Chapter 8: Night Meeting

Mushu was terribly disappointed that Mulan had already found out from Pei and Guang-Zhi everything that he was going to report to her.

"I went for nothing," he complained, pouting.

"No, it wasn't for nothing, Mushu. We didn't know."

Mulan worked through her second night at Pei's inn. The men drank Du Kang all night and she refilled their cups whenever they needed.

She could hear everything they said now and Mushu was perched outside listening as well. They had an entire network of people working between their village and the Imperial City, and in villages beyond this one. They wanted to oust the current Emperor. There was a general from a well-known, respected family who was held in high esteem by the Emperor and others in the Imperial City; he was unhappy with the way the country was being run and wanted to put someone else in place. He was very popular among the peasants and among the people in these villages, and they wanted to assist him in putting the person he backed in power. The mysterious general was merely referred to by his code name: Ping. Mulan found that highly amusing.

The cricket was listening to the conversation, too, and he suddenly chirped at Mulan. She turned and looked at him.

"What do I care about their politics?" she answered, guessing what he was probably saying to her. "I'm not even a citizen of this country anymore. I'm a fugitive."

She was called to the outer room at that moment. She grabbed the Du Kang and brought it out to give everyone refills.

xxxxxxx

At dawn, Pei and Guang-Zhi sat and spoke with her in the main room.

"We could use your help, Fa Mulan. You are a shrewd strategist. And I am sure you have no love for the Emperor," Guang-Zhi said.

"No, I have no love for the Emperor. But I don't know how I can help. I don't want to be anywhere near the Imperial City."

"You wouldn't have to be there. You can help us here; in small ways, like many of the other villagers. And you can help us with your ideas."

"I don't know how long I can stay here. I am being hunted down."

"We will keep you hidden and protected," Guang-Zhi answered. "Many people have been unhappy with this Emperor. He is greedy and ruthless. He has been waging wars on our neighbors that we have always had friendly relations with. He wastes money on that instead of putting it to good use, where it is needed. And it is because of his ceaseless aggressions that our northern border was so vulnerable to an attack by Shan-Yu and the Huns. Our plans were on hold while the country had to deal with that. But now that Shan-Yu has been defeated, thanks to you, we can continue."

"Chi Fu will no longer be able to harm you after tonight," Pei said, trying to reassure her further. "Or anyone else. And he will no longer be able to stir up trouble with the Emperor about our activities."

"Who else did Chi Fu harm?" she asked.

"Most people underestimate Chi Fu. They think of him as a pompous snob and a sniveling, petty bureaucrat who is merely annoying, but not dangerous. But he is an incredibly brilliant, deceptive and manipulative politician. This Emperor is influenced by him. Chi Fu knows just how to flatter him and how to manipulate him. He influenced the Emperor to pass many of the decrees that have been prejudiced against the lifestyles of the farmers and common villagers."

"But you said that you lost a lot of people because of him."

"Yes," Pei answered. "He came to one of the villages to announce one of the Emperor's decrees. One of the villagers spoke up about the consequences it would have on some of the villagers' livelihood. Chi Fu went back to the Imperial City and told the Emperor that the villagers were rebelling. A guard was sent, under the guise of making sure peace was kept. Of course, as always with these situations, their presence actually caused violence instead of keeping peace, which was really the intention. Several people were killed. Some were allies working with us; others were innocent bystanders. Guang-Zhi…"

Pei looked at his friend.

"Go ahead. You tell it," he said, nodding.

"Guang-Zhi lost his son."

"Oh. I'm sorry," Mulan said softly.

"That was only one particular incident. There are many such stories. A lot of people have reason to want Chi Fu put out of commission. And now, we really do have a rebellion."

"As for the Imperial captain," Guang-Zhi continued, "I understand that he is the one that spared you in the mountains. Perhaps he can be reasoned with."

She was afraid to ask the next question that came to her mind.

"We will not harm him unnecessarily," he answered, as if he knew what she was thinking. "What do you think?"

"I'll do what I can," she answered softly.

"Keep in mind, also; 'Ping' is aware of what you did for our country, as is the person he is backing. When that person becomes Emperor he will no doubt reverse the sentence. You will be cleared of the charge of treason and your family's honor will be restored."

She found that hard to believe. But she kept her doubts to herself.

She bid them both goodnight and went to her room.

She didn't have any love for the Emperor; but she didn't want to be involved in their politics either; she just wanted to be left alone. But it was safer to agree; if she didn't, they might kill her, too.

xxxxxxx

"This is great!" Mushu was chirping with delight in a voice that was nearly as high as the cricket's as Mulan readied herself for bed. "What a turn of events!"

She didn't answer him.

"You can help them assist this 'Ping' guy to put whoever he wants on the throne and you'll have your life and your family's honor back! And I can be a guardian again!"

Mushu suddenly noticed her expression.

"You are going to help them, aren't you, Mulan?"

"I don't know," she answered, softly. "Why should I care about their politics? Besides, what makes everyone so sure that whoever they place on the throne will be any better than this Emperor? He may be worse."

"I have one word for you, Mulan. Honor."

"That word gives me pain, Mushu."

"You told them you would help them."

"I don't want them to kill me, Mushu, so I just agreed." She sank down onto the bed wearily. "Pei seems to be a very kind man. But all of this seems too good to be true. I can't trust anything or anyone anymore and I just want to be left alone."