Liu Shan Men Divided in Three - Ministers in the Imperial Court

　　“Today's topic doesn't concern va.s.sals. I have found seven individuals I identify as my kingdom's pillars."

　　There were three people lined up on either side of the room. One in the centre wore a smile. The seven of them were loyal to the imperial court from the bottom of their hearts in body and soul. It was perfectly normal for them to be jubilant when acknowledged by the Emperor. However, he didn't commend them individually; instead, he applauded them as a group. Five among the seven were discontent. They looked left and right, coldly snorted and looked away. They took a small step back to signal they refused to be on the same page as their foe. n.o.body noticed they segregated themselves, since they stepped back in unison, thereby nullifying their disconcerted att.i.tude.

　　It was supposed to be a morning conference, yet the Emperor met with them exclusively. The seven were cool as cuc.u.mbers; nothing suggested they were flattered. That demonstrated they were used to turbulence. The seven of them wielded tremendous power and influence in the imperial court.

　　From left to right, they were there two who led the reformist faction in the imperial court, Secretary of Ministry of War, Lie Jingchan, and Secretary of the Ministry of Work, Lu Boan. The two viewed the Secretary of Ministry of War as their leader; the Ministry of War always was the reformist faction in the imperial court.

　　In terms of foreign threats, the two kept the Northern border and Western Region in check through warfare and expanded the nation's domains to ensure peace once and for all. In terms of internal challenges, they worked with the three law enforcement government offices, a.s.sisting them with military might, stripping the Seven Champion White Princes of power one by one by one and taking back territory. They wanted to empower the imperial court with the ability to rule the pugilistic world. In terms of national policies, they encouraged the Emperor to innovate. Part of this innovation included encouraging engineering studies. They advocated pursuing extra skills outside of martial arts, a creative idea the Emperor loved.

　　The only problem the Emperor had with them was their obsession with fighting. The Seven Champion White Princes' foundations were solid. Trying to take any of them down would be an arduous struggle. But let's focus on the Western Regions and Beijiang, the Northern Border.

　　The Western Regions' seven kingdoms were always united. Beijiang's two big kingdoms were home to countless valiant figures. By no accounts were they inferior to Emperor Yuansheng's kingdom. If Emperor Yuansheng's kingdom was to go to war with them, they'd most probably be locked in an eternal battle. The Emperor conducted a detailed a.n.a.lysis on the idea before. If the two va.s.sals were to actually implement the thought, it would likely cost more than the founding Emperor's living expenses for a century. Evidently, the idea was preposterous.

　　The two from right to left were Secretary of Personnel, Zhang Chunfeng, Secretary of Rites, Kong Duan, and Secretary of Ministry of Revenue, Qian Wuque. The three were the imperial court's peace advocates' faction representatives. They were strongly against resorting to military might unless absolutely necessary. They were experienced and steady, especially since they had Secretary of Personnel, Zhang Chunfeng, as their leader. They encouraged the Emperor to rule with benevolence and to respect relations.h.i.+ps. They strongly promoted ruling through culture. They were of the opinion that the Seven Champion White Princes and the three law enforcement government offices were able to rule the pugilistic world.

　　The Emperor agreed with their experience and steady approach; he wasn't eager for more war. Unfortunately, they were against his desire to send in his forces to wipe out the Demon Sect when the latter was facing internal strife. That led to the Emperor believing the three were far too conservative.

　　The dynasty always promoted martial artists as being integral to the imperial court ever since its establishment. As such, despite there being relatively lots of peace advocates, the ratio of martial artists to scholars in the imperial court was even. It became commonplace for them to engage in verbal warfare every daily conference.

　　On gentleman stood right in the centre. He looked as though he was asleep, thereby sticking out like a thorn. The honoured gentleman would be none other than Prime Minister Li Si. He had to wake up earlier than usual in the morning, which was why he struggled to stay awake. In just two sentences' time, he was nodding off, looking to play a game of chess with Duke of Zhou.

　　Next to the Prime Minister was a middle-aged man. Said man was Secretary of the Ministry of Justice's Leng Ming, Secretary Leng. He was charged with enforcing justice not partaking in politics. He wasn't fond of forming factions, either. He kept to himself, which was one of the reasons the Emperor respected him.

　　Smiling, the Emperor said, "I have a favour to ask of you seven."

　　Secretary Lie immediately took centre stage. As a soldier who fought in countless battles, he looked tough and had a dark, thick beard. He responded to the call with a flaming spirit in his eyes: "Your Majesty, I shall fulfil whatever favour it is! Consider it done!" He brushed his robe after he was done speaking, acting as though he was about to leave after giving a command in the barracks.

　　Secretary Zhang was dressed as a bright scholar. Courteously and clearly, he expressed, "Please give the order, Your Majesty. Your subject will provide advice."

　　Secretary Zhang snickered and directed a deriding comment at Secretary Lie right after: "How are you going to do what you don't know what the task is? How is someone so brash supposed to achieve anything?"

　　Secretary Lie glared back: "I just will! I can do anything. You have a problem with that?"

　　"Not one. It is I merely feel sorry for the soldiers who have to serve under a commander with the temperament of a raging bull."

　　Secretary Lie didn't fire back - not that he could win even if he tried. He made a simple statement: "Old geezer, don't compete in silly topics here. Give me that bizarre att.i.tude again, and I'll skin you."