FIVE KINGS (The Five Kings)

Chapter 98

Hearing the incident King Teng was surprised instead of playing, immediately he asked his people to bribe King Song, so that he was released. King Co Kiang-kong was less than pleased at King Song Siang-kong's cruel actions. He secretly returned to his country.

King Song Siang-kong became enraged, he considered King Co to be insolent. So King Song ordered the invasion of the Co.

Prince Bak I tried to prevent this intention.

”Former King Cee Hoan-kong never acted cruelly on young kings. Please my lord do not invade the land of Co!” prince Bak I.

But King Song Siang-kong did not follow the advice, he ordered Prince Tong to lead an invading army into Co.

The Song army departed to Co. Their arrival was welcomed by the Co army, until there was a fierce battle. Three months of Song's army had surrounded Co.'s country town, but the Co.'s men were able to hold out perfectly. It was difficult for Song to seize the land of Co.

When King The who was less than satisfied with King Song invited King Louw, Cee, Tan and King Coa, four countries, to enter into an alliance with King Couw, who was the king of the country, they promised to gather in the Cee area.

This news made King Song Siang-kong very upset, because he was also worried about King Cee or King Louw who would become the leader of the union. In addition, he was also anxious, because Prince Tong who attacked Co. had not succeeded in seizing Co. Thus the prestige of Song country will come down. So he requested that Prince Tong withdraw from the land of Co.

King Co was also afraid that the Song army would come back, they sent messengers asking for peace with Song. Thus they get back together. King Song wanted to be a champion. Now even many of the young Kings who joined King Couw opposed him. This made him very sad.

”Now there is no country as strong as Cee and Couw,” said Prince Tong. ”Only the land of Cee, even though the king is a descendant of jago, his country has just risen, that is also for our help. So the influence has not been great, but King Couw who uses the title of Emperor is very feared. We must use Couw's influence, then my Master must bribe and humble him. Please King Couw that the young King under his influence be handed over to my Lord. After they become subordinates of my Lord, then we secretly invite all the young Kings to smash King Couw!”

”It doesn't make sense, it's not the right way!” prince Bak I. ”King Couw has already pinned down all the young Kings, how could he possibly be so moronic as to hand them over to us? Even if the deceitful effort is done, even we will be at odds with Couw.”

King Song Siang-kong disagreed with Bak I. He ordered Prince Tong to bring the parcel to King Couw.

The arrival of Prince Tong was well received by King Couw Seng-ong. Even the wishes of King Song was granted and set in the Cun season next year can gather in the land of Lok-siang (land Cee).

Prince Tong came home and reported it to King Song who was excited not playing. Because of the meeting in King Cee's land, King Song told King Cee, Prince Tong while carrying a parcel to meet King Cee. After receiving the parcel King Cee agreed to the meeting.

When the Cun season had arrived, King Song Siang-kong had arrived at Lok-siang, where he set up the stage for a gathering place and awaited the arrival of King Cee and King Couw. Not long after King Cee came followed by King Couw. They exercise honor as much as kings.

Just met King Song who was eager to become a master, had already arranged a seat. He placed King Couw under his influence. Of course this made King Couw so unhappy.

In the meeting, King Song asked for the support of King Cee and King Couw. If approved then in the season Ciu will hold a great meeting with the young Kings. This desire of King Song made King Couw less happy. King Couw considered himself to be looked down upon. He was very upset and furious.

When King Song submitted the invitation plan for the Ciu season, King Couw Seng-ong greeted him and examined the letter, there it is explained about the intention of King Song to join all the young Kings as King Cee did. All the kings were asked to come in plain clothes, without weapons. The letter was signed by King Song.

”If you alone can call all the young Kings, why should I use my name too?” said King Couw.

”The King and King Khouw have long been under the orders of my Lord,” Siang-kong said with a red face, because he understood himself he was being insinuated, saying, ”while King Coa and King Tan have not been in union with King Cee for long, when your names are not included, I fear the young Kings will not heed it.”

”O, then it is better for Cee-kun (King Cee) first who affixed his signature, after that it is only me!” couw said Seng-ong while laughing.

”For the young Kings who are friends with me surely they will come, because they know King Cec under the influence of the Song Kingdom,” said Cee Hauw-kong feeling less happy. ”Playing young kings under the influence of King Couw who is not necessarily willing to obey, then it should not be King Couw who affixed the signature first.”

Once again King Couw laughed, and soon he put his signature on it, then he handed it to King Cee.

”There is already a Couw no need for a signature from King Cee,” said Cee Hauw-kong refused to affix his signature. ”I'm just a lowly, my country not to the point of being destroyed even already feel very grateful, when I dare to carelessly sign, will only pollute the noble letter?”

It had been time and time again that King Cee was forced, but King Cee Hauw-kong still refused.

Though King Song Siang-kong was so good, even once helped King Cee, did not expect King Cee would do that to him in the least. So he took the letter which he kept neatly.

Then King Song returned to his country.

When King Couw Seng-ong came home, he told Leng-i Chu Bun about it.

”King Song's request is outrageous and crazy,” said Chu Bun, ”why do you accept it for signature?”

”For his madness, I will take advantage of his madness,” replied King Couw with a laugh. ”I have long intended to be the leader of the union of young kings in China, but that intention has not been fulfilled. Now King Song wanted to assemble the young King in plain clothes. Here's a good opportunity.”

”Betul,” said minister Seng Tek Sin. ”King Song considers himself great, but has no sense. We can easily get to know him!”

”Yes, I mean so too!” sahut King Couw girang.

”I disagree,” said Chu Bun. ”Why do my Lord agree to the signature, if we will deprive him of his rights. Is this not going to be a laughing stock?”

”Because King Song considers himself to be the leader of the union, he must be arrogant to all young kings,” said Seng Tek Sin, ”this will certainly make all young kings angry. Then we take the position of union leader from King Song. This is to show all the kings that we are capable. Then we leave it to King Song. It shows that we are wise. When all the young kings had seen that King Song had no intelligence, if not submissive to Couw, to whom would they submit? So in my opinion, this is the best gimmick!”

”You are great, I admire you,” praise Chu Bun feel shame.