It was late at night when Chinua lay next to Mönkhbat on the bed. Lying there listening to the stillness of the night made Chinua a little nervous. Chinua was not used to this environment before. She sighed.
Mönkhbat asked, "What's wrong?"
Chinua said, "Third brother, I'm not used to this. It's very quiet at night, I feel like there is no life outside."
Mönkhbat said with a chuckle, "Everyone is sleeping already, who is crazy enough to be walking around in the middle of the night? This is not the capital where people roam the streets from morning till morning."
Chinua asked, "So, do the night watchmen talk to each other?"
Mönkhbat laughed, "No, we train them not to talk when they are on duty."
Chinua said, "This is so different from what I learned in the Northern Camp?"
Mönkhbat asked, "Then, why did the fourth princess go up north to join the army? For entertainment?"
Chinua said, "I asked father to send me there."
Mönkhbat was taken aback, "Father is willing?"
Chinua said, "I convinced him by beating him in the game of conquering land."
Mönkhbat chuckled and said, "So father saw your potential, and he decided to let you go. What was father thinking by sending you to create trouble for Batzorig."
When Mönkhbat mentioned Batzorig's name, Chinua suddenly remembered that the rations issued to Mönkhbat had been miscalculated. Chinua asked, "Third brother, do you have a good relationship with second brother?"
Mönkhbat sighed, "Well… yes and no."
Chinua asked, "Have you ever said anything to offend him, or have you offended anyone recently?"
Mönkhbat laughed, "I've been here all year round, and the only time I went back to the capital was when father ordered me to. I am not aware of any special relationship with any court officials. I don't even remember eating with any court officials, so I shouldn't offend anyone." He turned to looked at Chinua. "Why do you ask so suddenly?"
Chinua said, "Before I go north, I checked the supply records of the whole army."
Mönkhbat asked, "What did you find?"
Chinua said, "I didn't find anything suspicious in the book records, but I heard from Captain Taban that the supplies sent to the South Camp were less than what was recorded."
Mönkhbat asked, "Do you think someone is hiding military supplies?"
Chinua sighed, "Hmm...I just remembered that second brother's second uncle is responsible for distributing military supplies."
Mönkhbat asked, "So, what are you thinking?"
Chinua said, "With holding military's supplies is treason. Tomorrow, I want to see your supply records."
Mönkhbat said, "I'll let Daeshim show it to you. He's in charge of recording all the supplies that come in and out of the base."
Chinua said madly, "If I know who did it; I will definitely not let that person go."
Mönkhbat said, "Does father know about this?"
Chinua said, "Father has his own suspicions, but he can't leave the palace..."
Mönkhbat laughed loudly, "So, he sent you to help him find out about this." He sighed. "Even if father knew about this, there was nothing father could do. Most court officials have already chosen their side." He sat up. "From the time when father stationed my troops and I here, I knew that father never wanted me to return to the capital. Over the years, military families have moved here one by one, which is against military regulations, but father did not say anything, only confirmed my suspicion of his true intentions."
Chinua said, "Are you angry at father?"
Mönkhbat said, "I was at first, but not anymore."
Chinua asked, "How come?"
Mönkhbat said, "I see how happy the soldiers are to have their families here. For others, it might be seen as a weakness, but I see it differently."
Chinua sat up and looked at Mönkhbat. She asked, "What do you mean?"
Mönkhbat said, "It keeps us from ever leaving the front lines, fighting the enemy to our last breath, because we know the people, we protect behind us are our families." He sighed. "So, while we didn't have the court's support, our army morale has always been good because we fought with a purpose, and that purpose is the safety of our family."
Chinua said, "I also found a way to help your army?"
Mönkhbat, "Really? What is it?"
Chinua said, "I found a way to make a person feel fuller for longer with a small amount of food. I learned from the local villagers, but the man who could grow peanuts refused to help me, so I took him here with me." Mönkhbat laughed. "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, "If you're going to look at the supply records tomorrow, go to sleep." He sighed. "I'll have someone bring Khunbish and Khenbish to you in the morning."
Early in the morning, when Haitao and his men woke up, they found Chinua hadn't come back yet. They also found that Khunbish and Khenbish had been taken away by soldiers and their whereabouts were unknown.
Timicin frowned, "How could they treat us like this?"
Haitao said, "General Mönkhbat is an upright man, and he will never do anything to hurt Chinua."
Chaghatai said, "But General Mönkhbat is a man and Chinua is a woman."
Terbish said, "But General Mönkhbat didn't know that Chinua is a woman, so Chinua should be fine."
Haitao said, "I'm going to talk to General Mönkhbat about Chinua's whereabouts."
Od said, "Captain, no need, General Mönkhbat and captain Taban are walking towards us."
Haitao turned around and found Mönkhbat and Taban walking towards them. He stood up and greeted Mönkhbat and Taban. Haitao asked, "General Mönkhbat, I want to know where my subordinate Chinua is now?"
Mönkhbat said, "Oh, Chuluun didn't tell you."
Timicin snapped and said harshly, "He didn't tell us anything, but he took two of our men."
Mönkhbat said, "You mean Kunbish and Khenbish?" He looked at Timicin. "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 looked at Taban. "Take him with us too." He pointed at Hye.
Mönkhbat led Haitao and Hye back to one of the houses. There are four soldiers guarding the house. Two soldiers stand in front and open the door for Mönkhbat, Hye, Haitao and Taban. Mönkhbat looked at the table and saw that Chinua and Chuluun were still discussing something important.
Chinua frowned and said, "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 has not changed. I need help to duplicate these records." As soon as Chinua looked up, she saw Haitao. "Captain." She rushed towards Haitao "I have a question for you."
Haitao asked, "What's the matter?"
Chinua asked, "If there are guests in the North camp, where do they usually stay?"
Haitao said, "Under normal circumstances, they stay two tents away from General Batzorig's tent."
Chinua's face darkened, looking at Mönkhbat. She said, "Their target is not prince Dzhambul…"
Haitao asked, "Then who?"
Seeing Chinua's expression, Mönkhbat had already guessed that he was the target of this attempted assassination.
Chinua murmured, "No wonder he said that to me."
Mönkhbat asked, "Who?"
Chinua said, "That Tanggolian soldier I let go."
Mönkhbat patted Chinua on the back and said, "Don't dwell on the past because it won't change anything. I'll pay more attention next time."
Chinua said, "But…"
Mönkhbat said, "Don't use your brain too much, or you will have gray hair before me. Come home to dinner with me tonight."
Chinua smiled and said, "Okay, but my captain and comrades are also coming with us. Is that alright?"
Mönkhbat smiled, "You got it."
Chinua looked at Hye and said, "Your handwriting is good, why don't you help me copy these records."
Hye asked, "Why would I do that?"
Chinua said, "Trading for food. If you don't work, there is no food for you. As you can see, it is very difficult to find food in the South." She looked at Chuluun. "Captain Chuluun, let people keep an eye on him, don't give him food if he doesn't work."
Chuluun didn't understand why he had to take orders from a northern soldier with a lower rank than himself. He turned to look at Mönkhbat puzzled, "General?"
Mönkhbat smiled and said, "Do as she says."
Chuluun looked at Chinua suspiciously, "Her?" He cleared his throat. "Yes, General." He pushed Hye towards the table.
Mönkhbat looked at Haitao and said, "Captain Haitao, since Chinua mentioned it, would you come to my house for dinner tonight?"
Haitao smiled and said, "General, it is an honor for me and my subordinates to have dinner at your home."
"Aiya!" Chinua said abruptly.
Mönkhbat asked, "What's the matter Chinua?"
"I need to borrow a horse," Chinua said.
Mönkhbat said, "There is a horse in front of the house, and you can use it."
"Thank you," Chinua quickly said, walking out, but Mönkhbat held her hand.
Mönkhbat asked, "Where are you going?"
Chinua jerked free from Mönkhbat's grasp. She rushed out and said in a loud voice, "I'm going to save someone's life. Tell Khunbish and Khenbish to follow me to the market."
Mönkhbat yelled, "Chinua!"
Chinua rushed out of the room, came to the front of the house, jumped on the horse, rushed out of the camp at the south gate, and headed towards the market. "Please live," she whispered.