=49OvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA27 27]}}<ref group="‡">{{harvtxt|''Hou Hanshu'' (78/68:2513–14)}}: "{{lang|zh-Hant|伦初受窦后讽旨，诬陷安帝祖母宋贵人。及太后崩，安帝始亲万机，敕使自致廷尉。伦耻受辱，乃沐浴整衣冠，饮药而死。國除。}}"<br />"Previously, Cai Lun, under Empress Dou's orders, made false accusations against Emperor An's grandmother Consort Song. After the Empress Dowager's death, Emperor An began to oversee all affairs of state. He ordered Cai Lun to self-report to the ministry of justice. Cai Lun did not want to be humiliated, and therefore, after bathing and putting on formal wear, drank poison and died. His fief was cancelled."</ref>