Chong Tingzhi listened to Zhang Yu's words, pondered briefly, then nodded. "Zhang Tingzhi is right. We are at war now; there is no need to be bound by the usual rules! Nor can we allow petty men to stir up trouble! Those who must be dealt with severely shall certainly be dealt with severely!"
Celestial Xia's laws had one set for ordinary times and another for wartime. In wartime, everything served the purpose of war. All strength had to be gathered together, and not the slightest obstruction could be tolerated. Naturally, customary methods could no longer be used.
Some things that could be tolerated in ordinary times would receive no reasoning or leniency at all in wartime. So long as they harmed Celestial Xia, the Profound Court could make a direct decision—seize the person first, then slowly deliberate their punishment afterward.
When Celestial Xia had previously campaigned against the Moqi Gods, it had entered a state of war. Once that campaign ended, the state of war had naturally been lifted as well.
Not long ago, however, Zhang Yu had glimpsed the foreign domain. Since they did not know the enemy's movements or origins, and in order to give the enemy the benefit of every doubt, they had once again entered wartime preparations. Though this had not been formally proclaimed, by law and ritual they were already considered to be in wartime. If circumstances changed further, they could immediately set matters in motion below and mobilize the strength of all Celestial Xia.
Though the foreign domain had later been successfully dealt with, foreign domains still existed within the void. Moreover, only a few dozen days had passed, and they did not know whether the master of that foreign domain would make any response. Thus, they remained in a wartime state.
Daoist