Jinghe Year Fifteen, second month, fourteenth day.
The customary Regular Court Audience.
At the third quarter of Mao Hour, the sky was still dark.
The palace lamps had yet to be extinguished, and torches lined the long corridors.
Outside the Meridian Gate, figures crowded the Court Waiting Hall.
Purple, scarlet, blue, and green robes mingled.
Officials stood or sat in groups of three or five, whispering among themselves.
Occasionally, acquaintances brushed past one another, but exchanged only slight nods, not a word.
The courtyard was filled with men in official robes and caps, each harboring his own concerns.
Shen Duan wore a purple robe and jade belt beneath a sable fur coat. His expression was unchanged, his stride unhurried.
Fang Qi followed closely behind, holding the Transcribed Copy, and murmured:
"Chief Minister, regarding Wei Zi's memorial, I thought..."
"No need to say more." Shen Duan did not break stride, his voice exceedingly soft.
"In the hall today, simply follow our strategy."
Fang Qi nodded and said nothing more.
Kou Yuan and Song Yue entered the Eastern Court Room almost simultaneously.
Kou Yuan removed his cloak and casually draped it over a rack. His gaze first swept toward Shen Duan's seat, then met Song Yue's.
Both understood perfectly.
Today's contest was not a dispute over the two Suzhou memorials, but a game of chess between the court's Three Factions.
Song Yue leaned against the back of his chair, his hands folded over his abdomen, and said quietly:
"Fuan, what does your Ministry of Revenue think of Wei Zi's memorial requesting troops?"
Kou Yuan raised his tea and took a sip, neither hurried nor slow.
"The temples' landholdings should be investigated.
Troop deployment should be approached cautiously."
That was all.
One word more would overflow; one word less would leave it