The Strange Man

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

"From hundreds if not thousands of conversations I have had with past passengers, I noticed that not only me but almost all of them have the same desire in life as I do. Because of the constant fear at the border, men voluntarily leave their parents, wife, and children to join the army. I hope that after the conflict is over if you only still remember those sacrifices, we wish to have our normal days back soon. Even if one official would do that, it will be hundreds of families in his debt."

"I will remember that" Hung Dao replied respectfully.

"Thank you, sir. Here we are on the other side. No sir, I will only take two silver coins. The other two will be for you listening to my talk."

The rower then rowed back to his original position at the other side of the river and waited for the next passenger.

The group continued. Hung Dao led the ambassador to the rice field. In front of them were acres of land covered in golden yellow. Hung Dao's plan was to let the ambassador see how wealthy and well equipped Dai Viet is. So that when he goes back to Yuan he would warn his king not to invade Dai Viet.

They went to the blacksmith, train camp and marketplace. As they were walking through the marketplace, the soldiers in front of Hung Dao stopped. He asked,

"Why are we stopping?"

"There seems to be someone in front. Please wait a moment sir," one of the soldiers replied.

As time passes, the group still hasn't moved. Hung Dao grew curious and went up to see what was going on there. The ambassador also followed him. When they got to the front, Hung Dao and the ambassador saw a young man sitting on the street knitting a basket. A soldier beside them yelled.

"Move! How many times have I told you that you are blocking prince of Hung Dao's path."

But the young man did not move. He seems to be in deep thought that he didn't notice the soldier at all. The soldier grew angry and tired of talking to the young man, took his spear and stabbed the man's leg. Blood flew out from his thigh like river flows, but he didn't even flinch.

Seeing this unusual scenery. Hung Dao stepped up and ask the young man directly,

"Why are you blocking my path?"

The young man now turned up. Could it be that because of the aura of Hung Dao that woke him from his thoughts, or he was waiting for Hung Dao this whole time? He stood up and bowed his head with his hands together.

"Prince Hung Dao. I do not dare to challenge your authority. I didn't mean to stop your path, but I was thinking too much that I did not notice your presence."

"And what were you thinking about," Hung Dao asked in curiosity.

"I was thinking about our nation's safety."