The boots and socks of the court officials were soaked in blood, the table laden with a dazzling array of dishes and fruits, and countless corpses lay beside the table legs, their eyes wide open in unwilling death.

This was the Empress's warning. With the nation at war and the chances of victory slim, there would inevitably be those whose resolve wavered.

The Empress's message was simple.

You may fear battle, and someone will bear the burden for you. When it comes time to reward merits, you can just watch from the sidelines.