A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed. Another chapter up.
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Chapter 2
Loud laughter and banter could be heard throughout the barracks outside of the main officers' quarters, but inside General Li Hong-xian pored over a map with a thoughtful expression, his seventeen-year-old son Shang sitting across the table from him watching intently. The general was quite proud of his son, a strapping and handsome young man who was already an excellent warrior, far ahead of the others in his class at the Imperial Academy.
"If the rumors about Shan-Yu's plan to cross our northern border are true, this village is a key location," General Li was saying as he pointed to a spot on the map that was spread out on the table. "We will move out tomorrow to defend it and stop Shan-Yu before he and his men get anywhere near the Tung Shao Pass. It is imperative that they not get through the pass, as they would then have a clear path here to the Imperial City."
As part of his son's training, he always made sure to explain as many of the nuances of his tactics and strategies as he could.
"Excellent strategy, General Li," Chi Fu cajoled, always ready to flatter someone like the general who was in high favor with the Emperor. Despite his own position as the Emperor's closest council, the scrawny man with the thin moustache, nasal voice and cat-like eyes was surprisingly insecure.
The wooden door swung open and General Kong entered, crossing the room and joining them at the table.
"Kong Feng-long," Li Hong-xian greeted his comrade and friend.
"Li Hong-xian, Councilman."
His gaze fell on Shang and he nodded a greeting to the young man.
"I'm off first thing in the morning to Wu Zhong," General Kong began. "Any word on the reserves, Chi Fu?"
"His majesty has instructed me to distribute conscription notices to call up the reserves and recruit new young soldiers. The notices are being drawn up tonight and messengers will be delivering them to the families in the provinces starting tomorrow. All men are being instructed to report to you at the Wu Zhong camp three days from now, General Kong."
"What about the Imperial City?" General Li began. "I agree with the Emperor's wish to protect his people, but I believe that a guard should remain here as well, to protect the palace."
"Agreed, General. I will recommend it to the Emperor. I'm sure that he will see the wisdom in keeping at least a small regiment here just in case."
"Yes…"
"When you have his answer, send word to me at Wu Zhong," General Kong interjected. "The more experienced troops will move out to guard the village just before the Tung Shao Pass in the event that any of the barbarians have gotten through and I will also arrange for a guard to be posted here to protect the Emperor. The new recruits will remain at camp to go through basic training. My son will be receiving the new rank of captain and will be responsible for training them."
"General Kong, that's quite an enormous responsibility," Chi Fu exclaimed, his voice rising to a near-feminine pitch. "Perhaps a soldier with more experience…"
The general waved him off. "He's one of the top boys in his class and he has already turned eighteen. Kong Shen-han will do an excellent job."
Chi Fu looked dubious still but, resolving to keep his opinion to himself, he remained silent. He would not dare to argue with either of two of the Emperor's most trusted and decorated generals.
There was continued discussion among the two generals but Shang didn't notice. The moment General Kong announced that his son Shen-han was going to be a captain and leader of the new recruits he was thinking about his friend and classmate at the Imperial Academy. Even though Shang was a year younger than all the boys in his class, because of the training his father had given him at home before he began to attend and due to his natural talent, inclination and keen mind, he was a year ahead in school and still at the top of his class.
Though he was happy for his friend and hoped to see him to congratulate him, Shang also felt somewhat envious. He sighed wistfully, thinking how much he wanted to be in Shen-han's shoes. A captain at eighteen! Shang hadn't ever heard of anyone receiving that rank at such a young age. Plus Shen-han would have the responsibility of training the new recruits. It was a great honor, one that he hoped to have one day very soon.
Coming from a long line of famous generals, there was never any doubt that he would be one as well, and he'd always had an avid curiosity about the martial arts, swordplay, military strategy and history; he valued and thoroughly enjoyed the lessons that his father gave him. He was only ten when his mother died and though the Li family owned a large, lovely estate, they were rarely there after her death. Shang had spent most of his life either at the Academy or in the camps with his father. Even at his young age and as unseasoned as he was, he already had an extensive knowledge of training techniques and martial arts, and he always paid close attention to the officers that he was around all the time, learning the art of leadership. He could see himself in front of a regiment of boys, training them, leading them into battle. There was no doubt in his mind that if he were in Shen-han's place he would do an excellent job.
A strong hand falling heavily on his shoulder woke Shang from his daydream.
"Li Shang, get back."
Shang felt the heat of embarrassment emanate through his face and across his scalp as he realized that both Chi Fu and General Kong had left already and he'd completely lost track of his surroundings, alarm sweeping through him as he wondered how long his father had been trying to get his attention.
With a chuckle the general patted his son's shoulder reassuringly.
"Don't worry, Shang. It will happen soon enough."
"Sir?" he responded in confusion.
"I could see how deep in serious thought you were after you heard about your friend," the general continued, a kind and understanding expression in his dark eyes. "Don't be disappointed. I have no doubt that when the right time comes, you will earn the rank of captain and excel far beyond that very quickly. But you're quite young for such a responsibility and you have much to learn still. Besides, if I made you a captain now the way Kong did his son, I would be putting you in a very bad position. The soldiers under you would be much older and they would resent and hate you. Your first command will be tough enough, Li Shang. You don't need the ill-will of your men toward you on top of what will already be a difficult rite of passage."
"Yes, sir," he answered.
"My friend General Kong is an excellent officer and leader of his men, but I fear that he may be making a mistake where his son is concerned. Chi Fu is right. It's an enormous responsibility."
General Li patted his shoulder once more then removed his hand, bringing it back down to the table and beginning to roll the map back up.
"But that's not our concern. We don't have much time to pack and tomorrow is an early day."
"You're leaving in the morning then, Father?" Shang asked quietly.
"We're leaving, Li Shang. You're coming, too."
Straightening up, Shang stared at his father in shock. "To the front?" he exclaimed, his voice tumbling out at a higher than usual pitch in his excitement. He caught himself, bowing and adding softly, "Yes, sir."
He glanced up at his father and caught the amused look that flitted across General Li's features as he continued speaking.
"The whole Middle Kingdom is on alert now, and every man is being called up to be ready to defend the Emperor. You've been doing a fine job in your studies and your training, and this is the perfect opportunity for you to watch and learn from seasoned warriors."
"Yes, sir," he repeated quietly, though it took every ounce of self-control that he had to remain composed at the receipt of this news.
"Get a good night's sleep tonight. We leave at sunrise tomorrow."
Shang stepped out of the officers' quarters where his father was still gathering his things. He shut the door behind him and stood stunned for a moment as he thought about his father's words. He was going to the front. A smile came to his lips and he began to strut through the barracks that housed the soldiers of the Emperor's army, beside himself with pride and excitement. He was going to the front! He could hardly believe it. No one in his class would be there as far as he knew. The older boys who had taken their government exams already would be given ranks like Shen-han and put in charge of training the new recruits in the various camps, or they would be joining the less experienced troops in peripheral strategic positions. The younger trainees from the Academy would be reporting to them, just as he'd expected he would be doing. But he was going with the general and the other elite soldiers to where all of the action would be!
Returning to his own quarters, he undressed and prepared for bed, knowing that he would hardly sleep that night, if at all.
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For the most part they moved too quickly to enjoy the beauty of the country that they were charged with defending. It was close to one hundred miles from Chang'an to the village that they would be protecting, and General Li Hong-xian urgently pressed his troop onward. He knew it was imperative that they arrive there before Shan-Yu did, and that it may already be too late. The top regiment of the Imperial army thundered toward their destination in formation on their white stallions, crossing mountains, riding through thick conifer forests and along endless stretches of sprawling, grassy plains. They stopped for brief intervals for sustenance and sleep then quickly regrouped and moved out.
Shang rode toward the front, a few paces behind his father, remaining quiet except when he was addressed by the general or one of the other officers. He listened eagerly as General Li spoke to his second in command, absorbing all that he could as he knew that someday he would command his own troop, just like his father had reassured him.
They covered the distance in just under seven days, traveling at a quick pace save for when they had to cross through the higher mountains that were covered in snow. They rode through rolling hills and a thick lush forest during the final leg of their journey, emerging at the outskirts of a quaint village nestled in the valley at the foot of the hills.
As they trotted along the road leading to the center of the village where General Li would meet the prefect of the town Shang noticed several young boys poking their heads out of the gates of their homes or perching themselves on the branches of the trees along the side of the road in order to get a bird's-eye view, peering excitedly at the Emperor's army. Shang couldn't help but smile at them, remembering how impressed he'd been as a small boy to see the colorful uniforms and beautiful white stallions of the soldiers of his father's troop and recalling how much he'd longed to be one of those soldiers.
There were no barracks in this small village, of course, but arrangements had been made for the troop that was the pride of the Emperor. One of the larger taverns in town would be used as a mess hall and the main meeting hall had been converted into sleeping quarters for the men with the use of free-standing screens. A private office off of the main hall was given to General Li for his use as both an office and sleeping quarters. Their stallions were being housed in the large corral at the back of the building.
An hour later, Shang walked through the village with the general, his second in command Captain Lau and another officer named Sun Ji-li who was one of General Li's best scouts. A rotation for a twenty-four hour watch around the village had been set up and he would be taking his turn as well. But for now his father wanted him to accompany him and his two men as they went to explore the village and its boundaries on foot. He would then plan a full-fledged strategy of defense after assessing its natural borders, which would need to be protected in order to stop any enemies from getting close to the town.
"Well, we know we have the forest there," Captain Lau commented, gesturing toward the forest that blanketed the hillside in the distance to the south, where they had come from. "We'll have to set up several men in that spot."
"Agreed. Let's take care of that side last. I want to check out the north side right now, as that's the direction that our enemy will be coming from. And that will be where we leave the opening most likely."
After a brief discussion, Captain Lau went off to explore the east side of the village and Sun Ji-li went to explore the west side. Shang accompanied his father to the north side.
"Have you figured out my possible strategy yet, Li Shang?"
His father turned to him, an expression of warmth spreading across his sturdy features.
"Well, we want to leave an opening on one side so that the enemy can come in. We are luring and trapping him."
"Exactly. You've been learning your lessons well."
Shang thanked his father softly, suppressing the proud smile that began to come to his lips. He relished each and every one of these moments when his father complimented him on his achievements and he enjoyed rising to the occasion when his father tested him on his skills or knowledge, encouraging him to second-guess what he was thinking strategically. But the general was also of the mindset that even though one accomplishment was great, there was always more to come. He knew that if he looked too pleased with himself for figuring out his father's strategy, General Li would chide him gently about being too sure of himself.
"There is always more to learn and always room for improvement, Li Shang," he always said. "We are never finished striving to better ourselves until we die."
And then the next challenge would come, the move he hadn't mastered yet, the question that he couldn't answer when his father asked it.
But Shang knew that his father just wanted to push him to be his best, pressing him to physical, mental and moral excellence and fitness. And when his father didn't praise him, or when he in fact criticized him, he didn't let it get him down. He had learned to become determined to meet his father's test each time and then be eagerly prepared for the next one.
The village was surrounded by rolling hills on all sides, they found when they had finished their survey of the north and met up with Captain Lau and Sun Ji-li again.
"There are hills to the east as well, and a wide river with a bridge," Lau told them.
"We will have to destroy that bridge until we're certain there is no threat. They can still wade through the water, but it will slow them down at least. Ji-li, what of the west side?"
"There are hills to the west also, General. No forest, just a very small stream. And there's a lone house there."
General Li tugged at his beard, pondering. "There used to be an old patriarch living in that secluded house if I remember correctly. Did it still look lived in?"
He shrugged. "I didn't see anyone around. But it's hard to say."
"My old friend Hua Zhou lives in this village. Perhaps I should speak with him. In order for everyone to be safe, all of the inhabitants of this place should be within the area of our patrol. Any houses completely outside our perimeter need to be abandoned for now."
"If this man is an old patriarch as you say, good luck getting him to move," Captain Lau muttered, wryly.
The four of them headed off to the area south of the village. The road they walked along was lined with stone walls that surrounded the courtyards leading to what Shang imagined to be lovely homes. His father gestured toward the entrance of one of the gates and told him that the house behind it belonged to General Hua Zhou.
"You will meet him soon, Li Shang. We'll be paying him a call either later today or tomorrow."
Everyone knew of the famous and honored warrior. He had been forced to retire after being badly wounded in his last battle; he'd risked his own life and ended his career to save his regiment. But that battle and his bravery was legendary now, and the retired general's deeds and strategies were already being taught in the Academy, used as examples of the use and expansion of tactics they were instructed about and that generations of military men had implemented before.
After they had finished inspecting the hills and forest south of the village they prepared to return to town. Shang had started to follow his father and the other two men as they turned and began to head off, but now stopped as movement between a dense clump of trees caught his eye. His breath caught sharply in his throat as he suddenly found himself gawking at a pair of large black almond-shaped eyes that stared at him from where they were set within a pale, perfectly oval face that was framed by long, thick raven hair. Her body was covered by the large trunk of the tree that she hid behind but she had poked her head around to look at him now that she realized he'd seen her.
His mouth opened and he felt compelled to speak to her, to ask her what she was doing out in the forest alone and warn her to get home, but he found that he was so stunned he seemed to have forgotten how to talk.
"Li Shang," his father called out sharply. "What are you waiting for?"
With a start, Shang tore his gaze away from her and hurried off after the general and the others. He glanced behind him a few times, thinking that he should say something to his father about the girl, but she had already ducked out of sight.
