Trekkish - Zhi Border Conflicts (Etharia Only)
Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2019 5:02 pm
In the world of Etharia, in the great year of 1761, two players on the global stage dominate Hezrana, the ancient and powerful Zhi Dynasty, led by the mysterious Yongsheng Clan of the Weishun people, who have stood watch over the countless millions of Mandu commoners, protecting themselves and their subjugated vassals from all outside and internal threats. And ascendent, is the power of Treko. Though just out of war, the realm has been establishing a colonial force on the Great Mountains that marked the edge of the Zhi’s holy territory. The ever expanding Kanadorikan Empire was enjoying profits from its colonial companies across the seas. Ambitious local lords of lesser developed nations would appeal to the Master of the Seas for protection and political advancement. On a more minor level, the small Hezrana nation of Khaw Si Khaw sits cautiously between the Zhi Dynasty’s mighty, endless hordes of Mandu, and the Trekkish imperialists. It plays the two powers off each other to maintain their independence, though the small, relatively young nation will not be able to continue this forever. Though limited trade had been occurring between local Trekkish districts and minor Zhi communities, it was not sanctioned by either government officially. The Shidagong Emperor, new Emperor of Zhi, was enjoying a period of prosperity that had remained uninterrupted since his father. Weishun culture was being revived by government order, countering the integration of the Weishun people into the vast Mandu population. The Trekkish authorities organised a probing attack on the Zhi frontier, using their elite Trekkish troops, hardened in the Trekkish heartlands and trained for winter warfare to push the ancient power into submission. The Shidagong Emperor, quick to prove his effective governance of the Empire, is sure to not tolerate such incursions on Heaven’s domain.
The Forbidden City’s Inner Court, Shaotai.
Hishan, the Emperor’s favoured eunuch.
I sat in my private residence in the Forbidden City, observing court documents sent to me by junior eunuchs. I could practically sense his fear at losing his job, or his life, for incompetence. This same eunuch almost spilled my tea today, shaking so violently that the cups made sounds during vibration. Though I was once filled with dread myself, before our new Emperor blessed me with his favour, my embezzlement was much more risky, much harder to perform and the rewards were lesser. I was almost caught by my predecessor, but the old man was simply a bribe away from silence. Of course, once I caught the Emperor’s attention with my intense knowledge of Weishun poetry, literature, politics, and Mandu calligraphy. Once I had that attention, my word was enough to move the heavens to action. I ordered my predecessor executed, falsifying an Imperial edict to force the removal of any who knew of my past actions. My efficiency allowed me to receive many gifts from the Emperor personally. The silk on the robes he granted me was a beautiful red hue, that surpassed virtually any court official in history. My word carries significant sway, in the court. My support for a Prince may very well be the deciding factor in the succession war, but a more important concern for now at least, was this official document. The document contained a request for aid from local garrisons on the border with the light skinned barbarians. An incursion against the Empire by weak foreigners is a great threat, but also a great opportunity. Despite the late in the night, the defence of the Empire is just cause for the awakening of our master. I walked as fast as my persona, of a weak old man would allow. Arriving at the Palace of Sacred Harmony, where the Emperor was staying with Concubine Rizu tonight. I kowtowed respectfully before the door as a eunuch awakened the Emperor. Any other official would have been severely reprimanded for this breach of privacy, but my personal relationship with his majesty guarantee my safety.
“Your lowly servant deserves death for disturbing your majesty! Your lowly servant brings grave news from the Miatu frontier. Barbarians are breaking through the gates to the land of Heaven, not unlike the Yuan long ago. We must hold them back here, lest they destroy our nation, as they no doubt seek.”
The Emperor emerged a momenet later, in his unique royal bedrobe, while not as majestic as his regular golden Dragon Robe, the bedrobe was a fantastical yellow, with two striking dragons on either side. Evidently put on in a rush, I expected anger from my master. My prediction of the Emperor’s reaction to my speech was correct. His majesty exploded with fury, evidently seeking to continue a peaceful reign after the turbulence of the push to these very frontiers under his grandfather.
“This is an unforgivable incursion on the Zhi Dynasty, not since the false Yuan have any outsiders directly attacked our great nation. They will not be spared for their insults against the Dynasty and it’s subjects. Hishan, rally the Red and the Dark Purple banners in the frontier, and repel the invaders! Do not call upon the Standard army, their morale and combat experience during cold fighting situation leaves much to be desired.”
I rose to my feet, and sent my message to the Imperial garrison commander, who sent the wheels of the banner bureaucracy rolling, and sent thousands to die for their homeland and their Emperor...
The Forbidden City’s Inner Court, Shaotai.
Hishan, the Emperor’s favoured eunuch.
I sat in my private residence in the Forbidden City, observing court documents sent to me by junior eunuchs. I could practically sense his fear at losing his job, or his life, for incompetence. This same eunuch almost spilled my tea today, shaking so violently that the cups made sounds during vibration. Though I was once filled with dread myself, before our new Emperor blessed me with his favour, my embezzlement was much more risky, much harder to perform and the rewards were lesser. I was almost caught by my predecessor, but the old man was simply a bribe away from silence. Of course, once I caught the Emperor’s attention with my intense knowledge of Weishun poetry, literature, politics, and Mandu calligraphy. Once I had that attention, my word was enough to move the heavens to action. I ordered my predecessor executed, falsifying an Imperial edict to force the removal of any who knew of my past actions. My efficiency allowed me to receive many gifts from the Emperor personally. The silk on the robes he granted me was a beautiful red hue, that surpassed virtually any court official in history. My word carries significant sway, in the court. My support for a Prince may very well be the deciding factor in the succession war, but a more important concern for now at least, was this official document. The document contained a request for aid from local garrisons on the border with the light skinned barbarians. An incursion against the Empire by weak foreigners is a great threat, but also a great opportunity. Despite the late in the night, the defence of the Empire is just cause for the awakening of our master. I walked as fast as my persona, of a weak old man would allow. Arriving at the Palace of Sacred Harmony, where the Emperor was staying with Concubine Rizu tonight. I kowtowed respectfully before the door as a eunuch awakened the Emperor. Any other official would have been severely reprimanded for this breach of privacy, but my personal relationship with his majesty guarantee my safety.
“Your lowly servant deserves death for disturbing your majesty! Your lowly servant brings grave news from the Miatu frontier. Barbarians are breaking through the gates to the land of Heaven, not unlike the Yuan long ago. We must hold them back here, lest they destroy our nation, as they no doubt seek.”
The Emperor emerged a momenet later, in his unique royal bedrobe, while not as majestic as his regular golden Dragon Robe, the bedrobe was a fantastical yellow, with two striking dragons on either side. Evidently put on in a rush, I expected anger from my master. My prediction of the Emperor’s reaction to my speech was correct. His majesty exploded with fury, evidently seeking to continue a peaceful reign after the turbulence of the push to these very frontiers under his grandfather.
“This is an unforgivable incursion on the Zhi Dynasty, not since the false Yuan have any outsiders directly attacked our great nation. They will not be spared for their insults against the Dynasty and it’s subjects. Hishan, rally the Red and the Dark Purple banners in the frontier, and repel the invaders! Do not call upon the Standard army, their morale and combat experience during cold fighting situation leaves much to be desired.”
I rose to my feet, and sent my message to the Imperial garrison commander, who sent the wheels of the banner bureaucracy rolling, and sent thousands to die for their homeland and their Emperor...