Deng Ai was somewhat hesitant at that moment as well. Both he and Chen Tai were trusted men of the Sima Family.
At present, he could not be sure where Chen Tai stood either.
But by Deng Ai's judgment, when he had set out on this campaign, His Majesty had told him to heed Chen Tai's advice after reaching Yongliang and not clash with him on the strength of his position as General Who Guards the West. Those words had clearly meant that Deng Ai was to obey Chen Tai's orders.
Since His Majesty had told him to obey Chen Tai, he still trusted Chen Tai greatly. Chen Tai's current position should be much the same as his own.
Deng Ai therefore held nothing back and said truthfully, "Back when I was in Yanzhou, I realized something was wrong. I specifically sent the General of the Guards a memorial, asking him not to leave Luoyang, intending to put down the rebellion for him myself."
"But the General of the Guards wrote back telling me not to be impatient, saying he would not forget to reward me."
Deng Ai looked somewhat helpless.
Under this dual monarchy, Deng Ai was both the emperor's minister and Sima Yi's protégé. After Sima Yi died, he had continued supporting Sima Shi as before. But now even Sima Shi was gone, and Sima Zhao did not trust him. Those words had even carried a hint of mockery.
What else could Deng Ai do? Raise troops against the emperor for the dead Sima Yi?
Would Sima Zhao even dare endorse his actions? When the time came, he would probably be the first to step forward and accuse him of rebellion.
Deng Ai continued, "Then His Majesty and the General of the Guards jointly ordered me to return