Shan Yu II smiled, his grin spreading farther as he gazed upon the camp. This was easy. The Chinese army had become stretched, their resources weak. Constant war discouraged the citizens and soldiers. The only good warriors were the veterans, the very ones who had fought Shan Yu's predecessor.
"The final blow will be laid upon this country's moral once we hold Fa Mulan's child hostage. This shall be easy; her son was as obvious as night and day. His name is Li Ping, ironically named after Mulan's 'male' name. He claims to be a distant nephew of Li Shang, but I highly doubt that it is coincidence that he is the age that Mulan's son should be." Shan Yu whispered to one of his closest henchmen.
"Mulan had a son? That must be why she wasn't seen in public. But sir, even though taking him will be a large blow, are you sure it is enough to sway the Chinese moral?" The henchmen asked, his eyes darting across the tents. It was easy to track their moves, even with a veteran like Captain Zhou in charge. The Chinese camp was filled with new recruits, most of which could barely use a sword. They didn't bother to cover their tracks; many of the Chinese men didn't believe Shan Yu's warning was real.
"No, you are correct, it will not be the final blow. But to Li Shang and Fa Mulan, it will. They are still alive, I'm certain of it. However, they covered their tracks with great stealth. Reattempting to kidnap their child is the only way to draw them out of hiding. This time it will work." Shan Yu said, his voice growing testy.
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"The child! Grab the child, you fools!" Shan Yu II shouted, his calmness fading. Li Shang shook with anger and fear, it appeared as if his old soldier instinct was kicking into his veins.
"You are low, stealing a child in order to draw us out!" He shouted, his muscles tensing. His wife stood beside him, sword in hand. Anger in her eyes, fear in her heart.
For a moment, everyone in the Li household stopped. The child had fallen out of the henchman's arms, straight into the river, where they had been trying to flee. Now all hopes of negotiating with Li and Fa were lost. His only hope was to strike at Fa, her stomach round with child.
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The child that had fallen into the river could not have survived, but the boy, the unborn child, had reported to be, indeed, alive. The assult had failed, that day. And once again, Li Shang and Fa Mulan had chosen to hide. It was in Shan Yu's good fortune, however, that they chose to let their son continue with training. Under the Li surname, no less.
Li Shang and Fa Mulan had most likely aged in the last twenty years. Shan Yu himself was no longer young, though it benefited him to be thought as young. Surprise was a powerful attack, and if the Chinese emperor underestimated the Huns with their supposed 'Wannabe young warrior', then the surprise would be a much more powerful blow. If it was timed right, they could bring down the empire.
"By the end of this war, they will no longer underestimate us." He grinned sickly, his henchman paling at the sight of his leader's foul mood. Swallowing hard, the henchman nodded.
"They are fools to underestimate us, my lord. But how do we wish to identify their son? Li may be a well-known surname, but it is not rare. The whole plan could collapse into ruin if not attempted correctly."
"It will not be hard. I have my sources, indeed. We will wait this one out, until the exact moment. We will let our flies get caught in our web of tricks before we head in for the kill. Even if we do not capture their son, I assure you, my friend, Fa Mulan will be pleased to hear that I carry her father's head as my trophy.
She may be a woman, but she is no fool. She knows the wicked games we play. What she doesn't know, is that I have another trick up my sleeve that gives me the upper hand." Shan Yu chuckled to himself, his henchman white as a ghost. Never before had his leading officer ever spoke to him, never the less laid out the plans for him.
Shan Yu swept around his eyes a glow with something far more dangerous then a warrior's eye. Shan Yu had an insane look written all over his face. The Henchman shuddered, Shan Yu's eyes peering into his very being, his very soul.
"You have caught me in a villain's monologue, my dear friend. You, however, are not even a Sergeant. Too bad. I wouldn't dare risk you being a spy. Take him away." With the flick of his hand, Shan Yu sent the innocent henchman away, to his death. All for being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Now alone, Shan Yu let out a relieved sigh. Clenching his fist, he stared into the abyss. The power of China in reach of his grasp was a tempting aspect, but the idea of holding China in the palm of his hand was a far much more pleasant one. He would wait. Draw out the prey before you head for their throats.
"I failed in disposing of you once, Fa Mulan, I will not do it again. I will curse you with the knowledge that I will not only hunt you down, but hunt your children as well. One day, Mulan. One day soon.