When Cao Mao appeared in Taiji Hall again, Zhang Hua hurried forward to greet him.
"How did it go?"
"Du Yu was somewhat suspicious of Sima Zhao's words, but he didn't say much."
Cao Mao nodded. "I never expected to keep it from him anyway."
"He only needs to know that if he refuses to do the work, he'll implicate those who value him."
Zhang Hua froze for a moment, then said hesitantly, "Your Majesty... isn't this somewhat inappropriate? Du Yuan Kai is a gentleman. As long as Your Majesty treats him sincerely..."
Cao Mao's gaze was exceptionally sharp.
"How much time do I have for that?"
"The people of Hebei, Bing Province, and Yongliang are all suffering... besides, is Du Yu entirely without fault?"
"Wasn't he Sima Zhao's accomplice? On account of his talent, I haven't pursued his wrongdoing, and have let him put his abilities to work for the realm. If he refuses to contribute, then his talent serves no purpose."
Zhang Hua once again found himself unable to refute him.
At some point, His Majesty had begun to seem more and more like Sima Shi.
That manner of speaking, that way of acting with the force of thunder and the speed of wind.
But Zhang Hua also understood very well why His Majesty had become this way. Merely serving as a palace official beside the emperor had nearly worked him to death these past days, and reading those memorials had nearly infuriated him to death as well.
He could hardly imagine what state His Majesty was in.
Even what he had told Du Yu had been softened. The reality was only more outrageous than his account.
The Minister of Agriculture, Lu Qin, had come to Taiji Hall just yesterday, saying that a great deal of the supplies