Gao Yuan said, "The Imperial Court's actions truly chilled our hearts. If our lord hadn't held the Yong River Defense Line for Great Kang, the Yong forces would probably have crossed the river long ago. Never mind Eastern Liang Commandery-vast stretches of land south of the Yong River would already have fallen into their hands."
Zu Dacheng said, "We all await your command, my lord. Give the word, and we'll march on the Kang Capital to demand an explanation from that muddleheaded, tyrannical emperor!"
Indignation swept through the gathering. Everyone spoke at once, calling for a march straight into the Kang Capital to seize Great Kang's realm and enthrone Hu Xiaotian. Only Yu Tianxing remained silent throughout.
Hu Xiaotian knew that Yu Tianxing had been much more dispirited since his setback in the battle at Jadeheart Mountain in Cloud Marsh. Before others, he seemed unable to hold his head up. Hu Xiaotian looked at him with a smile. "Military Strategist, you haven't given us your opinion yet." At his words, everyone turned toward Yu Tianxing.
Yu Tianxing smiled and cupped his hands toward Hu Xiaotian. "My lord, I believe that drawing a clear line between ourselves and Great Kang may not be a bad thing. But following Western Sichuan's example would be inadvisable. Proclaiming yourself king is merely a matter of a title, something that will come naturally once the water has carved its channel. Our immediate priority should be to suspend expansion and consolidate our border defenses."
Hu Xiaotian nodded slowly. Yu Tianxing's words matched his own thoughts precisely. They had already expanded rapidly over the past two years, gaining three cities along the lower Yong River and recently taking Jadeheart Mountain in Cloud Marsh. In fact, the vast waterways stretching from Cloud Marsh in the south to the