The Concubine's Cannon

Chapter 6: Not so helpful help

"I think we should bring the discussion back some. I believe we have mistaken where the Huns maybe." She whispers and he speaks. His voice is firm yet friendly, still, a bit slurred from his drinking but nobody seems to be able to tell. The room goes silent and Mulan continues to tell him her ideas. "I have room to believe that the Huns are in the south, or at least planning to attack from the southern entrance. They may not be there currently but if we...." His words trail off as a snicker is heard.

"I see you're taking orders from a woman now, Captain Mang." A man snickers and the rest of the generals begin to poke fun. "Captain?" Mulan looks to the short man but he just gives her a grin. "Do I still get my end of the deal?" She gives him a frown and proceeds to walk away. "At least a touch! You can't leave a man hanging." He follows her as laughter sounds. She excuses herself from the room for a moment.

"The deal was to get them to agree with the idea. I thought you were well-liked!" She throws up her arms in a huff and begins to pace outside the hall. "Because of your loudmouth, I can't even bring up the idea again. They'll know it's me pulling the strings." She strokes her short hair as Mang just watches her. "I got him to agree." Mang points to an upcoming young servant. The servant nods with a hum but doesn't speak. "He's shy." She glares at him but quickly turns away. The doors of the conference open.

"I thought you said he was well-liked." The young general huffs and pinches the brim of his nose as he walks out. "I thought he was but apparently not." They both snap their heads to the short Captain and he raises his hands, surrendering. "Hey, it was always Tang that was liked. I'm just the second in command." With a roll of the eye, Mulan begins to pace again.
"You got the names confused?" Shang looks to her, accusing her. "Their names are similar! It's one letter... But if he knows Tang then may be able to make another deal...." She trails off her words and tilts her head to him. Mang shakes his head. "He died last year, right as the war started." His voice is grim, a sad expression on his face. Mulan bows to him. "I am sorry for your lost but more lives will be lost if I can't do anything." Her voice is low but firm. Mang's expression stiffens. He nods his understanding.

"Do you really think the Huns are in the south?" Mulan smiles at the new ally. Even if she didn't get them to move the marker she at least got an ally. Or two? The small servant hums his approval of the idea. "We'll just have to get people one at a time to agree with us." She nods at the new plan but Shang shakes his head. "We don't have enough time for that. We." His words pause at the creak of the door.

"The emperor is calling for you, Mulan." Her baba calls for her and she nods. "We'll speak more of this tonight. If you still wish to join us in our planning then we'll be happy to have you. We'll have to arrange agreements later though." She steps out of the hall and into the room, the door closing behind her. "Can I still do her?" Shang frowns.
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"What do you mean this is a bad idea? I could get my rank back!" The short man hiss at the even shorter servant. The servant simply just hums and crosses his arms. "Your lost."

The meeting had concluded over an hour ago and Mulan was still trying to figure out what to do with Mang. He already knew about her disagreement and the fact that she tried to seduce him. If he tells anyone then she'll be in trouble but he doesn't seem completely untrustworthy either.

"We could always threaten him?" She ponders the idea but Shang shoots it down. "He doesn't have any shame, and we're already low on men. We can't afford to lose another, especially one with status." She nods her agreement and continues to play with ideas but nothing. "He has to want something. Maybe we could make another agreement?" Shang steps back taken aback. "I don't think you should offer your..services..again. What could he do for us anyway?" She blinks and shakes her head. "I don't think he wants that anymore. We should just ask him upfront. And what can can get from him? We can get his silence. He could also be of some use. He seems older than you so he could have more experience. People seem to be able to talk openly in front of him even if he isn't Tang, so we'll also have a spy." She nods to her plan and he sighs.

"Fine. How did I get wrapped up in this again?" She gives him a giggle and opens the door.

"Okay, Chi so you understand the plan. We'll ask to be apart of their plan in order for me to get a new rank and you...." Shang coughs. Mang hurries to stand up straight and the servant from earlier hides behind him. "You heard all that?" They both nod. "It looks like we have some sort of a lining." Mulan gives a smile to the hiding servant and he smiles back. "And what do you want?" The servant squeaks to Mulan's surprise. "Pardon?"

"He said he wants a better job here along with a better place to stay. I don't see why he won't just ask for his stitches removed though." The small servant gives him a sharp hum from behind and then nods. His mouth sewn closed. "I'm so so...." Her words are drawn to the close by the shake of the head. "He's used to it by now." The small servant hums in agreement but still her mouth gaps open. She really couldn't believe that someone did this to him. "Okay." Her voice is quiet and she stands up from the boy. "You'll get your rank and you'll get a better life. I'm sure the emperor can arrange both of these things AFTER you two help us." Mang raises a brow but Chi, as Mang called him before, nods.

They go back into the room and discuss the arrangements. Shang would be continuing to train Mulan while Chi and Mang keep quiet about their activities. Mang and Chi would also be responsible for keeping watch during these times and averting anyone's attention from the pair.

They nod their agreement and shake on it, swiftly leaving the room for training. "It'll be harder to sneak around with more people. Are you sure they can be trusted?" Shang steps up closer to the woman. She looks back, a smile appearing on her face as she watches the short pairing talk in their own little way. She turns back to him. "I think they'll be fine troops for what I have planned." She quickens her pace and leaves the general with a dumbfounded look. "What plan," he asks himself. "Pick up the pace!"

Author: HELLLOOO!!!! Okay so for some background info Tang was basically the equivalent of the great stone dragon, and as we all know it was Mushu's fault they broke. So I made it Mang's fault he died. I'm sad to say that I didn't put as much effort into that story line, I thought I did but now I'm sad. Anyways have a nice day/night!!!!! Bye!!!!!!!!