When Cao Mao was killed by Cheng Ji, Sima Zhao felt a little scared and panic, but as the matter evolved, Sima Zhao gradually felt a sense of controlling the overall situation, especially after receiving the imperial edict from Empress Dowager Guo, he could do whatever he wanted, or even turn black and white. The feeling of being in power was so good that he couldn't be more happy.

But when facing Sima Shi, Sima Zhao felt like he fell from the clouds to the mortal world. Although Sima Shi could not see things, it still made Sima Zhao feel like he was thorning on his back. In front of Sima Shi, Sima Zhao seemed to have nowhere to hide.

Sima Zhao had already thought of a lot of words to make excuses and perfunctory Sima Shi, but in the face of Sima Shi's questioning, Sima Zhao was speechless and could not say anything even though he was irritated for a long time.

It is true that Sima Shi was blind, but his heart was not blind. Sima Shi knew everything that happened in Chang'an City today. The emperor was assassinated and Sima Zhao asked for an order to close the entire city and search for the murderer, and rectify the law on the spot. Sima Zhao's series of operations may not have any problems in the eyes of others, but in Sima Shi's eyes, it is more than just a lot of loopholes.

First of all, there is the issue of Cheng Ji's identity. As far as Sima Shi knows, Cheng Ji is Sima Zhao's confidant, serving as the prince's shepherd, and has always served in the palace. Since he is a confidant under Sima Zhao's command, how could he be given a plan by the Bingzhou army? He became a spy and assassin appointed by Cao Liang?

Secondly, even if Cheng Ji is an assassin, would he say hello to Sima Zhao when he assassinated? If Sima Zhao knew nothing about Cheng Ji's monarchy, how could he appear in the palace in the middle of the night? This is obviously illogical.

The third and most important point is that as far as Sima Shi knows, Cheng Ji's assassination of the Emperor occurred around the Chou Times, and Empress Dowager Guo issued an imperial edict to seal the city and investigate the murderer at the end of Yin and Mao Times. Sima Zhao ordered the imperial army to take over and close the city gates of Chang'an, but it happened around three minutes at the Zi time. In other words, Sima Zhao did not seal the city because the emperor was assassinated, but when he appeared in Changle Palace, Cao Mao should have not died. As for the empress dowager's imperial edict, that was even more happening later.

Based on the above points, it is not difficult for Sima Shi to draw a conclusion. He thought about this conclusion very terrible. There is no doubt that Sima Zhao has become the number one suspect in the assassination case of Cao Feng, so Sima Shi ordered people to quickly pass Sima Zhao back to Sima Mansion to ask what was going on.

Although Sima Shi basically stopped inquiries about the affairs in the court after becoming the Grand Tutor, it was only limited to some trivial matters in the court, and it was related to important matters such as the assassination of the emperor. Sima Shi would not be out of the matter no matter what.

What's more, this matter has a great relationship with Sima Zhao, so Sima Shi was even more concerned. Sima Zhao's character and temper are naturally better than anyone else, but if Sima Zhao conspires to kill the lord, it will be difficult for Sima Shi to guess, because Cao Mao is a puppet built by the Sima family. Even if Cao Mao is unwilling to be this puppet, the power in the court is under the control of the Sima family, and Cao Mao is completely powerless.

The current situation is extremely unfavorable to the Sima family. Cao Liang's army is approaching, and the situation in Guanzhong is dangerous. What the Sima family needs most in Chang'an is a stable situation so that it will not shake the hearts of the army and the people.

Then killing Cao Mao at this time is a completely inferior strategy. If Sima Zhao had not been confused, he would definitely not dare to harm Cao Mao easily. Cao Mao's death would have more harm than good to the Sima family, and the result would be more detrimental to the loss. With Sima Zhao's mind, he would not have taken the initiative to make such a fatal mistake.

If Sima Zhao really killed Cao Mao, then there must be an unknown hidden truth behind this.

Although Cheng Ji was found guilty of regicide after three guild trials, and it was also confirmed that the mastermind behind it was Cao Liang, this matter seemed to be as proof as a mountain and could be concluded.

But in Sima Shi's opinion, this matter is just a matter of overshadowing it. Cao Liang is the mastermind? Is Cao Liang necessary to assassinate Cao Mao?

Moreover, Sima Zhao executed Cheng Ji and others overnight, which was more like a silence action. If there was nothing wrong with this, would he have to be so guilty?

Sima Shi has been in the officialdom for the rest of his life, so how could he be blinded by Sima Zhao's little tricks? Cheng Ji is just a scapegoat, and the real mastermind is Sima Zhao.

However, Sima Zhao’s motive and purpose of killing the monarch was needed to ask Sima Shi himself. After all, even Sima Shi really couldn’t figure out what Sima Zhao’s motive was.

Sima Zhao whispered and stuttered, which further proved Sima Shi's guess. Sima Zhao had tried to make up a bunch of lies to fool Sima Shi, but Sima Shi pointed it out incisively. He was in a mess and really didn't know how to say this.

After all, using one lie and covering up another lie is full of loopholes. With Sima's sharp mind, he can be seen through in minutes.

Moreover, Sima Zhao had to hide his true intentions and could not know them for Sima Master, so he had to rack his brains and think about what methods to use to get away with it.

Sima Shi said sternly: "The emperor is not at fault, why do you want to kill the monarch?"

This sentence is obviously no longer a questioning tone, but has been determined. Sima Zhao is the commander behind the assassination of Cao Mao. Now Sima Master is asking about it, which is Sima Zhao's motive.

"Zi, you know that the situation in Guanzhong is difficult now, and Emperor Cao Mao is an important candidate to maintain the overall situation. If you kill him this time, wouldn't you be planning to put the Sima family into an abyss of irreversible destruction?"

Sima Zhao said with a sad face, "Brother, I really didn't expect to kill him. I went to the palace and wanted to get an imperial edict, but Cao Mao suddenly thrust his sword at me and wanted to assassinate me. Cheng Ji had to use the sword to kill Cao Mao and save my life. All these words are true. If my brother doesn't believe it, he can tell Jia Chong and the others to come to testify."

Sima Zhao said this time, and he knew that if he wanted to escape, it would not work at Sima Shi's side, so Sima Zhao simply explained the truth to Sima Shi. In fact, Cheng Ji killed Cao Mao was a complete accident. In Sima Zhao's plan, Cao Mao was not the target of killing. As long as he was willing to submit, how could he suffer a death disaster?

In short, Sima Zhao really didn't want to kill Cao Mao. All this happened too quickly, so fast that he couldn't react.
Chapter completed!