Cao Mao possessed tremendous personal appeal. The facts proved that Zhong Hui's strategy of replacing the personnel was not particularly clever.
Cao Mao also learned from Sima Yan, Guo Jian, and the others what had become of the people who had originally served in the imperial palace.
Yin Damu had replaced Guo Zhi as Chief of the Changshui, and the troops under his command had increased from eight hundred to three thousand.
Although the Chief of the Changshui did not stand guard at Taiji Hall, he still bore the important responsibility of protecting the imperial palace in Luoyang.
One could say that, for Yin Damu, this was actually a good thing.
He had served as Palace Commandant for a long time without ever receiving a promotion. This time, the Sima Family had taken the opportunity presented by the replacement of the palace guards to promote him as well.
Clearly, the Sima Family trusted him considerably. He was indeed a man who, in history, had accompanied Sima Shi on his campaign against Guanqiu Jian.
When Cao Mao first heard the news, he was so delighted that he almost wanted to dance for joy.
This is wonderful! Eight hundred men could still be useful inside the imperial palace, but outside it, that would be hard to say.
Three thousand men, though—that was different. Besides, the troops under the Chief of the Changshui were primarily Hu Cavalry.
These non-Han cavalrymen were hardly diehard supporters of the Sima Family. They recognized only the Tiger Tally-or rather, they recognized only their own interests. Whoever could fill their bellies could lead them to kill... so long as their pay was not withheld.
The three thousand Hu Cavalry in Luoyang—used properly, they could absolutely deal the Sima Family a fatal blow.
The arrangements for the others, meanwhile,