"My ministers." The Crown Prince's voice rang out from the Imperial Throne.
The entire hall fell silent.
"You have argued for half the day. It is time we heard..."
Jiang Heng said slowly, "Minister Wei, what have you to say?"
Outside the hall, the wind began to rise again.
Wei Nisheng slowly stepped forward.
"I have a memorial to present."
They had argued for half the day: Zou Mo had praised him to his ruin, Song Yue had seconded the proposal, Kou Yuan had struck another blow, Wang Kan had challenged them, and Yao Zhen and Song Jing had stepped out of the ranks. Every official in purple and scarlet had spoken.
Only Wei Nisheng had stood among the ranks without uttering a word from beginning to end.
Now, at the Crown Prince's question, every gaze in the hall converged on him.
Standing below the imperial steps, Wei Nisheng first bowed deeply toward the Imperial Throne.
"First, I thank Vice Minister Zou for recommending me."
Everyone in the hall froze.
"My Pacify the Rong Strategy was actually completed during my time at the Hanlin Academy.
"In those days, I spread out territorial maps of the Northwest and examined the Tanguts' strengths and weaknesses, studying day and night without once setting down my books.
"Whenever I saw the border troubles deepen and the Court's worries grow more urgent, I could not help wringing my hands."
"I wrote this strategy neither to seek fame nor to display my skill with brush and ink.
"The trouble in the Northwest is truly like an abscess on our back. Unless it is cut away, the nation cannot sleep in peace."
"Thus, from the day I completed it, I expected this of myself: one day, I would go in person to carry out what this