De Quan kept the decree that the Emperor had just written and went to look for the eunuch responsible for issuing the decrees. He instructed the eunuch, “Send this decree to the general’s residence immediately. If there are any delays, your head will roll.”

The eunuch acknowledged his order and immediately prepared to leave. However, he paused for a moment and asked, “May I please ask Eunuch De a question… Which general’s residence is this decree supposed to be issued to?”

The eunuch forgot that the former general’s residence had fallen and it was normal for there to be doubts. De Quan immediately instructed, “The former military general’s residence. The one who...