Everything kindness and duty demanded

"You don't understand the Grand General at all. He is certain to die!"

Wang Su spoke firmly.

Zheng Mao frowned, hesitating to speak.

"Surely you don't think he can survive?"

Zheng Mao rose and bowed to Wang Su.

"Lord Wang, I was originally a man of little talent. Duke Xuanwen promoted me, and only through the Grand General's kindness did I rise to the position of Privy Treasurer."

"This time, the Grand General sent me to Yuan City to gain the merit of enthroning a sovereign. There are things I really ought not to say."

"But Marquis Cheng of Lanling showed me great kindness, and you have always treated me like your own younger brother. I cannot leave them unsaid."

Wang Su glanced around and had Zheng Mao sit beside him.

Wang Su had inherited the political legacy Wang Lang left behind, and as one of Wang Lang's former protégés and subordinates, Zheng Mao was also regarded by Wang Su as one of his own.

Much like the Guo Family, Wang Su was a staunch ally of the Sima Family, but he still had his own family's interests to consider. Perhaps, as Sima Zhao had said, his surname was not Sima, after all.

"Speak freely. I will not repeat a word."

"Lord Wang, three years ago, when Duke Xuanwen was still alive, Grand Commandant Wang and Linghu Yu failed in their rebellion."

"Duke Xuanwen exposed their corpses for three days and exterminated the three degrees of kin of everyone involved. The King of Chu was also forced to take his own life, and his relatives were all banished far away to Pingyuan Commandery..."

"Do you remember that?"

Wang Su stroked his beard. "Of course I do. But what does that have to do with the present situation?"

"Just a few months ago, after Xiahou Xuan, Li Feng, and the others failed in their rebellion, the Grand General again exterminated the three degrees of kin of everyone implicated."

Zheng Mao said earnestly, "When Duke Xuanwen exterminated the three degrees of kin of Grand Commandant Wang and the others, it shook both court and country. Many ministers were deeply dissatisfied, but they could do nothing and dared not speak openly."

"Now that the Grand General has exterminated the three degrees of kin of Xiahou Xuan and the others, how could the men at court feel no discontent?"

"Both Duke Xuanwen and the Grand General were generous men who welcomed remonstrance and did not kill people for their words. Thus, ministers could often submit frank memorials without having their avenue of petition cut off."

"Now that Cao Mao has spoken this way, the worthy men of the Imperial Court will probably submit memorials urging reconsideration."

Zheng Mao had said a great deal, but Wang Su heard only a few key words.

Worthy men. Discontent.

Both families had usurped the throne, yet the Sima Family was not quite the same as the Cao Family. In a sense, this was another great kindness Emperor Wen had left behind.

Ever since Cao Pi chose to compromise with the great clans, the standing of the aristocratic families had risen steadily, eventually producing what was called clannish politics under Jin.

Though Sima Shi was immensely powerful, he could not completely disregard the country's great clans.

Otherwise, he would not have tried every means to keep them in check. He would simply have killed them off long ago.

These aristocratic clans did not care who the emperor was, but they did care about their own interests. Wang Ling had rebelled, so killing him was perfectly fair. Why exterminate his kin?

If you seized on some fault of a member of our clan and called it rebellion, would our entire clan have to be buried alongside him?

The great clans had already expressed their discontent when Sima Yi executed Wang Ling. And although Sima Shi was certainly capable, it was unrealistic to claim that his prestige surpassed Sima Yi's.

He governed through intimidation, but he was no brute who understood only slaughter. He had to consider whether it served his interests.

Wang Su seemed to understand something. He asked doubtfully, "Could the ministers actually save Cao Mao? Would they dare?"

Zheng Mao shook his head. "They would not dare protect him openly, but they will certainly find ways to advance the matter. It has been less than four years since the Grand General inherited Duke Xuanwen's undertaking, yet he has already displayed extraordinary ability, earning the admiration of every minister at court."

Wang Su narrowed his eyes. He knew Zheng Mao meant that Sima Shi had already inspired fear and apprehension among the ministers.

Zheng Mao continued, "At this point, I believe the Grand General may care more about those ministers at the Imperial Court. The man who raised the call, by contrast, is not so important."

"If the Grand General wishes to kill him, it would be effortless. But what would that accomplish?"

"He may die, or he may live. The decision rests entirely in the Grand General's hands."

"But the crux of this matter does not lie with the Duke of the Village. It lies within the Imperial Court, in the hands of its many worthy men."

Wang Su paused, then suddenly said, "Actually, the Duke of the Village was not wrong. To disregard a worthy man's lifelong good reputation because he was led astray, and then exterminate his clan, truly violates the harmony of Heaven..."

He had barely said this before he hastily stopped, not daring to continue.

Coming to his senses, he looked at Zheng Mao with an especially complicated expression.

"Tell me, has the Duke of the Village considered these things too?"

"Does he share your thinking?"

"What is he after, exactly?"

This time, Zheng Mao said nothing. He merely shook his head, indicating that he did not know either.

"Should we have Hua Biao speak with him again?"

"After all, this matter arose because of us. However the Grand General resolves it, we cannot wash our hands of it..."

Wang Su asked tentatively.

Zheng Mao rose. "I am willing to go and speak with Lord Cao."

Wang Su's expression changed in alarm. "Oh, how could we ask you to go? The Grand General has not yet issued an order. Making contact with him rashly would be far too dangerous..."

Zheng Mao smiled.

Wang Su had wanted him to sound Cao Mao out all along. Could Wang Su possibly not know what sort of man Hua Biao was? Suggesting Hua Biao was merely a way of forcing Zheng Mao to go himself.

But Zheng Mao was not afraid. He volunteered, "This matter arose because of us. Learning the true situation and reporting it to the Grand General is our duty. How can we shirk it? Please do not worry, Lord Wang!"

Wang Su stroked his beard appreciatively and praised him. "A true gentleman!"

At that moment, inside a residence in eastern Yuan City, Guo Jian sat anxiously in the Inner Chamber. Papers of every kind were piled before him, and discarded sheets covered the floor.

Guo Jian's mental state looked even worse than Shu Wan's.

Just then, a sound came from outside the door.

"Who is it?!"

Guo Jian drew his saber in terror and stared at the doorway.

"General, it's me."

"Someone wishes to see you... He says he has something important to tell you..."

"Who?"

"Me!"

A man abruptly pushed the door open and, under the cavalryman's astonished gaze, barged into the Inner Chamber. Guo Jian took a closer look and was frightened half to death.

He knew this man. He was that fellow from Cao Mao's Residence. That residence was full of bastards!

Guo Jian cried out in terror, "Throw him out! Throw this man out!"

The visitor was Yang Zong. Lifting his chin, he thundered, "Guo Shushi! Do you want to die?!"

"I have come to see you as a Supervising Envoy dispatched by the Imperial Court, and you actually intend to drive me out?!"

At this rebuke, Guo Jian immediately lost his composure. His eyes widened, his tongue faltered, and he froze like a wooden chicken.

Yang Zong strode brazenly inside and sat opposite him.

"Do not worry. Our circumstances are quite similar now. Perhaps you recognize me. I once served as the Grand General's chief clerk and was later pardoned by Duke Xuanwen. Afterward, I fell out with the Grand General, but because the General Who Conquers the West valued me, I was spared execution and banished to serve as a local official."

Hearing Yang Zong say this, Guo Jian hurriedly forced a smile.

"So it is Lord Yang! I failed to pay my respects earlier..."

"Enough. Spare me the nonsense. I had intended to wait here for the General Who Conquers the West to recruit me. I never imagined something like this would happen!"

"Do you know? Cao Mao is going to get us killed!"

At the mention of this, Guo Jian wanted to weep but had no tears. "How could I not know? Not only will he get us killed, I fear even our clans cannot be saved! Everyone involved in rebellion has their three degrees of kin exterminated!"

"Lord Yang! What advice can you give me?"

Yang Zong gently stroked his beard and said unhurriedly, "There is only one way now: turn another's strength against him!"

"With something like this happening, the Grand General will certainly believe your Guo Family is directing it behind the scenes. He is suspicious by nature and never trusts others easily."

"The best way to preserve your clan is to blow this matter up until everyone knows about it."

"What?"

"Do you know that the extermination of the three degrees of kin of Grand Commandant Wang and Grand Minister of Ceremonies Xiahou has already stirred widespread discontent? The worthy men of the Imperial Court and the powerful ministers in the provinces are all waiting for an opportunity."

"If we draw them into this too, can the Grand General still exterminate the three degrees of kin of every worthy man under Heaven?"

"I... I think I understand. Then I will write to my elder brother..."

"What time do you think it is?! By the time your letter reaches Luoyang, your elder brother's head will already have fallen! You are a grown man. Why are you so hesitant?!"

"Can you not preserve your clan through your own efforts?!"

"Send men now! Let all your allies know about this! Blow this matter up! The bigger, the better! The more people involved, the safer we will be!"

"Yes!"

Yang Zong gave Guo Jian a disdainful glance, untied the wineskin at his waist, and walked out of the Inner Chamber without looking back. He tipped his head back and drank deeply.

I've been drinking your wine for free all this time. This is the last time I'll help you.

This time, I truly have done everything kindness and duty demand. From now on, I'll never concern myself with these matters again!