Deng Ai was not given an appointment. He was sent back to his residence once again.
His son Deng Zhong, however, was summoned to the Imperial Secretariat again.
Nor had his previous accomplishments been swallowed up.
Zheng Mao was not that sort of petty man.
But Deng Ai was quite displeased. He still felt that he should go to Huainan and take charge of the coming war.
Although Cao Mao had not appointed Deng Ai, he still felt that his ideas were worth discussing with Guanqiu Jian.
Meanwhile, the people from the Shu Kingdom were steadily returning to the imperial court.
Besides the great numbers of soldiers returning in triumph, there were the surrendered generals who had submitted later, as well as those Cao Mao had specifically ordered brought back.
The first to return to Luoyang was Zhong Hui.
"Your Majesty!!"
Zhong Hui appeared in Taiji Hall once again, his voice exceptionally loud and clear.
Cao Mao was quite surprised to see Zhong Hui suddenly appear before him.
"Weren't you supposed to arrive in three days?"
"How did you..."
"Your Majesty, there is so much to attend to at court. How could I waste time on the road? I returned on a swift horse!"
Cao Mao shook his head with a wry smile, then motioned for him to sit.
Zhong Hui sat beside Cao Mao. This time, he had fulfilled his ambition of destroying a kingdom and being made a marquis. His hurry to return to court was probably also so he could share his success with the people he valued.
Those fellows in the Bamboo Grove, for instance, and this man in Taiji Hall. And, of course, the one at home.
Zhong Hui straightened his back and looked expectantly at Cao Mao.
He was waiting for Cao Mao to