How had His Majesty known who the new Inspector of the Capital would be?
Could his influence outside already have reached the point where he could interfere with the choice of Inspector of the Capital?
While Wang Xiang was still letting his imagination run wild, Chen Qian stood some distance away with his brows tightly knitted.
Like Cao Mao, Chen Qian had believed Sima Shi would begin moving against Guanqiu Jian a month later.
After all, this would be no small-scale war. Encircling and annihilating the forces throughout Huainan required coordination from various regions; it was not something one could simply decide to do and then do.
Informing the regions, coordinating provisions, determining a strategy-all of these were essential. Who went to war at a word, without any preparations at all?
Sima Shi's actions had disrupted Chen Qian's original plans.
Chen Qian frowned. Unlike Wang Xiang, he was not concerned with whether this undertaking could succeed at all. What mattered to him was whether he would be the one to accomplish it.
In truth, Chen Qian bore some resemblance to Zhong Hui.
Zhong Hui did not care whether the realm prospered. He cared whether it prospered under his own governance. If someone else governed it well, Zhong Hui would not be pleased either.
Of course, Chen Qian was far more restrained than Zhong Hui. At the very least, he would not dare give Sima Zhao a thorough dressing-down.
Chen Qian knew this proposal would certainly win widespread support and, if pursued steadily, would certainly succeed. But if the ministers accomplished it, what part would be left for him?
He wanted not only to be the minister who proposed it, but also the man who brought it to fruition.
No, I must meet the emperor!
*I must inform the Empress Dowager