Meanwhile, King Wei Dong Song and the Crown Prince were having an annual court meeting with the Ministers, Warlord and Chancellors.
They were looking for a lasting solution to the incessant bandit raids and the displacement of the villagers who lived near the border and the food shortage"
"Your Majesty, we should strengthen the security at the border areas and also raise an army to take out the rebels and bandits" said the Minister of Internal and External affairs. Immediately he said that, the Minister of finance quickly spoke up"Your Majesty,we do not have enough finances to raise another army. The current army was raised to fight against the Dai kingdom, they are on the verge of seizing the Dae-Su fort!"
The King and the Crown Prince were very tired listening to the arguments between the Chancellors and Ministers. The meeting was to look for a solution not make matters worse.
The Ministers and Chancellors kept arguing until the Prime Minister spoke up "Will all of you shut it! Have you no shame or respect at all. The King is here. Even the Crown Prince who you are meant to mentor is here looking at you bickering..." After he was done chiding the two arguing Ministers, he turned to the King and bowed "Please forgive us for our nonchalance".
The King smiled and turned to the Prime Minister "My wise Zonglî[1], what do you propose?" the King asked. The Prime Minister stepped forward "Your Majesty, the displaced citizens should be allowed to live in the city. The youths trained to be soldiers and the Strong elders should be recruited to the Central Plot[2] to farm."
The court suddenly turned quiet. Suddenly, the King started clapping and laughing. When he stopped he said "You really are my wise Zonglî." The Prime Minister bowed. "We will follow the Prime Minister's suggestion. The warlords are to start the recruiting. Warlord Xu is in charge. "Yes, Your Majesty."
The King stood up and left the hall with the Crown Prince.
1.Zonglî - Special title for Prime Minister.
2. Central Plot a fictional area used for planting and cultivation.