The dishes on the table had already gone cold. Liu Xie set down his chopsticks and rose. "I have finished eating. I will go rest a while. Take your time, my two ministers."
With that, he left the side hall.
Watching the Son of Heaven leave, Sima Yi could not help glaring at Zhuge Liang. "His Majesty was discussing national policy with us. Did you have to say something so dispiriting?"
Zhuge Liang sighed softly. "Some things must be faced, whether I mention them or not. Would these problems cease to exist simply because I said nothing?"
"Affairs of state are no child's play."
"Take your time eating. I am going to attend to government affairs. There is still much work left unfinished today."
Zhuge Liang rose as he spoke and headed toward the Xuan Room, leaving Sima Yi alone with an ever-changing expression.
Chapter 416: Pursuing Ma Chao!
Chang'an, Si Province.
After Zhang Liao led his troops to escort Zhang Zhongjing back to Ye City, the duty of defending Chang'an fell to Zhang He.
Zhang He had been leading troops beyond the passes in search of Ma Chao, but upon receiving Zhang Liao's message, he had no choice but to return to Chang'an with his men.
Even during this time, however, he had not abandoned the search, continually dispatching scouts and spies deep into Qiang territory to investigate Ma Chao's whereabouts.
"Where in the world has that damned scoundrel fled?"
Zhang He read report after report sent back by the scouts, none containing any news of Ma Chao, and could not help cursing in frustration.
In the recent battle at Chang'an, although he had led the Mo Dao Army to inflict a crushing defeat on Ma Chao, he had failed to stop the man from escaping.
Although this had