If you, Erh, had taken the position of commander-in-chief yourself, then given your achievements and status, we uncles would naturally have had nothing to say. We could only grit our teeth and accept it.
But you refused it yourself!
Then, with such a fine opportunity to pave the way for our own descendants and build up their standing, was it not perfectly reasonable for us elders to recommend our own children and heirs?
Thus, as the Black Tortoise Race elders present each held to their own views and argued until their faces turned red, they swiftly "unified" around a high-sounding objection: this was a great campaign of vengeance led by the Black Tortoise Race!
The position of commander-in-chief concerned our race's dignity and interests. Naturally, it should be held by a member of the Black Tortoise Race!
How could it... be entrusted to an outsider?
This proposal was inappropriate!
The Eight Wise Kings sat high upon his throne, not taking part in the fierce argument below.
His gaze was profound, and his fingers continued to slowly stroke the armrest. Clearly, he was weighing a complicated decision in his heart.
According to his truest thoughts, allowing his second son Erh—who had performed so admirably and could now share his burdens—to take the position of commander-in-chief would undoubtedly best serve both his own interests and those of his direct line.
He had lost the useless Si, only for an Erh capable of great things to emerge. As a father, both sentiment and reason dictated that he should give him a push and solidify his position.
But Erh had refused... Did that mean he had to watch such a splendid opportunity, one capable of forging a core heir, fall into the hands of the descendants of those ambitious brothers eyeing it like tigers?