Chapter 3 - Ch 3

Reaching the palace gate General Shin found his nephew and eldest crown prince standing with some ministers.

Though there mouth moved to show the injustice of heaven but there eyes showed gloating for his misfortune.

The things they informed were mainly their false pity and disdain towards him for arriving at the palace wearing war ridden clothes.

They considered the blood covered cloth in his hand inauspicious to his majesty and wanted general to take a rest in his residence and tomorrow to visit the emperor in his court.

Nodding his head in understanding, General Shin bowed his head in the direction of palace, as he moved to his own residence outside the palace walls.

Though he was considered first rank prince but when emperor took away his right to throne, he himself wanted to get rid of his honourific. This consisted of taking the name General and moving out of his palace inside the palace walls.

His courtyard outside was simple structure which was divided in four side, North for his own courtyard, East for his men's residence, West for kitchen and maids place of residence and South for training.

Reaching his courtyard General Shin, called for his personal attendant Ah Jin as he swiftly removed his garb while his closest friends stood beside him worrying like old maidens.

"Dak, lets change the dressing. I knew that me learning medicine was all for you but I never knew you will loose your right hand like this" spoke his attending physician and closest friend Mu Chen.

Ignoring his voice he looked at his silent advisor " did you look into what I asked you to do".

Shen Sun was his childhood friend that stood by him through many things he had his own scars to prove that.

" This is the list for all the candidate that were suitable for you "

Taking the book Dak quickly and swiftly moved the pages as he knew who he wanted to see.

Not finding the one that he wanted to see Dak shook his head " is there more" he asked.

Shen Sun remembered seeing the woman bow down her head towards the army.

"I am looking into her but what I know is that she is the adopted eldest daughter of Minister of Rites, Go Kang".

Dak Shin smiled " then she is perfect for what I want to achieve".

Next day general left the residence on his horse his right hand now covered in frame of metal showing a facade of his previous hand.

Standing inside the palace walls one could clearly and distinctly see the generals of Ming Qi taking one side and scholars though making a crowd standing on the other.

General Shin, was standing in the forefront of all the generals as if representing them but in reality even the people on the General's side were angry at him for forfeiting his birth rights.

The emperor sat on his seat starting another round of war waiting for the General to fight.