Sharpening the blades

Pei Jin was in his study with a smirk on his face while reading the freshly delivered note. He had guessed for most of what was written but still pleased to learn some of their hidden goodies and secrets.

He wasn't suprised or shocked for the preparation huajin had been undergoing all these years as it was as if decided in stone for both nations to have viscious clash someday. Nevertheless he now had rough idea on their size, strength and strategy.

He immediately calls for secret meeting with minister of war, finance, trade and work. Normally Yusheng and prime minister should also be present but Yusheng busy with Pei Zhang's training and prime minister piled with other national matters they were left out.

Late midnight when most would be sleeping soundly luminous pearls were placed to brighten the underground dungeon below Pei Jins study. With brazers warning the room all of the people had long taken off their fur cloaks and were full attentive.

"Benwang has received the message from that side.. the report this time has enabled benwang to gauze their strength and possible strategy.. according to it they are planning to raise more soldiers to outnumber us.. though their skill may not be upto par but still a cunning strategy very much like them.. they also seem to training beasts which we need to be careful and prepare for as we don't know what level and kind of beasts are they rearing.. beside that they seem to have also been preparing for so called group of poison squads.." finishes the information Pei Jin had received.

Minister of war with a dark face replies "years gone by but not their treachery's.. in face of peace having prepared so much in dark.. have to applaud for their acting skills.. your highness we also need to start our own preparation to counterattack... though our soldiers are more than prepared..for the matter of beasts and poison squad is totally out of the box for this minister.. if not prepared then we may face heavy losses and destruction.."

Minister of finance also steps up "your highness.. we also need to come with ideas on filling our treasury... though we are stable and are quite ahead from facing financial crisis.. but for a big scale war and with so many investment and construction we have just gone through.. shameful to say but it will definetly give us hurting blow..and even may be perilous if we have to face this war early on before the stabilization of three cities.."

Following the conversation minister of trade also inserts "your highness.. with the trading in its initial phase we are yet to have all the supplies for fortification of all the barracks... though this one has managed to export silkworm eggs and horses of good health and breed through various sources hidden to all.. it still is not enough to meet with plans.. and if the war happens early then the resources would be greatly effected giving us great loss... "

Finally minister of work says solemnly "your highness... we have just finished with the fortification of fortress in three cities...the barracks are also in process of completing with all the man power we have squeezed in it.. but there are still lot we have yet to complete.. like minister of trade has mentioned we are yet to have supplies to begin our work on other garrisons..

similarly with the three cities as our focus we are also lacking in man power.. also the irrigation system we have come up with will only be completed by the end of this year.. with the harsh winter the work is sure to slow down even with all the man power we have.. though the system we have come up will undoubtedly be the best removing the major agriculture problem...but if we are to face war then not only will we have to put our plans on hold we will also be suffer from overwork struggling between the preparation for war and fortification.."

Everyone remained silenced after reporting the issues. All in all all of them felt early war was not good for Nanling who already has lots in its plate. They now waited for crown prince to decide on the matter.