Cao Mao held a banquet to welcome Lu Kai.
Lu Kai sat on Cao Mao's left, with Liu Shan, the Duke of Anle, seated opposite him.
Lu Kai understood Cao Mao's intention: he was displaying Great Wei's mandate of heaven to those around him, giving them greater confidence in unification.
The Wu Kingdom's native great clans had all sent some of their younger family members to Wei, simply to keep their ancestral incense burning.
Sitting there, Lu Kai saw quite a few members of Wu's great clans. As former colleagues, meeting here now was somewhat awkward, and they could only nod in greeting.
Cao Mao attached great importance to Lu Kai.
After introducing his subordinates with an air of showing them off, he asked about conditions within the Wu Kingdom.
"I have heard that the Lord of Wu has been creating lake fields in the south, leaving the people there unable to make a living. The local people have risen in arms against his tyranny. Is this true?"
Lu Kai instinctively wanted to offer a few words in his own side's defense, but after thinking it over, he could only nod bitterly. "Such things have indeed happened."
Only then did Cao Mao say earnestly, "I know that you are a loyal and righteous man, Lord Lu, with the whole realm in your heart. You suffered no persecution in the Wu Kingdom and held high office, yet you took the initiative to come and submit. This is precisely because of your benevolence!"
"The Lord of Wu has thrown the government into disorder, leaving the people of the south unable to make a living. Loyal and righteous men suffer brutal persecution, while treacherous ministers and petty men hold sway. Lord Lu has submitted because he could not turn a blind eye to