In April, the grass grew tall and orioles flitted about, and the streets of Luoyang finally showed touches of lush green.
Xiahou Xian rose very early that day, and his attire was different from usual as well.
He wore crimson court robes and a military cap embroidered with a golden cicada on the right side, with a piece of blue-green jade hanging at his waist.
This was because the emperor, Cao Rui, had summoned him that day, and he had set off early in a carriage to report for duty at the imperial palace.
Yes, report for duty.
After this campaign, Zhang He had been promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry Who Conquers the West.
Although Cao Zhen had received no promotion in rank-Cao Xiu still held the position of Grand Marshal, after all-Cao Rui had increased his fief revenues and appointed him commander of Yong and Liang, making him supreme commander on the western front.
The other officers at every level on the western front, including Guo Huai, had all received corresponding promotions and rewards.
The arrangements for Xiahou Xian, however, had caught him somewhat by surprise.
Normally, given Xiahou Xian's achievements in this campaign, the most straightforward arrangement would have been to keep him in Chang'an as Grand Commander Cao Zhen's deputy.
Alternatively, he could have served on a commandery administrator's staff somewhere in Cao Wei's heartland untouched by war.
Although he could not yet become a high official drawing two thousand shi, such as a commandery administrator, it would at least have been a good starting point.
But Cao Rui had done neither, choosing instead to keep Xiahou Xian at his side as a gentleman attendant of the scattered cavalry.
That was a court gentleman serving within the palace, a close attendant of the emperor.
In fact, when Princess Qinghe had taken Xiahou Xian to seek an appointment the year before, this was precisely the position she had wanted him to have.
Emperor Wen, Cao Pi, had once issued an edict specifically explaining the purpose of appointing regular attendants of the scattered cavalry: after gaining experience in the scattered cavalry, they would take up regional posts governing provinces and commanderies.
In principle, only talented men from eminent families could hold scattered cavalry posts. But Cao Pi himself had already broken that rule.
He had made an exception and appointed relatives of Empress Guo to the scattered cavalry, provoking considerable discontent both at court and beyond.
When Cao Rui's turn came, he had "inherited his father's trade," appointing Empress Mao's younger brother Mao Zeng as a palace gentleman before promoting him to regular attendant of the scattered cavalry.
Empress Mao, it should be noted, had not come from a gentry clan. Only after she had been fortunate enough to enter the household of Cao Rui, then Prince of Pingyuan, during the Huangchu era had her entire clan enjoyed the shade of that blessing.
Mao Zeng was the descendant of a carriage maker in the imperial carriage service and could not read a single character. Although his speech and conduct were not as crude as those of his father, Mao Jia, he was utterly out of place among the scholars who also served in the scattered cavalry.
This affair had stirred up plenty of gossip at court. Though Cao Rui said nothing, he still felt somewhat apprehensive.
Thus, afterward, he always deliberated repeatedly before making appointments to the scattered cavalry, and was all the more cautious when it came to sons of his own clan.
Now, however, things were different. Xiahou Xian's performance in Longxi was already known to everyone; the gentlemen at court ought to be able to keep their mouths shut.
As Xiahou Xian pondered this, he realized he had already been waiting outside Sima Gate for quite some time.
Only when a minor official hurried up before him did he notice. The official bowed with clasped hands and said, "I am a clerk in the office of the Central Army Commandant. Might you be Xiahou Fengming?"
"I am."
"Very good. Please follow me."
The official led Xiahou Xian to collect his seal and ribbon, then took him to have his name entered in the register.
Once everything was done, the official brought Xiahou Xian to a building, said, "Please make yourself comfortable," and turned to leave.
This building stood in the Eastern Hall precinct, where the emperor handled his daily business. Presumably, then, this building was the scattered cavalry attendants' "office."
There were four seats inside. As a newcomer, Xiahou Xian naturally chose the lowest seat on the left.
He had barely sat down when someone entered.
The man was unremarkable in appearance. Despite his fine clothes, he looked exceedingly cautious, with a sense of inferiority showing in everything about him.
The man quietly sat down opposite Xiahou Xian, raised his eyes to glance at him, then withdrew his gaze.
Finding the atmosphere somewhat awkward, Xiahou Xian decided to break the silence.
"I am Xiahou Xian, courtesy name Fengming," he said. "May I ask your name?"
The man seemed lost in thought. Xiahou Xian's question startled him into a shudder. "I-I am Mao Zeng."
Oh, Empress Mao's younger brother.
Xiahou Xian had naturally heard of him.
He had been about to say something more to the man when another man entered the building.
Upon seeing Xiahou Xian, the newcomer immediately said:
"Fengming, I never imagined we brothers would meet here."
Xiahou Xian nodded and looked over. It was none other than Xiahou Xuan.
Xiahou Xuan was the son of the former General Who Guards the South, Xiahou Shang, who in turn was Xiahou Yuan's clan nephew.
By that reckoning, this celebrated scholar at the very pinnacle of Great Wei was Xiahou Xian's elder clan cousin.
"Brother Taichu, it has been a long time." Xiahou Xian nodded politely.
Xiahou Xuan settled into his seat, the place of honor nearest the emperor's seat.
From his seat, Xiahou Xuan spoke again. "Fengming, you rendered great service in Guanzhong. Everyone in the clan rejoices at it."
"I would not dare claim the credit. This campaign depended entirely on the General-in-Chief and the General of Chariots and Cavalry," Xiahou Xian said.
The two exchanged a few more words.
Only then did Xiahou Xian realize that Xiahou Xuan truly possessed the bearing of a renowned scholar; every gesture made one feel bathed in a spring breeze.
The previous year, Xiahou Xuan and the others had occasionally invited Xiahou Xian to join their social outings.
Their circle was extensive. He Yan, Ding Mi, Deng Yang, Bi Gui, Li Sheng, Zhuge Dan, Sima Shi, Liu Xi, Sun Mi-which of them was not a second-generation offi... a renowned scholar of the realm?
These renowned scholars cultivated friendships and sang one another's praises.
Such praise was not to be underestimated. Once admitted to their circle, perhaps even a pig brought in as a replacement could earn a line in the histories declaring, "Intelligent from childhood, he could compose polished prose on the spot at seven."
Yet Xiahou Xian had never managed to fit into that circle.
After all, he truly had no interest in such mysteries piled upon mysteries, and he certainly did not want Cao Rui to bar him from office merely for the sake of farming a little reputation.
These men, after all, would sooner or later be caught in a single net by Cao Rui.
Mao Zeng did not invite a rebuff by trying to join their conversation, merely sitting quietly.
Xiahou Xian continued listening to the other man, but he noticed that whenever Xiahou Xuan's gaze swept toward Mao Zeng beside him, his expression became entirely different.
It was an expression filled with contempt, as though he disdained sharing a seat with the man.
"Brother Taichu, we have all entered service to ease His Majesty's burdens. We ought to work together in service to Great Wei."
Xiahou Xian's unexpected remark left Xiahou Xuan momentarily speechless, but he quickly understood his meaning.
"Fengming, surely you also believe that those seated here ought to be learned men, rather than mediocre incompetents?"
Xiahou Xuan was clearly alluding to someone, but with things having reached this point, Xiahou Xian did not know how to answer.
Fortunately, at that moment, another person's arrival broke the brief awkwardness.
The newcomer wore dark pinkish-crimson robes and an official's cap, and sported a small mustache shaped like the character for eight.
He did not look as young as the two Xiahou cousins; he was clearly past thirty.
At a glance, however, he did look like the sort Xiahou Xuan admired: well versed in poetry and the classics, his belly filled with learning.
"What lofty discourse are you delivering now, Taichu?" The man greeted Xiahou Xuan jokingly, then turned to Xiahou Xian. "You must be Xiahou Fengming. The Longxi campaign truly made your name resound far and wide. Meeting you today, I see you are indeed extraordinary."
Xiahou Xian rose and bowed respectfully.
The man returned the bow. "I am Wang Su, courtesy name Ziyong."