Winning Submission Through Strength

"Your Majesty, weapons are instruments of violence, and contention is against morality!"

The holiday break for the Lunar New Year was not yet fully over, and the main hall of the Weiyang Palace was already filled with officials.

The new emperor sat on the high throne in the main hall, indicating to his ministers that they could speak freely, and that any method could be tried as long as it could resolve the war.

However, the new emperor never expected to encounter such an unlucky fellow right at the very beginning of his investigation.

The court was constantly changing, with some Confucian scholars beginning to take up positions, creating new faces.

The speaker was Di Shan, a scholar-official. He had served as a minor official on the frontier and later worked as a clerk in the office of the Grand Master of the Palace. He was cautious and conscientious in his work and was promoted step by step until he finally became a scholar-official.

"The benevolent rulers of High Antiquity stopped wars rather than declared them. The only result of war is the devastation of lives and the flow of blood. In the end, all the gains are not worth the losses," Di Shan said, bowing.

"Oh, does Minister Di have a way to stop the war?" the new emperor asked.

"The Xiong State have traversed thousands of miles to attack Shanggu County, their sole aim being to seize money and food. These material possessions can be obtained through labor; giving them some is sufficient," Di Shan said. "Once their army retreats, we can build even higher walls to prevent their next attack!"

"I see!"

The new emperor nodded, then looked down.

"What is the Prime Minister's opinion?" the new emperor asked.

"Wherever Your Majesty's sword points, this old minister will follow and charge there!"

Tian Fen, sitting in the main hall, was filled with fervor. As a patient, Tian Fen had a perfect way of avoiding battle; everything he said would follow the new emperor's wishes without any hesitation.

What is Imperial Censor Han's opinion?

"Your Majesty, it is indeed shameful that Shanggu County was attacked, but the Xiong State will have to pay a heavy price to strike at Shanggu County," Han Anguo said, pursing his lips. "They will retreat sooner or later after looting. We can reclaim our old territory and re-establish ourselves there. As long as we hold our ground, we can achieve a battle of attrition, and in a protracted struggle, we will surely emerge victorious!"

"Speak freely, gentlemen!"

The new emperor nodded and then waved to the others in the Golden Palace.

Wei Qing and the others, clad in armor and wielding swords, had their mouths slightly open, but it was clear that none of them were skilled in courtly verbal sparring.

If we're talking about logic, the arguments presented by many people in the court are difficult to refute, and Wei Qing and others can't produce any actual combat results to refute them, so everything has become a dilemma.

"It's a pity Dongfang Shuo isn't here; he's quite the talker!"

The new emperor cultivated all sorts of people around him, but there really weren't any who were good at empty talk. After all, empty talk isn't a good skill, but sometimes the court needs someone like that to bring the real issues to the forefront.

"Zhang Tang, the magistrate of Maoling, requests permission!"

When the sound came from the back of the hall, the new emperor glanced over and saw a minor official holding a token, asking to speak.

The new emperor remembered Zhang Tang, who was a clerk in Tian Fen's residence. Zhang Tang was very capable in administration and filled the vacancy left by Zhang Xuezhou and others at Maoling.

"Minister Zhang, please speak freely," the new emperor nodded.

"Your Majesty," Zhang Tang said, "This scholar, Di Shan, is nothing but an ignorant and unreasonable Confucian scholar. He recites ancient texts by rote, unaware that the world changes with the times, and we need to face problems according to reality. The Great Han Dynasty and the Xiong State have been entangled for a hundred years, compromising time and time again, but none of these compromises have brought true peace. Instead, countless people have died. I can't help but wonder if the late emperor failed to meet the standards of a benevolent ruler, or if this scholar believes his standards are higher and he can perfectly stop the war!"

"Oh?"

The new emperor stirred, realizing that one of his newly recruited ministers had finally become a sharp-tongued and witty character.

Zhang Tang dared not confront the Imperial Censor Han Anguo, but instead chose to target the weakest official, the Doctor Di Shan, thus also involving previous emperors.

Throughout history, emperors primarily pursued peace talks, and even engaged in marriage alliances, maintaining a balance between nations as described by Di Shan. However, no single ruler truly resolved the issue.

Di Shan either needs to admit that the previous emperors were incompetent, thus committing a grave offense of disrespect, or he needs to personally verify the standards for ending the war.

With just a few simple words, Zhang Tang not only refuted Di Shan, but also dragged him into the mess.

"Zhang Tang, the magistrate of Maoling, you only look at the current results, ignoring how many innocent lives were saved by the previous emperors in stopping the war. Your sophistry is utterly absurd!" Di Shan stepped forward again indignantly, saying, "Even the most ancient texts contain the principles of wise rulers. These are principles that have been followed for thousands of years. How could they be wrong in our generation? On the contrary, I heard that you, Zhang Tang, while serving in Maoling, fabricated charges and coerced thousands upon thousands of people to relocate to Maoling. Such atrocities will be punished sooner or later. Moreover, you have amassed a large amount of wealth from this. Such corrupt behavior must be punished."

"How dare you speak like that, Doctoral Officer? Those people from Maoling County were involved in a violent brawl in the capital; they're all criminals. Giving them a chance to reform is practically a blessing from our parents. How come you call it coercion!"

Zhufu Yan had originally intended to stay in the back row and let these court officials argue as they pleased, but he never expected that the matter would involve him.

Zhang Tang's conviction was very standard, and every charge was verifiable. He was a good candidate for the job. Zhufu Yan cooperated with him very well. He did things smoothly and was extremely efficient. He did indeed make a fortune from it.

It's fine not to talk about this kind of thing, but if someone is watching you and you speak out, you'll definitely be investigated.

"The true supervisor of Maoling is Lord Dongfang Shuo. We have indeed spent a considerable amount of money on the construction of Maoling, but since the supervisor has not returned, this money has been held in Maoling, awaiting verification with Lord Dongfang later." Zhufu Yan, his heart bleeding, said, "You pedantic scholar, you believe everything you hear, spouting nonsense without distinguishing right from wrong. You speak of reason, but not a single one of your points can be verified in practice!"

"That's right. If you have real skills, then show them, instead of spouting nonsense in court," Zhang Tang said solemnly.

"You... you all, His Majesty has allowed us to speak freely, and we are following ancient customs, but that doesn't mean we..."

"Minister Di, if I were to entrust you with the administration of a prefecture, could you, by adhering to the principles of pacification, prevent the Xiong State from invading this prefecture?"

Di Shan was about to argue when the new emperor in the high hall spoke up with a question.

His eyes darted around for a moment, then he shook his head vigorously.

"I cannot!"

"What about a single county?"

"Cannot!"

"A fortress?"

"Minister..."

"Um?"

The new emperor snorted, and Wei Qing, standing in the middle of the court, immediately drew his sword.

The cold light shone on Di Shan's face, making the doctoral officer's face turn pale.

"Not a single prefecture, not a single county, not a single fortress—then how exactly do you intend to use your method of stopping the war?" The new emperor rose angrily and said, "How can I emulate the benevolent rulers of High Antiquity?"

"Your Majesty, if we cannot subdue people with virtue, we are not necessarily unable to subdue them with force. I request permission to lead the troops out of Yanmen Pass, and I will not return until victory is achieved!"

Wei Qing spoke in a formulaic manner, uttering what he wanted to express.

His words drew sidelong glances from some, while others scoffed, feeling that the young man was too reckless and utterly ignorant of his own limitations.

"Urgent report from 800 li away!"

The court was in an uproar. Di Shan was being reprimanded by the new emperor and reluctantly accepted the duty of guarding a fortress when the sound of galloping horses rapidly approached from outside the main hall of the Weiyang Palace, accompanied by the guards' quick announcement and clearance.

"Hexi has fallen; everyone in the prefectural government has perished while defending the city!"

"What?"

An urgent report reached the imperial court, instantly silencing everyone.

As the new emperor slowly sat down, tears streamed down Li Guang's face.

The Northern Border was an important place for Li Guang's Lineage. His eldest son, Li Danghu, was serving in Hexi, and Li Jiao also went to the north to recuperate after the battle of Mayi. The fact that the two brothers were in the same place was obviously unexpected by Li Guang.

If everyone in the prefect's office dies, his two sons will surely perish as well.

"Your subject requests permission to fight!"

Li Guang stepped forward with a blank expression.

This time, no minister objected. Even the Imperial Censor Han Anguo looked serious, feeling that no one could stop the coming storm.