Emperor Wu of Jin

Cao Mao had never imagined he could win anyone over with words alone.

For a puppet emperor with no power base whatsoever, winning over Sima Yan and Guo Jian was out of the question. He probably could not even win over a county magistrate.

He courted everyone who came to see him, greeting them with a smile, merely to improve his odds in the struggles to come.

With his sense of security so desperately lacking, Cao Mao would not pass up any opportunity to strengthen his position, even if it only made someone think a little more kindly of him, even if that goodwill accomplished nothing.

As Yang Zong put it, Cao Mao was so hungry he would eat anything.

It was no different from his efforts to court wandering swordsmen, take in retainers, and collude with merchants.

Sima Shi would pay no attention whatsoever to such behavior. Everything Cao Mao did must have looked utterly laughable to him.

Yet this was the absolute limit of what Cao Mao could achieve.

The arrival of Guo Jian and Sima Yan was indeed an unexpected blessing.

Had Guo De or Sima Zhao come instead, Cao Mao would certainly have already boarded the carriage of his own accord and set off for Luoyang.

As his clan's enforcer, Guo Jian was ill-suited to political struggles, while the young Sima Yan was still in his adolescent delusions-of-grandeur phase. Even the future Sima Yan was not particularly clever, and was rather thickheaded at times.

Only against evenly matched opponents like these could Cao Mao soothe them in time and use them to carry out his plans.

"Anshi, try this! These are all delicacies from my Yuan City!"

Cao Mao personally handed the roast meat to Sima Yan. He was one step away from feeding it straight into his mouth.

Sima Yan could only squirm in his seat.

This man was far too enthusiastic toward him!

Cao Mao shifted again, moving closer to Sima Yan once more.

Sima Yan discreetly moved away.

"Your Majesty... we can eat roast meat after returning to Luoyang, too... since you aspire to unify the realm, why are you unwilling to go to Luoyang?"

"Once Your Majesty inherits the throne, the many worthy men at court will assist you... you will surely fulfill your ambition of unifying the realm!"

"I originally had no intention of taking the throne of the Son of Heaven, but since you have asked, Anshi, how could I possibly refuse again?"

Cao Mao gazed at Sima Yan with eyes full of tenderness.

"There is one thing, though, Anshi, on which you must indulge me. Once we reach Luoyang, you must serve as an Attendant, remain at my side morning and evening, resolve my doubts, and help me manage affairs of state!"

"That is for my uncle to decide..." Sima Yan said blankly.

"No matter! I will pay the Grand General a visit and discuss it with him!"

Cao Mao stared at Sima Yan before him, growing more satisfied the longer he looked.

What a wonderful fellow.

If he could keep Sima Yan at his side all day, it would first put the Sima Family off their guard, since one of their own would be right there beside him. Second, if things reached the point where the fish died but the net remained intact, he could at least drag someone down with him.

If he truly faced defeat, he would kill Sima Yan first.

With Sima Yan dead, only Sima You could inherit the throne.

Sima Shi had no sons, so Sima Zhao had given his second son by his principal wife, Sima You, to Sima Shi in adoption.

Compared with Sima Yan, Sima You had a greater gift for strategy. At the very least, he would not elevate another Jia Nanfeng and bring such a catastrophe upon China.

Compared with the others in his family, Sima Yan actually had an unusually kind heart. He rarely killed people and liked listening to advice.

Unfortunately, he was not a competent emperor, because he listened to all advice. Surrounded by worthy ministers, he was Yao and Shun; surrounded by villains, he was Jie and Zhou.

Among China's many founding rulers, his abilities ranked near the very bottom.

With him at his side, Cao Mao would have little left to worry about.

Looking at this living balm for his nerves, Cao Mao found him pleasing from every angle.

Sima Yan was at a loss for words. He had no idea how to handle this excessive enthusiasm. After all, he was only a youth who had yet to undergo his coming-of-age ceremony, just five years older than Cao Mao.

"Come, Anshi, let me take you to meet my elder!"

Cao Mao took Sima Yan by the hand again and headed toward the rear hall.

When Guo Jian saw Sima Yan, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He had thought some other member of the Sima Family had arrived. If it was merely this greenhorn before him, there was no need to be too afraid.

"Uncle! This is Anshi, my dearest friend!"

Cao Mao introduced him enthusiastically.

Sima Yan's eyes widened. He desperately wanted to explain, I only met him today.

Guo Jian returned to his former manner, stroking his beard with an air of supreme arrogance.

Sima Yan hurriedly paid his respects to Guo Jian, then explained why he had come.

Cao Mao hastily interjected, "Uncle, we truly cannot delay any longer. Otherwise, the Grand General will surely hold you to account, and that is something I cannot bear to see."

Guo Jian pressed his lips together and looked at Sima Yan beside him.

"Anshi, go find your grandfather and tell him to come receive the Son of Heaven tomorrow!"

Sima Yan assented.

Apparently unwilling to say much more in front of Sima Yan, Guo Jian dismissed the two of them on the pretext of needing rest.

"Anshi, do not rush off to see Lord Wang just yet. Let me introduce you to the great worthy in my household! Lord Guo, the Director of Guidance, is a gentleman renowned throughout the realm. He counts as my uncle, too, actually..."

Cao Mao took Sima Yan to meet everyone in his residence, even Yang Zong.

Only, Yang Zong was once again in a state of wild excitement. Bare-chested and shoeless, he circled the great tree in the hall, muttering incessantly and waving his arms as he capered about. One look was enough to tell he had taken medicinal powder.

Even Sima Yan stared, tongue-tied. Little Yuan City truly produced one remarkable talent after another!

Cao Mao chattered away throughout their tour.

"Anshi, what virtue or ability do I, Cao Mao, possess to have earned the regard of all the worthies of the Imperial Court?"

"I know nothing of strategies for governing a country. Fortunately, I have worthy talents like you to assist me!"

"I felt as though we were old friends from the moment we met. From now on, I shall entrust great affairs to you!"

Sima Yan was terrified. He merely hunched his shoulders and murmured assent a few times.

"Your Majesty, there is no time to lose. I had better go to my grandfather... and prepare to receive you tomorrow..."

"Very well! Anshi, let me take you there!"

"No need! Your Majesty, please stay here!"

"Do not stand on ceremony, Anshi! Someone, ready the carriage!"

Cao Mao still escorted Sima Yan to the residence where Wang Su was staying. Sima Yan stepped down from the carriage and bowed to Cao Mao with the utmost respect, then turned toward the residence. He walked faster and faster, until at last he dashed inside as though fleeing for his life.

Cao Mao watched him enter with obvious reluctance to part, then finally headed home.

"Yan!"

Wang Su beamed at his grandson, showing none of his usual stern rigidity.

Sima You and Sima Yan were both Wang Su's grandsons, but of the two, Wang Su preferred Sima Yan.

Compared with Sima You, Sima Yan was more sincere and friendly toward his friends and relatives.

This was his strength, and also his greatest weakness.

Wang Su was about to ask after his parents when he noticed that Sima Yan's forehead was covered in sweat and that he looked rather unsettled.

"What happened?" he asked suspiciously.

"N-nothing... nothing."

"His Majesty has agreed. We can go receive him tomorrow."

Wang Su showed not the slightest pleasure at these words.

The thought of Cao Mao made him grind his teeth in hatred.

He now had not a shred of goodwill toward this troublemaking young emperor.

"From what I have seen, His Majesty is arrogant, willful, and heedless of the law, overbearing and rude. He has none of the qualities of an enlightened ruler. If we enthrone him, I fear he may bring some calamity upon us."

Sima Yan scratched his head. "His Majesty is quite warm toward people, though..."

"Hah. Do not let him deceive you."

"Once we return to Luoyang, I shall report everything to the Grand General. That second son of the Guo Family is a fool, and the two of them are a wolf and a jackal working together... we must be on our guard!"

In front of Sima Yan, Wang Su made no attempt at concealment and spoke his mind outright.

Sima Yan clearly understood none of this and merely stared blankly at his grandfather.

Realizing he had said rather too much, Wang Su asked instead about matters in Sima Yan's household.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wang Su warned him, "You must not tell anyone else what I have said to you."

"Also, starting tomorrow, you must have no further contact with His Majesty."

"Once we return to Luoyang, avoid him as well. Do not go near him."

"You are kindhearted and simple by nature. You must not let him trick you..."

Wang Su rubbed his forehead and said wearily, "Fortunately, all of this is over. Tomorrow we will receive him and take him to Luoyang, and then I shall rest for a while."

Despite saying this, Wang Su did not feel nearly as relaxed as he claimed.

He kept feeling that the brat would not submit so easily.

He had a bad premonition.

Let us hope I am merely overthinking things.