Since the Central Plain and Norland were both working hard to win the Dragon King's support, Gu Shenwei decided to ask Prime Minister Zhong Heng and Left General Dugu Xian to debate on behalf of the two great powers and to summon several high-ranking military officials to hear this head-to-head debate.
Dugu Xian and Zhong Heng were surprised to hear the Dragon King's request. Their first reaction was to reject it, but they finally assured the Dragon King that they were absolutely loyal to him and had no ulterior motives on behalf of the other countries.
Although they both appeared quite reluctant, Gu Shenwei still insisted on them having a debate. "This has nothing to do with your position on this question. It's just that I can't force my troops to join either of the great powers without giving them a reasonable explanation. They have to know the reason," he said.