In July, General Batzorig ordered Captains Haitao and Dawa to lead their men to a village to help rebuild bridges, which had been destroyed by a flood a few days earlier. When the soldiers arrived, the villagers welcomed them warmly.
Haitao looked at his ten soldiers. "Don't be afraid of getting dirty," he instructed. "There will be plenty of water for washing up afterward."
"Captain Haitao, how do we know where to start?" Od asked, scratching his head.
"That's true. I've never built a bridge before," Terbish admitted.
"Just ask the villagers what they need help with, and do it," Haitao replied simply.
Altan walked in. "Captain Dawa said that your team can help the villagers here," he stated, a smug smirk playing on his lips, "and our team will bring materials."
"Materials?" Haitao repeated, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"Yes," Altan replied simply.
Haitao smiled thinly. "Alright...alright," he conceded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he understood the implied hierarchy.
Altan sneered at Timicin before turning and leaving.
Muunokhoi looked at Haitao, a frown creasing his brow. "What does he mean by bringing materials?" he asked, gesturing toward the piles of bamboo and wooden poles by the roadside. "Aren't all the materials here?"
Haitao swept his gaze over his ten soldiers. "What he means is," he explained, his voice low, "we do these dirty jobs while they merely watch."
Muunokhoi's frown deepened. "Are you going to let this happen to us?" he demanded, indignation rising in his voice.
"Remember, our mission is to help villagers rebuild their damaged bridges. We're not here to compete for the easiest job," Haitao stated, gesturing towards the eight soldiers already holding bamboo poles for the villagers. "They haven't complained, so why are you two?"
"It's not fair," Muunokhoi muttered, his frustration evident.
"Life isn't fair," Haitao said bluntly. "Just bear with it and go to work." He handed Muunokhoi some ropes. "Bring these over there." Then he turned to a seated woman. "What else do you need us to do?"
"Bring some more bamboo if you can help," the woman replied.
Haitao stood up. "Terbish, let's go help bring down more bamboo," he directed.
It was noon, and the village women began bringing food to the road. "It's time for lunch!" called one woman, her voice cheerful.
The villagers and the eight soldiers followed them out of the small creek and to the roadside.
The women fetched water from wooden basins. "Come here, soldiers," one beckoned warmly, "let's wash your hands."
After washing their hands, they sat down, waiting for the villagers to bring their meal. Sitting in a circle, one of the women placed a large bamboo leaf before each of the eleven people. Another woman approached, pouring a generous mix of lamb, chicken, and beef onto each leaf. A third laid baked potatoes alongside.
The woman smiled warmly at the group of soldiers. "Thanks to the soldiers for their help to our village today," she said. "Enjoy your meal."
Erden flashed a charming smile at the woman. "You're welcome," he replied. He then took the two small vases containing goat milk and water from her.
The women smiled shyly, then turned and walked away.
"I surrender to you, Erden," Od teased, shaking his head in mock awe. "You're still flirting with women at a time like this. You're incredible!"
Erden turned back, pouring a cup of goat milk and handing it to Chinua. "It's not true," he protested, "I don't flirt with all women."
"Liar!" Terbish scoffed. "When we were helping the villagers carry bamboo poles, you were helping that woman tie a rope on the side of the road!"
"Well, I'm not flirting with Chinua..." Erden mumbled, his voice trailing off awkwardly. "Chinua is a woman..."
Chinua ate slowly, her gaze distant. Deep down, she knew why Erden, or any other man, didn't view her as desirable. She didn't possess the delicate face or curves men typically desired in a woman. In the past, such thoughts would have ignited a furious anger within her, but recently, what other men said about beauty seemed to hold little effect.
Timicin watched Chinua, observing that she was staring intently at the villagers eating nearby, clearly ignoring Erden's foolish chatter. He knew Erden's thoughtless words likely stung Chinua, recalling their own recent, similar conversation. A pang of regret twisted in his gut over his own previous answer to her.
Timicin cleared his throat. "Different women have different kinds of beauty," he stated, his voice deliberates.
Muunokhoi frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Chinua can also be attractive in her own way," Timicin continued.
"In what way?" Erden challenged, clearly skeptical.
"Chinua is strong," Timicin said, his voice firm. "She can fight alongside you with a sword and needs no one to protect her."
"That's why we don't feel attraction towards Chinua," Terbish blurted out thoughtlessly.
Khunbish asked, his voice tight, "Why not?"
"Because Chinua is our brother," Terbish stated, as if it were obvious.
"Yeah, that's right," Muunokhoi chimed in, nodding. "She is our brother."
"She's not someone we would fall in love with," Chaghatai added dismissively.
A ripple of laughter went through the men, casual and unthinking.
Chinua stiffened. Then, without a word, she abruptly stood up, turned away from the ten men, and walked a short distance to sit beside two villagers.
Och smacked Chaghatai upside the head. "It's because of you!" he hissed. "You made Chinua furious! No matter what Chinua looks like, she's a woman. She looks strong, but she's soft inside."
Chaghatai winced. "Should we go apologize to her?" he mumbled, rubbing his head. "We weren't saying she's not beautiful."
Od grabbed a baked potato and accurately hurled it at Erden's head. "It's all your fault!" he declared. He turned to Khunbish, his face serious. "Has Chinua been made fun of before?"
Khunbish sighed, a deep, sorrowful sound. "Yes…" he confirmed quietly.
The men sitting in the small circle collectively winced, a wave of guilt washing over them.
"You'd better apologize to her when she comes back," Timicin urged, his voice firm.
Chinua sat beside the two older villagers. "My two brothers," she began politely, her voice gentle, "may I ask you a question?"
One of the men nodded encouragingly. "Go ahead, soldier," he said.
Chinua's curiosity was piqued. "What are the two of you eating?" she asked. The men opened their palms, revealing a handful of mixed nuts. "What are these?" she wondered aloud.
"These are a mix of peanuts and tree nuts," the younger man replied.
Chinua leaned in, intrigued. "I'm curious," she said, "because you don't seem to be eating much food, yet you're contentedly eating these."
"We tend to eat mixed nuts to help keep us full longer, as meat is hard to find," the older man explained.
Chinua's eyes lit up with excitement. "So, these…" she said, gently picking a roasted peanut from the man's palm. "These really help keep you fuller longer?"
"Yes," the older man confirmed, offering his hand. "Would you like to taste some?"
Chinua picked up two peanuts and began to chew thoughtfully. "It tastes good," she murmured.
"These are tree nuts," the man explained. "We figure if the squirrels didn't die from eating them, we won't either." He chuckled, a wry sound. "You've got to be careful though. I've heard of people dying from eating the wrong kind."
Chinua's eyes gleamed with interest. "Where do I get these tree nuts?" she pressed.
The older man pointed towards the distant mountain. "There's a mountain full of them up there," he said. He looked at Chinua. "When we go hunting, we usually collect some to bring back to our family. The peanuts, we grow them here. It seems like the only good thing that truly flourishes here is the peanut plant."
Chinua smiled, her mind already buzzing. "Interesting. Do you know anyone who grows peanuts?"
The older man pointed to another elder sitting not far away. "That uncle grows peanuts," he said. "He doesn't grow much, but he says it's a habit, so he continues to grow and trade them with villagers for other goods."
Chinua's smile widened. "Thanks!" she exclaimed. She rose and walked directly over to the peanut farmer, taking a seat beside him.
Chaghatai frowned deeply, turning to glare at Erden. "It's all your fault!" he accused. "You see? Chinua is getting further and further away from us because of your stupid remarks!"
"Terbish, this is also your fault..." Muunokhoi chimed in.
The nine men watched Chinua, now engaged in animated conversation with another elder far across the way. Suddenly, the old man laughed heartily and pointed over the river. Chinua, her posture energized, stood up and began walking back towards the group.
"Here comes Chinua!" Muunokhoi hissed. "You two better apologize right away!"
"We will," Erden and Terbish mumbled, looking properly contrite.
Chinua approached, her eyes bright with a newfound purpose. Before Erden and Terbish could even open their mouths to apologize, Chinua said, "Captain Haitao, I'll be back later; I have something important to do."
Haitao smiled. "Okay," he agreed. "Just make sure you come back before Dawa's men arrive."
Chinua nodded, then met Khunbish and Khenbish's gazes. "You two don't have to follow me," she instructed, a gentle command in her tone.
Chinua trotted across the creek, reached the other side, and followed a winding dirt road leading deep into the bamboo forest. When she stood before the small bamboo house, she noticed an array of bamboo wind chimes, swaying gently in the breeze.
Chinua walked slowly towards the house, observing the many peanut plants thriving around it. "Is anyone home?" she called out, her voice echoing softly.
From the side of the house emerged Hye, carrying a basket brimming with eggs.
Chinua's face broke into a wide smile of recognition. "It's you!" she exclaimed, genuinely pleased.
Hye sighed, his expression weary. "What do you want now?" he asked, a hint of resignation in his tone.
"I've come to find my servant," Chinua said.
"If you think I'm going to sell you my life, think again," Hye stated flatly. He turned his back on Chinua, dismissing her.
Chinua quickly pursued him. "An uncle said you taught him how to grow peanuts!" she pressed eagerly.
Ignoring Chinua, Hye bent down to place more small logs into a barrel of water. "So?" he grunted, not looking up.
"So, can you teach me?" Chinua asked, her voice hopeful.
Hye finally turned to look at Chinua, a wry expression on his face. "You're as annoying as the guy you won in that game," he said. "He comes every day to ask me when you'll be back."
"I completely forgot about him," Chinua admitted with a sheepish grin.
Hye's expression hardened. "I'm not teaching you anything. Leave now," he commanded bluntly.
"Why not?" Chinua insisted, her voice rising slightly in frustration.
"Because you're wearing that armor," Hye stated, his gaze contemptuous.
Chinua's frustration mounted. "Why are you unfair?" she challenged. "You can teach others, why can't you teach me?"
"A soldier in armor is not worth my teaching or my time," Hye spat, his eyes burning with anger. "Leave now!"
Chinua sighed, a sound of resignation. "Okay," she conceded. "If you change your mind, come find me. We're helping the villagers build bridges."
Hye scoffed, a short, bitter sound. "I have to see this to believe it," he sneered, a harsh laugh escaping him as he watched Chinua.
Chinua looked at Hye, a flicker of hurt in her eyes. "Are you not willing to help me?" she asked, her voice quiet now.
Hye turned, his gaze hardening as he met Chinua's. "When it comes to the Northern Army…" He broke off, his eyes wide and haunted as he stared at Chinua. "I have nothing to offer," he finished, his voice raw with a pain that echoed deeper than just refusal.