Observing Mustard Seeds While Seated upon the Veins

"Your Majesty, this matter may bear further consideration."

Once Li Kun had finished speaking, most of the ministers fell into thought or remained silent. But one man spoke first—it was Xu Yingyi. Naturally, he could not directly contradict the Emperor, yet the meaning behind his words was perfectly clear.

The middle-aged chief minister looked composed as he spoke with eloquence and assurance.

Li Kun turned toward him without changing expression. "Oh? What does Minister Xu mean? That I should postpone the Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony, or are you referring to the resettlement arrangements?"

"The Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony is the proper path. How could it be postponed lightly? What this subject speaks of is Academician Qiu's memorial." Xu Yingyi stepped out from among the ministers and bowed to Li Kun. "This subject does not doubt Academician Qiu's intentions. However, the Academician is in Jiannan and bears the responsibility of pacifying the Marshfolk, a charge no lighter than resettling the tribes of the Northern Frontier. Yet to this day, no results have been seen. Even his personal intervention has achieved this much; if we rely solely on his plan, it is difficult not to feel concerned."

The moment these words were spoken, those ministers who did not wish to use Qiu Yan's plan secretly applauded. They naturally understood that once the scheme in Qiu Yan's memorial was adopted, the foremost merit would go to Qiu Yan, further enhancing his reputation—

During the great war, everyone else had been worrying over victory or defeat, while Qiu Yan had already laid out how matters should be handled after victory. Now they had indeed won, yet the resettlement plan proposed by the court's high ministers had fallen short at the last hurdle, and in the end they still had to use Qiu Yan's method. If word