The autumn wind howls through the long streets of Luoyang, and it is a day of rest and bathing. Sima Fu rides on a thin horse, slowly advancing along the street. The north wind, carrying leaves and dust, slaps against Sima Fu's back, pushing him forward.
Sima Fu's journey was not entirely willing. A few months ago, Sima Fu gained fame throughout Luoyang through two memorials and a speech at the gate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, where Chen Jiao spoke out. People called him "The Courageous Bone-sticking Chen Jiubo, Who Dares to Speak Directly and Frankly."
The political lives of Chen Jiao and Sima Fu have entered a new stage: Chen Jiao leaves the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, becomes a waiter by the emperor's side for consultation, and ranks among the emperor's close associates.
While Sima Fu was granted the same prestigious position of the frequent rider and attendant, though he too became a close associate of the emperor, his fate was different from Chen Jiao's. Sima Fu was left at the riding office for several months by the emperor without a single audience.
As a minister, Sima Fu cannot bring anything into or out of the palace. He sits alone in the office, reading a few classical texts and historical records every day. Even though three months have passed with no significant events, Sima Fu is still unsure about the emperor's thoughts and always worried about impending disaster. This constant uncertainty and lack of progress are driving Sima Fu close to madness.
As the bend ahead leads to Sima Yi's mansion, Sima Fu hesitates at this moment.
It has been three years since he last came to Sima Yi's mansion, and though they are brothers born of the same mother, Sima Fu has always had an indescribable feeling towards Sima Yi.
It can be described as a mixture of jealousy, envy, fear, and respect.
The human heart is indeed complex.
Just as Sima Fu was hesitating at the corner before reaching Sima Yi's mansion, Sima She happened to be passing by the mansion gate.
"Uncle!" Seeing Sima Fu, Sima She dismounted with great excitement and called out, "Uncle, are you looking for Father? It's been a long time since I last saw you at the mansion."
Sima Fu felt quite embarrassed upon hearing his nephew's words. It had been a long time since Sima Fu visited his brother Sima Yi's mansion, but Sima She visited Sima Fu's residence every month to pay respects and see him.
Sima Fu paused on his horse for a moment, and after seeing Sima She bow, he asked calmly, "I am indeed here to look for my brother. Where are you going, Jiumyuan?"
Sima She loudly said, "I won't hide it from my uncle. I have made an appointment with Xiahou Xuan, He Yan, and others to discuss about metaphysics. Today is the day to go there."
Sima Fu wondered, "I haven't paid attention to the young scholars in Luoyang for a long time. What kind of discussions do you engage in?"
Sima She replied, "My uncle may not know that Shen Lingjun Shen Yu's son Shen Cang came to Luoyang from Yingchuan yesterday. On the first day after arriving in Luoyang, Shen Cang debated with the northern child genius Fu Qiu."
"Fu Gu is skilled in the study of names and theories, while Shen Cang admires the sublime and distant. Their conversation at the gate of the Imperial Academy attracted hundreds to watch, and everyone praised Shen Cang's arguments."
"Today, He Yan and He Pingxi have invited Shen Cang to discuss the sublime and distant. I am planning to attend today to listen to Shen Cang's noble theories!"
At this moment, Sima Fu's mind was filled with thoughts of his own future position and career. He barely listened to his nephew's words, only hearing the echo in one ear and out the other: "I understand. Jiumyuan, engaging in social interaction with scholars may help you gain fame and greatly benefit your future. However, you should still ride slowly and avoid galloping through the city."
Sima She bowed and departed, and Sima Fu slowly entered Sima Yi's mansion. The steward, upon seeing that the son of the master was visiting, did not inform him but said to Sima Fu, "Third Master, Master is in the study."
Sima Fu nodded and slowly walked outside the study of Sima Yi. Upon seeing that the study was not closed, he had to knock on the door frame gently.
Sima Yi assumed it was a common visitor from home and, without looking up, said, "Come in!"
Sima Fu stepped in slowly, seeing his brother bent over his desk writing, and coughed lightly.
Sima Yi raised his eyebrows and looked up: "It's my uncle! How long has it been since I last saw you here?"
Sima Fu felt a bit ashamed and bowed his hands in a respectful gesture, "Brother, I apologize for my lack of courtesy. It has been a long time since I visited."
Sima Yi stared at Sima Fu's lowered face for a moment, then stood up and took Sima Fu by the arm, pulling him to a seat on the mat. "We are brothers; what's there to apologize for? Sit down quickly."
Sima Fu, who had always grown up under the shadow of Sima Yi, had always compared himself to his brother and secretly competed with him in everything. Now that he had come to visit, and his brother was treating him so affectionately, Sima Fu felt even more ashamed in his heart.
Before Sima Fu could speak, Sima Yi started to chatter again, "Uncle Da, I haven't had a chance to tell you yet. Last month, I wrote a letter to the Governor of Henei, asking him to recruit Weiduo as a county official. By now, he should have taken up the position."
The "Weiduo" mentioned by Sima Yi is the original second son of Sima Fu, Sima Wei.
Sima Yi had eight brothers, the eldest Sima Lang died early, Sima Yi was the second, and Sima Fu was the third. Sima Fu's son Sima Wei was originally adopted by Sima Lang in his early years and had been living in Wenxian County, Huanhe since then.
Sima Fu was surprised upon hearing that Sima Yi had been very concerned about his adopted son, Sima Wei: "I haven't written to Wei for a long time either. It's good to see that my brother hasn't forgotten about Wei's future."
Sima Yi laughed, "Wei is your second son, and naturally my nephew. Even after being adopted by your older brother, he remains my nephew. How could I forget him?"
Sima Fu bowed and said, "Thank you, brother."
Sima Yi waved his hand and said with an unfriendly look, "You and I are brothers, how can there be thanks?"
Sima Fu kept nodding, then hesitated and said, "Today, I came to see you, brother, because I have a doubt and would like to ask for your clarification."
"Oh?" Sima Yi raised his eyebrows and looked at Sima Fu: "What doubt do you have? You are not satisfied with your position as a frequent rider and attendant in the palace, are you?"
Sima Fu explained, "I don't mean that. Since the emperor appointed me as a frequent rider and attendant, it has been several months, and he has not called me for an audience."
"Every day, I can only sit idly in the frequent rider's office. It seems my prospects for advancement are lost, and I truly don't know what to do to win back a little favor with the emperor."
Sima Fu's expression at this time was filled with a sense of despondency. Although there were some misunderstandings with his brother, there was no one else he could turn to for comfort.
It was now mid-afternoon, with sunlight slanting in from the doorway and casting a bright glow on Sima Fu's face. The area where Sima Yi was sitting was much darker, making it difficult for Sima Fu to discern his brother's expression.
Sima Yi, upon hearing his words, did not reply immediately. Instead, he slowly stood up, closed the door of the study, and turned back to look at his brother: "Uncle Da, do you regret it?"
Sima Fu naturally knew that his brother was referring to the matter that he and Chen Jiao had planned, where they used two memorials to reject the emperor's orders within a day.
Sima Fu nodded seriously, "I indeed regret it. I shouldn't have believed in Chen Jiao's words at the time, seeking a false reputation and causing trouble for nothing. Now I just want to win back a little."
Sima Yi had a stern expression, "A man should not do things and then regret them! If you start something, you should finish it."
"Uncle Da, you have made two mistakes."
