Justice!
Those magnificent words, that radiant declaration-how could they fail to set hearts surging, how could they fail to win wholehearted allegiance?
The crown of justice.
The banner of justice.
Sima Zhongda, a veteran minister of four reigns, a man of unblemished renown throughout All Under Heaven, was willing to fight for the altars of Great Wei. Already, people in Chang'an City were shedding tears.
It was working!
Sima Yi immediately realized it. Thoughts flashed through his mind, and with fervor in his breast, he said, "Gentlemen, how many storms has our Great Wei weathered since Emperor Ming passed away?
"I am advanced in years, a decrepit old man, and my memory has begun to fail me. When Emperor Ming placed our present emperor's hand in mine, my heart was filled with grand ambitions. I said I would learn from Duke Wen and Duke Xuan, from King Wen of Luo, and from Huo Guang.
"Emperor Ming trusted me and appointed me among the Three Excellencies. To suggest that I sought nothing more than so-called wealth and glory would be an insult to me.
"For what I have pursued has never been to become an illustrious minister, but to fulfill the ideals in my heart.
"Cao Shuang has driven me into my present predicament. I showed weakness in every way, yet he still refused to let me go. You can well imagine his attitude toward the other ministers-he treats them like household servants.
"How could a human heart be so vile!
"Do I stand here today for myself alone?
"I do it for Great Wei, for all you dukes and ministers, and for every commoner in this city! What others are unwilling to do, I am willing to do. What others fear to do, I do not fear, for there is