Grand Secretariat
"Was there still no good news from the navy?"
Hearing the question, Cui Zhaoqian, who oversaw the Ministry of War, unconsciously stroked his beard and sighed. "Han Chengxun is the naval commander. With only three thousand men, he can do no more than transport and provide support. As for Zhang Dongqi, commander of the main force, he was usually fairly proactive, and his memorials were passable, but judging from the present situation, he is an utter mediocrity in battle..."
"With thirty thousand troops, he still could not take an empty Kingdom of Ying."
"Of course, it is said that the defending general, Zhong Yunli, is descended from a military family of Former Wei. He truly has some skill in Military Strategy."
Hearing this, Zhao Xu fell silent, then sighed. "The Kingdom of Ying was a pawn of Former Wei, yet I failed to notice it. I will not shirk responsibility; this is my fault. I have already written a secret self-impeachment memorial and submitted it, quietly awaiting the court's punishment!"
Qian Wei immediately followed up. "I failed to notice it as well. This is not the Grand Secretary's responsibility alone; the entire Grand Secretariat bears responsibility. Still, although Zhang Dongqi is incompetent, we cannot replace a general on the eve of battle from a thousand li away..."
Just as they were about to discuss the matter further, they heard a burst of clamor. This was the heart of the imperial court—where had such noise come from?
All three men were startled. Then Wen Xunpeng hurried in, his face somewhat ashen, and bowed as he reported, "Provincial Graduates, Shuyang Prefecture has fallen."
The three fell silent. Only then did Cui Zhaoqian say, "It is merely the fall of one prefecture. Why are you in such a panic..."
Before he