Sima Zhao advanced step by step. When he finally reached Sima Yan, he looked at his son, who trembled slightly but had not backed down, and suddenly laughed.
"Not bad. You've grown some courage."
Sima Zhao put away his earlier coldness, returned to his seat, and pointed beside him. "Sit down."
Sima Yan was rather surprised. His father really hadn't hit him!
Not only had he not hit him, he was even being so gentle!
Bewildered and uncertain, he sat down beside his father.
Sima Zhao frowned and sighed deeply. "Anshi, these are troubled times."
"I'm very pleased that you have the idea of winning over renowned scholars, and the courage to challenge me. But the situation is uncertain now, and your uncle has yet to wake up. At a time like this, you must not take people into the imperial palace again."
"If something goes wrong, how could you bear the responsibility?"
Rather than berating him as he had in the past, Sima Zhao patiently explained things to his son.
"Wait until all this is over before you try to win over those renowned scholars. I won't oppose you doing such things. It's simply that the present circumstances aren't suitable. If I'm not mistaken, Cao Mao taught you this, didn't he?"
"This emperor of ours has wanted to make contact with those renowned scholars for more than a day or two..."
While Sima Zhao was speaking, someone burst into the Study.
Sima Zhao froze and was about to curse, but upon seeing who it was, he quickly put away his displeasure.
"Lord Zhong?"
"What brings you here?"
The newcomer was none other than Zhong Hui. Sima Zhao treated him quite well, showing him considerable tolerance and regard in every respect. Zhong Hui, however, rather looked down on Sima Zhao