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The next morning, the recruits began their training. Their first exercise was to retrieve an arrow that Shang had shot to the top of a tall pole. As part of the lesson, they were required to wear two large bronze disks -- one tied to each wrist.
"One represents discipline, the other strength," Shang said of the disks. "You need both to reach the arrow." Yao, Ling, Chien-Po, and Mulan all failed to reach the arrow. For another exercise, Shang gave everyone a long pole to wield as a weapon. Mulan tried the best she could, but the other recruits kept tripping her up. She performed miserably. Shang continued drilling the recruits throughout the following weeks, attempting to teach strength and discipline. But it was clear to him that he was not getting through to them -- especially Mulan. The arrow in the pole proved his point. Finally, one day when he saw Mulan collapse on the ground, he ordered her to go home. |