One word from Shen Duan carried the force of law.
Heads bowed throughout the hall; no one dared voice dissent.
Unfortunately, Zou Mo had no road left to retreat along.
His connection to Taiyuan had been severed.
The old servant who once delivered letters had not visited in ages, and not another word had come from Prince Jin's residence.
Kou Yuan avoided him, Song Yue offered empty courtesies, and his former patron, Shen Duan, now regarded him as an enemy.
Overnight, Zou Mo had become utterly alone.
For a man utterly alone, only self-preservation remained.
And the key to self-preservation lay in power; the key to power lay in the seal.
The key to obtaining that seal...
Lay in Wei Nisheng leaving the Capital.
Thus, today's Zou Mo did not fear Shen Duan.
Not because he knew no fear, but because to fear him was to die.
Advancing still offered a thread of hope.
Everyone in the hall feared Chancellor Shen's might; Zou Mo alone dared straighten his spine and step forward.
Why?
Because those who feared still had something to lose, while the fearless had already lost everything.
A man with no retreat left had the sharpest edge.
Thus, at this moment, everyone in the hall feared Shen Duan, while Zou Mo alone dared raise his head.
"Chancellor Shen."
Zou Mo stepped forward and first bowed deeply to Shen Duan.
"Your words carry the weight of a thousand pounds each, Chancellor Shen. Naturally, I have taken your instruction to heart."
"Vice Director Wei's talents belong in the temple court, not among the troops..."
"I wholeheartedly agree with that judgment."
"Chief Censor Yao said Vice Director Wei had no military experience, and Censor Song said Vice Director Wei possessed not the slightest authority.
Both gentlemen spoke the truth.
Just