Governor Dai replied: "Yes! For so many years, your humble servant has guarded this place! Bound by my duty, I have not dared to slack off, giving my utmost until my dying breath! Yet my abilities are lacking, and the criminal bandits have not been fully eradicated, leading to the troubles we face today!
"However, Your Majesty has repeatedly sent imperial edicts instructing me to keep a low profile and not push the wandering outlaws and bandits too hard for fear that their massive forces might turn against us! Therefore, since the Ninth Prince is marching into the territory of the outlaws, I hope to report this clearly to Your Majesty!"
Zhao Lie laughed: "A general in the field is not bound by the emperor's orders! Today's expedition to the east gives me full authority over life and death! Besides, treacherous officials hold sway at court; if such top-secret military matters were reported to the Son of Heaven, leaks would inevitably occur and cause unnecessary trouble for our army."
Chapter 483