Bias

"Your majesty, what should we do now?" the scholar asked. The situation had reached the worst possible outcome, and their choice would have catastrophic effects.

"What do you think?" the Empress asked.

The scholar paused, "I'm afraid our only option is to surrender—unless there is some kind of miracle." His original plan involved Wang Wei succumbing to his [Virtue] title and manipulating him into a cooperative relationship with the Central Regions.

And if he refused, he could smear his name and use public opinion to force him to conform. Sadly, this plan was eliminated before it even started.

"Come on. I know you can do better than this."

The scholar's body paused before lowering his head. He then glanced at Hua Long from the corner of his eyes and signaled her to speak.