The next day, M?ngke brought them to a mine. He made clear to Zhenjin the costs, in terms of human life, paid for the mining operations. M?ngke and his men would rather hunt big game than mine, but without precious ores, they would not have grain or clothes to wear. They would not have the hemp rope made by the Tawalesi, and they would not have Firestone (gunpowder). In these mountains, the men mine while the women hunt, cook, and keep camp.

  In the evening, Do?an the falconer arrived.

  "I have sent Prince Huaizong and Tan Po to Annam," Zhenjin began. "Any news?"

  "To Annam? The Princess Huyen Tran is to marry," Do?an replied.

  "I know," Zhenjin said emphatically.

  "Are you not worried about her?"

  "She is much older than the Cham Agatub. He is undefeated," Zhenjin repeated, like a mantra of hope.

  "So far," Do?an added. "I shall tell Guvercin, my brother, of Master Tan Po's mission."

  After meeting with Dogan, Zhenjin told his uncle of his intention to continue toward Persia.

  "We are like the Tawalesi," M?ngke explained to Urduja. "We must comply with the Khanate for grain and lard, oils, eggs and pickles... and silk. And you, my princess, are lucky not to be embroiled in these wars. On the day I retire, I wonder what my brothers will do. The Khrakorzan have communities by the edge of the frozen ice at the foot of the Ural Mountains. That's where I plan to retire."

  "Khans do not retire," said Zhenjin. "Uncle, my father, the Emperor of Xina, would like to double his request for precious metal this year. He needs to supply the Goryeons a good amount of iron. In exchange, he will grant you more grain and rice wine, lard, rope from the Tawalesi, and timber. And, of course, black powder."

  "We will send the caravans immediately," replied M?ngke.

  The Mission of Huaizong and Master Po

  The following week, Zhenjin and his party headed for Quorasan. Meanwhile, Huaizong and Tan Po spent the evening at the Open Door Inn at the foot of the mountains. Many tribal folk were dressed in their finest; the princes sat at a table and politely nodded to everyone.

  "Look what the cats brought in! What are you two princes doing fraternizing with the common people?" It was Wyndo, the innkeeper.

  "We are disguised; you should not recognize us," Huaizong replied, unhooding himself.

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  "How could I not recognize the two most handsome men on the earth?" Wyndo asked.

  "Yes, that is impossible, but could we two extremely handsome and daring debonairs..." Huaizong began.

  "...order a couple of beers?" Tan Po finished with a grin.

  Wyndo served them mugs from a draught barrel. The princes gulped down their beers.

  "Where are they headed?" Tan Po asked, referring to the colorful women in the room.

  "It's a big thing here. We support the Lotus Throne at Annam," Wyndo said. "We were together when the Cham Agatub captured the sons Shi Dao for the Tran Princess and killed them one by one in front of her. He was just a boy then. Well, he has come of age and can now marry. And the Tran Princess has accepted his proposal."

  "A marriage is always a great occasion," the princes replied politely.

  Ayola, Wyndo's daughter, hovered over them. "How is Zhenjin?" she asked.

  "Not as handsome as we are," Huaizong replied.

  "Father, perhaps we can send them to sleep in the stable after dinner," Ayola teased, placing bowls of pot pie in front of them. "The Shi wouldn't have been here had Khublai Khan not sent them."

  "They weren't sent; they escaped," Huaizong rebutted. After more laughter and tea, Tan Po asked about Do?an the falconer.

  "I've not seen him," Wyndo replied. "You're headed for Thang Long, then? Is the Khazan heartbroken?"

  "He's a big boy; he has to take everything in stride," Huaizong said.

  "Tell him we are sworn to his service," Wyndo said seriously. "Every man here owes his life to the Khazan."

  "I’ll break up that marriage! I'll take my donkey down the peninsula and burn the place!" Ayola cried, stamping her foot.

  Everyone laughed, but Tan Po shook his head. "No, Ayola. The Khazan expects all to respect the wishes of the Princess Huyen. She doesn't want to come between Zhenjin and Khublai. It is complicated. There are Shoguns, Sindhis, and Goryeons who would use any excuse to attack Annam. This arrangement protects the kingdom."

  The next day, Huaizong and Po rode hard for the embassy at Thang Long. Long days they rode hard stopping at one inn after another. They changed horses often. A system of inns and horses made by the Khannate that operated like a 24 hour delivery service for royal riders to have a well rested horse available all the time.

  The Embassy at Thang Long

  At the mansion of Go Shi, the Xinese Ambassador to Annam, the princes were met with a somber atmosphere.

  "Does the Khazan wish to attend the ceremonies?" Go Shi asked.

  "No, Master Ambassador. We wish only to see if all is well with the Lady Tran. We have a message for her," Tan Po replied.

  "The Lady Tran looks forward to her union with the Cham Agatub confidently," Go Shi reported. "Cham tradition is to isolate the bride before the marriage. It is a 'virgin' tradition, though everyone knows of her history with Khazan Zhenjin."

  "Does everyone know?" Huaizong asked, slightly envious of his friend's reputation.

  "It is gossip. But the Cham brotherhood is eager for her wealth. And the Cham Agatub is very much in love with her despite the thirty-year age difference. He already has several sons—young champions willing to fight for Annam."

  "Prince Zhenjin would not want her submitted to the suttee," Tan Po reminded him.

  "She is thirty years older than him," Go repeated. "She will die first. Furthermore, she has planned for the Cham Agatubto convert to Buddhism after the wedding. This was her plan from the start—to win the Chams over and stop Khublai from attacking by sea."

  "Well, she couldn't be more right," Huaizong admitted.

  "I shall arrange a private meeting with the Tran Princes," Go Shi concluded.

  Everyone stood to bow.