Becoming a Master (1)
The Sima clan.
Not quite on the level of the Yuan clan's Yeonam branch, like Yuan Shao or Yuan Shu, but the Sima family still wielded considerable power. They hadn't managed to plant roots directly in the capital of Luoyang, but settling right next door and establishing themselves as local magnates was power enough in itself. If Jingzhou's tiger clans were mere snake tails, then the Sima house in Henei was at least a dragon's arm—if not its head.
"Isn't Teacher Suyeon from the Sima clan?"
"In a way, yes... and in a way, no."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Clans don't just live in one spot, you know."
Suyeon Teacher, Sima Hui, bore the Sima surname, but her position within the clan was rather unique.
"Clan? I don't give a damn about that. I do what I want, where I want!"
Most people wielded influence in the regions where their clans had taken root. Positions like prefect, inspector, or administrator were often passed down from father to son upon the old man's death, a way of elevating the local elite.
Yet in this society that prized bloodlines above all, Sima Hui had run away from home.
"I'm done with the Sima clan!... Well, not entirely, but I can't stay here anymore!"
They said young Suyeon Teacher had been full of youthful fire. Escaping the stuffy family with a bit of seed money, she'd come down to Jingzhou and built her own academy, putting down new roots.
The clan hadn't loved her wild ways—calling her a loose cannon—but they hadn't paid her much mind either.
She was a distant branch member to begin with, so the family hadn't bothered interfering much. In essence, she had the Sima name but was treated like an ignored black sheep.
Then this runaway girl became "Suyeon Teacher" in Jingzhou, tutor to the children of the province's powerful houses.
With her thriving over a thousand ri away, it must've chafed her parents a bit, but a Sima making a name for herself in Jingzhou was nothing but good fortune for the clan.
Unless she failed spectacularly or besmirched the family name, a successful spin-off like Sima Hui's was always viewed positively.
That's why she hadn't fully cut ties. Her connection to the main Sima house in Henei remained.
It wouldn't be odd at all for Sima Hui to leave the academy and visit Henei whenever she pleased.
Nor was it strange for clan members to drop by Suyeon Academy, admiring her success story or idolizing her.
But one thing puzzled me.
Why, at a time like this, send just one direct-line child—a girl of barely ten—to Sima Hui?
'The clan's not facing extermination or anything. Why?'
The Sima roots in Henei lay near Luoyang.
With the capital so close, imperial troops kept it safe. It wasn't a hotbed of Yellow Turban activity, nor near Pingyuan where rebel remnants still stirred. With prefects being appointed everywhere to stabilize the provinces, there was no need to send anyone all the way to distant Jingzhou.
Which meant the girl had a story behind her arrival.
Her sleek black hair framed delicate features. She had a sharp, haughty air, but she showed real potential to outshine even Sima Hui in beauty someday.
'The look of an official!'
Whether she'd rise to high office remained to be seen, but with looks like that, she could thrive in bureaucracy. And with the Sima name? A Confucian path could take her far.
A child from afar, from a respected scholarly house tied to Sima Hui. No harm in impressing her early.
'But what's with those eyes?'
They were the eyes of someone who'd devour a man—or a kingdom—later in life. Not the gaze of a ten-year-old girl. That's why Sima Hui held her tongue; I got the sense now.
'Smart kid.'
I needed to watch my words. Mind my manners. This girl could eavesdrop on me and Suyeon Teacher and grasp seventy percent of it.
Smart kids were easy and fun to teach, but overhearing things they shouldn't could stunt their growth.
But then.
"Uncle, who's this? Uncle. Uh, that uncle over...?"
"Uncle? I'm just past twenty this year."
"...So not an uncle?"
"Don't you know what 'weak crown' means?"
"I do. Over twenty, right?"
Sima Yi blinked up at me.
"Dad says everyone over twenty's married and stuff. You married, Uncle?"
"Who gets married at twenty?"
"Our servants all are? Maybe you can't find anyone? Or...?"
"You little—"
Bonk.
Sima Hui thwacked Sima Yi on the head with her fist. The girl clutched her skull, bewildered.
"You... hit me? Even Dad's never done that!"
"'Cause if your dad touched you, it'd be abuse. You know how stingy those hands are."
"You fought my dad?"
"Yeah. Didn't he tell you? The crazy bitch who got slapped once as a kid and slapped back ten times. That's me."
"......."
Sima Yi's spunk must run in the Sima blood.
"As the one your father entrusted with your 'education,' I need to teach you somehow. No manners here, no food."
Sima Hui grinned and ruffled Sima Yi's hair.
"We'll fix it one step at a time. Can't call your future master 'uncle.'"
"My... master?"
"Huh? Me?"
Me, teacher to this brat?
"Yes. You teach her. You've lectured groups a few times, but never one-on-one. Students are all home now—perfect chance."
"But at a time like this..."
"Especially at a time like this."
Sima Hui winked. I bowed silently.
"Understood, Teacher."
"This uncle's my master?"
Ah, now I got it. Why Sima Yi lacked manners. If she bantered with Sima Hui like that, no wonder it spilled over to an "uncle" like me.
"No honorifics as a baseline, and you judge by appearances."
Plus, I was holding a broom from cleaning the academy, and I'd come straight from chores to play the greeter. She figured servant.
I got the misunderstanding, but habits needed breaking.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Geum Taeyang, lecturer at Suyeon Academy."
I set my true name, Hwang Wol-yeong, aside for now. While teaching here, I'd be Geum Taeyang. With those damn Yellow Turbans, flashing a Hwang surname could've gotten me killed. So I went with a gold hue close enough. If anyone griped that gold was imperial, I'd say it was the metal, not the emperor's.
"Geum Taeyang...? What kinda name is that?"
"Taeyang's not the given name. It's my courtesy name."
I leaned the broom against the wall.
"Surname Geum, given name Wol-yeong, courtesy name Taeyang. Call me Gold-Hair if it's tricky."
"Gold-Hair Uncle, then?"
"Uncle?"
"Yeah. Not Master yet."
Sima Yi shook her head firmly.
"I pick my own master."
"......."
Too much to handle in Henei, huh? I felt a pang of futility, but no point in pride or proving myself.
Life here would grind it down anyway.
"Yi-ya, go unpack. Your room's in the back."
"Okay... sir."
Sima Yi caved to the threat of force. Flashing a smile and raised fist, Sima Hui got a hasty bow before the girl grabbed her bags and headed inside.
"Here to learn?"
"Maybe. Maybe not."
Sima Hui nodded gravely toward the child.
"Not asking why you brought her?"
"You must have your reasons. With the rebellions, famines, and starvation, Jingzhou's no picnic right now. No cause to send a direct-line girl to Suyeon Academy."
"Sharp as ever."
"Reality is what it is. What's going on?"
Sima Hui frowned—a rare sight.
"You know the Ten Attendants stirring chaos in the capital?"
"Of course. Capital's a madhouse."
"Yeah. Ripples reached Henei. The new prefect there... rumors say he took the post eyeing a Sima daughter."
Sima clan daughter. Direct line. Sima Yi.
"She's ten."
"Exactly."
"......."
I was dumbfounded.
"The guy's insane."
"Exactly."
"......."
What chaotic times. Truly chaotic.