The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 136 There is a traitor!
No, something's wrong.

Looking at Gao Guang, who looked honest beside him, Cao Mao felt more and more that something was wrong.

If, as he said, he was going to Huainan, what was the nature of this?

This is hedging your bets.

I believe you if you say Sima Zhao endured it, but can Sima Shi endure it?

If he had not been seriously ill, those who were causing trouble in the court would have been executed along with their entire families.

Even if he is seriously ill now, if you dare to hedge your bets in front of him and send your youngest son to Huainan, will he tolerate you?
What, Sima Shi has started to show compassion and no longer care about these things?
Cao Mao absolutely didn't believe Sima Shi would condone such behavior. As the current prime minister, Gao Rou's choices could actually influence many powerful families and court officials. If he took the lead in hedging his bets, wouldn't the other officials in the court follow suit? Wouldn't Sima Shi be doomed?

If Gao Guang was telling the truth and Gao Rou really wanted him to go to Huainan, then it doesn't make sense that he could still be alive and serve as a cavalryman for Gao Rou.

If Gao Guang had not gone to Huainan to be the prefect, then what reason would he have to deceive himself?

This guy must be lying.

Did he want to sneak into his own group to tip off Sima Shi?

Countless thoughts flashed through Cao Mao's mind, but his expression remained calm, even a little excited.

"I have always admired Lord Situ. I never thought that I would be able to meet his son today. Hahahaha, I am very happy!"

Gao Guang was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, "My father also praised Your Majesty highly. He once said that Your Majesty was a king rarely seen in the history books. He said that your bravery was comparable to that of Emperor Taizu, your literary talent was not inferior to that of Prince Chen Si, and your strategy was on par with Duke Xuanwen."

Cao Mao threw his head back and laughed.

"How can I deserve such an evaluation? Lord Situ is overpraising me!"

"That's not an exaggeration. Meeting with Your Majesty today, I finally realized that my father was right."

"Oh? Mr. Gao also has the ability to judge people?"

"It's not me who has this talent, it's Your Majesty. Didn't Your Majesty see at a glance that I was sent by Sima Shi?"

The smile on Cao Mao's face suddenly froze.

The eunuchs around were stunned.

Gao Guang looked at Cao Mao very seriously, his expression no different from before.

"what did you say?"

"Your Majesty, just now I deliberately brought up the Huainan issue, but you directly shifted the topic to my father. You were completely unconcerned. Isn't it because you saw through my being sent by someone?"

"If I really went to Huainan to serve as the prefect, how could the general spare me and let me serve as a cavalry officer? Your Majesty must be thinking this way."

Cao Mao looked at Gao Guang in astonishment, "I don't understand what you are talking about."

Gao Guang sighed deeply, took Cao Mao's hand and continued to walk forward, but whispered: "Your Majesty is right, it is indeed as Your Majesty thought."

"My father wanted to send me to Huainan, but when we were ready and returned to the mansion, Sima Shi was waiting inside."

"He used me to threaten my father and also planted many people in the mansion."

"He deliberately let me into the palace to extract information from you and to understand your thoughts. Sima Shi believes that the prince is likely secretly helping you and the Queen Mother."

Gao Guang said this, with a flash of anger in his eyes.

"My father and I both know very well that Sima Shi will not spare us no matter what. Before he dies, he will definitely take the entire Gao family with him."

"I didn't want to fight Sima Shi, but my father is already very old. As a son, I really don't want him to suffer any more. It would be unfilial."

"If Your Majesty doesn't mind, I'm willing to help you secretly. You don't have to tell me anything important. If you have any instructions, just let me do it. I'm willing to work with Your Majesty to kill the traitors!"

Gao Guang said through gritted teeth.

The eunuchs around were stunned. They lowered their heads, said nothing, and slowly surrounded the two of them, fearing that Sima Hui and others would suddenly appear.

Cao Mao was even more astonished. He looked at the high light in front of him, hesitated for a moment, and suddenly shouted, "Help! There are traitors!"

“Catch him!!!”

The eunuch was shocked, but still did as Cao Mao said and pressed him to the ground.

Cao Mao looked at Mr. Xu who was standing beside him and whispered, "Go and call Cheng Jun!"

Mr. Xu had no idea what Cao Mao was thinking, but as a eunuch whose life was in danger, he would still obey Cao Mao's orders unconditionally and leave quickly.

Gao Guang was pressed to the ground by several eunuchs, his eyes full of fear.

"Your Majesty!! What is Your Majesty going to do?!"

"I sincerely wish to assist Your Majesty!!"

Cao Mao snorted coldly, "Oh, who do you take me for, you bastard?"

"If it weren't for the Great General, how could I sit firmly on this throne? I consider the Great General my most trusted confidant and supporter, how could I allow you to sow discord like this?!"

"Your Majesty!! Don't you believe my sincerity?!"

Just as Gao Guang was trying hard to explain, Cheng Ji came here hurriedly, tightly gripping the hilt of the knife at his waist.

"Your Majesty? What happened?!"

Cao Mao pointed at Gao Guang in front of him and said, "This fellow is trying to alienate me from the general. You can deal with this traitor as you wish! Take his head in exchange for merit!"

Cheng Ji was stunned and looked at Gao Guang in front of him. He didn't understand why His Majesty asked him to kill Gao Guang.

But since it is the order of His Majesty, just chop it off.

Cheng Ji suddenly drew out his knife and strode towards Gao Guang.

Gao Guang gritted his teeth and watched Cheng Ji walk to his side, push away the eunuch beside him, and then raised the knife. Gao Guang finally couldn't bear it anymore.

"Don't do it! Don't do it! I was just joking with Your Majesty! It was a joke!!"

"Wait a minute!"

Cao Mao spoke to stop Cheng Ji, staring at the pale Gao Guang in front of him, "Mr. Cheng, this man's father is the prime minister of the current dynasty. If we kill him like this, his father might make things difficult for me. Forget it, please hand him over yourself!"

After Cao Mao finished speaking, he turned around and left.

Gao Guang looked at Cheng Ji in front of him helplessly, almost gritting his teeth.

How on earth did he figure that out???

Cao Mao strode along the road, while Mr. Xu seemed to be hesitant to speak.

"Mr. Xu, do you have anything to say?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking frankly. I think what Gao Sanqi just said might not be a lie."

"Most of it is the truth, but there are a few lies mixed in."

"How does your Majesty know that he is lying?"

Cao Mao sneered.

"When I was discussing the talents of Luoyang with other scholars, I once heard Ji Kang comment on the three sons of Situ Gong. They believed that Situ Gong's eldest son was mediocre, his second son was brave, and his third son was cautious. He believed that only his third son could achieve great things."

"After he came in just now, he also behaved very cautiously and reservedly."

"But how could such a cautious person say in front of you that he would eliminate the traitors for me?"

"If any one of you is arranged by the general, won't the entire Gao family be buried with you?"

"Either he's confident and thinks nothing will happen even if you report him, or he knows you're all loyal to me. None of you are appointed by the general. He's not the general, so how can he be so sure? How can he dare take such a risk?! Just because you're all eunuchs?"

"If it was the second son of Lord Situ who came, I might believe it, but if it was the third son, I absolutely won't believe it."

"Besides, Sima Shi is not that easy to fool. If Sima Shi had been to their mansion, would he still have the guts to rebel? What a joke!"

"If the Gao family had such courage, how could Gao Rou be bullied to this extent?"

After listening to Cao Mao's analysis, Mr. Xu was speechless for a long time.

"Your Majesty, what if he truly surrenders?"

"Then I don't need someone who can tell everyone about his conspiracy as my assistant. If I accept such a person, it will cause huge trouble sooner or later."

Mr. Xu was completely convinced. He looked at the young emperor in front of him with a complicated expression.

"Gao Rou was right in praising me. I am convinced."

"Huh? What did you say?"

Sima Zhao's eyes widened.

"Palace Attendant Gao Guang sowed discord and deceived Your Majesty, but I have captured him!"

Cheng Ji raised his head and said proudly.

Sima Zhao looked dimly at Gao Guang who was tied up.

Gao Guang's face was full of grievance. "General Zhengxi, please listen to my explanation. I am doing things according to the orders of the general. I am not a traitor!"

Sima Zhao was stunned and looked at Cheng Ji who was standing beside him. "Cheng Chengjun, right? You can go back now!"

The smile on Cheng Ji's face faded a little, and he saluted Sima Zhao, "Cheng Ji, take your leave!"

He left here immediately.

After Cheng Ji left, Sima Zhao hurriedly got up and untied the rope for Gao Guang.

Sima Zhao didn't know about this, but he didn't think Gao Guang was deceiving him. Why would he tell a lie that would be exposed once confronted?
"I'm sorry you've suffered. It's all my fault."

Sima Zhao spoke very sincerely, and Gao Guang repeatedly said he dared not.

"What did my brother tell you to do?"

"General Zhengxi, don't you know? Then why are you so?"

Sima Zhao waved his hand. "Mr. Situ is the person I admire most in my life, and so is his son. I trust you completely, so how could I embarrass you? Although I don't know about this matter, I believe you wouldn't make such a big mistake!"

Gao Guang felt a little touched. He bowed to Sima Zhao again and then told him in detail what Sima Shi had arranged.

Sima Zhao was a little stunned.

"You mean he ordered your arrest when he heard you were going to eliminate the traitor? Or even handed you over directly to Cheng Chengjun?"

"Is such that."

Sima Zhao was confused.

This in the end is why?

First he taught his own son, and now he is helping to catch "traitors"? ?

Could it be that this emperor is actually a loyal minister?

What on earth does he want to do?!
Gao Guang smiled bitterly and said, "General, I think he has seen through me."

"No, no, I feel more and more that this emperor cannot be judged by common sense."

(End of this chapter)