The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 317 Retribution
"Mother, look at this person."

Cao Mao smiled and sat next to Empress Dowager Guo, pointing to Sima Zhao who was kneeling in front of them.

Empress Dowager Guo looked at Sima Zhao sitting below with uncertainty, leaned back uneasily, and subconsciously wanted to stay away from him.

The sun was shining brightly, and it was time for Empress Dowager Guo to start worrying.

The Sima family still had some influence. Even though Sima Zhao was kneeling in front of the two of them with his head lowered, Empress Dowager Guo still felt very uneasy.

Not only Empress Dowager Guo, but also the ministers and generals actually developed a certain degree of awe towards them.

After all, there are only a few people who dare to beat Sima Zhao like Cheng Ji.

But it is not surprising at all that Cheng Ji could do such a thing.

He always claimed that he and Wen Yang were the two most powerful generals under the emperor.

Cao Mao was not sure whether they were generals or not, but they were indeed very fierce. One of them dared to stab the emperor to death, and the other dared to charge into the battle line late at night and scare the general to death.

Ever since Sima Yi, the prestige of their family has been continuously increasing. This prestige is invisible. It is manifested in the fact that even a down-and-out Sima Zhao can intimidate everyone and make outsiders dare not humiliate him easily.

Cao Mao wanted to settle accounts with the historical events after Cao Rui and comment on the behavior of Cao Shuang, Sima Yi, Sima Shi and others.

After Sima Yi, Cao Shuang was defined as a powerful minister, and those who opposed Sima Yi were defined as treacherous ministers, such as Wang Ling and others. Sima Shi also had the behavior of deposing and enthroning emperors, and there were also people like Xiahou Xuan and Li Feng who were labeled as traitors by him.

But for now, these things are not so easy to explain clearly.

We have to do it step by step, which involves many issues. If Cao Shuang is rehabilitated and Sima Yi's behavior is considered treason, what should the ministers who followed Sima Yi to fight against Cao Shuang do?
These ministers are the main force in the court today.

If Sima Shi's behavior is defined as treason, what should Cao Mao do?
The King of Qi is still alive, and Cao Mao was supported by the traitor Sima Shi. So should he give up his position to the King of Qi, Cao Fang?
Anyway, there are a lot of things to pay attention to, and countless people are involved.

Even if it was to be carried out, it would have to wait until the ministers who were involved in the Cao Shuang incident had left, and Cao Mao's position was stable enough that no one dared to challenge him, before taking charge of the matter.

Cao Mao was thinking a lot at this moment. He looked at the Queen Mother beside him and said with a soothing smile, "Mother, I have been away for the past few days just to bring General Wei back to Luoyang."

Empress Dowager Guo looked at Sima Zhao with some fear and asked in a low voice: "My son, what are you doing?"

Cao Mao smiled and said, "Don't worry, mother. General Wei made many mistakes in the past and failed to carry on the great general's legacy. After my kind words of persuasion, he has realized his mistakes and will not do that again."

Empress Dowager Guo was somewhat unable to understand what Cao Mao meant.

What is going on between the two of them?

Did they join forces? Or did Sima Zhao surrender?
With Empress Dowager Guo's political background, she could not see through the current situation at all, let alone understand the relationship between the two sides.

Cao Mao was not surprised by this. He said seriously, "Mother, from now on, you don't have to worry about the situation at home. The Great Wei is peaceful. The only thing you need to worry about is the foreign enemies."

Empress Dowager Guo still dared not speak, until a close attendant took Sima Zhao away. Only then could she resist asking, "My son, did you defeat Sima Zhao?"

"I have defeated his army of 100,000 men. Now, the entire Hebei army is under my command. Yang Hu will go to Hebei to command the army, and Yin Damu will replace Yang Hu and command the imperial guards."

Empress Dowager Guo's eyes widened. "One hundred thousand troops."

"Mother, I've been busy with these things these days, so I haven't been able to come and see you. I don't think you mind, right?"

Empress Dowager Guo quickly shook her head and said, "My son is busy with important matters, how could he care? My son really is..."

She also wanted to praise Cao Mao, but after holding it in for a long time, she didn't know what to praise him for.

Cao Mao held her hand and said seriously, "Mother, I am your son. I do all these things for you, but I cannot take credit for them."

"But as the world gradually settles down, I haven't held any succession ceremonies. If I were in a court meeting, I wouldn't even dare address her as mother. I feel truly uneasy."

Empress Dowager Guo looked at him blankly, her eyes full of intelligence.

Cao Mao took a deep breath and said, "Mother, is it time to hold the succession ceremony?"

"Ah, yes, this matter must be taken care of. I will issue an edict immediately!"

Cao Mao pursed his lips and was speechless for a long time.

Zhang Hua took Sima Zhao into the carriage and led him towards the palace newly granted by the emperor.

Sima Zhao sat in the carriage with a gloomy expression.

Zhang Hua smiled and said, "General Wei, His Majesty knows of your contributions and has specially selected the most luxurious mansion in Luoyang as a gift to you. The plaque was personally written by His Majesty. He has also specially arranged for you to have five hundred soldiers to protect and take care of you, just like the story of Marquis Zan."

Zhang Hua's words sounded very nice. For example, the story of the Marquis of Ying refers to the fact that Liu Bang once waved his hand and arranged five hundred soldiers for Xiao He to wait for his orders.

Of course, the five hundred soldiers arranged by Cao Mao were not just waiting for orders. Sima Zhao knew best what they were there for.

Sima Zhao could no longer bear it. He looked up and asked, "My father and brother have made great contributions to the country, and I have also helped the government suppress rebellions. Why is this happening?"

Zhang Hua was very surprised.

"Don't you think His Majesty's reward is not enough?"

"It is because of your merits that His Majesty has given you this reward. How can you not be dissatisfied if you don't thank him for the gift given by the king?"

Zhang Hua's expression gradually became serious.

Sima Zhao sneered, but did not refute him.

The residence the emperor arranged for Sima Zhao was not far from the imperial palace. It was a separate courtyard with few houses around it. It was indeed quite large, otherwise it would not have been able to accommodate the five hundred soldiers. When Sima Zhao stepped out of the carriage, a group of officials stood at the door, smiling, waiting for his arrival.

These people were arranged by the emperor to take care of Sima Zhao.

Just like when Sima Zhao sent people to take care of Cao Mao.

They were extremely respectful to Sima Zhao. Zhang Hua earnestly instructed him, "Take good care of General Wei and don't let him overwork himself."

Several attendants followed suit.

Zhang Hua escorted Sima Zhao all the way into the new mansion. The mansion was not too luxurious, but it was not shabby either. There were guards everywhere, patrolling back and forth.

Sima Zhao was sent all the way to the innermost room.

Zhang Hua then said to Sima Zhao, "General Wei, His Majesty holds you in high esteem. This time, he has gifted you with a mansion, soldiers, officials, and various other gifts. You should remember His Majesty's kindness."

"Don't bring any more trouble upon yourself."

"At the beginning, many people advised Your Majesty that you should die on the battlefield and return home wrapped in your horse's hide, but Your Majesty, mindful of your past contributions, refused to listen."

"But even someone as tolerant as Your Majesty won't tolerate it forever. You'd better take care of yourself!"

Sima Zhao didn't say anything, and Zhang Hua turned and left.

Sima Zhao sat alone in the inner room. He raised his head and saw several officials in front of him.

"Go and call my brother."

The leading official smiled and saluted, saying, "General Wei, you've been overworked these days. You should rest inside for a while."

Sima Zhao was furious, "Are you planning to imprison me here?!"

"General Wei! Why do you say that?!"

"His Majesty is worried about your condition. Please rest in peace in the mansion. His Majesty will certainly arrange for you to meet your family. Perhaps, in a few days, your family will come here to accompany you."

Sima Zhao stared at the person in front of him, veins bulging on his forehead. He wanted to explode, but he suppressed his anger.

He took a deep breath, trying to appear gentler.

"Sir, could you please pass on a message to my clan members on my behalf?"

"Don't worry. Your people know your situation and they won't worry."

Sima Zhao smiled and nodded, "That's the best. I don't have any other thoughts. I just don't want them to worry."

He looked at the official in front of him.

This person was very young, appeared to be in his early twenties, and was looking at him deeply at the moment.

Sima Zhao felt very aggrieved. In the past few days, he had suffered humiliation that he had never experienced in his life. He was punched and kicked, and the dignity of a dignified General Wei was rubbed on the ground.

If he hadn't been concerned about his clan, he would have fought Cao Mao to the death long ago.

Judging from the current situation, Cao Mao will not want to kill me, so I have to find a way to regain my freedom.

Sima Zhao looked at the young man in front of him again and asked with a smile, "May I know your name?"

"Li Chu pays his respects to General Wei."

Sima Zhao nodded and said with a smile, "You look familiar to me. I wonder whose family you are from? Perhaps you have some connection to my family!"

Li Chu said coldly: "The general does have a history with my family."

"My grandfather's name is Feng, my father's name is Tao, and my mother is Princess Chang of Qi."

"Li Feng."

The smile on Sima Zhao's face suddenly froze.

After Li Feng was beaten to death by Sima Shi with the handle of a knife, all his clansmen were killed, and his son Li Tao was beheaded. Li Tao's wife was Cao Rui's daughter, Princess Chang of Qi, who protected her three sons with Li Tao.

The man in front of him is Li Tao’s eldest son and Li Feng’s eldest grandson.

Sima Zhao was stunned.

The good news is that it is indeed an old acquaintance.

The bad news is the kind of acquaintance that can wipe out a clan.

Sima Zhao murmured, "When your grandfather rebelled, I even pleaded for him."

"I see."

"Thank you so much, General."

"I will definitely repay you well."

(End of this chapter)