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Joint Council
When Captain Cobra returned to the Ministry, Di Lin was fully dressed and ready to depart. His final instructions for his men were: “Listen up. Remember to give them that menacing look and don’t smile, put your hand on the sword hilt, and when you speak, make sure everyone hears you. Today, you need to be that badass I taught you to be, even if to a random stranger on the street asking for directions!”
The officers complied with no questions asked, pulling up their sleeves, one looking more threatening than the next. Even when they walked, the sabres around their waist clashed loudly against the inside of the scabbard with each movement. Their sinister and dangerous look made one wonder if House Liu Feng’s army had invaded the Capital.
Cobra knew: Di Lin was getting ready to attend the “Joint Council”. The so called “Joint Council” was based on Headmaster – ZiChuan Shen Xing’s idea. Its purpose was to improve the communication between the High Command and the Ministry, increasing mutual trust, reducing friction, encouraging unity, broadening perspective and solving problems! Or so he said.
But according to Captain Cobra: “ZiChuan Shen Xing has never fully intended for the High Command and the Ministry to work together! Just imagine putting Di Lin and Luo Ming Hai alone in a room, one would eat the other alive! A council with both of them together, what problems could they hope to solve?
It was for that very same reason that every time the “Joint Council” proceeded following the exact same unchanging cycle of events.
- Everyone takes seat.
- ZiChuan Shen Xing makes the opening statement. (Telling how dire the situation is, that everyone should put their personal interests aside and work together for the greater good.)
- Luo Ming Hai makes his report.
- Di Lin mocks him. (Saying a donkey would have done a better job!)
- Luo Ming Hai counters with personal attacks. (Calling him all kind of names.)
- Beginning of the shouting contest (“…….” Around two hundred words had been redacted from this page. It was mostly about how willing one was to get involved with the other’s close female relatives in an illegal or forceful manner, and how generous the act would have been considering how ugly the opposite sex was.)
- Once the contest reached the critical point, in order to further illustrate their deep hatred for one and other, they would turn the shouting contest into a spitting contest. (They were both gifted men with great martial prowess and a greater deal of lung capacity. They could even turn spits into weapon, except their aim left much to be desired. Most of the attacks were unfortunately wasted on the Headmaster.)
- Throwing tea cups.(In order to lower the monthly expenses, before each of their meeting, the Department of Interior would switch out all porcelain cups for metal ones, even so, many were broken beyond repair. Later, after Ge Shan was promoted to the Chief of Staff, she reprimanded them harshly: “Idiots! Why don’t you use paper cups instead?”
- Mutual provocation. (“Come at me if you dare?!” “Oh yeah, you think you can stop me?” “Come and find out!” “Make me!” and the vicious cycle of philosophical questions whether eggs came first or chicken came first continued.)
- Violence. (ZiChuan Shen Xing had to remind them: “We don’t have much time left, can you get back to business!” Only then did those two who were still indulged in philosophical debate finally realize: “That is right, we can’t waste any more time. We need to get down to business!” Since they weren’t allowed inside with weapons, chairs quickly became their weapons, but the last time they were made to sit on sofa’s, and those were made of Red Nanmu[[1]], incredibly heavy. After that brawl, both of them almost died from overexertion, thus preserving the status quo.)
- ZiChuan Shen Xing’s rage: “Do you even realize what you are doing? Where are your dignity and pride?” (By his command, a large group of imperial guards would rush in, batons in hand; beating down any troublemaker they see with complete disregard to what positions they might hold, Supreme Commander or Inspector General alike, and separating them by force.)
- Accept severe punishments while made to self reflect.
- Meeting adjourned. (Time to go home and sleep.)
……
Di Lin seemed satisfied with the menacing looks his officers were making: “Good! That is what I am talking about! Scare them to death!” He noticed Captain Cobra through the corner of his eye, and called for him: “You returned? How is the vacation? Did you get to talk to your uncle? How is he?” A series of casual inquiries.
Cobra understood the meaning behind Di Lin’s words, answering politely: “You are too kind, Sir. My vacation was great, I couldn’t have wished for more. My uncle is great too. He asked me to let you know that he wishes you well. Since my distant cousin has been fighting the war in the Far East, I told my uncle to keep an eye out for anyone or any letters coming through the provinces of Deja and Iriya.” (Sir, everything was dealt with, leaving no traces to be found. Commander Fang Jin continued to follow your order to the letter. I have told him to watch for anyone or letters coming from province Deja or Iriya, making sure that nothing slips through.)
Seeing Captain Cobra’s dust covered army uniform, what was once black was now brown; Di Lin could tell that he came as soon as he could without even stopping by home. Di Lin nodded in approval, praising him silently: “Even though I didn’t instruct him about the letters, he came to the idea on his own.
But Di Lin also knew Cobra was in reality ZiChuan Shen Xing’s agent, put in place to keep an eye on him. They had always maintained that special kind of relationship of mutual understanding: Di Lin knew who Cobra was, but never exposed him. He even got him to do all his dirty work. Meanwhile, Cobra knew exactly how to handle the mission ZiChuan Shen Xing gave him. Whenever he needed to write his secret report, he would always show it to Di Lin first with the excuses of: “Sir, how do I write this word? I don’t remember, can you teach me?”
……
“Cobra, are you feeling tired? You can go home if you wish.” Di Lin asked.
“No need, Sir. Given the weight of the occasion, it would be strange if I’m not around.” What Cobra really meant was: As the Captain of your personal guard, who was also nicknamed as “Di Lin’s Shadow”, if I’m suddenly not by your side and let the paranoid ZiChuan Shen Xing notice my absence, it could become problematic if he started investigating my whereabouts.
Di Lin immediately understood Cobra’s thoughts, patting him on his shoulder as comfort: “Thank you!”
Cobra glanced around Di Lin’s escort, noticing a couple weakly, sickly men amongst them. He turned to Di Lin: “Sir, shouldn’t we bring a couple tougher looking ones instead? They look…”
Di Lin smiled: “Cobra, did you forget? During the last meeting, Luo Ming Hai purposely let one of his disgusting midget spit at me, I totally lost out on that exchange! Today I shall have my revenge!”
Cobra sounded surprised, throwing his puzzled looks at the few sickly men in front of him while wondering how they could possibly avenge anything. He hesitated: “Are they… great at spitting?”
“Not really.” Di Lin whispered closer to Cobra’s ears: “They are all suffering from an infectious form of tuberculosis.”
……
Everyone took their seats; both Luo Ming Hai and Di Lin consciously took the two chairs furthest away from each other on opposite sides of the room. Between them, officers from the High Command and officers from the Ministry lined up orderly in two rows, forming two opposing factions, separating Luo Ming Hai and Di Lin like two opposite poles of the same magnet. ZiChuan Shen Xing took the seat at the center of the table, watching over both of them with his kind and proud gaze, like a parent watching over two of his stubborn and spoiled sons.
Di Lin frowned. Amongst the officers of the High Command he spotted the former commanding officer of ZiChuan Xiu, Chief Ge Shan. She was known for her diligence and intensity. Hence she had always been omitted from the meeting, but his time Luo Ming Hai thought it fit to bring her along, suggesting that perhaps this time, Luo Ming Hai really had something important to discuss.
Di Lin sighed. If that really was the case, his deliberately prepared counter attack would have to be cancelled.
ZiChuan Shen Xing made the opening statement, the same exact words he had used thousand times before, pointless and boring. Yet, Di Lin had little choice but to fake the same inspired and appreciative look every time, showing how meaningful and memorable Headmaster’s words were.
Next up, Luo Ming Hai began reporting the latest events to the Headmaster. The most important part of his report was about the war in the Far East. Luo Ming Hai continued: “Let me read you the latest report from the Far Eastern Front First Commander, Ming Hui…”
“In response to the Headmaster and the Supreme Commander…”
Officers from the Ministry standing on the opposite side of the room interrupted him in unison: “The war in the Far East has come to its time of greatest danger!”
Luo Ming Hai stared at Di Lin angrily: “Di Lin, you are in Headmaster’s presence. Are you incapable of keeping your men under control?!”
Di Lin replied nonchalantly: “Why? Are my Officers not allowed to express their humble opinions regarding the war in the Far East in front of the Headmaster? What does any of it have to do with you?!”
Luo Ming Hai was furious as if his veins were about to burst. He was well known for always being calm. Ever since he became the Supreme Commander, he even turned it up a notch. Except when he was with Di Lin, all that calm and poise instantly went up in smoke. Di Lin was exceptionally gifted when it came to teasing and making people angry. As long as he used his special kind of unique, prolonged and curled nobleman accent, and that who gives a damn attitude, saying a few words while being completely oblivious to the one he is speaking to, all the while looking down upon the person through the corner of his eye… he could even get the dead to rise from under the ground only to die again!” Those were ZiChuan Xiu’s words.
ZiChuan Shen Xing tried to mediate the situation: “Calm down, both of you. Di Lin, tell your men to keep quiet. Luo Ming Hai, please continue.”
Luo Ming Hai grimaced at Di Lin, then continued: “In response to the Headmaster and the Supreme Commander, the war in the Far East has come to its time of greatest danger!”
Every officer on the side of the Ministry burst out in laughter, even some of High Command’s officer laughed helplessly under their breath: Ever since Luo Ming Hai recommended Ming Hui for the position of the First Commander in the Far Eastern Front, every Tuesday and Thursday the Far Eastern Regions would find itself “in time of greatest danger”, and naturally, when confronted with such danger, the request was for more men, more supplies and more money.
Luo Ming Hai added: “Ming Hui’s report for October 7th is as follows: ‘In such dangerous time, if I don’t receive more reinforcement or anything less than a whole division, our line would crumple completely!”
ZiChuan Shen Xing looked annoyed: “That bloody riffraff, he is threatening us again. Tell him, no more reinforcement!”
Luo Ming Hai nodded: “Yes. I told him right the way: “if our line crumples, he is the first one getting court-martialled!’”
ZiChuan Shen Xing applauded: “Well said! Good work! So why did you still send reinforcement afterwards?”
“Because he sent me another report later, saying: ‘In such dangerous time, if you give me one more division, I can make the enemy lines crumple!”
Di Lin sneered at him sitting across: “He just changed the words, and you got fooled again.”
Even ZiChuan Shen Xing complained, scolding him slightly: “Indeed, Luo Ming Hai, he just wanted one division, you shouldn’t have taken three integrated divisions off the western border just for him!”
“But he sent the same report three times in a row…”
Di Lin laughed dryly while staring at the ceiling as if he was saying “I have no words for such stupidity’. Even though he never said the words out loud, it made Luo Ming Hai hundred times angrier than any words would.
ZiChuan Shen Xiu laughed too, shaking his head, lamenting: “The Far East is such a black hole. Over the last few months, we have sent over forty divisions, almost three hundered thousand men, spending billions on military expenses, and yet, the end is nowhere in sight. What do we do? Di Lin, you have been to the Far East before. What do you suggest?”
Di Lin answered politely: “Sir, I believe we must stop withdrawing troops from the western border for the time being. Currently, the men power balance on the western border is getting close to two against three in comparison to House Liu Feng’s forces, and in some areas along the border, the ratio even dropped to a dangerous one against two. If we withdraw anymore men, we risk leaving the western front exposed. If that bitch Liu Feng Shuang start getting funny ideas, we may lose more than we risk to gain.”
ZiChuan Shen Xing nodded: “I agree. Even though House Liu Feng has its own set of internal problems, we shouldn’t underestimate her. So how do we respond to Ming Hui’s request for reinforcement then?”
“We will have to invest more in the newly formed militia army, Sir.” Di Lin knew Luo Ming Hai was in charge of reforming the militia army; he purposely threw the hot potato his way.
Gritting his teeth, Luo Ming Hai answered grudgingly: “Sir, due to harvest season, most of the able men are staying at home helping with the field work. We haven’t been getting many new recruits lately… The situation should improve once the harvest season ends.”
ZiChuan Shen Xing frowned: “But… the situation is dire, and the war does not wait! What if we hire a couple mercenary groups? It is much faster, and they are also more experienced than militias.”
Luo Ming Hai wasn’t sure how to answer: “Sir… can we let Ge Shan explain the situation.”
ZiChuan Shen Xing agreed.
Ge Shan stepped forth, bowing politely to ZiChuan Shen Xing. She looked confident and spoke clearly: “Per Headmaster, Supreme Commander and Inspector’s inquiries, if we wish to create mercenary divisions, the estimated initial cost for each division would be around hundred-and-ten million, and its monthly upkeep would be around thirty million. In comparison, a regular division will only cost around fifty million, and its monthly upkeep is only seven million. Our total military expense of this year authorized by the Council of Elder is seventeen billion and eight-hundred-thirty-two million. Ever since the war in the Far East started, we are running at a heavy deficit. So far we have spent nearly thirty-three billion and two-hundred-and-fifty-one million, and it is only barely November right now. That is more than two months away from the end of the fiscal year in January, at this rate we are looking at over forty billion in military spending this year. If we try to form the expensive mercenary division now, we won’t be able to explain ourselves to the Council.”
Ge Shan’s words were direct and efficient, throwing dozens of exact numbers without a second thought. As expected from the most able servant of the High Command.
Di Lin listened attentively at Ge Shan’s brief report, but his attention was not focused on the details of her report: There was something interesting going on between Ge Shan and Luo Ming Hai. Ge Shan had always been known for her diligence and daring honestly. As long as there was something she didn’t approve, no matter who the other person was, she would rain hell upon them. Once due to difference in opinion, she publicly criticized and humiliated her commanding officer, Luo Ming Hai. The argument got so heated even the onlookers were worried… But somehow, Luo Ming Hai continued to support her even after that. Last time during the rebellion in the Capital, it was also Luo Ming Hai who spoke in her defence after her unfavourable opinions got her into trouble… Now he even recommended her for the position of Chief of Staff.
If his request was approved, then she will be the first female member in the High Command.
Di Lin considered carefully: “Ignoring the grievances between himself and the man, he had to admit, Luo Ming Hai did have a keen eye for talents. He was also very skilled in handling civil affairs and logistic works. Not to mention he wasn’t greedy and didn’t abuse his power… he being the Supreme Commander was not the worst thing in the world… at the very least, he was much better than the former Supreme Commander. The only unfortunately thing was… He hated him more than anything…”
While Di Lin’s thought wandered, ZiChuan Shen Xing asked Ge Shan: “Then in your opinion, we shouldn’t form any mercenary divisions for now?”
“Correct.” Ge Shan responded swiftly: “Or else our deficit would be too great, and we will have troubles explaining it to the Council.” She added bluntly, lacking any of the tactfulness, respect or timid attitude expected from a servant: “Sir, in your infinite wisdom, if I may share my humble opinion…”
Di Lin smirked, thinking: “No wonder! Even with Luo Ming Hai’s backing, given her straightforward temperament, there is no way she will ever sit on the chair of the Chief of Staff.”
ZiChuan Shen Xing was clearly not pleased about her, but he remained silent.
Luo Ming Hai quickly changed the subject: “Sir, Ming Hui also proposed a large-scale battle plan, seeking our approval. Operation codename ‘Blue Moon’. The battle plan involves nearly four hundred thousand men in its operations, including the bulk of the Black Banner Army and the Central Army, and over two-hundred-thousand militia forces. The scale of this operation is so great, that Ming Hui dared not to make the decision on his own, hence the request. If the plan succeeds, there is a chance we may end the Far Eastern War before year’s end!”
As he expected, he quickly attracted ZiChuan Shen Xing’s full attention: “Huh? What plan? Let’s hear it.”
“Yes, Sir!” Luo Ming Hai summoned forth a staff officer: “Lay out the battle map.”
“Ming Hui’s plan is as followed: The bulk of the Far Eastern Rebel Army has gathered in the dense forest and mountain areas in the province of Yun, hoping to break through our blockades. Both Ming Hui’s and Stirling’s forces have attempted to keep them contained by setting up defences along the edge of the forest areas leading into Yun. However, due to the fact that most of our regular forces come from the core areas of ZiChuan, and are not used to fighting in the forest and mountains, we have obtained very little success so far and suffered a great deal of casualties.”
“Ming Hui’s plan is, to simply let them out. Black Banner Army shall fake a retreat and lure the Rebel Army into the intersection of the Blue River and Grey River. It is an open-plain area called the Three Branched River. Once the Black Banner Army makes it across, they will destroy the bridges and barricade themselves on their side of the river, stopping the Rebel Army from crossing. Meanwhile, Central Army and Fang Jin’s Militia army will surround and hit the Rebel Army from behind. The open-plain of the Three Branching River is an area surrounded by river on both side. With bridges destroyed on one side, and their only other way out being cut off by the Central Army and the Militia Forces, in less than a month, they will have to either surrender or starve to death. Once we defeat the bulk of the Rebel Army, rest of the rebellion forces in the Far East will collapse on its own.”
Di Lin already knew where it was going before he finished, sneering: “Of course, a typical grand plan coming from Ming Hui!”
He explained to ZiChuan Shen Xing: “Sir, I believe this plan is most unfair. Once Ming Hui’s forces make it across the river and destroy the bridges, the Rebel Army will most likely be deterred from chasing any further, and when the Rebel Army realizes they are trapped in the Three Branching River, with no way out, they will do whatever they can to survive, the same as if you back a dog into a corner, it is going to bite. In other words, it is the Central Army that will have to absorb the blunt of Rebel Army’s counter attack! They will be left exposed in the open, with no way to defend themselves! Meanwhile, all Ming Hui needed to do is to sit leisurely on the other side of the Blue River, and ‘barricade’ themselves, clapping their hands, shouting: “Go, Stirling Go!” How is this a fair plan?”
Before ZiChuan Shen Xing made any comment, Lu Ming Hai already rushed to speak: “Commander Stirling knew the gravity of the situation better than anyone; he had already agreed to the proposal!”
Di Lin refuted stubbornly: “That is Sir Stirling for you, always tackling the most difficult task himself, loyal to a fault! But our Headmaster is the manifestation of benevolence; he cares for his servants more than he cares for himself, naturally he would not agree to let Stirling shoulder such unfair responsibility all by himself.”
“How is it all by himself? Isn’t Fang Jin’s militia there as well?”
“Ha, Luo Ming Hai. Those useless militias you have recruited, I can crush a hundred thousand of them with only one of my divisions; they are merely ants waiting to be trampled over! Sir, even though officially, Militia Army will be part of the attacking force, most of the work will no doubt fall on Stirling’s Central Army. His forces have fought nonstop for months, suffering through countless battles. The number of his casualty is sky high! Only letting the sons of Di Du bleed, that is not fair at all, Sir! Stirling’s forces should be the one luring the enemy in, while Ming Hui’s forces should be put in charge of the encirclement, how is that?”
“Di Lin, stop spewing nonsense! Didn’t Central Army just came back rested from the province of Deja? The Black Banner Army has killed way more rebels, several millions in fact, way more than Stirling did!”
“Luo Ming Hai you dumb ass fool! The whole world knew Ming Hui has greatly exaggerated the numbers in his report, only you are still trying to defend him. What are your motives? Central Army’s casualty ratio has reached over thirty-five percent. Do you really think a week or two resting could restore that? Shut the f*ck up if you have no clue about military affairs!”
“Di Lin, you little shit, what proof do you have saying Ming Hui’s report are false? How dare you claim to know anything about war?! You just killed a few peasants! What is there to be proud of?! I…”
“Enough!” ZiChuan Shen Xing smacked down on the table: “Both of you!”
Both Di Lin and Luo Ming Hai bowed at the same time, apologizing earnestly for their insolent behaviour in their Master’s presence.
ZiChuan Shen Xing exhaled deeply: “You two idiots are going to be the death of me one day.” He turned to Ge Shan: “Ge Shan, what do you think?”
Everyone seemed surprised: They all saw ZiChuan Shen Xing’s annoyed look earlier while talking to Ge Shan, and yet, overlooking so many other high ranking officers in the room, he specially asked for her opinion.
Di Lin understood the reasoning right the way: Amongst all the people sitting here, they were either on his side or on Luo Ming Hai’s, leaving only Ge Shan isolated from both. Her point of view was the neutral one.
Ge Shan stood up, answering: “Sir, I’m not a field officer, but since you asked, I can only say what i know: ‘The Far East is thousand miles from here, just exchanging a message will take weeks. We can never know what is going on over there in the most recent time, therefore it is unwise to force an order on them which could potentially waste any opportunities that might rise at a moment’s notice on the field of battle.'”
Her words were fuelled by logic and reasoning, not favouring either side. Despite the earlier arguments, both camps nodded in approval.
“So in your opinion…”
“Sir Ming Hui, Sir Stirling and Sir Fang Jin, those three Commanders at the Far Eastern Front are all experienced generals and veterans of war, not some fools toying with things they don’t know. We just need to worry about providing them with the necessary supplies, and leave the battle planning to the experts. Tell them that: “The goal is to put an end to the war as soon as possible, everything else, they may do as they see fit!” The three Commanders are there in person, they know the situation best, therefore they should know how to best handle it. They don’t need us to telling them what to do.”
[[1]]Nanmu is a type of wood that was frequently used for boat building, architectural woodworking and wood art in China.
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