Chapter 5: Victory Banquet

A messenger from the Imperial Palace arrived at the Li home the next morning. The message was for Shang. There was to be a banquet at the palace in two weeks to celebrate China's victory and to honor the brave warriors that had fought. Shang and his family were invited.

Shang departed with Mulan to escort her home then. Chen seemed very sad to see her go but she promised him that she would be back very soon. Shang watched as his little brother hugged her. Chen really had bonded with her and he seemed to love her already. It really wasn't a surprise. She was lovely and charming and sweet. She was easy to love.

When they arrived at Mulan's home, they found that a messenger had been there from the Imperial Palace with an invitation for her and her family as well. Fa Zhou noted that the wing where the banquet was being held was not the usual one.

"I think that's because they're still repairing the other part of the palace," Shang told him. "It was destroyed in the fight with Shan-Yu."

"So I heard."

Shang spent the afternoon with the family. The families would be seeing each other at the banquet now, but they decided that they should meet at the Li home for a more intimate meeting as well, and a day was planned.

Mulan came with him to the gate when he was leaving and he told her that he would be back to visit in a few days.

"I may bring Chen."

"That would be fine."

He kissed her goodbye and set off for home.

xxxxxx

For the next several days, Shang took Chen outside every day after school and began to teach him to meditate. Chen didn't understand the point at first, but Shang explained that it would help him to focus, which was important in preparing for Kung-Fu training.

"You have to be very focused and in control when you fight. Otherwise it will be easy for your adversary to defeat you."

Once Chen understood that this was preparation for learning more Kung-Fu he was very pleased and bent to the task enthusiastically. Shang led him in meditation every afternoon and began to teach him new Kung-Fu moves. His little brother was delighted and remained in better spirits, much to Shang's relief. Chen even managed to get through the rest of the week with no more incidents at school.

After they had finished a Kung-Fu lesson one day toward the end of the week they lounged on the grass together, cooling down.

"Is Mulan a good Kung-Fu fighter like you, Shang?"

"Mulan is an excellent Kung-Fu fighter, Chen. I'm sure she would be willing to practice with you when she is living here."

"When is she going to visit again?"

"She will be coming here with her family next week. And then all of us will be at the victory banquet at the Imperial Palace right after that. I am going to visit her tomorrow also and if you finish your lessons for school tonight you can come with me."

"Okay!"

Shang smiled as Chen leaped up and ran off toward the house.

xxxxxx

The next several days passed quickly. Chen had a good time at the Fa home and Grandma Fa kept him entertained much of the time to allow Mulan and Shang to spend some time alone. Mulan's family came the following week to meet Shang's grandfather. Both she and Shang were nervous about it, but it was actually a nice day and everyone had a pleasant time.

The victory banquet at the Imperial Palace was just a few days after the families had met. Grandfather Li, Grandma Fa and Mulan's parents went in a carriage. Mulan rode Khan and Shang rode on his stallion. Chen was supposed to go in the carriage, but he wanted to be outside with Shang and Mulan. Shang sighed and gave in and let Chen ride on the stallion with him, holding onto his waist.

When they arrived they were led to the wing of the palace that had not been destroyed in the fight. Mulan and Shang were seated together with their families. They were greeted by their former comrades and friends. Mulan talked and joked around with Yao, Ling and Chien-Po when they came over. When they found out that Mulan and Shang were to be married, they congratulated both of them and then began to tease Shang mercilessly once again.

"So, did he at least have more to say to you when he returned the helmet, Mulan?"

"Yes," she answered, grinning at Shang. "He managed to get a few more words out."

"I guess they were the right ones, eh, pretty boy?" said Yao, slapping him on the back.

"Just wait until you end up serving under me again, Yao," Shang answered.

"Hey!" Ling exclaimed. "You made a joke, Captain! Are you alright? Do you need a drink or anything?"

Shang just shook his head. "And that goes for you, too, Ling."

Ling and Yao burst into laughter.

xxxxxx

The Emperor sat patiently while his council argued among themselves and with Captain Tang Tien. He listened carefully to what each of them had to say and weighed each of their arguments. There were rumors around the palace about a possible rebel uprising in one of the provinces to the east. Some of the council members dismissed the rumors, while the others were concerned and felt that preventative action should be taken. His most trusted captain was in the meeting also, to listen to the arguments and suggest strategy.

"Maybe we should dispatch a guard to that section," Captain Tang suggested.

"With all due respect, Captain, I think it may be hasty to send soldiers out there based on rumors. It may stir up trouble when there isn't any," Chi Fu replied.

"I agree with Chi Fu," another councilman spoke up. "It is only vague rumors. There is no proof that there is any uprising."

"Perhaps rather than a full guard we should send one or two scouts to that area," Jiang Shen-Li suggested. "They would go unnoticed and could keep an eye out for signs of trouble."

"I agree with Shen-Li," said another councilman. "An inconspicuous scout would not stir up trouble. And we could get the information we need."

"I still say that these are just rumors being spread by gossips and trouble-makers," Chi Fu said.

The Emperor listened to them argue for several more minutes, then raised his hand, gesturing for them to cease. He spoke up.

"You have all made excellent points. I will think this over and make a decision. In the meantime, I have guests downstairs waiting. I would ask you to please go to the hall and greet them until I get there."

He dismissed them and they stood up to leave. The Emperor gestured to Jiang Shen-Li, indicating that he stay behind. When the others had gone and the door of the room was closed behind them, the Emperor beckoned Shen-Li and took him into a hidden room behind a trick door in case someone was listening outside the door to the room.

"What do you think, Shen-Li?"

"I think something is very wrong, your Majesty. I think the rumors of the uprising are a ruse. They are 'clamoring in the east and attacking in the west' to quote an old adage. There may be some truth to the rumors, but it is not the whole story. I believe there is something wrong here in the palace. There is at least one traitor here, and the rumors are being stirred up by that person to distract us from the real danger. There may be rebels in the eastern province that are involved as well, but I believe that your life is in danger from within."

"What are your thoughts, Shen-Li?"

"I will continue to watch for treachery, and I would suggest having a guard here. I can let Captain Tang know."

"Yes. But as you say, there is something wrong here in the palace. No one is to be trusted completely, not even Captain Tang. There needs to be a guard of soldiers from outside the palace, who are not involved in the intrigue and in-fighting here. I would suggest Captain Li. He is here tonight, as are the other soldiers from his regiment."

"General Li's son?"

"Yes. He is brave and honorable like his father and I believe he is very trustworthy."

"You should remain in the hidden rooms like this one until this passes. A guard should be set up as a ruse outside of rooms that you normally inhabit. So that it appears that you are in those rooms, being guarded. If anyone does try to get into those rooms, they will be caught. Also, the preparation of your food needs to be supervised."

The Emperor nodded. "We will talk to Captain Li and his regiment tonight. That includes Fa Mulan. She is a very courageous, brilliant girl. She would make an excellent spy. She may be the best one for the job of scouting out the eastern province."

"Agreed."

The Emperor dismissed his oldest friend and most trusted advisor. Then he readied himself to greet his guests.