Decided to split this and the previous chapter in their respective parts instead of one lump. I think it works better this way and follows a proper narrative, as it were.

The first cannon took a month to build, huge and bulky as it was. It could not even be moved, so had to be built out in the open. In the meantime, Shen kept up on the news. Every now and then he led forays of wolves and gorillas outwards to gather metal and commodities. With the coal profits from Fengfu's mines, he expanded his resource to Africa and other countries, buying up huge quantities of metal.

Then his first cannon was finished, and Shen felt himself be happy for the first time in a long time. Over the years since his exile and injurious event in Fengfu, Shen had grown athletic and toned from walking around the Wastelands. He trained vigorously, learning new skills and refining his craft. He added thin metallic gauntlets to his hands, making them blend with his natural feathers. Shen had come far from a pampered pretty peachick, and could now take on a rhino singlehandedly without effort.

Down into the foundry Shen went, breathing in the sooth and smoke hungrily. No more did it make his eyes water, his nose itch or make him sick. The realisation hit him, and only strengthened his resolve. He had mastered his illness, and was soon ready to make his triumphant comeback. Shen watched two semi-spheres of metal welded together to make the cannon ball, and followed the engineers out to the courtyard where his weapon stood.

The explosive was not the main part, it was the accelerator, as he called it, which created huge pressure that burst the metal ball out of the cannon. Since the barrel was rounded and straight, it was unlikely the cannonball would be knocked off course, except by another cannon. Shen was becoming more giddy by the second, and soon he beheld the black behemoth that was twice of the size of him, and almost taller than the largest gorilla in his group. He smiled darkly.

The cannon sat like a waiting beast, just a smooth black cylinder. At the pleading of his engineers, he'd agreed to let them forego the original design to save on metal and time. The targets were set up again, and the cannon was turned with more accuracy. A wolf took up a bow and arrow, lined it up with the cannon and fired it. Shen, Meiyou and Lang watched, judging the trajectory. Although the arrow fell short, it was on target, so the cannon would be.

The fuse on top was packed with straw and rope, the gunpowder pushed inside and followed by the steel ball that would be the projectile. A torch was brought, but Shen handed it to a wolf, and slunk off. When explosives were involved, it did pay to take precautions, and besides he had given the wolves ear protectors, but… no chances. He'd be damned if he killed himself.

Cursing the soothsayer, he took pride and comfort instead on the huge weapon he had just created. "Light in five, four, three, two, one…" yelled Shen and turned away, ear protectors on. There was a huge explosion that sent everyone to their stomachs and a large piece of shrapnel at Lord Shen. A gorilla jumped in the way of the huge piece of metal that came from the exploded cannon. He let out an oof as his super strength stopped it, and smoke billowed around. Wolves and gorillas cried out in pain, rolling around on the ground as shrapnel peppered their bodies.

A disaster. It had self-destructed. Shen nodded his thanks to the gorilla and walked over to the wreckage, nudging a piece with his foot. Back to square one. "Get medical attention for the cannoneers. I made a fault with the calculations, or it was too big. Either way, it was my fault, and I apologise for the damage to your men" explained Shen calmly to Lang. He just bowed his head in gratitude and reverence.

"We chose to serve you, Lord Shen, even till death. Your words are welcome, but please, perhaps use rhino next? They are sturdier than gorillas or us."

"Good point. Yes I think I will, or at least until I perfect it more so they don't explode. Still, not too bad for a first try is it? A lot of damage is done, although not what I expected." He smiled to suggest it as a joke. Lang dutifully gave a forced chuckle.

The next attempt was worse. The rhino in charge of lighting this one had to be scraped up with a shovel. Eventually when the third was made, a month later, they went way back from it, making the fuse line extremely long. This cannon exploded, but in the right way. It fell apart from the effort but the metal ball was shot through the air. Instead of aiming true, however, it came apart mid-air and rained down burning hot metal, animals running away in pain and horror.

Each setback cost time, and Shen cursed himself and destiny. He was a great leader, the one who would take over China. All this metal being wasted, and the time still ticked by. A year went by, then two, before actual progress was made. Then one of his cannons misfired badly, taking out one of the foundries he'd spent so long building. Perhaps he was out of his depth, but he had to take his revenge.

The sheer quantities of metal needed to thicken and strengthen the barrels had to be specially couriered over. Any forays into China's own metal use was fraught with danger from the masters of the land, either Oogway, Shifu and Tai Lung, from the Jade Palace, or Masters Flying Rhino and the masters council in Gongmen City.

Even when Shen went in person, it was a close miss. He'd also noticed Thundering Rhino had begun to join in his father's defences. With setback after setback, it was looking more and more bleak. Shen's revenge was taking too long. He kept in training, of course, sparring with his rhinos and wolves. One day, three years after his initial testing, and when he was on the cusp of a breakthrough with his cannons, more tragedy struck.

For the first year, Shen had made do with one factory, but as it went on, he realised that mass production would be necessary. A cannon took almost a month to construct. He was now working on four new ones, but of course, these used up metal. When one of his bandit groups failed to return from a foray into a mining village, Shen had gone to investigate with a retinue of wolves and rhino, and had found Tai Lung.

More to come.

-WT.