75 Neverending fight

We had fought hard every day since we arrived and however many we killed, they seemed like ants, pouring over the mound.
We had many dead and even more injured. Those who could fight were exhausted; the defensive wall would break if we didn't get help.
We sent runners but they came back empty handed. Father was proving to be as stubborn as ever. Did he care?
He was our General and yet he was clearly failing to carry out those duties.
It was early morning, the sun was just breaking but we were already in a meeting.
"We can't go on like this," one officer said, shaking his head, " out of my original two hundred men, I'm down to just over half left standing. They're exhausted and fight because they don't want to die, not win." He shook his head, " what do we do?"
"I sent runners last night, but this time to my brother," I replied, " I'm hoping he can talk some sense into that man."
We all looked at each other for moral support.
"I don't know how long I can keep this up," another officer chimed in, " my men have fought everyday and yet they don't seem to be making headway. Their morale is on the floor."
I remember back when our first meetings were about driving the enemy back, of extinguishing the foe. Now, we spoke of surviving, of not dying."
"Sir," a voice at the tent door broke our thoughts, "the runner's back."
"Send him in." 
We braced ourselves for more bad news.

"Hong Yi!" the argument reverberated around the barracks quarter, "do not speak to your father in such a tone!"
"I will speak to a General who stands before me and is in dereliction of his duties!" Second Master yelled, " do not tell me there is nothing you can do! There are men out there dying! And what aid have you sent? Nothing!"
General Chen stood there fuming, his hands behind his back, facing away from his eldest son.
"Do not speak to your father in such a tone!" was all he could say.
"Father! Give me the seal! Give me command and I will do the graft whilst you carry on sitting back in the safety of your rooms." There was a pause then an ultimatum, " you rather give me the seal and transfer the power to me, now,  or I contact the officials and notify them of your dereliction of duty."
Second Master grabbed his father's arm, and spun him around, "I am not bluffing father! Give me the seal! Now!"
General Chen pulled himself free. He knew he was boxed in but his pride still out-wayed sense. "No!"
"Then I'm taking it," and with that, Second Master picked up the seal,
"Guards!"
"Sir!" They saw the seal in his hands and bowed in compliance.
" Confine my father to his quarters. I will take charge. Summons the senior officers. I wish to hold a meeting within the hour."
"Sir," bowing they left to carry out their orders.
Second Master turned to his father,  "You are a figure head General. As of this moment, you will take no further action regarding troops, promotion or demotion. You will not discipline the troops but you with inspect them and send them on their way. Beyond that, father," and his lent in close to his fathers face, " you serve no function what so ever, do you understand?"
General Chen fell back into his chair. He knew he'd been beaten.

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