The Decree

Xu Yi said, "I naturally obey His Majesty's command. It's just that Prime Minister Ye recommended me to take the field in order to bring honor and glory to Great Yue. But my heart is troubled, and my thoughts are elsewhere. Taking the field is no problem, but if I fail, where would that leave the Son of Heaven? I beg Prime Minister Ye to advise me!"

"You...!"

Ye Tiangao was furious. He hadn't expected this man to be so arrogant. He, the dignified Left Chancellor, had spoken several times, and his meaning was clear. Yet this man had repeatedly fobbed him off. This wasn't merely a failure to show respect; it was plain that he didn't take Ye Tiangao seriously at all. Outrageous!

Still, he had weathered the tides of officialdom for countless years, and had long since tempered his character into something unfathomably deep. Though a storm raged in his heart, he put on a smile. "As expected, only a true gentleman of letters has such integrity. I admire you, sir. May I ask what troubles you? His Majesty is here. Whatever you say, I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Xu Yi had mentioned twice that he was troubled and distracted. It was plain he wanted something. How could a wily old hand like Ye Tiangao fail to see that?

The reason he'd refrained from bringing it up was, first, that he was astonished by Xu Yi's audacity. The man actually dared to demand benefits from the Son of Heaven and the royal court in public. To raise the matter would inevitably damage the court's dignity.

Second, Ye Tiangao had always believed that the majesty of Great Yue's Son of Heaven and the court's authority could surely bring a Deputy Hundred Households to heel.

Because Xu Yi bore the