Sima Zhao now looked like a respectable young woman forced to sell herself.
His expression was complicated, filled with despair, fear, and humiliation.
Cao Mao had dragged him before the ministers just like that. Facing their gazes, he merely lowered his head, unable to say a word.
Cao Mao, however, was exceedingly warm. He immediately announced rewards for the army that had suppressed the rebellion in Hebei, then drew Sima Zhao along to speak with several ministers.
"Lord Xun, has everything at court been well since I left?"
Xun Yi hurriedly forced out a smile. "Quite well, quite well. Thanks to Your Majesty's great blessings, all is well."
"Good, then. The rebellion in Hebei has been quelled as well. I have nothing left to worry about now."
Cao Mao chatted with the ministers, then entered Luoyang.
He boarded his carriage again and traveled to the Imperial Palace, where he simply convened a court assembly in Taiji Hall.
This was the second court assembly Cao Mao had convened.
Sima Zhao now sat among the ministers, and the many generals had all arrived as well.
Cao Mao sat above them, looking imposing, while the ministers sat on either side with the utmost deference.
At last, Cao Mao could hold his head high and say that he had defeated the Sima Family.
Although final victory was still a long way off, from this day onward, he no longer had to live in fear. He had overcome that seemingly immovable mountain and become the Son of Heaven of Cao Wei in both name and fact.
Cao Mao immediately announced several edicts, rewarding the officers and soldiers who had distinguished themselves this time.
Next came rewards for He Zeng and Chen Ben, promoting them to posts at court.
He Zeng was once again assigned to