Finally! A long one! This is where it finally gets into the story!
The ride to the camp was long and uncomfortably warm. The sun beat down upon our heads, and I could feel perspiration run down my back. I had walked for weeks in the blazing heat during battle, but riding was much different. I ached to dismount and stretch my legs. Instead, I shifted uncomfortably in my saddle. It would be a long ride.
"Tired yet?" I spun to find my father behind me.
"Uh, no, not at all, sir." He sighed.
"Are you sure? I've always found that I'd rather walk than ride. As ridiculous as that sounds." I laugh, much to my surprise.
"You have a point." I shifted again in the saddle. My father smiled.
"I think it's time we stopped for a break. Let the horses graze." He trotted ahead, and I was left to ponder the most tender conversation me and my father had ever shared.
When we arrived at the camp, I was amazed by the space on which our camp would sit. It seemed to stretch on forever. The river was only a short walk away, and there were plenty of trees to provide shade and privacy. The site was bare, except for a single wooden pole that marked the center of the camp. It loomed over everything and everyone around it. I smiled to myself. I had plans for it.
"Shang!" My fathers sharp voice rang through my thoughts. I quickly turned, and he motioned for me to come to him. I jogged over, and he nodded towards another man who stood before me.
"This," he explained, "is Chi Fu. He will be overseeing your mission. He will also be writing a report on your progress, so I expect you will treat him respect." I looked over at the man. He was thin and wiry, clothed in blue. He was missing several teeth and a stringy moustache and beard adorned his sharp face.
"Chi Fu," he said briskly, bowing his head. His lips were pursed and he attempted a smile that looked as if he was trying extremely hard. I gave him a nod of acknowledgement and bowed back.
"Li Shang." He nodded, but his eyes refocused behind me.
"Hey! Stop that!" His shrill voice rang out, and he stalked off. I turned and followed his gaze to a group of workers who attempting to set up a tent, but the left support was awry. I couldn't help but give a small chuckle and the man's stiff and formal walk. He looked like he was moving with a staff up his–
"I don't like him much either," chuckled a voice from behind me. I spun and saw my father with an amused expression on his face.
"Really?" He raised an eyebrow at my incredulous expression. "I mean– I– Really?" He laughed again. I hadn't heard him laugh in years.
"Yes, well, he always has been this uptight. As long as I've known him." I smiled back.
"This should be an interesting couple of weeks." The smile that I had so rarely seen showed again, and I found myself becoming accustomed to it. I no longer felt as though my own father was a stranger.
For the next couple of days, I found myself becoming more and more anxious to the arriving troupes. I also felt myself growing more and more amused, and much more annoyed, with Chi Fu. I noted how he flattered my father, following him around like a dog.I also found my father and I becoming even closer. Although he was not outright fatherly, he would converse with me as if I was an adult; an equal. I basked in his approval, however slight.
We set up our base tents and sorted supplies, ensuring every soldier would be able to start building when they arrived. The days passed quickly, and then soldiers began to arrive. China's future army.
On the day we were to begin training, my father called me into his tent. I made my through the flap. The humidity instantly surrounded me, and I adjusted my breathing.
"Ah, Shang. Sit," I did as I was told. On the table was a map. Pieces I recognized as representations our parties sat on the top. My father then launched into a detailed plan, and, as when he described it to the Emperor, I found myself drawing near. Like a moth to a flame, I mused. I sensed he was nearly finished when Chi Fu pushed open the flap. I masked my disappointment and pulled myself back to the map.
"The huns have struck here, here, and here," he said, pointing to the locations with his crop. I rested my chin in my fingertips. "I will take the main troupes up to the Tung Shao pass and stop Shan Yu before he destroys this village." His crop grazed the map again as he pushed around the pieces on the paper.
"Excellent strategy, Sir! I do love surprises!" Chi Fu gave a nervous laugh. I rested the urge to strike him. But not that surprise, I thought. My father turned back to the map.
"You will stay and train the new recruits." I opened my mouth to speak, but decided against it. "When Chi Fu believes that you're ready," he continued, grabbing his sabre, "You will join us, Captain." He offered forth the sword. I reached for it, my heart soaring in my chest.
"Captain?" I whispered. I faintly heard Chi Fu make a strangled noise. Surprise, surprise.
"This is an enormous responsibility, General! Perhaps a soldier with more experience–"
"Number one in his class, extensive knowledge in training techniques, he learned down, stroking his beard, "An impressive military heritage. I believe Li Shang will do an excellent job." Part of me was amazed he had given me such a compliment. The other part wanted to wave the sabre in front of Chi Fu's face. Ha!
"Oh, I will! I won't let you down! This is– I mean," I immediately sobered. I was embarrassed that I had become so informal. I held the sabre in front of me and bowed in respect. "Yes, Sir."
He rose from his seat, smiling, and made his way towards the entrance. "Very good then. We will host China's victory at the Imperial City." Turning, he pointed his crop at Chi Fu. "I'll expect a full report in three weeks," and he was gone. Chi Fu turned to me, sneering. "I won't leave anything out," and followed him out. I contained my desire to hit the back of his head as he departed. Rodent. I started after him, but paused at the door, my excitement finally getting the better of me.
"Captain Li Shang," a giddy murmer escaped my lips. "Leader of China's finest troupes. No! The greatest troupes of all time!" I laughed again, and pulled open the flap of the tent.
Men were everywhere. Beating each other into the grass. Animals ran through the grounds, and rice covered the grass. A heavily bruised man stumbled towards us, saluted, and collapsed on the ground at my feet.
"Most impressive," Chi Fu sneered. My father stepped over the unconscious man and mounted his horse.
"Good luck Captain!" he called, and I watched as my father lead the pack of soldiers out through the gate, the thunder of their hooves shaking the ground.
"Good luck, Father." I mumbled, and turned my attention back to the boys.
"Day one," reminded Chi Fu. Dirty rotten rodent. I squared my shoulders and marched into the abyss of the fight.
"Soldiers!" I shouted, trying to sound as close as I could to my father. They all looked up in surprise, then jumped to their feet.
"He started it!" they chorused, pointing to a young man kneeling on ground, his hands covering his head. I approached, and couldn't help raise an eyebrow. How in the name of the gods did this boy start a fist fight? He rose and brushed himself off. I surveyed him. He could be no older than seventeen. He was thin and soft, his hair pulled back and wearing what was obviously his father's armour.
I leaned in, trying to look menacing. "I don't need anyone causing trouble in my camp."
"Sorry," he breathed, his voice coming out high and airy. His eyes widened. "Uh, I mean, sorry you had to see that." I crossed my arms. "But you know how it is," he reached over and punched my shoulder. I almost laughed at his cockiness. "When you get those manly urges." He rapped his fists on his armour. "And you just got to kill somebody" He slapped his hand into his palm, made a face, and tried to non-nonchalantly shake it off. "Fix things, cook outdoors..." So I had a egotistic on my hands. Great.
"What's your name?" I demanded. He raised his finger at me. Chi Fu nosed his way through.
"Your commanding officer just asked you a question!" He squeaked. The boy stuttered, and seemed to regain his speech. "I've got a name. And it's a boys name, too." I rocked back on my heels. This should be interesting. He motioned towards another soldier. "His name is Ling." My patience snapped.
"I didn't ask for his name, I asked for yours!" The boy recoiled. "Ah Chu!"
"Ah Chu?" I asked. Heavens help me....
"Mushu....."
"Mushu?" That's even worse than Ah Chu!
"No!"
"Then what is it!" I demanded, my voice coming out much harsher than I intended.
"It's Ping!"
I raised an eyebrow. "Ping?" He casually leaned back and scratched his neck.
"Yes, my name is Ping." I think I preferred Mushu.
"Let me see your conscription notice." He quickly handed them over. I scanned the papers, and my eyes widened in shock. "Fa Zhou! The Fa Zhou?" Chi Fu leaned his mousy head over my shoulder.
"I didn't know Fa Zhou had a son!" he proclaimed.
"He doesn't talk about me much." He attempted to spit, but it ended up running down his chin. Surprise, surprise.
"I can see why! The boy's an absolute lunatic" Chi Fu whispered. At least we agree on something... The other boys tried to suppress their laughter. I kicked back into Captain-mode.
"Okay, gentlemen. Thanks to your new friend Ping, you'll spend tonight picking up every single grain of rice. And tomorrow, the real work begins!" I stalked away. Harsh perhaps, but that resentment will get rid of that chip on his shoulder. I heard Chi Fu behind me.
"Quite the army you have there. Your father will most surely see his mistake after all you train is Hun-fodder," he sneered, and scurried away. My blood boiled. You no-good rotten oversized rat....
I glanced behind me and saw China's last hope. Scooping rice from the grass. Ping was recoiled on the side, apart from everyone else. Yes, he was arrogant, but he hadn't been the only one who was cocky. This was going to be the longest months of my life. Day one....
May the gods have mercy........
Ta da! Please review!!!! And just so you know, if I don't update, it's because I'm busy. I'm not waiting for a certain number of reviews!