"Wu Gui of the Southern Borderlands certainly cannot be taken lightly, but the Gouwu Sea has now begun to form a barrier."
"In my view, we can order the Demon Lotus Sect and the Vajra Zen Sect to cooperate fully with Heavenly Abyss Pass, coordinating the islands in the Outer Sea of the Gouwu Sea to strengthen maritime and Lingnan defenses."
These words also blocked Xiao Canglan's proposal.
Having finished, Zhang Taiyue cupped his hands again. "Such is my humble opinion. I respectfully ask Your Majesty for your sacred judgment."
Only then did the assembled ministers in Imperial Pole Hall let out a long breath.
The moment this Chief Grand Secretary spoke, he had drawn together all the fronts: the Northern Border, the Western Regions, the Southern Borderlands, and the Gouwu Sea.
Before long, a calm voice came from the imperial throne. "Now those are words of statecraft from the old and wise."
The overall course was settled.
Hu Yong's expression remained unchanged. "My insight falls short of the Chief Grand Secretary's."
Xiao Canglan said nothing more. Emperor Jingtai and Zhang Taiyue had joined forces to set the tone, and Hu Yong had voiced his agreement. Apart from figures like the Eastern Prince and Jin Shizong, who had not appeared in four thousand years, who in Great Jin would dare quibble?
The ministers below thundered their praises of His Majesty's sagacity.
Just as it seemed everyone's hopes had settled on this outcome, Emperor Jingtai's voice rang out again.
"Let the Inner Cabinet draft the decree."
Gao Wuyong immediately bowed, while several brush-bearing eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial presented a Golden Register and Jade Brush.
"Qing Chen, Azure Abyss Marquis, has shown usable courage and strategy, and distinguished merit on the frontier. He shall additionally serve as acting Circuit-Surveying Governor