Double Jade's fate

Tang Li walks around to check on the new recruits from the general public. These are young man of the age of fifteen. The reason why they are joining the army is only two reasons. The first reason is really practical, they wish to earn a stable income for the family they have. So that all of them can have at least three meals a day. The second reason is that some of them are looking for a chance to serve the country and able to climb up to be an officer despite not able to read nor write. 

The men under her grandfather, father now her had given many men chances to earn their rights as an officer in the military camp. Her clan had given some of then chances to study and take the imperial examinations to move up the ranks. In this way, many men become royal to the Tang clan. Thus, they have one of the largest amount of men following them under the Tang banner flag. Also there is a deep connection to Duke Su who supported them in any war. Her father is one of Duke Su's confident friend in life. Before her father pass away, he reminded her to alway be respectful of his close friend. On the day of her father's funeral. Duke Su did not cry like the others instead he recite a poem to commemorate his closest friend. After that poem he added

"Buddy, wait for me down there. We still have an unfinished Go chest game to complete. Prepare some wine, we shall drink again!" He walked near the coffin and pat it softy. 

Her corporals have separated those citizens and noblemen according to the ability of them. While the troublemaker is still in the human cage yelling. 

"General, Marquis BaiLi Yan Run seek your audience."

"Ahhh. the troublemaker's father is here. Send him in." 

She put down her brush and tidy her uniform. An elder white hair man walk in. He bow in politeness and she return the bow as well. They both sit down and two cups of tea is place on the table. "I have heard that my son is creating trouble in your care. As a father, i am embarrass. That rascal, never fail to create troubles whether at home or outside. It's endless. I thought that sending him to camp under your care, he will be a grown up man in no time but now just arrive he dare to do this in camp!" 

"Marquis BaiLi, if you trust me, i can train him but the methods i use here..."

"Do it! Beat him if you must. He thinks that his father is above the law before the emperor. He doesn't know and haven't seen how we fought to keep this country safe. How many men had bleed their blood. Use their lives to exchange for our future! He is young but not that young. My wife had spolit him as he is the youngest and the only son of the BaiLi family. I hope by coming here, he can learn that he have responsibilities of a marquis to up hold. Even though we don't hold any military power, i still respect the people who fought for our nation. General Tang, can i entrust you to help my son grow up?"

"Marquis BaiLi with your words, i am relief. Please be ensure, that i will train him well enough and he will return to you a grown up man."

Marquis BaiLi bow and Tang Li suggest to go see what his son is doing. They walk out the tent and slowly they can hear him yelling. 

"Let me out! How dare you! Wait till you see my father! He will ask the emperor to wipe out this bloodily camp!! Let me out!"

Marquis BaiLi walk up to the human cage from the other side. 

"You are shameless! You don't need your face, i need my face!"

Troublemaker turn around to see his father. He run there happily. 

"Father, let me out. I can't stand stay here like this. It's inhumane to stay here. They are ..."

"Shut up! What have you do to make me proud of?! Tell me? How many troubles have you got yourself in? How many times did your mother go behind my back and solve the trouble you have created? Did you know how much trouble you have caused ever since you started to walk and talk?"

"Father... have you ever asked me why those troubles are created?! You always say i have to uphold the name of BaiLi because i am the only male in this family. I have to protect my sisters who are unmarried. I have to ..."

"Stop with all your excuses! Today i am not fetching you back home just because of this little issue. The emperor had personally choose you to take part in this training. We are all under the heaven son. We all have to take his orders and do it. Son, you are now just training. If in future, we need you to go to war, can you do it? Can you survive like these soldiers here?"

Tang Li watch the father and son spar from a distance. She remember she was once like them. Her father the late General Tang is like this. He always wants her to understand the business nature for the family. The responsibility and the endless souls and life of men under their care. 

She walk closer to the human cage. Trouble maker glare at her. She looks at the pitiful servant who is kneeing inside the cage with the baggage. 

"Man Chun, get that pitiful servant out of there. This one remain in here."

Once the servant is release from the human cage, the sun comes up. She walk away with Marquis and the servant. The troublemaker is continually yelling in the human cage. Before they get on the carriage, marquis bow again. 

"I am leaving that rascal in your hands. I am sorry to deeply trouble you for this. The BaiLi clan will always remember your kindness."

"I will watch him and teach him as much as i can. The rest still up to him."

The marquis nod his head a few times. He then got on the carriage and she watch the carriage drive off. She turn around and sigh. She still can hear the trouble maker yelling at the top of his voice. 

"Man Chun, what is the troublemaker's name?"

"His name... BaiLi Yan Rui."

"Get him some water. It's hot out here. I cannot get him sick."

Man Chun run off to carry out her order. She walk in her tent and continue to write her reports to the emperor.