The speaker was Li Wei, Minister of the Ministry of Rites and Imperial Scholar of the Central Hall. He was one of Xia Qing's trusted allies, therefore he was called by Xia Qing to discuss this matter.
He was accompanied by two others, one being You Shaofeng, Left Minister of Communication, and the other Ji Yan, Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Li Wei and You Shaofeng were favored most by Xia Qing.
Ji Yan was also one of Xia Qing's allies, yet he never imagined being involved in such an important matter, and his heart couldn't help but stir with excitement.
Having gained the favor of Chief Minister Xia, it seemed he was not far from a meteoric rise.
Xia Qing valued the affair of frontier salaries greatly and called Ji Yan because he was a minister of the Ministry of Revenue. The resolution of such matters still required resources from the Ministry of Revenue, hence his presence was requested for discussion.
