Ji Kang wanted to say more, but Cao Mao took the initiative and clasped his hand.
"Lord Ji, you need not worry about these things."
"Having you return to my side today and speak of these matters fills me with emotion."
"I still remember when I was trapped in Sima Shi's hands and subjected to humiliation. You stepped forward and rescued me from that villain."
"But why have you been unwilling to draw close to me again all these years?"
Ji Kang remained silent for a long while before saying, "It was not that I was unwilling. I have always revered Your Majesty. It was simply that I did not understand your actions at the time."
"I merely felt that Your Majesty's conduct resembled Sima Shi's."
Cao Mao did not pursue the subject. Instead, he said with feeling, "I intend to reopen the Chongwen Observatory, but I still lack a libationer. Would you be willing to take the post, Lord Ji?"
Great Wei had its own cultural department. The Chongwen Observatory was where Wei supported literary men, and Wang Su had once served as its libationer.
Expecting these celebrated scholars of Great Wei to accomplish anything practical was rather difficult.
Since they could not handle government affairs, he might as well reopen the Chongwen Observatory, draw in those celebrated scholars capable of changing, and let them continue serving as examples.
Ji Kang was plainly a good choice. As a celebrated scholar admired by the public, he could influence many people if he took the lead in changing.
Yet Ji Kang hesitated.
He lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, I committed offenses before. How could I still..."
"Lord Ji, as you yourself said, this is to reach the Age of Great Peace as soon as possible."
"If all literary men