FIVE KINGS (The Five Kings)
Chapter 36
When King Cee Hoan Kong heard about the progress in the land of Couw, he was shocked. But soon he found out why the land of Couw could be so advanced and prosperous. Apparently King Couw is good at putting people of extraordinary ability. King Cee Hoan Kong became somewhat daunted on this land of Couw. He feared that one day the progress and strength of the army of the Couw country would be a danger to his country. Therefore he intended to invite all the Young Kings in China to deploy their armies to attack the land of Couw first; before they were preceded by the land of Couw. But before carrying out his intention, Cee Hoan Kong conveyed his intention to Koan Tiong.
"King Couw has made himself Emperor in the southern part of China. Their territory was vast and their army was very strong. I don't think even a strong Emperor Ciu will be able to conquer it" Koan Tiong said. "Especially now King Couw relied heavily on Chu Bun to take care of the government. So that the state of the country is so safe. Because it is not easy to defeat with the strength of our army! While my Master is only able to combine all the Young Kings, but has not been able to please everyone. It has not even been able to conquer every heart of the Young King that joins us. Then I fear that the army of all the Young Kings we cannot use freely. Then my lord must do various virtues so that all the Young Kings will fall to his heart. To conquer the land of Couw, we must postpone it first and wait for a good moment, then we move. Thus our efforts can only succeed well!"
Hearing Koan Tiong's advice, King Cee nodded. He knows his weakness. But then King Cee said again.
"As long as Ciang's country is still sovereign, they have not been subject to us, would we not be better off attacking them?" king Cee Hoan Kong.
"Even if the land of Ciang is very small, but their ancestors came from the descendants of Kiang Tay Kong,*) they one She (Citizen) with King Cee. If we destroy fellow one She, this becomes less fitting. It is better that my Lord order Ong-cu Seng Hu to lead the war forces to patrol the city of Ki, as if my lord would attack the land of Ciang. By doing so, King Ciang must be frightened and come to conquer, so that we do not have to get a bad name we can get the area" said Koan Tiong.
King Cee Hoan Kong agreed on Koan Tiong's opinion, so he immediately carried out the strategy. Surely King Ciang became frightened when he saw the movement of Cee soldiers who were about to attack his territory. He immediately declared his timing.
King Cee Hoan Kong praised Koan Tiong's cleverness.
"Hi, I must admit, Tiong-hu is indeed a clever man!" king Cee Hoan Kong.
**
One day, when King Cee was negotiating with his ministers. Suddenly, his men reported.
"My master from the land of Yan has come a messenger. He told his country the arrival of the San-jiong nation army. King Yan asked my Lord for help" said the rapporteur.
Hearing the news Koan Tiong said to King Cee Hoan Kong.
"If you are going to invade the land of Couw, you must first subdue the Jiong people, if the danger of the Jiong nation is gone, then you will succeed in conquering the land of Couw!" koan Tiong.
*)Kiang Tay Kong is the name of Kiang Cu Gee. Famous figure in the Chinese Roman classic "Hong Sin".
San-jiong in the land of Leng-ci. The country to the west borders Yan, to the east and to the south close to Cee and Couw.
The San-jiong people are considered very evil by the Chinese. They relied on their high mountain protected areas, dense forests and a strong army. Therefore they do not submit to other countries. They also often enter Chinese territory to riot and robbery arbitrarily.
Hearing the news that King Cee was about to become a champion in the Chinese continent, the King of the San-jiong people deliberately mobilized their large army, came to mess in the land of Yan. They meant to stretch the relationship between Yan and Cee.
The king of the Yan state, Yan Cong Kong, because he felt unable to fend off the attacks of the San-jiong nation, he ordered an envoy to ask for help to the land of Cee.
Hearing that Yan was attacked by the San-jiong people, Koan Tiong immediately advised King Cee Hoan Kong.
"We must immediately send reinforcements to the land of Yan" said Koan Tiong.
"At this time the land that is dangerous to us, in the south is the land of Couw. In the northern part of the San-jiong people, and in the western part of the Tek people. They look like thorns in the flesh! Then it is my Master's duty to eliminate them. Even if the Jiong people do not disturb the land of Yan, but we still have to try to conquer them.
Moreover, the land of Yan they have attacked and the king of the land of Yan came to ask us for help. Inevitably we must sweep the San-jiong nation to completion!" koan Tiong.
Hearing Koan Tiong's remarks King Cee Hoan Kong agreed also on the suggestion of Koan Tiong.
After a few days King Cee had prepared his war troops, then left for Yan.
**
The king of the San-Jiong people was named Bit Louw. It had been two months that he had messed up in the land of Yan. They have succeeded in taking the property and the wives of the common people. They also commit crimes. But after they heard that Cee's army was about to arrive, they felt the screams as well. King San-jong invited his soldiers home with booty to his country.
When Cee's forces reached San-bun-kwan (land of the Yan state), they were greeted by King Yan who thanked King Cee for his willingness to help them. For ignoring the long journey, King Cee came to his aid. Because of the fear of the San-jiong nation returning to his country. With a respectful and condescending attitude King Cee countered him.
"It is our duty to help our fellow Young Kings" King Cee Hoan Kong said.
"But the fleeing San-jiong people managed to bring their loot," said Koan Tiong, less satisfied, "they will surely come again because they are not yet deterred. They haven't felt great chastisement from us. If our army has retreated, the San-jiong people will come back. We'd better use this good moment to hit them right now! Thus we can get rid of the danger later on."
"I agree with Tiong-hu," said King Cee Hoan Kong.
King Yan was very excited, he wanted the San-jiong nation completely wiped off the face of the earth.
"From here to the east about 10 li there is a country called Bu Ciong, although the king in Bu Ciong Jiong people as well, but they are not subject to the influence of the San-jiong people. Then we can ask them for help to be a guide" said King Yan.
King Cee Hoan Kong was excited, he provided as much gold and silver as possible. Then ordered Sek Peng to deliver the parcel to the King at Bu Ciong.
When Sek Peng reached Bu Ciong, he handed the parcel to King Bun Ciong. After the parcel was received and after a brief conversation Sek Peng explained the purpose of his visit.
"Our king would like to ask my master for help to become a guide to the San-jong nation. If my master doesn't mind help it's very much what we hope for" Sek Peng said.
Since King Bu Ciong already got the parcel, he immediately agreed.
"Well because they are also our enemies" said King Bu Ciong.
He ordered a commander named Houw Ji Pan lead 2000 soldiers Bu Ciong helped King Cee fight against the San-jiong nation.
