The next day, the ministers entered the palace.
From the Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers headed by the Chancellor, to the Great General and the other generals of the Imperial Guards, the thirty-five High-ranking Marquises currently serving their rotation in Chang'an City, three Lords King, and most of the envoys of the Liu Clan Lords King, almost everyone in the Han Court capable of influencing national policy was present.
Emperor Liu Jin sat in the hall, his face deathly pale. He looked at the assembled dignitaries before him, almost every face so dark that water might drip from it.
Even the Xiongnu had fallen before the Great Han!
That a mere Southwestern Yi had inflicted an unprecedented defeat on the Great Han was something none of them could accept.
Defeat in a foreign war harmed not only the realm and the emperor. These men had also suffered enormous losses. Every defeat wounded their interests.
It was all because of the emperor before them!
This incompetent emperor!
That thought lingered in everyone's mind. As Liu Jin looked at the ministers' expressions, his face grew even paler.
Liu Jin slowly began, "My ministers, I summoned you to the palace today to discuss what is to be done after the defeat in the Southern Kingdom. Say whatever you wish. I will consider it."
The emperor had barely finished when the Great General immediately said, "Your Majesty, the Yi and Di of the southwest are like beasts! They fear only swords and blades. The Great Han granted them land to live on and built irrigation works and roads for them, yet they betrayed the Great Han, knowing nothing of gratitude. This cannot be forgiven.
"They think a single defeat can make the Great Han retreat. That is nothing but a fool's dream! The Great