Chapter 2: Everything for Honor

Li Shang arrived to the Imperial Palace escorted by Chi Fu. He hated to be around him; since Chi Fu didn't know anything more than bragging about his position in society and the gossip that lingered at court. The man was always complaining about the young people's behavior, he said that when he was young (which must have been thousands of centuries ago according to Shang,) people respected the law and were more educated; and women would never even dare to think of dressing like men. Shang knew what Chi Fu meant; he was trying to show all of his disgust towards Mulan. Sometimes, Shang wondered why Chi Fu was so rude to her; she had saved his life after all. Instead of being grateful, he just kept counting her mistakes and the things she did against the law. Shang respected the young lady. Truth be told, she was different from other girls yet so intelligent, he had never met someone like her. She was something fascinating to him, kind of unreachable, something like a goddess of mercy.

The emperor received the new general in a big room decorated with paintings of old rulers.

Shang bowed and knelt down to show respect to the old man, he didn't dare to look up at his majesty.

The emperor smiled fondly at the young general in response. He admired his respect to his superiors, always acting humble but dignified at the same time.

"You sent for me your highness?" Shang asked, still looking down at his feet.

The emperor stood from his throne and walked towards Shang. "Don't you get tired of bending?" The emperor joked expecting to hear at least a chuckle coming out of him, although Shang didn't seem to get it at first. "I bet your back is."

Shang jerked a little and straightened himself. He was taller than the emperor. "How may I serve you, your majesty?"

The emperor clapped his hands once and declared, "Enough formalities young man." Shang nodded and the emperor continued, "The Huns are threatening our people once again."

Shang narrowed one brow at the same time he arched the other one. All this time he thought that war against the Huns was history, and now the emperor sends for him to tell him that there is a threat. There were times in which he wished to be just a poor commoner.

"I've been informed that they crossed the boundaries between Mongolia and China," The emperor took a deep breath. His wrinkled face was filled with melancholy. "Another village has been burnt, no one survived the attack."

Shang closed his eyes as soon as he heard the news. The memory of his father lying still on the ground stained with dried blood crept into his mind. He had always thought the man would escape from everything, and that moment he refused to accept that his childhood hero was defeated. Shang remembered the whole scene: thousands of corpses resting right before his eyes, some of them were headless, most of them mutilated. The memory was fresh, as if it had happened the day before. He tried to shove the image away.

"As the General your duty is to lead our troops and charge against the barbarians," The emperor said. Shang felt important because he was chosen to do that. "The future of our country lies in your hands," The emperor finished. So the safety and peace of China rested in his shoulders, one mistake he made and it was his fault that thousands of lives would be at their end. The weight of responsibility was too heavy for him.

Obviously Shang didn't complain at all, he had to accept the emperor's commands although he was against them or they were too much of a request. "It is an honor to serve my country and you, your highness."

"Very well," The emperor agreed, "I'll send out to call one man from each family to serve under your commands, General." His highness sat back on his throne. "I will ask Fa Mulan to join your troops."

As soon as he heard her name, Shang found himself smiling unaware for a moment that the emperor was looking at him. He was glad he was seeing Mulan again; she had been very nice to him, he could consider her a good friend. Then he noticed that the emperor was fixing his eyes on him, so he erased the smile from his features and returned to his poised posture. He had been taught to control his emotions.

"Li Shang, since Mulan's village is on the way to Camp Wu Zhong," the emperor requested, "could you go and ask if she wishes to enlist the Imperial Army?"

"Yes Your Majesty."

The emperor continued, "Chi Fu will be in charge of spreading the word throughout the other provinces."

Shang nodded his head, completely hiding the fact that he was glad he wouldn't have Chi Fu bugging him a couple of days.

Mulan was listening to Loushen's voice slowly reading. That little girl was very bright to be only five years old. Suddenly, she heard the beating of the drums. Mulan walked towards the door to find out what was going on and Loushen followed her.

Most of their neighbors were already gathered outside to listen to the news. Her parents and grandmother reached her.

"There is a threat of war," the man announced. Gasps and whispers were the first immediate response from the villagers.

A grin drew upon her features when Mulan noticed the man was Shang. He was mounted on his white horse and started calling the names of each of the families. He looked as confident and handsome as she remembered him. Mulan's heartbeat raised at the same time her cheeks warmed. She studied him from faraway.

"Who is that man?" Loushen asked curiously. The girl remembered he had gone to her house to ask where Mulan lived the time in which he returned her the helmet and stayed for dinner.

Mulan turned her eyes on the little girl. "He is Captain or General Li Shang."

"Do you know him?"

"I served under his command last year."

"Oh."

Mulan was surprised Loushen didn't ask more questions.

Mulan heard Shang calling her name. She hesitated before walking to pick the scroll. The people there fixed their eyes on her as she walked towards the General and they exchanged whispers about her. Shang handed the scroll to Mulan. For a moment none of them knew what to say but their eyes locked for a moment. She took the scroll in her hands and smiled at Shang. He smiled back and she walked away without a word said. Shang continued calling the other families his usual self-confidence. Mulan felt so awkward for not being able to say hello to him, it wasn't that hard once she thought about it. He was too far away anyway.

"I will see you tomorrow morning at Camp Wu Zhong," Shang said. With those final words he rode off and disappeared through the landscape.

Mulan went back into her house. Loushen tried to follow her, but she failed because her mother caught her and grabbed her thin arm to stop her. "You're not seeing her again," Xia Lu said firmly, "Do you want to be as manly as she is?"

"She's not manly, mommy," Loushen replied, "She told me she dressed herself like a man to save her father."

Xia Lu glared at her daughter. Her glared warned the girl she was receiving a good spank at home if she went on contradicting her mother, so Loushen shut her mouth although she didn't agree.

Mulan went to the shrine and prayed her ancestors to protect her from any harm at war. She wished Mushu would go with her and protect her. She wanted to go to war and serve her country, and she knew she had to go also, but Mulan wasn't very sure if her parents were allowing her to risk her life again. Mulan sighed and went inside to look for her parents.

Fa Li and Fa Zhou were discussing if Mulan should serve the Imperial Army. None of them wanted her to go especially Fa Li. Although Fa Zhou was concerned about his daughter's safety, he insisted it was Mulan's decision, he knew she was going to want to go for honor because he had been in that situation.

"Zhou we can't let her go, what if something happens to her?"

"I know, but she didn't ask permission the first time, and she returned home practically fine."

"But she was wounded," Fa Li argued, "Do you want her to get wounded again?"

"Of course not!" Fa Zhou said irritated, "But now that she's been there she's going to feel responsible for the ..."

Mulan entered her parents' room and both Fa Li and Fa Zhou stopped arguing. "Mama, Baba, I think I can handle this," Mulan said, "I have to go to uphold the family's honor."

Fa Zhou turned to Fa Li.

"You can honor us in a different way, Mulan," Her mother continued, "You can always see the matchmaker again."

"Mother, I don't want to see that fat stupid lady again," Mulan complained, "I don't want to get married to someone who doesn't know I exist."

"How many times must we go through this?" Fa Li demanded.

Fa Zhou placed his hand gently on his wife's shoulder so she would calm down for she was raising her voice a little.

"Zhou she's a girl, and she'll be surrounded by hundreds of men at the army."

"They are not very harmful once you get used to them," Mulan tried to soothe her.

"But now they are aware you are a woman, and that is very dangerous," Fa Li explained.

Mulan rolled her eyes, as if she were so stupid. Besides, she knew Mushu would fetch her sooner or later.

"Your mother is right; maybe I should speak to the General first." Mulan twisted her mouth and complained, "Oh father."

"Don't complain young lady; thank our ancestors that I'm allowing you to go."

Mulan sighed. Of course she was against the idea of her father going to ask Shang to take care of her. She could handle the situation; she was old enough to take care of herself. The rest of the soldiers would mock her for as long as she stayed in the Imperial Army; and it would be so embarrassing. What would Shang think? She supposed he was going to agree but she didn't want to be a heavy load in his shoulders. Poor Shang, he had more than enough responsibilities and now he had to baby-sit her. Mulan decided to stay quiet. Her father was right; at least he didn't force her to stay home doing nothing.

Mulan and her father left home late at night. Mulan rode Khan and her father rode an old horse.

Thanks for reading ) It will get more interesting I promise 