When Cao Mao left Wang Chang's residence, he felt an inexplicable sense of loss.
When Wang Chang first arrived in Luoyang, his seven proposals for governing the realm had won Cao Mao over. They had also shown Cao Mao that not all renowned ministers from great clans backgrounds were so unworthy.
Among them were men who could set aside their personal interests and care about the altars of soil and grain.
Yet those who could share hardship might not be able to share prosperity.
When the Great Clans were at their most overbearing, Wang Chang had practically become Cao Mao's mainstay. Presiding over the Imperial Secretariat as a senior duke, he had forcibly implemented numerous decrees that weakened the great clans, tearing open their monopoly on official posts step by step.
But as the realm's wounds gradually healed, the great clans no longer dared speak out, and Cao Mao could devote himself fully to bringing the local great clans into line, Wang Chang had begun to hesitate.
Cao Mao did not know whether it was because his measures were too ruthless or because Wang Chang's heirs had also been affected.
Still, allowing him to retire to his hometown as a senior duke was Cao Mao's last act of kindness.
Watching the pensive Cao Mao, Zhang Hua, who accompanied him, seemed to understand what was on his mind.
He offered some consolation. "Your Majesty, Lord Wang is advanced in years. He no longer has the ambition and courage he once possessed. Besides, many of his heirs have frequently come to him with their grievances lately."
"Among his sons, Wang Hun serves as a general in the Central Army. He excels in both civil and military affairs and is exceptionally talented. Wang Shen, Wang Zhan, and the others serve as commandery governors