"We gambled our lives on that plan."
"Our entire existence in court has been a gamble since the Emperor appointed the General as his adviser, he is a crisis looming above our heads," retorted Chancellor Pyun to Wu Kung, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, "so this is the only way we live."
"Or the way we die?" Wu Kung shot back.
Chancellor Pyun and certain ministers had been carrying unlawful intrigues with officials in the provinces, and they had misused the power of the State to oppress the weak and generously filling up their pockets. They had thereby forfeited the Imperial favour which they had for the sake of the alliance with their clan, the Northern Plain Red Banner; and if the truth of their wicked deeds was discovered, as a punishment they would lose their titles, be exiled, or worst—executed!
