A grand victory banquet was held at court.
Although its star had not come, that did nothing to dampen the emperor's enthusiasm.
Deng Ai might genuinely have wanted to reorganize the Yongliang army promptly and do more practical work to repay the emperor's appreciation, but he had not handled this matter entirely properly.
As the general who had led the army into battle, never mind anything else-if he did not return after the fighting was over and the emperor chose to take issue with it, he would already be finished.
It was only because Cao Mao knew what sort of man Deng Ai was that he harbored no suspicions toward him.
Thinking of all his great worthies, Cao Mao could not help shaking his head.
Zhong Hui, the petty literary romantic; Deng Ai, who pulled some outrageous stunt every so often; Pei Xiu, who raced a cripple...
A gathering of talents! Such a gathering of talents!
With these men around, how could Great Wei possibly fail to perish?
At the victory banquet, Cao Mao spent most of his time talking with Chen Tai.
Chen Tai was a man of great talent whom Cao Mao valued highly, his choice for Deputy Director of the Secretariat, and even Director of the Secretariat before long.
He came from a top-ranking great clan, cared about his reputation, acted decisively, had courage, and understood reason. He had no obvious shortcomings in any respect.
His age, achievements, experience, and ability all met the requirements.
Cao Mao treated him with great courtesy, his words full of respect.
Chen Tai probably had not expected the emperor to value him so highly and seemed rather overwhelmed by the favor.
Cao Mao had Chen Tai sit beside him and asked him about the course of the campaign.
When the banquet