141 Truth wins out

 Poom turned to Second Master, "I know of a place just up ahead where we could rest. They are also from across the border but settled in Shipao territory. There's an old Master there, who I suspect, knew your father from way back. Maybe he could answer that burning question you have locked in your heart."

Second Master's head whipped round,  "How did you know?"

"Because of the look in your eye. Because there is something eating you up inside. Because of the interactions between you and your father, between your younger brother and your father. Because I sense there is something you need to know before this senseless war can be put to bed." He smiled gently at Second Master and lightly touching his arm, he continued, "you are a good and caring man. I have watched you with the soldiers and prisoners alike. You are fair, you treat us as human beings, you give us the same as you give your own troops. Sir, that is unheard of in our parts. But I have watched you as something has consumed you, and your troops have become uneasy. I would like to think I could at least shed a little light for you." Poom's smile was genuine and Second Master relaxed physically under his touch.

"Thank you, Poom, I appreciate that. Yes, I do have a problem which, I believe started this, and I am conviced it has something to do with my father. The way the Old Master Zhang looked at him and the ice which seemed to form, it got me thinking."

Poom nodded. "There have been stories about your father and the Lady of the Manor. I have heard them but have no of idea of their truth, but the story goes that your father raped the lady on her way to the marriage. For years it was a scandal which young Commander Zhang could only endure, being the most likely progeny of this union." Poon stopped, looking at Second Master, ready to step away quickly if that whip came up.

Second Master stopped in his tracks, his face one of shock, confusion, disbelief and finally resignation. He knew what his old man was like. He still was, lording it in that manor house in Shipao with all those women around him. Even in his old age he was still a lecherous man lusting after anything feminine. Second Master shook his head, "I'd believe anything of that man. I don't know how my mother coped with him and why she stayed, but the birth of my younger brother took her and he became bitter and twisted after that." He liked Poom, he was easy to talk to, easy to get along with, easy for him to become a Confidant, even if it was only for a short time. "You said there was a place to stop for a while. Let's do that and maybe I can get some more answers before I drop you off at the Pass and I face my father in person."

The men made there way to a villa surrounded by tea gardens and mimosa. The smell was intoxicating to the point of being soporific. Poom knew the place well, he had visited many times when he was in Shipao and the family and his had become close over the years. There was even talk of a marriage being arranged between them.

The Master of the villa came out to greet them, "Master Poom, so good to see you again." He looked around and saw a group of weary men surrounding him. Standing next to him a strikingly tall man in military uniform he didn't quite recognise. He looked quizzically at Poom, "Introduce me to these people you travel with," he said, as he looked directly at Second Master.

"Its a mixture of peoples Master Nam," He turned to Second Master, "This is the Commander of the Twin Hammers and the majority of the men behind are the remnants of a unit of soldiers who had been conscripted by Commander Zhang."

Daylight started to decend on Master Nam's face, "So, this gentleman is escorting you home?"

Poom nodded. 

"Come in, come in, all are welcome here. I'm afraid we didn't know of your arrival so there is nothing prepared, but if you give us a few hours we can provide plenty of hot water to wash and dry clothes to change into. Commander, we have nothing in the way of uniform I'm afraid, but at least you can wash and freshen yourself." He looked around and noticed a few other Hammers. "All five of you. Yes, sorry, all I can offer you is hot water, tea, we have plenty of that, and some food."

"Thank you Sir," Second Master replied, "we are all grateful for your hospitality. A wash would be wonderful. We have been on the move for several weeks and I suspect our odour travels before us." He laughed. A low, gentle laugh. One which comes with a degree of relaxation. One which comes when an assignment is almost over. And the mimosa; it filled the air with its sweetness and all he could do was think of his wife, 'please let her still live, let her be safe somewhere, away from the soldiers and looters'. 

 

Time passed quickly as men met hot water, clean clothes and warm tea. The atmosphere shifted from one of prisoner and capture to that of men wanting to go home and be with their families. The only ones still covered by the dust of conflict and  death were the five Hammers. Their bodies were clean and their uniforms shaken out, but the dried blood still lingered on them. 

They sat apart, choosing to keep themselves in familiar circles. They talked quietly, waiting for instructions. 

Second Master walked over to them. "Stand down gentlemen and relax for a while. I have spoken with our host and he is happy to put us up for the night." There was an uneasy shift in the four men, "Are you sure Sir. I mean, are we going to be ambushed?"

"Sir, can we do a rotational guard duty? Keep an eye on things?" 

Second Master nodded, "agreed. Make the sessions short, I want to hear you have all had sleep. Heaven knows, we've had precious little of that these past two years." 

 

Food came out and placed onto temporary tables. The courtyard smelled of spices, meats and vegetables as well as rice, breads and soft tofu balls served in a rich hot chilli sauce. The men took out their food bowls and ate to their fill. For the prisoners, it was the first taste of coming home, for the Hammers, it was a relief from meager rations they had become used to over the long walk back.

At the end of the meal, many of the men found spots in the courtyard to lay out their bedroll and settle for sleep. The Hammers set up a rota and three of the four did the same,  falling asleep in an instant. Within a short period, most men were asleep, leaving Poom, Master Nam and Second Master. 

Poom broke the ice. "Nam, can you shed light on what happened about thirty years ago? The Commander here is keen to put an end to all these hostilities but to do so, needs to understand what exactly happened and why there is so much animosity toward the Chen family, and more specifically, his father."

Master Nam looked at Second Master, "You are old man Chen's son?"

He nodded, "As far as I am aware I am the eldest, but from what Poom has told me, I might not be. I may have a half brother."

Nam nodded, "Yes, my boy, I think you have." 

With that, the story began.

 

Chen Gao was soon to be married and had come to collect his bride. She was from a wealthy family in Shipao and was being prepared for her journey back under his escort. The household was all of a bustle as last minute packing was being done, hot tubs were being prepared, her wedding finery being laid out, all in preparation for Chen Gao to come to her house and take possession of her. She had met him at a formal meeting arranged by the Chen family and both were struck by each other. She was excited, nervous and wide eyed; after all she would become the Lady of the Manor and Head Mother to the Chen territories.

 

In an ale house not far from there, a small band of young men were celebrating the collection of the bride for Gao. He was going to make tonight a night to remember and was becoming progressively more and more drunk. He had heard there were many ladies who would want to bed him tonight and he was looking forward to undressing at least one of these lovelies.

 

In a boarding house next door, a bridal procession had come to a halt. They had travelled from Mu territory, bringing the new bride for Commander Zhang. He had not been able to collect his future wife due to skirmishes on the border, but had sent his trusted Chief of Staff to collect and escort her. The night had grown heavy and the horses were weary, so it was agreed they would stop for the night. The bride was escorted inside and took up residence in the rooms at the rear of the house.

 

Gao had enjoyed the pleasures of a lovely deflowering of a particularly pretty young beauty and  was now on the hunt for another. In his haste and desire, he found himself outside the ale house. Thinking he had found his way back, he fell into another bedroom and holding her down in his arms, passionately deflowered her. She had struggled, but he prevented her calling out by forcibly kissing her on the mouth, stifling any sounds she could make.

The act was quick, but her virginity was gone, as was the cinnamon mark on her arm. In abject panic, she ran to her maid. The whole boarding house was in an uproar, but the perpetrator had long gone. He had managed to fall back into the ale house and was on the hunt for another flower he could pluck.

 

The following day, everything was hushed up. Chen Gao never knew what he had done. He collected his treasured wife and left. The Mu woman, the only, and much beloved daughter of the Mu family, continued to her marriage praying she could hide the truth. 

The Chief of Staff helped her and they put a plan into place which would cover anything and everything. Imagine the delight in the Zhang household when they discovered their new mistress had fallen pregnant so quickly after the wedding night. She was seen as the saviour of the clan. If she produced a boy, it would become the hier to the Zhang territories. A message was sent to her family and feasting in both prevailed. Gifts and pleasantries swapped, people travelled, the Mu daughter was showered with love and affection.

All went well until the baby was born. It was a boy, but failed to look anything like a Zhag child. It bore no resemblances and what was more damming, it lacked the customary birth mark all Zhang children bore.

Truth fell from her lips. The Chief of Staff was called and sentenced to thirty lashes, followed by public execution. However much she pleaded her innocence and that the act had been one of violence, she was not forgiven.

She was immediately exiled.

The child, now only a matter of a few days old, was sent to a wet nurse where he grew up in disgrace. He was bullied and treated with distain by those who were sent to serve him. He was fed poor food, made to sleep with the dogs and clothed in the rags rejected by others. His hatred grew and he vowed to get even for his mother's disgrace as well as his own.

As his father grew older, and the hatred had mellowed, he summoned his only son. He had already forced him to enter the army and train as a soldier. He now watched as his son rose through the ranks and once he had gained the respect of the troops beneath him, he stepped down, appointing his son as official heir and new leader of the Zhang tribe.

The hatred in the young master's heart had hardened. He was now in charge, and appointing himself Commander in Chief, he set about creating a plan which would annihilate the Chen clan completely.