At two o'clock in the night.
Past the curfew, the streets of Luoyang, where people come and go during the day, are now only lit by torches carried by patrolling soldiers.
Mao Qiu Jian rode on horseback, strolling leisurely on the road. When encountered by those questioning along the way, Mao Qiu Jian did not panic and showed the waist card he had just received from the palace, and four soldiers followed behind him to escort him.
The summer night breeze dispelled the heat.
The sweetness of Osmanthus wine overpowered the taste of alcohol. The more it was drunk, the more delightful it became, leading to drunkenness.
This was Mao Qiu Jian's first time entering the palace and also his first time attending such a high-level banquet.
In the past, Mao Qiu Jian served as an official in the Eastern Palace under the title of Literary Prince of Pingyuan. He spent daily companionship with Cao Ruichen. Through reading, discussing politics, hunting, and writing, their friendship of six years finally led to rewarding their merits today.
At this moment, Mao Qiu Jian was carrying the document with the seal of the Secretary of the Department of Personnel. Cavalry Commander of the Frontiers, that was Mao Qiu Jian's new office position for today.
Early tomorrow, he will go to the camp of the Five Commanders, becoming a true officer of two thousand stones.
At the age of 25, with a salary of two thousand stones, this is a target that many people strive their whole lives to achieve.
The hoof beats resounded as the horse turned a corner, and ahead was the mansion of Sima Yi.
The gate of the Sima mansion was quite grand, and the tightly closed doors made one feel apprehensive. Thankfully, Mao Qiu Jian had drunk some wine today and also held the appointment of a two-thousand-stone official, which was a time of great pride and satisfaction for him.
Seeing Mao Qiu Jian had arrived, a few night watch soldiers bid farewell and left the place.
"Thud, thud, thud." Mao Qiu Jian rang the doorbell.
After a moment, the main door did not open, instead a figure poked out from the side door.
The gatekeeper of the Sima family inspected Mao Qiu Jian for a moment and, seeing that the visitor was young and dressed in Sichuan brocade, asked with a smile: "Excuse me, if I may ask, what brings you to visit the Sima family at this hour of the night?"
Mao Qiu Jian replied confidently, "I am the envoy of the emperor. Mao Qiu Jian, Cavalry Commander of the Frontiers. I have received a direct order from the emperor to question the commander-in-chief of the Sima family."
The gatekeeper, upon hearing this, bowed and said, "Please wait a moment, sir. I will inform Master Sima at once."
Mao Qiu Jian nodded in agreement.
The gatekeeper gently closed the side door. Only Mao Qiu Jian stood outside the door, his face showing no sign of dissatisfaction.
It was past the curfew, and the gatekeeper did not dare to open the door privately. Any visitor had to report to Sima Yi.
Moreover, as an envoy, the gatekeeper was aware that if a envoy was to be received into the Sima family, it would require the grand gate to be opened and the envoy to be ceremoniously welcomed.
Mao Qiu Jian is a man of integrity and firmness.
Mao Qiu Jian's surname is Mao Qiu, his given name is Jian. His father, Mao Qiu Xing, was granted the title of Gaoyang Village by virtue of his merit. Mao Qiu Jian inherited his father's title and soon after was selected by Emperor Cao Wei as the Literary Clerk of Plain Village, Cao Rui.
Cao Rui was not favored. Emperor Cao Pi's attitude towards his eldest son fluctuated greatly, with the low periods being far more frequent than the high ones.
Previously, Emperor Cao Pi had ordered the death of Cao Rui's biological mother, Zhenzhi. At that time, Cao Rui was still a minor and lived in Luoyang. He could not see his deceased mother who lived far away in Yezhou's Datuan City.
The difficult time passed day by day, and during these six years in the Eastern Palace, Mao Qiu Jian had become Cao Rui's close friend and a trusted person.
Since ancient times, ministers who serve the prince have always hoped for the prince to ascend the throne, so that they could be promoted and enfeoffed for their service to the Eastern Palace.
Mao Qiu Jian was fortunate. He had waited for all of this to happen.
While Mao Qiu Jian was lost in thought, the sound of the door axle creaked, and the heavy main gate of the Sima mansion slowly opened.
Sima Yi stood inside the door. The lack of lighting prevented Mao Qiu Jian from clearly seeing Sima Yi's face.
Just as Mao Qiu Jian was preparing to take a few steps forward, get closer to Sima Yi, some of Sima Yi's household officials carrying lanterns slowly approached from behind the left and right sides of Sima Yi, eventually reaching the door.
The light shone from Sima Yi's side face, gradually from the back to the corner of the eye, and then from the corner of the eye to the nose.
The diminishing shadow outlined Sima Yi's emotionless eyes. Mao Qiu Jian was startled but, thinking of the emperor's command, he mustered his courage to ask.
Before Mao Qiu Jian could open his mouth, Sima Yi's cold voice came through, "The Cavalry Commander position is not vacant, and when did it become yours? I, as the Recording Official, should have been informed."
Sima Yi stared at Mao Qiu Jian. A young boy behind Sima Yi also stared at Mao Qiu Jian.
Mao Qiu Jian hurriedly said, "Marquis Sima, I am Mao Qiu Jian. I used to be..."
Before Mao Qiu Jian could finish his sentence, Sima Yi interrupted him.
Sima Yi said, "Mao Qiu Jian, I know you. I'm asking when you became the Cavalry Commander."
Young in heart, with the two-thousand-stone appointment document hanging at his waist, and boasting of being an old loyal servant of the emperor, Mao Qiu Jian couldn't help but feel a bit angry when confronted by Sima Yi's questioning.
Mao Qiu Jian's tone was slightly stern. "Marquis Sima, I, Mao Qiu Jian, am the Cavalry Commander. This appointment was given to me by the emperor today, presented by the Imperial Secretary Liu Fang, and approved by the Minister of Personnel Wei Zhen. The appointment is right here on my waist. May I show it to you?"
Sima Yi's eyes narrowed slightly.
As the Recording Official, theoretically speaking, Sima Yi was responsible for all appointments of officials both within and outside the palace.
Just now, Mao Qiu Jian's words had caused Sima Yi's mind to start racing.
Mao Qiu Jian's statement had two key points.
The first point is that a two-thousand-stone official is a high-ranking minister of the state. According to the rules, the appointment of a Cavalry Commander must be submitted to the Secretariat and reviewed by Sima Yi himself before it can be considered valid. How could Sima Yi not have known about it today?
The second point is that Mao Qiu Jian said that today's appointment of the Cavalry Commander was ordered by the emperor, presented by the Imperial Secretary, and stamped by the Minister of Personnel. Sima Yi knew that these people were all present at the emperor's banquet today!
And the appointment process was completely irregular.
The normal procedure would be for the Imperial Secretary to submit it to the Secretariat, and then the Secretariat would approve it.
Sima Yi had been sitting in the Secretariat for the whole day, and he had never heard of such a thing!
Moreover, today the emperor hosted a banquet, which included all the old and close associates of the emperor, as well as the emperor's close advisors.
How many other people did the emperor appoint besides Mao Qiu Jian?
This was the first time Sima Yi had encountered such a big situation since the late emperor ascended to the throne and took over the Secretariat.
Personnel changes that did not go through the Secretariat!
Sima Yi pondered for a moment, and his already sharp eyes now appeared even colder.
Mao Qiu Jian was growing impatient. "Marquis Sima, I am here today at the command of the emperor, to ask you some questions."
Sima Yi heard the sound and gave a bow to Mao Qiu Jian. As an envoy, Mao Qiu Jian naturally accepted this gesture of respect.
Sima Yi stood at the door. He showed no intention of inviting Mao Qiu Jian into the mansion, and Mao Qiu Jian said nothing more than a single word. He proceeded directly with official business.
Mao Qiu Jian said, "The emperor has asked. Does His Lordship know that the Recording Official Sima Fu has twice rejected the orders presented by the Imperial Secretary's Office today?"
Sima Yi was shocked upon hearing this. Sima Fu, as Sima Yi's younger brother, had twice rejected the orders from the Imperial Secretary's Office today, and Sima Yi had not been informed at all.
Sima Yi hurriedly replied, "The servant Sima Yi responds to the emperor's inquiry. I was truly unaware of these matters today."
Mao Qiu Jian continued, "The emperor will ask again. Does His Lordship know that today, the Recording Official Sima Fu gave advice against the imperial edict?"
Sima Yi said, "The servant Sima Yi responds to the emperor's words. I truly have no knowledge of this."
After completing the official business, Mao Qiu Jian did not linger at all. After bowing to Sima Yi, he said, "My official business is now complete. Marquis Sima, please return."
Sima Yi nodded in agreement. Mao Qiu Jian turned around and directly mounted his horse, lightly poking the horse's stomach with his foot, and left without a word.
Only Sima Yi and his son Sima Shi stood behind Sima Yi, listening to the sound of Mao Qiu Jian's horse hooves at the door.
