Deep within the Imperial Palace in Chang'an, Zhou Kingdom.
"This is an intolerable humiliation! My army of one hundred thousand was taking cities and seizing territory, only to be forced to withdraw by a single word from the Daoist Order! How can this be allowed?"
Yuwen Yong stared at the Jade Slip before him, fury nearly spilling from his eyes.
Several ministers stood before him, each looking down in silence.
Yuwen Yong looked up at them. The sight only stoked his anger, but he knew this was not something they could decide. In the end, he suppressed his fury and waved a hand.
"You may withdraw, my ministers."
The ministers bowed and withdrew.
But as the elderly man at their head was about to leave, he said earnestly, "Your Majesty, this matter calls for careful deliberation. Though the Qi Kingdom was founded only recently, it took over the eastern lands of Great Wei and still has deep foundations. To expect victory in a single campaign is far-fetched. None of Your Majesty's predecessors managed it, and Your Majesty..."
"You mean I should know my own limits?" Yuwen Yong said coldly.
The old man showed no fear. "I mean no such thing. But the founding emperor launched several eastern campaigns without success. This is plainly no easy undertaking."
A vein throbbed on Yuwen Yong's forehead. He drew a sharp breath and was about to speak.
The old man shook his head. "This old servant has only the kingdom's interests at heart. I ask Your Majesty to judge for yourself. I take my leave!"
Once the man was gone, Yuwen Yong overturned the table.
"They've gone too far!"
At his furious shout, the surrounding guards and eunuchs dropped to their knees, heads bowed and bodies trembling, each declaring himself guilty.
"Guilty of what?