"Your Majesty, please let Attendant Cavalry Sima rise!"
"Attendant Cavalry Sima has knelt in the ice and snow for three days and nights without food or water... his conduct is truly moving. Even this servant cannot bear it."
"Please show mercy and let him rise!"
"With such a worthy man in the Imperial Court, we truly should not let him suffer such harm... we are ashamed!"
Old Eunuch Xu urged the emperor, his face filled with grief.
For the past three days, Cao Mao had remained utterly indifferent, paying no attention to Sima Yan outside. Many people had come to persuade him during that time.
From Sima Xun to Sima Hui, and even the Imperial Guard Cheng Ji, many had come to persuade him, but without exception, he had given them all a blistering tongue-lashing.
Though they had been scolded, their hearts had blossomed with joy.
Being scolded by the emperor like that even once could make a man famous throughout the land.
Every minister at court was helping build momentum for Sima Yan. These people could gain an excellent reputation merely by showing their faces.
Even Cheng Ji was now standing by the door, grinning foolishly and in excellent spirits.
When Cao Mao had first instructed him to come and persuade him, Cheng Ji had been rather bewildered. After Cao Mao unleashed a torrent of abuse on him, he had felt resentful.
But when he discovered that everyone around him had instantly changed their attitude toward him, and that scholars were even taking the initiative to visit and associate with him, Cheng Ji went wild with joy.
Never in his dreams had he imagined he would see such a day.
His birth was humble, and his office and rank had come entirely from his elder brother's military achievements. Cheng