Zhao Wusheng left the White Tiger Hall, and the officers waiting outside gathered around him, asking anxiously, "General Zhao, how did it go? What did the Governor say?"
Zhao Wusheng shook his head. Everyone had already guessed the outcome from his expression, and one after another, they heaved long sighs. When they first joined the army, they had sworn to defend their homeland and return wrapped in horsehide if they fell in battle. Yet now, with Great Yong's army about to invade their territory, they were forced to watch from behind the walls.
One officer said indignantly, "Let's go see the Governor. We can't just hand Eastern Liang Commandery to the Yong people on a silver platter."
An older officer sighed. "Forget it. Eastern Liang Commandery was given to us by Great Yong in the first place."
The first officer snapped, "How can you say that? Eastern Liang Commandery has been Great Kang's territory since ancient times. Great Yong seized it from us by force."
Another man said, "Eastern Liang Commandery wasn't the only place Great Yong seized. Almost all of Great Yong's territory once belonged to Great Kang. So what? Hasn't Great Kang been driven south of the Yong River all the same?"
Everyone fell silent.
Zhao Wusheng said, "Forget it. The Governor has his own difficulties. He's in a bad mood, so none of you should go looking for trouble at a time like this." That single remark put an end to the officers' plans to visit the White Tiger Hall.
After the others dispersed, Zhao Wusheng called one of them back. "Yongfu! Let's go have a couple of drinks." He was the officer who had been most agitated earlier, and a friend for whom Zhao Wusheng would gladly risk his neck.
Li Yongfu left the Governor's residence