The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 153: A Provocateur!

A Provocateur! . . .

The king's inquiry reflected his deep concern over the kingdom's dire predicament, especially the looming threat from all four cardinal directions.

After briefly perusing the reports from the other three fronts, his gaze returned to the northern report. He maintained a composed demeanor as he mused aloud, "The timing of these developments on the three fronts seems remarkably synchronized—a calculated move, no doubt. It appears the four enemy forces have orchestrated this meticulously, suggesting a long-standing collaboration. This situation may necessitate confronting the united might of the entire Land of Han-Yang. Moreover, we cannot rely on the northern army, for Cha Nan-Tian is bound to withdraw his forces. Our most formidable force will crumble in the early stages of this war."

The king delivered his assessment methodically, unperturbed by the weight of the crisis. In stark contrast, the Crown Prince found himself increasingly engulfed by despair, realizing the gravity of the situation. The knowledge that he bore a significant share of responsibility weighed heavily upon him, akin to the sensation of lifting a stone only to drop it on his own foot.

While the Crown Prince grappled with his self-inflicted predicament, the king's demeanor remained tranquil, as if the impending threats posed no danger to his kingdom's stability. He discussed the unfolding crisis with the ease of a ruler firmly in control.

"When Prince Hua-Yang embarked on his journey, the reports began to arrive, their timing precise. The enemy had factored in the time it took for soldiers to deliver these reports to the capital—an intricate and well-executed plan. The attacks commenced immediately after the army's departure, and the three reports reached me in quick succession, jolting my sensibilities."

The king continued in his characteristic composed tone, "The departure date of Prince Hua-Yang was one of our kingdom's most closely guarded secrets, known to but a select few. Yet our adversaries were privy to it. A provocateur lurks within our court."

At the mention of a provocateur, the Crown Prince's astonishment was palpable as he locked eyes with his father.

"Indeed," the king affirmed. "Thus, our court's deliberations, our strategic discussions—all became known to our foes. This explains our sudden descent into this dire situation: four simultaneous invasions, two War Gods emerging on enemy fronts, and hostile southern and northern tribes banding together. The meticulous planning and coordination required for such endeavors should have necessitated at least six months of preparation. Yet, our intelligence network failed to uncover any of these developments. This is a grave issue."

The king's voice remained steady, displaying the acuity of his thinking. "All evidence suggests our adversaries are not only cunning but have infiltrated our kingdom deeply, even compromising high-ranking officials within our court. The identities of these individuals remain concealed from our own agents—a formidable force indeed. Faced with such a resourceful and inscrutable foe, our kingdom is now in grave peril. Their concerted efforts indicate a desire to swiftly defeat us, once and for all."

The king's words were incisive, reflecting his strategic acumen. "Our course of action," he declared, "must revolve around buying time while awaiting the opportune moment. We may need to make painful sacrifices, but we must continue the fight, sparing no effort to secure the precious time needed."

From the vantage point of the royal chamber, the king peered out of a grand window, his gaze unwavering, his words measured. "If we can sustain this war for a year and a half," he remarked in a tone devoid of emotion, "a significant portion of their combined forces will crumble." He then turned his attention back to the expansive landscape beyond. "War, my son, is essentially a battle of resources. The northern and southern tribes perennially find themselves impoverished, incapable of staging large-scale conflicts. They resort to sporadic raids to secure essential provisions. The other two neighboring kingdoms are undeniably subsidizing these tribes."

He paused momentarily, leaning into his strategic assessment. "However," he continued, "this arrangement is unsustainable. Unless both of those neighboring kingdoms wish to experience their own ruin, they will eventually clash over resource allocation. Time is the crux of our strategy. We must protract this war until their unfair resource distribution triggers internal strife among them. That, my son, is the opportunity we await—their internecine conflict shall pave the path for our resurgence."

The king's every utterance resonated with resolute determination. His voice bore an unwavering strength, and his eyes gleamed with steely resolve. Yet beneath this veneer of unyielding purpose lay a profound worry—a concern centered on Cha Nan-Tian.

The arrival of a messenger pigeon dispatched by the Cha Clan was imminent. With Cha Nan-Tian's impending return, the northern front, heretofore the kingdom's safest flank, would face a precarious situation should their commander withdraw. Its defenses, though valiant, would erode over time. The linchpin was Cha-Eun Xiao. If he survived, Cha Nan-Tian would rejoin the battle, and victory, however challenging, would be assured. If, however, Cha-Eun Xiao had succumbed to his injuries, the northern campaign would inevitably crumble.

The king's brow furrowed, and he muttered, his voice laced with suspicion. "There must be cunning strategists among our adversaries. The fate of this war hinges on the Cha Clan, and they must have realized it. Dealing with Cha Nan-Tian is undoubtedly their most formidable challenge. They are keenly aware that the most formidable general in our kingdom is not Hua-Yang but Cha Nan-Tian."

His gaze turned frigid as he mulled over a disquieting possibility. "The skirmish outside the city gates... was it an orchestrated gambit? A deliberate maneuver to incapacitate Cha Nan-Tian? Were they willing to risk provoking us in order to undermine our northern forces?"

The king's eyes radiated an icy determination, causing the Crown Prince to break out in a cold sweat. Just then, Eunuch Wang's voice wafted from outside the chamber. "Your Highness, the officials are assembled outside the hall."

The sun hung low in the afternoon sky, casting long shadows across the palace grounds.

The king responded decisively, "Instruct them to await me in the Cheng-Tian Hall."

With that, he turned to the Crown Prince and beckoned him to accompany him, setting forth with resolute strides. The Crown Prince, his head slightly bowed in deference, followed closely behind. Watching his father's retreating form, he couldn't help but be moved by the gravity of the situation.

In his eyes, his father had always seemed to walk too swiftly, lacking the leisurely grace he associated with royalty. However, now he recognized that his father's inner fortitude far exceeded his outward appearance. Even as the kingdom teetered on the brink of despair, the king maintained his firm, unwavering gait. He resembled nothing less than a colossal mountain in motion, absorbing the onslaught of tempests from all directions.

He bore it all.

Their destination was the Cheng-Tian Hall, and the king assumed his throne, surveying the assembled officials with an air of serene composure. These officials had been thrust into a state of disarray, receiving news of the impending wars on all fronts slightly later than their sovereign. They shared a common sentiment: a palpable sense of foreboding, as if their hearts were ablaze with anxiety.

They understood one unassailable truth: when a nest crumbled, no egg remained unbroken.

The king observed the fervent exchange of hushed conversations among the officials for a brief moment before commanding their silence. Like obedient subjects, they immediately fell silent, their collective attention riveted on the monarch.

Standing upright, hands clasped behind his back, the king addressed a select group of officials, listing their names one by one. Their anxious expressions betrayed their anticipation; they had an inkling of what was coming.

"You gentlemen," the king began, "have not adequately overseen the conduct of your younger generations. Your progeny have recklessly misbehaved, disregarding matters of national import. While my soldiers shed blood and lay down their lives on the frontlines, your sons have sought to intimidate and harass their families. Do you acknowledge your errors?"

Though the king's voice maintained an air of calm and tranquility, a deep-seated anger resonated within his words, echoing through the hall.

The officials were well aware of the incident that had unfolded outside the city gates and the grave consequences it held for the kingdom's future. Normally, the petty quarrels of young lords held no sway over the king. He disapproved but seldom intervened. However, this particular transgression bore weighty implications for the kingdom's destiny.

Whispers circulated among the officials, tinged with a hint of schadenfreude. They presumed that the Right Prime Ministers and their comrades would endure a minor reprimand at most, given the seemingly trifling nature of the young lords' squabble.

In response to the king's inquiry, the officials, including the Right Prime Ministers, collectively prostrated themselves, imploring, "We admit our errors, Your Highness. We beseech you for your judgment."

Their request for judgment conveyed their belief that the king would likely mete out a lenient punishment for the trivial dispute among young nobles. They anticipated a reprimand, unaware that a chilling transformation was taking place in the king's demeanor.

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