Jiang Heng stood to one side with his hands drawn in, his robe as white as ever, and said no more.
After a moment, Kou Yuan spoke, his voice low, as though cautiously sounding out the depths.
"Your Highness, this old minister respectfully accepts your four proposals."
"There is only one matter I have yet to understand. Would Your Highness be willing to resolve my doubts?"
Jiang Heng's gaze settled on Kou Yuan's face. "Please speak, Grand Secretary Kou."
Kou Yuan paused briefly and drew his feet together.
"Your Highness said, 'Set a three-year term and put things in order year by year.'
"I wish to ask: during those three years of reform, if the Tangut knock at Ganlong's gates and the Khitan invade Liaodong, how will the frontier garrisons resist them?
"Can the establishment of Garrison Camps truly withstand blades and arrows?"
The four proposals had all been on paper. Now this question was like lifting that ink-covered sheet and striking it against the earth.
Thin paper gave a brittle sound; solid earth answered with a heavy thud.
A strategy suspended on paper remained whole; set down in the mud, it split apart.
At that moment, everyone in the hall awaited the Crown Prince's answer.
This was not merely a question about strategy. It tested the Heir Apparent's calculations, his capacity, and his willingness to shoulder responsibility.
"I know this: the ultimate deployment of troops is to become formless.
"When formless, even deeply planted spies cannot peer into it, and the wise cannot plot against it."
Jiang Heng was silent for a while, his lowered eyes seeming to read an old book. Then he raised his head and spoke gently.
"Grand Secretary Kou's concern is precisely the crucial point my four proposals have yet to address.
"If an actual