"Please, we come in peace." It was Kai's turn to join Ping in escorting their major, and as the small group of soldiers walked into the village with forced casualness, the captain noted immediately the effects of their arrival.
After dozens of such greetings, Xing and the captains had refined their major's first impression into a science.
As the script dictated, Mozi was without a helmet and attired only in light robes that gave peeks of his bare chest and legs underneath. Kai and the other caught the glancing blows from the intense stares of the villages' more…mature womenfolk. It utterly drowned out the fear and apprehension of the men and younger ladies.
As Mozi came to a stop, the older womenfolk of this backwater village fearlessly walked out from the safety of their homes to gather before him. Kai couldn't help curl his lips in disgust and envy at the wide-eyed, hopeful looks they directed at Mozi.
Ping was tense as usual, ready to lash out in case the ladies tried to mob him. She represented Li Ming's interest to make sure that the major remained literally unmolested.
A man better dressed than the others, probably the chieftain or someone similar, was struggling to squeeze his way through the muttering and appraising horde, but before he could speak up on behalf of his people, the woman who had ran from his side beat him to it.
"Oh my, what can I- we do for you?" Once more, Kai found himself almost scowling at the treatment Mozi was getting, but Ping and the other female soldiers were almost bristling with disdain.
As per doctrine, stoic and clueless Mozi spoke from a list of prepared dialogues. "Forgive me of my intrusion, dear villagers…"
Good, he didn't just address the women. The last time he did that, the situation escalated far more quickly than the soldiers had anticipated, and Mozi had to be taken to the healers for the sheer amount of possessive scratch marks on him.
"...but me and my soldiers have been tasked with keeping the peace in this region." That got the women to quietly 'ooh' and 'ahh'. "And recently, we've come into a spot of trouble."
The womenfolk leaned in, their attention fully devoted to Mozi. The men though were wary, some tugging at their wives or sisters to no avail. Kai noted the group of youths who were looking at each other skittishly.
"You see, we've come across reports that there are…groups around here who are actively resisting the Fire Nation's administration. And unfortunately, some trails of these malcontents led to your village here."
Hands went to cover mouths in faint shock, while murmurs rose from the village as a whole. Mozi kept his unwavering mask on as he swept his gaze across the women in front of him. Kai saw a few of them actually tremble from the very, very brief eye contact, and many faces darkened with deep blushes.
"Now, I know you're all here honest folk, but my superiors are not too happy with me, and if I fail to find the troublemakers, I'd be sent back home without a pension or a wife."
As expected, that last part caught the women's interest, and they shed their shy embarrassment to reveal interested, hungry looks. Kai and the others slowly moved forwards, ready to lower their spears if things broke down into another baying mob.
"So, I was hoping, rather than disgracing your village with a crass house-to-house search, if you fine people might have heard of any news of such troublemakers? I'd be more than happy to personally lend an ear."
Ping, who could read the mob far better than anyone thanks to her constant attendance to such meetings, brought her spear down between Mozi and the women right as they were all about to launch themselves at him.
"One at a time please, ladies," she snarled. "Don't worry, we've got all day."
The chief's wife bullied her way to the front of the forming line and quickly pointed to the group of youths who were doing a bad job of sneaking away.
"Oh, you want to talk to the bunch of brats there, good sir," she said smugly as she side-eyed some women in particular with all the venom of an athlete sabotaging the competition. "They're Sufei's and Fong-Fong's spoiled and useless sons, as well as Lui's brother."
No surprise that the kids fled the moment her finger was pointed in their direction. Kai smirked beneath his mailed veil as he watched them leave. Sungho and his scouts would be shadowing them, hopefully all the way back to their hidden base.
Before the named women could denounce the chieftain's wife, Mozi smoothly stepped in with a slow nod. "Thank you, madam. I'll have my men and women look into it." He then looked at the others and threw them a polite smile. "Now, who's next in line?"
That rekindled their hope, and the rest of the soldiers had to step in to organize the queue before they surged in like a violent tide to grab Mozi.
In the end, there wasn't much useful information to be gleaned, and the little detachment returned to camp exhausted and tainted in the mind. Kai didn't know how Ping kept at it every time, but maybe she'd gotten inured to a mob of ladies tearing open their robes to reveal themselves to Mozi, or bombard him with far too much private information about their competitors.
Whether genital warts and deformations and pimply breasts were actually a common thing in the Earth Kingdom was something the captain of the 1st Battalion was happy to not find out. He'll probably need a few days to scour that sort of imagery from his mind. Maybe just to be sure, on his next leave he'll get some ointments for Ren.
As for what Mozi thought of it all, he was resigned to his role. The guy's cursed gift was useful in times like this, but seeing women practically abandon their spouses to throw themselves at him irritated both sexes witnessing it in equal measure.
As usual, the returning group found a waiting Li Ming by the camp entrance, and Kai and Ping led the deep, formal bows at the meek, polite young woman. "Thank you, for loaning us the use of your man," Ping said. "The 11th is grateful for your sacrifice, as always, Li Ming." They then saluted her with all the formality of thanking an honored guest.
Mozi had gotten used to the whole ritual by now to stay silent, especially at the fact of everyone ignoring him. Kai and the others left the major with the one woman whom he actually belonged to, and then headed for the mess camp. Hopefully it isn't going to be stew today; The captain had had enough of looking at mushy meat.
For better or for worse, one of the troopers came up to stop them. "Sorry sir, but we've got guests."
It was for worse, Kai found out as he, Mozi and Ping were brought to the command tent where a woman in ostentatious red and black dress greeted them, with Toshi, Weikong and Rufen standing uncomfortably by the sides. The officers knew the look of a high-ranking official, so they bowed deeply.
The official was a sharp-eyed creature, reaching the later stages of her prime. Her attire was styled in traditional high court, yet enough cleavage peeked out of her dress to suggest that she wore far less underneath. Though judging by her face, it was less skin she was showing and more layers of compacted powder.
Kai almost scowled at her naked attempt (pun intended) to impress or distract.
Her eyes sparkled with calculative cunning as she swished her sleeves theatrically and stood with all the arrogance of a self-entitled noble. "Ah, you've returned. Good. I am Administrator Shu Ling, from the War Ministry."
Fuck, politics.
"We are honored by your presence," Mozi droned out as courtesy required. "What does the War Ministry wish of the 11th?"
The administrator's voice thickened and Kai felt her gaze brushing against him and Mozi. "Nothing much. Only that the 11th Royal Regiment maintains its exemplary performance. However..."
Kai's spine shivered faintly at the tone she took. Stupid bint thinks she's being sultry and alluring.
Fucking bad politics then.
That, or really stupid orders were incoming.
"...if I may have a moment of your time, Major Mozi?"
*****
Mozi watched as amusement flickered across Administrator Shu Ling's features, but she otherwise remained silent as looks were exchanged with the other captains, and then they filed out to leave him alone with the viper.
He kept his mask of neutral stoicness with ease as he saluted the woman again. Compared to the mob of deranged village women, this was nothing.
"Administrator, what can we do for you, considering the discreet nature that you've requested?"
Shu Ling dropped most of her act and adopted a more businesslike posture and voice. "Well, my dear major, I'm glad that your colonel has gone off to take care of private matters. You see, it pleases me to inform you that the War Ministry under War Minister Tsu has undergone an…audit of long overlooked commendations."
War Minister Tsu?
"I thought the title was still under consideration?"
The administrator smiled lazily. "Only a formality at this point, I assure you. Lord Tsu has far surpassed his…rivals for the title. His appointment is a certainty. After all, the ministry requires a competent head to keep the war effort running smoothly."
Mozi gave a nod. "My apologies, we've not been kept up to date about the goings on back home," he easily lied.
Shu Ling's smile was too sweet. "No offense taken, dear major. Now, it's come to our attention that, as far as service goes, you have accrued significant merits even before Colonel Xing's promotion… And with your current performance, Lord Tsu has found it fitting to offer you a long overdue promotion. Once his ascension to War Minister is confirmed, of course."
The major marked out the word 'offer' in particular. "What's this offer entail…if I might ask?"
"Nothing too hard," she drawled and then began pacing the tent. "You see, it's come to War Mini- Lord Tsu's attention that an experienced, hardened veteran like yourselves might find it…restricting to work under your colonel, bright and…storied as he might be."
Mozi was surprised he could keep his mask on instead of lunging at the snake. He did have to consciously keep his hands from clenching up though.
Shu Ling kept talking, oblivious to his reaction. "We can arrange for you to command a regiment...infantry, cavalry, whatever you like."
"And what do I need to do to earn this promotion?" Mozi inquired neutrally, injecting what should be the right pinch of eagerness into his voice. "I assume it revolves around Colonel Xing?"
The woman's smile grew wider, and the gleam in her eyes were as if she'd found what she was looking for.
"Very astute of you, major. You see, it is decided that the young colonel's talents are…better placed elsewhere." She walked over to Mozi, and brazenly trailed a finger down his chest as she looked him in the eyes. Her heavy, theatrical breathing wafted over the cloying scent of floral perfume.
"I'd like you, my dear, outstanding major, to convince your young colonel to accept a coming transfer to train up new divisions that's due for the southern lines."
That's usually a highly desired assignment, a powerful acknowledgement of a commander's prowess. But… "I thought no further operations are scheduled in the south, other than maintaining the hold on Omashu?"
"I knew you were a smart man," Shu Ling said with a slow lick of her lips as her gaze bore into his. "The divisions, as you've so rightly noticed, will be a garrison force for the southern states."
Even as he processed the information, Mozi faced the administrator and spoke in a cold whisper. "That's not all, is there?"
Surprisingly, instead of trying to backtrack her words the woman gave a pout that would've looked cute if not for all the caked makeup threatening to crack from the movement. "Well, if you put it that way…yes."
Mozi fought off the urge to choke the bitch with his hands and instead raised an eyebrow at the administrator as she slithered up to sit on the table, prompting her to continue.
"The young colonel is…disruptive to the order of things. As his second in command, I'm sure you've witnessed it firsthand."
"Colonel Xing's tactics are very unorthodox," Mozi stated blankly, and Shu Ling broke into a smile as she took a couple of steps back.
"So you understand, then."
The major shrugged. "I understand that he has accomplished enough to be made First Champion."
"A title that, until now, has not existed," the woman emphasized.
"But it is merited."
"For better or worse. He is just a boy, and acclaimed as he might be, the boy's freakish achievements are effecting changes that might set undesirable precedents." Shu Ling's face melted into a coy smirk. "Precedents like orphans adopted into a regiment to be promoted over captains like yourself to gain command of a regiment, for example. I know he is beloved, but be honest with yourself, major, should the 11th belong to you by now? After all the years you've served?"
No.
Never.
Mozi felt his fingers digging into his palms as he recalled his failures, especially on Tai Plains. His inaction when Xing faced the shitstain Shiluo and tried to dissuade Yama's torture. His cowardice at not joining Ren and Kai in trying to stop Xing from being strung up and whipped until he almost bled out.
His incompetence for following the bastard Shiluo's orders and sending good men and women to their deaths at Tai Plains.
While Mozi stewed in his thoughts, Shu Ling noted his trembling with an approving grin.
"You understand, then, dear major," she repeated, and her playfulness gave way to a harder, sharper expression that snapped him out of his thoughts. "What Lord Tsu is trying to do is preserve good order. Uphold the sanctity of common sense before it is warped and disfigured. Colonel Xing has achieved great things, but the order of things cannot suffer any more of his greatness. The Fire Lord unfairly compares his loyal, mature servants to the boy's accomplishments. His daughter favors her pet Scorpion and his regiment so much that it would color her perception of what proper military doctrine should be, to say nothing of the effects all that…impropriety might have on her own behaviour."
Mozi could only manage a stiff nod, not trusting himself to move any more, or voice a lie.
"I've heard about the…runins you've had with certain people in the Earth Kingdom… You know, Lord Tsu is a man who treasures talents like yourself just as much as the crown princess does with your colonel, if not even more so. If you help us…return things to its natural order, "
Mozi found it easy to passively watch the administrator spread her legs to reveal her naked thighs underneath her dress.
This wench was trying too hard, he realized, especially compared to Li Ming's more natural and shy affections. "Lord Tsu is more than willing to allow you to pick any men and…women you'd wish to bring along from the 11th to your new command. Or if you'd like, you can simply keep this regiment."
"Won't the crown princess have something to say about that?"
Shu Ling crossed her legs and pouted again. "Well, with her pet colonel gone, do you honestly think the princess would give a single damn about the 11th? I have faith that the new War Minister can persuade the Fire Lord to take over the princess' patronage once she inevitably drops everything to seek Xing out. If not… I'm sure my lord will be able to secure a better patronage for whichever regiment you wish to lead. Hm, how does 'the Fire Lord's Lancers' sound?"
Mozi had to bite his inner cheek to keep his composure as the viper leaned back to let her dress fall off her chest, freeing her breasts. They were pale, large mounds, but all it took was the image of Li Ming framed by candlelight to snuff out any sort of interest in them or their owner.
The whore administrator spread her legs again. "I can promise that you can build a whole regiment of eager, ripe women, if that's what you want. All bright-eyed noble daughters, or Earth Kingdom conscripts. All ready to serve their colonel. Wouldn't that be just as nice? You can have me, too. Right now, if you want."
Mozi almost gagged at the idea even as she slipped a hand down to her nether regions.
"You can even bring your cute chef along. She can join us, join your new regiment in serving their brilliant, handsome colonel… Maybe promote her to your personal plaything, hm?"
It took all of Mozi's remaining willpower to remain civil and keep up appearances as he ruthlessly shackled his anger and forced a bored stare at the vile woman. "I'll…have to think about it."
She stopped her little exhibition to give him a sad pout. "Are you sure?"
"There are…accomplices I need to secure before I try anything."
The pout turned into another dirty smile. "Ah, I see."
"I hope that's a good enough commitment on my part?"
"More than good enough," the administrator drawled. "I can send…helpers over. Pretty ones." She winked. "Don't hesitate to seek us out if you need aid in convincing the young colonel." And then she spread her legs again. "Would you like to seal the deal…?"
Mozi raised a hand and shook his head with forced slowness. "The officers might get suspicious if we take too long."
"Of course." The administrator quickly got up and dressed, and then leaned in for a soft peck on Mozi's cheek. "I'll deliver the good news to War Minister Tsu- Oops, I meant soon-to-be War Minister Tsu. You can tell your men and women that we were discussing deployment issues, hm?"
Not trusting himself any further, Mozi nodded, and waited for the woman to leave before he slumped and exhaled all his pent up emotions in a long, fiery breath. Anger and revulsion vented out to illuminate the tent's interior for long seconds, interrupted only when Kai and the other captains came in.
"So, what's the powdered lady want?" the captain of the 1st Battalion asked after blinking at the wafting smoke.
Mozi didn't answer directly, and instead fixed the captains, his friends, with a cold stare. "After the administrator leaves, gather our earthbenders."
The captains' teasing and curious looks dropped immediately as they understood the significance of the order.
"We still have some captured uniforms. Have some scouts find a good place for an intercept."
They nodded as one, even the relatively new Toshi accepting the orders without question. Weikong voiced what they were all thinking as they were about to leave. "What did she threaten? The Fire Lord's censure? Petitioning to disband us?"
"Xing."
There was a second of silence, before the captains nodded again, angrier this time.
"I'll ask Yama and Kilin if they want to join," Kai said, and Mozi was annoyed that he forgot about the regiment's guests. It was rude of him to leave them out.
News came days later that the Earth Kingdom resistance was far more active in the region than initially thought. A group of dissidents had brazenly ambushed the party of a home island official, a personal servant of a noble family no less, leaving no survivors.
As the sole regiment responsible for the region, the 11th was officially reprimanded for their failure to maintain the supposed compliance that they had reported. The princess, the letter warned, would be notified.
Mozi and the commanders of the 11th easily ignored that letter and focused more on the other scroll that came along with it.
The invasion of the North Pole was canceled, and with that Xing would meet the regiment back in Zilang.
The 11th Royal Regiment duly waited for Colonel Koda's 31st Cavalry to take over their post before packing up and heading back to their colonial barracks. On the way, Mozi had them stop by a spot along the road, so that he and the captains could take a piss on the unceremonious grave of Administrator Shu Ling.