In Chang'an, in the Wei State, gloom gathered overhead. The Wei River surged on, yet could not carry away even a trace of the oppressive weight.
A heavy pall hung over all of Guanzhong.
A crushing defeat in Hedong.
A crushing defeat in Heluo.
The Wei State had lost everything east of the Guan-Shan region, leaving only Guanzhong, Liangzhou, and Shu.
Shu had asserted its independence, growing ever more estranged from the Court, even cutting off communications with the outside.
Remote Liangzhou was rife with unrest.
The Wei State had fallen into a predicament without precedent.
At court.
Cao Chengsi roared, "Utterly incompetent! As great commanders, they brought about such a devastating defeat, nearly destroying our state and clan. Nothing short of their deaths can steady the hearts of Great Wei's people."
Cao Dao had died on the battlefield, while the others knelt in the hall in shackles. All were disheveled and filthy, their prison clothes in tatters. Some had their mouths stretched wide open, saliva streaming down without cease. These once-exalted men had now fallen to such a state. The defeat had been too disastrous; someone had to bear the blame.
Had there been a ruler willing to shoulder responsibility, he could naturally have borne it all himself.
But in the Wei State now, the emperor was a baby, the Empress Dowager a woman secluded deep in the palace, Cao Chengsi could hardly wait for these men to die, and none of the other ministers had the standing.
Death was the only possible end for these generals who had marched to war.
They had survived until now because Cao Chengsi had been uncertain whether the Yan State would attack Guanzhong directly. Now that Murong Ke had been recalled by a gold command token, Cao Chengsi, a conspirator himself, immediately