The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror

West Garden, Taiye Pond.

The Grand Secretary, Six Ministers, and other Court officials arrived in haste.

At this moment, the old Emperor was draped in a fine raincoat, fishing at Taiye Pond. The material of the cloak was as valuable as gold.

Last night, a large snowfall covered the world in white.

"All the birds have vanished from a thousand peaks, no trace of humans on ten thousand paths.

An old man in a raincoat and bamboo hat, fishing alone in the cold river snow."

Accompanied by the sound of a long Jade Chime, a poem was recited to set the scene.

All the Ministers looked grave, for if the old Emperor recited such a poem, it indicated he was truly angry today.

Everyone needed to tread carefully, to avoid stepping on a landmine.

"Elder Zhang, speak about this incident," the old Emperor cast aside his fishing pole and directly called out.

The officials noticed clearly, there was no hook on it.

The Grand Secretary spoke slowly and steadily, "A military rebellion occurred in Yunzhou, soldiers killed the Governor, consumed the Assistant General, and intended to defect to the Northern Barbarians."

The officials feigned surprise, Elder Liang even exclaimed, "Impossible, absolutely impossible. Yunzhou is a major town among the Nine Borders, and everyone in the military has personal and national grievances against the Northern Barbarians. How could they possibly defect?"

The other officials remained silent, knowing that there had been no feedback on Yunzhou's military situation for half a month. The Court had sent personnel to expedite the report, and until today, there had been no response. Anyone with some sensitivity should have realized something major was happening in Yunzhou.

The result was shocking, yet all the officials were mentally prepared.

Yet Elder Liang's reaction clearly showed he had no military sensitivity whatsoever.

But soon, someone caught on; only the old fox could be so cunning.

This act demonstrated Liang's incompetence in military matters, so when it's time to solve the problem, surely they won't seek advice from Liang, the military incompetent.

Furthermore, Liang is the Minister of Rites and has no connection to military affairs.

This effectively removed himself from the situation.

The Grand Secretary immediately scolded, "Minister Liang, war is a significant matter for the nation, a matter of life and death, a way of survival and extinction, and cannot be overlooked. For the past half month, there have been memorials addressing Yunzhou's anomalies. Are you completely unconcerned, Minister Liang?"

What a jab!

The ministers knew well, this was the Grand Secretary pointing out that Liang's duty is as Minister of Rites, wielding the sword with hidden intention to strike.

The key is that the Grand Secretary's hint was both subtle and weighty, elegantly reducing Liang's responsibility.

Elder Liang's profession is indeed Minister of Rites, it makes sense he doesn't understand military affairs. But military documents have to pass through the Cabinet...

Soon after, Minister Hong, the Minister of War, stepped forward, pointing out the drawbacks of the Cabinet handling military affairs and emphasized the importance of expertise in military matters.

"Cabinet Ministers not knowing military matters, yet handling military affairs, even slight mistakes would be a great harm to the nation."

In reality, it's not so severe. Even if the Elder doesn't understand, there are advisors, and the overall strategy is agreed upon well in advance. If there's an urgent military issue, can't expert ministers be convened to discuss it?

However, who would expect Minister Hong, as the Minister of War, not to be a member of the Cabinet?

If the Cabinet manages military affairs, then what does the Ministry of War manage?

Moreover, even with a Military Affairs Office, the Grand Secretary, as the chief Minister of Military Affairs, surely the Minister of War cannot be excluded, solidifying his position as the deputy chief Minister of Military Affairs.

The Grand Secretary takes care of innumerable affairs, how could he devote so much energy to this aspect, so this authority inevitably falls into his hands.

This is even more advantageous than being the lowest-ranking member of the Cabinet.

Minister Hong evidently received expert advice and argued with reason.

Regardless of the outcome today, he made enough postures, which the young and old at the Ministry of War would know. What subordinate doesn't appreciate a minister fighting for the department's power?

This is also beneficial to Minister Hong, who has barely taken the role of Minister of War, in consolidating his power base.

Ultimately, he has been a Six Ministries official for too short a time, and by seniority, except in special periods, the Minister of War in the Cabinet is not a high sequence.

Winning this battle today saves at least ten years of effort.

Minister Hong spoke extensively.

At this moment, Minister Wang of the Ministry of Revenue said, "Matters have their priorities. As of now, it's crucial to dispatch important Court ministers to control the Border Towns, investigate the causes of the rebellion, prevent escalation, and quickly quell the rebellion."

Minister Wang is currently also a Cabinet Minister, and because of his close relationship with Prince Yu, he naturally dislikes the Cabinet being divided in power.

But he dared not openly oppose this, so he could only procrastinate, hoping for things to improve over time.

Minister Hong, new to the Six Ministries, younger than many peers, is in his prime, charged ahead today. If Minister Wang negated him with a light remark, wouldn't he lose face?

"Elder Wang, such remarks are mistaken. If the root problem isn't solved, similar incidents in the future will still require large mobilizations. If a specialized Military Affairs Office were set up, any ominous signs could be swiftly dealt with, preventing today's great harm."

Minister Wang said nonchalantly, "Are you certain, Minister Hong, that with a Military Affairs Office, such great harms will not occur in the future?"

Minister Hong replied, "Minister Wang, do not twist my words. My point is, if similar incidents occur, having a Military Affairs Office is certainly better than not having one. If you can't even see this, there's nothing more to discuss."

The Minister of Revenue, among the Six Ministries, is second to the Ministry of Personnel; although not directly related to the Ministry of War, it is still in a superior position.

Now Minister Hong stood against Minister Wang, and other ministers couldn't help but secretly praise, "Well done, Minister Hong."

Regardless, the fiercer their argument, the more others could stay out of it, while also enjoying the spectacle.