The Left Prime Minister Establishes His Authority

"Alas..."

A multitude of sighs rang out.

This was the Left Prime Minister's power. Even after Fang Yun had struck at him repeatedly over the past year, he could still veto any matter.

Though decades of management had been shaken, the foundations remained.

Literary Prime Minister Jiang Hechuan looked at Left Prime Minister Liu Shan and said, "Prime Minister Liu, as the head of Jing Kingdom's officials, what are your views on this matter?"

Liu Shan pondered. "This matter is no trifling one. In my opinion, both Vice Minister Ou's argument and the Nation-Quelling Duke's argument have merits, but both also have shortcomings. My own thoughts are unimportant. What matters is that eleven senior ministers in the Grand Secretariat oppose it, which is equivalent to sounding an alarm. Of course, the majority is in favor, showing that reclaiming lost territory is the will of the people."

Fang Yun remained impassive, but inwardly cursed Liu Shan as an old fox. Such diplomatic rhetoric seemed to say nothing, yet in truth said everything. This phrasing merely ensured that no one could seize upon any flaw in it.

Grand General Zhou Junhu sneered. "Then does Lord Left Prime Minister support reclaiming lost territory, or oppose it?"

"Reclaiming lost territory is beyond reproach, but the timing of doing so has drawn opposition from the assembled officials and involves many matters. In my view, this requires long-term deliberation." At this moment, Liu Shan showed none of a Grand Academician's decisiveness. Instead, he resembled a mediocre old bureaucrat.

Anger appeared on many officials' faces. The Left Prime Minister was clearly handling this matter with the bureaucrats' customary word, "delay." The final outcome was obvious: Fang Yun's plan for a Literary Battle in Xiang Prefecture would certainly be impossible to carry out.

"Lord Left Prime Minister, do