Pei Xiu stood before Cao Mao.
After Wang Chang, Pei Xiu was the second to be summoned.
Among the Nine Ministers, the Grand Minister of Ceremonies held the greatest weight, while among the secretariat ministries, the Ministry of Rites was the most esteemed.
Besides, Cao Mao was preparing to send him to Yongliang.
Pei Xiu had probably already realized where he was headed next. There had been no joy on his face since he entered, and he looked rather melancholy.
Smiling, Cao Mao had him sit beside him and asked about the many things that had happened since his departure.
Pei Xiu said earnestly, "We have already sent people to Bing Province to help General Yang with this."
"Your Majesty need not worry. General Deng's earlier killing spree in Yongliang has already chilled the Hu people's hearts. I suspect those people will agree without Liu Bao even needing to do anything more."
Cao Mao said, "Indeed. Deng Ai's actions inadvertently helped you."
"Then shouldn't you help him out too?"
Pei Xiu had known all along that it would come to this.
He had prepared himself before leaving home. Deng Ai's actions appeared to have solved the problem of civilizing the population, but in truth, they had left a mess of feathers strewn everywhere.
Who knew how the Inspector of Yongliang was cursing Deng Ai by now?
Under such circumstances, mishandling the aftermath might cause even more problems.
But Pei Xiu did not complain. He nodded readily.
"Your Majesty is right. I am already prepared to go to Yongliang. I certainly will not disappoint Your Majesty."
"Oh? How rare. To think there would come a day when you volunteered for a task, Minister Pei. How do you intend to pacify the local Qiang and Hu?"
Pei Xiu said earnestly, "As Your