The Imperial Proclamation Reappears

Today's meeting in the Imperial Study had been nothing more than a brief discussion, but some matters that required getting ahead of the curve could already be set in motion today.

The foremost tasks were to expand the scale of recruitment and training; procure sufficient grain and fodder from the various prefectures, especially Bingzhou, to ensure logistics; requisition blacksmith shops and their craftsmen everywhere at fair prices to help forge all manner of arrows, weapons, and armor; then have the remaining Talented and Extraordinary Individuals in the court, led by Imperial Advisor Du Changsheng, hurry to the front lines at top speed. The plan was for them to catch up with the latest fifty-thousand-strong force being dispatched as reinforcements, so they could reach Qilin Pass together. The specific details would be discussed in the Golden Hall during morning court the next day and formally proclaimed to the realm.

About two hours later, Yan Chang and Du Changsheng left the Imperial Palace and returned to the Directorate of Astronomy Office. When they entered that enormous Archive Room again, Ji Yuan was still sitting where he had been, reading. Whenever he read, his fingertips would trace over the words to feel out their meaning, as though nothing had changed at all after the two men left.

Ji Yuan did not raise his head until they were within a dozen paces.

"You two are back?"

Yan Chang and Du Changsheng first cupped their hands in salute. Then they exchanged a glance, and Yan Chang spoke first.

"Mister Ji, something is rather unusual about the war in the north. According to reports sent back from the army, many sinister and bizarre individuals have appeared among the Zuyue Kingdom's bandit troops. They are all Celestial Masters and ritualists officially invested by the Zuyue court, with