Transforming Barbarians into Xia

Jingren Palace, Outer Study.

Unlike the fervor of the morning court session, the study was rather quiet now. Aside from Emperor Guangde, who was customarily reviewing memorials there, only Grand Secretary He, the Chief Grand Secretary, and Lu Yanbin, the Minister of War, were present.

Lu Yanbin stood waiting in the middle of the room, speaking volubly about the broad strategy and numerous details such as logistical supplies.

Grand Secretary He was advanced in years and a high-ranking chief minister, so he had been granted a square stool, placed below and to the left of the imperial desk.

At the moment, Grand Secretary He sat hunched over on the stool, his drooping eyelids nearly covering his eyes. The young eunuchs on either side had watched him for quite some time, yet could not tell whether he was awake or asleep.

More than half an hour passed before Lu Yanbin's lengthy speech finally came to an end.

He bowed slightly and asked the Emperor for instructions. "Your Majesty, this is the Ministry of War's revised response strategy based on the urgent reports from the southern frontier. Should it be immediately submitted to the Grand Secretariat for the Grand Secretaries' further consideration? I await Your Majesty's decision."

Emperor Guangde pondered for a while, then turned his gaze toward Grand Secretary He. "What does Grand Secretary He think?"

Grand Secretary He, who had seemed like a clay statue until then, rose from his stool at once as though some mechanism had been triggered. Bowing, he said, "The Ministry of War's strategy is appropriately detailed and broad in scope. Overall, there is nothing improper about it, except..."

"Except what?"

"This old minister believes that choosing the allied forces of Qian Xiang, Wu Ke, and Man Ge as the point of breakthrough is indeed a