第五章（227字）

Chapter Five: Becoming a Real Soldier

At dawn, the camp trumpet sounded, and the soldiers quickly gathered.

Mulan was pushed before she could even stand properly.

Li Shang said sternly, “If you want to be a soldier, prove it.”

Training became harsher: climbing ropes, lifting weights, throwing spears, climbing poles.

Mulan failed at everything, and the soldiers laughed at her.

That night, she sat by the river, almost in tears.

Mushu popped out and cheered her up, “Don’t worry! Tomorrow will be worse—uh, better!”

Mulan laughed a little, though her heart was still heavy.

The next day, Li Shang announced, “Whoever retrieves the arrow at the top of the pole may stay.”

One soldier after another tried but failed.

When Mulan stepped forward, the others sneered, “She’ll never make it!”

Mulan took a deep breath, studied the ropes and weights, and began climbing.

She tied the weights to herself and used them to balance her climb.

Step by step… Mulan’s movements grew steady.

The soldiers watched in shock as she climbed higher.

At last, she reached the top and grabbed the arrow.

She handed the arrow to Li Shang, and everyone fell silent.

Li Shang nodded slightly. “Well done, Ping.”

From that day on, Mulan became the most hardworking and skilled soldier in the camp.

She had finally taken her first step toward becoming a true warrior.