Xiangru leaves chengdu for capital 4

Puppy Carrier, watching this with curiosity, came over from where he had been sitting, and when Xiangru had finished, asked him what he had carved.

"TIl read it for you," said Xiangru, and proceeded to read what he had written, pointing to the characters one by one with his sword: "Sima Xiangru of Chengdu Prefecture will not return to cross this bridge except in a four-horse carriage." "Oh!" gasped Puppy Carrier, "That's quite an assertion, Master." "Don't you believe me?" asked Xiangru.

"Oh yes, I believe you, I believe you," replied the other, hurriedly. "When you ride in a four-horse carriage Master, I'll no longer have to carry a heavy shoulder pole, because I'll be your driver."

The road to the capital was a difficult one, leading through mountainous country. Rising early and traveling all day, the little group took one month to reach Chang'an. What a sight the city was! Xiangru had often heard his father describe its splendors, but had never actually seen the capital for himself. His eyes were dazzled by the enormous city wall, the crowded, bustling thoroughfares, the abundance of markets and shops, and the lush green trees and bright flowers everywhere he looked. Xiangnu led his followers into the city, looking for the designated establishment where he was to lodge. As they threaded their way through the streets, Xiangru's servants, who were also seeing Chang'an for the first time, kept up an endless stream of chatter, constantly pointing out all the strange and awe-inspiring sights of the capital to each other.

Coming to a crossroads, Xiangru saw the words Gathering Benevolence Lane carved on the wall surrounding a large walled mansion. He turned to Puppy Carrier, and said, "Quick, go over to the gate of that house and tell them that Sima Xiangru has arrived .

Puppy Carrier did so. He soon returned with a man wearing a blue gown, who greeted Xiangru and invited him to enter.

This man, Sun Fu by name, was Sima Gong's business agent in the capital. His older brother, Sun Xi, handled Sima Gong's transactions in Chengdu. The brothers had bcen raised as boys by Sima Gong when he was a court official in Chang'an. They had natural intelligence, and as they grew older, Sima Gong entrusted them from time to time to carry out certain tasks for him. They also shouldered some of the household affairs of their master. When Sima Gong retired from his official post to engage in business, he employed the brothers extensively, and his fortune grew. Impressed with their growing business acumen, Sima Gong installed one in the capital and the other in his home town to oversee all his dealings.

Sun Fu led Sima's horse inside the courtyard of the large house, and tethered it. Then he led his guest inside. After an exchange of pleasantries, the steward said, "Master, your quarters are prepared. I beg you to take a rest after your tiring journey."

Sima nodded his assent, and followed Sun Fu to the west wing of the mansion. He was shown into a room spotlessly clean and fully furnished, and with richly embroidered quilts and mattresses on the bed.

"Master, please rest for a while," Sun Fu said to Sima, who had seated himself on a rattan couch. "I have ordered refreshments prepared, and they will be delivered to you forthwith."