After the messenger leaves the fortress, it is a long silence days ahead. Food is the main issue, everyone is getting hungry. A group of man climbed out the south gate to go hunting for wild animals.
While in the jail cell, Luo Ming is instructed to give medicine to the injured. The Physicians help as many as they can but they are instructed not to release the ropes just in case they rebel.
Everyone is tired and hungry. Restless and dragging their feet around the fortress is what everyone is doing. Civilians and soldiers soon all gather at the temple for prayers everyday. Small vegetable buns is their daily given from god. Everyone is grateful and pray with sincerely that soon this is over.
At the tower, the Duke stands while watching. They have managed to claim back the fortress thus they cannot lose it in any case. Whatever reason, this fortress must belong to their nation. He only hope that his cousin, the emperor have another solution to this. He look at the damage that the stone wall and sigh. They need time to do the repair works.
Days becomes months and soon, the season change. The green that surround them are changing into yellow. The wind is getting bitter and colder. Wild animals are harder to hunt but they managed to catch and raise a few hens and piglets. With the help of everyone, they keep growing corps behind the temple. Luckily for them water is plentiful as the well never dry up.
That day, a solider come running as fast as he can in the fortress. On the streets, he keep yelling. Everyone raise their heads or come out of their houses. He finally stop at the tower and keep yelling.
"Stop! Catch your breath!"
"General Yan! They are coming! They are coming! Our country!"
Duke Yan look at the south gate. He cannot see anything thus he rush down but Er Yin is already running off. Everyone pass the message to the next and soon a crowd is gather at the south gate. No one can see anything but the solider standing at the ladder is pointing excitedly.
"They are coming! I see carts with a cloth over it! I think ... It must be food!"
The crowd is joyful to hear this. Er Yin then stare at the south gate, how are they going to get the cart into the fortress?
The men stand over the tall stone wall with ladder under their feet. They are pulling the bags of rice given to them and passing it to the men who are standing by to receive them. The crown prince show up on his grand horse and giving direction for his soldiers. He see the Duke who climbed up the ladder and wave. He hurry to get his horse near the stone wall.
"Uncle! Are you doing well?"
"Of course! Your Highness... why is it only you?
"Yes. Great grand mother order these grain of rice to be deliver. She is having a fight with father..."
"Why?"
"He is hesitating on sending the reserved soldiers to this fortress. Mainly because there is news that the Mongols are heading towards other neighbouring countries. Thus we might have a break and there is no war."
The Duke consider the possibilities since these days there is no movement from the Mongols.
"Are you able to find some metal smith to come over here to undo the gate? My men had melted whatever metals we can find to bond the gate tight enough so that it will not fall."
"Oh sure uncle! I will go back and get some of them to come here. Anything would you need?"
"If you can find more food, it will be nice. However for now, it is fine."
"What is the next step, uncle?"
"I am thinking ... since they might be attacking another place ... let us repair this fortress... make it stronger, harder to penetrate. "
"I will tell it to father when i return. Any message for your wife?"
The Duke stare at his nephew blankly.
"No. I have nothing to say ..."
"She is worried for you. Both she and great-grand mother are praying everyday for you."
He look at the crown prince in with his chin rest on his hands.
"Well... Go back and thank her for the blessing. Also tell my grandmother that i am well enough. Don't mention other things."
"I know that uncle!"
That evening, it is the first time they have rice to eat. Most of them cry as they eat it. Even without any side dish but adding soy sauce on it, it makes them happy with tears rolling down their faces. They all nod their heads and eat with a smile. Even the holy monk and his disciples are grateful and smile. Every grain of rice that is cooked is not wasted at all. Every grain is eaten, every bowl is clean. Even the little vegetables that some of the civilians have, are eaten clean without a waste. After cleaning up, most head towards the temple. They all pray for the blessing that they received. After that, the soldiers head up to exchange shift with the ones who are still guarding the tower. While the rest of the civilians head back to their home to rest. Everyone is looking forward for a tomorrow, it will be bright and beautiful day to start their lives again.