Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Royal Court Assembly

"I wonder how the rankings will turn out in this year's grand ceremony."
"Indeed."
"If we lose again this time, the military power under our Southern Yan Command will shrink drastically once more."
"Exactly, I imagine our governor won't have a pleasant few days during the ceremony."
...
"Rest assured, gentlemen. This time, our Southern Yan governor will present an utterly unexpected gift to the other commands!"
"Lord of Cang City, what gift do you mean? Do you know some inside information?"
"That's right, even the governor himself is personally overseeing the event! Come, tell us what's going on."
"Yes, hurry and tell us!"
...
"Hmph!" Xuan Yuan Leng, feeling extremely uncomfortable, gave a cold snort.
"Ah, the head of the Xuan Yuan family must know the inside story as well. If you're curious, ask him... I'll take my leave, ha ha ha."
A crowd of city lords and family heads promptly surrounded Xuan Yuan Leng, who had just snorted coldly.
...

The Purple Gold Royal Court stood at the heart of the southern region of the Wind God Continent. Outwardly, it was a scene of unparalleled prosperity, but inwardly it was beset by troubles both within and without.

"Your Majesty, reports from the front line: the Holy Mountain Royal Court has recently bolstered the border with no fewer than one hundred thousand troops."
"Are they preparing to go to war?"
"What should we do?"
...

"What advice do you have, ministers?" After the ministers began their discussions, the emperor, Purple Qiankun, perched high on his dragon throne, swept his cold gaze around the hall and finally spoke.

"Your Majesty, it is unwise to go to war now."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, Princess Purple Yaor will come of age after the new year. I suggest a marriage alliance."
"Indeed! An excellent idea, Your Majesty."
"Nonsense! Xuan Yuan Ba, Murong Quan, have you both grown senile? How utterly foolish!"
"I am merely speaking impartially, Your Highness. I fail to see why the Third Prince would berate us so harshly."
"Indeed, Your Majesty. If the Third Prince may speak so openly in court, should we even bother to offer our opinions?"
"Brother, you are reckless! Apologize to the two elders at once."
"Elder Brother! You... hmph!"
...

"Enough!"
"We are guilty, Your Majesty!"
"What use is your guilt to me? Ministry of War, what forces can still be mobilized from various locations?"
"Your Majesty, aside from the royal court's elite guards, no more than thirty thousand troops can be drawn from elsewhere."
"Xuan Yuan Ba, your Xuan Yuan family has eighty thousand private soldiers. The nation is in peril; what say you?"
"Your Majesty, this..."
"Murong Quan, your Murong family must have at least one hundred thousand men. Can you spare thirty thousand to reinforce the front lines? Well?"
"Your Majesty, I..."
"Yu Wen Lie, Duanmu Zheng! What about you two?"

"We... we..."
"Your Majesty, it is not that we refuse to mobilize our private armies. The late emperor promised our four families the right to maintain one hundred thousand soldiers each, with the condition that they not participate in government affairs."
"Indeed, Your Majesty! Besides, mobilizing troops is costly and exhausting..."
"Hmph! The four of you will give me seventy thousand men, divide them as you see fit. All supplies and provisions will be drawn from the national treasury!"
"It is settled. Court dismissed!"
"Farewell, Your Majesty."
...

The emperor, Purple Qiankun, inflamed by the four families' evasion and excuses, issued his orders in anger! After casting a cold glance at the Crown Prince, Purple Nameless, he hastily dismissed the court!

...

"Your humble servant Kong Youwei, greets the Southern Yan Governor!"
"No need for formalities."
"How many other commands have arrived?"
"Reporting, my lord, eight commands are present."
"Good, I understand. Go attend to your duties."
...

At the Vermilion Bird South Gate of the Purple Gold Royal Court, Song Wujie finally arrived with his entourage. After handing over the Swift Wind Crane to the dedicated officials for proper care, they entered the city in an orderly procession.

...