The celebrated scholars found Sima Yan's words most pleasing. They stroked their beards, their opinion of him rising higher and higher.
They had never noticed before, but now they knew: Sima Anshi truly was a worthy man!
Sima Yan continued, "I believe His Majesty is wise and enlightened. The only reason he has grown close to eunuchs is that he lacks worthy men like you at his side."
"What do you mean, Attendant Cavalry Sima?"
"I wish to hold a banquet in the East Hall and invite all you worthies to gather around His Majesty, discuss learning, drink wine and compose verse, and appraise the celebrated scholars of the realm. What do you gentlemen think?"
"Excellent!"
"We would gladly attend!"
The celebrated scholars all voiced their agreement. Had Cao Mao summoned them to Taiji Hall, they certainly would not have dared go. But with Sima Yan inviting them, what was there to fear?
These days, Sima Shi never appeared in person, while Sima Zhao ran about attending to everything. Anyone with eyes could see that Sima Zhao would surely inherit Sima Shi's position, and Sima Yan was Sima Zhao's eldest legitimate son.
Although Sima You had been adopted by Sima Shi and enjoyed a good reputation, this eldest legitimate son was becoming more and more outstanding. At such a young age, he already stood alongside the celebrated scholars. Given time, could Sima You still contend with him for that position?
The celebrated scholars all had different thoughts, but every one of them wished to grow close to Sima Yan.
Besides, going to Taiji Hall would benefit their reputations. From what Sima Yan meant, this would not happen just once or twice. It might well become a distinctive Great Wei gathering, one exclusively for celebrated scholars. Such gatherings had existed before,