The hall explodes after those words and Ying SheGu has to intervene -Quiet down everyone!- he warn the crowd before turning to the Emperor -Sire, we decided to go over each sentence to have a better understanding of this matter so I'll proceed now with your approval. You may rest for now and allow me to solve this matter for you, trust me that I will be as clear headed as possible for you-
The emperor squeezes his eyes tiredly while falling back on his throne -Whatever, just don't involve me too much. I'm very tired- the man smiles -Surely-
...
-Stop right there! It is an insult to our hierarchy for an unofficial promotion of this caliber to happen!- yells one old man -Then what were they supposed to do?! Send us a letter and come back to hold a ceremony before going back to battle?! When a commander is needed, the men will elect one themselves on the spot!- comes back another
-But the men were oppose to that, so she's been promoted without the approval of nonody- the counselor rises an hand to stop the yelling -I'm afraid this isn't said in the letter... All we have regarding the matter is "My men oppose to this decision" and it is from a different Armada-
-Excatly! And as far as I can recall Miss Ying is well regarded from at least three Generals!- they keep bickering -But we're talking about such an important role My Lords, what has she done to deserve it?- the men look around the hall awkwardly, not quite sure if they can say it out loud so SheGu once again speaks up
-She helped in removing the traitor who plotted behind the Country and never asked for a reward... So we can pass this promotion as a Gift from our benevolent Emperor for her service to maintain the wellbeing of his Empire- at these words the men murmurs to eachother with a quieter voice, the emperor looks up annoyed but eventually let's go of his thoughts -Let's proceed-
...
-Isn't this negligence?! It is a crime this one- says a man regarding the attack -We still don't know why she left the camp tho- says another -Wine, that's it-
-Let's try to keep a clear head My Lords and examine what are the actual proven facts and what are speculations- calms them the counselor -It says "Before the attack occurred, some of my men reported having seen Miss Ying leaving the camp" then it clearly states that she got back and saved everyone swiftly... When talk about why she left it says "She replied that someone drugged her and so she run away, being afraid of hurting someone".
According to what written here we know that someone might have pulled a prank on her, and seeing the festive situation that wouldn't be too absurd agterall, then she left because the well being of her comrades came before anything else in her mind... Once she regained control of herself she came back and rescued the men-
-It looks like a friendly joke that came at the wrong time if you put it like that...- comments a man
-But doesn't the letter say that no drug is available on camp?-
-That depends on what we consider to be drugs, My Lords... The infirmary is packed with medical herbs and other mixtures to relieve pain along with some diluted poisons- nods SheGu -So maybe adding one medicine, that would normally be less powerful, to the wine... That might create a potent Drug. The victim of such games could have been just anyone that day-
The men nods altogether at the logical explanation.
...
-This piece is just meant to play with one's head! General Wu is phrasing this in a way to make us doubt of her without actually accusing her himself- comments a man in regard of the controversial part about the theory of her planning her rescue beforehand
-Still we shouldn't put the idea aside completely-
-A woman who dedicated her life to the country and risked her life hundreds of times in the name of justice? Please try to think more objectively Sir Weng, surely how the Ying family openly rejected your proposal back then isn't clouding your judgement now?-
-You!-
...
-"... Would it still be safe to allow her in between our men being so dangerous? This is all for my report"- Finishes the reading
-Well...- an overall sense of awkward goes around the men, even those on her side -It's ture that she's powerful- some nods and others lights up in rage -Even if she's on our side, can we really risk this much?- ask a man
-My Lords, have anything happened as of now?- says Ying SheGu but this time his words don't gain the reaction he desired
-Just because something never happened it doesn't mean it never will... Just look at the ongoing invasion beigj a first in centuries- a man looks at his feets, ashamed of talking against ChangLai -Indeed, also... This whole matter we're discussing today means that something might be around the corner. She did nothing today but it might be the beginning of something-
-Even if not the beginning of something, it's a proof of how much our men have grown to depend on her for their survival. She's harming them even if not intentionally-
Ying SheGu looks at the men with an impassive face while a storm goes inside his head -Some men we cannot afford to lose are out there, the battlefield is already too much of a threat... Having an internal danger is too risky-
-What do you propose we do?- he asks, confused at the sudden change of heart going against his plans
-Maybe we could warn her that we still hold power over her, remind her to stay in her place if she fears the consequences... She's too powerful to be left lose, what if one day she comes to believe we're at fault and kill us all just because of a misunderstanding?-
-I doubt she would rush into a bloodbath for a misunderstanding...- the men look at eachother, knowing quite well what they meant: "Each one of us could fabricate lies against the other and have him taken care of immediately if she saw him as a threaten for peace... That would be even worse than the current situation between lower ranked officials and no one could stop her"
-It almost sounds as if you're taking her side, Lord Ying- accuse him a man
-I'm just asking everyone to keep a clear head, we currently don't have actual proofs to charge her with guilt... And we all understand that provoking her wouldn't be wise-
-So you admit that she's dangerous!- the man gulps down, of course she is... He knows that very well
-Your Majesty, what shall we do?!- they all shouts toward the light headed boy on the Throne... He rises his head and grunts -How noisy... You want me to issue a verdict now?! After you begged me to change my previous one?! Fine!- he stands up on his wobbly legs.
-Write to General Cai and ask him to release Miss Ying from her role, tell him to leave his men under General Wu's command and come back along Miss Ying so we can hold a trial.
We need to examine whether she's a threat or not and if General Cai's mind is still objective when it comes to her... Since I have my doubts.
Write a letter to General Wu privately. I fear that General Cai will refuse to obey my order and if he does, well that proves us how something is going on behind our backs for them to refuse an investigation... General Wu can handle the situation for us by killing a traitor to the Empire- He leaves the room as soon as he's done talking.
Ying SheGu clenches his fists with a troubled expression "I'm sorry ChangLai... I'm afraid this is all I can fo for you" he thinks before getting back to the meeting.