Inside the courtroom, the dissenting opinions of many ministers resounded loudly. Batukhan sat silently, waiting for their voices to calm down, but it seemed that the longer he decided not to interfere with the differences between the ministers, the louder and longer the differences between the ministers.
Batukhan was in his early sixties, and he was in his thirties when he ascended the throne. Batukhan's father died when he was nearly eighty years old, and the crown prince died of illness after only four years of ruling the country. Since the late king had no son, Batukhan was named his successor and took over the country after the late king died. Most of the court ministers agreed with the succession of King Batukhan, as he was the official general of the northern army. He married late and had his first child with Queen Qara before ascending the throne. He named his first child Batsaikhan, and also named him his heir. When Batsaikhan was five years old, he fell from two floors and injured his spine. The crown-prince could no longer walk.
Batukhan only takes concubines when his queen was unable to conceive. Within a year, his first concubine gave birth to his second son, Prince Dzhambul. Shortly afterward, his second concubine gave birth to his third son, Prince Mönkhbat and Prince Chimgee. For many years, Prince Dzhambul was a general with great military knowledge and the darling of many ministers in the court.
Minister Tarkhan looked at Minister Esen, his longtime rival since he served in court decades ago. He said, "Prince Dzhambul has shown deep military knowledge over the years. He is currently training with General Batzorig, and he is better suited than Prince Batsaikhan to be the next general to lead the Northern Army."
Minister Esen said, "No matter what the situation is, Prince Batsaikhan is the eldest son and the current crown prince. He is not dead yet, why are we talking about this?"
Minister Tarkhan argued, "In order to keep the country safe and well protected, we must use our people wisely. If we are all sure that Prince Dzhambul is good at military strategy, why should we give this position to a man who has never set foot in the battlefield."
Another minister sided with Minister Tarkhan and expressed his opinion, "I agree with Minister Tarkhan. The title of the next general of the Northern Army should be given to Prince Dzhambul."
One of the retired generals said, "I don't understand why we're talking about this. Soldiers will only listen to the generals who go to battle with them, and they won't follow orders from who is hundreds of miles away from the battlefield."
Minister Tarkhan said, "Minister Essen, do you really believe that Prince Batsaikhan can kill the enemy with a sword on the battlefield?" He stared at Minister Essen coldly.
Minister Esen looked at Minister Tarkhan, gritted his teeth, and anger overflowed from his teeth, "Do you think it is a good thing to deprive the current crown prince's title? He is not dead yet."
Minister Tarkhan sighed at Minister Esen's silly remarks and said, "Dead or not, in his current situation, it makes no difference." His expression suddenly changes. "Or you try so hard to speak on the behalf of Prince Batsaikhan because he is betrothed to your daughter."
Minister Esen pointed his finger at Minister Tarkhan angrily, "Tarkhan Puntsag! How dare you curse at the crown prince? You no longer want that head of yours?"
Minister Tarkhan said indifferently, "Is not a curse...I speak logically."
Batukhan listened to the dissenting opinions of the ministers, and his head began to spin. He has suffered many internal and external injuries over the years. Knowing that his health was declining, Batukhan agreed with Minister Tarkhan. Batukhan knew very well in his heart that as a disabled crown prince in a wheelchair, he would never see the battlefield and would not receive the full support of his ministers. Then he abruptly coughs. Batukhan continued to cough, and the coughing became louder and louder, which made the ministers in the court suddenly stop arguing and refocused on Batukhan.
Tong handed Batukhan a white handkerchief. Batukhan covered his mouth with a white handkerchief, but Batukhan continued coughing and wheezing. Batukhan vomited blood in the handkerchief and returned the handkerchief to Tong. Tong quickly folded the stained handkerchief and stuffed it inside his robe. He held Batukhan's right hand and helped Batukhan get up.
Batukhan cleared his throat and said, "I agree with Minister Tarkhan. If Batsaikhan was not in an accident, he is the perfect King of Hmagol." In court, the ministers were happy and sad at the same time. Batukhan walked down the small steps to face his subjects. "Sadly, we can't undo what has been done. Now, Dzhambul is still young, and when he comes of age, if General Batzorig agrees, I will name him the Great General of the Northern Army and hand him the Army Seal."
Minister Tarkhan said, "Your Highness, this is indeed a wise choice."
Batukhan said, "Minister Tarkhan, I understand your concern. We soldiers only see the days on the battlefield, but our thinking is mainly military." He turned to look at Minister Esen. "We have to look at it from the point of view of our country's commanding economic government." He coughed badly. "Our army is our strength, and our government officials are our knowledge. A nation cannot be made great with only strength or knowledge. A great nation needs strength and knowledge, just as a practical man needs arms and Legs."
Minister Esen said, "My king, it is our fault. We should not argue before you."
Batukhan said, "I am glad to hear that you seek different opinions. Sometimes we need a different voice to open our eyes."
"Report."
The word came loudly into the courtroom. A guard rushed in and knelt before Batukhan. "Report!" His strong voice echoed in the quiet courtroom.
Batukhan said, "Speak."
The guard messager said, "Southeastern Province reported that thousands of civilians were killed by a flood. Tu-Tshua province was overwhelmed, and the governor demanded that rations be sent immediately." He took out the letter and extended his hand to Batukhan.
Tong took the letter and handed it to Batukhan. Just as Batukhan was about to open the letter, another guard rushed in.
"Report!" The guard knelt before Batukhan.
Batukhan said, "Speak."
The guard lowered his head and said, "General Batzorig's army has been defeated, and the city of Nue-Li has fallen. Of the eight thousand soldiers, only fifty-four survived. General Batzorig was seriously wounded. Prince Dzhambul's whereabouts are unknown, and his life is at stake. Life and death are equally possible."
Batukhan suddenly felt a pain in his chest and coughed heavily, "What?" He spat out a mouthful of blood and fell into Tong's arms again.
Tong quickly hugged Batukhan to prevent him from falling to the floor. All the servants in the court fell to their knees, and the ministers rushed to Batukhan.
Minister Esen shouted out, "Call the loyal doctor...call the loyal doctor!"
In Batukhan's bedroom, ten of his loyal ministers stood outside waiting for news from the Royal doctors. When the five royal doctors walked out of Batukhan's bedroom chamber, the ministers hurried to hear the news.
Minister Esen asked, "How is the king?"
The chief imperial doctor said, "The king is fine. He fainted because of too much pressure. His Highness, needs to rest."
The ministers thanked the five doctors. Tong walked out of Batukhan's chamber and said, "Ministers, His Highness ordered everyone to go back." He looked at a maid standing beside him. "The king wants to have a few words with Crown Prince Batsaikhan."
Maid, "Yes." She walked away from the men.
Tong walked back inside Batukhan's bedroom chamber.
"Why do you think the king would seek an audience with the prince at such a time?"
"I don't know."
Many ministers whispered outside Batukhan's bedroom chamber.
In Batukhan's bedroom chamber, Tong pushed Prince Batsaikhan to the bed of Batukhan and parked the wheelchair beside the king's bed. Batukhan opened his eyes and looked at Prince Batsaikhan.
King Batukhan said, "Crown Prince, the ministers in the court have different opinions. Most of the ministers do not approve of you as the next king and want me to hand over the military power of the Northern Army to Dzhambul." He looked at Batsaikhan. "What do you think?"
Prince Batsaikhan said, "I have no problem with that. Now, this land still belongs to father, and I agree with whatever father's decision."
King Batukhan said, "No matter what the outcome is, the throne is still yours." He sighed. "It's a pity that my queen gave birth to a princess, not a prince."
Batsaikhan said, "Her name is Princess Chinua."
Batukhan, "Chinua..."
Batsaikhan said, "Yes, the queen allowed me to name her."
Batukhan said, "I feel like I'm a failed king in many ways. Many kings have so many princes and princesses. I only have eight children." He sighed.
Batsaikhan said, "Father, I understand that in the eyes of many Magoli's Ministers, they do not believe that a good king does not need to hold a sword and shoot arrows." He looked at Batukhan. "I believe I can be a good king and lead my people beyond the borders of Hmagol."
King Batukhan said, "Now that you know this, what are you going to do to secure your position as a future king."
Batsaikhan said, "Father, to be honest, I know in my heart that I won't be able to do anything worthy that deserves the praise of the ministers. When the time comes, father could rest assured. If father agreed to spare the lives of the Queen and the Princess, I would step down without a fight."
Batukhan asked, "Are you sure you won't fight for it?"
"Because I don't want to die for something I know I can't win," Batsaikhan said. "I'd rather surrender, save my life, and try again when I know my chances of winning are guaranteed."
Batukhan smiled and praised, "Very Good...He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander."