"It's fine, let him be."
The guards left the hall after hearing the emperor's response to the chaotic situation – it was loud yet calm. It frightened the head guards and his subordinates when they realize that they also entered the court without permission and act as he wants. Obviously, they left after bowing and apologies with pale faces.
Ou Lang took that chance to tell the emperor, "Your Majesty, the south border is in a critical state. Our border had fully broken apart and the intruders..." Ou Lang looked at the emperor with concerned eyes. "...we believe they're Hun Gin."
His statement shook the entire Guāng Hall.
Hun Gin, a group of wise cannibals who are able to practice martial arts despite their animal characteristics. Known as the evils of the north, they are not just average martial artists, they are quite strong.
"Hun Gin?! Ridiculous! Why are they at the south border, not the north?"
"Sir, I believe what I saw. There's no way we're mistaken."
"Heh. So obvious, I think it was just the weak soldiers from Chung country in the south coming to obliterate us to expand their country. Why don't you just say what you're truly here for? Promotion? Rewards?"
"Officer Duong Li!" Ying Jian's anger burst out when his subordinate pride was toyed with by officer Duong Li. He glared at him with fiery eyes.
"What?! You-"
"Enough!" Prime Minister Ning's voice echoed slightly in the hall, 'These people...'
Prime Minister Ning looked at the emperor, 'How can they fight in this situation?' He shuddered at the emperor's grumpy expression which shows he hates the situation right now.
'And why do I need to be the one who stopped them? This damn eunuch!' Prime Minister Ning cursed in silence at the eunuch who gave him signs to stop them.
Immediately, they were aware they show no manners in front of the emperor. Both General Ying Jian and officer Duong Li shut their mouth and bowed their head asking for forgiveness for not respecting the emperor.
"Did you vow your life on it?"
'My life?' Ou Lang's eyes widened, he felt terrified by the cold tone but that was the only chance he had to turn the table.
"Yes. I, Ou Lang the second division commander from the south, vow my life on what I just stated, Your Majesty."
His Majesty the emperor let out a loud sigh. The air became heavy. The officers also concede. Now, they cannot deny their country was in a critical state as the unpredicted situation had happened on short notice.
"Is 1000 men from each north and west enough?"
"I... I don't think it is enough, Your Majesty."
"Not enough? How worse is the situation?"
"It's truly a disaster, Your Majesty. They were already in the territory and there was even a big fire when I left. Honestly... I don't even know how many of us still survive by now, Your Majesty." Ou Lang grieved.
His Majesty caressed his beard, "General Yun, General Luang, what do you think, can you both lend 2000 men to the south?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Immediately, they answered.
"However, Your Majesty, who will send another 1000 men to Yiping Country? I believe we can't hope General Ying's men help anymore because they're in a dire situation right now." General Luang gave his opinion.
Whilst, Ying Jian only could silently agree with General Luang because he needed to measure his soldier's condition first.
"You need to know how many of them were still alive and in condition to fight, General Ying. But, if what your commander said is true, we cannot use your soldier to Yiping also. You may already lose many of them and need to repair and protect the border again." General Luang spoke out the obvious truth though it stings his pride as a fellow general - As a general, he too knows how it felt when he is not able to show his capability as a general in front of the fellow general.
'Acknowledge is important, however, a good general should protect their men first, General Ying. I hope you understand and made a wise decision.' He glanced at Ying Jian's darkened face.
"As General Luang said, I agree, Your Majesty." He bowed while looking down on the floor.
Flash like lighting, an idea came running into the crown prince's head. "Your Majesty, I can send my people to Yiping."
"Fine." Prince Mang Ze Lan was happy with the answer given by the emperor, 'I will show you my worth.'
After a short silence, the emperor asked his trusted man, "What do you think, Prime Minister Ning?"
"Your Majesty, I think his highness the crown prince's suggestion to send his men to Yiping is a good solution. Now, we had solved the problem."
Mang Ze Lan grinned, proud of himself.