Conversation With the People

The ambassador walked out.

"Prince Hung Dao. Sorry for the wait. The food here was so good that I didn't pay attention to the time," the ambassador said.

"Great to hear that ambassador. Let's go now, we need to hurry and return for the banquet at night."

"Let's go then" the ambassador happily replied, and they started heading to the city.

They went out of the palace and entered the busy streets. Since Hung Dao wanted to show the ambassador the everyday activities of a citizen, they all dressed in normal clothes.

The ambassador saw that the Nam people have similar traditions to the Han people, a group of people in Yuan.

They were about to go past the residence area but suddenly the ambassador saw two old men playing Go and heard their short conversation.

"Ha Ha. Brother, look at the board, I have so much territory and you are just hiding in the corner," one of the old men spoke.

"He seemed to have the advantage," the ambassador thought.

The other old man looked at his friend, smiled and said, "You may have more territory. But your forces are scattered while mine is united if I go here," he stopped and played his piece. "A direct attack at your weakest force."

"Then I'll gather my forces"

"Impossible, yours are too scattered and they contradict each other if you move them. It would take many turns to organize" the old man said.

"Huh, I'm not playing anymore," his friend pissed because of the loss and left.

"Ambassador?" Hung Dao said.

"Yes?" the ambassador replied.

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing, let's keep going."

They started going again, but the ambassador remembered the words of the old man.

Hung Dao led the ambassador to the lake, planning to cross over. They saw a boat with a rower, and Hung Dao walked up, asking,

"Can you help us over the lake?"

"With this many people?" The rower said and looked at all the people behind him, there were about twenty including the ambassador and his servant.

"Sorry, I will pay you well," Hung Dao said.

"That will be four silver coins, sir," the rower said.

During this time, one hundred silver coins are equal to one gold coin, and one gold coin is enough to sustain a family of four for two months.

"I'll pay to halve first" Hung Dao gave the rower two silver coins.

The rower took it and loudly said,

"Everyone, please get in."

Once all were seated, the rower started rowing.

"Ah, can you do it slowly? We want to enjoy the view of the lake. I will pay you two more coins,"

The rower nodded, smiling, "You are too generous sir."

"How is business these days?" Hung Dao started the conversation.

"It is fine sir, just enough to get through every day."

"As a man, don't you have any ambitions to achieve?" Hung Dao asked.

"I already achieved mine sir," the rower replied.

"My ambition is to live without any worries or burdens. I already have a good wife and children along with a stable income. What more do I want?" he answered.

"I haven't thought of life that way," Hung Dao admitted.

The rower smiled at Hung Dao and said,

"When I look at you sir, I know that you and your fellow friends are not normal people like me. Even if my voice doesn't weigh anything, I still hope you are willing to listen to me."

"What do you want to say?" Hung Dao agreed.