“I do not agree.”

“Northern Wei harbors the ambition of wolves. At the Mount Nanyue Alliance in years past, when the joint campaign against Chen was decided, it was our Great Liang's army that pinned down the main Chen forces, allowing Wei's troops to surge deep into enemy territory.”

“Northern Wei, having seized the initiative, took for itself the fourteen most fertile provinces, yet left the border scraps to us.”

“They even obstructed Great Liang’s advance.”

“Even if nine out of ten homes are emptied, the people would never agree to peace.”

Among the civil officials, another stepped forth, dressed in a pale purple robe, speaking clearly and sonorously.

“However, this matter should not have been raised by the Jing'an Marquis. The marquis has long resided in the capital and understands nothing of war.”

“I petition to have the Jing'an Marquis expelled.”

While the civil officials engaged in verbal sparring, the military officials remained motionless and silent, dumb as wooden figures.

It was not that they didn’t wish to speak, they simply could not. The civil-military divide was far too deep.

The court belonged to the robed and book-learned. If a military man dared to speak, he would face censure from both sides, civil and neutral ministers alike would denounce him.

Even beasts guard their territory, and men are no different.

So regardless of whether the Jing'an Marquis had a point, even those hawkish ministers who supported continuing the war had to demand he be expelled.

A noble marquis, if cast out during a grand court assembly, would be utterly disgraced.

On ordinary days, they might bow and inquire after the Jing'an Marquis, perhaps even curry favor.

But today?

Today was a grand assembly.

The hall was filled with scholars and officials.

The three Grand Councilors of state stood right at the front.

Let a general speak, and he’d be pressed right back down.

Whether marquis, duke, or prince, all would be treated the same.

The Jing'an Marquis glared at the two who had spoken.

One demanded his beheading, the other his expulsion, neither was any decent bird.

The scholars’ quarrel stretched long with eloquence and scripture, neither side yielding an inch.

On the dais, Emperor Liang was so bored he nearly yawned.

He had heard too much of this over the years and grown utterly weary.

And once the broader policy tone was set, these little diversions held no further interest for him.

In fact, the Emperor was quite intrigued by what the Jing'an Marquis had said.

After all, it was rare to see titled nobles speak up in court.

In the end, the three Grand Councilors stepped in personally to settle the dispute.

Naturally, the junior officials rallied to their own faction leaders.

There wasn’t even much subtlety to the maneuver. Neither the Emperor nor the three councilors wanted to continue the war.

But appearances had to be maintained, thus they would raise a new army. Not a large one, thirty to fifty thousand to fortify Tong Mountain. Once the rotation was done, the commander could be recalled.

As for peace talks, there was no urgency.

Tong Pass was shielded by natural defenses, easy to hold and hard to take. With thirty thousand stationed troops, it was worth a force twenty times that number.

If Northern Wei were foolish enough to assault Tong Pass directly, it would actually be a boon for Great Liang.

However, the selection of commander and other high-ranking officers had already been decided upon.

If the plan were redrawn, the distribution of benefits would become tangled again, and it would take ages to hash it out.

Hawk-eyed and surveying all, the new Emperor of Liang was suddenly struck by the idea of testing things a little.

Though it was a so-called "cripple alliance," if the Annan Marquis truly served as commander, the outcome might benefit both himself and the court.

The Annan Marquis’s son and daughter were both disabled, yet he had distinguished himself in quelling rebellion and was a man versed in military matters.

His reputation was decent, and having risen from humble origins with few heirs, there had been little blood-drinking or soldier-fleecing under his command.

On further thought, the Annan Marquis truly was a fitting choice.

However, if he were to serve as commander, the vanguard post could not go to the Jing'an Marquis. A new candidate would need to be found.

As the Emperor considered this, the old ministers continued to drone on, dissecting the consequences.

The hawks and doves bickered back and forth.

As the temperature rose and light crept into the sky, the hall grew stifling, making tempers short.

“We must defend rather than attack, giving the people time to rest and recover.”

“Raise another thirty thousand to reinforce Tong Pass.”

“I wonder, what hero does the Jing'an Marquis believe fit to serve as vanguard?”

The Emperor’s eyelids stirred faintly, a flicker of amusement in his gaze.

Originally, the post of vanguard had been decided for none other than this Marquis himself.

Since he had now nominated the Annan Marquis, the Emperor figured, why not have him recommend a new vanguard too?

To the right of the dais, Great Attendant Gao Quan showed a subtle shift in expression.

He had merely passed the message along, he hadn’t expected the other party to actually pull it off.

“Without avoiding nepotism, I believe my son Wen Yue is fit to serve as vanguard.”

As the Jing'an Marquis’s words fell, the court was first stunned, then faces flushed red with suppressed laughter.

Yet none dared to actually laugh aloud. If anyone let out a pig-squeal of a laugh in court, they’d be expelled on the spot.

The Emperor of Liang looked utterly bewildered, then let out a chuckle.

But recalling that this was a grand assembly, he quickly composed himself.

“Lord Wen, are you confused? I’ve heard your son suffers from a leg affliction?” An elder Censor stepped forward, questioning the Marquis.

With the topic opened, murmurs spread instantly among the assembly.

The Emperor did not stop them nor did he have the eunuchs intervene.

“I’ve heard he’s lame.”

“How could a cripple serve as vanguard?”

“They say the Annan Marquis’s daughter is blind.”

“Blind and lame, a perfect match!”

“Others form alliances of strength. What is this, an alliance of cripples?”

“Cripple-cripple union.”

“Ah, hahahaha…”

Many exchanged glances and burst into quiet laughter.

“…”

The Jing'an Marquis, hearing the low whispers and slanders, felt his vital essence churn with rage, fury flaring to his heart. He responded, a bit too loudly: “My son is fully recovered, and moreover, has gained strength through hardship and has entered the Organ-Refining stage!”

“I impeach the Jing'an Marquis for roaring in the imperial court, a breach of decorum before His Majesty.”

Lord Liu, robed in pale purple, cupped his hands and submitted the impeachment lightly.

“Your Majesty, I was momentarily overcome with urgency,” the Marquis quickly explained.

But seeing that the Emperor’s expression remained composed, even holding back a smile, he felt his heart settle.

“I impeach Liu Wenjue for accepting bribes. His son abducted a common girl; his steward lent at five-percent monthly interest and drove innocents to death…”

“You speak nonsense!”

Liu Wenjue was no feeble elder, he immediately countered, “I impeach the Jing'an Marquis for slander, and further for harboring treacherous intent, appointing a cripple as vanguard is tantamount to collusion with the enemy!”

The Jing'an Marquis was so enraged he nearly exploded: “Liu Wenjue, you go too far!”

“Before His Majesty today, let us both have our households searched, accounts reviewed, correspondence checked-”

“Dare you stake your life with me?!”

At those words, all murmurs ceased.

Everyone recoiled as if they had seen a ghost.

Even Liu Wenjue turned pale, his face changing drastically.

Was the Marquis mad, to risk everything over a mere vanguard post?

The Emperor raised his hand, easing the tension: “Enough. Do not hurl accusations at each other. Court is a place for discourse, not a fish market.”

“It is not a vegetable stall!”

“Since Lord Wen’s son has recovered, he may indeed serve as vanguard.”

Thereafter came the long process of confirming major policy directions, senior commanders, military supervisors, and the like.

No one dared provoke the Jing'an Marquis again.

Everyone feared death and even more, feared a madman who did not fear death.

The Emperor had spoken, let him take the advantage.

His son was merely being polished in the field for a few years. Guard a border, rotate back, and eventually inherit the title. That would be the path.

The court assembly continued until midday, dispersing as the sun reached its zenith.

Outside the hall, Liu Wenjue passed the Jing'an Marquis with a dark expression and muttered, “Lord Wen, I hear your second house died suddenly of illness. You should see a doctor yourself, perhaps have your head examined.”

The Marquis grinned as he stared at Liu Wenjue. “They say Lord Liu frequents Xianle Pavilion by night. Walk enough dark roads, and you'll meet ghosts. Careful not to misstep.”

Watching Liu Wenjue snort coldly and leave in a huff, the Jing'an Marquis let out a long breath.

Touching his back, he found it soaked through.

He too was left shaken.

It was precisely because he was timid that he enforced discipline at home.

But when it came to a real fight, who would suffer wasn’t yet certain.

Luckily, Liu Wenjue had backed down.

That one outburst had stunned countless civil officials.

Even now, the Jing'an Marquis’s heart was still pounding.

This time had been far too intense, ordinary men could never endure it.

(Chapter End)