The Duke of England's gaze was profound. "I hope you remember what I said today. You are the Minister of War. If you make it back to the Capital City alive, please do more to promote the lower-ranking officers and soldiers. Only they truly know what the borderlands are like."
"These past years, the Imperial Court has grown slack in its border strategy. As a result, the lower-ranking officers and soldiers know everything but can do nothing; the middle-ranking officers and soldiers know nothing yet pretend they do; while the upper-ranking officers and soldiers—men like us, like His Majesty—sit far away in the Capital City, wanting to know everything, yet knowing nothing at all."
Kuang Ye's pupils suddenly contracted. The Duke of England looked exactly like a man leaving behind his last words.
The Duke of England smiled at him and carefully instructed him, "His Majesty is somewhat willful, but he has the makings of a wise ruler. He has merely been misled by Wang Zhen. Just focus on holding Datong. Wang Zhen... leave him to me. I only hope that when you all return to the Capital City, you will wholeheartedly assist His Majesty and create another age of prosperity."
Kuang Ye's eyes reddened. When he left the Duke of England, his expression was resolute and his bearing fierce.
As soon as Kuang Ye left, Zhu Mian and Chen Huai emerged from behind the screen and knelt before the Duke of England, their eyes crimson.
The Duke of England sat in his chair and looked down at them. "In front of Kuang Ye, I gave all of you some face. Over these past ten-odd years, though I have not often gone out, I have still heard some troubling rumors. Among the officers of the various Wei Suo, cases of