Looking at Deng Ai, who had suddenly fallen silent, Cao Mao shook his head.
"Back then, you dared to lead your army over mountains and ridges to attack the Shu Kingdom. Now you don't even dare discuss the Shu lands?"
Deng Ai only felt that the emperor was hinting at his faults. He kept his head lowered, still not daring to speak.
"General Deng, I intend to send you to the Shu lands."
At that moment, Deng Ai finally lost his composure. He abruptly raised his head and looked at the emperor before him.
"Your Majesty!"
Deng Ai was genuinely bewildered this time. He did not understand what the emperor intended to do.
Cao Mao, however, said, "I believe you had no intention of rebelling, Shizai. Your earlier punishment was only because you overstepped your authority and set a bad example."
"I have always refused to employ those I doubt, and trusted those I employ."
"The Shu lands are a land of heavenly abundance, fit to serve as a granary. I sent Maoxian there to oversee the local officials and restore proper administration. Once that is restored, someone will still have to succeed him, oversee local agriculture and sericulture, and turn the region into a granary again."
"I believe only you can accomplish such a great undertaking, Shizai."
Hearing Cao Mao's words, Deng Ai did not know what to say for a moment.
Although Deng Ai had always harbored thoughts of returning to service and undertaking great things, he had never believed he could regain the emperor's trust.
After returning to Luoyang, Deng Ai had also reflected on his conduct in Chengdu.
Only after his fevered head cooled again had Deng Ai realized his mistakes.
Even leaving everything else aside, he ought to thank His Majesty's benevolence for surviving after