Past Promises 46 His Death Part Iii

The King summons Minister Lee from the Ministry of Defense to discuss on the plan to deploy soldiers to the South Border. Minister Lee places the map of the district and a drawing of the fortress in the South Border and put small miniatures made from wood that look like small soldiers and horses. The Minister points at the drawing as he speaks.

"There are only 150 soldiers stationed in the South Border and according to the informant only 100 of them joined the General in 'surrounding' the district. While the other stay in their stations. There are 10 archers placed on the high grounds, 50 soldiers on horses, while the others are on guards with some holding shields and spears," Minister Lee explains the situation.

"I don't think the General has a plan, Your Majesty, except for surrounding the place" the Royal Advisor says while studying the map.

The King shifts his intention from the map to the Royal Advisor.
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"His intention is unclear but from the look of it, the General is only going to stay outside of the fortress and wait till they surrender, the Royal Advisor says.

Minister Lee agrees at the Royal Advisor's comments as he nods his head, "There are only civilians in the district and the General would never act rashly as to attack them unless he wants to hurt them. The district also relies on food supply from the next village," he points at a village located few miles away to east from the fortress. "And they send supplies every month. If the General block the supplies just to cut down their supplies they might have to wait longer since the villagers in the districts are also growing their own crops and livestock. They are probably have prepared everything inside the fortress. If the General expect them to go hungry just by that then this going to take a while. The longer we wait the more damages the clan could do and we could not guarantee the civilians' safety inside the fortress, we should hurry."

The Minister looks at the Royal Advisor and nods his head lightly. He lowers his head towards the King and says, "I think it is best to follow the Royal Advisor's suggestion, Your Majesty. We will send the cavalry and instruct them to move at their fastest speed so they can save a day time to reach the border. The sooner they arrive, the faster this problem resolves."

The King stands from his seat, "There will be no need to bring a lot of weapons. I think it is enough if they carry just their swords for their own protection as this is not a battlefield they are going and I hope it stays that way," he orders.

***

People are lining up along the road to send the soldiers on their way. Even if it's not a war but people still worry about the soldiers' safety, since among them is their son, husband or a father, their family. Some shout words of encouragement, some send their prayers and wish for their safety.

The soldiers slowly ride their horses through the crowds.

Suddenly an informant on a horseback comes galloping and stops right in front of the Chief in Command, Lieutenant Han.

"Lieutenant Han," the soldier dismounted his horse and greets the Lieutenant.

The Lieutenant holds up his hand to stop the soldiers behind him, "What is the rush, Chief Song?"He asks the soldier.

"Lieutenant, may I know where are you going?" He replies with a question.

"We are on a mission to where you came from, Chief Song. To the South Border," the Lieutenant answers.

"Well then, I come to deliver the news that you can abort the mission to the South Border because the General has resolved the problem there," the soldier says which makes the people around that hear the news murmuring about the event.

"Did the General defeat the Min Clan with just little soldiers?"

"The General is so great that he doesn't need help to take down the Min Clan."

"The General is indeed a great leader."

There are amazement flashes on every person's face there that heard about the General and some feel astounded of this sudden end of conflict that gained within short amount of time.

The Lieutenant is dumbfounded then he suddenly laughs. His fellow soldiers could not hide their amus.e.m.e.nt as well. They had already said their goodbyes and readied themselves to be away from their families for at least a couple of weeks but suddenly they are not going anymore.

"Did you not hear that my brothers, we are not needed there, let's go back to our base," the Lieutenant shouts with a smile on his face. Then he looks back at the soldier in front of him, "Let's go and convey this news to the King."