Come to think of:
Basically, we have 'villian' Crown Prince, who is oppressive to nobility.
Then we have 'protagonist' as Emperor's bastard (ahem, 'hidden') son
I smell good old politician shite where nobility is plotting a coup against legitimate heir.
I mean, army's system and the consequences of trying to avoud it seems tyrannical and possibly outdated, but it brings stability to the empire.