Eldest Maternal Uncle Died for a Worthy Cause!

Compared with Sima Shi, Sima Zhao took the path of preserving appearances.

At least, that was true before Cao Mao was murdered.

Thus, even when Guanqiu Jian raised his army, he said there was nothing wrong with Sima Yi or Sima Zhao. It was Sima Shi who acted with reckless abandon, monopolized the Imperial Court, and deserved to be executed.

Most of the time, Sima Zhao at least publicly stood on the side of the so-called "worthy ministers."

Of course, anyone hoping to drive a wedge between the brothers was deluding themselves.

Sima Zhao deeply admired his elder brother and consulted him on everything first. There was absolutely no possibility of him harboring resentment toward his brother.

These three members of the Sima Family across two generations were indeed outstanding men.

Although Sima Zhao fell short of his father and brother, he was certainly no mediocrity.

At that moment, the General Who Conquers the West sat facing Cao Mao. He put on an impeccable show, looking at Cao Mao with concern as though he were an elder of his family.

"There is something you do not know, General Who Conquers the West. I lost my mother at birth."

"My father blamed me for it and would not be close to me."

"Because I was born to a concubine, my brothers ignored me, their elder brother."

"Later, I moved to Yuan City, but I was still all alone, with a stern teacher within and an unkind county magistrate without."

"When I learned that the Empress Dowager intended to enthrone me, I was terribly frightened and did not know what to do."

"Then I learned that the Grand General wanted to enthrone the Prince of Pengcheng, and that the Empress Dowager had argued with him. I became even more afraid, fearing that this would put me in danger. I could only hide away and refuse the imperial envoys several times."

"Later, my uncle and the others arrived and told me not to worry. They would keep me safe."

"So I went to seek out Lord Wang, but he refused to see me several times. I only met Master Hua and told him all the fears weighing on my heart."

"Master Hua comforted me, saying that there were wise ministers in the Imperial Court and loyal generals in the provinces. There was no need to worry, and I should obey the court's decree."

"Then I thought of Lord Xiahou. He was a virtuous man renowned throughout the realm. If I could clear his name, I would surely win the affection of the ministers. That was why I acted as I did, never knowing that it would cost my Eldest Maternal Uncle his life..."

Cao Mao's eyes were filled with sorrow. "General, you have no idea how frightened I have been these past days."

"I have long known what kind of man you are. When I saw Anshi arrive, I was overwhelmed with relief. You are the only one who can protect me from those who would harm me!"

Sima Zhao listened to Cao Mao's bullshit with an utterly earnest expression.

He did not believe a single word Cao Mao said.

Yet after hearing him out, he could not help wiping away tears. "It is all my fault that Your Majesty has been so terrified!"

"General!!"

"Your Majesty!!!"

Sovereign and minister clasped each other's hands, overcome with emotion.

At least when it came to acting, Sima Zhao surpassed Sima Shi and was evenly matched with Cao Mao.

Sima Zhao said earnestly, "Your Majesty has now arrived in Luoyang, the safest place in the realm. With me here, absolutely no one will dare harm you. You need never worry again. From now on, you must study diligently, avoid distractions, and learn how to govern the country."

"Sooner or later, Your Majesty will govern this realm. We are merely servants at our sovereign's command."

"Excellent!"

Cao Mao appeared to breathe a sigh of relief.

"As for the Grand General, Your Majesty need not worry about him either. He may seem stern, but in truth, he acts for Great Wei and has no choice. Executing Lord Xiahou pained him as well. That was his wife's brother, after all. And the Marquis of Pingyuan was his own son-in-law. Alas."

Sima Zhao heaved a long sigh. "Clearing the names of Lord Xiahou and the others is something that can be accomplished sooner or later."

"I will see it done!"

Sima Zhao's thinking was simple. Once they had dealt with everyone and held all power in their hands, when the time came to replace the dynasty, they could make a suitable display of the new dynasty's benevolence by pardoning a few dead men.

After taking his reluctant leave, Sima Zhao's expression returned to its former coldness.

He looked at the letter in his hand and sneered.

Good. You should be afraid... If you behave and obey from now on, perhaps we can leave your corpse intact.

Just as I thought. Take everyone around him away, and he is nothing but a bewildered young brat, no threat at all.

Early the next morning, Wang Su was already prepared and escorted Cao Mao on his formal journey into Luoyang.

All of Luoyang had made ready to welcome the New Son of Heaven.

The assembled officials were ready.

The carriage entered Luoyang through the West Wing Gate. The officials had long since gathered on the gate's southern side, waiting for His Majesty's arrival.

This time, every civil and military official was present, including Sima Zhao.

Cao Mao hurried out of the carriage and, ignoring the master of ceremonies, returned the officials' bows.

When the carriage reached the Stop-Car Gate, Cao Mao hurried out again.

Everyone urged him to remain in the carriage as he entered, but Cao Mao insisted on walking with the ministers.

"I have come here at the Empress Dowager's summons. How could I ride in a carriage to pay my respects to her?"

Cao Mao walked with the officials to Taiji Hall. They waited outside while a master of ceremonies led him into the East Hall.

Empress Dowager Guo received the new emperor there.

The Empress Dowager was dressed in splendid finery that day, but her expression was ugly. Her face was set, and her gaze brimmed with loathing as she looked at Cao Mao.

The Guo Family had suffered a tremendous loss this time.

They had originally intended to preserve their power within the imperial palace by enthroning Cao Mao.

But before they had even received word, Sima Shi had struck overnight, taking control of several clan members who commanded troops, while Guo Jian was away from Luoyang.

After forcing Guo De to his death, Sima Shi had gone to see the Empress Dowager.

Naturally, he had used his usual approach: did the Empress Dowager still want the Guo Family to survive?

If she did, she must stop causing trouble. Otherwise, the Guo Family would be exterminated on charges of involvement in Xiahou Xuan's rebellion.

Under those circumstances, the Empress Dowager could not even contact her allies. Unable to withstand Sima Shi's threats, she had immediately agreed and issued an order forbidding the rehabilitation of Xiahou Xuan.

Like Guo Jian, the Empress Dowager did not dare blame Sima Shi at all. Even if she resented him, she dared not show it and could only direct that hatred toward Cao Mao.

They had lost a clan heir and lost face before the worthy ministers, while Sima Wang had taken a share of their power. The Guo Family had been badly damaged.

Cao Mao approached the Empress Dowager with the utmost reverence and prostrated himself before her in a formal salute.

"Empress Dowager!!!"

Empress Dowager Guo's expression was utterly cold. She merely stared down at Cao Mao without a word.

Cao Mao raised his head and met her gaze. His eyes were resolute, without the slightest retreat, and the two stared at each other.

The master of ceremonies narrowed his eyes and watched them intently.

"Empress Dowager! My Eldest Maternal Uncle died for a worthy cause!"

Cao Mao spoke first.

"What did you say?!"

Empress Dowager Guo's eyes widened, and her face instantly flushed crimson.

"The dead cannot return to life. But my Eldest Maternal Uncle died for a great undertaking: clearing Lord Xiahou's name. Everyone in the realm admires his virtue and deeply pities what befell him."

"Our Guo Family's reputation for honoring the worthy has already spread far and wide."

"At first, I feared that my accession would cause discord between you and the Grand General, so I did not dare agree. Later, my uncle came to persuade me, and I agreed."

"But I called on Lord Wang several times, and he refused to see me, delaying matters."

"Afterward, a worthy man told me that I could clear Lord Xiahou's name and thereby show the realm that it was not a failure of your guidance. None of you were to blame; a villain had led people astray."

"I truly never imagined that this matter would have anything to do with my Eldest Maternal Uncle."

"Not long afterward, someone tried to murder me, and I nearly died in the residence."

"Whatever the circumstances, my Eldest Maternal Uncle died because of me. I have failed your great expectations. If you blame me for this, Empress Dowager, I am willing to repay the debt with my life."

"But I have always regarded you as my own mother. If I were gone, I would worry that no one would care for you..."

Empress Dowager Guo's expression did not improve. On the contrary, she seemed even angrier, her eyes filled with fury.

"Empress Dowager, I know I am insignificant and my words carry little weight, but all the ministers at court can bear witness for me. You may ask the Minister over the Masses about the interests at stake. Once you have asked him, you will understand!"

At that moment, Empress Dowager Guo's anger subsided. The Minister over the Masses?

What did the Minister over the Masses have to do with this?

Cao Mao prostrated himself again. "Empress Dowager, my uncle is hot-tempered and easily angered. You could persuade him to calm down, then ask him about everything that happened in Yuan City. I believe you would learn something."

"My Eldest Maternal Uncle died because of me. I will do everything in my power to make amends!"

Looking at Cao Mao kneeling before her, the Empress Dowager finally regained her composure. As he had said, the dead could not return to life. The Guo Family still had to find a way to change their present circumstances.

"Rise."