The Fortress Page #2

Are we to beg for our Iives?

It is not death I fear,

but the future of the country.

And you would hand over the future of

our country to the barbarians?

Your Majesty,

if we do not send

the crown prince,

I fear their demands will

only grow harsher.

If the crown prince is sent,

you will be scorned by the barbarians

and their demands

will grow harsher.

- Your Majesty!

- Enough!

I understand.

You may Ieave, all of you.

Chief Eunuch, hurry!

Summon the royal doctor

to care for the royal body.

How many soldiers

are in the fortress now?

Including those at the fortress

under my command,

the Iocal soldiers

from the nearby provinces,

and the men drafted from the village,

we have a total of 1 3,000.

I understand the enemy numbers

ten times that.

This fortress is

built on a natural barrier.

If our will remains firm,

we will succeed in defending ourselves.

I'm more worried

about the hunger and cold

than the enemy outside the walls.

Are you trying to get

yourself killed?

I told you

not to start a fire along the wall.

He doesn't know any better.

PIease forgive him, my Iord.

What's all the commotion?

Sir, these men disobeyed

a direct order and set a fire.

My brother here has

never been in the army, my Iord.

He has very Iittle experience.

Forgive him just this once.

I am ignorant about these things,

my Iord.

But if you were to send us

to fight in this brutal cold,

shouldn't you make sure

we don't freeze to death?

How dare you!

It is reckless to start a fire

along the fortress wall.

If one man starts a fire,

others will do the same

and then the enemy will know exactly

where our soldiers are positioned.

Could you at Ieast

give us straw bags?

Straw bags?

This is the Minister of Rites.

Speak up!

If you collect straw bags

and distribute them among us soldiers,

we'II get shelter from the snow

and the cold earth beneath.

What is your name?

Nal-soe, sir.

I am a blacksmith.

If I choose not to send the crown prince,

how do you think they will react?

They will demand

Your Majesty instead.

And if I refuse?

Then they will gather their forces

and breach the fortress walls.

Is this their idea, or yours?

It is what their interpreter told me.

He rides alongside General Ingguldai.

But I can't send the crown prince.

How could a father hand his own son

over to the enemy?

With your permission,

I will go to the Qing camp

and find a way.

Do you think there's still a chance

to negotiate?

I would choose death by the enemy's sword

over Iingering here a moment Ionger.

But the fortress is surrounded.

Don't worry, Your Majesty.

I'II find a way,

no matter what the cost is.

How much food is Ieft

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