Zhong Hui gave many more instructions before Sima Zhao finally rose. He cast a lingering look at his elder brother, then lowered his head and walked out, utterly lost.
Only after making certain everyone had left did Zhong Hui turn to Sima Shi.
"Grand General, must we really keep even the General Who Conquers the West in the dark?"
Sima Shi still said nothing, his eyes tightly shut.
Zhong Hui nodded. "Very well. Your thinking is sound, Grand General. This will also let us see what the general is capable of. Consider it a test for him."
"As long as we remain silent, those rats outside will be unable to wait to scurry out and gnaw away at Great Wei. Hahaha! Come to think of it, catching rats is rather entertaining."
"I heard that Zhang Tang of the Han once put rats on trial as a child, punishing them with harsh laws."
"Today, I shall follow Zhang Tang's example and see whether I, too, can leave my name in the annals of history."
"I care nothing for the little rats. I only want to know whether those two big rats in the imperial Palace and Huainan will poke their heads out as well..."
In the dim room, Sima Shi lay flat like a corpse. Zhong Hui narrowed his eyes. Sunlight streamed through the window onto the floor, while his face remained hidden in the shadows, like a hunter lurking in the dark.
"My elder brother's condition has improved. His eye ailment has been cured. There is nothing seriously wrong with him. He will recover after some time."
Sima Zhao brushed the inquiries off very casually.
These days, there was no shortage of people "concerned" about the Grand General's condition.
They came to Sima Zhao from time to time to