He slowly rose to his feet and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, may your clear judgment discern the truth."
"The war at the Northern Border was fought to safeguard the realm and ensure peace; it was something we could not avoid."
"In the course of deployment, there may have been oversights; I cannot shirk my share of blame."
"As for the governance of the local administrations… I, though unworthy, sit in the post of chief minister. To oversee all officials is a duty that falls to me. I failed to detect the rot early, allowing popular resentment to boil over—this is all the more my fault."
"I beg Your Majesty to pronounce judgment upon me."
His posture was lowered to the utmost, taking all responsibility upon himself.
This was both convention and helpless necessity.
The Gu Clan now stood at the very pinnacle of power, and at the very center of the storm.
Any accusation would, in the end, be directed at them.
