The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 351 Welcome
On the official road, the emperor once again led his ministers to greet him.

The scale of this event is not much different from the one that welcomed Zhuge Dan.

The three ministers stood behind Cao Mao, and everyone looked into the distance, quietly waiting for the hero to arrive.

Deng Ai's great victory earned Cao Mao enough face.

He could even send eunuchs to trample on the heads of the powerful families, and the powerful families dared not say a word.

This great victory brought Cao Mao great prestige, and the big families did not dare to fight with the emperor at this time.

If the soldiers thought that the ministers were maliciously interfering with their rewards, it would cause big trouble.

Cao Mao looked very proud at this moment.

The three ministers had the same expression. Not to mention the hermit Zheng Chong, the other two, Zhuge Dan and Wang Su, were all very happy at the moment.

They all wanted to do something, and Deng Ai did an amazing job in this matter. This is of course part of their resume, and it may even help them more in the future.

Wang Su and Zhuge Dan had both made preparations and wanted to use this matter for future events.

It is impossible to know the inner thoughts of the ministers, but on the surface, at least they are all very happy, with smiles on their faces.

Even if they are unhappy, they dare not show it at this moment. The enemy has been defeated and the whole world is celebrating. You have a sad face. Do you want to die?

Xun Yi laughed the happiest.

Cao Mao would call these people from time to time and ask them whether this event should be celebrated or whether a ceremony should be held.

This is just deliberately making trouble for them.

Wang Su looked at the emperor's familiar method and couldn't help but sigh in his heart: He is worthy of being the Holy King, what a good method!

Sure enough, when the dirty stuff starts to bother others, he looks much cleaner.

The only unhappy person among the ministers was Zhong Hui.

Zhong Hui was really unhappy at this moment.

Unexpectedly, Deng Ai actually made such a great contribution. Zhong Hui felt that Deng Ai's military talent surpassed his own. With the lineup under his command, if he were given it, he would be able to defeat Jiang Wei!
He was busy with important affairs in the court, yet he allowed this kind of guy to become famous!
Zhong Hui didn't care at all whether things were beneficial to the world. He only cared whether things were done by himself. Even if Deng Ai destroyed the Kingdom of Shu, he would not be happy. He had to destroy it himself.

At this moment, Zhong Hui had already begun to think about replacing Deng Ai and attacking the Kingdom of Shu.

I absolutely cannot let this guy continue to steal my thunder.

Zhong Hui looked at the emperor worriedly again.

Your Majesty will not start to favor this guy because of his lucky victory, right?
I am the minister who supports the country, not Deng Ai!

Cao Mao looked at the ministers with different expressions, trying to guess what they were thinking at the moment. He could see through most of their thoughts. The only one he couldn't see through was An Shi, because that guy was actually in a daze, and Cao Mao had no idea what he was thinking.

At this moment, the sound of horse hooves slowly came from the distance.

Cao Mao quickly made his preparations and looked into the distance.

As many musicians played, the army in the distance slowly approached. When the generals came to pay their respects to Cao Mao, the originally warm atmosphere suddenly became gloomy.

Cao Mao walked quickly forward, glanced at the people in front of him, and the smile on his face gradually froze.

"I wonder where General Deng is?"

Chen Tai, who led the army, was also confused at this moment. Didn’t His Majesty ask him to guard Yongliang?

Why do you still ask yourself where he is?
Chen Tai hurriedly bowed to greet him.

"Your Majesty, General Deng is in Yongzhou, reorganizing the army to prevent an invasion from Shu."

At this moment, the ministers were in an uproar.

What general who has made great achievements would not return to the imperial court to receive his reward? What was the point of him staying in Yongliang?

Those ministers who were originally in a low mood now had an inexplicable light in their eyes, as if they were very happy to see that things were not going well for the emperor.

At this moment, Zhong Hui almost couldn't help laughing out loud.

Ok.

I thought Deng Ai could affect my status, but I turned out to be such a fool.

The emperor had just ascended the throne and was counting on this victory to solidify his prestige and win over his soldiers, yet you, a jerk, didn't even come back? You let someone else return in your place while you defended the city?

Now that Jiang Wei has retreated, what are you guarding?

This is totally disrespectful to the emperor.

Thinking of this, Zhong Hui suddenly became angry again.

Yes, why do you dare not give face to the emperor?

Looking at the atmosphere before him, Chen Tai's face turned pale. Could it be that His Majesty hadn't given Deng Ai any orders to continue guarding Yongzhou?

What a pit!!
When Chen Tai reacted at this moment, he felt a black screen in front of his eyes.

Deng Ai was so reliable in battle, but why was he like this at the critical moment?
Cao Mao suddenly laughed, seemingly unconcerned. He looked at everyone and said with emotion, "He has made such great contributions to the country, yet he has not thought of returning to accept the reward. Instead, he wants to continue to reorganize the army and defend the court. Such a loyal minister is truly rare!"

The ministers all agreed, and at this moment they were truly happy. Cao Mao did not feel embarrassed and directly skipped Deng Ai's part and looked at Chen Tai.

"Mr. Chen! I heard of your name when I was still in Yuancheng. I never thought I would be able to meet you today!"

"I heard that you personally led 3,000 cavalrymen in a surprise attack on Didao, preventing Jiang Wei from attacking. This great victory is a great achievement for Lord Chen!"

Chen Tai hurriedly thanked him and never mentioned Deng Ai.

This was the first meeting between the two. Although it did not start well, it went smoothly thanks to Cao Mao's performance. Cao Mao praised Chen Tai highly, and Chen Tai was indeed worthy of Cao Mao's praise. Chen Tai played a big role in Deng Ai's victory this time.

Even if Deng Ai had not sent troops, Chen Tai had actually defeated Jiang Wei.

After talking about this important person, Cao Mao naturally wanted to meet the other many captains.

These captains were all Cao Mao's confidants, so Cao Mao naturally didn't need to say much. However, he still gave them enough face and flattered them in various ways. Wen Yang was even a little shy and blushed because of the praise. The other captains also hurriedly thanked him.

Among them, Cheng was the happiest. After years of hard work, he finally had a chance to make a real name for himself.

When Cao Mao learned that it was Sima Jun who captured Zhang Yi, he was a little surprised.

Isn't it Wen Yang?
Sima Jun didn't know what to say, but Cao Mao shouted, "General Wei! Look at the talented horse in your clan!"

Sima Zhao dodged and walked out from behind Cao Mao.

Not only Sima Jun, but also Wen Yang was shocked. What was going on?

Sima Zhao looked at his brother in front of him, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "It is all because of your majesty's grace. Otherwise, how could this boy have such an opportunity to make such a contribution?"

Cao Mao shook his head and said, "If he didn't have such talent, how could I have made such an important use of him?"

"Capturing Zhang Yi alive, he is truly a fierce general! I love him very much!"

Sima Zhao's expression was very complicated at this moment. Although he was in a semi-hostage state, seeing that his younger brother could actually lead the troops to war and receive such praise, the resistance in his heart seemed to be less.

It seems that the clan will not be destroyed because of his own fault? At least the emperor still likes his younger brother very much?

Sima Jun was stunned. He didn't know when his brother became so close to the emperor.

Cao Mao and Sima Zhao met with everyone together, and there was also a heavyweight figure.

General Anxi Sima Wang.

Sima Wang was an old acquaintance of Cao Mao.

The problem is that Sima Wang is not very clear about what is happening in Luoyang, because he has been on the front line of resisting Jiang Wei, and Chen Tai will not let any bad news reach him.

Therefore, when Sima Wang saw the emperor coming to greet him and the unfamiliar ministers standing behind him, the shock in his heart was indescribable.

Especially when he saw Sima Zhao taking the initiative to stand behind Cao Mao.

Looking at Sima Wang, who was dumbfounded, Cao Mao shook his head. "Although this shouldn't be done, you have performed a great service. Maoxian, please send him to meet his family."

And now, it is time for the most important person to appear.

Zhang Yi, the Shu Kingdom's General who conquered the west.

Zhang Yi was tied up very tightly, and someone was watching him closely, for fear that he would not make it to the temple alive.

Compared to beheading, capturing someone alive has a completely different meaning.

This was probably the highest-ranking enemy general ever captured alive by Cao Wei.

At this moment, both Cao Mao and the other ministers were looking at the defeated general with curiosity.

Facing their gazes, Zhang Yi felt only shame.

Facing Cao Mao, he also glared at him. If his mouth had not been blocked, he might have said something excessive at this moment.

Chen Tai probably thought of this, so he blocked his mouth in advance.

Chen Tai still hoped to spare Zhang Yi's life. Rather than killing him directly, keeping him alive would have a greater impact.

If they could recruit him, it would be unimaginable, and it would be a devastating blow to Shu Han.

Cao Mao probably thought of this and did not pull the cloth from Zhang Yi's mouth. If he had let him curse out loud, he would have surely died today.

Cao Mao said helplessly: "I heard that you are a man of ambition and talent, why do you want to assist the thieves?"

"The Shu Han claimed to have the Mandate of Heaven, but its ruler was incompetent and spent his days in pleasure and indulgence. He favored eunuchs, who supported their cronies and exploited the people. The ministers colluded with each other, caring only for their own gain, enriching themselves, and indulging their relatives in evil deeds."

"Taxes have been increasing year after year, corvée labor is constant, wars are frequent, the people have been torn apart, their families have been broken up, and yet their king and his ministers continue to indulge themselves in pleasure, oblivious to the suffering of the people. How can such a country dare to claim to be the legitimate successor to the Yan and Han dynasties?!"

At this moment, Zhang Yi was furious and wanted to yell loudly.

You are a usurper of the Han Dynasty, how dare you call yourself orthodox?
How much better is your situation here than mine?

Don't your officials exploit the people? How well do your people live? How dare a country that treats the people as slaves talk about its people?!
Zhang Yi struggled frantically, he had a lot to say.

But he couldn't tell.

Cao Mao waved his hand and said, "Take him away and detain him!"

(End of this chapter)