Sima Shi appeared like a ghost, giving even Gao Rou a fright.
He had never imagined Sima Shi would appear in his own residence.
A month earlier, Gao Rou would not have been so afraid, only somewhat wary at most.
But now, facing a Sima Shi who was withered timber nearing its end, liable to die at any moment, Gao Rou was utterly terrified.
Sima Shi could not take every minister in the Imperial Court with him.
But if he made up his mind to take one of them, that would pose no problem at all.
The ministers' relationship with the Sima Family was delicate, as was the relationship between the regional authorities and the Sima Family.
Once Sima Shi was gone, the ministers might get along even better with the Sima Family. After all, Sima Zhao posed far less of a threat to them than his elder brother.
Sima Zhao would lead the ministers in devouring their prey together, but Sima Shi treated the other great clans as prey too, turning back to take a bite now and then.
Faced with Sima Shi's dying counterattack, the ministers would probably endure it rather than fight him to the death. It would be his final strike, anyway, so long as it did not exceed the limits of their tolerance.
Gao Rou did not think his execution would exceed those limits.
This pack of jackals would never care whether one of their own lived or died.
Looking at the Strong Crossbows aimed at him in the distance, Gao Rou could not help quailing inwardly. Surely this fellow wasn't really planning to take me with him?
A veteran minister of three reigns, Gao Rou soon regained his composure.
"Grand General, what brings you here?"
Sima Shi looked at Gao Rou before him, then