All characters (except for the new ones) belong to Jin Yong. Got inspiration for this from Cheh Chang's Marco Polo and the claim of Marco Polo in his book that he was responsible for teaching the Mongols how to build and use catapults during the siege of Xiangyang (and yes, I know that the Muslims were the ones who created the catapults and that Marco Polo had not come to China yet).

The Heroes of Xiangyang

Part 1:

Beijing, Palace of Kublai Khan

It is 1267 A.D. and Kublai Khan rules over the largest Empire the world has ever seen. Genghis Khan, the great Warlord, had united the feuding Mongol tribes and build the largest land Empire the world had ever seen. Kublai Khan, successor of Genghis Khan, in his eternal wisdom has decided to allow foreigners to come to his court and be allowed to serve him. One of those men in Marco Polo. A Venetian merchant once, now he is a Mongol Officer. Kublai had been impressed by Marco Polo's character and appearance, when he first met him six years ago, and he gave him the mission to travel through the Mongol Empire and give him information about the people and the land, as well as travel in neighboring countries, like the Song Empire and Indo-China, to get information that could be useful for the Mongol military. Not only that, but Kublai gave him his Imperial Seal and the power to execute Mongol Governors who abused their powers and ruled like independent Kings. Now, after six years of traveling, Marco Polo has returned to Beijing to see his friend and Khan, Kublai. Marco Polo is a relative young man, tall, with long black hair, blue eyes and a short black beard. He wears a red coat and a fur hat. Underneath the coat, Marco wears a shirt-like undergarment with long, wide sleeves, made of silver. When Marco enters Kublai's palace, he finds the Khan sitting on his throne. Kublai looks more like a sympathetic old man, with his long beard, than a terrifying Warlord. Kublai is middle-aged, with a long black beard and scars in his face. He wears a yellow robe made of silver and decorated with gems. Marco bows before the Great Khan.

"My friend." Kublai says with a soft voice and talking more like a like a friend than a monarch calling his subject. "Get up."

"Thank you, my lord." Marco Polo says while rising.

"I have read the report you send me."

"And what do you think?"

Marco Polo is anxious over what the Khan will say about his report. He had traveled for six long years all over the Mongol Empire, as well as in Tibet, the Song Empire, Indo-China and many other places all over East Asia. During his travels, Marco Polo had seen many wonders, met new gods and new religions and philosophies, as well as new technologies. He hopes that the Khan will be pleased with his report.

"It will help me a lot in ruling this Empire. Your report is full of customs of many peoples and lands that I have never even heard of. Now, I know a lot more about the people and the lands that I rule. Not only that, but I now also know many more things about the lands of my enemies. Your report about the lands of the Song Empire was the most interesting. It will help me in my upcoming campaign against the Song Empire. This time, even 100 Guo Jings will not be able to stop my war machine."

"It is my honor that I could help you, sir." Marco Polo replies, with a smile in his face. He is relieved that the Khan liked his report. He knows that in order to survive in the Mongol Court, he needs to have the trust of Kublai. And with his report, he had truly gained the trust of Kublai.

"Marco, I also have an other mission for you."

"What is that mission, sir?" Marco Polo asks, worried and anxious.

"Well, I want you to assist General Wu Chi Zhang in his campaign against the Song Dynasty. I want you to help him take over Xiangyang, the most vital city of the Song Empire. If it falls, then the Song Empire will fall. Your knowledge of the terrain and of besieging technology, that you gained in your travels, will help General Wu a lot in his mission. Talk to him for more details. "

"I will, sir."

"You may leave now."

"Thank you sir."

A few minutes later, Marco arrives at the barracks of General Wu Chi Zhang. The barracks are outside the city, and are surrounded by a huge Stone Wall. Inside the Stone Wall, there are countless of Mongolian Gers. As Marco Polo walks in the barracks, a Mongol soldier, armed with a long iron spear, approaches him.

"Who are you and what do you want?" the soldier asks.

"I am Marco Polo and in the name of his Imperial Highness, I wish to speak with General Wu Chi Zhang!" Marco Polo replies while at the same time showing the Imperial Seal of Kublai.

"Follow me, sir."

Marco Polo is escorted by the Mongol soldier to General Wu's Ger. His Ger is decorated with the symbols of the four powerful beasts (lion, tiger, garuda and dragon), as well as stylized representations of the five elements (fire, water, earth, metal, and wood). Wu is about 26 years old. Wu is handsome and very very muscular, with a sturdy and strong stature, long black hair and some light beard. He wears a heavy coat fastened at the waist by a leather belt. From the belt hangs his sword, as well as a dagger. This long robe-like coat doubles over, left breast over right, and is secured with a button a few inches below the right armpit. The coat is lined with fur. Underneath the coat, Wu wears an armor composed of small scales of iron and chain mail sewn together with leather tongs. Wu also has boots made from felt and leather, and though heavy, they are comfortable and wide enough to accommodate the trousers tucked in before lacing tightly.

"So, you are the famous Marco Polo, right?" Wu asks, disappointed. He had expected a more muscular and heroic appearance for someone who had traveled almost the whole of East Asia for more than six years.

"Yes, I am Marco Polo."

"His Imperial Majesty should have explained to you that your mission is to help me with the Siege of Xiangyang and the conquest of the Song Empire. Your knowledge of the land and the people will be very useful to me."

"I will be happy to help you."

"That's good. I hope that we shall be able to work together well."

"That is my hope too."

"Good. You may leave now. You must prepare for the campaign."