Surrounded

The entire night none of the men were able to sleep as one after another the news of loss was reported. Even with General Hao as lead the situation was same and even turning for worse. The beast had managed to kill many soldiers many were heavily injured and unable to participate.

As the situation turned for worst General Hao was forced to bring half of his men to reinforce the barrack. He himself and his men were tired as not only they had to defend from the big beast they had to remain alert from those vicious poisonous small insects and snakes.

While at the border to Khan the tribe had managed to kill many of the huajin soldiers with hit and run tactic. Their speed and strength took the huajin soldiers by suprise and each time they left the walls they were played and killed by those barbarians.

Inside the palace all the men had serious and dark face. Never had they thought the situation would be so hard for them to gain over the control . General Hao's note made them alert of the dangerous situation that they were facing and the possible consequences if not able to think of a solution.

Yeshou now in Nanling with all the beast tamers came back to bite them. All the subjects and Shiyou felt headaches and rummaged their head to find the solution. The west side also seems to be on the loosing end from being attacked by the barbaric tribes.

They dare not send General su as he had to leave for Nanling as a liberator without any option they select one of their bright youth as the lead who had yet to experience the battle firsthand.

Mo Yan was back to his residence to come up with a plan for both offense and defense.

Shiyou and the rest were now in the hall for the morning assembly. All the consuls were informed of the difficulties that they were facing and discussing as how to gain control. They were in heated discussion when a messenger arrives in hurry to report.

"Emperor...a large army has appeared on our north border..and..the commander is none other than general Lin of Nanling...he says that he has come to retaliate to answer the sneak attack from huajin...he has given us a day to either come clean or that he would declare war on us for breaching the treaty.."

Shiyou was in shock from the news while all the consuls excluding his close ones were in confused and shock state. The head of the neutral faction replies "what nonsense...we haven't performed such heinous activities...general Lin has turned delirious...emperor please send a message to solve the misunderstanding..."

Before Shiyou could answer another messenger arrives in hurry "emperor...a large army has appeared on our east border...the commander is none other than general Chen Xiao son of duke Chen...he informs that his presence is to seek retaliation in return for huajins sneak attack...he has given us a day to come clean or that he would declare war on us for breaching the treaty and their loss.."

The entire hall was in shock it was not one but two of the largest armies that were on their doors with the same reasons and threat. Shiyou felt as if there was a big hole under his feet and he was falling in that hole. He couldn't understand how the injured Qingfeng and Xiao were now suddenly appearing with large armies.

The head of the neutral faction pulls him from his thoughts "emperor...we must send a peace envoy to clear this misunderstanding...we are already facing crisis with the barbaric tribe and beast wave...if they were to declare war on us then it's total destruction for huajin..."

All of the neutral faction and Xiuzhi's faction kneels and requests Shiyou to send a peace envoy while his close people were in similar state of shock and confusion as Shiyou. Feeling their strange behaviour the head of the neutral faction berates the prime minister.

"Prime minister...why are you not advising emperor and standing like a statue...it's no time to have cold feet...we are surrounded by crisis from all sides...this minister doesn't know who...but some evil minded beast has managed to slander us resulting to such critical situation..."

Prime minister's face turns black but what can he say. How can he urge for peace envoy when they had indeed sneaked an attack. It was unfathomable for any of them as just till yesterday everything was in their favor. He dare not look at the emperor knowing well how enraged he must be still to calm the consuls he eyes the people and kneels together with everyone.