When Cao Mao returned to Taiji Hall, ready to summon everyone and tell them about the solution, he discovered that he already had a visitor.
Qiao Zhou stood at the entrance, waiting to report the results.
Smiling, Cao Mao led Qiao Zhou into the East Hall.
The two sat facing each other, the highest regard Cao Mao could show Qiao Zhou.
Qiao Zhou was deeply moved as well and bowed repeatedly in thanks.
"Lord Qiao, I know you lectured at the Imperial Academy today. How did it go?"
Qiao Zhou lowered his head in shame.
"Your Majesty, I have come to beg your forgiveness."
"Oh?"
"Did things not go smoothly?"
Qiao Zhou said helplessly, "I am not eloquent. There was a famous scholar named Sun Yan. I wonder whether Your Majesty knows of him?"
Cao Mao thought for a moment, then remembered!
He knew Sun Yan. Wasn't he the fellow who used to submit memorials every day, saying he had dreamed of immortals and hoping Cao Mao would go to Mount Tai to perform the Feng and Shan rites?
He suddenly called out, "Maoxian!"
Zhang Hua hurried into the hall.
"Your Majesty!"
"Find me those memorials from Sun Yan!"
Zhang Hua hurried out. A short while later, he returned carrying a thick stack of documents and set them to one side.
They were all Sun Yan's memorials. Cao Mao picked one up, leafed through it briefly, then tossed it down.
Looking at Qiao Zhou, he said with a smile, "This gentleman submits memorials so often that I told my attendants to hold them back rather than bring them before me."
Qiao Zhou said awkwardly, "Your Majesty is busy. How could you be troubled by such matters?"
Cao Mao really had no words for this fellow. He was always pestering him