"He must be arrested. There can be absolutely no pardon."
"It is precisely because he is known throughout scholarly circles that we must arrest him."
"Isn't his case a form of publicity too?"
Cao Mao asked gravely.
Zhong Hui said, "Then if his father rebels..."
"Then exterminate his clan."
"Are you afraid Deng Ai is no match for Wang Rong's father?"
Zhong Hui said nothing more. Though he liked the man, work was work, and personal feelings could not be allowed to interfere. Of course, that only meant fondness must not impede his work. If he disliked someone, that was another matter.
Zhong Hui left.
Cao Mao resumed reading the memorials, but could barely take them in. His mind was filled with those corrupt officials.
He simply set his work aside for the moment and walked out of the Western Hall.
Cao Mao wandered leisurely through the Imperial Palace and soon arrived before Zhaoyang Hall.
Standing at the entrance, Eunuch Guo jumped in fright at the sight of Cao Mao suddenly appearing there.
The emperor had not visited in quite some time.
Things were different now. In the past, the emperor had often come to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager, only to remain outside the entrance, unable to enter.
Now, however, his mere appearance caused a stir among the many eunuchs of Zhaoyang Hall. Someone immediately went inside to inform the Empress Dowager, while others attended to welcoming him.
Before Cao Mao could even speak, Eunuch Guo stepped aside for him. "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is already waiting for you!"
Cao Mao nodded to him, then strode inside.
"My son is here!"
Empress Dowager Guo brimmed with energy. Clearly, Cao Mao had seized supreme power while she had been stripped of all authority, yet judging by their