xiangru leaves chengdu for capital 5

He hesitated, and added, "Would there be anything else you require?

Sima glanced at the steward, and then, as if something had occurred to him, waved the man nearer, and said in a low voice: "Is there one of those houses with red tiles and green chambers near here?"

Sun Fu understood immediately. He stepped closer to Xiangru. I know such places," he said. "But I would advise you, sir, not to trouble yourself going out. After you have enjoyed your meal, 1 myself will bring a dainty morsel here for you."

"Don't talk nonsense," spluttered Xiangru. "How could you think of bringing that sort of person here. "After I've dined, you will be my guide, understand?"

"Yes, sir," said Sun Fu, with an ingratiating smile, and withdrew.

Why had Sima Xiangru come to the capital? Well, as one could guess from the words he carved at the bridge- back across it unless in a four-horse carriage- official position. His first few days in Chang'an were spent exploring the highways and byways of the big city, and tasting the delights of the establishments with "red tiles and green chambers." Only then did he turn his attention to serious matters.

Now it was stipulated in the regulations of the imperial court that the son of a man who had served as an official could circumvent the usual selection procedure and have himself entered on the list of persons eligible for an official post by means of a donation, either financial or in kind, Xiangru had no difficulty with this channel of advancement, for, first of all, his father had not only served as a court official, but had achieved a noble rank; secondly, the Sima family had grown so rich that the young man had plenty of largesse to grease the palms which flapped between him and success. He found Sun Fu's connections invaluable in this respect, and, as when enough water flows a certain way a smooth channel is formed, within less than three months, an imperial decree installed Sima as a custodian of the palace gate. This position, which was not included in the official hierarchy proper, was supposed to be one bearing heavy responsibility, but in fact during the Western Han Dynasty people in such minor palace posts were, as they say, as numerous as the quills on a porcupine, and Sima Xiangru found himself with little to do.

When he first discarded his civilian robe for an official uniform, he telt a great sense of satisfaction. But after a while, when he discovered that he was only on duty once every two or three days only to guard the gare and drive away Joiterers- he soon became bored and restless, He realized that his carly dreams of a meteoric rise to a post in which he would wield great power had been nothing but empty fantasies. So he resigned himself to the tedious task he had been handed, and making acquaintances of those who would be useful in helping him ascend the ladder of success. But to his dismay, he found that his comrades were a boorish bunch, interested in nothing but feasting and carousing.