The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 465: Not Loyal
During these years, Cao Mao used Sima Shi's team and used Sima Zhao's name to appease the old people of the Sima family and bring them under his command one by one.

He himself also called himself the general's son-in-law.

But this was actually a disguised way of boosting Sima Shi's reputation.

This gave Sima Shi a reputation as a loyal and upright person.

This was something Cao Mao didn't want to see.

How many loyal officials did Sima Shi kill? He was very capable, but ability has nothing to do with character.

Sima Shi governed the world only because he regarded the world as his own. Although this was much better than those bastards, it could not deny the conclusion that Sima Shi was also a bastard.

Cao Mao's law of exterminating three clans was aimed at those hateful people who exploited the people, while Sima Shi's law of exterminating three clans was often used to deal with those who cared about the country!

This is a completely different concept.

This is a vicious and ruthless man who poisoned his wife and threatened his grandson for power.

Cao Mao did not want future generations to compare him with Zhuge Liang and regard them as the two most loyal ministers at that time.

That would be ridiculous.

There is also Sima Yi. Cao Mao will sooner or later criticize him harshly for his fart at the Luo River.

The State of Wei was not short of loyal and good people. Cao Mao also had people like Guanqiu Jian, Jiao Bo, Li Zhao, Wang Jing, and Yin Damu. If anyone should praise them, they should be praised!
This was not only to rectify the social atmosphere of the country, but also to govern the world with integrity, as Guo Ze said.

He did not want all future ministers of the Wei State to be like Sima Shi. He hoped that future generations would despise Sima Shi instead of admiring his behavior.

Guo Zhi hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, the matter of Duke Xiahou is not something that can be easily discussed. Many ministers are involved in this matter, and many ministers have participated in it. If this matter is re-judged, it will certainly cause panic among many people."

Cao Mao glanced at him and he seemed to be the most frightened one.

At the beginning, he was Sima Shi's vanguard. Whether attacking Xiahou Xuan, or dealing with Li Feng and Zhang Ji, he was always at the forefront.

This is probably because they are afraid that the consequences will be felt on their own heads.

Cao Mao said softly, "This is not to hold the ministers accountable for their mistakes, but to vindicate Xia Hougong and other ministers."

"Don't worry, Mr. Guo. I know you've made some contributions these days."

After hearing this, Guo Zhi finally felt relieved.

Cao Mao looked at the Queen Mother and said, "This matter requires Mother to issue an edict."

"After all, I am a later emperor, and I am not very clear about what happened back then. If mother can explain clearly what happened and tell the world, then this matter can be handled properly."

Empress Dowager Guo asked about the specific arrangements.

Cao Mao also told her the story in detail.

Then, Cao Mao looked at Guo Zhi and Guo Jian again.

"Minister Guo, after you go to the Censorate, you can gather all the ministers to discuss redressing the injustice done to Xiahou Xuan and the others."

"Captain Guo, please release the captured scholars and inform them that Xiahou Xuan will be vindicated."

Cao Mao made the arrangements, and the two men hurriedly accepted the orders.

Cao Mao discussed with the Queen Mother for a long time before leaving Zhaoyang Palace.

As they walked out of Zhaoyang Palace, Guo Ze frowned and couldn't help but say, "The Queen Mother wasn't trying to redress the injustice done to Xia Hou and the others. She just wanted to use this incident to demonstrate her own benevolence and authority."

Cao Mao added: "And he also vented his anger on Sima Shi."

Guo Ze said helplessly: "Alas, and my two relatives are also greedy for life and afraid of death. They have no intention of upholding justice for the world."

Cao Mao laughed.

"Zi Shou, there's no need to be sentimental."

"Please keep an eye on this matter. If they have no intention of upholding justice for the world, then we will do it."

Guo Ze bowed and said yes.

At this time, Guo Zefang remembered other problems.

"Your Majesty, Sima Shi had many trusted aides in the country. If you were to criticize his faults now, would that cause dissatisfaction among the ministers?"

"If I had just eliminated Sima Zhao and the others and started investigating the crimes of Sima Shi and the others, they would definitely not accept it, and it might even cause civil unrest."

"But now, where does Sima Shi get his trusted followers?"

"My power is already established. These people are afraid of being associated with Sima Shi. How can they dare to speak up for him?"

"As for fear, those who were the most immoral and aided the tyrant have long been executed by me. The rest either didn't participate much or spoke up to plead for Xiahou Xuan. How could they be afraid? Only pawns like Guo Zhi would feel fear!"

Cao Mao spoke very quickly and soon explained all these things clearly.

Guo Ze nodded, expressing his understanding, and then asked, "What about Madam Sima?"

"She is the general's daughter, you..."

Cao Mao hesitated for a moment, touched his chin, and said, he had not considered Sima Li yet.

However, Sima Yi's relationship with his father was not close. When Sima Shi passed away, she just went to see him. She didn't feel too sad from beginning to end, and even felt a little relieved. However, she still had to make things clear with this person.

Now in the harem, Sima Yi is the most reliable person. She never causes any trouble to Cao Mao and knows how to appease the empress dowager and others.

Cao Mao was thinking about this matter, but because he had more important things to do, he went back to Dongtang first.

As soon as he arrived at the East Hall, Cao Mao saw Sima Zhao waiting there.

As Cao Mao's power grew, Sima Zhao's life became increasingly difficult.

He was completely imprisoned. Although his family was by his side and people occasionally came to visit him, his current situation was even more miserable than Cao Mao's.

His reputation is getting worse and worse at the moment because many policies are implemented in his name, and most of these policies are not very clean.

Sima Zhao was taken to the East Hall by several soldiers today. He didn't know why the emperor summoned him. During these days, he had been unable to decide anything and could only let Cao Mao manipulate him.

When Cao Mao saw him, he found that Sima Zhao looked a little older.

Sima Zhao was not very long-lived to begin with, and now that he was being tortured by Cao Mao like this, his body really couldn't take it anymore.

Cao Mao's core tactic, waiting for old men to come out, was reflected in various places.

"General Wei, please sit down."

Cao Mao smiled and asked Sima Zhao to sit next to him, then asked, "How have you been these days?"

"Thanks to your majesty's great blessing, I am living well."

Sima Zhao's eyes were dull and his answer was perfunctory.

Cao Mao simply asked, "General Wei, I heard that when Xiahou Xuan was being punished, you wrote a petition on his behalf, hoping to have his crime reduced. Is that true?"

Sima Zhao looked at Cao Mao suspiciously, and without rushing to answer his question, he asked, "Your Majesty, are you planning to exonerate Xiahou Xuan and the others?"

The smile on Cao Mao's face disappeared immediately.

He asked coldly, "Why, General Wei wants to give me some advice on world affairs?"

This was clearly a sign of dissatisfaction with him. Sima Zhao felt aggrieved, his face flushed red. "Your Majesty, I've heard that a scholar can be killed but not humiliated."

"I've also heard that a man without faith cannot stand!"

Cao Mao showed no mercy to Sima Zhao at all.

Sima Zhao finally couldn't bear it anymore.

He has suffered unprecedented humiliation and torture these days. He has cooperated so well, so why is he still treated like this?

Do you really think you can't resist?!
He was now furious. "Your Majesty, my family has made great contributions in the past. If it weren't for us, you wouldn't be able to ascend the throne!"

Cao Mao laughed out loud and looked towards the door.

"Come here, please ask General Wei to write a letter!"

Suddenly, Cheng Ji rushed in with several soldiers and captured Sima Zhao. Then Cheng Ji brought the letter, placed it in front of him, held his hand, and forced him to stamp the seal on it.

Sima Zhao was extremely terrified. He once again found himself so powerless.

Cao Mao could kill himself at any time.

Cheng Ji slammed Sima Zhao to the ground. "How dare you be so disrespectful to His Majesty?! If you dare to look directly at His Majesty again, I will gouge out your eyes! I will make you look just like that Sima Shi!!"

Sima Zhao slowly lowered his head, breathing heavily.

Cao Mao picked up the document with Sima Zhao's seal and sat aside with a smile.

"General Wei, it would be much better if we could just work things out peacefully. Why did it have to get to this point?"

"You led a large army to attack Luoyang. What kind of crime was that? It's a crime punishable by the extermination of all three clans. If you add the crimes of Sima Shi and Sima Yi, I wouldn't be too much of a fool to have you torn into pieces. The fact that I've been able to keep you alive is already a great favor."

"Why do you have to go against me?"

Cao Mao said earnestly, "General Wei, would you rather discuss important matters peacefully, or would you rather sit on your knees and discuss them?"

Sima Zhao lowered his head and said nothing.

Cheng Ji was furious and drew his sword directly and placed it on Sima Zhao's neck.

At this moment, Sima Zhao was trembling with fear. "I am willing to negotiate peacefully!!!"

Cao Mao's eyes were full of disdain.

Sima Zhao was far inferior to his brother and didn't even have any backbone.

This is a typical greenhouse flower. She has been protected too well since childhood and ultimately cannot shoulder the heavy responsibility like Sima Shi.

Cao Mao gestured for Cheng Ji to release his hand, then said seriously, "Next, let's discuss the matter of redressing Xiahou Xuan and your brother's many faults."

"The report you just submitted is about your brother's many crimes."

"Your brother has some merits, but he has more faults. He must be held accountable. Do you understand?"

(End of this chapter)