Cao Mao looked at the others, his gaze lingering briefly on the two Yellow Gate officials.
Now Cao Mao was only waiting for the two men he wanted to arrive and replace these two fools.
In front of the Empress Dowager, Cao Mao naturally could not praise those two too highly.
The Empress Dowager thought Zhang Hua was merely a minor man of letters skilled in literary composition. That was true; he was indeed very skilled in literary composition, but that was not his only talent.
This man had an exceptional memory and vast learning, and knew everything about the affairs of the world, past and present, like the back of his hand.
Anshi had once asked Zhang Hua about the palace arrangements of the Han Dynasty and the countless gates and doors of Jianzhang Palace. Zhang Hua had answered fluently, making even those listening forget their fatigue.
He had then drawn a plan on the ground, accurate down to the smallest detail, astounding the ministers.
He was one of the very finest capable officials in the service of Anshi and his son, with few who could compare.
Ruan Ji's appraisal of him as "a talent fit to assist a king" was not entirely flattery. Had he encountered a suitable sovereign, he might well have become a true king's aide. He had managed to accomplish things even under Anshi and his son, which put him beyond the reach of ordinary ministers.
And then there was the other man, Wei Shu.
He had not lied to the Empress Dowager about him either. The man was indeed tall, could drink an extraordinary amount, and was taciturn.
But this man simply did not display his talents, not that he had none. He was an extraordinary talent!
He was the very embodiment of a