Xuanqing Guard

As May arrives, the weather has warmed up, but the atmosphere in the Imperial City remains as icy cold as in midwinter.

The common people feel it too; prices in the markets have generally gone up, and the governmental officials on the streets are noticeably more diligent than usual—wherever you go, you’ll see pairs going about, faces tight, patrolling.

The officials’ faces look even worse, as if something’s been stolen from their homes; every one of them tightens their expression, looking at everyone else as if they were thieves.

Some with sources already caught wind of something: rumors say that the South is stirring again, the Southern Barbarians are rising, war is coming once more.

War is coming?

Some people swear by it, others scoff. Of course, no one dares shout about it in public, but in private, everyone is talking. The old folks, in particular, are in demand; a pot of tea in the backyard, four or five young ones gathered around, "reminiscing about the past" can last an entire afternoon, leaving the young who never lived through the last great war against the Southern Barbarians listening, engrossed and excited.

People of the Jingjiu Dynasty have never feared war, because hardly anyone has ever lost. On the contrary, the dazzling military merits after war always serve to cover up the piles of bones outside the border so thoroughly that few ever see them.

The point of dispute is that some don’t believe the Southern Barbarians can rise, on the grounds that the Dynasty has spent forty years continually harvesting their population—without people, how can there be a war?

The argument seems reasonable, yet recent signs suggest a hidden undercurrent is indeed rising to the surface. For example, the Teleportation Array to Yu City has been restricted; it’s said the route toward Hai Xia is under lockdown, with large convoys and teams transporting supplies along the way.

Information cannot be suppressed. Whether it’s official circles or the merchant guilds, as the situation intensifies, news leaks out and rapidly spreads, until eventually the matter is officially announced across the land.

If the streets are like this, you can imagine the Temple Hall.

Completely upended.

The only bystander this time is Pang Ban, wearing his conspicuous Black Robe, yet standing in a corner. The Xuanqing Guard has its own agenda, and with everything still unclear, it’s not their time to intervene; all they can do is watch as the Military and Civil Servant groups exchange verbal blows.

The Military, suffice to say, are people who live by the blade; when enemies appear, their first choice is always to cut them all down, then return with their enemy’s heads and lands to claim merit, rise in rank, get rewarded, and secure their family’s future.

According to the Military, right now Jingnan Land should immediately enter wartime control, let the Jingnan Army Governor’s Mansion regain its grand seal, and coordinate with the Border Army to open Zhuo Huo Pass and march straight into Barbarian Territory to flatten everything.

As for how much money and resources a great war would take, or the effects on every aspect of the Dynasty internally—that’s naturally not for the Military to worry about. One can even foresee: once the Jingnan Army Governor’s Mansion regains the seal and dispatching authority, the entire Military faction’s status will skyrocket, overturning their current humble position.

Some are even suggesting simultaneously reactivating the governor’s seals for both Jingxi and Jingnan, launching two Front Armies for the main assault, with the Southern Border Army on defense, relying on Zhuo Huo Pass to start a massive new war against the Barbarian Race. They propose building cities step by step, constantly squeezing the Barbarians’ living space, until the Barbarian Race is utterly exterminated.

Pang Ban can’t help shaking his head at such suggestions. The Barbarian Territory is vast and mostly plain; building cities means little, and would just multiply the logistical burden for the Dynasty. Forty years ago, why didn’t the Jingjiu Dynasty wipe out the Barbarian Race in that great war? Mainly because they themselves couldn’t keep going—the supply lines were too long, there was no Teleportation Array support, and for every hundred pounds of grain sent, the supply convoys would eat sixty or seventy pounds just on the way; the cost was prohibitive.

If they really build cities and press forward gradually, the Ministry of Revenue might go mad calculating the costs.

The Military’s rhetoric is varied, some good, some bad. Before the Emperor, every one of them puts on courage and resolve; if the Emperor gives the order, they’d go to their death without a frown.

Unfortunately, the Emperor sits high above and expressionless, coldly observing, saying nothing. Even those rare, clever ones who pride themselves on reading the Emperor’s Heart can’t help feeling uncertain, unsure what the Emperor intends.

The Emperor stays silent, but the Civil Servant Group is sharply opposed.

A joke! Having finally stomped these coarse Military types underfoot, how could they be allowed to seize the moment? Wouldn’t that make us look incompetent?

So the Civil Servant Group proposes a "allow the Barbarians to set up their Royal Court, but establish a military buffer zone" solution.

Simply put: after so many wars with the Barbarian Race, the threat never truly disappeared—every few decades it returns, a chronic illness for the Dynasty. Since that’s the case, why not approach it differently? Allow the Barbarians to reestablish their Royal Court, but use Wu Lake as the boundary, create a military buffer zone; as long as the Barbarians don’t cross the line, let them do as they please. If they cross it, then strike, no rush.

Some even advise soothing the Barbarians, returning a bit of land and population if suitable, as long as they pledge fealty, there’s no need for costly war and hardship.

They even cite reports from the Military Supervisor: everyone among the Border Army is clamoring for war, morale is unstable, and with military farms and garrisons neglected for years, discipline is lax and fighting spirit worrisome.

Pang Ban listens to the hubbub, and for the first time realizes that appointing Military Supervisors from the Civil Servant Group in the Military wasn’t totally pointless. Especially now, seeing from another angle gives a clearer picture of the Military’s troubles. Pang Ban has read the intelligence sent by the Black Banner Battalion—otherwise, who would have guessed the Military’s Border Army had rotted so badly?

This heated quarrel goes on for most of the day, only ending when the Emperor waves his hand.

"Tell Zuo Yuliang to judge military strategy himself. If any changes arise, report immediately."

With just this sentence, the Emperor forcibly ends the day’s dispute, leaving everyone in the hall in bewilderment.

What is the Emperor’s plan? War or negotiation?

Not only the Military and Civil Servant Group are guessing—Pang Ban, the observer, is quietly pondering as well. If the Emperor doesn’t state a position, the Temple Hall’s power struggle will remain chaos, which bodes ill for the increasingly tense southern situation.

Trailing behind the crowd, Pang Ban has no interest in the exchanges between the Military and Civil Servant factions on the way out. He wants to return to summon the Jingxi Governor and Jingnan Governor for a discussion; it’s best to plan ahead for certain matters.

But just as Pang Ban reaches the gate of the Ten Thousand People’s Palace, a Eunuch calls out, saying the Emperor wishes to question him.

The Eunuch didn’t bother to lower his voice; Pang Ban heard him, as did many nearby. Even Pang Ban himself shows surprise at being summoned by the Emperor.

How long has it been? The Emperor is actually summoning Pang Ban—could it be that, in this current situation, the Emperor intends to use the Xuanqing Guard for something?