Wang Kan's three proposals struck the floor with ringing force. Throughout the hall, the officials in purple and scarlet wore differing expressions.
Kou Yuan still had not sat down. He stood among the tables, his cup-bearing hand lowered slightly.
"Censor-in-Chief Wang's three proposals were impassioned and stirring. Even I was moved to hear them."
Standing there, Kou Yuan set his wine cup back on the table with a faint clink.
"But! Being moved is one thing; affairs of state are another."
Kou Yuan turned, looking first toward the Ministry of War's seats. "Grand Secretary Song."
Song Yue raised his eyes, his brows stirring slightly.
Kou Yuan's tone was level. "You have overseen the Ministry of War for years. How extensive are Liaodong's border defenses?
"How many soldiers in Gansu are fit to fight?
"How much in military supplies would two simultaneous fronts require?
"How much would transport along the routes consume?
"Grand Secretary Song, do you have actual figures in mind?"
Song Yue did not answer at once.
Kou Yuan did not press him, merely continuing, "If Grand Secretary Song has no figures in mind, I happen to remember a few old accounts.
"In Jinghe Year Twelve, when grain was transferred to Liaodong, the Ministry of Revenue's silver allocation fell short. The Ministry of War sent three official notices demanding payment.
"In the Jinghe Fourteenth Year, the Ministry of War submitted accounts for equipment losses on the Gansu front. The Ministry of Revenue cut the approved amount by thirty percent.
"Grand Secretary Song, you oversee the Ministry of War. You know all these matters."
Song Yue immediately tried to retort, "That was all your Ministry of Rev-"
Before he could finish, Kou Yuan slammed the table.
"Do you truly think my Ministry of Revenue did not want to provide it?!"