Emeralds and Enemies

Chapter Forty-two

            "The analysis we will be doing today is neither historical nor hypothetical. It is present and could become urgent." Knight-Master Lie started laying out the pieces on the map in front of them. "We are going to start with what we know but then I want you to tell me what we need to know before making any moves."

Manager Doak gave San Jin and Me Yan a sympathetic look and then told them some of what they were going to discuss involved their uncle, General Tan. "We already sent a message to your father. He will decide if you should stay here overnight to help with the planning or if your mother needs you."

"It is important not to get distracted by who is involved." Knight-Master Lie reminded them all before pointing to the maps. "Now, let's look at the pattern of attacks over the past two months."

"That many?" Hae-sung was taken back by the number of markers.

"They are choking off the eastern tradelines," Chenhui pointed out the key cross-roads.

"Is it the tradelines or the re-supply routes?" San Jin asked knowing roughly where his uncle had planned to locate the regional headquarters.

"No reason why it couldn't be both." Xuiyang's observation earned him a nod from Knight-Master Lie.

"Do we really know if there is any coordination behind the different attacks? Could they be bandits and rebels taking advantage of the Governor's weakness and the King's distractions?" Il-don voiced a contrary view to challenge some of their assumptions.

The other boys bristled a bit but Knight-Master Lie nodded and said, "Good questions, now how would be go about answering them?"

"What do we know about the attacks? What sort of weapons have been used?" Me Yan tried to think of objective evidence.

"The refugees who came past the farm said they had been chased by riders and archers." Chenhui said slowly as he tried to remember their exact phrases.

"The ones in town talked about armored foot soldiers smashing everything in sight." Hae-sung shook his head.

"If you helped yourself to what your neighbours left behind you would need a good cover story." Song hee's comment drew protests from the other boys, including Il-don.

"Just saying." Song hee shrugged.

Manager Doak looked like he wanted to reply but then just shook his head. He knew how ugly greed could get, but it saddened him to think what sort of lessons Song hee had to make him so cynical.

"What are the regional guards saying? Why didn't they call for reinforcements?" Il-don was still not convinced there was an actual conspiracy.

"Have you ever seen a Governor willing to ask the Capital for reinforcements?" Junseo asked as he approached the table and handed more messages over.

"Not very likely, especially when the King's troops were pulled back to defend the Capital region," San Jin answered.

"What have the targets been? Were any slaves freed or tax rolls liberated? How well guarded were the caravans that were hit? Have any insurance claims been settled yet?"

With each question Junseo brought the attacks more into focus. "Didn't you always tell us when we are looking for a pattern behind a group of actions to ask who stands to benefit?"

Song hee and San Jin looked at each other and grinned. They expected Junseo cut down to the main point like just he had during their other strategy sessions.