Cloud Zhong said it was just a joke. So did Pang Jie.
The core of this joke lay in the fact that one represented the highest power institution of Great Song, while the other represented its highest military force. Only after obtaining recognition from the highest power institution could the military have any threat. And the latter's backing was exactly what the former relied on.
This statement sounded a bit awkward when said out loud, but it was extremely important. When military power could be controlled, it became an asset; if uncontrolled, it turned into destruction!
Long ago, Cloud Zhong's greatest power was deciding what to eat in the morning. Now, that had changed. As long as he gave an order, tens of thousands of heavily armed soldiers would follow his instructions and crush any obstacle under their feet.
These two could not be compared; they thus operated differently.
Power would inevitably be monitored. Thus, Chen Lin came to the Cloud family, immediately moving into the White Tiger War Office. He snorted at how generously they treated him and preferred staying in a small room there over enjoying the spacious garden of the Cloud family.
He was a sly person, so it made no difference for him to stay in the Cloud family's inner quarters. It was also considered the highest courtesy by officials when receiving eunuchs who had come from the imperial palace—showing special signs of closeness.
If any other eunuch had received such treatment, they would have been deeply grateful. But Chen Lin, who had perfected his craft as a eunuch, did not care about these superficialities at all.
Although the side room in the White Tiger War Office was small, it was still within the reach of Great Song's power. The Cloud family's inner quarters, though filled with luxuries, were merely for women and children to play and relax. With the emperor's life in danger, Chen Lin had little interest in enjoying wealth!
As long as Cloud Zhong appeared at the White Tiger War Office, Chen Lin would appear like a ghost. Generalissimo's seal was entrusted to Chen Lin by Cloud Zhong. Therefore, every time Cloud Zhong issued an order, Chen Lin had to come and stamp it. This was very inconvenient, but neither Cloud Zhong nor Chen Lin thought there was anything wrong with it.
"General, are the numbers for supplies in Lanzhou correct? Why is the amount of money more than that of food supplies? Could it be that General has a force in Lanzhou?"
Looking at the document that needed his seal, Chen Lin began to exercise his authority as a monitor. He did not care about Cloud Zhong's small allocation; what mattered was its intended purpose.
Cloud Zhong, engrossed in paperwork, looked up and said, "This amount of supplies has been continuously supplied to Lanzhou for four years now. You shouldn't ask what it's used for; this isn’t within your authority. All you need to know is that the Huur tribe’s elite forces are already in Lanzhou."