145 Playtime? Yes?

 Xin sat, surrounded by all the men. She was in her element, teasing and laughing and having fun. She looked over at Bǎo who just smiled indulgently. Shaking his head, he got up and placed himself next to her. Putting and arm about her shoulders, he turned to the men, "Gentlemen, time to organise our movements. The women are already settled in Zŭmò's old house. There's a small band of men on their way up to Border town to keep that open and flowing freely. Next is to start our aggitation of the area around Chenxi. Who's up for a bit of.."

 "Fun!!" Xin clapped her hands with delight. "Can we play with the.."

Bǎo held her back, "Yes, we are going to cause trouble. No, we are not going to have fun. Behave yourself, and wipe that grin off your face, I know only too well how you and Mother work." She grinned and leant forward, planting a kiss on his cheek. 

"But it still causes mayhem" she said, with that sultry look on her face.

The men around laughed. She was good and she had their superior officer wrapped around her little finger. The thing which made it all the more ridiculous was, he knew it, and didn't care.

"So, this little monster aside,' he gave her a squeeze, "what should be target?"

"I would like to take responsiblity of the warfs. Take a contingency of men who are good swimmers and start interfering with their shipping."

"Okay, then can I take a contingency out towards the lake and start methodically clearing the soldiers from the area. Start claiming back the fisheries there."

"Okay, then I will head up a group to claim back the waters around Chenxi. I suspect transportation of slaves is following this route, so I figure I will need Arrows and Swords if you're willing." Hands went up and another band of men began organising themselves. 

Xin looked at them, "I want to take a Blades pack into the capital and start causing trouble in the lanes." A pack settled with Xin to discuss their action, whilst Xin distributed the poison she had made for their knives. "They will die but not necessarily quickly. There is no antidote so be careful."

"Mother?" Bǎo turned towards Niao, "What would you prefer to concentrate on?"

"Head towards the old Forge, see what state its in, assess whether we can use it. Then hunt out Second Master's wife and children. I know where they should be if they are still alive."

Five looked at her. "We come too, Mother, we are a unit and we will follow whether you say yes or not, so agree to our company and we can aggitate on the way."

Niao smiled and nodded, "Okay, but I want to leave in the early hours. Agreed?"

Work assigned, destinations agreed, meeting points set up and camps arranged, the men settled for a last night as a single group. As of tomorrow they would become the mercinaries, many had trained for. A slow war of attrition begins. Of saving lives, of clearing vermin, of regaining their beloved capital.