Precious Jade

A Sequel To Disney's "Mulan"

By Karen

Dedicated to my friend, Tian Ning, for furthering my interest in the history and culture of the ancient Mongolians and Chinese.

Prologue

Orphan Of The Tung Shao Pass

The moon shone brightly through the cloudy night sky, illuminating the mountains, now covered with freshly fallen snow... Yet despite this outward serenity, everyone in the village was restless. The Imperial army had arrived some time earlier to warn the villagers that the Huns, the Xiongnu, had just crossed the northern boarders, going through the Great Wall and invading their country...

Most of the imperial army had been stationed here, and had already given the warning to evacuate, but the village leaders and elders were still reluctant to comply. What was the sense of abandoning the village because of this supposed threat when the Xiongnu army would most likely avoid this village to prevent an encounter with imperials?...

Seven year old Yeh Shen and her elder brother, Liang, had been awake for some time now...

"Do you think they will come?," whispered the little girl... She and her brother had recently overheard their parents debating. Mama agreed with the warnings and wanted the family to pack up everything they could carry and head for the safety of Chang'an, but Baba was on the side of the village leaders...

"I don't think so," the ten year old boy answered, hoping he sounded allot braver then he felt. "Don't worry, mei mei. Everything will be all right."

Yeh Shen smiled. Her brother's words were comforting. Why should she worry so?. The Imperial army was ready to evacuate the village and protect it at the first sign of any serious danger... Besides, why would anyone want to hurt her or Liang?... They were just children...

Shen snuggled under the warm covers, finally reassured...

Exhausted, the two little ones closed their eyes and drifted off to sleep...

The sound of savage war cries woke Shen from her dreams... A familiar smell filled her nostrils... Smoke?... Fire!. The Xiongnu were here, and they were setting fire to the entire village!

She immediately went to Liang's bed to wake him, but he was not there... Just then, she noticed her brother laying on his side by the open window...

"Liang, wake up! They're here!." There was no response... Shen took a step closer... "Liang?... Wake up... we... have... to..." Her voice trailed off as she got nearer... She rolled him over on to his back... and screamed when she saw the arrow embedded in his chest!.

Yeh Shen backed away, terrified. Poor Liang! He must have seen the Xiongnu attacking from the window and was coming to wake her to warn her when...

But where were her parents?. Why hadn't they come to wake her brother and her?. Shouldn't they try to get away now?.

"Mama! Baba!."

But this time her cries failed to bring her parents to her side...

"Mama! Baba!."

She tried again...

"Mama? Baba?."

Tears of confusion and fear trickled down the little girls cheeks as her voice became softer...

"Mama?... Baba?..."

But it was of no use... The only answer the child heard was the screams of her people outside... and the fierce battle yells of the Huns as they set fire to her family's home...