Worst scenarios

A week has passed and they reached month where the year will bid farewell. Unlike before this year the celebration were kept to low key. The yearly palace banquet has been cancelled and there won't be big fireworks but people were allowed to celebrate in their homes.

The people were happy that emperor was kind enough to let them celebrate and also sympathetic towards the new emperor who was struck by many tragedies. Unknown to the naive people their poor victim emperor who was supposed to be grieving at this moment was planning for a war.

In a secluded residence previously used by an imperial concubine was now used as the den for making plans. One of the genius of current era Mo Yan has been residing in it as he was the military strategist of Huajin...though young but his intellect was not to be taken lightly...his instinct, and knowledge on art of war was par to Pei Jin thus he was regarded as the previous gem of huajin..

After being summoned and explained of the situation he immediately began to work on the issue. For an entire week beside food and water none were allowed inside the residence. If not for the empty bowls one would think the residence was empty.

The place was highly protected under Shiyou's commands and only the most trusted ones were allowed to enter the premises. Finally on the eight day secret message was passed for the all the men to gather including emperor.

At midnight taking the help of darnesss all the people gathered at the study room which was in utter mess. They were taken aback to see Mo Yan who had dark eye bags under his eyes, his beard unkept all in all he was more like a beggar.

Mo Yan though tired from having used his brain to maximum still speaks energetically "emperor...ministers...asking for mercy for appearing crude...hope to not have offended your eyes.."

Shiyou smiles and replies "Mo Yan...no need to be so formal...all of us here are not strangers...not to forget you and I are childhood friends...it should be me apologizing for having given you such a heavy burden so suddenly..."

Mo Yan also eases from his reply and appearing more intimate replies "it is my fortune to have been remembered for in times of need...as a subject under your command and as a friend it is my honor to be a part of this plan...Gentlemen...please take your seats for we have many things to discuss..."

All the people look at the mess not finding a place to sit, finally Shiyou's atendent Ji with his quick and nimble hands makes place for them to sit. He also brings out jars of wine and cups from his ring and sets the table.

Mo Yan begins to share his plans once everyone was seated comfortably "for this quest we have not one but many challenging factors...first I will explain about all the worse scenario that can happen so that you will know the risks of this quest..

First..we have heard about Nanling fortifying the three cities...and knowing Pei Jin I guess it's more than simple fortification...he is well aware of the dangers of the city if it is easy to breach..more than us they know and have faced several disaster on these three cities...despite that he is working to fortify his walls and barracks...which means he has found the solution to handle the disaster and I guess he has already started to work on it...which means the three cities are no longer easy target that we think of...

Second...with both nation trying to guard their nation they won't risk for any mishaps in their current peaceful relation with Nanling...the current heir of Qing is long time friend of Pei Jin and due to that its impossible for Qing and Nanling's relation to head west...if my instinct is right then they even have formed some sort of deal unknown to any of us...as for the khan...

they are too weary of us from the past incidence and would rather bow to Nanling for help than to join hands with us...and if Pei Jin agrees to help them subdue their inner problems then khan too will be in his pocket..which is very dangerous for us..

Third...duke Chen is not only the greatest general of all times also his army is one of the largest and strongest...not even for a second should we underestimate them for they are still the sharpest spear of Nanling...currently his son and grandsons are also in his army and they are well known for their abilities..

The entire Jing is his dukedom..his prestige and privilege rival to none..among the many commoners many of them are retired soldiers who were forced to leave due to heavy injuries...hence making Jing the most difficult place for invasion...not only we have to be weary of his strong army but also of the commoners who once used to serve him and loyal to this day...