By nightfall, Chinua's subordinates had returned from helping the fleeing villagers build their houses. Arriving at Mönkhbat's home, they saw two tables set with food outside in the front yard.
Drystan smiled. "I'm starving," he said. "Perfect timing."
Hye looked at him and frowned. "Go wash your hands first."
The seven men walked behind the kitchen to wash up, then returned to the front yard. Chinua and the others were already sitting down.
Mönkhbat greeted them with a smile. "Come sit down," he invited.
The seven men sat at the two tables outside, joining Mönkhbat and his family for dinner.
Mönkhbat smiled. "Sorry, the meal may not be that grand tonight," he said.
"We don't mind at all," Hye replied. "Oh, and congratulations on the new member of your family."
Mönkhbat raised his bowl of mare milk, toasting Hye. "Thanks," he said with a wider smile.
Chinua turned to him. "So, when are you heading back to Lao-Da Pass?" she asked.
"I must return in two days," Mönkhbat said. "What about you? How long do you plan to stay?"
"Father asked me to go see the situation in the southwest," Chinua said.
"I've heard about the floods," Mönkhbat replied, "but it's the first time I've seen people fleeing and settling in another village because of one."
"As far as I know, Father did send disaster relief," Chinua continued, "but there seems to be a lot of prejudice interfering with its distribution. Many we met on the road are descendants of Tanggolian ancestors. They've lived in Hmagol since King Batu conquered the southern border."
Mönkhbat nodded. "The southwest region, including Chono Gate, was originally Tanggolia," he said. "But since King Batu conquered that land, they're all considered Magoli, even with different surnames. So, what's the problem?"
"The problem is their surname," Chinua said. "It seems they've been abused over the years. I saw it myself on the way back to Ntsua-Ntu and again just yesterday." She set down her rice bowl and looked at Mönkhbat. "Do you want to become the First Prince in the southern provinces?"
Mönkhbat laughed. "My knowledge is limited," he said. "Go see what you can find, and let Father introduce someone who can truly lead the people." He looked at her, a mocking glint in his eyes. "What about you? With Hye as your counselor, you could rule all the southern provinces. I think you're the most suitable candidate. If the Royal Father wants to send someone, I'll suggest your name first."
The men sitting at the tables laughed.
When the laughter died down, Hye asked, "General, how much do you know about Mayor Orgil?"
Mönkhbat considered for a moment. "I've heard of him," he replied, "and met him once, but we never really talked. As for how well he governs. I don't know."
"Uh... oh, by the way," Hye began, "I forgot to tell you something important. From our last battle in Umusa, I finally understood why the Razaasian arrows were faster and more accurate than ours: they used bamboo instead of wood." He leaned forward slightly. "So, I think it's best for your army to invest in bamboo arrows whenever possible, especially for the arrow machines." He paused. "I've already given Captain Taban instructions on preventing them from rotting." Hye gestured towards the window, where the moon would be visible if it were earlier. "Now that the water channels are done, maybe instead of planting peanuts, we plant some bamboo? I heard from the fleeing villagers that the shoots are a great food source."
Khawn said, "It tastes really good, especially when stir-fried with pork belly."
"And how do you know this kid?" Drystan asked with a grin.
"I ate them when I was in Tanggolia," Khawn replied.
"That's true," Zhi confirmed. "Maybe it's not Magoli's favorite dish, but Tanggolians like bamboo shoots. They can even be preserved for many years. I don't know the process, but the new villagers might be able to tell you."
"When do you plan to leave?" Mönkhbat asked Chinua.
"The day after tomorrow," she replied, looking at Khawn. "Tell us what you found."
Khawn stood up and took off his shirt.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Naksh asked, surprised.
Khawn turned the shirt inside out. "Everything I saw, I wrote down on the back here," he explained. "I was afraid I might forget."
Hye smiled. "How interesting. Our decision to send you to Tanggolia was the right one after all. You're the most suitable candidate to operate there."
Khawn looked at Hye. "I'll tell you what I found," he said. "And you write it down."
Hye looked at Zamir. "Grandfather Zamir," he asked, "could you bring me some paper?"
Zamir stood up and went inside the house. After a while, he returned with ink and paper. He glanced at Delbee as she stood up, Bold in her arms, and went inside with him.
Hye looked at Khawn. "I'm ready, kid," he said.
Khawn turned his shirt inside out and placed it on the table, pointing to the first mark on the fabric. "It takes four hours to get to the first military post from Chono Gate," he began. "Along this mountain road, there are patrol towers they call checkpoints. Each has two towers: one with a large pot of oil at the top, the other a large gong. I didn't ask for more; I was worried my cover might be blown."
"That's their distress signal," Zhi said. "Gong during the day if the enemy attacks, oil pot at night."
"Pretty clever," Jeet commented.
"It's an Arkmeric distress technique," Mönkhbat added, the men turning to him. "Arrazech is a kingdom bordering the Goronoto Tips, and the Arkmeric people use fire and sound signals."
"Go on, kid," Naksh prompted Khawn.
Khawn continued his report. "The first city is Qinjin," he said. "Many white military tents are set up in front of the gate, and two wooden walls stretch for several miles from the roadside to the foot of the mountain." He gestured with his hand. "I counted the tents: three hundred horizontally, from the first one to the last at the foot of the mountain. Vertically, starting from the first white tent to the last a hundred yards from the city gate, there are two hundred."
Hye stopped writing. "That's a large number of troops guarding Qinjin City," he commented.
"In other words," Chinua said grimly, "if we want to capture Qinjin, we'd have to kill sixty thousand soldiers. No wonder it's called Tanggolia's impregnable city."
"That's not all," Khawn continued. "When I entered Qinjin City, I finally understood why it's called Tanggolia's indestructible city. The place is packed with soldiers – basically a military base in my opinion."
"The distance between Qinjin and Sujian isn't too far," he went on. "Only half a day's travel. In Sujian, I started seeing civilians instead of so many soldiers. It's a lush, green city, with rice fields stretching for miles around." He sighed. "There's a main road from Chono Gate that passes through both Qinjin and Sujian, and it extends directly to the main entrance of Zhugow City. The journey from Sujian to Zhugow only takes sixteen hours." He paused, a flicker of regret in his eyes. "Unfortunately, I couldn't go with the others; they left by boat as soon as we reached Sujian."
Khawn explained. "So, I had to work at the dock and travel with the crew to avoid arousing suspicion." He gestured to a mark on his shirt. "On the way to Haishi City, we stopped at the dock in Zhugow City. I learned that Zhugow is home to almost all members of the royal family." He pointed to another mark, a square. "This is Zhugow City," he said, "and behind the city is the West Sea."
Drystan looked at the spot Khawn was pointing to on the shirt. Then he looked at Khawn. "That square was supposed to be a city?" he asked, a grin spreading across his face.
Hye chuckled. "Okay, kid," he said to Khawn. "You stay with me and tell me everything you can remember. I'll do my best to draw a proper picture."
Chinua smiled at Khawn. "You did great," she said warmly. "I knew you could do it." She stood up and stretched her arms overhead. "Now, everyone else is going to bed. You two stay and finish your drawing." She patted Khawn gently on the shoulder. "Good night, you two."
The other men laughed and walked inside, leaving Hye and Khawn outside with two lighted oil lamps to work by.
The day after the fleeing flood victims settled in Lao-Da Village, Chinua and her men stood at the intersection, ready to say goodbye to Mönkhbat and his family. Chinua stared at Mönkhbat, understanding he likely needed a private moment with Amgalan. She mounted her horse.
"Okay, I'll make time to see you again," she said.
Mönkhbat nodded. "Be careful," he told her. He looked at her men. "Please take care of her. Have a safe journey, everyone. If you have time, come back to visit." He looked back at Chinua. "Chinua... regarding the item. Tell him I received it and will do as he says. Don't tell him anything else."
Chinua sighed. "I understand. See you around." She and her men rode west, along the road back towards Chono Gate.
Hye pulled his horse alongside hers. "What shouldn't you tell your father?" he asked immediately. "Are you and the Southern General hiding something?"
Chinua sighed again, turning to look at Hye. "Don't tell Father," She said, her voice low, "the Southern General doesn't want to be the King of Hmagol."
Hye was taken aback. "What... what?" he stammered. "You'd better explain it to me!" He quickly spurred his horse, following as Chinua whipped her own horse forward.
"You don't need to know these things!" Chinua called back, riding away, leaving Hye and the others behind.
Hye galloped after her. "This is exactly what I need to know!" he shouted.