Enfeoffed as Duke of Jin!

In truth, Cao Mao could have blamed everything on Wang Su right in front of the Empress Dowager.

Even with members of the Sima Family watching, he would have dared to say it.

But he needed to bring Gao Rou into this, even if only to make an appearance.

The Guo Family was growing weaker now. Only by having Gao Rou show his face could he stir a response.

Gao Rou certainly would not help him accuse Wang Su, but that did not matter. As long as he found a way to convince the Guo Family that Wang Su was the man behind it, he could make the Wang family and the Sima Family believe Gao Rou had told them.

He did not need them to slaughter one another. As long as they distrusted each other, sowed discord in the Imperial Court, and forced Sima Shi to spend his energy on it, he would have won!

Now he needed to prepare. Every chance of turning things around hinged on Sima Shi's illness.

He had to win over the Guo Family.

If he wanted to contact the local Wanderers, the safest route was through Guo Jian.

Remember the restaurant in Luoyang he had envisioned earlier?

The Guo Family would not draw close to him without a reason.

So how could he win their favor? It was actually quite simple. These great clans saw only profit, not personal affection.

After getting rid of Guo De, Sima Shi had appointed Sima Wang General of the Guards, putting him in joint command of the imperial guards with Guo Jian.

This directly carved up the Guo Family's military authority within the imperial palace, driving a formidable nail into their position.

Sima Wang was Sima Fu's son. He had matured early and was no creature destined to remain in a shallow pond.

The Guo Family bitterly resented it, but could do nothing.

Yet Cao Mao had a way to drive Sima Wang away.

Historically, Cao Mao had held Sima Wang in great esteem. Because of his father, Cao Mao often had him keep him company, and even bestowed a carriage and horses on him so he could come at any time.

This had terrified Sima Wang. A cautious man, he was unwilling to take sides lightly and ruin both his own reputation and his father's. Frightened and uneasy, he had hastily requested a posting outside the capital.

Of course, Cao Mao could not say any of this now. The people sent by the Sima Family were standing right beside them.

But as long as he could meet the Empress Dowager in private, he could tell her the truth.

This was Cao Mao's current plan: draw Gao Rou in, then use the matter of Sima Wang to mend his relationship with the Guo Family, and finally establish contact with people outside the capital through the restaurant that delivered his meals.

It sounded easy enough, but actually doing it would be very difficult.

Yet Cao Mao could not give up lightly. As long as he could establish contact with people outside the capital, he was confident he could cultivate a force of his own in Luoyang.

Empress Dowager Guo had many questions at that moment, but she had no intention of asking them in front of outsiders.

Empress Dowager Guo was not particularly shrewd. Had she possessed any real skill, things would never have gone so smoothly for the Sima Family.

"Now that you have inherited the mantle of the Emperor of the Filial and Enlightened Ancestor, you must no longer act as recklessly as you did in Yuan City. You must not disappoint the worthy men of the Imperial Court."

The Empress Dowager naturally began instructing Cao Mao.

Of course, Cao Mao put on an exceedingly earnest expression as he listened to her guidance.

Once this show of instruction was over, the Empress Dowager ordered Cao Mao to proceed to the front hall.

The enthronement ceremony was being held there.

In truth, the rites should not have been this simple. By rights, he should first have paid homage to the Founding Ancestor and the other emperors, performed the rites of succession, and slaughtered sacrificial animals before finally ascending the throne.

But the Sima Family was now eager to have Cao Mao enthroned.

Cao Mao could more or less guess why. Sima Shi wanted to wield the Son of Heaven to command those who refused to submit.

He wanted to deal with Guanqiu Jian, and Cao Mao would make a very useful trump card in his hand.

As long as Guanqiu Jian acknowledged Cao Mao, his raising troops against Sima Shi could be recast as defying his sovereign's orders and launching a rebellion.

With many steps omitted, Cao Mao hastily underwent his enthronement ceremony in the front hall.

Cao Mao was formally crowned emperor of Great Wei.

Yet he felt not the slightest excitement.

Just as Yang Zong had said before, this road was a complete dead end. He had no chance of defeating the Grand General.

Cao Mao himself did not know how far he could go, or whether the final outcome would be what he hoped.

But he had to try at least once.

When Cao Mao donned the Son of Heaven's crown and received the officials' obeisance in the front hall, his face showed no unnecessary expression. He was like a puppet on strings, moving stiffly at the ritual officer's instructions.

The assembled ministers were very satisfied with the empire's new puppet.

The thought of their coming promotions made them all the more excited.

An official brought over an edict and handed it to Cao Mao. Cao Mao then handed it back, and the official began reading it aloud.

"His Majesty decrees: In former times, the three ancestral emperors, divine in martial prowess and sagely in virtue, received Heaven's mandate and its blessings. The King of Qi succeeded to the throne, acted wantonly beyond all bounds, and overturned his own virtue. The Empress Dowager, deeply mindful of the importance of the state, received the counsel of her chief ministers..."

The official read in a loud voice. This was the first time Cao Mao had heard his own decree.

He listened attentively.

The great affairs of state seemed to have nothing to do with him at all. The ministers proceeded with the remaining ceremonies on their own.

Next, he issued another decree, granting a general amnesty throughout the realm and changing the era name of Cao Fang, King of Qi, from Jiaping to Zhengyuan. From this day onward, it was the Zhengyuan era.

After changing the era name, he issued yet another decree. To demonstrate his benevolence and set an example for the people of the realm, he would reduce spending on his carriages, horses, clothing, and rear palace, and abolish useless things in the palace and government offices.

Cao Mao was merely a spectator here, seated in the finest seat overlooking the stage.

No one looked at him, and no one cared about him.

His sole function in the Imperial Court was to stand there, listen to the ministers speak, and then nod.

Wang Su, of course, was the exception.

Wang Su kept as far away as he could. Cao Mao truly had frightened him.

Once today's ceremony was over, he was determined never to appear before Cao Mao again. Even if he had to feign illness and return home, he would absolutely refuse to have anything more to do with this fellow.

"My lords!"

Cao Mao spoke at the top of his voice.

The ceremony abruptly halted. The ritual officer stared at the new emperor in astonishment, as did the assembled ministers.

At that moment, Wang Su felt his hair stand on end. If this fellow spouted nonsense on an occasion like this, there would truly be a disaster!

Cao Mao looked at the people before him and said earnestly, "I originally lacked the ability to inherit the throne. I owe everything to the Empress Dowager and the worthy men of the Imperial Court."

"Above all, I must rely upon the Grand General's clan."

"Ever since Duke Xuanwen rooted out the traitors at court, the Grand General has labored over affairs of state. The worthy men of their clan have devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the country, honoring the virtuous and cherishing men of talent!"

"Without Duke Xuanwen's family, how could Great Wei have reached where it is today?"

"Their family has assisted the emperors for generations, with merits surpassing those of every other minister. All within the four seas have received the Sima Family's blessings. They must be granted fiefs!"

Cao Mao suddenly turned toward Sima Fu, who stood at the head of the ranks.

"I hereby grant Lord Sima, Marquis of Changshe County, the eight commanderies of Taiyuan, Shangdang, Xihe, Leping, Xinxing, and Yanmen in Bing Province, together with Hedong and Pingyang in Si Province, a territory spanning seven hundred li, and elevate him to Duke of Jin!"

At that moment, the ministers were struck dumb.

The previously lively atmosphere fell deathly silent. No one said a word.

A flash of astonishment crossed Gao Rou's eyes, and he looked toward Sima Fu beside him.

Sima Fu was stunned!

Duke Xuanwen and the Grand General rendered great service, so go reward the Grand General! Why are you enfeoffing me?

He abruptly fell to his knees before Cao Mao. Once again, tears streamed down his aged face.

"Your Majesty! What virtue or ability do I possess to deserve such a reward from Your Majesty? Please rescind your decree! This old minister dares not accept!"

Cao Mao hurried forward to help him up.

"My venerable Grand Commandant, the Sima Family has rendered great service. I wish to reward the Grand General, but you are his elder. How could I pass over you to reward him?"

"Please do not worry. After enfeoffing you, I shall elevate the Grand General to the rank of king!"

"I shall elevate the General Who Conquers the West to duke, and both his sons shall become dukes as well!"

"I shall leave no one out! And that includes all you worthy ministers!"

Cao Mao turned toward the assembled ministers again and said loudly, "How plentiful are the worthy talents of the realm!"

"In this deposition and enthronement of the Son of Heaven, the high ministers and court officials offered counsel and devised plans, rendering tremendous service. They should all receive rewards proportionate to their merits!"

"The worthy talents of Great Wei devote themselves wholeheartedly to the country and assist me in governing the realm. How could I be stingy with titles and rewards?"

"How hard my ministers labor! If I cannot share their hardships, can I not at least share wealth and honor with them?!"

"When the Grand General came to Yuan City, he told me I need not worry about the great affairs of governing the realm. The Imperial Court was filled with loyal ministers and worthy talents, all pillars of the state!"

"I absolutely must not neglect these pillars!"

"Please accept my decree!"

Cao Mao bowed to Sima Fu once more.