Chapter 573: Setting the Tone

Chapter 573: Chapter 573: Setting the Tone

August 17th, overcast.

The oppressive heat enveloped the entire Imperial City; even the old dogs on the roadside hung their heads limply under the trees, unwilling to move. Only those rushing for their livelihoods braved it all, still laboring as sweat poured down their faces.

The waiters at the restaurants on both sides of Junhou Street kept darting outside to look around. Nearly every establishment did the same, puzzled as to why, even though it was almost seven p.m. after the Great Court Assembly, the distinguished officials had yet to emerge. Normally, after each Great Court Assembly, those officials would gather in small groups at the street-side taverns to drink a few cups. At such times, every restaurant would prepare delicate dishes in advance, exclusively offered for the officials.

Why had the palace gates not opened till now?

The waiters merely grumbled inwardly, worried the carefully prepared dishes in the back kitchen would go unsold. But in truth, it was those coveted officials themselves who were truly troubled.

In the Ten Thousand People’s Palace, ranks stood in perfect order; every face was solemn, whether military or civil servant alike.

When Zuo Yuliang’s urgent plea to grant the War Opening Token was announced in the Great Court Assembly as a Red Feather Urgent Report, most unprepared ministers in the hall were stunned.

Is war upon us?!

Many with military positions had only just heard the news themselves, so their emotions were especially charged—they kneeled, faces flushed and neck veins bulging, begging to fight. Some even declared themselves willing to give up lucrative posts and ranks, simply to serve at the Southern Border Army. Even as a Decurion, as long as they could wield a blade on the battlefield, that would suffice.

Moreover, all understood: in today’s Great Court Assembly, such a Red Feather Urgent Report of utmost urgency called for the Emperor’s immediate verdict. If the Emperor agreed to open the War Token, Zuo Yuliang would have full authority—then the Southern Border Army would wage war with all its might, refusing to relent short of victory.

Conversely, if the Emperor refused Zuo Yuliang’s request, it would mean the Dynasty’s subsequent strategy would be contraction and defense, eschewing direct confrontation with the Barbarian Race. At least for now, the troops stationed in Barbarian Territory would rapidly withdraw. Afterwards, even the prospect commonly known as "negotiation" might follow.

That was why those holding military positions reacted so fiercely. They could endure being suppressed by the Civil Servant Group, and having the Ministry of War indirectly controlled by the Emperor, but they could never agree to a weak, defensive strategy when holding absolute advantage against outsiders; that would be a disgrace for any soldier.

Military officials were riled up, but the civil officials’ reactions were equally intense, as if they had stepped on a sore spot.

The Civil Servants, led by Left Minister Ye Lansheng, were eloquent; they painted Zuo Yuliang’s request as a monstrous threat—not merely unwise, but as if the Emperor’s consent to open the War Token would mark the Jingjiu Dynasty’s demise within three years. The listeners felt chills down their spines.

The Emperor, seated upright at the head of the grand hall, remained silent as a statue, until after both sides had argued for a long time. Then he suddenly raised his hand and said, "Bai Changqing, I recall the Ministry of Revenue’s last quarter surplus was quite good; the official granaries everywhere are filled to ninety percent, and as for the garrison’s grain stores, they recently cycled out old stocks, so they should be full as well, yes?"

To wage war, the Ministry of Revenue is one foundation: how much silver, how much grain, how much material reserves are available—all determine the course of a large-scale conflict. Thus, the Emperor did not state his position directly, but hit at the very core.

Bai Changqing, as Minister of Revenue, knew there was no avoiding this. Stepping forward, he replied with a bow: "Your Majesty, after compiling the administrative reports, the local warehouses are indeed well supplied, and our resources have reached about ninety percent of the Dynasty’s regular reserves. Although the national treasury is abundant, should a major war erupt, all ongoing public works—canals, official roads, reservoirs—would be forced to halt, and the investments thus far would be lost..."

Bai Changqing’s words were simple; in summary: though the treasury is plentiful, it is never enough for the devouring beast that is war. Besides, once fighting starts, the impact on the nation is incalculable—indeed, damaging.

This was not empty speech, but fact. War not only brings death, a careless move could wound the very foundation of the Dynasty.

Ordinarily, "peace is precious" is the universal principle.

However, the Emperor clearly had his own intentions. He waved Bai Changqing back into line, then asked Wen Mingju, Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, who now speaks for the ministry: "The Ministry of War has long developed strategic plans for southern warfare; how feasible are they now? In the worst case, how long would full-scale war last?"

Wen Mingju was the first to receive the news and had a night to prepare, so he’d ensured thoroughness. He responded swiftly, "Your Majesty, the strategies for warfare in the south have been in development for ten years, through dozens of revisions. The current plan is our most up-to-date. According to recent calculations, if we go to all-out war, the Dynasty has at least an eighty percent chance of prevailing. At worst, it might take more time, but the primary conflict would never last more than two years."

"Basis?"

"Your Majesty, these are estimates the Ministry of War compiled by comparing losses in previous wars with the Barbarian Race, and are the main reason for the population plundering strategies we’ve pursued for forty years. Given their current attrition rates, the Barbarians could not endure past two years. That’s assuming the worst; in reality, even less time may be needed."

Despite years of suppression by the Civil Servant Group, and some rotten elements within the Ministry of War, work had not been neglected. At least, based on Wen Mingju’s plan, the Barbarian Race had been calculated to the finest detail over decades. By the most basic mathematics, the rate and number of deaths on both sides essentially doomed the Barbarians.

Of course, some earlier cases in the Ministry of War were unfit for discussion here—they might have prolonged the Barbarians’ survival a little. Nonetheless, nothing could alter the fact of a forty-year population plundering policy. The Barbarians’ current strength was far below their prior peak, while the Jingjiu Dynasty had developed securely for forty years—not explosively, but steadily stronger. The difference between both sides could not be understated.

"I never claimed to be an immediate emperor, but I have led the Dynasty to victories over many formidable foes—even the Southern Barbarians. If we could win once, we can win again. Stop always reasoning with ’virtue’; our enmity with the Southern Barbarians is not merely an old feud that words alone could resolve. For centuries now, talks have been tried—and in the end, it always depends on the blade each holds."

"War brings sacrifice; death, or the halt of domestic works, are controllable and bearable costs. But if we let the Barbarian Race grow unchecked, then it will become uncontrollable—that is the greatest hazard!"

The Emperor’s voice was not loud, yet within the Ten Thousand People’s Palace it resounded in every ear like a soul-shaking roar.

At this moment, all understood this was the Emperor expressing his stance—and it sounded like a call for war.

"I do not care about whatever discord or division is among you. From today onward, put it all away. The great war approaches—if you do not unite against the enemy, you are dragging the Dynasty back, aiding the foe, and shall be punished according to the law. Is that clear?"