FIVE KINGS (The Five Kings)

Chapter 100

”People of Couw captured our king and invaded our country, because there is something they want. . . . ”

Bak I whispered Kong-sun Kouw's ears conveying what King Couw wanted.

”Definitely our King will be released,” said Bak I finally.

”Ya,” says Kong-sun Kouw overjoyed.

After that Kong-sun Kouw said to all his ministers.

”Our king is not necessarily able to go home, therefore we must raise Prince Bak I to govern this country.” Kong-sun Kouw said.

Because all the ministers already knew the intelligence of Bak I, they were excited to hear the news.

Prince Bak I was then appointed as King Song's successor. He immediately organized his army hard but fair to deal with Couw's army.

Not long after, it was true that the Couw army came attacking. They've built camp outside the city.

”Your king has been arrested, now he has been brought here! Now you hand over this city and fall to us. Thus your king's soul can be helped!” said commander Couw.

Kong-sun Kouw immediately replied from the top of the city attic.

”We have raised a new King! Then it's the old king, if you want to kill or not, it's up to you! But if we are told to submit, don't expect!”

”But your king is still alive, so where can you lift the king again?”

”Our king should be in the country, because he is not there, then we raise a new king!” kong-sun Kouw.

”If we return your king, how do you return our favor?” ask commander Couw.

”If the old king has been caught, it means he has embarrassed our country, even if he returns, he cannot be king anymore.” Kong-sun Kouw said. ”Going home or not coming home for him is the same. If you want to fight, we will pay. Whatever do you want?”

Touw Put conspires, then goes back to his boarding house to tell King Couw.

Instead of playing angry King Couw Seng-ong, he ordered his soldiers to violently crash the city.

But no matter how fierce the attack of the Couw army was, they could not get close to the city walls. Even the army of Couw was heavily damaged, as it was hit by arrows and stones thrown from the top of the city by the Song army.

It had been three days and three nights for the Couw army to attack, but it was still in vain.

Seeing that state, King Couw Seng-ong said to his trickle.

”Because now King Song Siang-kong is no longer appreciated by his people, do we just kill him?” said King Couw.

”Don't, we can't do that,” Seng Tek Sin prevents. ”Didn't my Lord accuse King Song of sinning because he killed King Kwee? If now that my Master killed King Song, it would be the same as if my Master was imitating his actions. If we kill King Song, it means that we only kill one, it means nothing. Not getting the Song area, it makes people become angry.

In the opinion of the servant, it is better to just let go of him.”

”Attacking Song alone does not work, instead we release the king. Is that not embarrassing at all?” king Couw Seng-ong said. ”If you want to free him, we have to find the right reason?”

”It's about you already think,” said Seng Tek Sin. ”Cee's country is our best friend, no need to think about it anymore. Louw is Cee's best friend and if he helps Cee become a champion, then Couw will not ignore them anymore. Now we send the booty from Song country to Louw country, give it to him. If they're willing to accept it, Song would be horrified and willing to associate with us. Louw and Song are good friends. Remember King Louw is very generous, surely he will ask that our King Song be released. Then we grant her request. So thus not only can we have the Louw area, but also the Song.” area

King Couw was excited he agreed on the proposal.

Soon King Couw Seng-ong withdraws his army away to Pok-touw, as an emissary he sends Gi Seng. Carrying the carriage of booty from Song country they went to Louw country.

Arriving in the land of Louw. the envoy of the state of Couw was well received by Louw Hi-kong. In King Louw's letter, he asked for consideration on King Song's issue, which he had taken prisoner. Reading the letter was King Louw shocked. He didn't realize it was just King Couw's bluff on him. However, if Louw is willing to fight back, King Louw is aware his country is weak.

The Louw King said to Gi Seng.

”Alright, I received well the invitation.” said King Louw.

King Louw Hi-kong invites Tay-hu Tiong Sui to Pok-touw.

Back then the young King of Tan, Coa, The, Khouw, Louw and Co, had all come. Before the meeting began, the young kings agreed to make King Couw the leader of the union of kings. Only condition was King Song to be released by King Couw.

The plan was leaked into the hands of Seng Tek Sin who delivered it to King Couw.

”It turns out that your guess is true!” king Couw told Seng Tek Sin.

King Couw agreed. The day before the trial, King Song Siang-kong was released.

The next day, The Bun-kong invites all the young kings to invite Couw Seng-ong to the stage to head the trial.

All the blood-drinking kings took the oath, King Couw Seng-ong was appointed head of the union.

King Song Siang-kong was very pushy, but did not dare to say anything.

After all, the kings disperse and return to their respective lands.

While King Song Siang-kong who heard the news that Bak I had become king, he fled to the land of We to hitchhike there. But before leaving, a messenger from Bak I handed him a letter.

”Hamba occupies the throne of the kingdom, succeeding my lord to guard the country. Now please come home, for the land of Song belongs to my lord.”

King Song Siang-kong was amazed at Bak I's loyalty.

Not long after the beautiful train was available, to bring King Song Siang-kong home to Song country.

When King Song Siang-kong reached his country, Bak I immediately abdicated the throne and marched on the place of ministers.

Meanwhile, King Song who had returned to his country, always felt heartache to King Couw. Because he had worked hard to try to be among the kings, but it turns out he was taken prisoner by King Couw. He felt ashamed and anxious to The King who invited all the young kings to make King Couw the head of the union.

***

In the year King Ciu Siang-ong reigned the 14th, in the third month of Cun season, King The Bun-kong went to the land of Couw to pay respects to King Couw as if to the Emperor.

This news made King Song Siang-kong very angry, he wanted to mobilize the Song army to crash into The country which was considered to be self-deprecating.

But Bak I immediately prevented King Song's intentions, as he disagreed.

”Remember My Lord, King Couw and King The are in harmony!” said Bak I. ”If Song attacks The King, surely King Couw will help him. When this happens, I'm afraid we'll lose. Better my Lord reflect back wisely while waiting for the right opportunity.”

Song Siang-kong who had often proved the cleverness of Bak I, and Kong-sun Kouw, but he did not want to listen to their advice.

”If you disagree, let me lead my own war!” said King Song.

Seeing Song Siang-kong's fury, Kong-sun Kouw's speechless army is sent out to attack The land.

Song Siang-kong led the central war forces, assisted by Kong-sun Kouw. While Gak Pok I, Hoa Siu Lo, Prince Tong led the front and rear troops.

But this movement of the Song army was soon reported by spies from The land to King The Bun-kong.

The King was shocked to hear Song's army invade his country. In a hurry he told people to ask King Couw for help.

King Couw Seng-ong gathers his ministers.

”The King is very respectful to us, then that we should help him.” said King Couw.

”Rather than us helping The King, we better attack ourselves to the land of Song,” said Seng Tek Sin proposed.

”Why?”

”For King Song without realizing his strength, has deployed a large army to attack The land. So the country must be empty. When we attack the empty country, the people in the country must be frightened. Without fighting again, we will win. If King Song had come home to help his country, his army would have been tired on the way. Thus our fresh army will be able to defeat the tired Song army easily. And surely we will get the win!”

King Couw Seng-ong agrees on Seng Tek Sin's proposal, he immediately appoints Seng Tek Sin as war commander. Touw Put becomes his assistant. Soon the departing Couw army will attack Song.

At that time King Song Siang-kong had not declared war on King The, he got a report that King Couw attacked Song. Hearing the report King Song was shocked. He immediately led his soldiers home to help his country. Once there he established a boarding house on the South bank of the Hong-sui river to fend off the attacks of the Couw army.

Seng Tek Sin ordered people to bring a letter of challenge.

Kong-sun Kouw makes a suggestion to King Song.

”The arrival of the army of Couw here, means to help the King. If The does not so we attack, then my Lord apologizes to King Couw, surely King Couw will withdraw his troops and do not go to war.” Kong-sun Kouw said.

”Then King Cee Hoan-kong sent his army to attack the land of Couw,” said King Song Siang-kong unhappily, ”Now the Couws are attacking us. If I don't serve him, how can I continue the work of King Cee Hoan-kong?”

”But our war troops are not like the still gallant army of Couw,” Kong-sun Kouw said. ”It could be said that Song's army was afraid of Couw's army. They are afraid like they are afraid of tigers, so how can we hope to win this war?”

”Although King Couw and his army are very strong, but King Couw is not wise. ” said King Song. ”On the contrary I, though my army is few, but I am wise.”

After that King Song replied to the war challenge letter. In the letter he challenges the war in Hong-yang.

At that time, the two armies were facing each other. Kong-sun Kouw proposes to King Song to immediately prepare an army. But King Song was relaxed. When the Couw army had crossed the river, Kong-sun Kouw again proposed to attack the enemy.

”Wait until they clear up all!” said King Song.

”It should be in the science of war, the army of Couw should cross at night. It means that we do not know the movement,” said Kong-sun Kouw. ”This time it turns out they crossed after dawn, it means they are very insulting to us. When they are crossing the river and the army of Nereka has only half crossed, they must attack! It's a very good moment! That way we will get the victory. If we wait until their soldiers have crossed the river all, then because the number of Couw soldiers is more than our army is few, I fear we will not be able to fight them.”

King Song Siang-kong immediately pointed to his big flag as he said, ”Try you see those two letters ”Jin Gi”! I have explained to you many times that I want to hold fast to virtue and wisdom! Do you still not understand? Moreover, my army is gallant and many. Besides where there is a new enemy rule of crossing half already attacked!”

Knowing the king cannot be advised, Kong-sun Kouw became upset.

Not how long the Couw army had already crossed everything. It looks like Seng Tek Sin is organizing his army.

Seeing that Kong-sun Kouw again advised King Song Siang-kong.

”Commander Couw is organizing his troops and has not been neatly right, immediately sound the tambour mark of war. Thus the enemy will be screwed.”

King Song Siang-kong spat in Kong-sun Kouw's face. Angrily he said, ”You are really crafty! Are you going to win with your cunning, but you forget, your actions will ruin our name!”

Hearing that answer was not playing Kong-sun Kouw's bullshit. Now the army of Couw was already across, thus making the Song army feel aggrieved.

Only King Song Siang-kong ordered the ringing of the battle mark. But this was greeted by the Couw troops with great.

King Song advanced while holding a long spear, taking Prince Tong, Hiang Cu Siu, his two warlords, forward to attack Couw's forces.

Seeing the arrival of the enemy so savage, Seng Tek Sin secretly issued orders to let the enemy advance continuously into his army. But the only ones to enter were King Song Siang-kong and his army.

While Kong-sun Kouw who followed King Song Siang-kong was behind.

After King Song Siang-kong charged into the middle of the enemy army, they met Touw Put, Kong-sun Kouw advanced to the front of his king against the enemy.

Touw Put and Kong-sun Touw fight.

Not long before Gak Pok I from Song's side came, but he was faced by Kui Lu Si.

When Kong-sun Kouw was already a bit desperate immediately he fled to the middle of the Couw army. Touw Put raises his machete and chases Kong-sun Kouw. But the Song commander named Hoa Siu Lo came to that place, they became a great battle.

Kong-sun Kouw did not see King Song around him, he tried to look for him. But vain. He advanced steadily but was blocked by the huge army of Couw. He immediately went ahead, and met the Song commander named Hiang Cu Siu whose face was covered in blood.

”Su-ma quick tolongi Cu-kong us!” shouted that Commander Song.

Kong-sun Kouw and Hiang Cu Siu charged into the multi-layered siege of the enemy. There he saw many Song soldiers heavily wounded, but they were unwilling to retreat.

Seeing the valiant Kong-sun Kouw rampaging, the army of Couw retreated a little not daring to snuggle.

When Kong-sun Kouw turned his head into King Song's chariot, he saw that the heavily wounded Prince Tong had collapsed inside his chariot, while the large flag, painted with the letter ”Jin Gi”, had fallen, taken by the enemy. King Song Siang-kong was also seriously injured. His right thigh was hit by an arrow so that his knee vein was broken. He could not get up to stand.

When he saw Kong-sun Kouw the Prince of Tong was overjoyed.

”Su-ma! Take good care of our Cu-kong, I think I can't take it anymore!” said Prince Tong.

Sure enough Prince Tong breathed his final breath.

Kong-sun Kouw's heart is so bitter, he hastily lifts King Song Siang-kong into his chariot. With the body deliberately blocking King Song, and with all his strength Kong-sun Kouw lunged out of the enemy's encirclement.

While Hiang Cu Siu was guarding behind them, aided by Song's army.

But because the Song people fled while fighting, finally after coming out of the encirclement of the Couw army, the Song palace army had almost perished all. Precisely ninety percent of the Song army had been destroyed by the enemy.

When Gak Pok I and Hoa Siu Lo saw their king had been spared from the danger of death they came home.