In the grand gathering of the Heavenly Don Empire, Prince Don Jian, the sole son of Emperor Don Qin, sat at the head of the assembly. Flanked by his uncle's sons, Don Jie and Don Hao, he focused on drawing intricate designs on scrolls while heated debates raged around him.
"The war is set to commence tomorrow; I propose that we cease these arguments and focus on meaningful preparations," suggested Don Hao, the eldest son of Don Arthur, Emperor Don Qin's brother. At a mere 15 years old, Don Hao was known for his archery skills and commanded the army's archer's squad.
A chorus of agreements rang through the assembly. "Yes, Your Highness."
"As it is evident, the Lin Empire often appears indifferent to the outcome of these wars. Why don't we pool our strength to engage the Blood Conquering Empire for a swift victory?" proposed Yang Tai, the Prince of Flames Super Kingdom under the Heavenly Don Empire.
"I concur," voiced many of the scions present.
"That is the most prudent course of action. Furthermore, we should divide our armies and appoint different generals to lead them, granting them the autonomy to make strategic decisions," suggested Xu Feng, son of Lord Xu from the Xu Super Dynasty under the Heavenly Don Empire.
Nine-year-old Prince Don Jie, the younger son of Don Arthur, furrowed his brow and spoke up, "I don't understand, Xu Feng. Do we not already have a general? Was it not my brother, Jian, who led us to victory the last time?"
Xu Feng scoffed and bowed with a distinct lack of respect. "Your Highness, Prince Jie, you are too young to comprehend. Yes, it was indeed Prince Jian who led us to victory the last time, but do you think he did so without studying countless military treatises and the strategies left behind by our empire's great generals? What I am suggesting is that not all of us feel comfortable placing our faith in a child as our wartime leader."
Prince Don Hao bristled with anger, leaping to his feet and pointing at Xu Feng. "How dare you speak to royalty in such a manner?"
Xu Feng, undeterred, adopted a stern tone and said, "Prince Hao, this is the army, not a political arena. I must caution you to learn the appropriate manner of addressing your superiors and elders. I am nine years your senior."
With dignity, Xu Feng stood his ground. "It is said that our empire embodies justice. Yet, I must ask, where is this justice now? I have served in the ancestral zone's army for many years and possess more experience than most present here. Why, then, is the Prince designated as our general while I serve as deputy? Is this justice?" Xu Feng turned to Prince Don Jian and boldly addressed him, "Do you accept my challenge?"
A hushed silence fell upon the assembly. While Xu Feng's words held truth, they also knew Prince Don Jian was not a mere child. Sent to the ancestral zone at the age of two, he had risen from the ranks of the army, proving his worth through time and effort. Charismatic, respectful, compassionate, and versatile; he is skilled in the art of war, and he is skilled in using almost all weapons of war, he was a prodigy in every sense. However, despite his strength, he remained a ten-year-old child. How could he possibly engage in battle against a twenty-four-year-old? As they contemplated how to resolve this situation, a messenger bird arrived, landing on Don Jie's shoulder. He retrieved a letter from the bird's talons, his expression a mixture of shock and delight.
"Brother Jian," Don Jie called out to Prince Don Jian, "this letter is from uncle, your father the Emperor."
The room fell into a hushed reverence for the Emperor. Prince Don Jian, who had been engrossed in his scrolls, received the letter. After reading it, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He then turned to Xu Feng, still smiling. "I apologize, Brother Feng. I intended to step aside for you, but I can no longer do so. I accept your challenge. However, becoming a great general is not solely about prowess in battle. It requires the effective application of knowledge and strategy. To expedite this process, why don't we ask each other a question, and our peers here will judge our answers? You may begin."
Xu Feng, caught off guard by the Prince's response, rose from his seat and asked, "What is the most effective offensive strategy to ensure a swift victory in this war?"
Prince Don Jian's calm response resonated throughout the room, "The best offense is a strong defense."
The assembly was astounded by the unexpected answer. After a moment of contemplation, they realized the profound wisdom behind Prince Don Jian's words and erupted into applause. Xu Feng, his gloominess evident, bowed and conceded, "Indeed, I am no match for His Highness. I apologize for my earlier impertinence."
Prince Don Jian acknowledged everyone with a nod. "Now, let us begin our official deliberations."
The atmosphere shifted back to a state of seriousness as they delved into the planning of their strategies for the impending battle. The respect for Prince Don Jian in the room had deepened, and his wisdom was unquestionable.
Prince Don Jian continues. "This time around we won't be taking the war to any of the 2 empires, instead we would be strengthening our defense systems, and laying down traps around our cities, towns and villages. All soldiers are to maintain orderliness in our settlements, brother Hao, you and your squad are to take position, make sure you shoot on sight any messenger bird flying out of any of our settlements. No one is allowed to leave the city this period, not even soldiers, and also you all have to know that we are more than colleagues, we are brothers, we share wins and losses together, if there is nothing else we all should get to work now."
Everyone gives a military salute and leaves to carry out their duties while praising the Prince for his wisdom in their hearts.
As the eve of the battle waned, the world braced itself for the imminent clash, with the heirs of the Heavenly Don Empire ready to prove themselves on the battlefield.