"We cannot enter into alliances with our neighbors, without being aquainted with the designs of their princes." ~Sun Tzu "The Art of War"
*one year ago, the war ended in a stalemate. The Emperor Cao Cao's father Cao the first, had been unable to wrest total victory from his enemies, or expand his borders. But with his ally Chulom, the two nations were able to best the triple alliance of Kemis, Boaam, and Stym, well enough that the continent was forced into an uneasy truce. However the rigors of war are hard on the aged, and Cao the first died at long last, succeeded by his son and chief general, Cao Cao. With the body of his father barely cold in the ground, he summoned his council together, and spoke of war and peace with his neighbors. To the south, he dispatched two ambassadors. The first to his ally, Chulom. To ensure his declaration of goodwill and his hope for continued friendship, in the form of peace and trade treaties. The second was dispatched towards Mohan, to speak of matters of nonaggression. And express the hope that trade will be seen as a more favorable option than swords. To the east he dispatched a messenger to Boaam, stating his desire for a more peaceful relationship, but reiterating that retaliation against Chulom for the previous year's troubles, will damage the diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Sunji. To the north he dispatched 3 ambassadors. The first went towards Stym, as an expression of respect for the skills they displayed in the previous year's conflict, and the hopes that they might learn of one another better, in a means other than the crossing of blades. The second was sent towards the Setrus league, congratulating them on their unification and complimenting them on the wisdom of remaining aloof from the mainland's war the previous year. And lastly, an emissary went to Kemis, expressing future hopes, but cautioning not to interfere with the replacing of troops at their mutual border*
*having dispatched his messangers, the Emperor Cao Cao orders his army to deploy towards the borders of each neighbor. 5,000 towards his southern border. 30,000 towards his eastern border. 50,000 towards his northern border. The remaining 15,000 is deployed between cities throughout the realm. would any direction see battle? or would he let a neighbor make the first strike? Only the Emperor can know for certain....*
"CRY HAVOC! and let slip the DOGS OF WAR!" ~shakespear
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