99 Scouts return. Hàorán brings news

Bǎo looked out in the hope the scouts were returning. Still nothing. He was getting worried. As yet, he had nowhere to lead the caravan to and it was approaching midday. He went in search of Second Master. 

"Sir." Second Master turned at looked at him, in expectation of news he was praying for.

"No, Sir, they've not returned. I suspect the combination of water, food possibilities and space enough for the whole caravan is proving tough. Can we wait a little longer? I'm sure the men would appreciate it?"

Second Master nodded, he had no choice but to extend the stop. Hao Yang saw them together and came over. "So when do we move?"

"Sore point. We've not had word back yet and I'm not willing to set off blindly." Second Master looked pensive.

All three looked into the distance almost willing the men to return. "Give the men a while longer to sleep or rest. When we move we need to be capable. Have the animals had a chance to graze?"

Hao Yang was acutely aware of their needs and had instructed their handlers to walk them into decent pasture. The grass was dry but at least it filled their bellies.

The men were hungry and one stag in the congee only gave flavour, no substance, he knew they'd need far more than this very soon.

Supplies were low and he knew everyone would be relying on the few to hunt for the many. But at this time of year?

He knew the caravan was ahead of the snows which would invariably arrive and he desperately wanted to get them through the mountain pass before the weather made it impossible. He was worried and told his brother.

"What happens if we don't get through that pass? We'll end up being snowed in and more will die of hunger if nothing else." The look on Hao Yang's face said it all. "And we have our father to contend with! He'll make things doubly difficult, you know he will."

"Give them a bit longer. They know what the timings are. They'll return within the allotted time one way or another."

"Sir!" All three looked round. The attendant was pointing. In the distance, three men were jogging towards them.

Bǎo ran forward to jog the last part with them. "Well? Anything?"

"Yes...." one of the men puffed, "but...it's...a good march.....from here."

He stopped talking so as to take a breath. None stopped jogging.

"Sir," another took over, " it's a good spot, but the other side of the pines......there's water.......and grass....and," he paused to pant, " and where there's grass, there'll be meat"

"Well done. Let's get back, tell the Colonel and start moving out." He looked at the three men and smiled at their skill and strength. "Go find Niao, she might have some meat hidden away in her stash." He grinned, he knew those two only too well. "If she hasn't, try Xin. You never know what she's snatched away."

They nodded and continued jogging in the direction of the two women who were dozing, propped up against one of the cart wheels.

It took a couple of hours but everyone was ready and fully briefed. It was unlikely the caravan would reach its destination before dawn, so there would be a long night march once more. The sky was overcast so the frosts would be minimal, but this meant the moon wouldn't light their way. A few torches were lit. The rest were saved. 

It would be a hard march but at least the men had slept for a while.

Bǎo looked at them; a zombie army marching on determination. He shook his head. We can't take many more hits. 

With that, he faced forward and began the long walk to the other side of the pine forest.

The first rays of light crept up and the faces of the men could be seen. Haggard, worn down and physically exhausted, they had reached the end of endurance. Bǎo watched as they kept going, holding each other up when needed.

The animals had started tripping, a sure sign of exhausted legs. Bǎo was worried and hunted out his scouts.

"How much further? The animals are going to die at this rate."

"Seriously, just round the corner. About half an hour?"

Bǎo turned to the soldiers. "Listen to me. It's not much further." The men groaned, "but the animals are on their last legs too. We have to help them pull the carts and carriages. If we want to get back home, we have to all work together, so come on, start taking the strain off these animals and let's get to our stopping point as soon as possible."

With that, he turned to his men. " Lead by example, in sixes, pick a carriage and start pushing so the animals can move without all the load."

"Sir!"

" Men of Chen, take it in turns! Start pushing the wagons. Unless we do this now, we will be pulling them ourselves having eaten the beasts that have supported us thus far!"

 

 I saw the turning. It was narrow and sheltered on each side by tall trees and heavy shrubbery. In my world that is a perfect entrance. The scouts did well to spot this.

With everyone working together, the animals turned the corner and the carts and wagons were parked up. Some of the animals were shaking, they were so tired. They had to be attended to first, and dry straw was rubbed into their back and legs, lifting the sweat away from their bodies. Water was found and small amounts of salt and sugar dissolved into the water. Blankets were found and thrown over their backs; everything possible was done for their welfare.

No hard feed, just handfuls of straw-like hay rapidly cut for them and laid in piles. They could eat it or lay on it. They had done well and I was in awe of their resilience and obedience.

Xin and I didn’t stop, we gathered Băo’s men together and drew up who went for what; wood, meat, vegetation, water, then went on our way.

Xin and I were out herd watching. The ground was good enough for at least one large herd to be in residence, so we were determined to cull out at least three or four decent sized ones. As usual, we avoided the pregnant females.

I heard the squeal of hogs and pointing to Xin, we went in search of some tender pork first. They are awful to catch but beautiful to eat; we chased down three and killing them, brought them back whole. Too much goodness on their little, fat bodies to leave any out.

A group of Băo’s men were also hunting and had already started bringing back meat for the numerous pots. They’d found a herd of buffalo and had taken down two already. After jointing them in the field they were greeted with cheers as they came back into camp.

The men sent for water, found a good source and were pulling the water wagon closer to it so as not to have to carry water buckets too far.

Others had started gathering wood so there would be a start to the twenty or so fires needed.

Hao Ying was talking with the cooks and reviewing the remaining dried food stocks: not much rice and even less flour. It was getting very tight.

The soldiers themselves were erecting tents and getting their supplies inside.

Physicians were setting up zones for the sick and injured to attend, whilst others looked after those who were still lying on cots.

It was a busy morning, but like a well oiled machine, the whole caravan was set up and starting to cook.

The animals were slowly recovering. Some were flat out, whilst others stood over them, chewing on the hay. Their handlers stayed with them, erecting their tent next to where the animals had been hobbled. Not everyone would be sleeping tonight; the animals would require round the clock attention until they had fully recovered.

Then we heard it, the dulcet tones of the irate Senior Master Chen, and he was in a particularly foul mood.

Men scattered and the space around his wagon became void of activity. Hao Ying started walking towards his father's wagon. The look on his face showed he was ready for the fight and he wasn’t going to back down. Without knocking, Hao Ying jumped up onto the ramp at the back and lifting the screen, “You yelled father?”

“What’s the meaning of this? Why am I in this wagon? Where are we and what the hell are you doing stepping into my wagon without permission?”

“Which question would you like me to answer first, father?

“Don’t get impertinent with me. I asked you a question.”

“Yes, father, and as I said, quite reasonably, which do you want me to answer first?”

“I will, I will…”

“You will what father? Demote me? Have me slapped in irons? Thrash me within an inch of my life? I think not father. So, I will ask you once more,” and with this Hao Ying shouted back within a hand’s width of his father’s face, “Which Question Do You Want Me To Answer First!”

“I’m not speaking to you. You’re nothing more than an ingrate! Get me your brother! I demand to see your brother.”

Hao Ying smiled, he’d won round one, now it was his brother’s turn.

“Assistant!”

 “Sir”

“Find Colonel Chen and tell him his father demands his audience, now.”

“Sir”

“I presume, father,” that word was almost spat out, “you no longer wish my presence and I happily leave you to your attendants and your physician.”

With that, Hao Ying turned on his heels and dismounted the carriage. His father was still hurling insults at him as he walked away. Hao Ying threw back his head and laughed, the first real laugh he had felt since arriving at that hell of a place a year ago.

The argument between Senior Master and his father raged for a good hour, by which time, food was cooked and had already made it into hungry mouths. Some of the soldiers were lying on cots whilst others lay on straw filled blankets on the floor. There would be a swap after so many hours; turn and turn about.The last thing we heard Senior Master yell was to the physicians. “I suggest you calm this man’s nerves. He is coming unhinged and will endanger himself if he becomes any more agitated. Please, take care of him and allow him to sleep for a while,” adding, “we all need to rest and with him this agitated it is not conducive to calm, peace and rest, these men so desperately need.”

I watched as Second Master walked away from the wagon. His fists were clenched; he really needed to let of steam.Then he screamed in frustration and made everyone jump. He disappeared into a tent and calm prevailed once more.

“Xin,”

 “Hmm?”

“You realise we’ll have to go back out tomorrow morning early and start hunting again?”

“Better to be hunting for our men than killing the other lot.” With that, she turned over inside her night skins and snored. She was asleep before she finished speaking.

The sun was fully in the sky when we saw Hàorán coming into view. His face was a mix of black thunder and extreme exhaustion. He dropped his horse off with the others and made his way toward the Colonel's canvass.

"Hàorán, you have news?" Second Master looked at him. He could see from the expression, this was not news he wanted to hear, more what he feared to be probable.

"Sir, can we go in, I need to talk privately."

This was unusual, Hàorán was normally so open, so agreeable, but this was a face and attitude that was new to Second Master. He held the flap open and ushered him in, calling for refreshments as he went.

"It'll only be warmed water I'm afraid, we're pretty much out of everything else. Sit, let's talk. So, Hàorán old friend, what is it that's so important, you need privacy?"

At that moment the attendant brought in the warmed water on a tray with two cups and placing them on the wooden box, he turned and left. 

Hàorán began.

"After you left, it took the Zhang chiefs a few hours to realise you were no longer in the town. They finally went into our old barrack area and found the notice of vacancy plus the information that as services were no longer required, the Chen army would return home before winter set in.

They were delighted, and spent the next few hours celebrating. That's when I found out." He looked at Second Master with great sadness in his eyes. "This was, as suspected, a way to get us out of our own territory. They then started crowing at how the Mu's had ransacked our place and burned down the Chen's home fortress. Small holdings were ruined, crofts set on fire and live stock killed.

Women and children, too, were killed or raped, or both. Some were taken as slaves and sold in markets in Muton.

We go back to utter devastation. A small part of the Mu army has stayed behind to prevent retaliation. They know we are pretty much destroyed and our journey back will have done us no favours. They are waiting for our return so they can blackmail us unto surrender."

He looked at the ground, then back to Second Master. "Sorry to bring bad news, but, old friend, what do we do?"