All of the officers were in shock. No one had expected Fan Xian would sooner select death before a debate. The Minister of Appointments' face went dark, with a look as if he was prepared to say something. When he raised his head, he saw the higher-ranked officers in front of him, he was silenced. He then realized that these matters were not as simple as he believed them to be.
The Bureau of Military Affairs’ head diplomat, General Qin’s, long, white beard hovered above his face like a cloud in the breeze. His eyes were squinted so much that one might have assumed he was asleep. Yan Hangshu was looking down the aisle and spotted the General’s son, Qin Heng. He was silent as well. Where was the courage he had shown in early spring, suggesting that Fan Xian become the ambassador to the northern Qi Kingdom?
