"Lord! The time for the martial examination has passed, and it is not fitting to stir up further trouble!"
Minister of War Ren Xiao stepped forward, bowing as he spoke. "Both the literary and martial examinations have concluded. Please, Cabinet, decide the choice of top scholar! My Five Armies, Divine Machine, and Divine Pivot troops of the Ministry of War are all waiting for Your Lordship to announce the results of the two examinations!"
Zhang Fuzheng's expression grew slightly dark. He glanced at him and said indifferently, "Lord Ren, you have overstepped. You cannot mobilize the Five Armies, nor can you mobilize the Divine Pivot or the Divine Machine, and you pose no threat to the Cabinet. The Divine Machine Battalion and Divine Pivot Battalion belong under the jurisdiction of the Chief Eunuch. Without the West King's Jade Seal, who can mobilize them?"
Ren Xiao looked toward the two brothers, Xia Fanghe and Xia Shouying. Xia Fanghe and Xia Shouying stood among the civil and military officials, completely motionless.
A shock rippled through Ren Xiao's heart, and his gaze shifted to Ma Weimin, the commander of the Divine Machine Battalion.
Ma Weimin smiled slightly, remaining silent.
Zhang Fuzheng said indifferently, "Lord Ren must not confuse one matter. The Five Armies Battalion, the Capital Guard Commander's Office, the Commander's Office of the Imperial Guards, the Guard Commander's Office, the Thousand Household Office, and the Pacification Office—all the troops that you, as Minister of War, appear to control are ultimately dispatched by the Cabinet. What you are able to mobilize are the border armies through the commanders of the fifty provinces, yet those commanders are also controlled by the people of the thirteen great surnames."
He no longer looked at Ren Xiao, his gaze falling upon Young Master.
Young Master knelt on