Wang Chang had no answer.
They were preparing to murder their sovereign and rebel right here; the emperor's anger was only natural.
Had this been during Emperor Wu's or Emperor Wen's reign, being beaten to death would have counted as a light punishment for daring to do such a thing...
Looking at Wang Chang's helpless expression, Cao Mao calmed his anger a little and said, "Please do not worry, Lord Wang. This time, I only wish to root out those who want to murder me. Once Lord He has caught them, I will naturally dismiss him. I will not let him keep acting this way!"
Wang Chang had come as the ministers' representative this time to remonstrate with Cao Mao over this matter.
After all, even those on Cao Mao's side supported benevolent governance. Cruel officials had never been liked by anyone, and even people in the same camp would never grow close to them.
Only someone loathed by everyone could be called a cruel official.
And because no one would accept them, cruel officials could hardly escape disaster in the end.
The emperor could not favor a single cruel official while slighting all his other ministers, especially his other trusted ministers.
Trusted aides like Zhang Hua could still be persuaded with words. After all, he was young and inexperienced in worldly affairs. But with ministers like Wang Chang, who already had their own convictions and principles they upheld, Cao Mao could not change their minds. He could only keep the matter suppressed as much as possible and let the blade finish the work it was meant to do.
Still, a single treason case like this could usually be used for years. That, too, was an old tradition.
Wang Chang offered no further persuasion. He knew the emperor must understand