Lead by Example

Pan Hong knew nothing of the turmoil at the moment. Ever since he had been transferred back to the Capital City, he had been idle and safe.

So safe that it made him uneasy.

Four months had passed since he discovered that someone in Datong was smuggling bows and crossbows to the Oirats.

He had been transferred back to the Capital City for three months already. The censors sent by the Censorate to take over the case had made no progress even now and were still eating wind and sand in Datong.

Pan Hong lowered his head to look at the three items on the desk, rubbing the edge of the table with his fingers as he pondered in silence.

Pan Yue slammed the door open. Pan Hong immediately snatched up a book beside him to cover the items, his face darkening as he asked, "Why are you so rash? When did you become like your younger brother?"

Pan Yue's gaze swept over the desk. Catching sight of two books before his father, with something copper-colored peeking through the gap, he said speechlessly, "Father, my second brother and I were the ones who brought back the bronze token in your hand."

Pan Hong shifted the two books before him, covering the last sliver of the gap, and said solemnly, "Speak if you have something to say. If not, go back to your room and study."

Pan Yue turned around and shut the door, then walked to the desk and glared fiercely at the object beneath the books. "Father, Libationer Li summoned me for a talk today..."

After relaying what Libationer Li had asked him to convey, Pan Yue said, "Libationer Li said this was the intention of several Grand Secretariat elders."

Pan Hong said, "The Grand Secretariat elders do not