Luo Jing had summoned troops to leave nothing to chance, not to launch a war outright. He had already dispatched envoys to the kingdoms and marquisate states to arrest the Lords King and Thorough Marquises who had broken the law.
The court still held influence and power within the states. Besides, how could most of those Lords King and Thorough Marquises possibly dare to rebel? This was no longer the age when the feudal kingdoms had been at their strongest.
Those who had enjoyed glory and wealth without being tempered by mortal peril would grow ever more timid, just like the Liu Clan Lords King and Thorough Marquises of the present day.
Luo Jing sat quietly in Luoyang, preparing his army for war while awaiting the arrival of the Liu Clan princes and lords.
Sure enough, things unfolded as he had expected. Bearing Luo Jing's written orders, the court's envoys arrived in the feudal states and first visited the meritorious marquisate states enfeoffed at the heart of the kingdoms. Then the two sides headed straight for the royal capitals together. "The Marquis of Dong'e has been commanded by His Majesty to pacify Shandong and inspect the commanderies and kingdoms. You have broken the law. We have come to arrest you on the Marquis of Dong'e's orders. Surrender at once and follow us to Luoyang to meet the Marquis of Dong'e and give an account of all concealed matters."
The Lords King were terrified. They had never imagined that Luo Jing would send people to arrest them outright.
This was not how normal political struggles unfolded. Usually, one first sought evidence, then both sides laid their plans, until one could deal a fatal blow, strike without warning, and win in a single engagement.
Yet Luo Jing had sent people so openly