"Duke of Anle, have you settled in here?"
Cao Mao was leading Liu Shan through the Prefect's Office.
Liu Shan lowered his head and answered with an awkward laugh, "Your Majesty, the lodgings are plain, the rooms cramped, and there are few pleasures, but it is much better than traveling."
Cao Mao smiled. "The residence arranged for you, Duke of Anle, is your Grand General Jiang Wei's mansion in Hanzhong."
"He holds the highest rank and title in Hanzhong. I specifically had you stay at his mansion, yet you still find it plain?"
Liu Shan was immediately lost for words and began to stammer.
Only then did Cao Mao say, "This Jiang Wei is a fool, too. He neither amassed farmland for himself nor built luxurious courtyards to enjoy. All day long, he thought of nothing but launching campaigns to invade my Great Wei."
"I hear you had a eunuch under your command named Huang Hao. He was much cleverer. The soldiers who entered Shu searched and confiscated over sixty residences under his name, scattered throughout the lands within Jiange. A pity Jiang Wei was here, so he dared not seize land and build mansions here..."
"Otherwise, we could have let you stay in his mansion!"
Liu Shan's gaze grew unfocused, and he said nothing.
Cao Mao led Liu Shan into the great hall, where more than forty ministers were seated.
These were all senior court officials and important generals of the Shu Kingdom.
After recuperating for a few days, they looked considerably better.
Seeing Cao Mao and Liu Shan enter together, they hurriedly rose and bowed in greeting.
Armored guards watched them from all sides, while Cheng Ji stood guard at the entrance.
Cao Mao passed through their midst and took the seat of honor, then had the Duke