By the time Cao Mao left the army camp, the sky had begun to darken.
Yet Cao Mao was in a very good mood.
He would have to visit this camp more often and grow closer to the armored guards. Ministers and great clans mattered little to Cao Mao. As long as the army remained in his hands, these people could stir up no unrest.
Xiahou Xian, however, was somewhat puzzled by Cao Mao's visit. He urged Cao Mao to devote more attention to the classics and talented worthies, for that was how a Sage King governed the realm.
This was not to say that Xiahou Xian was disloyal to Cao Mao. His own background and experience simply left him unable to understand the emperor's efforts to draw close to the armored guards.
By the time Cao Mao returned to Taiji Hall, it was completely dark.
Cheng Ji hurried over, saying nothing about Cao Mao having gone out without taking him along.
Ever since Wen Yang had struck him with a wooden club, Cheng Ji had become much more restrained.
He even grew rather embarrassed when Cao Mao praised him.
In truth, this was not a bad thing.
Seeing that the emperor had returned, Cheng Ji and the others took their leave.
The vast Western Hall was empty. Cao Mao sat alone on the bed, silent.
Tomorrow, the East Hall Banquet would be held.
This East Hall Banquet was certain to be livelier than any before it.
After all, he was now an emperor with real power. The ministers at court were all eyeing those vacant posts greedily, drooling three feet long. Even if only to sound him out, they would certainly send people.
Cao Mao had always wanted to use the East Hall Banquet as an important venue for