The autumn wind howled fiercely as it swept across the Eight Trigrams Platform.

Prime Minister Wang’s body seemed to sway slightly in the wind.

After a long while, he opened his mouth, his voice hoarse: “The Huai Prince’s city massacre case, he was involved too, wasn’t he?”

The Observatory Master didn’t respond. His silence was tantamount to confirmation.

The face of the old man in his fifties gradually turned pale, his eyes filled with lifelessness.

“You… why have you never stopped him?” Prime Minister Wang asked hoarsely.

“This empire is his, isn’t it?” The Observatory Master asked with a smile.

Prime Minister Wang was speechless, his eyes filled with deep confusion and bewilderment. It was precisely because the empire belonged to that person that it was even more incomprehensible and difficult to understand.

Until he stepped into the Star-Observing Tower, before this conversation, Prime Minister Wang had still doubted his suspicions.

The Observatory Master then added, “But this empire also belongs to the common people.”

After saying this, he fell silent.

Prime Minister Wang walked to the edge of the Eight Trigrams Platform, gazing towards the Imperial Palace. His eyes were filled with grief, anger, confusion, sorrow, and disappointment.

Your Majesty, why did you rebel?!

Prime Minister Wang bowed again, but this time he didn’t ask anything. Instead, he turned and left.

…

On the seventh floor of the Star-Observing Tower.

In the bedroom, Xu Qi’an lay half-dead on the bed while a white-robed alchemist was changing his bandages.

Song Qin and a group of white-robed alchemists who admired Young Master Xu were watching from the side.

“Ah, his injuries are so severe.”

“With such serious wounds, even if he recovers, there will surely be lasting effects.”

“Why don’t we give Young Master Xu a new body? I think it would be interesting.”

“And then, leave this body for Senior Brother Song to experiment with biological alchemy?”

“Young Master Xu has been obsessed with alchemy all his life. Surely he’d be willing to sacrifice himself for alchemy.”

The white-robed alchemists whispered among themselves.

Are you all devils?! Li Miaozheng’s eyes widened, and she almost drew her sword to chase them away.

Song Qin raised his hand to stop his junior brothers’ chatter. He said irritably, “Stop fooling around. How could we use Young Master Xu’s body for experiments? At the very least, we should ask for his opinion. That’s basic courtesy.”

“Go away, all of you!”

Li Miaozheng spat and chased away these annoying alchemists.

“None of the Observatory Master’s disciples are normal,” she complained to Chu Caiwei, who was sitting by the table.

Hearing this, Chu Caiwei nodded in deep agreement: “Among the senior brothers and sisters directly taught by the master, I am the most intelligent and normal one.”

May I ask, young lady, where does this confidence come from? Li Miaozheng glanced at her.

…

In the Imperial Palace.

Inside the splendid royal bedchamber, the old eunuch was vividly reporting the rumors circulating in the city.

“In the marketplace, everyone is talking about the exploits of that dog Xu… Xu Qi’an. Some say he killed 100,000 enemies, some say 150,000, some say 200,000, and some even claim it was 500,000 elite troops.”

The old eunuch’s voice was soft and effeminate: “That’s why they say public opinion is formidable. Whether it’s good news or bad, when spread enough, it changes. Although this Xu Qi’an is hateful and deserves death, he’s not entirely useless.”

Emperor Yuan glanced at his chief attendant, who was hiding a pleased expression, and said without emotion:

“Summon Yuan Xiong and Qin Yuandao for me.”

The old eunuch was good at reading the situation. Seeing that His Majesty didn’t seem pleased, he tactfully withdrew.

Emperor Yuan’s face twitched violently. He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the overwhelming anger in his chest.

The Wushen Cult was so incompetent that 80,000 elite troops were routed by a mere youth, with even two main commanders dying at his hands.

Unable to slaughter the people of Xiang, Jing, and Yu provinces, they failed to erode Great Feng’s fortune and ruin his plans.

“Wei Yuan, ah Wei Yuan, it seems it was destined that you would be infamously remembered after death!” Emperor Yuan muttered darkly to himself.

Half an hour later, the old eunuch came back to report: “Your Majesty, Qin Yuandao, and Yuan Xiong are waiting outside.”

Emperor Yuan nodded: “Let Qin Yuandao enter first.”

“Yes!”

The old eunuch withdrew, and shortly after, was led by Qin Yuandao, the Vice Minister of War.

“You’ve done well!” Emperor Yuan said, sitting behind the large desk covered with yellow silk, looking at Qin Yuandao below.

He didn’t specify what he meant, but both emperor and minister understood.

Emperor Yuan continued: “The position of Grand Secretary of the Cabinet is a pillar of the state. After much consideration, I believe you, Minister Qin, are the most suitable for the role.”

“Your Majesty overpraises me. I, your humble servant, am unworthy.”

Emperor Yuan waved his hand and said: “Minister Qin, do not decline. Once the matter with Wei Yuan is settled, it will be time to change the court’s landscape.”

Qin Yuandao bowed deeply: “I eat the emperor’s food, so I should share the emperor’s worries. Alleviating Your Majesty’s burdens is the duty of a subject.”

Emperor Yuan nodded with satisfaction: “You may withdraw.”

He then turned to the old eunuch and said: “Let Yuan Xiong come in to see me.”

Soon, Yuan Xiong entered the Imperial Study.

Emperor Yuan’s expression was no longer gentle. With a cold face, he said flatly:

“It’s said that the way of officialdom is not about serving the country, the emperor, or the people, but about ‘blending in with the masses.’ Right, Censor Yuan seems to understand this principle well.”

Yuan Xiong was shocked. He fell to his knees and cried out: “This humble servant knows his crime!”

Emperor Yuan snorted coldly: “Oh? What crime do you have? Please tell me.”

Yuan Xiong, with years of experience in officialdom, deeply understood the principle of ‘serving the emperor is like serving a tiger.’ He said fearfully: “Not being able to share Your Majesty’s burdens is this servant’s greatest crime.”

Only then did Emperor Yuan’s expression soften. He said:

“Now that Wei Yuan has died in battle at the Wushen Cult’s headquarters in Jingshan City, the Night Watchers cannot be left without a leader. Someone is needed to command the Night Watchers and the Censors. I had originally intended this role for you, Minister Yuan.”

Yuan Xiong could almost hear his own heart pounding wildly. His emotions surged, but outwardly he remained calm, not showing the slightest change. He bowed and said:

“This humble servant will certainly devote his life to Your Majesty’s service.”

Emperor Yuan seized the opportunity and asked: “What are your thoughts on the northeastern war situation, Minister Yuan?”

Yuan Xiong spoke loudly: “I await Your Majesty’s guidance!”

…

The next day, the court session was held as usual.

For the past three days, the court had been actively discussing post-war matters, but all officials knew that the real main event had not yet begun.

This campaign, nominally to aid the barbarians and attack the Wushen Cult, ultimately needed to be characterized.

Only after its characterization could it be announced to the world, giving an explanation to the people, and letting the historians know how to record it—whether to praise or criticize.

Emperor Yuan had been delaying, and some of the more astute veteran officials had already sensed something over the past few days.

His Majesty was waiting for someone to voice a different opinion.

However, this was indeed a taboo matter, and whoever spoke up first would inevitably face criticism.

Which civil official didn’t cherish their reputation?

This matter was different from ordinary factional struggles. If mishandled, one could be branded a traitor in an instant, face punishment, be demoted or dismissed, and then have it recorded in the history books.

Before dawn, the officials entered through the side gate of the Meridian Gate, crossed the Golden Water Bridge, and entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony to the sound of reverberating bells.

Rows of gilded dragon candles illuminated the resplendent hall.

The officials entered the hall and waited for a quarter of an hour before Emperor Yuan, dressed in a yellow robe, slowly arrived.

After the emperor and ministers discussed post-war matters, the Minister of Revenue stepped forward and said:

“Your Majesty, the matter of compensation should not be delayed further. Please make a decision soon, to explain to the people of the world and the families of the fallen soldiers.”

This time, Emperor Yuan didn’t avoid the topic. Looking down at the court officials, he slowly said: “What do you ministers think?”

Censor Zhang Xingying stepped forward and said loudly: “Your Majesty, Duke Wei captured the Wushen Cult’s headquarters and destroyed Jingshan City, setting a precedent unprecedented in the history of the Central Plains dynasties. I humbly request Your Majesty to posthumously confer upon Duke Wei the title of First-Rank Duke of Wei, with the posthumous title of ‘Loyal and Martial.'”

This was undoubtedly the highest honor since the reign of Emperor Wuzong.

First-Rank Duke of Wei was the highest noble rank.

‘Loyal and Martial’ was the highest posthumous title for military officials.

Wei Yuan wasn’t a scholar who had come up through the imperial examination system and didn’t hold an academic degree. Otherwise, Zhang Xingying would have dared to propose the posthumous title of ‘Cultured and Righteous.’

The court officials looked at each other, unusually without objection, including former political enemies.

In the past, civil officials would have certainly jumped out to collectively criticize this proposal.

But now, there was no need.

Firstly, Wei Yuan’s achievements were enough to match these honors. Secondly, death extinguishes all, so giving him a posthumous title meant nothing. Wouldn’t it just demonstrate the magnanimity of these officials who came from orthodox scholarly backgrounds?

Officials from Wei’s faction stepped forward one after another to support Zhang Xingying.

Emperor Yuan remained silent, glancing at Right Censor-in-Chief Yuan Xiong, who understood and stepped forward, shouting:

“Nonsense! Zhang Xingying and others are talking nonsense. Your Majesty, you must not be deceived by these treacherous officials.”

There was a small commotion in the hall. The officials recoiled, wondering what this fellow was up to now.

Emperor Yuan was also displeased, frowning as he said:

“Minister Yuan, what do you mean by this? Wei Yuan was our Great Feng’s god of war, meritorious to the state, and sacrificed himself for the country. In life, he was also my confidant. Posthumously conferring titles is appropriate.”

“Your Majesty!” Yuan Xiong shouted, then said: “Wei Yuan is not worth mourning. He was a reckless man who brought disaster to the country and people, not a meritorious official!”

“You scoundrel!” Left Censor-in-Chief Liu Hong roared in anger.

He was a confidant personally promoted by Wei Yuan, and like the Minister of War, was a core member of Wei’s faction. Even Zhang Xingying was his subordinate.

Smack!

Liu Hong’s angry rebuke was met with an even louder whip crack from the old eunuch, followed by a reprimand: “No clamoring allowed.”

With someone backing him, Yuan Xiong wasn’t flustered at all. Ignoring the cold, hostile, or mocking glances from the other officials, he spoke passionately:

“Indeed, Wei Yuan did capture the Wushen Cult’s headquarters, setting a historical precedent. But based on this alone, Wei Yuan’s crimes are too numerous to list.”

Zhang Xingying narrowed his eyes and said with a cold smile:

“Capturing the Wushen Cult’s headquarters is a crime? Your Majesty, Yuan Xiong is colluding with the Wushen Cult, betraying the country. I request his treacherous head be cut off.”

Yuan Xiong was not intimidated at all and snorted:

“The purpose of the military expedition was to aid the barbarians and stop the Wushen Cult’s ambition to annex the northern border. But look at what Wei Yuan did. He led the army to attack the Wushen Cult’s headquarters in Jingshan City, causing over 80,000 of our Great Feng soldiers to be buried in foreign lands.

“Wei Yuan was acting for his selfish interests, recklessly seeking merit, which resulted in such heavy losses. Your Majesty, over 80,000 soldiers! They have parents to support and children to raise.

“Just because of Wei Yuan’s greed for merit, these soldiers died in foreign lands. How can such a man who brings disaster to the country and people be given a noble title? How can he be given the posthumous title of ‘Loyal and Martial’?”

Qian Qingshu of the Wang faction stepped forward to refute:

“Yuan Xiong, stop spouting nonsense and misleading people. To aid the barbarians and force the Wushen Cult to withdraw, is there a better way than capturing their headquarters? After Wei Yuan captured the headquarters, Jing immediately withdrew their troops. This is the best proof.

“Moreover, casualties are inevitable in war. Capturing the Wushen Cult’s headquarters is unprecedented. How dare you slander it.”

Yuan Xiong scoffed: “Slander? There were many ways to force Jing to withdraw. Was capturing Yan more difficult than capturing Jingshan City? Was capturing Jing’s capital more difficult than capturing Jingshan City?

“Wei Yuan was a master of military strategy. He must have known these principles, yet he chose Jingshan City, ultimately leading to the near annihilation of 100,000 troops, with only over 10,000 returning.

“Why? Wasn’t it because Wei Yuan wanted to set a historical precedent and leave his name in the annals of history?”

The officials in the hall began to discuss among themselves again.

Did Yuan Xiong’s words make sense?

They did.

This expedition was meant to contain Jing and force them to withdraw troops. If Wei Yuan had just defeated Yan, besieged their city, and then defeated Kang who came to their aid, wouldn’t Jing have had to withdraw?

Wei Yuan had already reached the capital of Yan. The next step would have been to surround it and defeat any reinforcements.

Or wouldn’t it have been better to directly launch a surprise attack on Jing’s capital?

Yet he chose to attack Jingshan City, ultimately perishing along with the Wushen Cult’s headquarters. While this did set a historical precedent, it also sacrificed the army.

Of the 18,000 remnant troops, most had withdrawn from Yan. Less than 5,000 soldiers survived the battle at Jingshan City.

None of the officials present believed that Wei Yuan had no desire for personal glory.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Minister of War Qin Yuandao stepped forward and said solemnly:

“Your Majesty, I believe Right Censor Yuan’s words are extremely correct. Wei Yuan’s reckless pursuit of glory not only sacrificed 80,000 troops but also provoked retaliation from the Wushen Cult. If Xu Qi’an hadn’t happened to be at Yuyang Pass in Xiangzhou, I’m afraid by now, Xiangzhou would have been turned into a wasteland, its people brutally slaughtered in revenge, repeating the tragedy of forty years ago.”

This… the officials of Wei’s faction changed expression slightly.

Qin Yuandao used this incident to attack Duke Wei, and it was indeed true, making it impossible to refute.

If Yuyang Pass had fallen and the people of Xiangzhou had suffered retaliatory massacres, then Duke Wei’s actions would have had no merit whatsoever.

Prime Minister Wang frowned, feeling a strange sensation in his heart. This joint attack on Yuyang Pass by the allied forces of Yan and Kang seemed to be laying the groundwork for His Majesty to negate Wei Yuan’s achievements.

It couldn’t be just for a posthumous title; there must be hidden reasons behind this. Or perhaps, negating Wei Yuan’s achievements was only one of the objectives… Prime Minister Wang’s heart sank, and he stepped forward to say:

“To be honest, I have already met with Xu Qi’an. He told me that he went to Yuyang Pass because Wei Yuan had entrusted him with this task. Wei Yuan knew the Wushen Cult would certainly retaliate, so he left a contingency plan.”

Brilliant!

Zhang Xingying and others’ eyes lit up.

Qin Yuandao had used Xu Qi’an’s achievements to attack Duke Wei, but Prime Minister Wang’s move was like pulling the rug out from under him.

This was something that couldn’t be verified because regardless of whether it was true or not, Xu Qi’an would certainly stand on Duke Wei’s side.

The old ginger is indeed spicier.

Yuan Xiong refuted: “If he had anticipated the Wushen Cult’s retaliation, why didn’t he inform the court, but instead entrusted a civilian commoner? Prime Minister, do you take His Majesty for a three-year-old child who can be easily fooled?”

Yuan Xiong and Qin Yuandao’s “minions” all chimed in, supporting the Right Censor-in-Chief’s view.

The three factions argued incessantly.

At this moment, a royal prince stepped forward, choking with emotion:

“Your Majesty, Wei Yuan’s reckless pursuit of glory has resulted in heavy losses for our Great Feng. Even the barbarians didn’t suffer such devastating losses. Is this aiding the barbarians? This is weakening our national strength. Although Jingshan City has fallen, where is the victory for our Great Feng?

“The barbarians must be overjoyed now. They have reaped the benefits without lifting a finger. If they invade the borders of Chu next year, what shall we do?”

This prince’s meaning was simple: although Jingshan City had been captured, Great Feng had already lost strategically.

Wei Yuan deserved to die!

Several more nobles and royal relatives stepped forward, supporting Vice Minister of War Qin Yuandao and Right Censor-in-Chief Yuan Xiong.

“Enough!” Emperor Yuan showed a sorrowful expression and said in a deep voice: “Wei Yuan was my confidant, accompanying me for over twenty years. He sacrificed himself for the country, and I am deeply grieved. Let’s discuss this matter again tomorrow.”

He then stood up and strode away.

As he turned his back to the officials, Emperor Yuan’s lips slowly curled into a smile.

He was smiling.