Doing What One Knows Cannot Be Done

These people existed for precisely this purpose—to curb the Grand Marshal's military authority.

This put Shang Chaozong in an awkward position. His military orders could not be issued at all; he could not even leave the palace. This place was filled with Shang Jianxiong's men.

The two sides began arguing. Shang Chaozong reasoned with them, explaining the necessity of this course of action: they had to quickly establish the effect of orders being obeyed without question, carried out the moment they were given.

Yet no amount of explanation helped. When it came to verbal sparring, how could Shang Chaozong be a match for these men who had spent their lives muddling through the Imperial Court? This was never his strength.

Especially since he was alone, surrounded by a crowd who used their mouths to gang up on him.

Outside the window of the military command center, Grand Minister Gao Jiancheng, who had arrived at some unknown time, stood to one side and quietly observed everything taking place inside.

He saw that Shang Chaozong did not look well, and he knew Shang Chaozong had only just been released from prison, his body still covered in injuries.

Yet he could see no resentment in Shang Chaozong whatsoever. Upon learning that Yan Kingdom was in danger, he immediately cast aside all old and new grudges, throwing himself heart and soul into saving the nation from the brink of ruin. Such breadth of heart was deeply moving.

Witnessing this scene, Gao Jiancheng was greatly stirred. He unconsciously stroked his beard and nodded slightly.

Grand Secretary Tong Mo had likewise come to the window at some unknown point and joined Gao Jiancheng's side.

Like Gao Jiancheng, he had no desire to meet Shang Chaozong, but both wished to see what state Shang Chaozong was in.