"Yiya yi! Yiya yi!"
In the courtyard, Ta Ta Kai swung a rattan whip with such force that it whistled through the air. The little river otters stood in a row, chests out and heads high, each hugging a straight tree branch as they followed commands, kicking their furry legs in goose step and leaving one tiny paw print after another on the stone slabs.
Long Yao and Long Li sat on the steps, cracking sunflower seeds and watching the fun.
Little did they know that it was not just the river otters in the courtyard. After the morning's military parade and presentation of captives, children throughout the Imperial Capital had begun imitating them. Goose-step games swept the city, visible in every street and alley.
"I want to play the Xingyi Marquis! When I crack the whip, you all have to goose-step! Shout slogans!"
"Get lost!" A chubbier boy shoved his way forward, forcibly claiming the central position. He held a real horsewhip sneaked out from home and stood proudly. "I have a horsewhip. I'm the best choice to play the Xingyi Marquis!"
"Hey, hey, no matter who plays the Xingyi Marquis, I'll be the Xingyi Marquis's wife!" The little girl bashfully twisted her body.
"A beauty belongs only to the strong! I support Fat Tiger as the one in charge!" declared the skinny, snot-nosed child.
"Damn it! Is this the end?"
The little boy who had been pushed aside clenched the branch in his hand until his knuckles turned white, endless humiliation surging into his heart.
Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—never mock a poor youth!
Once he got a real horsewhip... no, that would not be enough! He also needed a pair of genuine thick-soled cowhide boots!
He would return it tenfold!