Battle of wits

Jisheng with his gentle smile and clever eyes attacks first "as we all have placed our situations let's move onto the solutions...with Nanling already deep in their own troubles we as a friend shall not push them further for the additional increase in trade...but we hope that Nanling will continue to maintain the current trade flow and activities which are proving to stregthen our bonds...

As per to huajins request...even though we desire to trade and share resources with you but due to various reasons we are unable to do so...first reason is obviously the problem of bandits and barbaraians who is the key trouble to all three nations...second reason is the route itself.. we lie and face each other at the farthest end and the terrain is not suitable for trade...

isolated and surrounded with mountains and rocks it has become a natural fortress for all the bandits and runaway criminals that has managed to make their nests...even if we are to provide armed security it's just risking their lives and our merchandise...very unwise option to pick...

Third reason we don't have suffient manpower or the resources that we can share as of current...we are trading what we can scrape with Nanling and further foraging would rather be detrimental than benefiting. Though disheartening and disapointing but we are clearly restricted by the nature itself to act on huajins request.

Now I once again pull your attention to our proposal that is to raise the walls... we cannot further afford the often invasions from the barbarians and bandits.. leaving us with no option but to secure our lands by raising the walls and placing some soldiers to protect it.. we assure you that not an inch of your land will be touched upon while we construct the walls... I sincerely beseech and hope for you to understand our situation.."

Pei Jin along with rest of the Nanling were applauding inside for Jisheng to have prepared so well. While Shiyou was cursing him as a fox and wolf for finding not one but three reasons that was equally difficult to rebuff or brush off.

Anshi with clear on Jishengs determination still decides to give one last push before changing his gears and directly speaks to Jisheng "your highness..we from Khans are by no means avoiding our responsibilities and accept that our lack of force has encouraged the tribes men to become more barbaric..but as a nation that wants to change and aim for peace we cannot outright kill the tribes men who are also our civilians...

we have been trying to come up with an agreement with the leaders to stop them from acting out without shedding blood if possible...but if you were to suddenly raise the walls then before reaching the agreement our lands will be in chaos from both the tribes men and other bandits and similar criminals which has manage to occupy and hide deep in our desert lands...

Hence...i would like to offer an proposal...rather than the walls why don't we join the forces to eliminate them if we fail to have an agreement with them...we can also use the route as new trading route in near future...it doesn't need to be the depleting resources that we trade...but rather common things such as cattle's, grains, herbs and so on..."

All the envoys has their eyebrows raised at Anshi's proposal at there was no flaw in it. It would indeed be fruitful and win win for both nations if they are able to co operate and use their manpower wisely. But the question was how much they trusted each other to work together as it was a hidden secret that Khans have been on purpose prolonging the matter with their tribes men.

With the barbarians having a place to rob and pillage some of the burdens of Khans were off their shoulder with less mouth to provide for while also managing to secure their own resource.

Jisheng was well aware of how opportunistic the Khans were thus he by no means was enticed with his offers. Already under Pei Jins banner was also the key reason for him to win this battle thus looking in conflict and sad he replies to the eager and hopeful Anshi "your highness...with all due respect I appreciate your values for peace and friendship...but it pains my heart to respectfully decline your proposal...as we have many things that demands our attention...allow me to explain the reason behind the declining the offers...

First...Khan itself isn't sure on what step to take with their tribes men...it is not that we want you to butcher them all...but we simply cannot afford to wait any further till you come to a conclusion...second...beside the tribes men there are other bandits and criminals who have become well organized with sufficient manpower...they are nestled so deep into the desert lands that uprooting is a big hurdle...

third...because of their past experiences and dominance over the terrain even if we join our forces it will cost us many lives, time and resources to subdue or eliminate them...which we don't have and cannot provide at the moment...hence which only leaves us with securing our lands, people and peace by raising the walls...but be assured when you are able to extinguish them we shall definetly work on your offer of simple trade.."