Inside the conference room, Chinua's seven subordinates and Captain Haitao and his seven subordinates were already sitting, waiting for Chinua and the others. Chinua sat in her designated seat.
Khenbish said, his voice serious, "I've learned from a fellow soldier who serves under Captain Dawa that someone tried to assassinate General Batzorig but failed. Although General Batzorig's condition is not life-threatening, his wound was close to his heart."
Zhi added, looking grim, "When we left the northeastern region, the news of General Batzorig's injury was still kept a secret."
Haitao said, leaning forward slightly, "With General Batzorig's condition and age, I'm sure it won't be kept a secret for long. Sooner or later, the Ginmiao will know, and most likely they will launch an attack on the northeast military camp. Not to claim any land, but just to kill as many soldiers as they could before retreating."
Zhi replied, shaking his head, "The situation in the northeast hasn't changed since the day we left the northeastern region. So, as for now, what Captain Haitao said hasn't occurred yet; it's only a matter of time. As for Prince Dzhambul, he remains in the Northern Military Camp with the other five captains."
Chinua asked, her expression thoughtful, "With General Batzorig being injured, has he moved his soldiers or sent someone to assess the situation in the northeast?"
Khenbish said, with a slight shrug, "Prince Dzhambul is still in the main training camp as if nothing happened. Also, Prince Dzhambul has begun to establish his territory in the north. The captains who were sent with General Batzorig are General Batzorig's closest captains. The other five captains stayed behind in the main training camp."
Timicin commented, his brow furrowed, "I'm sure with such news he was the first to learn, but why hasn't he done anything yet?"
Hye smiled, a knowing look in his eyes, and said, "Because he's waiting for the right opportunity to collect the credits of others." He paused for a moment. "Come to think of it, if General Batzorig is unable to go into battle, then who would be more suitable to represent General Batzorig than the Crown Prince? No matter if the Crown Prince is disabled or not, sooner or later he has to build credit for himself. Otherwise, those ministers inside the royal court will all stand against him. As for now, there is still no news from Ntsua-Ntu, which tells us the failed assassination attempt on General Batzorig has not reached Ntsua-Ntu yet, but I'm sure that news will arrive any day now. Besides, the Ginmiao won't let this opportunity slide by. Over the years, the Ginmiao has always waited for such an opportunity to seek revenge on General Batzorig and the northern army."
Chinua said, her jaw set with determination, "In that case, we will have to start preparing ourselves as well. I know for certain that if the news of General Batzorig reaches Ntsua-Ntu, the ministers inside the royal court will speak with the same voice, but this time the person going to battle is most likely not the Crown Prince, but us. I predict that His Majesty will not allow the Crown Prince to replace General Batzorig in battle, but His Majesty will have the Crown Prince come here to replace me."
Jeet said, nodding in agreement, "I agree with Chinua. Right now, of the four generals, Chinua is most likely to be called to replace General Batzorig."
Naskh said, with a sneer, "Come to think of it, it seems that someone is working very hard to force Chinua into battle. And I wonder who?"
Chinua said, her voice firm, "Protecting our border is the job of every soldier, so whether that person intentionally wants to drag us into the battlefield or not, when duty calls, we must answer that call." She looked at the people inside the meeting room and sighed. "Let's hope that the Ginmiao doesn't attack."
"Report!" A soldier's voice sounded from afar.
Dystan muttered, rolling his eyes, "Speaking of the devil."
Chinua sighed and said, her shoulders slumping slightly, "It looks like our time has finally arrived."
The soldier came running into the meeting room, and he gently bowed to Chinua. "General, report from Ntsua-Ntu City," the soldier said, his voice slightly breathless, holding a letter out to Chinua.
"Thank you," Chinua said, her expression neutral as she took the letter, and the soldier slowly retreated out of the door.
Chinua opened the letter, and after she finished reading the contents, her expression hardening slightly, she handed the letter to Captain Haitao. "My prediction is correct. Ntsua-Ntu has received the news of General Batzorig's injury, and I was ordered to replace General Batzorig," Chinua said.
Haitao read aloud, his voice flat, "It says for Chinua to be the lead general, with General Batzorig and Prince Dzhambul as reinforcements."
Naskh said, scoffing, "This is ridiculous. No matter how I see it, it's more like a trap to get rid of Chinua and General Batzorig altogether. That Prince will not send Chinua reinforcements. I can guarantee it."
"Since we already know this," Hye said, a calm looks on his face, "Then we will need to plan accordingly and have more than one contingency plan." He looked at Chinua, his gaze steady. "When?"
Chinua said, her voice clear, "The Crown Prince will arrive in five days, and we are to leave for Ntsua-Ntu City when the Crown Prince and the palace guards arrive." She turned to Haitao. "Captain, we will not be bringing the new recruits with us. They are to stay behind and continue training for the time being." She thought for a moment, understanding that winter would arrive in the next couple of months. So, she didn't want to bring the elder soldiers to the northeast if a battle broke out in the middle of winter. "As for those who have a couple of years left before retirement, have them stay to train the new recruits."
Haitao said, nodding respectfully, "I will make arrangements for that."
Chinua stood up, her posture straight, and said, "The meeting is over. Everyone needs to get your units ready. The moment the Crown Prince arrives to replace me, we are leaving for Ntsua-Ntu City and then will bring the army to the Northeast Military Camp." She looked at Hye. "Come with me to Salran Hill. I have something to discuss with Chief Behrouz."
Walking down the dark trail towards Salran Hill, the only light came from the lantern Chinua was holding and the occasional light from fireflies. Night crickets hissed through the night, and frog croaks could be heard from time to time. Each time the night wind blew through the tall grass, the tree branches rustled, giving a pleasant chime sound.
Walking towards Salran Hill, Hye was walking a few steps behind Chinua. He asked, his tone curious, "Are you not going to take the bandits of Salran Hill with you to the base camp?"
Chinua said, without turning, "No, it's best if they stay here. Besides, I feel more reassured if they are guarding this post. Although the Crown Prince might be bringing some elite soldiers with him, he doesn't know this place better than Chief Behrouz."
Hye said, a hint of warning in his voice, "If you are asking Behrouz to follow the Crown Prince, then I think we are going to have a big problem."
Chinua said, a small sigh escaping her lips, "I know Chief Behrouz will most likely say no, but I just want him to know about our situation."
Hye chuckled, a dry sound, and said, "You are paying for his trust by providing him with military information."
Chinua said, her voice thoughtful, "There will come a time when I have to share secrets to gain the absolute trust of my subordinates." Chinua turned to look at Hye, her expression serious. "We have been living in peace for so long that I forgot why I am here in the first place."
Hye smiled and said, softly, "This is a good sign. It means that you accept the fact that for the rest of your life you will be living here."
Chinua said, raising an eyebrow, "You speak as if you have already accepted it."
Hye sighed, a sound of resignation, and said, "I have accepted it. I actually want to die here and be buried here in the columbarium burial site I created." He turned his head in the direction of the columbarium site. "You should at least go see it before we leave for Ntsua-Ntu City."
"Who is there!" Azad's loud voice shouted from the darkness, sounding alert.
"Azad! It's just us!" Chinua shouted back, her voice clear.
"Chinua!" Azad said, walking towards them with ten bandits, a relieved look on his face. "Hye? What are you two doing walking around in the middle of the night?"
Chinua said, with a reassuring smile, "We are here to see Chief Behrouz. I have something urgent to discuss with him."
Azad asked, his curiosity piqued, "What?"
Chinua said, simply, "I'm leaving here."
"What! Why!" Azad's loud voice frightened the fireflies, causing them to fly into the night like little lanterns floating in the air. He looked shocked.
Chinua smiled at Azad and said, her tone calm despite the news, "Duty called, and I answered the call." Chinua turned back to look at Azad. "Is your father here tonight?"
Azad said, his expression changing, "You are in luck, my father is here with us tonight."
Chinua said, a slight smile touching her lips, "Oh, that's good. It saves me time having to walk all the way up Salran Hill." Chinua and Hye began walking towards the first house at the foot of Salran Hill.
Inside the wooden hut, Behrouz had not slept yet. He was still watching one of his grandchildren reading, and as soon as he saw Chinua and Hye, he greeted them with a smile.
"Zin," Azad said. "Time for you to go to bed."
"Okay, Uncle," the little child said. He smiled, grabbed his books, and quickly left the wooden hut.
Behrouz said, gesturing to seats, "Sit. Since the two of you came together, there must be something you want to talk to me about."
Chinua sat at the table with Hye and Azad. Chinua said, her voice steady, "In about five days, I will be leaving for Ntsua-Ntu City."
Behrouz asked, his smile fading slightly, "For what?"
Chinua said, explaining the situation, "There was an assassination attempt on General Batzorig's life. Although his life was spared, he was badly wounded. Therefore, His Majesty wants me to temporarily take over the northeast base camp until General Batzorig recovers. During my absence, the Crown Prince will be here to take my place. I am here to ask you not to make trouble with the Crown Prince and to show him the same respect you've been showing me."
Behrouz said, his expression hardening slightly, "As long as he doesn't bother me, I will not bother him."
Chinua said, with conviction, "I will give him strict instructions to go according to our peace agreement."
Behrouz said, grudgingly, "I will not fight others unless they throw the first punch."
Chinua smiled and said, a hint of amusement in her eyes, "He will not throw the first punch because..." She sighed and looked at Behrouz. "...He is wheelchair-bound..."
Behrouz said, his eyes widening slightly in surprise, "So, the Crown Prince is really disabled? I thought that was just a rumor."
Hye said, his tone serious now, "Although he is disabled, if you come across any problem that you are unable to solve, you should seek his opinion. The Crown Prince might have disabled legs, but his brain is better than Chinua's."
Behrouz said, skeptically, "How could his brain be better than Chinua's?"
Chinua said, a proud smile on her face, "Because all the knowledge I obtained came from him. He is better than me."
Behrouz scoffed, crossing his arms, and said, "I don't believe it until I see it for myself."
Chinua said, her voice earnest, "Chief Behrouz, if you could take care of him until I return and make him feel welcome, I would really appreciate it."
Behrouz said, a gruff but reassuring tone, "Since you asked me, I will not embarrass you."
Chinua smiled and got up, relieved. "I thank you in advance," she said. "I will take my leave now."
Behrouz said, standing as well, "If you need anything, let me know."
Chinua said, "I will," nodding.
Hye smiled and said, "Goodnight."
Chinua and Hye walked out of the front door of the wooden hut. "Oh, I forgot our lantern," he said, a hand to his forehead. "Stay here; I will go back inside and get it."
Chinua stood there watching the half-moon hanging in the dark night sky. Although tonight there were a lot of stars in the sky, for some unknown reason Chinua felt that the sky tonight was much darker than every other night.
"Ready, we can go now," Hye said, walking out with a lit lantern, a smile on his face. He gently squeezed Chinua's left shoulder. "Don't worry, Behrouz will not embarrass the Crown Prince. Let's go." He grabbed Chinua's left wrist with his right hand. Hye turned to Chinua with a smile and quoted: "The world is hushed, a whisper in the breeze, as shadows dance beneath the silent trees, our footsteps fall in rhythm, soft and low. A secret melody that only we can know."
Chinua broke into laughter, a genuine sound, and pulled her hand away. "I didn't know you could make up poems as you walk," Chinua said with a smile.
Hye moved closer to Chinua and said, leaning in slightly, "I didn't write it; I quoted it from that poetry book of yours."
As the lantern cast a faint glow along their path in the darkness of night, Chinua and Hye burst into laughter, the two friends making their way back to the Eastern Military Camp at the base of the hill.