Ye City.
"Lord Yang, this piece of meat is so rich and tender, I could not bear to eat too much of it..."
Smiling broadly, Sima Zhao placed the meat before Yang Zong, his expression deeply respectful.
Yang Zong looked far more weathered than he had back in Yuan City. Gazing at the steaming piece of meat before him, he remained unable to speak.
The difficulty Yang Zong faced at that moment was beyond description.
He had once followed Cao Shuang, but Cao Shuang had refused to heed his advice and ultimately lost to Sima Yi.
Sima Yi had pardoned his crimes. Later, Sima Shi had demoted him to a local post, where he had stayed by Cao Mao's side.
Afterward, Cao Mao had become emperor, while Sima Zhao had kept Yang Zong at his side.
Sima Zhao had treated him with the utmost benevolence, never holding him accountable for anything. Even when Cao Mao had stirred up the greatest trouble, he had never suspected Yang Zong of colluding with him.
After submitting to Sima Zhao, Yang Zong had spent his days consuming powder and drinking wine, never offering any counsel. Yet Sima Zhao had not blamed him and continued to treat him well, just as before.
Yang Zong looked helplessly at Sima Zhao and said, "General, please do not treat me this way. I truly dare not accept such kindness from you."
Sima Zhao said gently, "Lord Yang, I know you once served at His Majesty's side. You are a man who values kindness, and I did not wish to put you in a difficult position, so I never summoned you to take part in these matters."
"But now, things are somewhat different."
Frowning, Sima Zhao said gravely, "Perhaps you have not heard, but the Ministers took advantage of