Perhaps because Sima Yan was still there, Hua Biao did not say it outright.
If they started slaughtering the ministers now, Sima Zhao would be the happiest of all.
He would lead his trusted aides straight back to purge the villains around the throne-and purge the emperor along with them.
Only after Hua Biao spoke did Wang Shen react. He hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I believe Lord Hua is quite right."
"Your Majesty must not act rashly. I believe you should summon the ministers and have a proper talk with them. There must be some misunderstanding here. The ministers understand what is at stake; they would not dare be disloyal to Your Majesty."
Then he declared with righteous solemnity, "If Your Majesty permits, I am willing to go to the Imperial Secretariat myself and persuade the ministers to come confess their guilt!"
"Your Majesty is the ruler of Great Wei. How could the ministers dare disrespect you?"
"All it would take is an edict from you, and the ministers would naturally come confess their guilt."
Understanding dawned on Cao Mao, and he looked at the others.
Ruan Ji remained silent, his face stiff. Zheng Xiaotong, however, seemed to have something on the tip of his tongue.
"Duke Zheng, what do you think?"
Cao Mao asked.
Zheng Xiaotong hesitated, then said resolutely, "The ministers have already dismissed me from office. As Your Majesty said, since those traitors have already made their move, there is no reason for them to confess their guilt."
"Wang Shen merely wants to save his own skin, escape the Imperial Palace, and inform the traitors."
Stunned by Zheng Xiaotong's words, Wang Shen sprang to his feet and cursed, "Zheng Xiaotong! You are unworthy of being the God of Classics' grandson! As the descendant of a sage, you