Prime Minister Zhang’s act of kneeling did not move my nominal father in the slightest. Having observed the situation for some time, he had finally caught on: in everything we do, we must claim the moral high ground and act with justification. If he refused to give the word, Prime Minister Zhang would have no legal basis to punish these men.
My nominal father spoke up then. "Prime Minister Zhang, you exaggerate. While these three generals have indeed committed the crime of insubordination, it does not warrant involving their entire clans. Wiping out three generations of their families is, frankly, inconsistent with our kingdom’s laws."
With the King’s backing, those standing before the dais regained their nerve. They began to argue back, accusing Prime Minister Zhang of insubordination and treating his superiors like servants—a clear sign of disrespect toward the King himself.
Chapter 264