Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

Zhang Xuan, the Prince of Qi, leads the New Year discussion at the Ziwei Pavilion, emphasizing that discussions are not binding decisions. Fang Xuan Ling, representing the military, outlines plans for next year, including expanding the army to 600,000 troops, reinstating military households in border regions, and enhancing weaponry production. The court supports these military expansions due to upcoming warfare needs. Wei Yun Qi from the Ministry of Personnel discusses the tight schedule for the imperial examination, which was postponed due to conflicts. Meanwhile, lower-level officials prepare for the New Year celebrations, with one official, Hou Chun Sheng, behaving unusually, hinting at personal troubles. The chapter ends with Hou Chun Sheng meeting a mysterious man in a tavern, indicating a deeper plot unfolding.

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