On the fifteenth day of the fifth month, the 384th year of the Great Xuan Calendar, amid the chimes of stone, the Court Executors appeared above the Radiant Aura River and began this month's court deliberation.
This time, Court Executor Chong was present as well. Moreover, Court Executor Lin, who had failed to appear several times at the Chief Executor's side, had also come.
As customary, the court first discussed important matters. Once all affairs had been properly handled, the First Seat Daoist said, "If any Court Executor has a proposal to submit, speak now."
Daoist Zhong had been waiting for just such a moment. He struck the jade chime with a jade mallet, then rose and said, "Chief Executor, fellow Court Executors, Celestial Xia established four great prefectures beyond the thirteen continents. A year has now passed. Originally, all sides proceeded smoothly, and matters advanced in an orderly fashion.
"Yet some days ago, Zhong received a memorial from Profound Chief Cen of Prosperous Harmony Prefecture. It said that Eastern Court Prefecture had produced a grand spectacle, causing people and goods to abandon the other three prefectures and all flock to Eastern Court.
"The present situation is one of Eastern Court flourishing while the three prefectures stand empty. This does not accord with Celestial Xia's policy of raising all four sides together. I hope the Chief Executor and fellow Court Executors will take note of this."
As they heard him speak, everyone shifted their gazes toward Chao Huan.
Sure enough, Chao Huan did not disappoint their expectations. He said, "Court Executor Zhong, what is wrong with this?"
Daoist Zhong had long known that he would object. Slowly, he said, "This matter conflicts with the Profound Court's grand design. The four prefectures are each meant to guard one region, yet now