out refused, and ordered the withdrawal to proceed. When they got back to Bassein, Razadarit asked Byat Za why he did not sack Sandoway. The minister-general lectured the young king on a doctrine of limited war. There are two aspects of war. One is to settle matters through diplomacy and the other through force of arms. In this affair, it was settled by negotiation, and they delivered the enemy per the agreement. Had we broken our word, and attacked them, we'd no longer have the option to settle matters through negotiation. We'd have to settle by force of arms only. According to Fernquest, Byat Za's doctrine of limited warfare can be compared to that popularized by Clausewitz that “War is the continuation of politics by other means”—an idea that goes all the way back to the political philosopher Machiavelli. Razadarit was satisfied with Byat Za's logic. After all, the minister-general had been instrumental in bringing all three Mon-speaking provinces into his fold. The 22-year-old king then appointed Byat Za governor of Myaungmya, a key delta port. Forty Years' War Byat Za's and Dein's role in the long running war with Ava was not just to be military commanders but also be the king's chief advisers. With regard to Ava, the two ministers tried to get their king to achieve and maintain peace with the larger and more populous northern kingdom. Razadarit always sought his chief ministers' input even if he did not always follow their advice. Third campaign (1390–1391) Indeed, soon after listening to Byat Za's lecture about limited warfare, Razadarit ordered an occupation of Gu-Htut inside Ava territory. For their part, Byat Za and Dein dutifully carried out their responsibilities even if they did not agree with the king's decision. They went to the front with the king when the inevitable Ava invasion came in 1390–1391. After Pegu defenses had successfully held off repeated Ava land and naval attacks, the Pegu court persuaded their king to return Gu-Htut to Ava in exchange for Ava's recognition. With Pegu negotiating from a position of strength, Pegu got favorable terms. In 1391, Razadarit and King Swa Saw Ke signed a peace treaty that allowed Pegu to consolidate most of its gains. What followed was ten years of peace between Ava and Pegu. Byat Za and Dein administered the kingdom, which had emerged as a bona fide power in the region. Razadarit was