The Martial Emperor fell ill at this time, sending his councilors into a frenzy. The North Country's army was stationed in Youping County, poised to march south at any moment, and the emperor, the sovereign of the nation, ironically became an "absentee landlord."
Fortunately, the Martial Emperor eventually issued an imperial decree, instructing Prince Wu Ming to lead a diplomatic mission northward to sue for peace with the North Country.
When the imperial decree was announced, the officials aligned with Prince Lu Yi felt very pleased within. Seeking peace was hardly an enviable task.
On one hand, the Martial Emperor was known for his hardline stance; he had waged many wars in his life and had never sought peace with any power before. This was his first time doing so, which, for the Martial Emperor, was a humiliation and a stain on his reputation.