20 Fairness

In the month of July, Batzorig ordered Haitao and Dawa to bring their men down to the village to help the villagers rebuild some of the bridges destroyed by the flood a few days earlier. When soldiers showed up to help villagers, the villagers were very welcome.

Haitao looked at his ten people and said, "Don't be afraid of getting dirty, there will be a lot of water for washing yourself afterward."

Od asked, "Captain Haitao, how do we know where to start?"

Terbish said, "That's true. I've never built a bridge before."

Haitao said, "You just ask the villagers what they need help with, and you do it."

Altan walked in and said, "Captain Dawa said that your team can help the villagers here, and our team will bring materials."

Haitao said, "Materials?"

Altan said, "Yes."

Haitao smiled and said, "Alright...alright."

Altan sneered at Timicin and left.

Muunokhoi looked at Haitao and asked, "What does he mean by bringing materials?" He looked at the piles of bamboo and wooden poles by the roadside. "Are all the materials here?"

Haitao looked at his ten people and said, "What he means is, we do these dirty jobs while they watch."

Muunokhoi frowned, "Are you going to let this happen to us?"

"Remember, our mission is to help villagers rebuild their damaged bridges. We're not here to compete for the easiest job to do," Haitao said, pointing to the eight people who were already holding bamboo poles for the villagers. "They didn't complain, why are you two complaining."

Muunokhoi said, "It's not fair."

Haitao, "Life isn't fair, just bear with it and go to work." He handed Muunokhoi some ropes. "Bring these over there." He looked at the woman sitting. "What else do you need us to do?"

The woman said, "Bring some more bamboo if you can help."

Haitao stood up and said, "Terbish, let's go and help bring down more bamboo."

It was noon, and the women of the village brought the food to the road. "It's time for lunch," said one woman.

The villagers and eight soldiers followed the villagers out of the small creek to the roadside.

The women fetched water out of the wooden basin and said, "Come here, soldiers, let's wash your hands."

After washing their hands, they sat down and waited for the villagers to bring them food. Sitting in a circle, one of the women placed a bamboo leaf on the ground of the eleven people. Another woman walked up to the eleven and poured a mix of lamp, chicken, and beef. Another lady put some baked potatoes on the side.

The woman smiled at the group of soldiers, "Thanks to the soldiers for their help to our village today. Enjoy your meal."

Erden smiled at the woman and said, "You're welcome." He took the two vases containing goat milk and water from the woman.

The women smiled shyly and turned away.

Od said, "I surrender to you, Erden. You are still flirting with women at a time like this. You are incredible."

Erden turned back and poured a cup of goat milk and handed it to Chinua. He said, "It's not true, I don't flirt with all women."

Terbish said, "Liar... When we were helping the villagers to carry bamboo poles, you were helping the woman tie the rope on the side of the road."

Erden said, "Well, I'm not flirting with Chinua... Chinua is a woman..."

Chinua ate slowly, and deep down she knew why Erden, or any other man didn't like her. She doesn't have the face and the body of woman men desires. In the past, she was very angry when she heard bad things about her, but recently, it seems that what other men say about beauties has no effect on her.

Timicin looked at Chinua and saw Chinua staring at the villagers eating next to him, instead of listening to Erden's nonsense. He knew that Erden's words might have some impact on Chinua's feelings, because Chinua had had a similar conversation with him before. He regretted the answer he gave Chinua.

Timicin said, "Different women have different kinds of beauty."

Muunokhoi asked, "What do you mean?"

Timicin said, "Chinua can also be attractive in her own way."

Erden said, "In what way?"

Timicin said, "Chinua is strong. She can fight alongside you with a sword and does not need anyone to protect her."

Terbish said, "That's why we didn't have an attraction towards Chinua."

Khunbish asked, "Why not?"

Terbish said, "Because Chinua is our brother."

Muunokhoi, "Yeah that's right. She is our brother."

Chaghatai said, "She is not someone we would fall in love with."

The men laughed.

Chinua stood up suddenly, walked away from the ten men, and sat down beside the two villagers not far from them.

Och knocked on Chaghatai's head, "It's because of you. You make Chinua mad. No matter what Chinua looks like, she's a woman. She looks strong, but she's soft inside."

Chaghatai, "Should we go and apologize to her, we're not saying she's not beautiful."

Od grabbed a baked potato and threw it at Erden. "It's all your fault." He turned to Khunbish. "Was Chinua been making fun of before?"

Khunbish said, "Yes..."

The men sitting in the small circle all gasped guiltily.

Timicin urged, "You'd better say sorry to her when she comes back."

Chinua sat with the two older men and asked, "These two brothers, can I ask you a question?"

One of the men said, "Go ahead, soldier."

Chinua said, "What are the two of you eating?" The men opened their palms and Chinua saw some mixed nuts. "What are these?"

The younger man said, "These are a mix of peanuts and nuts."

Chinua said, "I'm curious because you don't eat much food, but you're sitting here eating these."

The man said, "We tend to eat mixed nuts to help keep us full longer because meat is hard to find."

Chinua smiled excitedly, "So, these..." She grabbed a roasted peanut from the man's palm. "Are these really helping to keep you fuller longer?"

The older man said, "Yes." He held out his hand. "Would you like to taste it?"

Chinua picked up two peanuts and began to chew. "It tastes good," she said.

The man said, "These are tree nuts. We think if the squirrels didn't die from eating them, we won't die from eating them." He laughed. "You've got to be careful too. I've heard people die from eating these."

Chinua asked, "Where do I get these tree nuts?"

The older man pointed to the mountain and said, "There is a mountain full of them up there." He looked at Chinua. "When we go out hunting, we usually collect some to bring back to our family. The peanut, we grow them here. It seems like the only good thing that grows here is the peanut plant."

Chinua smiled, "Interesting. Do you know anyone who grows peanuts?"

The older man pointed to another old man sitting not far away. "That uncle grows peanuts," he said. "He didn't grow much, but he said it was a habit, so he continued to grow peanuts and trade peanut with villager for other things."

Chinua smiled and said, "Thanks." She walked over and sat with the peanut farmer.

Chaghatai frowned, turned to look at Erden, "It's all your fault, you see Chinua is getting further and further away from us because of your stupid remarks."

Muunokhoi said, "Terbish this is also your fault..."

The nine looked at Chinua who was talking to another old man far away from them. Suddenly, the old man laughed and pointed over the river. Chinua stood up and walked towards the crowd.

Muunokhoi said, "Here comes Chinua, you two better apologize right away."

Erden and Terbish said, "We will."

Chinua approached, and before Erden and Terbish could apologize, Chinua said, "Captain Haitao, I'll be back later, I have something to do."

Haitao smiled and said, "Okay...make sure you come back before Dawa's men come."

Chinua nodded and she looked at Khunbish and Khenbish, "You two don't have to follow me."

Chinua trotted across the creek, walked to the other side, and followed a small dirt road toward a house deep in the bamboo forest. When she stood in front of the small bamboo house, she saw bamboo wind chimes of different shapes.

Chinua walked slowly towards the house, and she saw many peanut plants around the house. She shouted, "Is anyone home?"

From the side of the house came Hye with a basket of eggs.

Chinua smiled and said, "It's you!"

Hye sighed, "What do you want?"

Chinua said, "I have come to find my servant."

"If you think I'm going to sell you my life, think again," Hye said. He turned away from Chinua.

Chinua quickly chased after him and said, "An uncle said you taught him how to grow peanuts."

Instead of looking at Chinua, Hye put more smaller logs into the barrel of water. He said, "So?"

Chinua said, "So, can you teach me?"

Hye turned to look at Chinua and said, "You are as annoying as the guy you won in the game. He comes every day to ask me when you'll be back."

Chinua said, "I completely forgot about him."

Hye said, "I'm not teaching you anything. Leave now."

Chinua insisted, "Why not?"

Hye said, "Because you're wearing that armor."

Chinua asked, "Why are you unfair? You can teach others, why can't you teach me?"

"A soldier in armor is not worth my teaching and time," Hye said, looking at Chinua angrily. "Leave now."

Chinua sighed, "Okay, if you change your mind, come to me. We're helping the villagers build bridges."

Hye scoffed, "I have to see this to believe it." He laughed at Chinua.

Chinua looked at Hye and asked, "Are you not willing to help me?"

Hye turned and looked at Chinua, "When it comes to the Northern Army..." He stared at Chinua frantically. "I have nothing to offer."