Author's Note: Hello again! I know my last few chapters have been short, so here is a long one! I really liked writing this one because it has Mushu back to his usual humorous self. I plan on putting more funny Mushu moments in the next chapter, so stay tuned! Let me know what you think!

Chapter Twenty Three: Called By The Captain

I take a look at my new surroundings. Last week, the day after the attack, we packed up everything in camp and left to join the rest of the Imperial Army. It is around noon, and we have just arrived at their camp, Jundui, and I can immediately see the differences between this camp and Woo-Zong. First of all, Junsui is much larger than Woo-Zong. All of the Imperial Army is here after all. All around, I see soldiers talking, drinking, smoking, and gathering around campfires, among other things. Compared to all of the men here, our small company of around three hundred men looks puny. Captain Li doesn't seem phased by this though and marches us straight through camp. As we walk, we hear the taunts and whispers of the soldiers.

"Oh look, draftees."

"Are you scared yet, boys? 'Cus you will be."

"I don't even see why they draft men anymore. All the drafted men do is cause trouble or desert or something. They just cause more problems for us."

"This group has only seen battle once, and they already look ready to run for the hills. What use are they?"

In the army, draftees aren't really considered soldiers to most of the more veteran soldiers. We are considered more as random men who are just here because we have to be, which isn't necessarily wrong in some cases. My father used to tell me how sometimes his fellow soldiers would tell horrible stories to the draftees about the battlefield, just to scare them. We have only just arrived, and I have a sinking feeling that these soldiers already hate us.

The captain leads us to an area for us to set up our tents. Now that we are actually going to be moving around and fighting on the frontlines, we have each been given our own tent. It's amazing, for the first time in nearly a year, I might actually have some privacy. After giving the order for us to set up our tents, Captain Li leaves. I watch as he walks through camp and into one of the officer's tents. Unpacking my tent, I get to work.

The sun is just starting to set when Mushu barges into my tent. 'So much for privacy.' I am about to say something witty about knocking, but then I see the look of panic on his face.

"This is bad! Very, very bad! Oh Gods, you're dead! And I'm dead! We're all dead!" He announces while pacing in circles and waving his arms. When Mushu panics, he spirals. I grab him by the shoulders and force him to look at me.

"Why am I dead? What's happening?"

"The captain said he wants me to send you to his tent! The only reason he could possibly want to see you is that he knows! He is probably planning your execution as we speak!"

I look at Mushu and try not to panic. "There are a million reasons that he might want to see me," I say this more to myself than to Mushu, but he responds anyway.

"Name one," he states, giving me a look. When I fail to come up with one, his panic again overtakes him. "Exactly!"

"This is stupid! We're probably just making a big deal out of nothing!" With that, I begin to walk towards the exit of my tent.

"Where are you going?!" Mushu asks, alarmed.

"To see the captain. I'm sure everything is fine. I'll be back soon."

Mushu trails behind me as I reach for the flap. "And if you're not?" he questions.

I shrug calmly. "Well, then I'm either dead or about to be." Just as I'm about to leave the tent, I realize that Mushu has seated himself on my bedroll. Oh no, I am not going to have him sitting in my tent waiting for me to come back. "And Mushu, get out of my tent!"

He begins a weak protest. "Oh come on, we're like siblings."

"Out!" I snap, glaring at him. "You nearly gave me a heart attack when you snuck up on me after I came back from the pond last week!"

"Fine," he grumbles. Begrudgingly, Mushu gets up and follows me out of the tent. When we are outside, he gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze and wishes me luck. I am trying to look calm, but Mushu is amazing at telling how I feel even when my face shows the opposite emotion. I have said it before: I'm not afraid to die. Still, that doesn't mean I want to. I look Mushu in the eyes.

"Hey Mushu, if something were to happen to me, would you bring my father's sword back to him for me?"

"Of course."

I whisper my thanks and begin the walk to Captain Li's tent. When I reach it, I take a deep breath, school my face to look calm, and knock on one of the poles holding the tent up. "Come in," is heard from inside. I push the flap open and enter. I am surprised to see that not only is Captain Li in the tent but also General Li, his father. I have heard much about General Li. He served with my father, who was also a general before his leg injury caused him to leave the army. They were good friends. Luckily, General Li was always very busy with military things and never had the time to visit, so I don't have to worry about him knowing who I am.

Both men are sitting on the floor of the tent with a small table between them. The table has a small stack of papers on it. When I walk in, both father and son look up at me. I bow respectfully. Captain Li is the first to acknowledge me. "Ping, thank you for coming so quickly. We have some important matters to talk to you about."

This line does not help my nerves in the least, but I try to act calm. The last thing I need to do is make them think I'm hiding something. "Of course, sir," I reply.

General Li stands and Captain Li follows suit. The general seems to study me from head to toe. I suddenly feel the need to hide. Finally, after seemingly completing his examination, he speaks. "So," the general begins, "This is Fa Ping. I must say, you are much smaller than I imagined. Though, I do suppose you are still young."

"Yes, sir," I state lamely. "If I may, sirs, I would like to ask why I have been called here. Have I done something wrong?" After I say this, I wish I could take it back. A soldier should never question his superiors, but the tension is killing me.

But then, I see something peculiar happen. A look of amusement can be seen in Captain Li Shang's eyes. Then, both he and his father begin to chuckle, and I immediately begin to feel quite stupid. Finally, the captain responds to my question. "At ease soldier! It is quite the contrary actually."

'Quite the contrary? What is going on here? At least they don't know who I am.'

"Now, Ping," the general begins, "Your captain has told me much about you, both in person and in his reports." With that, General Li picks up the stack of papers from the table and pages through them, stopping every few moments to speak. "Let's see. You came into training already advanced in swordplay and hand to hand combat. You were quick to learn archery. You retrieved the arrow from the pole. And, to top it all off, you killed a Hun general in your first battle. You display a sense of honor, discipline, and modesty. I can also see that you have the mind of a true strategist. I must say, you remind me a great deal of your father."

I am still unsure what is exactly going on here, but to be compared to my father is perhaps the kindest thing anyone has ever said to me. "Thank you, sir, that is a great compliment. My father trained me, and I have him to thank for my brain."

The general seems very pleased and turns to his son. "Yes, Li Shang, though he is still young, I believe that Fa Ping is a fine choice."

'A fine choice? A fine choice for what?'

"Sir?" I question, turning to Captain Li.

He looks at me proudly and seems to be containing a smile. "Fa Ping, it would bring me great honor if you would agree to serve as my second in command."

I'm in shock. I come here expecting to be executed and instead I'm being promoted? "I would be honored, sir," I state, bowing. The captain does smile then, a small, proud smile. The general, however, seems almost bouncing with excitement, his smile reaching his ears.

"Good good good!" He exclaims. "Now then, come sit, Lieutenant Fa, and we will discuss your responsibilities." I smile at the sound of my new title and take a seat.