The Sima Palace, study.
The late-night visit of Guan Qiu Jian caused ripples in a tranquil night.
The words of Guan Qiu Jian, speaking on behalf of the emperor, made Cao Ji, who was both the General in Charge of Military Affairs and the Keeper of the Ministry of Rites, feel a chill run down his spine.
Sitting in the position of a high-ranking official in the country, it's like walking on a tightrope, and any slight misstep could result in a fatal fall.
Seated behind the desk, the candlelight illuminated Sima Yi's silhouette, casting a long shadow on the wall behind him.
The elder son, Sima Shi, asked, "Father, should we consult with Uncle?"
Sima Yi snorted coldly: "It's already past the curfew. How can we ask anything now? By dawn tomorrow, it will be too late for anything!"
The study fell into a silence.
The flame in the burning candle occasionally jumped, the wax tears slowly flowed down, gathering into a full blob on the candle stand before falling onto the table with a plop.
Sima Shi hadn't seen his father in deep thought for a long time. He opened and closed his mouth wanting to say something but held back and remained silent, not daring to disturb his father's thoughts.
"Ahh..." Sima Yi let out a long sigh.
With Sima Yi's intelligence and quick wit, he had already figured out most of the events leading up to this situation.
Sima Shi asked hurriedly, "Father, what is the reason for today's matter?"
However, Sima Yi changed the subject: "Ziyuan, do you know what is most important for an official?"
After thinking for a moment, Sima Shi said, "For an official, it is most important to cultivate virtue and achieve political achievements. These are the two most important things for an official."
Sima Yi shook his head slightly, "Moral integrity and political achievements are not wrong, but they are not the kind of things one needs to focus on in a position like mine."
Sima Shi was puzzled: "Father, as a high-ranking official in the country, what should be more important than balancing domestic and foreign affairs and governing the country?"
Sima Yi said, "It is simplicity in the emperor's heart and careful judgment of the times!"
Sima Yi gazed at the table by himself: "The Sima family of Hedong has been serving the state for generations. Your uncle, Sima Lang, was appointed as the aide to the Director of Works at the age of twenty-two by Emperor Wu."
"As for me, I began my career at the age of twenty-two in the Hedong region. I served as an upper-level clerk in the Hedong County, and at the age of twenty-nine, I was recruited by Emperor Wu as an assistant to the Literary Bureau."
"During the reign of Emperor Wu, I devoted myself wholeheartedly to my duties. However, I remained insignificant and my voice was barely heard. At that time, the major state affairs were beyond my reach."
"In the reign of the previous emperor, I had a close relationship with him. I first served in the Imperial Secretariat and later became the Keeper of the Ministry of Rites. I was conferred a title, given military command, awarded a hereditary title, and given a power token..."
"For twenty years, I have never pondered whether Emperor Wu or the previous emperor despised me."
Sima Yi coughed lightly, and Sima Zhao quickly poured a cup of warm water for his father.
clearing his throat, Sima Yi continued speaking.
"Since the emperor ascended the throne, it has been about two months. My lord and I have never had a private audience. The emperor is now in his prime, and does he think that we these ministers are blocking his path to power?"
Sima Shi was greatly shocked. At the age of nineteen, Sima Shi boasted of his prestigious family background and his father's status as one of the four important ministers. If he were to enter government service in the future, he would at least be able to serve as a Part-time Messenger for the Imperial Court, like Zhong Yu.
But Sima Yi said that the emperor might be tired of the ministers holding power… What about his own career?
Sima Shi asked with a trace of anxiety, "Father, what does this have to do with Uncle rejecting the imperial edict today?"
Sima Yi looked at his worried son and said slowly, "You don't know, this is all related to your uncle himself."
"My uncle Sima Fu, who is a year younger than me, claims to be no less wise than me, and has been comparing himself to me since we were children."
"In the twenty-fourth year of the Jian'an era, both my uncle and I were appointed as the Prince's Junior Tutor for the previous emperor. At that time, as Guan Yu was attacking Xiangfan from the north in an emergency situation, Emperor Wu chose me to be the military secretary, accompanying him to Luoyang to plan military affairs."
"Our positions were the same. Your uncle also wanted to follow Emperor Wu south to establish his merits, but he did not get selected and had to remain in Daliang."
Sima Shi asked with confusion: "Father, does Uncle envy you?"
Sima Yi smiled lightly, "If we're just talking about this one incident, it doesn't quite count as envy."
"Later, Emperor Wu passed away in Luoyang. At that time, the previous emperor was the crown prince of Wei and panicked and wailed in Daliang. It was my uncle who stepped forward, along with Chen Jiao, to lead the Wei court officials in making obeisance to the previous emperor as the King of Wei."
"After accomplishing this great merit, both your uncle and Chen Jiao began to pride themselves on it, considering themselves as national heroes. However, after Emperor Wen ascended the throne, whether Chen Jiao became the Minister of Rites or your uncle served as a Secretary of State for one term, they always remained below me and Chen Qun."
Sima Shi listened in amazement, as this was the first time he heard the secrets between his elders. Sima Shi said, "What does this have to do with Uncle rejecting the imperial edict today?"
Sima Yi snorted coldly: "What does it have to do with anything? He wanted a high-ranking position but couldn't get it, so he took some shady ways to seek fame in order to advance his career."
"Back in Daliang, whenever Cui Yan or Yang Jun commented on people, your uncle would always be present. If Yang Jun praised him with a phrase like 'Sima the Eight Talents, Uncle the Most Excellent,' he would sing Yang Jun's praises everywhere."
"After the Daliang Weimen uprising, Yang Jun was demoted and many others were killed. It was only due to the previous emperor's face-saving, that my uncle's name was removed from the imperial records at my request."
"From that day on, with the 'favored' status of the previous emperor to rely on, whenever there was an opportunity to gain fame, your uncle would never miss out."
"He must be thinking that the young emperor will certainly show respect for advice and put on a good show. Moreover..."
Sima Yi said this, hammering the desk with his right hand heavily.
"Moreover, he has me, his brother who is the Keeper of the Ministry of Rites, to take care of everything!"
"Cough, cough, cough..." Sima Yi coughed again.
Sima Shi quickly stepped forward and gently patted his father's back.
Sima Shi said, "Father, do not be angry. Nothing is worth harming your health."
Sima Yi nodded: "Yes, preserving one's body is the most important thing. If one died at the age of forty like the previous emperor, what could one accomplish?"
Sima Shi asked tentatively, "Is that all we're going to do about it?"
Sima Yi said, "How could that be! Given the emperor's personality, he might have to confront your uncle face to face, or even visit the Imperial Secretariat himself."
Sima Shi said, "Then perhaps father could help mediate and persuade, so that the emperor doesn't have to be angry about it."
Sima Yi sneered, "How can he not be angry? He even sent someone to my home to inquire! Besides, Cao Xu and Cao Jing's matters, involving the subordinates of the Imperial Secretariat, Chen Qun will definitely help mediate."
Sima Shi asked, "What about Chen Jiao, the Minister of Rites?"
Sima Yi squinted his eyes: "Chen Jiao... perhaps it was him behind the scenes, egging on Sima Fu to do such a thing."
"But it's a pity that this time the emperor has issued many appointments, breaking this precedent after which, the personnel of official positions both inside and outside may no longer be under the control of the Imperial Secretariat."
Upon hearing this, Sima Shi knew that his uncle was safe and sound, and he felt much relieved in his heart. As for the appointments of officials both inside and outside the court, since Sima Shi had not yet entered government service, it was of no concern to him.
However, Sima Shi thought back to the Ququ Jiang who had just asked on behalf of the emperor, and couldn't help but ask his father a few more questions.
Sima Shi said, "Father, I saw that Ququ Jiang just now. He became a two thousand-stone official at the age of twenty-five, and his demeanor is naturally impressive with a full and imposing appearance. He is indeed a talent."
"Talent?" Sima Yi glanced at his son. "For a close subject of the emperor to suddenly rise to such a high position, is that a blessing for scholars like us?"
