There is no instance of having benefited from prolonged warfare.

Chapter 2: Waging War

Shang, Lady Li and the younger Li siblings waited as the afternoon drifted into twilight and then into darkness until a knock came at the estate gates. Together, the four of them hurried to greet the guests as servants pulled back the heavy doors.

A horse stepped through the gates, but Li Dao was no where to be seen. Instead, the oldest Li child, their sister Jiao, had come alone.

"Where's father?" Zhen asked.

"I don't know," Jiao responded. She hung her head. "He never came- Jin He told me to leave home and get here before it got too dark."

The Li family was silent and looked at one another. No one had to voice what they all were wondering – what could have happened?

"Well, my daughter," mother started, "would you like to clean up before the ceremony?" Jiao bowed, murmurring "yes, please," and the two women hurried off to the guest wing.

Shang watched them go with a knotted feeling in his stomach. He wasn't unhappy to see his older sister, not exactly, but he was not looking forward to whatever arguments inevitably lay ahead.

The oldest Li siblings were close, maybe too much so. Growing up less than a year apart, they shared almost everything until Shang was sent away to the academy. While they did respect one another and shared a fraternal love for one another somewhere deep in their hearts, Jiao and Shang seemed to always be locked in a state of constant bickering.

Jiao had a knack for understanding status and politics: who was acting the most honorable, how one mastered their studies or arts or duties, what they had accomplished. The skill now served her well as the wife of a bureaucrat, but it also gave her the unique ability to probe into any of Shang's insecurities – even those he didn't even know existed.

Even though his sister often meant her critiques to be helpful, Shang's obvious distaste for the political games and posturing of the world Jiao lived in generally did little to aid the two in keeping the peace. Nine times out of ten, her concerns seemed so inane to Shang, but his dismissal of them as such did not dampen her resolve. Instead, Jiao was generally energized by her younger brother's stubbornness, equally determined to make him see the error in his ways.

Their game was exhausting. Worse than even the most rigorous of training drills.

Minutes later, mother and Jiao rejoined the other siblings in front of the family temple and they began the praises and prayers to the ancestors that were part of the Qingming Festival ritual.

The young man looked down at all the tablets of the Li ancestors- names of men and women reaching back centuries, telling stories of lives of virtue and the honors they had brought to the Li family. Noted on more than a few of these tablets were the honors bestowed on the great warriors who came before him.

While well-off, the Li family were not directly related to the royal families. Their status was earned, not granted from Heaven. Yet, enough of their family had behaved so honorably for so many generations that the thought of not living up to the family expectations could not be imagined.

Shang prayed to the many great ancestors there on this feast day that they would help him to maintain their good name.


After the prayers and songs had concluded, the family sat down to dinner, an awkward space remaining empty at the table.

Conversation floated around, Jiao commenting on how large her son, Jin Mi, was growing, Qing and Zhen trading anecdotes from the history chronicles they were assigned, Shang describing in full detail the jade mountains and rainbow-colored hills he passed on his travels this past assignment.

"Qingzhao, dear," Mother broke a pause in the conversation, between courses. "You're sixteen now."

"Yes…?" the girl asked.

"Well, I think it's time we start thinking about when you will see the matchmaker."

"Motherrrrrr" she groaned.

"Show respect," the older woman sternly warned. Qing bowed her head.

"Mother, if I may?" the girl asked after a moment. Lady Li nodded. "I have exams coming at the end of the sixth month. I can't come home for that, and I can't stay here more than a few days, not unless the meeting's already scheduled."

"No, It's not, but you must think of it." The elder woman sighed. "Can you come home after your exams for the Night of the Sevens?"

"I think so."

"Then let's make a meeting then. If no match is found this summer, you can return to the palace until the New Year."

"Yes, mother," Qing nodded.

"Until then, finish your studies. Such lessons helped Jiao prepare for her meeting, and have been helpful, in raising children, yes?"

"Yes, Mother, they have been," Jiao responded. "I can teach Mi for several more years without tutors."

"Then, that's settled," Mother stood up from the table. "I will go bring food offerings to the temple, and share bounty with the spirits."

An awkward lull came over the table. Shang wondered how long mother would be gone, and if that was all she would be praying for.

"So, little brother, with Qing waiting when can we expect a wedding from you?" Jiao said, turning her attention to Shang.

"No plans." He shrugged. "Why does it matter?"

"Well," she smirked, "you wouldn't want people mistaking that peach fuzz above your lip as a sign that you're ripe for the taking. Or that my little peach has indeed already been bitten."

Shang froze in shock at his sister's audacity. Zhen instantly became intrigued by what was floating in his soup bowl. Meanwhile, Shang barely heard his Qing hiss "Jiao," under her breath as he felt the heat rising on his neck.

"What?" Jiao asked innocently. "All I'm trying to say is that people talk, little brother, and they notice things."

"Like what," he growled, his jaw set in defiance.

"Like how you don't go out for entertainment with the other men in your regiment. Or that you have yet to even consider any potential match-"

"I've been in the academy up until last year!" he protested. "I've been busy training and studying and, I don't know, honoring this family, to even think of anything else."

"Exactly. Generally that's all most men can think of."

"Using entertainment like that is…" He balled his fists trying to find the words. "Is dishonorable- shows a lack of discipline, character." Shang couldn't believe this conversation was happening, and with his sister, no less. "I," he huffed in frustration. "You know Father raised us– or at least me– better than that."

Jiao's face stiffened at the thinly veiled insult, while the two youngest siblings shared a dark glance across the table.

"I'll get married. But my duty to the emperor comes first."

"Yeah, to whom?"

"I…" he started. "I'll find her. I haven't found the right match"

"All I'm saying, little brother, is that you need to keep the family honor. Get married, and do what you will- or won't. All's fair in love and war, but it'd be a shame for the oldest Li son to let the family name down."

A cold pit opened in his stomach as Shang felt the heat drain from his face. He exhaled.

"My duty to this family and to the Middle Kingdom is different than yours." he said after a moment.

Jiao's only response was the slight twitching of her into a smirk as she sipped her tea.

In the back of his mind, Shang cursed himself for letting her barbs provoke such a response: marriage was a legitimate concern. Yet something about the prying dug too far into his heart, and he pressed on to push back her advance.

"So, what you're saying is that since I am exercising the discipline and dedication expected of an officer in the Chinese army and man of this family, people think I'm not one of the boys?" Shang asked incredulously. Shang took a breath, trying to calm his voice and nerves.

"Jiao, I doubt this is a rampant topic of conversation," he said, furrowing his eyebrows. "I've heard nothing about this in camp. Nothing. Half of my class doesn't even have a match. I would hope that it doesn't become the topic of catty conversation in your tea circles."

Fabrication or truth, this sort of gossip – of neglecting one's duty to his family, of taking battlefield comforts and refusing to leave them there – could be disastrous to a new career. Competency and virtue were both needed to model and advance in the Emperor's service. A leader must be able to balance private and public duties and desires.

"I didn't say they didn't think you were manly, only that people talk." She shrugged. "It is possible to be too straight-laced, Shang…"

"That's enough." The lieutenant stood up, his voice hard. "Listen. This is over. I'm twenty-two. I've been at the Wall for six months. I may have time to find a wife, but I don't have time to put my career, to put my duties on hold to play your silly, conniving games or do what you have to do to bring honor to this family." He pointed angrily. "I have had enough."

"And I've heard enough." Their mother strode back in, hand massaging her eyes. Shang bowed quickly and sat back down as his mother did. "Why is it you two are simply incapable of behaving with one another like you do in court or with your peers or even with your little siblings!"

Jiao bowed her head in obedience. Shang was silent. "Your brother has performed his assignments with honor and discipline, and his duties are not the same as yours right now. If there is any concern among the officers, I'm sure your father will address it as soon as he is home."

"Secondly, creating or spreading rumors will do more to dishonor this family than your younger brother's inability to find a bride yet. I won't hear such gossip from anyone- even you, daughter."

"Lastly, you are married now, Jiao. You have your own children's futures and marriages to plan- let me worry about your brothers and sister." The oldest sister pursed her lips, staring into her tea. "You are a guest now in this house: I will not have you come here only to insult your brother."

"Yes, mama" the young woman said quietly. "I understand."

"Son," she said, turning to Shang. "Be calm and control your anger. We will talk when your father arrives." Shang nodded dourly, not missing the exasperated tone in her voice. "But I wish you would consider more carefully the matches your father and I have sent you."

The young man closed his eyes, resisting the urge to roll them. "Mothe–"

His mother held up a hand. "You are still young and you have more pressing duties to the Emperor," she continued, "but you must take marriage more seriously."

"Yes, mother."

"Take advice from an army wife: later advancement depends on politics and social standing, and your wife is an important part of that balance." She started to smile. "And she must understand this life and be willing to sacrifice her husband and even her children for the Middle Kingdom," mother said raising a loving hand to her eldest son's chin.

"Yes mother. I understand," he said, bowing his head. "There just hasn't been anyone who's quite…" he paused, trying to think of the right word. Competent? Trustworthy? Clever? Moderately interesting? Deeper than a teacup? "Who I could see as an honorable match."

Shang looked at his mother who gazed back at him with a pitiful smile. She patted her eldest son's shoulder.

"Yeaaaah," Zhen quipped, piping in before the conversation became tense yet again, "may we be excused until Father gets back?"

Shang nodded, and Qing and Zhen scuttled quickly across the courtyard towards the tea room. "Mother," the young man rubbed his eyes with an exhausted sigh, "I'm know I need to do what I can do for our family, but right now what I need to do is work. Exams are coming next winter. I need to study. I need experience. The last thing I need are distractions."

"You do realize I know people. I have friends. They have sisters." In her silence, Shang had nearly forgotten about his sister. "I could help mother and father to arrange something."

"Fine." He laced his fingers behind his head and shrugged. "If this is something everyone wants and you want to set it up, I'll consider. So long," he nodded earnestly, "as she's not one of those preening shrews the capitol's full of. I can't put up with any more idiots from that city, much less marry one. Alright?"

Jiao slid a sly smile towards Shang. "Oh don't worry little brother." She pinched his cheek while he tried to wriggle away. "There's bound to be one flower precious enough for our brave warrior."


Father never showed as the moon rose higher into the night sky. Eventually, after the tea grew cold and the rice dry, Mother dismissed the servants and the house headed to bed.

Hours later, in the stillness of the night, Shang sat up with a jolt. The door to his room had burst open. The young man rubbed his eyes as he was yanked back from the comfortable calm of sleep. In the doorway, barely discernible from the ink-black sky stood a dark figure, his voice urgent and firm.

"Son, be prepared to leave by dawn. I've just received word from the wall: We've been invaded."


AN: I had way too much fun with the Li family when I first started (the first draft was actually more of a sequel focusing on the family, before it morphed into this.) When going back to edit, however, this chapter- and some of the characteristics changed the most.

Unfortunately, I think this is the last we'll see of the siblings themselves in the story, and take them and their presentation with a grain of salt – we're still only seeing them through Shang's eyes. Despite the ribbing and complaining, they do love one another.
With all of them, I think what was most interesting for me in writing was to consider 1) the complicated, confusing and sometimes darn combative relationships siblings can have, even if they do love one another 2) the pressures placed on children of status, particularly women and 3) how other women besides Mulan may have reacted to the constraints placed on them – particularly those placed on young women. Success and finding yourself can look like a lot of different things, especially in tight confines.

Responses: Starleigh- Thanks for the feedback! I was actually really concerned about the exam procedures when I first started drafting this, and went back and forth on what the girls were up to for a while. I found though, that actually, that in the Tang and Song Dynasties it was socially acceptable for women to be, respectively, a bit brazen, and well-cultured and educated. (These dynasties were also convenient for fitting into the era of the movie because they had fireworks and cannons.) I think you're right about the general governmental exams, but at least in the Song Dynasty, some women were lauded publicly as writers or poets, and women in general could own property, served in special bureaus inside the palace and were generally the first educators of children. Also foot binding wasn't a widespread practice until late in the age, meaning one less impediment for our Mulan! Three cheers!