Wisps of fragrant incense drifted gently through the palace chamber. The interior remained plain and dim, with no gold or jade to adorn it, only unadorned curtains and aged wood. It scarcely looked like the residence of a state's ruler.
The Luo State Ruling House resembled saints in some ways. They cared more about spiritual fulfillment and demanded little in material comforts, distributing much of their wealth as rewards.
When a ruler could consistently restrain his desires, those below would follow his example, and extravagance would not grow too outrageous.
Luo Hong frowned slightly at the letter in his hand. Luo Zai said bluntly, "Father, we should send troops immediately and kill King Dang of Qin!"
Luo Hong's gaze sharpened. "Zai," he said gravely, "Qin State has most likely received the mandate of heaven. Have you considered what the Luo Clan would face if we did this?"
Luo Zai met his gaze without fear. "Father, as a son of the Luo Clan, it is no good to have too many misgivings.
"King Dang of Qin did indeed move the Yongzhou King Ding, but leaving aside everything else, he moved only one tripod. That means the Zhou State's mandate of heaven has not yet descended in full.
"Even if it truly has descended, so what? I will lead troops to kill him and see how Heaven responds.
"With our ancestor the Sage King above, what does the Luo Clan have to fear in defying Heaven?
"At worst, we repay it in blood!
"All these years, the Ducal House has sought to preserve the lives of the Ducal Clan and the State People, so it has avoided rashly taking up arms. But I fear that can no longer be achieved-at least not for the Ducal Clan.
"They are the Sage King's descendants."