FIVE KINGS (The Five Kings)

Chapter 59

When King Couw Seng Ong was informed by King Coa Bok Kong that King Cee and the other Young Kings were about to invade his country, he became worried. Then he enlists Touw Kok O-to (Chu Bun) to become a warlord, to lead a standing army south of the Han-sui river. Chu Bun was just waiting. If the enemy's army has crossed the river, he must immediately declare a great war.

One day, a newsman came to report to King Couw Seng Ong.

"Either why the enemy soldiers set up their camp in Keng-san" said the pelaor.

Before King Couw could say anything, Chu Bun expressed his opinion.

"Koan Tiong knows war very well, if he thinks his tactics are not perfect, he will not attack" Chu Bun said. "Now his soldiers are staying at Keng-san. He must be running a scheme. My lord better send a messenger to spy on them. Is the army strong or weak? We just thought about what we should do. Peace or war?"

"Yes, I understand, Chu Bun," said King Couw Seng Ong. "But who should go be the messenger again?"

"Kut Goan already knows Koan Tiong better tell him to go there again" Chu Bun said.

"But the departure of the servant to talk about peace or war?" kut Goan said to King Couw Seng Ong. "If for a peaceful affair gladly servant is willing to go. If it's a matter of war, my Lord should have another minister. In the past, I promised to take care of the business of delivering mao grass to the land of Ciu."

"In this case I give you full power" said King Couw Seng Ong, "what is peace or war! You can make your own decisions, I won't blame you."

Kut Goan told King Couw Seng Ong to go to the enemy camp.

When Kut Goan reached Cee's camp, he met the guards.

"Please tell your King, I Kut Goan would like to meet to discuss an important matter" said Kut Goan.

The guards came in and reported.

Hearing the report Koan Tiong said to King Cee Hoan Kong.

"The arrival of envoy Couw back, definitely want to talk about peace, hope my lord likes to be respectful to him" said Koan Tiong.

Cee Hoan Kong Mangosteen.

"Good! Let him in!" said King Cee.

The arrival of Kut Goan was greeted with respect by Cee Hoan Kong, after which the Couw envoy was welcome to sit down. King Cee asked.

"Because my King did not deliver tribute, so my lord has come to fight him. Therefore my King admitted wrong," said Kut Goan.

"If you don't mind, please, my lord, withdraw your war forces first. My king will come to ask for peace."

"If Tay-hu can persuade your King to follow the rules and deliver the tribute, that's enough what Kaisae Ciu wants" King Cee said. "Then I don't have to make any more noise."

"Hamba promised to arrange it" said Kut Goan.

After giving certainty Kut Goan said he would return to his country.

Once until Kut Goan reported what he was talking about with King Cee to King Couw.

"Hamba has already negotiated with King Cee. He was willing to retreat a few li from Keng-san. While the servant promised to arrange the delivery of tribute to the land of Ciu. I hope your Lord does not break the covenant to the shame of the whole nation of Couw!" kut Goan.

A short time later after Kut Goan reported, the newsman came to give news.

"Now Cee's army with the other king's army was dismantling their camp. Soon they will leave Keng-san!" said the complainant.

King Couw still does not believe, he sends his spies to seek further information. By then the newsman had returned.

"True, the joint force had already retreated 30 li away from where it had originally been. Now they are building a camp in Siao-leng. They say they're a bit jerky on the Couw soldiers!" the spy said.

Hearing the report with great regret King Couw said. "If King Cee retreats because of the cry to us, it is a pity that we have promised to send tribute!"

"Do you have any intention of breaking your promise?" said Chu Bun. "What the kings have done is to show that they hold the trust, if we break the promise, it is not good."

King Couw was astonished, he thought Chu Bun's words were so appropriate, that he would inevitably be forced to escort eight carts filled with gold, silk cloth and other items. They went to Siao-leng to reward the eight Young Kings and a wagon filled with mao grass to be escorted to the land of Ciu.

At that time King Khouw Hi Kong had ordered Pek To to lead the war troops to gather at Siao-leng, because he felt indebted to King Cee Hoan Kong, because of the body of his father, because of the death of his father, Khouw Bok Kong, had been delivered to his country and allowed to be buried with a grand ceremony.

The arrival of Pek To made King Cee Hoan Kong excited, he praised the attitude of King Khouw Hi Kong loyal to the union.

When King Cee Hoan Kong received news of Kut Goan coming again, King Cee was immediately on guard. He ordered the armies of all the Young Kings on standby. Who knows if Cee's army will attack them.