Wang Chang's stance had been rather unclear. When Cao Mao and Sima Zhao had sent men to contact him in turn, he had repeatedly pleaded illness to put them off.
And the consequence of that unclear stance was precisely his present situation: he was not valued.
When you were needed, you were ill, and now that rewards were being handed out, you had recovered?
Wang Chang did not receive the same treatment as Zhuge Dan or Chen Tai. The emperor did hold a banquet, but it was held in the East Hall.
Only a few senior court ministers attended, and everyone chatted together.
Cao Mao, however, was very warm toward Wang Ji.
Wang Chang noticed this too.
Wang Ji was somewhat overwhelmed by the favor. Compared with Wang Chang, he was far inferior. Although he too was a high official responsible for a region, back when Wang Chang had served as Inspector, he had been no more than an assistant administrator.
Smiling, Cao Mao asked Wang Ji for his views on Shu and Wu.
Wang Ji answered frankly, "Your Majesty, everyone today takes Jiang Wei of the Shu Kingdom seriously, yet underestimates Sun Jun of the Wu Kingdom."
"Although Sun Jun of the Wu Kingdom is young, only in his thirties, he is valiant and decisive, shrewd and capable, bold and resolute. He is no ordinary man."
"He has a terrible reputation because he instituted cruel punishments to deal with ministers and engaged in debauchery within the Inner Palace. Yet Sun Jun has both used Sun Luban to placate the Great Clans and employed brutal penal laws to deal with those harboring unlawful intentions. The Wu Kingdom's court stabilized swiftly. Moreover, he has never built himself a luxurious residence, keeps his comings and goings simple, does not seek benefits for