Editing Cai Lun (section)

===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>