At the morning court, the gilded coiling-dragon throne stood in solemn majesty. The Desolate Emperor, clad in his dragon robes, bore the dignity of an emperor between his brows and eyes as he listened intently to the civil and martial officials below report military and state affairs in turn.
The Minister of Revenue had just opened his mouth to speak of dredging the Jiangnan grain canal when a burst of hurried, disorderly footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall, accompanied by the panicked cries of eunuchs, instantly shattering the court's solemnity.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Disaster has struck!"
A young eunuch stumbled and crawled into the great hall, his official cap askew, his court robes stained with dust, his voice brimming with terror.
"An envoy soldier from Youzhou begs an audience. He says—he says there is military intelligence of utmost urgency. Delay even a moment, and the kingdom may fall!"
Upon hearing this, the Civil and Military Officials were all struck dumb with shock. The orderly court of moments ago erupted into an uproar.
Everyone turned toward the open doors of the hall, their faces full of disbelief.
Everyone knew that Youzhou was the gateway to the Desolate Kingdom's Northern Frontier, shielding the central plains. Should Youzhou fall, the nation's gates would be no better than an empty shell.
Seated upon the dragon throne, the Desolate Emperor's previously composed expression abruptly darkened. A flash of severity passed through his deep eyes as he said in a low voice, "Summon him!"
A cold wind howled in from outside the hall, carrying with it a biting chill.
Before long, a dust-covered soldier staggered into the hall.
The armor on his body was already mottled with blood and dust, with bits of grass embedded in its seams. His face was etched with exhaustion