Chapter 7 — The Marquis was wronged, I hid with my young master, and later overturned the capital to collect debt.

Use needles and fabrics to exchange for animal skins and herbs here. They will bring some information from outside. I know from their words. The current court has long changed. The old emperor has passed away, and the new emperor has ascended the throne. The traitor that year harmed the Marquis Palace and became the official ruler of the country. And the notice to arrest the remaining Marquis's servants is still plastered all over the world. Just an infant in the painting that year, now painted into a child of several years old. Every time I hear this news. My heart feels like it's been immersed in ice water. I know, we can hide for a while, but we can't hide for a lifetime. This deep mountain, this camp, is our refuge. But it cannot protect us for life. Co Chieu... will one day grow up. It will ask who its father is. It will want to go see the world beyond the mountain. Until then, what should we do? I looked at Co Chieu sleeping soundly next to me. It slept very peacefully, with a smile on the corner of its lips. Maybe in a dream, I caught some fish again today. I bent down and gently kissed her forehead. Chieu Nhi, no matter what the future holds. I will also use this life to protect you. Even though... I have to fight against the whole world. When Co Chieu was eight years old. Everyone in the camp said it was a wolf cub. Not to say it's ferocious. It's about the temperament in its bones. Both cruel, wild, and intelligent. The children in the camp all admire him. Even if someone is taller, bigger and stronger, they are still willing to listen to him. It says go east, no one dares go west. It said to go into the deep forest to explore, everyone followed, their eyes sparkling with light. It's like a wolf-headed wolf that was born predestined. Mrs. Ah often looked at Co Chieu's back and admired me.

"A Dien, this child of yours is not something in the pond."

“This small camp, I'm afraid I can't keep it.”

Every time that happens, my heart tightens. It is an eagle that spreads its wings across the nine heavens. It is a warrior roaming the battlefield. How can I hope to make it a domestic dog and keep it with me forever? But I'm afraid. I'm afraid that as soon as it steps out of this mountain, it will be skinned and stripped by hunters outside. That year, it rained a lot. Flash floods broke out, washing away the only bridge connecting the camp to the outside. Also swept away more than half of the farm's land. Food in the camp began to become scarce. The men were forced to take greater risks, hunting in more remote mountain areas. But the harvest is getting less and less. In the camp, an atmosphere of insecurity began to spread. At this moment, a team of officers and soldiers appeared outside the mountain. They didn't come to arrest us. It was sent by the court to survey the Southern Cuong terrain and draw a map. They need a local guide. They came to our camp. That was the first time, since we escaped to Nam Cuong, that we had direct contact with the government. Everyone in the camp was extremely tense. The people of Nam Cuong, towards the government, have innate fear and distrust. Mrs. A, as the patriarch, stood out to negotiate with them. The leader is a young military officer who looks very smart. He was very polite, saying he only needed to send a guide from the camp to take them on a trip to O Mong Son. The court will pay a generous remuneration. It can even be issued an amount of food and support for the camp. Food. These two words make everyone touched. But deep in O Mong Son, it is full of unknown dangers. Miasma, poisonous insects, fierce beasts. Just a little carelessness, you will lose your life in there. No one wants to go. The military officer's face gradually darkened. The soldiers behind him, had tightly grasped the hilts of their swords at their sides. The air is as tight as a string. Right now, Co Chieu came out of nowhere. He stood next to Mrs. Ah, raising his head to look at the military officer.

“I will guide you.”

“Don't talk nonsense!”

I lowered my voice and shouted softly. But he jerked his hand away and stepped forward.

“I'm not talking nonsense.”

It looked at the military officer, without any fear in his eyes.

“Oh Mong Son, you are more familiar than everyone.”

"Wherever there is a road, wherever there is a source of water, wherever there are wild animals, you all know."

“But you must meet one condition.”

The young military officer looked at this child with a liver as big as the sky, his eyes full of interest.

"Oh? What conditions?"

"Food must be doubled. Furthermore, it must be delivered to us in advance."

“Also, in addition to the guide fee, every day, you must pay me an additional tael of silver.”

Everyone was surprised. Including that military officer.