The Great General: Wan Heian-Chapter 44: HOUKI

In the mountains of the Licchavi kingdom, there existed a village—a village with small huts and full of tree cover. A lake in the centre was a worshipping deity. With the most hospitable people who are always united. The local dishes of the village made everyone water at their mouth.

In front of a house, a boy was playing with rocks, and from a distance, he saw something approaching. The boy instantly recognised that and informed his father.

"Pa! A bunch of soldiers!!"

The father was alerted, and he headed outside to greet them. At the centre of the village, they stopped, and villagers gathered around. One of them stood on their horse and announced.

"For our king's happiness, we need some supplies! Supply of cocnubines from your village!"

The elders weren't happy after hearing that announcement. Sending women as concubines meant to undermine their dignity. One of the elders walked forward and declared his refusal.

"We won't ruin the dignity of the women in our village!"

This firm refusal made the soldiers enraged, they dashed to the man on their horses.

SFX: SLASH

The elder's head flew in the air, and the soldier's sword dripped blood. Blood spraying all over that place made the others furious and the women fearful.

"Where is the head of your village?" One of the soldiers interrogated the elders. They still refused to talk to them.

A voice came from behind, they felt the presence of someone behind them.

"You heard the answer, now leave!"

It was the village head, the man who had departed from his house earlier. Behind him stood a group of villagers carrying hoes and ploughs, all the farming equipment, ready to revolt at any moment.

"So you are San Wei, eh? The village chief?"

"What if I am? And don't some with those rubbish ideas again"

"This is a give-and-take deal. The king has recognised the problem of famine in your village. In exchange for women, you will be given 5% of the Kingdom's hoarded grains free"

"Food for dignity, huh?"

The people of the villages stood there with an internal conflict in their minds. Food for dignity, if they give dignity to their women, then they will get food.

One of the villagers stood up and declared his will to the soldiers.

"Food instead of my wife? I would rather die without food with my wife!!" His eyes were brimming with rage over the very idea of this exchange. He gritted his teeth, ready to kill the soldiers at any time.

SFX: SOUND OF HORSES

"Hey, someone is coming from far"

Someone was coming to the village with long hair pinned at the back and a royal dress. It was a minister. As he came near, all of them recognised the man who had only helped the village. And one of them shouted his name.

"Lord Houki!"

"It's Lord Houki!!"

"He is coming here to save us again!!"

He stood before the soldiers and asked them what the problem was. Houki got off his horse and approached San Wei.

"San Wei, can you give me a place to discuss the problems with them?"

"Lord, but they are..."

"I know, and I am here to resolve the issue"

"Okay, please go to the guest house tower"

The guest house tower stood in the second most elevated area of the village. The most elevated area is used for watching, and the second one is used for guests like the king who arrive in the village to have drinks and discuss while enjoying the view.

Houki, along with the soldiers, discussed the issue in the tower. San Wei didn't interfere in the discussion. And finally, almost at noon, the discussion was over. The soldiers went without saying the word

"San Wei, come up"

Houki ordered him to come to the tower. San Wei came there and asked Houki about the discussion.

"San Wei, do you know the reason behind all this fuss?"

"Lord...I don't know"

"The king has taken a liking to your wife"