Four Months

With confident and measured strides, Guard Captain Liang Shuo ascended the grand staircase leading to the majestic Yi Harmony Conclave Hall. As he passed the intimidating stone statues standing sentinel at the top of the stairs, his eyes were drawn to the intricate craftsmanship that made them appear alive. He finally arrived before the colossal wooden doors adorned with masterfully designed motifs of clouds and serpents that coiled around one another in a mesmerizing dance.

Clasping his hands and bowing deeply, Liang Shuo proclaimed in a sonorous voice, "Captain Liang Shuo requests permission to enter the hall!"

The imposing doors creaked open slowly, revealing a servant standing next to them. The servant bellowed, "Captain Liang Shuo has arrived!"

As Liang Shuo stepped into the awe-inspiring hall, he was met with a vast open space featuring soaring ceilings upheld by towering, red-lacquered columns that seemed to reach for the heavens. Approaching the massive wooden table at the center, he gracefully kneeled before it.

Yi Chang, the esteemed family head, waved his hand dismissively and inquired, "Captain Shuo, have you found my son?"

Liang Shuo straightened up, exuding respect as he reported, "Master, the Second Young Master has been found. He was at the Serene Ascension Pagoda."

"Why was he there?" Yi Chang questioned, his brow furrowing.

"The Second Young Master was studying martial arts with Elder Feng to better train the Fourth Young Master," Liang Shuo explained.

Satisfied with the answer, Yi Chang nodded and said, "I see. You may return to your position."

"Yes, Master." With that, Liang Shuo walked over to the low, smooth wooden tables lining the hall's walls, the sound of his footsteps echoing off the polished wood flooring. He took his seat upon one of the many plush cushions.

After dismissing Liang Shuo, Yi Chang redirected his attention to the ongoing conversation, "So how many do they want?" he asked, his tone serious.

A man clad in grey robes emblazoned with the Yi family crest stood at the round table and replied, "The emperor is requesting 500,000 more."

Murmurs and exchanged glances filled the hall, the tension palpable.

With a decisive wave of his hand, Yi Chang silenced the whispers, his robes fluttering with the motion. "When?" he demanded.

"Four months," the man answered, his expression grave.

The commotion intensified as another man at the table stood, hands clasped, "Forgive me, Patriarch, but this is absurd! We have already sent one and a half million soldiers to support the war, while the other cities have merely sent half that number. This is unjust!"

Yi Chang first addressed the room, "Quiet." Then, turning his attention to the man, he said, "You are indeed right that we have contributed the most. But why should it matter what other cities do?"

"Patriarch, this war has dragged on for four long years, with nothing to show for it! The soldiers' morale is low, they feel as if their lives don't matter to us, that we are sending them to their deaths." The man pleaded before retaking his seat.

Yi Chang shifted his focus to one of the four major elders seated nearby. There sat Yi Hong, a towering figure with a powerful build. He appeared to be in his late thirties, sporting enormous bushy eyebrows and a mustache that drooped into an imposing beard, reminiscent of a tiger's mane. He wore the same purple and grey robes as Elder Feng.

Yi Chang questioned, "Yi Hong, what is your stance on this matter?"

Yi Hong's deep, resonant voice replied, "Brother, it is indeed unfair. What the man says about the soldiers' morale is true. When I went to the frontline to help command our troops, I witnessed their despair with my own eyes."

Yi Chang pondered for a moment before asking, "What do you think we should do?"

Yi Hong's face clouded, then he said, "Brother, I believe it's best to consult Jun on this matter."

On the raised platform consisting of five seats, with Yi Chang in the center and two seats flanking each side, only three people were present. Yi Chang turned his attention to the left where a slender man sat. He was tall, his long hair tied in a disheveled top bun, and wore the same intricate grey and purple robes. As he met Yi Chang's gaze, he offered a sly smile.

Yi Chang inquired, "Yi Jun, what about you? What do you think we should do?"

Yi Jun's smile broadened as he replied, "We shouldn't send any more troops."

Intrigued, Yi Chang questioned, "Hmm, wouldn't that be a direct defiance of the emperor's will?"

"Yes, indeed it would," Yi Jun nodded in agreement.

Yi Chang continued to watch Yi Jun, waiting for him to elaborate further.

"So instead, why not send something equal in value?" Yi Jun suggested, his smile unwavering.

After some contemplation, Yi Chang said, "I have already sent Yi Ling after Yi Hong returned. To send more than one main elder at a time would weaken us too much."

Still smiling, Yi Jun responded, "Then why not send someone of the same importance? Such as your son."

"I cannot send Yi Ming; he would be assassinated even with an elder guarding him," Yi Chang replied gravely.

"It doesn't have to be him," Yi Jun said.

Searching for an answer, Yi Chang was about to question who else could go when Yi Hong interjected, "What about Yi Tian? Wasn't he interested in martial arts?"

Yi Jun nodded, confirming that this was his proposed solution. However, Yi Chang still harbored doubts, "Yi Tian has not yet reached full adulthood. He has not even unlocked his dantians and meridians; to send him into battle would be suicide."

"His birthday is in three weeks, which should give him time to train a little. Besides, he is being sent as a figurehead; actual participation is not necessary," Yi Jun reassured.

Yi Jun added, "In four months' time, send him to the frontlines. This will make it impossible for the imperial family to protest."