Chapter 10 — The Crown Prince criticized me for not being worthy of the Eastern Palace, but the Martial General held my hand and wouldn't let go

First, the Ministry of Infantry withheld the military salaries of the Northwest Army, citing that the books did not match and needed to be rechecked. Next, there was a royal historian who played the harp, Hoc Van Tranh, who had the highest merit and pride in the soldiers. Finally, the Crown Prince himself proposed something. That was for Hoac Van Tranh to surrender his military power and return to the capital to become a leisurely general. One step at a time. Aggressive atmosphere. That night, Hoac Van Tranh sat in the study for a long time. I brought in the tea. He took it, took a sip, and then spoke.

"He wants to force me to hand over military power."

"Will you deliver?"

"If I hand it over, I will become a fish on the cutting board."

"What if you don't deliver?"

"If I don't hand it over, he will have an excuse to accuse me."

I sat down opposite him.

"General, how many people do you have on hand?"

He looked at me. This is the first time I proactively asked about his military service. He doesn't hide it from me.

"The Northwest has eighty thousand elite soldiers, the Kinh Ky region has three thousand guards."

"What about the Crown Prince?"

"Forty thousand troops, plus troops stationed in places that can be mobilized..."

"About ten thousand."

I was silent for a while.

"General, have you ever thought of another path?"

He didn't answer right away. The candlelight swayed between the two of us, illuminating his thoughtful face. A long time later, he spoke up.

"Miss Ngu, do you know why I joined the army?"

"Don't know."

"My father worked as a pig butcher, my mother did the washing for someone else. When I was thirteen years old, a group of bandits appeared in the town. My father took a pig slaughter knife to stop them."

He stopped for a moment.

"He blocked three stabs and died right in front of me. My mother ran away and fell into the river, no one saved her."

He spoke very calmly. It's like telling a stranger's story.

"After that, I joined the army, from an ordinary soldier to a chaplain, then from a chaplain to a general. What I relied on wasn't any great strategy, just not being afraid of death."

He looked at me.

"I used to think that as long as I became a general, life would be peaceful."

"But you see."

"Still can't be at peace."

"On this road, no one wants to leave you in peace."

"So..."

His voice was very quiet.

"If really forced to that step."

"I won't sit around waiting for death."

I nodded slightly.

"General."

"No matter what you decide."

"We are all on your side."

He stopped. He did one thing. He placed his hand on my hand that was placed on the table. The palm of the hand is hot. The knuckles are rough. Just squeeze gently. Then immediately withdrew his hand. The next two months. The underground water flows continuously. On the surface, Huo Van Tranh still cooperated with the court. But in the darkness, he began to silently arrange things. His confidants commanded troops and generals in the Northwest. Three thousand bodyguards in the Kinh Ky area were also divided into many teams and secretly entered all parts of the capital. I am also not idle. Women's schools continue to open. Just in name, it has changed to teaching women's work and housework. The Crown Prince repeatedly sent people to check. But still couldn't find any loopholes. Using the name of a female student, I secretly contacted a few noble ladies who were dissatisfied with the Crown Prince's authoritarianism. My father, Minister Ngu, was embarrassed by the Crown Prince's marriage decree for many years doing business on the court, the foundation is still extremely solid. From beginning to end, he never said a word to me. But I asked someone to bring a letter to the palace. In the letter, write only one sentence.

"A daughter does not resent her parents, but a daughter will not be a discarded chess piece in anyone's hands."

Three days later, my father replied. There was only one word in the letter. Late in the fall, the Crown Prince finally took action. He took the crime of "Hoo Van Tranh colluding with the enemy at the border" and ordered the arrest. Three thousand soldiers surrounded the General's palace. Ho Chieu Chieu was so scared that he hid behind me, clutching my sleeve and refusing to let go. A Quy walked back and forth in the yard, her face pale.

"Madam, what should I do, what should I do..."

I sat down and handed Huo Chieu Chieu to you.

"Take Chieu Chieu through the back door to the tailor shop on East Lane, someone will respond."

"But what about the lady..."

"Listen to me. Go."

She bit her lip, hugged Hoac Chieu Chieu and ran away. I stood in the front yard, watching the torchlight shine outside the gate. The moment the gate was broken open. The people who flooded in were not the forbidden army. It's Hoac Van Tranh's people.