Chapter 281: The Secret Pavilion

The Emperor's final stance brought a sense of relieved gratitude to many.

How could they not be relieved?

Ever since the First Emperor created the institution of the emperor, one undeniable fact was that China's upper political ecology could only be built around imperial power. In theory, the emperor held control and disposal rights over all matters under heaven, the final interpretive authority over all legal principles, and the decisive power over all political opinions...

In theory, an emperor possessed unlimited power.

In practice, this was a society of imperial power.

However, as history repeated itself time and again, dynasties cycled through succession, and China's elite were no fools. They naturally distilled from historical experience some tacit materialist theories—for instance, that the emperor was always a living, breathing person, and as a person, he had joys, angers, sorrows, pleasures, likes, dislikes, and desires.

More importantly, these emperors, due to their uneven personal qualities, displayed vast differences in how they wielded their power.

There was Emperor Yang of Sui, and also Emperor Taizong of Tang; there was Emperor Hui of Jin, and also Emperor Shizu of Han; there was Emperor Gong of Zhou, and also Emperor Taizu of Song... And one fact everyone had to acknowledge was that the Zhao Song imperial line had passed down through ten generations. When it came to the current Emperor, he was, by semi-common consensus, a restorationist ruler—at the very least, not someone to be bullied.

Du Chong and Liu Guangshi were killed as soon as he said so, and the army was held tightly in his grip.

Facing such an emperor, to be fair, anyone who secretly hoped for peace negotiations—from the bureaucracy to the common people—felt a certain unease... because if things truly flared up, they might not end well.

But fortunately, this Emperor, for the sake of the overall situation and popular sentiment, made a proper choice.

Of course, the notion that the Great Song could negotiate peace but he chose not to inevitably seemed a bit like plugging one's ears while stealing a bell.

Yet, on the other hand, whether it was plugging one's ears or not, whether the matter might reverse course or not, this issue concerning the overall situation under heaven had finally been given a statement.

Thus, several days passed in the blink of an eye. April ended, and May arrived. On this day, atop the Secret Pavilion in the central hall of the Chongwen Institute (where the Song dynasty stored authentic books, calligraphy, paintings, and documents), the Grand Councilor Lu Haowen, the Chief Councilor of the Secretariat Zhao Ding, and the Privy Councilor Zhang Jun once again convened a routine meeting. All five councilors, six ministers, six vice ministers, one censor-in-chief, nine chamberlains, and five directors were present, but the meeting was not expanded further downward.

The reason it was called "routine" was that since that day, the Emperor had spoken no further words, made no appearances, and had not engaged in his usual practice of summoning officials to meet by the fish pond. All memorials sent to the inner palace were basically turned around and sent back after a brief stop at the Eunuch Directorate and the Inner Drafting Office... Theoretically, this meant the Emperor had seen them, but in reality, everyone knew the Emperor had not looked at them at all.

In Lan Gui's own words, the Emperor had said that before the return of the Two Sages, all court affairs would be handled solely through joint deliberation by the chief ministers.

However, while the status of the Great Song's chief ministers was beyond doubt, at this sensitive time, even the chief ministers did not dare to act arbitrarily. So they simply held a daily meeting in the Secret Pavilion to discuss the overall situation, thereby demonstrating their impartiality.

One could only say that Wanyan Xiyin's thorough ransacking of the Great Song's Secret Pavilion had indeed made the place much more spacious, providing a natural venue for meetings.

"As I've said before, since His Majesty is not appearing, we must do our utmost to see this matter through from start to finish." On the third floor of the Secret Pavilion, the three men with decision-making authority—Lu, Zhao, and Zhang—sat silently as usual, while Vice Chief Councilor of the Secretariat Liu Ji rose to preside. "First, the urgent matter: how is the Court of State Ceremonial progressing?"

Director of the Court of State Ceremonial Zhai Ruwen did not step forward to bow, nor did he move from his seat. He replied directly from where he sat: "Considerable progress. The Jin people indeed have sincere intentions for peace. They will return the Two Sages, the Empress Dowager, all the Imperial Princes, and the captives—"

"There are no Imperial Princes. What Imperial Princes?" Liu Ji interrupted him sternly before he could finish. "Since the Abdicated Sage ascended the throne, and then the current Emperor succeeded, all the sons of the Supreme Daoist Emperor have merely been imperial clansmen. Even the son born to the Abdicated Sage is just an ordinary imperial clansman!"

Zhai Ruwen, far from being angered by Liu Ji's public rebuke, instead became solemn: "Indeed, this official was negligent. Under the Two Sages and the two Empresses Dowager, the imperial clansmen and nobles..."

"Hold on." Lu Haowen, who had been sitting silently and gloomily, suddenly frowned and spoke. "How can it be two Empresses Dowager? Shouldn't it be three?"

The people around were momentarily startled, but quickly fell into solemn silence, clearly already aware of the situation. Since Lu Haowen only attended meetings and did not permanently reside at the Chongwen Institute, he had learned some details a bit late.

Zhai Ruwen was also momentarily startled, but immediately explained seriously: "The Jin envoy Wulinda Zanmo informed us that Empress Zhu (Empress of Song Qinzong) passed away in Wuguocheng the year before last."

Lu Haowen was momentarily dejected... Among the captured Two Sages, he actually had little affection for the Supreme Daoist Emperor. But he had been appreciated by the Abdicated Sage, who had quickly promoted him to Censor-in-Chief and Minister of War. He still felt some sense of ruler-minister gratitude toward the Abdicated Sage and his consort. Hearing of Empress Zhu's death, he was naturally saddened.

Seeing that Lu Haowen had stopped speaking, Zhai Ruwen was finally able to continue, but his words became more cautious: "Wulinda Zanmo's meaning is that returning the captives other than the Two Sages and the imperial clansmen was originally a predetermined matter. The Jin state should already be doing this now. As for the delay in returning the Two Sages and the imperial clansmen, it is not because the Jin state is unwilling. On the contrary, the Jin side was worried that His Majesty, out of personal motives, might not want the Two Sages and the imperial clansmen to return south. So they deliberately catered to His Majesty's wishes... Now that His Majesty has explicitly demanded their return, this matter is actually not a major obstacle. However, since it exceeds their expectations to return them all before negotiating peace, they will likely need to exchange correspondence between Yanjing and Bianjing before giving a formal reply. As for the matter of the five commanderies east of the capital, he naturally made excuses, saying we were insatiably greedy, but he did not completely shut the door. In this official's view, he is also waiting for formal word from Yanjing."

As Zhai Ruwen roughly outlined the progress of contact with the Jin envoy, a silence fell over the Secret Pavilion for a while.

The silence had two causes. One was the unexpected straightforwardness of the Jin—they had agreed so readily to the unconditional return of the Two Sages. The other was that some topics were too sensitive for these ministers to discuss.

Honestly, talk about deliberately leaving the Two Sages and the imperial clansmen behind at first to cater to His Majesty's personal motives... As ministers, could they discuss such things? But the Jin side simply refused to gloss things over, laying everything bare. Trying to avoid the issue was just self-deception.

"So it seems the matter of welcoming back the Two Sages should be without issue?" Zhao Ding spoke helplessly, then turned to look at Minister of Rites Zhu Shengfei. "If the Two Sages return south, what protocol should be used to receive them? And how should they be settled? Does the Ministry of Rites have any opinion?"

"The Ministry of Rites has no opinion." Zhu Shengfei spread his hands with a dark face. "There is no precedent for this matter. I ask the councilors to provide a ruling."

Zhao Ding and the other councilors suddenly realized for the first time how annoying Zhu Shengfei could be?!

"Both are honored as Retired Emperors, and there are also the two Empresses Dowager, Zheng and Wei. That makes four honored positions..." Zhao Ding reluctantly continued this topic, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he realized Zhu Shengfei truly could not have an opinion, because no one could have an opinion.

Not to mention other things, these four people, plus the Yuanyou Empress Dowager in Yangzhou, were theoretically all above His Majesty, and in practice only below him. How exactly should they be settled?

The Yuanyou Empress Dowager had a detached palace in Yangzhou, but would you dare let the Two Sages escape His Majesty's surveillance?

But if these two, plus the two Empresses Dowager, were to stay in the same city as His Majesty—the Genyue was already ruined, the imperial garden had been dug up for a fish pond, the spacious Yanfu Palace had had three-tenths of it allocated to the Military Academy, the Secretariat and Privy Council had moved into the palace—how many palaces were still usable? Could they really be given just a side hall?

And with His Majesty being so frugal, what standard should be used to settle these four?

Of course, the most critical point was that whether it was a side hall or a Daoist temple, without the nod of the Zhao Emperor by the fish pond, who could make the decision?

"What about Yanfu Palace?" After thinking for half a day, Zhao Ding gritted his teeth and consulted the others. "Most of Yanfu Palace is sitting idle. Let's clean it out first and use it as a preliminary plan to receive the imperial carriage. When the Two Sages return, His Majesty will eventually have to show his face. If His Majesty has other arrangements, we can ask him then."

The other councilors exchanged glances, then reluctantly nodded together, and all looked at Zhu Shengfei.

Zhu Shengfei also sighed upon hearing this, and could only throw up his hands: "Whatever the councilors say goes."

Zhao Ding and the others found this man increasingly annoying!

"If Yanfu Palace is to be used to settle the Two Sages and the two Empresses Dowager... should the Military Academy be moved out?" At this moment, Zhang Jie, the Acting Director of the Palace Directorate, suddenly spoke up.

However, this remark only drew angry glares from the councilors. Then Minister of Justice Wang Shu sneered: "It is precisely because the Military Academy is there that Yanfu Palace is suitable for use. Where is there any intention to take it back?"

Zhang Jie suddenly understood, but his face flushed bright red.

The councilors then turned their angry glares toward Wang Shu, but Wang Shu remained proudly disdainful.

"Does the Court of State Ceremonial have anything else to report?" After glaring, Liu Ji quickly pressed Zhai Ruwen again.

Zhai Ruwen hesitated, but still spoke cautiously: "There is an imperial clansman..."

Everyone frowned in unison, all thinking that another son of the Supreme Daoist Emperor had been confirmed dead. Liu Ji urged helplessly: "Who?"

"Prince Xin." Zhai Ruwen replied carefully. "It is said that Prince Xin is still alive in Wuguocheng."

The officials in the Secret Pavilion were all puzzled at first, then suddenly understood, and then all became solemn.

"This is a negotiating tactic, a scheme to get the dynasty to abandon the Taihang Righteous Army." Zhao Ding immediately said with a stern expression. "Without seeing Prince Xin return with the Two Sages, this statement cannot be trusted, nor can it be spread."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Is there anything else?" Liu Ji asked helplessly again.

"No." Zhai Ruwen quickly shook his head.

"Alright, today's news from the Court of State Ceremonial can be handled like this for now. The rest will have to wait for further information..." Seeing this, Liu Ji concluded helplessly. "Guest Minister Zhai (an alternate title for the Director of the Court of State Ceremonial), continue your discussions with Wulinda Zanmo. Not a single one of the conditions His Majesty stated can be altered."

Zhai Ruwen bowed again in acknowledgment.

"Does anyone have other difficult matters?" After giving his instructions, Liu Ji turned to the others.

"Aside from the peace negotiations, what other difficult matters are there right now?" Minister of Personnel Liu Dazhong spoke with emotion, cupping his hands toward the councilors above. "Councilors, are you really not going to do something about Hu Quan? In the official gazette, he called us 'treacherous villains,' said that we, 'to privately secure our positions as councilors, ministers, and vice ministers,' were 'leading His Majesty, who has the qualities of Yao and Shun, down the path of Shi Jin (Shi Jingtang's Later Jin).' He practically said we all deserve to be executed! What is this all about?"

After Liu Dazhong finished speaking, the several chief councilors and the dozen or so other ministers in the Secret Pavilion all sighed in unison.

To be honest, among the officials, while many agreed with peace negotiations and quite a few silently went along, it could not be ignored that there were also many who strongly opposed peace.

Previously, when His Majesty Zhao Jiu had been single-mindedly advocating war, the clamor below for peace had been so intense that the war faction seemed unable to withstand it for a time. But once His Majesty dropped the matter and the court truly began peace talks, these war advocates became the opposition, and their clamor was equally intense.

In recent days, the various councilors, forced to bridge the gap between higher and lower levels, had to conceal their original positions and strive to maintain the overall situation. Below the councilors, three major representatives of the war faction had already emerged. In the Secret Pavilion, Minister of Justice Wang Shu was the most prominent war advocate, representing the upper-level officials. Among middle and lower-level officials, there were also many, especially the young Hu Quan, who was most active in the official gazette, having just yesterday shouted the slogan "Behead those who advocate peace." As for the common people, an unexpected war advocate had also appeared—Hu Anguo, the father of Hu Yin.

This great scholar's reasoning was somewhat similar to His Majesty Zhao Jiu's—once peace was made, the momentum of the Jianyan Restoration would be broken, impossible to revive, and if they wanted to fight again later, they might not be able to muster it.

Faced with this situation, as high ministers of state, they still had to act as before—so-called "maintain the overall situation as much as possible, and don't let anyone overturn the table."

"We cannot deal with Hu Quan," Zhao Ding said after thinking for a long time, steeling himself to reply. "If we deal with Hu Quan now, we will be seen as acting out of personal spite... You must understand, this peace negotiation is only to welcome back the Two Emperors, recover Jingdong, and allow for a brief period of recuperation. It is not truly about abandoning the Two Rivers and seeking comfort from then on!"

Liu Dazhong shook his head repeatedly.

At this point, as if remembering something, Zhao Ding looked back at Zhai Ruwen: "Guest Minister Zhai, do not even mention the matter of a 'brotherly state,' do not even discuss it. If we confirm this 'brotherly state' now, how can we fight again in the future?"

Zhai Ruwen bowed his head in response and couldn't help but sigh.

And at that moment, Privy Councilor Zhang Jun, who had been mostly silent, also sighed: "All of you are sighing one after another. Do you have any idea how difficult things are for me in the Privy Council? I don't even know how I should respond if Yue Pengju sends a memorial from the front lines questioning us."

Liu Dazhong flicked his sleeve in response: "Yue Fei can send a secret memorial to inquire of His Majesty! Why should we worry about it?!"

"How can matters of state and military be handled so arrogantly?" As soon as Minister of Personnel Liu Dazhong finished speaking, his subordinate, Vice Minister of Personnel Lu Zhi, sneered in response. "We've only had a few years of peace, and you already treat military affairs as nothing? Yue Pengju's Forward Army of the Imperial Guard is mostly made up of refugees from Hebei, and Li Qiong and the Eight-Character Army he currently leads around Dongjingcheng are also refugees from Hebei. If a mutiny breaks out, who will take responsibility?! His Majesty entrusted this matter to you gentlemen in the Secret Pavilion, and this is how you spend your days—sighing and complaining?"

When these words were spoken, Liu Dazhong and the others naturally erupted in anger, and Zhao Ding also felt a surge of frustration. This kind of behavior—offering no solutions, only opposition and mockery—was the most detestable conduct in the eyes of the chief councilors, who were seeking stability.

"This matter cannot be ignored," Zhao Ding said, suppressing his distaste and, out of necessity, speaking seriously before Liu Dazhong could lose his temper. "And we must respond quickly... Minister Hu, what do you have to say?"

Minister of War Hu Shijiang stepped forward solemnly amid Lu Zhi's complex gaze and replied seriously: "Councilors and colleagues, I believe we can send a high-ranking official to be stationed in Li Qiong's army to pacify them, stating clearly that the court has no intention of abandoning the Two Rivers... As for Yue Fei, it might be better to take the expedient measure of temporarily cutting off his information and not telling him about the peace talks... If His Majesty wishes to tell him, he will naturally do so. We should not meddle here."

"Let it be done!" Zhao Ding made the decision sternly. "Who will go to Li Qiong's army?"

Hu Shijiang clasped his hands in salute: "I am duty-bound to go."

Zhao Ding nodded and was about to give his approval, but at that moment, a sudden commotion erupted outside the Secret Pavilion window, as if a crowd had gathered and was shouting. Like the others, the Chief Councilor of the Department of State Affairs was startled.

Minister of Revenue Lin Qi and Imperial Clan Court Director Zhao Shi, the Imperial Uncle, who had been feigning sleep, were closest to the window. They instinctively leaned out to look, but unexpectedly, a boot came flying from two floors below, smashing into the Imperial Uncle's nose and drawing blood, then bouncing off Minister Lin's face. Both of them crouched down, clutching their faces in pain.

Naturally, all the high-ranking ministers on the third floor of the Secret Pavilion were alarmed.

By now, the noise was growing louder. Many words, coming from two floors below, could not be concealed. Before those upstairs could go to the aid of the two injured men, they already knew what was happening below.

Soon, the duty officer hurried upstairs and confirmed what was happening below—a group of middle- and low-ranking officials from the Department of State Affairs, the Privy Council, the Six Ministries, the Nine Courts, and the Five Directorates seemed to have prearranged this. They had suddenly surged out during the Secret Pavilion meeting, dozens of them, demanding to see the high ministers in the Secret Pavilion and ask them some questions face-to-face!

Everyone felt uneasy at this, and there was some panic. But it wasn't over. Soon, another duty officer rushed in, reporting in panic that over a hundred Imperial Academy students had gathered on the Imperial Way at Xuan'de Tower, riding in donkey carts, intending to submit a public memorial.

At this, the Secret Pavilion erupted in an uproar... After all, even the youngest among them had lived through the Jingkang era. How could they not recognize this as a replay of the Jingkang scene?!

Back then, the Jin army was conquering territory, the court was divided between war and peace advocates, ministers argued endlessly, forming a split, and scholars and Imperial Academy students also submitted public memorials. That political chaos directly led to Yuansheng Emperor reigning for barely over a year, during which twenty-six chief councilors were replaced, and the number of ministers, vice ministers, and court directors from the Six Ministries, Nine Courts, and Five Directorates was countless.

"Is this His Majesty's doing?" Listening to the growing clamor below, Imperial Censor Li Guang, supporting Minister of Revenue Lin Qi, who was still covering his face, couldn't help but speak out in frustration. "Retreat in order to advance? Why must His Majesty resort to such stratagems?"

At these words, the Secret Pavilion fell into dead silence.

"It's not His Majesty!"

"This is not a ploy by His Majesty!"

"It couldn't be His Majesty."

After a moment, Lu Haowen, Zhao Ding, and Zhang Jun almost simultaneously denied it.

But the difference among the three was that Lu Haowen fell silent after speaking, his expression turning sorrowful; Zhang Jun shook his head repeatedly, lost in thought; while Zhao Ding gritted his teeth and gave orders—telling the duty officers to go downstairs and have the people below select a representative to come up and speak, and also telling Chen Gongfu, the Director of the Imperial Academy, who had been perfunctorily attending the Secret Pavilion meeting, to hurry to Xuan'de Tower to receive the memorial from the Imperial Academy students.

With these words and instructions, order was largely restored in the Secret Pavilion. By the time the commotion downstairs had settled and the representative of the middle- and low-ranking officials came upstairs, the high ministers in the Secret Pavilion were already on full alert.

"Chen Kangbo, how is it you?"

Zhao Ding, sitting in his seat, was momentarily stunned to see that the official representative who had come up was actually Chen Kangbo, one of his right-hand men, a Left Director in the Department of State Affairs. "You are usually calm, prudent, and sharp-witted in the Department, never uttering a reckless word. How could you get involved in this?"

"Let me inform you, Councilor, that the reason I never utter a reckless word on ordinary days is precisely so that I can speak with conviction and be believed at a time like this," Chen Kangbo replied, clasping his hands in salute, without any sign of panic. He was also in his thirties, the same age as Zhang Jun, but had entered officialdom a few years later. "Councilor Zhao, I represent seventy-three officials from the Department of State Affairs, the Privy Council, the Six Ministries, the Nine Courts, and the Five Directorates. We have 'concerns' to express to you, our superiors, and 'doubts' to ask of you... May I speak?"

Zhao Ding sighed, but nodded in response before several high officials, their faces flushed with anger, could speak: "Speak."

"We seventy-three officials, along with one hundred and twenty-five Imperial Academy students, all oppose the peace negotiations," Chen Kangbo stated his purpose directly, then elaborated. "First, we are concerned about repeating the story of the Later Jin (Shi Jingtang's Later Jin)..."

"That won't happen," Minister of Rites Zhu Shengfei interrupted, jumping up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, before Zhao Ding could speak. "Our dynasty will not concede even the slightest ceremonial point to the Jin. We won't even agree to a 'brotherly state'... Director Chen, you are not the only ones who know 'stories.' We know them too."

Chen Kangbo gave a slight nod to Zhu Shengfei, then turned back and continued: "Second, we are concerned that the court will abandon the people of the Two Rivers. Third, we are concerned that the court will forget the shame of Jingkang... These are the three concerns."

"That won't happen," Zhao Ding sighed, quickly replying seriously. "Don't forget, I am from Hedong myself... This peace negotiation is only to take the opportunity to welcome back the Two Emperors and recover Jingdong, and to allow for a brief period of recuperation. There is no intention of permanent peace. After three to five years of recuperation, when military funds are sufficient, we will certainly launch a northern expedition."

"Then, with those two concerns resolved, there are two new concerns," Chen Kangbo listened carefully, then unhurriedly continued, clasping his hands. "Councilor, the Jingkang incident, the Two Emperors' northern captivity, is unprecedented. The shame of a great nation can only be washed away with arms. Therefore, even if we welcome back the Two Emperors, it should be done through arms. If we welcome them back through peace negotiations, are you not afraid of being ridiculed?"

Zhao Ding was momentarily at a loss for words, but Zhang Jun interjected: "Director Chen, you worry too much. The fact that the Two Emperors can return this time is the result of His Majesty's victory at Yaoshan. It can already be considered a return through arms... The Jin's initiative to negotiate peace is clear proof. Who would dare to mock us?"

Chen Kangbo nodded, but continued: "If that is so, why not continue to respond with arms? You must understand that our final concern is that a sudden peace negotiation will cause the people's morale and the army's spirit to be completely lost... If we covet the benefits of Jingdong and the Two Emperors today and agree to peace, how will we explain ourselves to the righteous armies and people of the Two Rivers? And a few years later, when people's hearts have grown accustomed to peace and the army's spirit is lost, what if the northern expedition cannot be carried out? Who will take responsibility? If..."

"I will take responsibility!" At this point, while the councilors were still deliberating, Imperial Censor Li Guang, who could no longer bear to listen, suddenly shouted sternly from his seat. "You can tell the world that if we cannot launch a northern expedition in three to five years, I will dash my head against Xuan'de Tower to restore the nation's vigor!"

"But if you die, Imperial Censor Li, and the nation's vigor still cannot be restored, and the northern expedition still cannot be launched, or if it fails... what then?" Chen Kangbo was completely unfazed by the fact that he was addressing the Imperial Censor, who held the power of oversight.

"Do you want me to dash my head against the wall right now to prove my integrity?!" Li Guang, reminded of the mockery he had faced before the throne that day, was utterly enraged by the almost identical words. "After so much chaos, doesn't the nation need to recuperate? The hearts of the people in the Two Rivers are hearts, but are the lives of the people in Jingdong not lives?! Are you young people the only ones loyal to the sovereign and patriotic, while we are all muddle-headed traitors and selfish thieves?!"

Li Guang's words immediately drew sighs of sympathy from many high ministers... There were many peace advocates among them, and most felt indignant for Li Guang. Even the councilors and high ministers who advocated war actually believed in Li Guang's personal integrity, and they sighed in sympathy.

"I did not say that," Chen Kangbo replied calmly, continuing to clasp his hands. "I came here to speak for many people, and there is no need for you, Imperial Censor Li, to bear such a heavy burden alone."

"Indeed," Zhang Jun, who was sensitive to the word "young," also coughed dryly, then urged Chen Kangbo. "Director Chen, we have heard the concerns of the people downstairs, whatever they may be. What are these 'doubts'? Continue."

"Yes," Chen Kangbo gave a slight bow to the Privy Councilor, who was his own age, then continued calmly. "As for the doubts, there are actually only two. First, with this peace negotiation, how will we pacify the units in the Imperial Guard army that are mostly made up of refugees from Hebei? If this is not handled properly and a mutiny breaks out, what will we do?"

"We have already discussed this. Minister Hu of the Ministry of War is going to see Vice Commander-in-Chief Li Qiong," Chen Gui finally interjected. "The Privy Council is also preparing to make some deployments as a precaution."

Chen Kangbo nodded, then hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke seriously: "The final 'doubt'... May I ask the councilors, ministers, vice ministers, and court directors: Is His Majesty well?"

The entire pavilion fell silent.

After a long pause, Zhao Ding let out a soft sigh: "What exactly do you take us for?"

"We know it sounds absurd, but this time, the Imperial Academy students and our colleagues have united. We want to see His Majesty's countenance directly, or at the very least, see a memorial personally approved by His Majesty," Chen Kangbo replied boldly.

"And if you see it? It will only make things more difficult for His Majesty," Zhao Ding said earnestly. "Director Chen, do you truly believe that we can cut off all communication between inside and outside? Or do you truly believe that the pro-peace political tide His Majesty faced before had fewer people than you? Even within this Secret Pavilion, among the councilors and ministers, there are those who advocate war. But we all keep the overall situation in mind, perform our duties, and fulfill our responsibilities!"

"We understand everything you say, Councilor Zhao," Chen Kangbo replied, neither humble nor arrogant, but raising his voice. "But our action today is simply to let His Majesty know that there are still some young, ignorant people in this world who do not understand the big picture, but who, with nothing but reckless passion, are willing to follow His Majesty and fight the Jin to the end... rather than all civil officials being so thoughtful, cautious, and perfectionistic that they only think of the old system of 'abundance and prosperity.'"

In the Secret Pavilion, from Lu Haowen down to Zhao Ding, Zhang Jun, Liu Ji, Chen Gui, Li Guang, Liu Dazhong, Wang Shu, Zhu Shengfei, Hu Shijiang, Lin Qi, Liang Yangzu, Lu Zhi, Zhai Ruwen... and even Imperial Clan Court Director Zhao Shi, whose nose had just dried of blood, all stared at this man, each silent, yet each with a different expression.

Some sighed, some laughed, some raged, some grieved, but most simply watched with solemn attention.

After another long pause, Zhao Ding finally composed himself, then slowly nodded: "I understand. I will go and invite Lord Lan over right away. Physician... please wait a moment!"

PS: The Six Spirit Foxes have appeared!