CHAPTER 1.0

I couldn't believe it!

I was being promoted to captain! Of course, it was my father who had promoted me, but soon others would be able to see my worth as my own, and not just that of my old man. It felt as if his reputation haunted me, but I would be lying if I said that it didn't have its benefits.

Receiving the sword from my father, I couldn't help but stare at the weapon, whispering, "Captain..?"

Shi Fu gasped. "Thi-this is a-an enormous responsibility, General! Ah, perhaps a soldier with more experience?"

"Number one in his class, extensive knowledge of training techniques," the General touched his beard and said proudly, "and an impressive military lineage. I believe Li Shang will do an excellent job."

I will admit that my façade slipped for a moment as I was unable to form complete sentences. I had been waiting for this my whole life, and now, the position was mine! I wholeheartedly believe that you would be happy if it happened to you, too.

"Oh, I will! I won't let you down, this is, I mean," I stopped before my rambling could go any further and bowed at the waist, "yes, Sir."

"Very good, then," said my father, standing, "We will toast China's victory at the Imperial City. I will expect a full report in three weeks."

All I was able to do was nod as the General exited the tent. I couldn't let my joy of the position get in the way, no matter how huge the honour was.

Chi-Fu's jubilee face fell as he narrowed his eyes on me.

"And I won't leave anything out," he vowed before leaving.

I paused before I could touch the orange flap.

"Captain Li Shang," I tried it out, finding that it sounded better on my tongue. "Hm," I could see it now, "Leader of China's Finest Troops—no—The Greatest Troops of All Time."

I chuckled at the title while tying the sword to my waistband.

But what greeted me as I walked out of the tent was something that wiped the grin off of my face. My jaw literally dropped as I took in the brawl that had to consist of every warrior in the camp, including the cook! Porridge and rice were everywhere; chickens were flying to and fro! I could feel the title I had announced only a few short moments ago run from me, challenging me with the mess before me.

My father had placed his helmet on his head and gripped his riding crop as a man approached the three of us with a black eye. He saluted before falling hard to the ground. My father smirked slightly in my direction, knowing full well that I would have my hands full.

"Most impressive," said Chi-Fu, though he sounded anything but. My father walked towards the fallen man, his blood red cape barely brushing the fainted corpse as he stepped over. He mounted his war horse before turning about to face me. "Good luck, Captain," he called before shouting over the crack of his whip. His soldiers shouted, kicking their steeds into a full gallop.

I am going to need it, I thought with disdain. And as the sound of pounding hooves grew faint, I said, "Good luck, father." It pained me to know that I could never use such a personal title in his presence, especially now. But I had bigger things to worry about, such as my army that was currently beating itself up.

Chi-Fu made this painfully obvious as he held his pen poised.

"Day one," he said.

Setting my face into what I would call a cold brew, I took a few strides towards the fight.

"Soldiers!"

One, last punch was thrown before they all froze.

They all immediately stood at attention and pointed in chorus, "He started it!"

To what they pointed at was a man—well, boy—who was curled up into a ball on the ground. He was a pitiful sight in his green and black armour, and I inwardly bristled. I hated weak men who chose to fight; they would only prove to get in the way.

And that, my friends, was how I met the soon to be infamous Ping.

Thank you Quirkista for editing!