Qiao Zhou took a deep breath, cradling a thick stack of books as he walked toward Taiji Hall with his head lowered.
The good news was that he had finally gained the emperor's trust and become his personal grand scholar of the classics.
His usual duties were to accompany the emperor, resolve his questions about the classics, help him control their interpretation, and promote the learning of the late Lord Wang.
The bad news was that the emperor's demands kept increasing, and the direction of this classics study seemed to be veering off course.
When he reached the entrance, he saw that familiar figure again.
Cheng Ji scrutinized him quite rudely, offering him no pleasant expression.
Although the emperor treated them equally, surrendered Shu people and Wu people suffered discrimination from Wei people everywhere.
Even two people locked in the fiercest quarrel would instantly stand together when confronted with Shu people or Wu people.
Qiao Zhou had been in Luoyang for a long time, yet not a single famous scholar had accepted him. Even when he took the initiative to visit, they treated him with formal businesslike courtesy. They would not go so far as to shut him out, but once he left, nothing ever followed.
If even a famous scholar like Qiao Zhou received such treatment, what the other officials endured was plain to see.
At times like this, a vague sense of guilt stirred in Qiao Zhou's heart again.
He had been the one who called on everyone to surrender back then, but what else could they have done?
Died more heroically?
Qiao Zhou gave a long sigh, but still spoke. "I have come at His Majesty's command. Please announce my arrival, General."
Cheng Ji nodded, turned, and went inside.
Soon, Qiao Zhou entered the East Hall.
Cao