The Grand General's Residence.
The courtyard at the westernmost end of the front grounds was the most unusual place in the residence. Armored guards held their posts around it day and night, with even tighter security than at Sima Shi's own courtyard.
The courtyard was not very large. There were only two rooms facing the courtyard gate; even a storeroom and privy had been dispensed with. Seven or eight fully armed guards stood in the otherwise empty courtyard, looking rather awkward at that moment.
The door opposite them stood wide open, and a man sat just inside, holding a book and reading aloud.
"If the lord of ten thousand chariots is unprepared, there will surely be a house of a thousand chariots at his side, to usurp his authority and overturn his state! Thus treacherous ministers multiply, and the sovereign's rule declines and perishes! Therefore, the vast dominions of the feudal lords are a menace to the Son of Heaven! The excessive wealth of ministers is the ruin of their sovereign..."
The armored guards exchanged glances, not daring to say anything.
Just then, someone pushed open the gate and entered the courtyard.
It was Zhong Hui.
Seeing Zhong Hui, the armored guards did not dare obstruct him and hastily stepped aside.
Zhong Hui swaggered into the courtyard, raised his head to look at Mouqiu Dian, and smiled.
"Excellent, excellent! Just what one would expect of Lord Mouqiu! Even in such circumstances, you still have such vigor and such a ringing voice. That deafening voice of yours can be heard even in the Grand General's bedchamber!"
Clapping his hands, Zhong Hui walked into the room with a smile.
Mouqiu Dian stopped reading, slowly put away his book, and tilted his head to look at Zhong Hui with considerable discourtesy.
Ever since