Chapter 1456: Perfect Harmony

"Excellent." The Emperor looked to be in fine spirits; beaming, he turned his gaze toward the Prime Minister, the Yong State Duke Wang Zhaojing, who had remained silent all the while. "Prime Minister, I've finished with their matters. Now it's time to talk to you. What do you truly think of this concept?"

"I await Your Majesty's command," Wang Zhaojing answered reverently. "I am Your Majesty's assisting minister. So long as Your Majesty gives the order, I will but devote myself utterly to the task."

"Don't speak like that. Who in this world can be without fault? Even I, the Emperor, cannot be omniscient and omnipotent. I still need you all to serve as my eyes, ears, hands, and feet, to handle affairs well on my behalf. If every matter were decided by me alone while you merely carried them out, how could I possibly govern the realm well?" The Emperor feigned displeasure, but was in truth encouraging him. "I know that as Chief Minister, you now have many eyes watching you from below. So every word you speak and every move you make, you must look here and look there, unable to speak freely. I understand all of this. But do not let so many misgivings hold you back. Since I have made you my assisting minister, that means I trust your ability. You need only voice your deeply considered opinions, and I will listen to them all."

"I thank Your Majesty!" The Emperor's words were indeed encouraging and imbued with trust, and they also subtly underscored the Prime Minister's position as the foremost assisting minister, signaling that he had absolutely no intention of shaking the Prime Minister's standing. Wang Zhaojing's spirits were thus lifted. "I have heard Your Majesty's plan to attack Japan. I have already understood the reasoning and am in full agreement. I only hope this campaign will proceed smoothly in every respect and will not affect the court's plans elsewhere."

"That is exactly what I think, which is why I need your help." The Emperor, standing one step higher, still regarded him. Though he was looking down, his expression was exceedingly genial. "The court's foreign affairs are now your responsibility. Without your cooperation, this expedition would be hard-pressed to achieve a satisfactory outcome."

Because the country had been waging internal unification wars year after year, diplomatic work had never been placed among the highest-priority affairs for the Great Han court. Thus, within the cabinet there was still no minister specifically responsible for foreign relations; it was handled solely by the Foreign Affairs Department under the Prime Minister's Office. But since they were now planning an offensive against Japan, some diplomatic work had to be undertaken. This responsibility was far too weighty, and could only be shouldered by the Prime Minister alone.

"Having received Your Majesty's trust and been given such a momentous responsibility, I shall gladly give my all to relieve my sovereign's worries." The Prime Minister immediately rose and reverently accepted the order from the Emperor. "Once I return, I will certainly deliberate carefully with Kong Zhang and the others to swiftly devise a sound approach."

"Mm. You must give this matter your close attention in the coming days." The Emperor nodded. "I have heard that the country of Japan is now effectively controlled by the Seii Taishogun and his bakufu. Its monarch is constrained by the general and holds no real power, and the various regional daimyo all lean on their own troops and harbor treacherous designs… Clearly, the high and low there are not of one mind, and much can be exploited in that. Since this time we seek only a swift war and a swift resolution, we must make good use of these advantages and compel Japan's power-holders to agree to all our terms."

"I understand." Wang Zhaojing bowed once more. "I will discuss the appropriate strategy with Kong Zhang and ensure we do not let the opportune moment slip."

"Since everything is understood, good. I have already told you all what needs to be done next. Remember to make preparations as quickly as possible!" The Emperor let out a long breath, then waved his hand emphatically. "Official business is concluded for today. You will all stay and share a meal with me, and meet Zhao Song while you're at it."

"Zhao Song is already here?" The three high ministers were slightly startled inwardly, and their expressions grew solemn at once.

Before he had even spoken to them about this matter, the Emperor had already summoned Zhao Song. Clearly his resolve was set and he would not turn back. They all secretly felt relieved that they had not questioned or opposed the Emperor's decision, but had merely offered some supplementary suggestions.

Before they could react, the Emperor waved to the clerk in the corner, beckoning him over. The clerk walked smartly to the foot of the raised dais, then with the utmost reverence lifted the record book in his hands and passed it up to the Emperor.

The Emperor reached down and took the record book, then flipped through it rapidly, page by page. During such imperial conferences, the Emperor often reviewed the records afterward, so no one found this surprising.

"Good, not bad. You've put care into this." After quickly leafing through it, the Emperor offered a word of praise, then handed the record back to the young clerk. "Later, make three copies of this record and deliver them to these three ministers. Remember, you are to copy it alone — do not let it pass through anyone else's hands!"

"I thank Your Majesty! I obey the decree!" The young clerk was overwhelmed by the unexpected favor, his face flushing slightly from excitement. He hastily knelt to express his gratitude, then rose, took the record book, and placed it inside his robes.

"Alright, we've discussed what we needed to discuss today. Let us go have something to eat. Whoever brings up state affairs at the table shall be fined three cups of wine!" The Emperor rose, then smiled and waved his hand again, leading the way out of the council hall. "Let's go!"

The other high ministers hastily fell in behind him.

Because of the Emperor's specific instructions, the imperial chefs had long since prepared the meal for these several people, and during the state council meeting they had reheated it every quarter-hour so that the Emperor and his high ministers could dine at any time.

The high ministers were all people who had come to the military camp many times for audiences and had stayed to eat on quite a few occasions, so they showed no awkwardness. However, the Emperor had never cared for extravagance, and the conditions in the military camp were after all spartan, so the food here was not particularly fine — just wine and meat, not necessarily better than what these high ministers ate in their daily lives. Still, to share a meal with the Emperor was an immense honor, and that honor naturally outweighed any discomfort with the fare.

As soon as they reached the dining table, the three high ministers saw Zhao Song already seated, and all greeted him with beaming smiles. Zhao Song, overwhelmed by the attention, returned their salutations one by one.

Since they were both military ministers, Marshal Shi Manqiang sat down right beside him as soon as he arrived, then raised a large hand and clapped Zhao Song heavily on the shoulder. "You've done well, lad — growing sturdier by the day! Your time in Liaodong wasn't wasted!"

"Marshal, in Liaodong I was crawling through mountain gullies every day, and sometimes had to eat meat in the snow. It'd be hard not to get stout under those conditions," Zhao Song replied with a laugh. "If I hadn't been summoned back this time, I'd probably have put on a few dozen more jin…"

"Fighting for the nation among the white mountains and black waters — Brigade Commander, you are a true stalwart!" The Marquis of Pingyuan, Chen Hong, also chimed in with a smile. "But you should still take good care of your health. There will be many more opportunities for the nation to call upon your service…"

"Thank you for the guidance, my lord!" Zhao Song promptly smiled and thanked him.

"Well then, Zhao Song, you have toiled these many years, and the court's bestowal of an earldom upon you is something you've earned through real combat." At this point Wang Zhaojing also spoke up. "However, when fortune smiles on you, you must never grow frivolous or rash. What the court needs are steady, practical pillars — not men who get drunk on success. The court dares not entrust great responsibilities to such men. Remember this well!"

"Zhao Song understands. Thank you, Prime Minister!" Zhao Song hastily bowed his head to him with solemnity.

He knew in his heart that these men had likely learned during the preceding imperial conference of the Emperor's intention to use him as the commanding general for the attack on Japan. So now, one encouraging him and another admonishing him, they were all hoping he would not fail the Emperor's weighty trust.

"Enough. Didn't we all agree just now? Still talking state affairs at the table?" At that moment the Emperor also walked in, then sat directly at the head of the dining table and cast a seemingly displeased glance around at everyone. "Alright, there's nothing more to say about such matters. Everyone, just enjoy the meal first!"

With that, he picked up the wine cup beside him and raised it to his chest. "Drink!"

"Cheers!" The several ministers hastily raised their cups as well.

This was a private banquet within the military camp, and no one stood much on ceremony, so the formalities were not so strict. They raised their cups and drank along with the Emperor. As the mellow, fiery liquor entered their bellies, it was as if a flame had ignited in their stomachs. The chill that had seeped into their bodies quickly vanished, and their spirits were roused anew.

Nevertheless, with official duties still at hand, no one drank heavily, nor did anyone press others to drink; each merely had a few cups. As they drank, they chatted. The Emperor and the two civil ministers listened to Shi Manqiang and Zhao Song recount the strange and remarkable things they had seen over the years beyond the passes and in the Sichuan Basin, occasionally breaking into loud laughter, which filled the private banquet with warmth and cheer.

The luncheon did not end until early afternoon. The high ministers then departed one by one, returning to their respective offices, while the two military ministers, Shi Manqiang and Zhao Song, were led by attendants to a certain room within the camp to rest.

After the banquet, however, the Emperor did not go to rest. Instead, he perused the memorials sent in from various regions. His spirits were quite good, his abundant energy seemingly inexhaustible.

When the afternoon came, he finally lifted his head from the pile of documents before him and looked at the middle-aged attendant beside him.

"Go. Summon the Crown Prince."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The attendant immediately bowed in acknowledgment, then turned and left.

Under the Emperor's command, a messenger swiftly rode a fast horse out of the military camp, galloping toward the walls of the capital a few li away, soon vanishing into the vast white snow.

The Emperor had no love for empty splendor. Though the realm was now largely settled, he was unwilling to dwell behind high walls and deep palaces, preferring to live in the military camp. And under his instruction by word and deed, after the Crown Prince moved from Xuzhou to Beijing, he too was unwilling to reside in the former Ming imperial palace or the mansions of great houses to live in comfort, but instead took the initiative to request a life of simplicity like his father. At his request, the Emperor arranged for the Crown Prince to stay in a small courtyard not far from the military camp. The father and son's shared disdain for ostentation filled all those across the land who were still watching and waiting with heartfelt admiration, making them feel that the Zhao family's rise to seize the realm had indeed not relied on mere luck.