No matter what, the leadership cannot be the scapegoat.

This battle, the fault lies entirely with the enemy.

Had their technology not been so advanced, their equipment not been so exquisite, their battle tactics not been so cunning, and their thoughts not been so sinister...

How could we have possibly lost?

Shen Wuxiang looked around, sighed softly, and said, "I must apologize to you all, to the Royal Family, to the citizens... It was my underestimation of the enemy that led to the needless sacrifice of those 37,000 valiant soldiers. I have failed them, and even more so, I have failed their families."

"You mustn't say such things, Military Minister."

"This was a decision collectively made by the Military Committee; if there are apologies to be made, we should all step forward and apologize together."

"Indeed, the responsibility should be borne by all members of the Military Committee; how can we let the Military Minister shoulder it alone?"

"The Military Minister loves his troops as if they were his own children..."

------

Guo Nu also wanted to chime in with flattery, but in such a situation, he didn't even have the right to speak.

Shen Wuxiang clasped his hands towards everyone and said with emotion, "Thank you, I, Shen Wuxiang, will remember this kindness."

Everyone was very satisfied with Shen Wuxiang's response.

Though Shen Wuxiang had a tough exterior, his word was his bond.

If he said he would remember this favor, then he would certainly remember it.

And he would definitely repay it several times over in the future.

His uncompromising demeanor might not be endearing, yet he still had the support of so many because of it.

Clear rewards and punishments, distinct division of interests - these are the traits of a rare good leader.

Some leaders act so disgracefully when it comes to benefits that it's easy for those around them to pull them down.

"I am the First Commander, naturally, I am also the first to be responsible for this defeat. This, everyone, please don't argue with me on this matter," Shen Wuxiang said with deep-set tiger eyes, looking truly heartbroken.

"But, this also serves as a warning bell to us. Just as Brother Dao Long mentioned earlier, the Lu Family possesses an absolute advantage in technology and equipment."

"Furthermore, they are treated generously by the Royal Family, revered by the citizens... Rather than thinking of repaying the Empire with loyalty, they conceal techniques, equipment, even their most ferocious artillery..."

"What does the Lu Family want to do? Who are they aiming these secrets at? Towards whom are their guns pointed?"

"I will now go to the Phoenix Palace to admit my guilt, to request the King's punishment... But I must also vehemently denounce the Lu Family's cunning and malice, to lay before him the harm they have caused to the Empire..."

"This is not one person's fight, not one family's or one clan's battle, but a war of a nation..."

"Gentlemen, we must remove this malignant tumor, and ensure the safety of the Royal Family and the Empire."

"The Military Minister has worked hard."

"If needed, I am willing to accompany the Military Minister."

"Let's go together, no matter what, the King must make a statement..."

"Indeed, otherwise the death of those more than 30,000 valiant soldiers would have been in vain..."

------

Phoenix Palace.

Zhong Daolong held a whiskey glass in his hand, his face showing a look of astonishment, and asked, "37,000 men wiped out? Not a single survivor?"

"Yes," Chen Fenglei stood directly in front of Zhong Daolong, facilitating his gaze. "Before the battle even began, I had sent a great number of worker bees around Lu Ban Mountain to gather information; we also had our spy bees inside the three ace brigades..."

"The early stages of the battle were quite smooth. Under the fierce assault of the three ace brigades, the private soldiers of the Lu Family suffered over six hundred casualties and were forced to retreat..."

"Now it appears they were luring the enemy deeper inside... showing weakness to the enemy, and when they got all of our men deep into the belly of Lu Ban Mountain, they started the encirclement..."

"No battlefield imagery?"

"The Lu Family used an advanced signal jamming system, our people tried to break through... but failed."

Chen Fenglei bowed deeply, his face full of shame, and said, "I am incompetent, please punish me, Your Majesty."

Zhong Daolong was silent for a long while, then let out a cold laugh, "Ha...what a Lu Qingshan, what a Shen Wuxiang..."

"Look at this, what kind of subjects has the state nurtured?"

"One without consulting forces the Military Committee's deployment plan, as a means of pressuring the palace..."

"The other, at the drop of a hat, slaughters more than 37,000 brave soldiers of our Empire..."

"Do they still have the Royal Family in their eyes? Do they still recognize me as the King?"

"How can I entrust the state to their hands? How can I be at ease..."

"When it comes time for Zhong Tianque to take over this mess, will anyone still listen to him? Who will regard him as the sovereign of a nation?"

"..."

Chen Fenglei bowed and kept silent.

Such a topic was far too sensitive and provocative.

They say the King's heart is unfathomable, and had Zhong Daolong not been so enraged, he wouldn't have reprimanded his court officials to their faces.

Any carelessness in letting these words out would certainly cause a significant uproar.

Of course, Chen Fenglei absolutely could not let it get out.

Because in the room right now, it was just him and Zhong Daolong...

"What is the Military Committee saying? Shen Wuxiang is not giving me an explanation?"

"They are holding a meeting... I think, the Military Minister should come to apologize to Your Majesty soon..."

"To apologize?" Zhong Daolong sneered repeatedly, "I'm afraid he is coming to force me into public support for him, isn't he? Having suffered such a big loss, he naturally wants to find a way to save face..."

"This time, he will definitely escalate the scale of the war... he might even compel me to condemn the Lu Family before the national media in the name of those fallen 30,000 plus soldiers..."

"This is their real intention... Shen Wuxiang wants to bind the Empire to his personal chariot..."

"Your Majesty, if you do this... the Lu Family will become the sworn enemy of the Empire."

"Do we have a better choice? If I don't step forward, how do I explain to the family members of those 37,000 soldiers? How do I account to the billions of citizens?"

"Shen Wuxiang has calculated this point accurately, which is why he dares to press me so boldly..."

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