It was late, the camp hushed, as Chinua lay beside Mönkhbat on the bed. The profound stillness of the night, so unlike the bustling capital, made her subtly uneasy. She wasn't accustomed to such quiet. A soft sigh escaped her lips.
"What's wrong?" Mönkhbat's voice was a low murmur in the darkness.
"Third brother," Chinua confessed, "I'm not used to this. It's so incredibly quiet at night. I feel like there's no life outside."
Mönkhbat chuckled softly. "Everyone's asleep already. Who'd be crazy enough to be walking around in the middle of the night? This isn't the capital, where people roam the streets from morning till morning."
"So, the night watchmen don't talk to each other?" Chinua asked, a thread of curiosity in her voice.
Mönkhbat laughed aloud. "No, we train them not to utter a word when they're on duty."
"This is so different from what I learned in the Northern Camp," Chinua mused, a hint of surprise in her tone.
"Then why did the Fourth Princess go up north to join the army?" Mönkhbat asked, a playful challenge in his voice. "For entertainment?"
"I asked father to send me there," Chinua replied, her voice firm.
Mönkhbat was genuinely taken aback. "Father was willing?"
"I convinced him," Chinua stated, a proud smirk touching her lips, "by beating him in the game of conquering land."
Mönkhbat let out another chuckle, a knowing light in his eyes. "So, father saw your potential, and he decided to let you go. What was father thinking, sending you to create trouble for Batzorig?"
At the mention of Batzorig's name, Chinua suddenly remembered the miscalculated rations. Her expression sobered. "Third brother, do you have a good relationship with Second Brother?"
Mönkhbat sighed. "Well… yes and no."
"Have you ever said anything to offend him, or have you offended anyone recently?" Chinua pressed, her voice serious.
Mönkhbat laughed dismissively. "I've been here all year round. The only time I went back to the capital was when father ordered me to. I'm not aware of any special relationship with any court officials. I don't even remember eating with any court officials, so I shouldn't have offended anyone." He turned to look at Chinua, a curious frown creasing his brow. "Why do you ask so suddenly?"
"Before I went north, I checked the supply records for the entire army," Chinua revealed.
"What did you find?" Mönkhbat asked, a spark of interest in his eyes.
"I didn't find anything suspicious in the written records," Chinua explained, "but I heard from Captain Taban that the supplies sent to the South Camp were less than what was recorded."
"Do you think someone is withholding military supplies?" Mönkhbat's voice was low, laced with suspicion.
Chinua sighed, then her eyes widened slightly in realization. "Hmm… I just remembered that Second Brother's second uncle is responsible for distributing military supplies."
"So, what are you thinking?" Mönkhbat prompted, his gaze sharp.
Chinua's voice hardened, a dangerous edge creeping in. "Withholding military supplies is treason. Tomorrow, I want to see your supply records."
"I'll have Daeshim show them to you," Mönkhbat agreed, his expression grim. "He's in charge of recording all the supplies that come in and out of the base."
"If I find out who did it," Chinua seethed, her voice tight with fury, "I will absolutely not let that person go!"
"Does father know about this?" Mönkhbat asked, his voice softer now.
"Father has his own suspicions," Chinua confided, "but he can't leave the palace…"
Mönkhbat let out a loud, bitter laugh. "So, he sent you to help him find out about this." He sighed, the amusement fading. "Even if father knew about this, there's nothing he could do. Most court officials have already chosen their side." He sat up, his silhouette dark against the faint moonlight. "From the moment father stationed my troops and me here, I knew he never truly wanted me to return to the capital. Over the years, military families have moved here, one by one, which is strictly against military regulations. But father said nothing, only confirming my suspicion of his true intentions."
"Are you angry at father?" Chinua asked, her voice quiet.
"I was at first," Mönkhbat admitted, "but not anymore."
"How come?" Chinua pressed.
"I see how happy the soldiers are to have their families here," Mönkhbat said, a surprising warmth entering his voice. "For others, it might be seen as a weakness, but I see it differently."
Chinua sat up, turning to face Mönkhbat, her eyes fixed on him. "What do you mean?"
"It keeps us from ever leaving the front lines," Mönkhbat explained, his gaze distant, "fighting the enemy to our last breath, because we know the people we protect behind us are our families." He sighed, a profound weariness in the sound. "So, while we didn't have the court's support, our army's morale has always been strong because we fight with a purpose, and that purpose is the safety of our family."
"I also found a way to help your army," Chinua revealed, a flicker of excitement in her voice.
"Really? What is it?" Mönkhbat asked, his interest piqued.
"I found a way to make a person feel fuller for longer with a small amount of food," Chinua explained. "I learned it from the local villagers, but the man who could grow peanuts refused to help me, so I brought him here with me." Mönkhbat's eyes widened, a grin starting to form. "I think if he saw the suffering of your men and your people, it might soften his heart and make him willing to help."
Mönkhbat laughed heartily, shaking his head. "If you're going to pore over those supply records tomorrow, get some sleep." He sighed, a fond exasperation in his voice. "I'll have someone bring Khunbish and Khenbish to you in the morning."
Early in the morning, Haitao and his men woke to find Chinua still absent. A growing unease settled over them when they discovered that Khunbish and Khenbish had also been taken away by soldiers, their whereabouts unknown.
Timicin frowned, his patience wearing thin. "How could they treat us like this?"
"General Mönkhbat is an upright man," Haitao said, trying to reassure them. "He would never do anything to hurt Chinua."
"But General Mönkhbat is a man, and Chinua is a woman!" Chaghatai countered, his voice laced with concern.
Terbish offered, "But General Mönkhbat didn't know that Chinua is a woman, so Chinua should be fine."
"I'm going to talk to General Mönkhbat about Chinua's whereabouts," Haitao declared, moving to stand.
"Captain, no need," Od said, pointing. "General Mönkhbat and Captain Taban are walking towards us now."
Haitao turned, relief washing over him as he saw Mönkhbat and Taban approaching. He quickly stood at attention, greeting them formally. "General Mönkhbat, I want to know where my subordinate, Chinua, is now."
Mönkhbat raised an eyebrow. "Oh, Chuluun didn't tell you?"
Timicin snapped, his voice sharp with frustration. "He didn't tell us anything, but he took two of our men!"
"You mean Khunbish and Khenbish?" Mönkhbat clarified, looking at Timicin with an amused expression. "They're helping in the kitchen with the food. Captain Haitao, I'm here to take you to Chinua. She's looking for you." He then looked at Taban, "Take him with us too," and pointed to Hye.
Mönkhbat led Haitao and Hye back to one of the larger houses. Four vigilant soldiers guarded the entrance. Two stepped forward, opening the door for Mönkhbat, Hye, Haitao, and Taban. Inside, Mönkhbat glanced at the table, where Chinua and Chuluun were still deep in a discussion.
Chinua frowned, her finger tracing a line on a scroll. "If I remember correctly, the amount of rice is wrong. You said three thousand bags, when it was supposed to be ten thousand bags. The number hasn't changed. I need help to duplicate these records." As Chinua finally looked up, her eyes met Haitao's. "Captain!" She rushed towards him, a question already forming on her lips. "I have a question for you."
"What's the matter?" Haitao asked, surprised by her urgency.
"If there are guests in the Northern Camp," Chinua asked, her gaze intense, "where do they usually stay?"
"Under normal circumstances," Haitao replied, "they stay two tents away from General Batzorig's tent."
Chinua's face instantly darkened, her eyes flashing as she looked at Mönkhbat. "Their target isn't Prince Dzhambul…"
"Then who?" Haitao asked, a cold dread creeping over him.
Seeing Chinua's expression, Mönkhbat had already guessed; he was the intended target of that assassination attempt.
"No wonder he said that to me," Chinua murmured, her voice barely audible.
"Who?" Mönkhbat demanded, his eyes narrowed.
"That Tanggolian soldier I let go," Chinua replied, her gaze fixed on him.
Mönkhbat gently patted Chinua on the back. "Don't dwell on the past, my dear, because it won't change anything. I'll pay more attention next time."
"But…" Chinua began, a protest forming.
"Don't use your brain too much," Mönkhbat interrupted, a light laughs in his voice, "or you'll have gray hair before me. Come home for dinner with me tonight."
Chinua smiled, her spirits lifting. "Okay, but my captain and comrades are also coming with us. Is that alright?"
Mönkhbat smiled broadly. "You got it."
Chinua then turned to Hye, her gaze assessing. "Your handwriting is good. Why don't you help me copy these records?"
"Why would I do that?" Hye scoffed, his arms crossed.
"Trading for food," Chinua stated simply, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "If you don't work, there is no food for you. As you can see, it's very difficult to find food in the South." She looked at Chuluun, her voice firm. "Captain Chuluun, let people keep an eye on him. Don't give him food if he doesn't work."
Chuluun was bewildered. He, a captain, taking orders from a Northern soldier of seemingly lower rank? He turned to Mönkhbat, confused. "General?"
Mönkhbat smiled, an almost imperceptible nod. "Do as she say."
Chuluun stared at Chinua suspiciously. "Her?" He cleared his throat, then, with a curt bow, "Yes, General." He firmly pushed Hye towards the table.
Mönkhbat then looked at Haitao. "Captain Haitao, since Chinua mentioned it, would you come to my house for dinner tonight?"
Haitao smiled, genuinely pleased. "General, it is an honor for me and my subordinates to have dinner at your home."
"Aiya!" Chinua exclaimed abruptly, startling them all.
"What's the matter, Chinua?" Mönkhbat asked, his brow furrowed.
"I need to borrow a horse," Chinua said, already moving towards the door.
"There's a horse in front of the house; you can use it," Mönkhbat offered.
"Thank you!" Chinua said quickly, about to rush out, but Mönkhbat's hand shot out, grasping her wrist.
"Where are you going?" Mönkhbat demanded.
Chinua sharply jerked free from Mönkhbat's grasp. She rushed out, her voice ringing with urgency. "I'm going to save someone's life! Tell Khunbish and Khenbish to follow me to the market!"
"Chinua!" Mönkhbat roared, his voice laced with exasperation and perhaps a hint of worry.
But Chinua was already gone, bursting from the house, leaping onto the waiting horse outside, and galloping out of the South Gate Camp, heading directly for the market. "Please live," she whispered into the wind, a desperate plea.