Upon receiving the summons, Song Yue came swiftly.
The first thing he saw upon entering the hall was Wei Nisheng seated calmly to one side.
His steps paused almost imperceptibly. Then he walked steadily inside and saluted according to protocol:
"Your subject, Song Yue, pays his respects to Your Highness."
"Department Hall Song." Jiang Heng did not offer him a seat, merely stared at him. "I have a question for you."
"Reports of the Tangut massing troops had spread throughout the western border passes by late January. Why did they only reach my desk in mid-February?"
Song Yue straightened, glanced at the Crown Prince, then turned to look at Wei Nisheng, his gaze passing between the two.
Then he said slowly, "Your Highness, reports from the frontier enter the capital according to established postal procedures.
"When the Ministry of War received the report of the Tangut massing troops, it was the ninth of February.
"It was verified, transcribed, and submitted according to regulations. Its arrival on Your Highness's desk in mid-February did not exceed the prescribed time limit."
"Did not exceed the time limit." Jiang Heng repeated the words with a cold laugh.
"Department Hall Song, let me ask you again. Rumors in the streets had spread throughout the border passes by late January.
"Yet the urgent dispatch only reached the Ministry of War on the ninth of February.
"During those ten-odd days, were the postal stations' horses lame, or were they dead?"
"Your Highness, since the onset of winter last year, frequent snowstorms have made the roads along the western postal route difficult to traverse.
"Many postal horses were lost. There were indeed delays in delivery."
"Snowstorms? Department Hall Song, you just said the time limit was not exceeded.
"Now you say delivery was delayed. I ask you: **was