Because some choices were destined to demand sacrifice. Whether to sacrifice the lesser for the greater or lose the greater for the lesser, he had to choose.
At his words, a deep flicker of fear passed through the eyes of Yang Biao, Cui Yan, and the others, and their reverence for Liu Xie deepened.
They had all thought Liu Xie too benevolent toward the common people, but now it seemed this Son of Heaven was the truly cold-blooded one, willing to pay any price for the bigger picture.
A truly cold-blooded emperor.
Guo Jia and Jia Xu exchanged a glance, neither saying a word.
They understood Liu Xie better than anyone. He was not ruthless enough, not cold-blooded enough.
For an emperor, such a disposition did more harm than good.
But the choice Liu Xie made today made them realize that the Son of Heaven had quietly undergone another enormous change.
Sensing the somewhat silent, oppressive atmosphere in the hall, Liu Xie continued, "You need not worry too much, my ministers. I have also made preparations for winter clothing."
"Bring the things in."
At Liu Xie's command, two members of the Feathered Forest Guard carried a chest into the hall, set it on the floor, and opened it.
The ministers all looked toward the chest, which held some clothes.
But these garments were unlike any they knew. Their design was peculiar: rather than opening at the front like other clothes, they were made in one piece.
"Why do these clothes look so strange?"
Fu Wan examined them for quite a while without making sense of them. Unable to resist, he reached out to feel one, then drew his hand back as though shocked by electricity, looking startled.
"What fabric is this? Why is it so prickly? It isn't soft at