When the palace banquet ended, a loud cry rang out, and two vermilion gates studded with bronze swung open. Everyone filed out, dozens of officials clustering around the high ministers like stars around the moon as they left amid a babble of voices.
The officials were noisy, but every guard stood motionless and silent as the grave, lending the scene a solemn air.
Cui Zhaoqian, the Minister of War, was sensitive to such things. A brief glance told him that the guards had increased in number. Along the way, he could see many warriors patrolling, their bearing steeped in killing intent.
The entire Imperial Palace seemed suddenly cut off from the festive cheer before the New Year, making several senior officials leaving it secretly furrow their brows.
"There's friction at the border again. Though peace has largely settled over the realm, it still gives one cause for concern."
"Indeed. If His Majesty were still in his prime, he could simply sweep them aside. But now... there are certain hidden dangers."
"One phrase: quell it with calm."
Quell it with calm? Of course they understood the principle. They even understood what the speaker had left unsaid: though His Majesty was now old and disliked military campaigns, once a new emperor ascended the throne, any unrest could naturally be swept away. There was no need to worry too much. They could afford to wait.
May it be so.
The Southern Border
In a mountain on Great Zheng's border, winter did not bring enough snow to seal off the mountain, but it had still grown much bleaker. At a glance, almost no signs of life could be seen. The leaves had withered yellow, and whenever the wind blew, they scattered down one after another.
Near the outer slopes, at the end of a