Xun Zu watched him leave with a dark, brooding expression, and only when the man had gone far did he withdraw his gaze and ask the servant who had stopped him, "Can I go report this to my elder brother now?"
The servant bowed, then went to ask Xun Fan.
Xun Fan let him in.
As soon as the brothers met, before Xun Zu could question him, Xun Fan said in a deep voice, "Kneel!"
Xun Zu paused for a moment, then knelt down all the same.
With a stern face, Xun Fan asked him, "Why did you secretly present a weapon to Your Majesty?"
Xun Zu said, "Lord Cao has been regent for twenty-four years and has not dared proclaim himself emperor. Zhao Hanzhang's respect toward Your Majesty surpasses even what she showed Emperor Xian. She is still young and can take things slowly. What I don't understand is why Elder Brother is so impatient to have Your Majesty yield the throne to her."
