Chapter 5, Sima of Hanoi

The surrounding young men of the feathered forest were dumbfounded; no one expected that the reckless youth Sima Fang would win the favor of the Emperor and rise to prominence in one fell swoop

In the days when Duke Zhou feared rumors, Wang Mang was humble before usurpation. Had he died at that moment, who would know the truth of his life? Sima Fang silently pondered, suddenly able to comprehend the emperor's deep-seated worries, for indeed, nothing is more unpredictable than the human heart

Not long after, several servants who had gotten separated from Sima Fang in the crowd watched as their young master donned a black official robe and rode a tall steed, attending to the emperor's carriage. They pinched themselves hard, wincing in pain to confirm they were not mistaken, and hurriedly squeezed through the crowd to return home and report the news.

Get up! Liu Hong nodded and said calmly, without any disturbance due to Sima Fang's identity. (Sima Fang, the father of Sima Yi, was straightforward and honorable in nature. Although he lived in a place of feasting, his demeanor was not lacking in authority. He had a fondness for the "Book of Han" and the "Biographies of Notable Ministers." He served in various local governments, eventually holding the positions of magistrate of Luoyang and governor of Jingzhao. In his old age, he was promoted to cavalry commander. He nurtured his aspirations in the alleys and kept his doors closed.)

Your Majesty, the Grand General has a good reputation among the people, and I believe he will not act like the Liang family. Sima Fang furrowed his brow; he could tell that the Emperor was not only dissatisfied with the eunuchs but also harbored considerable suspicion towards the Dou clan. However, he did not think the Emperor was overly suspicious. Since the reign of Emperor Xiaozhang, which family among the successive imperial relatives has not seized control of the court, inciting the wrath of both heaven and the people, ultimately leading to a tragic end

Sima Fang faced the sword's edge just inches away, glanced at the pale-faced soldiers on the ground, and forced himself to remain calm, saying, "Gentlemen, I accidentally found myself on the official road due to being jostled, and it was not my intention to cause any offense. This officer has been implicated because of me, so I kindly ask that you do not make things difficult for him."

"Bold and reckless scoundrel, how dare you offend the imperial carriage!" The Tiger Ben warriors, who served as the vanguard of the imperial entourage, instantly drew their swords from their waists, dismounted, and surrounded Sima Fang and the provincial soldiers he had implicated, glaring fiercely and shouting.

The Emperor's ambitions are not trivial. Glancing at Cao Jie beside him, who still seemed unaware, Liu Shu suddenly felt a sense of satisfaction. When they initially discussed the establishment of the new emperor, Dou Wu and Cao Jie had reached a tacit agreement to select a younger candidate, believing that a young emperor could be easily manipulated. However, they did not anticipate that this time they would be lifting a stone only to drop it on their own feet.

Sima Fang rose in response, and as he stood up, he glanced at the young emperor on the chariot. The youthful face bore an air of authority that was incongruous with his age, evoking a subtle sense of reverence.

"First take him down and bring him to the back; do not disrupt the Emperor's journey to Luocheng." Seeing that Sima Fang spoke with composure and had a dignified appearance, the leading general believed his words. After sheathing his sword with a cold expression, he ordered the release of the stunned local soldiers.

Take them down, each to receive forty strikes. You will personally supervise this. If any soldiers use punishment for personal gain or if anyone obstructs this, they will be punished together. Liu Hong looked at the several eunuchs who were frightened into silence, showing no signs of compassion. If he could not establish authority at this moment, it would not be so convenient in the future when he had to deal with a powerful empress dowager in the palace.

Sima Fang nodded slightly; he was inherently meticulous. He understood the weight of the previous remarks. The Son of Heaven was established by the Grand General, and if those words were to spread, it would inevitably lead to public criticism, causing people to perceive the Son of Heaven as harsh and ungrateful

A few young men stationed outside the tent entered in response, each with a stern expression. After a single utterance of 'Yes,' they apprehended the several eunuchs and awaited Liu Hong's orders. Since the journey to Luoyang began, Liu Hong had replaced the originally assigned guards with twenty-eight orphans he had personally trained. Although he was now the emperor, the eunuchs had long held power over the palace, and under their accumulated influence, the guards were far less effective than these young men in enforcing commands. Since the journey to Luoyang began, Liu Hong had replaced the originally assigned guards with twenty-eight orphans he had personally trained. Although he was now the emperor, the eunuchs had long held power over the palace, and under their accumulated influence, the guards were far less effective than these young men in enforcing commands.

"Are you that reckless commoner?" The messenger, a member of the Imperial Guard, reined in his horse before Sima Fang. Sima Fang looked up at the guard, whose helmet was adorned with bright red pheasant feathers, somewhat taken aback. At that moment, the guard dismounted and brushed the dust off Sima Fang before saying, "The Emperor summons you; you’ve struck it lucky, kid." Before the words had left his mouth, he pulled Sima Fang towards the Emperor's chariot.

"In the days when Duke Zhou feared rumors, Wang Mang was humble before usurping the throne. If only he had died then, who would know the truth or falsehood of his life?" Liu Hong recited, tapping his fingers on the table, and the gravity on his youthful face made Sima Fang shiver.

"Bring him over." Upon seeing that the one being escorted was a young man dressed in a white scholar's robe, Liu Hong spoke up, causing Liu Shu and Cao Jie, who were nearby, to be greatly surprised, not knowing what this young emperor was plotting.

Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting me a seat. After Sima Fang returned the courtesy and straightened his appearance, he sat down properly. The meticulousness cultivated since childhood was evident at this moment, and even the most discerning eye would find it difficult to identify any flaw in him.

In an instant, the large tent fell into an eerie silence. Sima Fang gazed at the emperor, whose expression showed no sign of change, yet he felt an inexplicable chill in his heart, accompanied by a faint sense of anger. It was truly detestable that these eunuchs dared to so openly defy the emperor.

Your Majesty ... ... " a eunuch led by him hesitated somewhat, as these past few days had shown him that the young emperor was certainly not an easy person to converse with. Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted.

Sima Fang was straining to push forward through the crowd. At that moment, he held no official position and could not join the officials in welcoming the emperor's procession, leaving him to struggle painfully among the throng. Suddenly, a strong force surged forward, catching Sima Fang off guard; he stumbled and collided with the local soldiers maintaining order ahead, and the two of them fell awkwardly onto the official road.

In the market of Qianjin, Liu Shu observed the emperor's expression, which remained as usual, and recalled the famous story from the Strategies of the Warring States.

Sima Fang found himself momentarily at a loss, losing the composure he usually maintained. The position of the Huangmen Shilang, a close minister in the Palace of Affairs, is minor in rank yet significant in responsibility, reflecting the Emperor's esteem for him. With this thought, Sima Fang's blood surged; at just twenty years old, he was still a young man just beginning to navigate the world, wholeheartedly wishing to serve the Emperor with his talents. Now, having unexpectedly achieved his desire, he found it truly difficult to contain his emotions.

Indeed! Liu Shu merely frowned and responded, dispatching a Yulin Lang to convey the message

Sima Fang felt very dejected; he had originally intended to witness the majesty of the emperor, but unexpectedly encountered such an unforeseen disaster. Thinking of his father in Yingchuan, if he were to know about his situation, Sima Fang's head hung even lower.

Seeing Liu Shu sending someone to loudly announce his bestowal of titles to Sima Fang to the crowd by the official road, Liu Hong understood that this noble-born Minister of Rites, even if not on his side, was at least a person of discernment

In the evening, within the imperial camp, Liu Hong watched as Sima Fang hurriedly approached him to pay his respects. He instructed the eunuch beside him to offer a seat to Sima Fang, saying, "Duke Jian, there is no need for excessive formalities."

With a hint of a smile on his face, Liu Shu walked over to Sima Fang and said, "Minister Sima, why haven't you expressed your gratitude to His Majesty for his grace yet?" As an old minister of the royal family, Liu Shu was naturally pleased to see an emperor who was not manipulated by the powerful relatives and eunuchs, and he certainly intended to take good care of the talents chosen by the emperor.

"It is not your place to meddle in my affairs." Liu Hong's voice grew stern, and his gaze pierced the throat of the eunuch who had spoken, causing him to tremble and not dare to utter another word. However, he and the other few remained standing still, motionless.

"Your Majesty, just now someone blocked the way ahead. The Tiger Ben Guards have already apprehended that person and are about to escort him to the rear," Liu Shu dismounted and quickly walked to the side of the carriage to respond. At that moment, several Tiger Ben Guards were escorting Sima Fang past not far from the carriage.

I am in need of someone like you during my visit to Luoyang. Amidst the astonished gazes of Liu Shu and Cao Jie, Liu Hong spoke slowly, using terms of endearment reserved for close ministers. Before the two could react, he issued an imperial edict appointing Sima Fang as the Minister of the Yellow Gate.

When summoned by the Son of Heaven, Sima Fang was momentarily left with only this thought in his mind. It was only when he was brought before Liu Hong in a daze that he regained his senses. Upon seeing the surrounding feathered guards glaring at him with their swords drawn, Sima Fang suddenly remembered that he had not paid his respects to the Son of Heaven in a timely manner. He quickly turned and knelt, saying, "Commoner Sima Fang pays his respects to Your Majesty." Despite being from a prominent family in Henei, Sima Fang, without an official position, could only refer to himself as a commoner in the presence of the Son of Heaven, just like the ordinary people by the roadside.

"Come here." Liu Hong's fingers tapped on the table in front of him as he spoke loudly, his gaze revealing a hint of coldness. If he did not severely punish these eunuchs today, he would inevitably be looked down upon by others. How could he command respect when entering the palace in the future, and how could he earn the expectations of the loyal and upright officials in the court?

What happened ahead? The halt of the vanguard noticeably slowed the speed of the carriage. Liu Hong's gaze turned to the attendants beside the carriage, including the Minister of Rites. At that moment, a Tiger Ben Lang rode up and reported to Liu Shu about the events that had occurred ahead.

"Minister Jian, what I say today is merely a momentary sentiment; you need not take it to heart. Perhaps the Grand General is a renowned minister like Lord Bo Lu (that is, Huo Guang)." Liu Hong suddenly laughed and said, "What I have discussed with Sima Fang today is sufficient; if I were to say more, it would only reveal my narrow-mindedness and inability to accommodate others."

"You all may leave," Liu Hong said coldly, glancing at the several eunuchs present in the tent. These individuals were all spies placed by Cao Jie beside him

Here! "" The loud response echoed, and several eunuchs were dragged away. Liu Hong looked at the ever-silent Sima Fang, "The power of the imperial relatives and eunuchs has grown so strong that I, as the Son of Heaven, have become nothing more than a mere ornament to them"