Guāng Hall – Royal court,
The court was chaotic, the officers were discussing country matters while battling each other opinions.
Meanwhile, all of the four princes of the Mang Dynasty who needed to present themselves in the court only stayed mute. It was one of their responsibility to solve and discuss the country's problems with the officers, but perhaps the chaotic situation between the officer made them lose interest in the court's matter.
The king sat on his throne with knitted brows watching his people behave like mad dogs. He gave a sign to the eunuch with his eyes.
"Ahem!" Eunuch Lee gave mild warning to the officers to discuss in good manners – His right hand formed a fist in front of his mouth while his eyes closed on one side—left eyes.
However, the officers that did not seem aware it was actually from the emperor's order, ignored him completely. Sure enough, he is just a eunuch while the officers are important subjects with more power in the country. They are not afraid of the eunuch with no power and only being one of the many servants under the emperor.
His Majesty twitched his brows. His action was noticed by someone.
That man smiled, 'This is my chance.'
"Ehem!" Quickly, he gathered the officers' attention.
The officers were startled by the sudden loud sound. They looked at the crown prince, the next owner of the throne, Mang Ze Lan.
"Your Majesty, I think we should move to the important matter now," he suggested with a smile and bowed politely.
"Your Highness Crown Prince, it's true we have another matter to discuss but this matter is important too." General Ying voiced his opinion boldly.
The crown prince was irked by the response, 'This lowly trash! How dare he!'
"Matters about the military, we have been discussing it from 1 week before, but it still didn't solve. Why not you just submit the report and wait for His Majesty's decision, General Ying?" The crown prince spoke in a firm tone.
"But Your Highness, this is not just a military problem. If we don't solve it, the resident will be in danger." He stopped and looked straight into the crown prince's eyes, "Our country too, Your Highness."
"General Ying, the south border is not that important. Besides, if it gets through, what the intruders can find there? If you're worried about those people from Nie Village at the border, I believe your men can protect them, right? Or are you afraid because you don't have enough experience to handle such a situation?" Interrupted officer Duong Li, a city government official.
The crown prince smiled at the talks. 'Well, well. Even without me, you will always be reminded of your status by these officers.'
Ying Jian gripped his fist tightly. He looked at Duong Li fiercely, 'This old man...'
"Hmm… Young people like you way too obvious to show your capability." Added Ku Long, an officer in the same position as Duong Li.
Ying Jian was silent. Although, at the same time, he greets his teeth with that fierce eyes – He was controlling his anger from exploding in front of the emperor. His young age and low-status background make him a subject of jokes to those who hate him, and to those who feel not satisfied with the high position that he holds despite his status.
He looked at his Majesty's eyes earnestly, 'I get this position because of my talent. The only one who can doubt me is only his majesty, the one who bestows me this title! I'll let these officers shut their own mouths!'
With manner, Ying Jian said, "Your Majesty, as the crown prince, officer Duong Li and officer Ku Long stated, I agree. However, I hope His Majesty will consider my opinion in the report for the sake of our people and country," Ying Jian smirked at both of the officers. They looked irritated.
Officer Duong Li opened his mouth to speak but the emperor was faster, "We will discuss and solve this matter tomorrow."
Ying Jian smiled brightly. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Meanwhile, the two officers shut their mouths tightly because they just lose to him. And they lose their chance to embarrass him. Now, they felt like they were being played with by the young general.
The same goes for the crown prince but his face was utterly invisible; Neither his expression nor in his body language showed any displeased or discomfort. Undoubtedly, because of his dignity as the crown prince, he needs to hide any personal feelings at the moment or he would look undignified in the eyes of the emperor, the officers, and also his attend siblings.
"As the Crown Prince suggests, now we will discuss about the most important matter. Last week, the envoy from our neighbouring country, Prince Jing Ye come, he asked us to send both military and non-military men to help them at the border this winter. They encounter a problem with some small villages' sources there. What's your opinion?"
"Definitely. We should send help, Your Majesty. Not just they are our neighbours, but also a country which we form close relationships with for years. If we don't help them, later on, we will get the same." Prime Minister Ning spoke out his opinion.
The other officers agreed with Prime Minister Ning. Some nodded and some acknowledged his opinion by saying it was true.
His Majesty looked straight at his left sight where the military officer gathered. "General Ying, General Yun, General Luang, each of you send 1000 men to Yiping." Then he shifted his eyes towards the centre, "Government officer, find another 1000 volunteers to be sent to Yiping too. Find capable and young men."
"General Luang will be the leader as this is his border, the east, he knows more than others." General Luang nodded at the order.
General Ying, General Yun and General Luang who protect the border of the country on each side—south, north, and the east, who have 15000 soldiers each to maintain the country's security being called out instead of the west protector, Grand General Duan and the city protector, General Cheng who got extra 2000 men under them.
"The west is the most important border, we cannot be lenient. If there are intruders, our goods will have problems and it will affect our country heavily, so I trust the Grand General on that fully. As for General Cheng's men, we need to maintain the inside of our country too for an emergency during the winter and help the resident. Anything else?" Ending with that direct question, the emperor had strongly clarified clear reasoning behind his decision to avoid his subject feeling unfair and misunderstood.
"We agree, Your Majesty!" Both military and government officers gave solid replies.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Bam!
"Pardon my intrusion, Your Majesty, south...south border being intruded. Please, send reinforcement right away!"