The next day they were off, after saying good-bye to Li and grandmother Fa that is. They reached Zhou's friend's house four hours later.

"Baba,"

"Yes Mulan?"

"Who is your friend?"

"An old comrade. But the last time I checked he was a first rank general. Who knows how many other ranks he climbed by now."

Zhou got off his horse and Mulan did the same as he knocked on the door.

"And who are you may I ask?"

Asked the door attendant.

"I am Fa Zhou, an old friend of General Li's."

"Let me check that over with the general."

Zhou and Mulan could hear yelling on the other side of the gate a minute later and the big wooden doors opened once again to a man who had on regular training clothes.

"Zhou, is it really you?"

"Yes, in the flesh."

"And you brought your daughter?"

"Unfortunately I have come here because of a dyer situation."

The general became serious and motioned for them to come in.

"My servants will take care of your horses. Please come, come."

He said as two servants came out and took the horses over to a stable. Mulan was a little behind her father and his friend. She kept her head down and focused her eyes on the ground, trying to keep her tears under control and show that she wasn't afraid.

She came back to reality when they walked into a large room with many people in it. The talking stopped when they entered the room and they all just stared at them.

"Family, this is Fa Zhou and his daughter Mulan. Zhou was about to tell me as to what his situation was. Come Zhou, Mulan, sit down."

Mulan sat down next to her father once he sat down next to the general. Mulan kept her head down and only focused on the floorboards.

"Mulan has been paired with Ye Jun."

Zhou started calmly, at the mention of his name the whole room seemed to gasp.

"But he is the man who abuses all of his wives!"

"Who would pair anyone to that bastard?"

General Li motioned for all of his family to stop their outbursts.

"Are you sure Zhou?"

Zhou took another deep breath.

"Yes, that is what Li told me."

"And who told her?"

"Mulan."

"Mulan?" The general asked drawing Mulans' attention. "Are you sure that is what you heard?"

"Yes sir that is what the matchmaker told me yesterday." Mulan said quietly keeping her head down.

The general sighed and turned his attention back to Zhou.

"What do you wish for me to do Zhou? I can't really help you much, I wish I could but…"

"I was hoping you would be able to teach her self defense so if there is no way I can stop this marriage, that she has a way to protect herself."

"Zhou, I am afraid I do not have the time to help Mulan learn martial arts…"

"I understand and thank you for at least listening to what I had to say."

Zhou and Mulan were getting up, when General Li said, "Zhou… wait… I could see if my son would be able to help her. I am due to go to camp to pick out a captain and as much as I know Shang is ready for this. And this will give him a chance to practice his training methods that he will use on his troops when he is the captain."

Zhou nodded.

"But I should let him decide what he wants to do."

He looked over to one of his servants and nodded, the servant ran off and came back a minute later with Shang behind him. Shang bowed when he entered the room and surveyed the room silently during his bow. The only thing that was different were the two people he didn't know.

Shang hoped that they didn't come for a marriage proposal.

Shang mentally groaned. Once Shang straightened from his bow he looked to his father, waiting for him to tell him what was going on.

"Come Shang, sit. We must explain the situation to you."

Shang did as he was told and sat down, sensing that this wasn't going to be what he had expected.

"Shang, this is Fa Zhou, and his daughter Fa Mulan." He said motioning to Mulan and Zhou. "Mulan here has been paired with Ye Jun."

"But father isn't he the man-"

"Yes."

"And what does this have to do with me?"

"Fa Zhou was hoping that I would be able to teach Mulan self defense so if she has to go through with the marriage she will know how to defend herself against him, but I have to much paperwork to do and I will soon be returning to the camp soon. We are giving you a choice, you may help Mulan and Fa Zhou or you don't. I will not be disappointed with what ever you choose."

Shang looked at Mulan and caught her eye, she looked so helpless…
"Sir there is no choice. Mulan is in trouble and needs my help, I would be honored to help her."

Fa Zhou's sigh seemed to lift the spirits of the room.

"He will be coming to our home on one month, I'll need her home for that day, but other than that she will be staying with you."

Zhou said as stood up and shook General Li and Shangs' hand once they too had stood up.

"Thank you Shang, you don't know how much this means to me."

He told Shang.

"It is an honor to help you and your family sir."

"As it is yours." Zhou replied. "As much as I do hate to come and go so quickly I must be on my way, my mother and Li will be waiting for me."

"I understand, safe journey old friend."

General Li said while shaking his hand once again. Mulan stood up and gave her father a hug.

"Good bye, I'll miss you baba."

"I know sweetie, but it's for your own good."

"I love you Mulan."

"And so do I Baba."

Mulan said. Zhou smiled and kissed her on the forehead.

"Don't worry, we'll be ok while you're here."

"Promise?"

"Promise."