is gained when your opponent is not only unable to oppose you, but that he no longer wishes to oppose you." ~Robert H. Butler
*Cao Cao had taken the western border without opposition from his neighbor, but not without opposition...very FIRM opposition, from the northeastern Khan. To Cao Cao, the fact of victory meant very little, what mattered, was that he had tested his opponents, and found that they were not wanting in skill. Had the Boaamite army tried to fight, they would have lost more territory, instead of gaining the truce, and perhaps even peace, they they now hold. If they had lost a few towns or a city, well they kept their kingdom, no small achievement in such a pinned position.
Stym had gained nothing in territory, but much in knowledge, at the cost of the life of their Khan. Would his heir lead so well, would his heir seek revenge? Cao Cao cursed the bad luck that had brought down the khan. It made the whole troubled nature of the conflict, more troubled. Word had also come of a sea power unknown to the mainland. This would bring new troubles.
The one piece of good news, was that peace and stability were returning as the conflict with boaam settled down. Cao Cao ordered that his armies begin to withdraw, but only sofar as the western towns that he now claimed, a statement that he would take no more, but give nothing up. Would they dispute it? could they? Would they seek to purchase the towns back, or would they seek allies to punish the kingdom of Sunji, or its ally, Chulom? These questions ran through his mind without pause, but also through the mind of Cao Te, and the Duke of Yellow Rock, whose victory may bring him wider fame in this new post war prewar period.
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