Intrigue in the Celestial Dynasty (Fantasy/IC/Open)

[New Aeyariss]

OOC

And so Taizong was dead.

The man born Yingge of the Wanyan clan has been a terror of all his enemies. Sent by the very Heaven itself, his horses trampled over everyone who opposed him. Yet seeing him now dead inside a casket, reminded his crown prince Dorgon of how vain human life really was. Even the great Emperor was claimed by death.

The body of Yingge laid in an ornamental jade casket. The man was wearing a robe of pure yellow, with an enormous brozne dragon - symbol of the imperial authority. Next to his body laid the faithful dao that he wielded against the foes. Dorgon wondered if anyone would fear that man. Having abandoned campaigning in his old days, the man has grown fat, enormous belly falling from under well-built hands. Plump face partially disappeared from under a red hat and ended in a long, grey beard narrowing itself down towards the end.

In the coffin Dorgon caught his own reflection. He was a tall man, with broad shoulders and well toned muscles. His face was elongated, eyes large and mouth thin. He wore white funeral clothing. To the crown prince it seemed almost ironic that he, a man that has accomplished almost nothing, towered in posture over most feared man under Heaven.

He turned around, and let the casket be sealed. While he himself did not believe that man's soul would be trapped at the moment of the casket's sealing, he still wanted to preserve the custom. Behind him he heard the clicking. The coffin was closed, and the Taizong Emperor, the founder of the Yin Dynasty, forever departed this world.

It was at that moment that the prince knelt and broke into the tears.

Memories of his father flooded him. Yingge was a strict man, but also fair. Despite the man's harshness, the crown prince knew that the Emperor cared for him deeply, merely wanting to prepare him for the future duties. He remembered the moments of joint shooting arrows, his father teaching him of how to hold a blow. Or how to ride a horse, and the basic throws of Shuai Jiao. The time they jointly spent reading the Art of War or playing weiqi.

"Your majesty!" an eunuch attending him ran towards the kneeling successor "Are you all right?"

"I am okay..." the Crown Prince countered "It is just... the memories. My father was a good man."

"His Majesty Renzong was the greatest Emperor under Heaven." the Eunuch countered, giving the crown prince a hand.

Dorgon stood up. And this is where it hit him.

Even in death, his father remained great. The man was gone, but his memory wasn't. He was likely to be remembered by generations to come. And he? What was he?

Even now he was being compared to his father. In the views of his subjects he was nothing but Taizong's successor. Those praising him would praise him due to his father. Those critiquing him will compare him to his father. Dorgon was far from unfilial, but there was only so much of endless comparison that he could bear.

"Your majesty." the Eunuch said "The Great Ruler of All under Heaven is gone. It is time for your majesty's ascension."

His ascenson. Right. He paused for a second.

And it is then that he realised it.

A chance was opening in front of himself. A chance to prove to all that he was comparable to his father. Not just equal but greater. The crown prince knew that with his father's death, the petty warlords that ruled the South in the name of a dynasty long gone were bound to try something. It would be his chance.

"Father." he thought to himself "I will finish the conquest of all under heaven. I will surpass you. Everyone will know that I am not just equal, but greater than you."

With the newfound confidence, he left the funeral chamber.

[Aeyariss]

DUCHY OF WEI
The North


"Our Sovereign, Emperor Tai Zhong is dead." The Duke of Wei curtly announced to the court. His officials turned to each other, gasping in disbelief and trying to absorb the shock of the moment; whispers with one another over the sudden news.

"My Lord, I know you were once close with the late Sovereign, let me be the first to offer condolences on the loss of your personal friend." One of the military leaders in armour stepped forward, prostrated and kneeled before the throne. The Duke of Wei seemed to be taken aback a little.

Well, yes. He was an old friend, if I can claim that, the Duke and the Sovereign had gone to wars and fought side by side against the northern barbarian nomads together in our youths. But that was a lifetime ago.

"Thank you, Lord Jiang. But let us all mourn for the Realm, the Kingdom of Han had lost our Protector and it would not be wise to make it solely about me as a lowly Servant of the Realm." the old Duke said. His face turned mournful.

His wife, Lady Shen, who was sitting on a smaller throne just next to him said. "My dear, the capital would expect all the Lords to present themselves and kowtow before the new Emperor during the coronation."

"Yes, that is precisely why I called for this meeting. I will be departing for the Imperial Capital within a fortnight for the ceremonies at the Palace. Lady Shen and one of our sons will be joining us for the trip . The whole journey will take weeks, and we are expecting to remain at the capital for at least a few months. So naturally, the administration of this Province will need to be passed to one of my sons, to be appointed as interim Lord and acting regent for the Duchy of Wei... however..."

The Lord paused for a while, causing his officials to exchange gazes...somehow they're thinking of the same dilemma.

The Duke of Wei, Kai Shin, had two sons. One born of his blood, the elder Kai Juhai, and an adopted son Kai Wei, the younger. The elder one is currently serving in his cavalry squadron as one of the captains - he is guarding the northern region borders. The younger one, just passed the rite of passage age and now in the process of making a name for himself and just about to sit the imperial civil service.

Both are youth with promising futures... However, the prospect of presenting one's own kinsman and heir to the imperial capital isn't something to be taken lightly too. Especially if such a son will be representing the future of your own clan and carries the destiny of your bloodlines. Plus, it was also the fact that the Duke might probably have to leave one of his sons to become a ward of the imperial capital... in other words, a hostage to ensure his own, his banner man and the entire province's loyalty to the new Emperor.

Sending a true blood would be preferred by the Emperor; sending an adopted son might be seen as a slight and that would surely invoke wrath of the new Sovereign.

If it is up to him, the Duke would have preferred to go alone. But that was not the practice of the Realm, and he did not know the new incoming Sovereign well enough. And he needed to choose.

He knew he also cannot leave the Duchy without a member of his own family, at least a true blood of his own clan sitting at the throne and rule in his stead... had he brought his eldest son he would have to leave the throne to his second, adopted son, and that might slight some of the other more ambitious members of his own court, and worse alienated his true blood.

"My Lord, we would swear loyalty and obedience to your named heir and acting Lord of Wei." A member of the court professed.

"Regardless of whether or not he is of true blood or not?" the duke asked, but received no quick answer. It was no secret that his court favoured his eldest and true born, and had effectively marginalised the second adopted son - which unfortunately is more closer to him personally.

"I shall take that as a yes, then, my lords." Murmurs and whispers exchanged again after that statement. Lord Wei looked on stoically.

"But there is also another important issue; our clan has been charged by the capital to defend our Kingdom's northern borders. With the Emperor passing those barbarian hordes out there will surely attempt to probe and find a weakness - for which I hoped there isn't any. We cannot be complacent just because our Sovereign has passed on and must remain vigilant. Lord Jiang, what is the status of the enemy's movement outside the walls?"

"All is quiet for now. We are actively sending the Scout Regiment squadron to patrol outside the walls, and Commander Juhai has been doing a good job in ensuring those hordes didn't mass together and kept them on their toes. But if they heard of the Emperor's passing..."

"Which they will in due time..."

"We believe it will be a matter of time before hostilities resume..."

"In which case, do you think it's better off for Juhai to remain here in the Province instead of following me to the capital?"

"I, my Lord, that is not for me to decide but the Garrison Forces would surely appreciate having one of their most beloved commanders as regent and interim Lord of Wei until your return from the capital."

"Then I shall have no other option but to drag Kai Wei with me... and hopefully the new regime would not feel insulted by me presenting an adopted son to be presented as a potential 'ward'." he said.

"Or...maybe there is an alternative..." Lady Shen interjected.

"Or?"

"My dear, you had forgotten we had a daughter too..." She smiled. "We know one of your true blood must be here to rule in your name, and the capital might feel insulted if we are to offer an adopted son to be presented as potential hostage --- but the new Emperor might be assuaged if we are to bring along our daughter too to be presented to the Court as we kowtow to the new Emperor... After all, she is of marriageable age."

And so the scheming begins...

[Of the Quendi]

So close. So close, Šurhaci thought. Barely three hundred li separated the Eastern Yin Tombs from Šurhaci's own Halhūn be Jailara Gurung residence at his western capital of Jehol, less, a little more then two hundred li lay between the tombs and the Black Banner garrison at Tangcheng. By contrast there was nearly four hundred li from the tombs to the Yin capital of Anjing. Šurhaci found it impossible not to think about. How easy would it not be, even now; to give the order, to send the Black Banner, and the rest of the Dongsansheng army after it, against the eastern tombs and seize the crown prince. What armies were there to deny the power of the Prince Qing, what general or lord was his equal? None. And when the crown prince simply wandered so close to Dongsansheng while not even being yet emperor, by the deranged custom of the Chu slaves that he, like his father, found worth following, who could blame Šurhaci should he seek to put an end to the weakness and decadence of Jingge's line and provide the Yin empire with a new leadership, a strong leadership, one not cowed by Liang remnants nor unmanned by the Chu eunuchs and mandarins serving only themselves and their depraved world view. Oh yes, Šurhaci was sorely tempted.

Yet here he was, with the crown prince, attending his brother's funeral with only a small force made up mostly of clan and banner leaders from beyond the wall in the old lands of the Luzhen and Yoghuz, surrounded by the moonfaced mongrels. One could not spit at the eastern tombs without hitting some oily Chu notable garbed in flowery silk and smelling of perfume with their faces painted like whores wailing pathetically and unconvincingly for the death of Jingge Khan. They where despicable and made Šurhaci feel sick. If he ordered his troops to seize the emperor he could have these disgusting sycophants and the whole of their vile ilk slaughtered. A poor tribute perhaps to his late brother, but far better than the tears of slaves and subhumans. Why had he not already done it, Šurhaci, feeling, as he often had since Jingge's death, more introspective than usual. It certainly was not fear of failure, though it was not of course inconsiderable and the consequences of it severe. Šurhaci didn't fear death, and hadn't for many years, life held far greater terrors than permanent sleep, for Šurhaci and if needs be for his wives and children as well. Was it then a sense of duty perhaps? Some last lingering devotion to an older brother's memory. Perhaps. Šurhaci had rarely been close to his older brother and in their later years they had both made a conscious effort to have as little as possible to do with one another, both realizing that any sort of intimacy would breed only contempt. Yet still they where brothers and for all his faults Jingge Khan had once been a man of character and worth, and he had overthrown the Liang. Yes, it might well be some sense of duty. But perhaps it was more than that. Perhaps it was ... Hope? Hope beyond hope that the crown prince, a weak youth of no accomplishments, possessing no known virtue or principle worthy of admiration might hold some promise. If so he had surely gone mad Šurhaci thought, contemplating the worth of the crown prince. Pampered and spoiled, always surrounded by grovelers and adulators, almost as much Chu as Luzhen, the crown prince had never known the harsh life of the steppes, never known hunger or hurt, never even stepped onto a battlefield much less fought in wars, a man of the splendor and luxury of palace life, better acquainted with the particular favors of concubines and eunuchs than the rigorous demands of war and conquest. A stronger seed than Jingge's might become corrupted by such a life. Hoping for leadership from Dorgon was like going hawking with a pigeon and expecting results. Indeed the future empress may well be better suited to rule than her consort. Laughable as the notion was, she at least was a Luzhen through and through, albeit in her own particular fashion.

Yet Šurhaci thought it may well have been hope that stayed his hand and stopped him launching a rebellion the moment he learned of Jingge's death. For whether successful or not such a rebellion would certainly destabilize the new Yin dynasty, and Šurhaci knew well how hated he was by the Chu. He cared not, let them but hate as long as they fear was his view, and oh did the slaves fear him. But fear alone would not be enough to keep the empire together after a civil war. Something more was needed. Hope was needed. Hope that the Yin Dynasty could provide security and prosperity for its people. Šurhaci could never provide that. In all probability neither could his sons, not yet at any rate. And without it there could be no invasion of the south. An ecstatic smile briefly lit up the dashing features of the old Luzhen warlord as he thought of leading a great host of banner men south against the Liang remnants. So many cities to put to the torch, so many nations to lay to waste so many people to slaughter. As long as Dorgon offered at least the possibility the final subjugation of the Chu then Šurhaci would serve him as loyally as he did his father. If the young crown prince should falter, then, and only then, would it be necessary to consider alternatives.

[Second Sina]

Zhu He Chao looked at the coffin- being a high ranked official, he got the chance of attending the very funeral itself. He looked at the coffin- purest of jade. The coffin was slightly open, and He Chao saw the Taizong emperor, wearing robes of pure yellow, adorned with a bronze-colored dragon, with his scimitar lying aside.

Fat like a pig, thought He Chao.

Joy was running through his body like there were dragons of bliss in his blood, and yet he had to pretend to cry. The application of spices to his eyes helped this immensely, but yet he had to ensure he did not smile- the rules of the court was strict, and even the mention of joy would result in his execution.

He Chao wished wistfully that his grandfather, the last Liang emperor, could have had a proper burial.

His father had told him of it- the Chongzhen emperor himself, son of the heavens, who would have brought the Liang Empire and the Chu peoples into a golden age if not for the famines and the idiocy of previous rulers. Chongzhen had hanged himself when rebels entered Tianjing itself, and when the Yin entered, removing the rebels from the Holy Capital, they had dug the rotting body out of a fresh grave that loyalists had built before escaping, whipped the corpse, and hung it on the palace gates, that once hundreds of descendants of the great Zhu Yuan Zhang had once lived and prospered. The body was left to rot, and even now the bones hang there, the last remnants of imperial prosperity.

(OOC: IRL this didn't happen, but it did happen in this universe)

His father, Zhu Cizhu, had once brought him to see the bones.
He Chao had looked at the bones, and asked Ci Zhu:

"This palace was once ours?"

"Yes," replied the benevolent father, "but not anymore."

"You once taught me that there are laws against theft and robbery. Why do we not enter and take it back?"

"Because the bastards within rule Heaven and Earth, usurpers of the place of Son of the Heavens, and trample on the rights of the Chu people."

At this, tears ran down Ci Zhu's face.

He Chao had a feeling of being robbed, and asked Ci Zhu in the childish innocence of an eight-year-old:

"爹, I thought you taught me there is justice in this world?"

At this, Ci Zhu looked at the young boy, who would have adorned princely robes and received a brilliant education if not for the traitorous Li Zi Cheng and the Nuzhen tyrants, and a single tear running down a face that had once been washed by palace maids with silken cloth:

"The gods have turned on this world- we can only rely on yourselves. This palace will be ours again, not by the will of some heavenly deity, but by you, using not wistful wishes, but by sword and shield."

He Chao looked at his father, and felt ordained by some purpose.

"Now, my boy, it is time for you to go learn from Alchemist Huang. I will bring you there." Ci Zhu said, swiftly regaining the air of strictness he held around his only child.

"Yes, father." replied He Chao, but he did not forget what his father had said before.

It was then that He Chao was jostled from his thoughts by two facts- one, that he was now crying earnestly, for the thought of his father that had also died several years ago from disease, and that he was being comforted by another officer behind him in charge of agriculture.

He Chao looked at the Crown Prince, who was leaving the funeral chamber, and he thought-

"That man is the son of a usurper, and I will make sure that one day I will slit his throat, and ascend as Emperor Of The New Liang Empire."

[Second Sina]

It was three days after the funeral of the late Emperor.

On the private residence of the Chen family, led by another 军机大臣, Chen Shoubang, an official of middle age and rather high intelligence, four men gathered- Zhu He Chao (my character), in public an orphan arisen to power in the Yin court, in secret the only valid successor to the former Liang empire, Shouhuang 守黄, a old eunuch in the Yin Court who used to serve the previous Liang dynasty, Zhang Haoqun 张好群, a minor official in charge of the economical affairs of the Court's spending for private affairs like feasts, and Chen Shoubang himself.

Chen Shoubang called for his servants to leave the room, before uttering-

"Long live the emperor, to him ten thousand years!"

And with this he kowtowed to He Chao.

Shouhuang and Zhang Haoqun did likewise- for they viewed He Chao as the emperor, not the bastard sitting in the palace he stole from the rightful Liang.

"Please rise, my comrades- I have told you many times not to do this." He Chao said, somewhat taken aback by this.

"We shall hail you like so regardless, and yet a thousand times more, for it is better to kowtow to the rightful Emperor and die, than to kowtow to the barbarian tyrant and live." Shoubang said,

"And yet you do it," He Chao said.

"For if I die who will protect the true Son Of The Heavens?" Shoubang said, and the eunuch and Haoqun nodded in agreement.

"Now, before we begin, I would like to call a toast," cried He Chao, though trying to not be too loud, "for the bastard tyrant has died!"

Three men raised their cups, and downed wine.

Three.

For on Shoubang's face was not joy, but sadness.

"Why are you sad, my dear friend?" Zhang Haoqun asked him.

"For though the tyrant is dead, his son shall come after, and even when the son dies, his son will precede him- what a pity, greatest of all nations, fallen to barbarians, and now we cannot even kowtow to those who actually deserve it without everyone related to us being killed!" cried Shoubang, sobbing passionately, "我泱泱大国，竟落的如此处境，悲哀啊!"

And the other three looked down, dejected, until He Chao rose.

"Do not be sad. Have faith in the heavens, for eventually they will put the rightful on the throne, and get rid of the pretenders."

It was at this that a dark thought hit He Chao.

What if the Zhu family has lost the Mandate Of Heaven, and the barbarians have gained it?


But he shook it from his head and announced:

"We have more important matters to attend to," He Chao proclaimed, "and I must bring an important point to the table- we want to restore the Liang dynasty, but have no idea how to do so."

At this, He Chao pulled out a map of all known lands under heaven- it was a somber sight.

To the north of the Yangtze, was coloured a huge area of red, and written on it with brush-pen was the word "银" (Yin)- and thin lines seperated the various fiefdoms within Yin- like Wei, governed by the Duke of Wei, and Dongsansheng, governed by a pyschopathic despot. At the center of this red blob was dotted with blue ink an unsightly dot like a cancerous tumor, with the words 天京 (Tianjing) under it.

And to the south, was displayed about a dozen warring states- Wu, Yue, Min, Shu, Jingnan, and more- with a footnote:

"The borders of these states wax and wane each year- it is impossible to get an accurate depiction of the territories of these nations."

"It's simple," Haoqun pointed out, "Shouhuang can place poison in the Emperor's drinks."

"I only have access to some minor concubines, who I fetch food from the palace cooks for, and I also clean some parts of the palace- I have no access to the bastard emperor nor his food." Shouhuang pointed out.

Sighs of disappointment filled the room.

"Then we grab our swords, and rush the palace, murdering the Emperor and all of the Nuzhens in the court," Zhang proclaimed passionately.

"If you want to die, go ahead," He Chao said.

Zhang fell silent.

"Do not be sad, Haoqun, for your heart is there- better than the collaborationist bastards, Chu by blood but serving the Nuzhen," He Chao encouraged, "It will be hard to launch a revolt- the court is quite stable, even despite the old tyrant's death."

"And the Imperial Guard are very loyal to the new tyrant, are they not?" Shoubang pointed out.

"Yes. The worst part is, the Chu peoples under Yin oppression have been brainwashed into being willing to be slaves to foreign despots." He Chao said.

"Then how is a revolution possible, if the country is stable and the people are happy?" Haoqun asked?

"The country is stable because the people are happy." He Chao answered.

"So... how do we revolt?" Haoqun inquired.

"Wait 'til the people are unhappy." He Chao replied.

"When will such a chance come then?" Haoqun pointed out.

He Chao answered this question in whispers, and laughing, the four men left the room.

[Sao Nova Europa]

Two days had passed since the funeral of the late Emperor. Li Cheng, publicly, mourned the loss of the Emperor. He had attended the funeral and had kowtowed before the coffin of Yingge. Privately though? Li Cheng didn't particularly care for the man. He was a subject of the Yin Dynasty out of necessity, not due to true loyalty to the barbarian overlords. Li Cheng was a self-made man. A peasant boy born in a dirt-poor village in the middle of nowhere who was now Minister of the Board of War. He was ambitious, ruthless, and driven. He wasn't a man who would be content enjoying the luxuries of being Minister. He was always aiming higher. And the upcoming ascension of the Crown Prince to the throne offered many opportunities. Li Cheng was hoping he could become the power behind the Throne.

Someone knocked on the door. "Come in," Li Cheng said. He was seated behind a wooden desk. A slim man wearing a silk robe walked inside the room.

"Your Excellency," he said. "Here are the reports you've asked for." He handed over the papers to Li Cheng.

"Thank you," the Minister said and the man walked out of the room.

The papers indicated the increased recruitment of ethnic Chu people in the Green Standard Army. This had been the key of Li Cheng's policy as Minister of the Board of War. He would present these results to the Crown Prince when he would meet again with him in the coming days. It would be a further proof of his competence as Minister.

[Second Sina]

Two days had passed since the funeral of the late Emperor. Li Cheng, publicly, mourned the loss of the Emperor. He had attended the funeral and had kowtowed before the coffin of Yingge. Privately though? Li Cheng didn't particularly care for the man. He was a subject of the Yin Dynasty out of necessity, not due to true loyalty to the barbarian overlords. Li Cheng was a self-made man. A peasant boy born in a dirt-poor village in the middle of nowhere who was now Minister of the Board of War. He was ambitious, ruthless, and driven. He wasn't a man who would be content enjoying the luxuries of being Minister. He was always aiming higher. And the upcoming ascension of the Crown Prince to the throne offered many opportunities. Li Cheng was hoping he could become the power behind the Throne.

Someone knocked on the door. "Come in," Li Cheng said. He was seated behind a wooden desk. A slim man wearing a silk robe walked inside the room.

"Your Excellency," he said. "Here are the reports you've asked for." He handed over the papers to Li Cheng.

"Thank you," the Minister said and the man walked out of the room.

The papers indicated the increased recruitment of ethnic Chu people in the Green Standard Army. This had been the key of Li Cheng's policy as Minister of the Board of War. He would present these results to the Crown Prince when he would meet again with him in the coming days. It would be a further proof of his competence as Minister.

A report was nestled in between the piles of paperwork. It read:

This is an anonymous message from an anonymous official of the court. I have received reports of the new Emperor of Yin finding the presence of local rulers a threat- he wishes to consolidate control over the nation. He is currently sending over "ambassadors" to arrest you- I suggest you escape, for the sentence will be death for any the new Emperor finds guilty of "charges against the centrality of the nation". If you must revolt, a shipment of weaponry will arrive via the Yellow River to the port of Zhengzhou, which is within your dominion.

The new Emperor is also bribing higher members of the Green Banner Army so that the arrest can carry on peacefully. I suggest you execute these members regardless of whether you plan to escape or to revolt- they have orders to keep you in Zhengzhou at all costs until the "ambassadors" arrive.

[Khasinkonia]

Primary Consort to Crown Prince Dorgon
Princess Kila of the Juru Gecen clan

The Princess had, of course, attended the funeral of Yingge Khan, Emperor of the Chu. How could the Primary Consort—the Empress-to-be—not do so? But while concubines mourned, eunuchs put on shows up weeping, and even Dorgon wept, Princess Kila felt herself in company only with the old Prince Šurhaci, brother to that Emperor of the Great Journey, in her stony expression. The founder of a new dynasty, the conqueror of the Chu, was an old, fat corpse.

Once, many years ago, he had seemed titanic, larger than life. He had once been a great Khan of the steppes who annihilated all resistance and drove other great warriors to suicide, leaving only young daughters and sycophants in his wake. And yet, now, the only reminder of this was the grizzled, hardened warrior standing nearby. Yingge had died years before, anyway. This corpse was not Yingge Khan, but rather the Emperor Renzong, a bloated Chu corpse draped over a once-proud Luzhen skeleton. As childbirth had not killed her yet, Kila could only hope that, when she outlived her husband, their sons would not be in the same position—seeing a Luzhen transformed into a decadent Chu mockery.

That was ultimately the tragedy here. It was a relief that Yingge Khan was gone. It was a relief that the Renzong Emperor was gone. He had snapped backs and shaped lives, like a rider shapes a horse. And with him, so too was a great deal of authority—authority now vested in a man whose ear she had more pull over than any other.

As Dorgon’s expression changed from tears to resolve, a smile broke past the grim, stiff upper lip Kila had pulled. The rest of the Chu would be brought to heel, but if only she and Prince Šurhaci could occupy both ears, it would be on the terms of the Luzhen that the last Chu standing would be cast down. The harem would speak no more Chu. The princes would speak Luzhen as their primary languages. This country—this entire affair—was a matter of Luzhen greatness. It was Luzhen might that was dragging the pitiful Chu masses out of their decadence. Now if only the Emperor-to-be and his sons could be convinced to catch the worms before they burrowed into the bloodline and spoiled the great cuts of Luzhen meat that were let to come, the Yin Dynasty could reign for ten thousand years, returning the Mandate to heavenly discipline, wisdom, and strength—in body and mind.

As Dorgon turned to leave, Kila descended to her knees, carefully clutching her young pregnancy, and then kowtowed.

“Holy Highness,” she exclaimed in Luzhen, “What is the Son of Heaven’s name, so that his wife may know?”

[Second Sina]

Primary Consort to Crown Prince Dorgon
Princess Kila of the Juru Gecen clan

The Princess had, of course, attended the funeral of Yingge Khan, Emperor of the Chu. How could the Primary Consort—the Empress-to-be—not do so? But while concubines mourned, eunuchs put on shows up weeping, and even Dorgon wept, Princess Kila felt herself in company only with the old Prince Šurhaci, brother to that Emperor of the Great Journey, in her stony expression. The founder of a new dynasty, the conqueror of the Chu, was an old, fat corpse.

Once, many years ago, he had seemed titanic, larger than life. He had once been a great Khan of the steppes who annihilated all resistance and drove other great warriors to suicide, leaving only young daughters and sycophants in his wake. And yet, now, the only reminder of this was the grizzled, hardened warrior standing nearby. Yingge had died years before, anyway. This corpse was not Yingge Khan, but rather the Emperor Renzong, a bloated Chu corpse draped over a once-proud Luzhen skeleton. As childbirth had not killed her yet, Kila could only hope that, when she outlived her husband, their sons would not be in the same position—seeing a Luzhen transformed into a decadent Chu mockery.

That was ultimately the tragedy here. It was a relief that Yingge Khan was gone. It was a relief that the Renzong Emperor was gone. He had snapped backs and shaped lives, like a rider shapes a horse. And with him, so too was a great deal of authority—authority now vested in a man whose ear she had more pull over than any other.

As Dorgon’s expression changed from tears to resolve, a smile broke past the grim, stiff upper lip Kila had pulled. The rest of the Chu would be brought to heel, but if only she and Prince Šurhaci could occupy both ears, it would be on the terms of the Luzhen that the last Chu standing would be cast down. The harem would speak no more Chu. The princes would speak Luzhen as their primary languages. This country—this entire affair—was a matter of Luzhen greatness. It was Luzhen might that was dragging the pitiful Chu masses out of their decadence. Now if only the Emperor-to-be and his sons could be convinced to catch the worms before they burrowed into the bloodline and spoiled the great cuts of Luzhen meat that were let to come, the Yin Dynasty could reign for ten thousand years, returning the Mandate to heavenly discipline, wisdom, and strength—in body and mind.

As Dorgon turned to leave, Kila descended to her knees, carefully clutching her young pregnancy, and then kowtowed.

“Holy Highness,” she exclaimed in Luzhen, “What is the Son of Heaven’s name, so that his wife may know?”

Five days from the last meeting, eight days from the funeral, the four men met again at Chen Shoubang's home.

Kowtowing to He Chao and declaring him to be the true emperor, the three others asked if his plan was carrying on smoothly.

"Yes, indeed. I have informed Li Cheng of the emperor's soon betrayal." He Chao replied, a smirk on his face.

"We have a more important matter," Haoqun said, "I fear our lives may be in danger."

"How so?" Shoubang said, "These meetings are very secret?"

"Not just us," Haoqun pointed out, "But all of the Chu officials in the court. The tyrant's-mate Kila and the crazed psychopath Šurhaci aren't exactly... friendly towards the Chu. One is known for being a Nuzhen cultural extremist known for disregarding Chu lives, the other openly wishing to kill all of Chu descent."

"And both are racial chauvinists." He Chao pointed out.

"So you think they might influence the new Emperor to start deposing all Chu officials, or even purging all those of Chu descent?" Shoubang clarified.

"Not the second, no, how would that be practical or economical? They would just enslave us all."

It was just then that the eunuch, who had been quiet for a long time, spoke up.

"I... I do have access to the tyrant's-mate Kila's food." stuttered the eunuch.

"And what are you thinking, poison it? They have food testers! Nuzhen food testers!" Shoubang cried.

"That's not to say they are unbribable. We will consider it for the time-being. In the meantime, a letter will be drafted to the Duke Of Wei. Sure, he is a piece of collaborationist scum, (OOC: and his application was written by ChatGPT,) but we must warn him- perhaps he will save the Chu under his rule, or better yet, revolt." He Chao suggested.

"If he revolts and overthrows the Emperor he will install himself as Emperor, not you." Shoubang.

"We will just revolt at the same time he does, and hope we enter the Capital first, and hope he accepts surrender conditions- I have no wish to spill more Chu blood." He Chao pointed out.

"You are too kind for such an age, Emperor," Shoubang pointed out, "They are not humans- they are the enemy!"

"I will do what I must if necessary, Shoubang." He Chao replied coldly.

Seemingly satisfied with this answer, Shoubang nodded.

"Well," He Chao concluded, "I will draft a letter to the Duke Of Wei. Furthermore, Shouhuang?"

"Yes?" replied the eunuch.

"Do not poison the tyrant-mate unless you can bribe the food-testers. If you are caught, we will not help you- I am sorry."

"I will do what I must for the Chu to be free," replied the eunuch.

"Very well. The meeting is adjourned."

[Second Sina]

DUCHY OF WEI
The North


"Our Sovereign, Emperor Tai Zhong is dead." The Duke of Wei curtly announced to the court. His officials turned to each other, gasping in disbelief and trying to absorb the shock of the moment; whispers with one another over the sudden news.

"My Lord, I know you were once close with the late Sovereign, let me be the first to offer condolences on the loss of your personal friend." One of the military leaders in armour stepped forward, prostrated and kneeled before the throne. The Duke of Wei seemed to be taken aback a little.

Well, yes. He was an old friend, if I can claim that, the Duke and the Sovereign had gone to wars and fought side by side against the northern barbarian nomads together in our youths. But that was a lifetime ago.

"Thank you, Lord Jiang. But let us all mourn for the Realm, the Kingdom of Han had lost our Protector and it would not be wise to make it solely about me as a lowly Servant of the Realm." the old Duke said. His face turned mournful.

His wife, Lady Shen, who was sitting on a smaller throne just next to him said. "My dear, the capital would expect all the Lords to present themselves and kowtow before the new Emperor during the coronation."

"Yes, that is precisely why I called for this meeting. I will be departing for the Imperial Capital within a fortnight for the ceremonies at the Palace. Lady Shen and one of our sons will be joining us for the trip . The whole journey will take weeks, and we are expecting to remain at the capital for at least a few months. So naturally, the administration of this Province will need to be passed to one of my sons, to be appointed as interim Lord and acting regent for the Duchy of Wei... however..."

The Lord paused for a while, causing his officials to exchange gazes...somehow they're thinking of the same dilemma.

The Duke of Wei, Kai Shin, had two sons. One born of his blood, the elder Kai Juhai, and an adopted son Kai Wei, the younger. The elder one is currently serving in his cavalry squadron as one of the captains - he is guarding the northern region borders. The younger one, just passed the rite of passage age and now in the process of making a name for himself and just about to sit the imperial civil service.

Both are youth with promising futures... However, the prospect of presenting one's own kinsman and heir to the imperial capital isn't something to be taken lightly too. Especially if such a son will be representing the future of your own clan and carries the destiny of your bloodlines. Plus, it was also the fact that the Duke might probably have to leave one of his sons to become a ward of the imperial capital... in other words, a hostage to ensure his own, his banner man and the entire province's loyalty to the new Emperor.

Sending a true blood would be preferred by the Emperor; sending an adopted son might be seen as a slight and that would surely invoke wrath of the new Sovereign.

If it is up to him, the Duke would have preferred to go alone. But that was not the practice of the Realm, and he did not know the new incoming Sovereign well enough. And he needed to choose.

He knew he also cannot leave the Duchy without a member of his own family, at least a true blood of his own clan sitting at the throne and rule in his stead... had he brought his eldest son he would have to leave the throne to his second, adopted son, and that might slight some of the other more ambitious members of his own court, and worse alienated his true blood.

"My Lord, we would swear loyalty and obedience to your named heir and acting Lord of Wei." A member of the court professed.

"Regardless of whether or not he is of true blood or not?" the duke asked, but received no quick answer. It was no secret that his court favoured his eldest and true born, and had effectively marginalised the second adopted son - which unfortunately is more closer to him personally.

"I shall take that as a yes, then, my lords." Murmurs and whispers exchanged again after that statement. Lord Wei looked on stoically.

"But there is also another important issue; our clan has been charged by the capital to defend our Kingdom's northern borders. With the Emperor passing those barbarian hordes out there will surely attempt to probe and find a weakness - for which I hoped there isn't any. We cannot be complacent just because our Sovereign has passed on and must remain vigilant. Lord Jiang, what is the status of the enemy's movement outside the walls?"

"All is quiet for now. We are actively sending the Scout Regiment squadron to patrol outside the walls, and Commander Juhai has been doing a good job in ensuring those hordes didn't mass together and kept them on their toes. But if they heard of the Emperor's passing..."

"Which they will in due time..."

"We believe it will be a matter of time before hostilities resume..."

"In which case, do you think it's better off for Juhai to remain here in the Province instead of following me to the capital?"

"I, my Lord, that is not for me to decide but the Garrison Forces would surely appreciate having one of their most beloved commanders as regent and interim Lord of Wei until your return from the capital."

"Then I shall have no other option but to drag Kai Wei with me... and hopefully the new regime would not feel insulted by me presenting an adopted son to be presented as a potential 'ward'." he said.

"Or...maybe there is an alternative..." Lady Shen interjected.

"Or?"

"My dear, you had forgotten we had a daughter too..." She smiled. "We know one of your true blood must be here to rule in your name, and the capital might feel insulted if we are to offer an adopted son to be presented as potential hostage --- but the new Emperor might be assuaged if we are to bring along our daughter too to be presented to the Court as we kowtow to the new Emperor... After all, she is of marriageable age."

And so the scheming begins...

It was evening in the north, and as the Duke of Wei was about to rest, he received a secret mail, delivered into his room personally by his own servants:


"To the Duke Of Wei,

Let it be known that you were a good friend to the late emperor, and that you were loyal to him- you followed him through war and peace. But our great Sovereign is dead, and the new Sovereign, who trusts the new Empress, Kila, and the Governor, Surhaci, both of which being racists and not above genocide, may choose to perform a purge of the court from all of Chu descent, you included. What loyalty to the Yin emperor will they care about? They are pyschopaths and murderers.

You have not sent your child as hostage to the Capital yet, I hope. I suggest you perform actions necessary to ensure the survival of you, your family, and hopefully the Chu peoples in your dominion.

And also, there is not one sun in the sky, like widely believed. The remnants of the old sun still dwell in the air, and are consolidating into a sun again- choose wisely.

Yours sincerely,
Anonymous."

[Tyreis]

PALACE OF THE BODS, COUNTRYSIDE ANJING

---

The Palace of the Bods had been constructed by the previous Emperor Taizong to host the Tengeriin Nom and his court as part of a attempt at fostering the ties between the Empire and the Bods, which had been greatly soured after the Treaty of Lasha, forcing the Bod Sang State to accept Yin suzernity. The Palace was a small complex, not very luxurious, but it was the place where the most powerful spiritual leader of the Bod resided, and as such the Palace was a place of great importance.

The palace itself was a wooden building, made out of bamboo and pine trees, surrounded by a high wall and a small pond in front. The pond had a small bridge over it, which was guarded by a pair of sentries. As a carriage approached, the sentries lowered their spears, stopping it.

"Who goes there ?" One of the sentries called out.

"This humble servant is here to offer his respects to His Holiness."

The sentry nodded and opened the carriage door. The man was sent by the Imperial Court as clear by his blue robes. He stepped out and bowed towards the entrance to the palace, before heading to the door and entering the building.

The inside of the building was mostly dark, but a small window allowed the rays of sun to fall upon a young man sitting on the ground. The man was meditating and was wearing the robes of a monk.

"Greetings, His Holiness the Tengeriin Nom !" the official called.
Tenzin opened his eyes, and his gaze fell upon the official.

"I have been summoned by the imperial court. Your holiness should know that the current Emperor Taizong has passed away and that his heir, the Crown Prince Drogon is about to be crowned."

Tenzin knew this day would come. It was inevitable that the great Jingge Khan would pass away. He had been old, and he was not expected to live long. But now that it was finally here, the monk was prayed that the departed soul of the late emperor would find peace and rest.

This was when he remembered about the Treaty of Lasha. He remembered the terms, and how he would have to stay a few months in the capital every year. It was a humiliating thing, but the treaty had been necessary to avoid the Empire sending armies against the Bods.

"I understand," he answered.

"If it's not too much trouble, would you be able to come with me, Your Holiness. His Majesty has also requested your presence during the ceremony."

"Uhm, I have a question... What is this about ?"

"I am sorry, Your Holiness. I am not sure of the exact reasons. The Crown Prince's orders were to bring you as he wanted your presence and so I am."

"All right then." Tenzin answered and stood up.

"Your Holiness, this servant is honored by the sight of a god's incarnation." It was clear that the official was a follower of the Shakshri faith. The Tengeriin Nom had been particularly active in promoting the Shakshri faith and had gained many followers.

"You are too kind. I am not a god's incarnation, merely a mere mortal trying to understand the path to enlightenment." Tenzin was not one for flattery, and while he accepted compliments, he never liked to be compared to a god.

"I apologize if I have offended you, Your Holiness. This servant will lead the way to the carriage. If it's not too much, we should make haste."

"All right."

The official bowed and went outside the room. Tenzin followed, and together the two men left the palace and entered the carriage.

"This is going to be quite the ride, isn't it ?"

"Indeed, Your Holiness. We should arrive in the capital in about two days."

"And what happens after the coronation ?"

"Sorry, Your Holiness, but I'm yet again not aware."

Tenzin hoped that he could recieve permission to return to Lasha as a lot of events were to enfold. The court would be a basket full of snakes. His thoughts were interrupted however, by the Imperial official.

"Your Holiness, forgive this humble servant, but we should leave."

"Of course, lead the way."

The two men left the room, and Tenzin followed the official to the carriage and they departed for the Imperial Palace, accompanied by Guards of course. However, Tenzin was seeing an opportunity here.

If he played his cards right, he could use the new Emperor's favor and get a foothold in the Imperial Palace, where the real power lay. He just had to make sure not to make any mistake. ANY ....

[Second Sina]

/bump

[Second Sina]

It was the harsh winter, and yet He Chao left the city in nothing more than a jacket.

In the surrounding forests, he met up with a man in armor.

"I have a proposal," He Chao asked the man.

"How so?" replied the man, "I have to train the troops- make it swift."

"You are business-like, and I can respect that. Now, to business- the new Emperor will soon ascend to the throne. Are you sure he will not purge you all?"

"What do you mean?" asked the man, though he knew too well.

"You must understand that the old Taizong emperor was benevolent- you were Nuzhen, and thus he gave you the title "General Of The Last Defense", and put you in charge of the armies of the capital. You have a lot of power over your armies- second to the old Emperor himself. But the soon-to-be New Emperor, he may not be happy with such an arrangement, and might want complete control over the capital. And the only way he would do that? By ending your life."

"This- this is treasonous. I will not do something that will cause the purge of nine generations of my house- I mean clan." said the man, "I must go."

"I know you are not Nàhǎn Hèlá." replied He Chao.

"What?" replied the man.

"Your real name is Wu Beihan, and you are of Chu descent." He Chao replied.

"Th-That's a lie! I am of pure Nuzhen descent- my ancestors lived on the steppes!" cried the man.

"Nahan isn't even a surname in the Nuzhen tongue." replied He Chao matter-of-factly.

"But-" the man tried to rebuke.

"You know you are Wu Beihan, I know you are Wu Beihan- listen closely." He Chao coldly ordered the man.

"Y-yes." replied Wu Beihan, for that was who the man was.

"You have dominion over the ten thousand men stationed in the Capital- most of them are discontent with the new Emperor. Gather them, and charge the Forbidden City."

"Are you planning a revolt?" Wu Beihan asked.

"Yes."

"I want to live- I'm not doing it."

In reply, He Chao simply pulled out a sack of gold coins. It was a small pouch, and yet it contained 500 gold coins.

"This is the forepayment- upon the completion, you will get 5,000,000 gold coins, as long as you allow me to become the new Emperor."

"That's more coins than I've seen in my whole life! B-but-" Beihan tried to argue.

"The new emperor plans to kill you at an imperial feast in five days- I suggest you act before then."

"What if I don't?"

"Then I report that you are Chu- you merely die earlier."

"F-fine."

"Good. Enter the city only five minutes after I do."

And with this, He Chao reentered the city, thinking how such a weak-minded man got such a high position.

[New Aeyariss]

The Princess had, of course, attended the funeral of Yingge Khan, Emperor of the Chu. How could the Primary Consort—the Empress-to-be—not do so? But while concubines mourned, eunuchs put on shows up weeping, and even Dorgon wept, Princess Kila felt herself in company only with the old Prince Šurhaci, brother to that Emperor of the Great Journey, in her stony expression. The founder of a new dynasty, the conqueror of the Chu, was an old, fat corpse.

Once, many years ago, he had seemed titanic, larger than life. He had once been a great Khan of the steppes who annihilated all resistance and drove other great warriors to suicide, leaving only young daughters and sycophants in his wake. And yet, now, the only reminder of this was the grizzled, hardened warrior standing nearby. Yingge had died years before, anyway. This corpse was not Yingge Khan, but rather the Emperor Renzong, a bloated Chu corpse draped over a once-proud Luzhen skeleton. As childbirth had not killed her yet, Kila could only hope that, when she outlived her husband, their sons would not be in the same position—seeing a Luzhen transformed into a decadent Chu mockery.

That was ultimately the tragedy here. It was a relief that Yingge Khan was gone. It was a relief that the Renzong Emperor was gone. He had snapped backs and shaped lives, like a rider shapes a horse. And with him, so too was a great deal of authority—authority now vested in a man whose ear she had more pull over than any other.

As Dorgon’s expression changed from tears to resolve, a smile broke past the grim, stiff upper lip Kila had pulled. The rest of the Chu would be brought to heel, but if only she and Prince Šurhaci could occupy both ears, it would be on the terms of the Luzhen that the last Chu standing would be cast down. The harem would speak no more Chu. The princes would speak Luzhen as their primary languages. This country—this entire affair—was a matter of Luzhen greatness. It was Luzhen might that was dragging the pitiful Chu masses out of their decadence. Now if only the Emperor-to-be and his sons could be convinced to catch the worms before they burrowed into the bloodline and spoiled the great cuts of Luzhen meat that were let to come, the Yin Dynasty could reign for ten thousand years, returning the Mandate to heavenly discipline, wisdom, and strength—in body and mind.

As Dorgon turned to leave, Kila descended to her knees, carefully clutching her young pregnancy, and then kowtowed.

“Holy Highness,” she exclaimed in Luzhen, “What is the Son of Heaven’s name, so that his wife may know?”

He looked at his wife, standing right in front of him. Kila was a woman he came to respect, but also treat with caution. She was a daughter of a powerful clan, that resisted his father for years. He had not forgotten his father's tales of defiance, and thus had to keep caution in that regard.

"Wuzong" he replied to his wife "The name of the Sovereign Appointed by Heaven is Wuzong. I will now address my subjects."

He stood proudly, staright and looked at those standing in front of him. His eye caught a glimpse of his uncle in the corner. A man he respected - but also feared. And what better solution to deal with this man than to send him on a campaign? That way he would not be able to scheme.

"My subjects, hear my proclaimation. I, Dorgon of the Wanyan clan, claim the mandate of heaven bestown by heavens themselves onto my father, the late Renzong Emperor. I will rule justly. I will punish the wicked and elevate good. I will cultivate the traditions of my ancestors, and respect the teaching of the Esteemed Sages."

He paused.

"I will make no distinction when it comes to origin. Weather a man is Chu, Luzhen or Yoghuz, if he be virtuous, he will find service in my employment. No man will ever be discriminated on based of his origin. However, as the Sovereign Blessed by Heaven, I am a father of all my subjects. As such, I wish to inform now that all my subjects are to braid their hair in Luzhen fashion, to display loyalty to their ruler. Failure to do so will result in punishment!"

He paused again:

"Furhtermore, I have decided that I will finish the task given by the Lord of Heaven to my father! The Southern Warlords, who oppress people and rob them with unfair taxes, will be brought to heel! I ask all my bannermen, and loyal warriors of the Green Standard Army, to prepare - for soon I will finish what my father started!"

He felt proud of himself. His hour has come.

[Second Sina]

The Princess had, of course, attended the funeral of Yingge Khan, Emperor of the Chu. How could the Primary Consort—the Empress-to-be—not do so? But while concubines mourned, eunuchs put on shows up weeping, and even Dorgon wept, Princess Kila felt herself in company only with the old Prince Šurhaci, brother to that Emperor of the Great Journey, in her stony expression. The founder of a new dynasty, the conqueror of the Chu, was an old, fat corpse.

Once, many years ago, he had seemed titanic, larger than life. He had once been a great Khan of the steppes who annihilated all resistance and drove other great warriors to suicide, leaving only young daughters and sycophants in his wake. And yet, now, the only reminder of this was the grizzled, hardened warrior standing nearby. Yingge had died years before, anyway. This corpse was not Yingge Khan, but rather the Emperor Renzong, a bloated Chu corpse draped over a once-proud Luzhen skeleton. As childbirth had not killed her yet, Kila could only hope that, when she outlived her husband, their sons would not be in the same position—seeing a Luzhen transformed into a decadent Chu mockery.

That was ultimately the tragedy here. It was a relief that Yingge Khan was gone. It was a relief that the Renzong Emperor was gone. He had snapped backs and shaped lives, like a rider shapes a horse. And with him, so too was a great deal of authority—authority now vested in a man whose ear she had more pull over than any other.

As Dorgon’s expression changed from tears to resolve, a smile broke past the grim, stiff upper lip Kila had pulled. The rest of the Chu would be brought to heel, but if only she and Prince Šurhaci could occupy both ears, it would be on the terms of the Luzhen that the last Chu standing would be cast down. The harem would speak no more Chu. The princes would speak Luzhen as their primary languages. This country—this entire affair—was a matter of Luzhen greatness. It was Luzhen might that was dragging the pitiful Chu masses out of their decadence. Now if only the Emperor-to-be and his sons could be convinced to catch the worms before they burrowed into the bloodline and spoiled the great cuts of Luzhen meat that were let to come, the Yin Dynasty could reign for ten thousand years, returning the Mandate to heavenly discipline, wisdom, and strength—in body and mind.

As Dorgon turned to leave, Kila descended to her knees, carefully clutching her young pregnancy, and then kowtowed.

“Holy Highness,” she exclaimed in Luzhen, “What is the Son of Heaven’s name, so that his wife may know?”

He looked at his wife, standing right in front of him. Kila was a woman he came to respect, but also treat with caution. She was a daughter of a powerful clan, that resisted his father for years. He had not forgotten his father's tales of defiance, and thus had to keep caution in that regard.

"Wuzong" he replied to his wife "The name of the Sovereign Appointed by Heaven is Wuzong. I will now address my subjects."

He stood proudly, staright and looked at those standing in front of him. His eye caught a glimpse of his uncle in the corner. A man he respected - but also feared. And what better solution to deal with this man than to send him on a campaign? That way he would not be able to scheme.

"My subjects, hear my proclaimation. I, Dorgon of the Wanyan clan, claim the mandate of heaven bestown by heavens themselves onto my father, the late Renzong Emperor. I will rule justly. I will punish the wicked and elevate good. I will cultivate the traditions of my ancestors, and respect the teaching of the Esteemed Sages."

He paused.

"I will make no distinction when it comes to origin. Weather a man is Chu, Luzhen or Yoghuz, if he be virtuous, he will find service in my employment. No man will ever be discriminated on based of his origin. However, as the Sovereign Blessed by Heaven, I am a father of all my subjects. As such, I wish to inform now that all my subjects are to braid their hair in Luzhen fashion, to display loyalty to their ruler. Failure to do so will result in punishment!"

He paused again:

"Furhtermore, I have decided that I will finish the task given by the Lord of Heaven to my father! The Southern Warlords, who oppress people and rob them with unfair taxes, will be brought to heel! I ask all my bannermen, and loyal warriors of the Green Standard Army, to prepare - for soon I will finish what my father started!"

He felt proud of himself. His hour has come.

A voice rang in He Chao's mind, though he took note not to speak it out loud:

"Chu, Luzhen or Yoghuz? What a joke, you Luzhen supremacist. "Father of all my subjects"? A evil stepfather, more like. And having to braid our hair? You took our country, now you regulate our hair too? Truly a disgusting bunch of barbarians."

Seven days after the funeral ceremony (canonically the time in the RP now)
He Chao touched his new braid.

It was a mark of shame, that the descendants of the great Zhu Yuanzhang, first emperor of the Liang, who once drove out the barbarian-dynasty Yuan, had to wear braids themselves. But no matter. Life was life. And it wouldn't be here for long anyway- arrangements had been made.

In the meantime, He Chao had better do his job well.

The officials in charge of national defense (军机大臣) gathered around the table, planning for the emperor's southern imperialist subjugation of the Chu peoples unification war. It was economical- if the needs of the Chu peasants were somewhat... ignored.

"Very well then," proclaimed a Luzhen official (He Chao had never bothered to memorise the names of those barbaric scum), "it is economical, as long as we cut the welfare... a little bit."

"A LITTLE BIT?" Shoubang exclaimed, outraged, "A LITTLE BIT? YOU PLAN TO CUT IT BY NINETY PERCENT! THE NATION JUST GOT OUT OF A BLOODY FAMINE! YOU EXPECT THE PEOPLE TO WORK IT OUT? MOST OF THEM ARE BARELY GETTING BACK ON WITH THE GRAINS AND CLOTH WE SEND THEM!"

Shoubang was a good man- He Chao was not.

He Chao thought: If the people are angry, it makes my future takeover easier.

Furthermore, the restoration of the Liang Dynasty justifies all ends.

But still, was it moral?

He Chao decided that it was not. The restoration could happen any time- the people cannot come back to life after starving to death.

"We must tell the emperor that the southern expedition must be delayed," He Chao pointed out.

"No." replied the Luzhen official simply.

"What do you mean 'no'?" He Chao asked, furious.

"I simply mean no. We will not listen to you or Shoubang, the only two Chu scum amongst us. Chu people are not people. They are like animals. Who cares about their lives? The Yin Empire's glory is more important. We will march south." the Luzhen official replied coldly.

"Then I will not sign the affirmation we will send to the emperor for the southern expedition." replied Shoubang simply, "and your bigoted remarks will be reported to the Emperor."

"The Empress and Prince Qing will protect me- and they will ensure your whole family is killed for speaking out against the Yin dynasty." the Luzhen official answered, "Actually..."

And the Luzhen official drew his sword.

"The Empress and Prince Qing would convince the Emperor not to mind if I simply killed you two subhumans."

Shoubang was about to draw his own sword, but He Chao stopped him.

"We are sorry," He Chao told the Luzhen official.

"Good. Two obedient dogs," replied the official, sheathing his sword.

A vivid hallucination of the official's head being chopped off flashed through He Chao's mind.

And it was thus that affirmative records were sent to the emperor for the southern expedition, though two of the signatures were written unneatly as a secret sign of defiance.

[Of the Quendi]

On the Walls of Tianjin

"Enemies at the gates! Sound the alarm!" Cried Xi Changbei, his voice cracking from the fear and excitement, making the cadet sound very much his seventeen years. Watching with dread as the plains before the eastern walls of Tianjin was overrun with several thousand horsemen advancing rapidly along the Dongshansheng road the young cadet once more cried out; "Bar the gate!". Two recruits of the Green Standard Army, each several years older than Xi Changbei, looked at the young officer-in-training in some confusion, and not for the first time Xi Changbei cursed his own inability to command the obedience of the rank and file. "Do it!" He barked angrily at the two men, causing them to sheepishly obey.

Xi Changbei, rather than supervise the order, turned again to the sight of the advancing cavalry force, his heart pounding rapidly. For his entire adult life the Empire had been at peace. A watchful and uneasy peace perhaps, but yet peace, ever since the conquest of the Da Shan and the Taizong Emperor, no Xi Changbei reminded himself, the Wuzong Emperor, had turned back from the invasion of the Southern Liang the Empire had been at peace. Now the Taizong Emperor had died and become the Wuzong Empire and already the enemy had come. Xi Changbei remembered his grandfather telling him tales of when Tianjin had fallen to Da Shan and how the blood ran read through the streets for weeks.

Remembering his training Xi Changbei peered out on the enemy trying to figure out who they where. He quickly surmised them to be Yoghuz. It seemed the hordes of the steppes would not bow to the new emperor as they had to his father. Xi Changbei had also heard stories from his grand father of long ago, before the rise of the Liang Dynasty when the Yoghuz had overthrown the old Empire and brought the whole of the Middle Kingdom under their sway, it was a dark and bloody chapter of the history of the Empire. The Yoghuz had put entire cities to the torch and usher in a long reign of darkness and terror in which the people had cowered before the awesome power of the great khans, it did not surprise Xi Changbei that they should once again seek dominion over the Middle Kingdom.

Lost in thoughts of the horror that was the invasion from the steppes Xi Changbei was caught of guard when an order was shouted. "Belay that order." Xi Changbei spun around, turning his back to the Yoghuz horde, seeing captain Niowanggiyan advance. The old Luzhen soldier marched steadily along the wall his bad leg dragging only slightly behind him. A grizzled veteran of the conquest of Da Shan the captain commanded the universal respect of the troops under his command for his supreme mastery of his profession, his evenhanded, almost kind, treatment of his men and above all for his unflappable demeanor even in the most stressed and tense times. Looking for comfort from his officer Xi Changbei was therefore greatly frightened when in the eyes of his captain he saw a fatalistic dread. "Cadet Xi, belay the order." Captain Niowanggiyan demanded, rather redundantly as the recruits had obeyed the captain instantly. "But sir." Xi Changbei insisted. "The Yoghuz is invading." He declared pointing towards the enemy.

Captain Niowanggiyan shook his head slowly his face ashen as he unconsciously rubbed his bad leg. "No they are not son" The captain declared. Xi Changbei was about to protest the statement but thought better of it. "Belay the order." He then, with the greatest possible reluctance shrieked at the two recruits. The captain walked up beside him. "Look there Xi Changbei." The captain said pointing towards the enemies. "See, the greater part of the host is not coming here at all, they are setting up camp on the far side of the Wenyu river." The captain said and looking out from the wall Xi Changbei could see it was true. Most of the Yoghuz made not attempt to cross the bridge across the river just east of Tianjin but rather seemed to converge on the white hill overlooking the river some two miles from the walls of Tianjin, looking like they meant to set up camp. "They are preparing to besiege us." Xi Changbei said. At this the captain grunted. "With an all cavalry force? And no siege equipment? I think not." The captain replied, gazing tiredly out on the enemy. Just then a group of the enemy, some five hundred strong if Xi Changbei should guess, rode across the bridge and came thundering down towards the Changrui gate with great haste. "The Yoghuz mean to catch us by surprise." Xi Changbei insisted. "No." the captain replied. "For they are not Yoghuz at all, they are banners." He declared. Pointing towards the advance guard of the troops the captain explained. "See; a black banner on the right and a black bordered banner on the left. These are not the Yoghuz ... Well the men serving the black bordered banner are of course. But sadly this is not a Yoghuz invasion. No. I know who it is who rides there."

Xi Changebei looked at his commander curious to hear more, but the captain seemed lost to his own thoughts, staring vacantly into the distance. For the first time Xi Changbei, who all but worshipped his commander thought about the mortality of the man. He seemed older than he had this morning, dragging his leg more than usual, lacking in the martial brilliance and the aura of dignity and honor he usually exuded. He seemed an old and done man. "No Xi Changbei." The captain whispered in a despondent tone of voice. "It is not the Yoghuz come to kill us in out beds. If only it were. No, it is Prince Qing who rides there. Heaven help us all."

In the Forbidden City

From beyond the walls of the Imperial City the faint sound of screams heralded the arrival of Prince Qing even before the grand gates of the throne room in the Forbidden City was thrown open before the man. An overexcitable concubine broke the solemnity of the occasion with a shriek. Though the no one else joined the concubine in her shrieking terror the sentiment was widely felt as Prince Qing stepped into the throne room followed by his banner men of the Black and Border Black Banners and the great chieftains of the Luzhen (and even quite a few Yoghuz) tribes who had accompanied the Prince.

Prince Qing had that effect on most. As he sauntered through the throne room as if he owned it, in the slightly bowlegged gait of a man who had spent much of his adult life on horse back, the Yin court recoiled from him, clearing a path towards the throne. The reaction of course owed some to the presence of the brigands and outlaws that made up the mans entourage in the two black, plain and bordered, banners. Among the Luzhen and Yoghuz men on the outskirts of the clan system who could find no place in the more prestigious banners of the Empire was always welcomed to the black banners if they knew how to fight and knew not how to feel pity. Some no doubt was also due to the Prince's countenance. He was a large man, tall even by Luzhen standards and a giant among his hated Chu foes. He had the built and demeanor of a warrior born and he wore a great sword of Luzhen fashion by his side. His face was terrible to behold. Once upon a time he had been handsome; no more. War had turned his face into a battlefield. He lacked his left eye and the better part of his right ear, multiple scars and even a sizable burn mark marred his features and of his aquiline nose the cartilage had been lost to an enemy blade leaving his nostrils exposed. This, and his gaunt skin stretching thin across his face gave him an almost skeletal appearance. Yes the company the Prince kept and his terrifying appearance was cause enough to make the Yin court recoil from him. And yet there was more to it than that. There clung to Prince Qing and air of menace and cruelty that struck all but the bravest with terror. It was best symbolized by the eye patch the Prince wore over his left eye socket. The thin leather used to fashioned it had never been part of an animal, it was the skin of the nine year old second, and last, emperor of Da Shan. Rumor had it that Prince Qing had personally flayed the boy and then eaten him while his tailor fashioned the eye patch. This was but the least of the monstrosities that the recoiling courtiers remembered from rumor and innuendo and their own nightmares. As this man marched upon the throne, his intentions not yet clear, it was this terror that caused concubines, eunuchs, mandarins and even generals and governors to retreat before him, for in Prince Qing they saw a man whose cruelty transcended humanity itself, to defy him was not to defy death, for when ones foe was Prince Qing death was ones greatest ally, the only escape beyond his reach and the horror he might inflict.

Only around the new emperor, where the senior courtiers stood did people not recoil from the slow and steady march of inhumanity itself. Yet around him the emperor's guards grabbed the hilts of their swords very firmly. As the new emperor made declared the principle of equality between the Chu, Luzhen and Yoghuz many courtiers looked not upon the emperor but upon his uncle. Yet they observed no reaction. Prince Qing did not so much as momentarily pause his march or bat a partially burnt eyelash. Nor did the second part of the proclamation, one that many guessed to be more agreeable to Prince Qing elicit an emotional response; or perhaps it did, no courtier dared to look into Prince Qing's remaining eye to see there in the depths of cold inhumanity what feelings the most feared man in the Empire might have.

"No!" the voice of Prince Qing, cold as the winters of the steppe, calm and yet commanding, rang out in an unimaginable rebuke of the emperor's will. And in that moment the Yin court felt the specter of civil war among the Wanyan, the Wuzong Emperor against the Prince Qing, walk through the throne room, and if the young emperor could count ten times as many troops as his uncle or more few dared believe such a thing would be anything but too terrible to endure. "We cannot now attack the southern mongrels emperor." Declared Prince Qing, to the surprise of the court. "I bring you a present for the occasion of your coronation nephew." He then added.

Two of the bordered black banner men dragged something into the throne room towards the emperor. The court, curious looked at them wondering what present Prince Qing might wish to offer his nephew as he dared to speak against him. The two banner men, large hulking Yoghuz savages, seemed to have some trouble dragging what looked a bit like a person towards the throne. No, not quite a person, there was something missing ...

As the court realized what 'present' Prince Qing had brought his nephew it was not a lone concubine shrieking. Many a grizzled veteran general shouted in disgust and concubines by the scores broke out into hysterical screams, some fainting. The courtiers not so much recoiled from the two banner men and their offering as they fled to the sides of the throne room.

What the banner men carried was indeed a person or rather it must have once been. That was difficult to tell now. The wretch had no arms beyond his elbows and no feet. If anyone would be inclined to inspect it they would see the dismemberment was of a very recent make and expertly done as great care had been taken to stop the bleeding and tend to the wounds to prevent the wretch from bleeding out. The poor creature similarly had no eyes, no ears, no nose and seemed to possess only a few teeth which where badly destroyed. From the low wordless groans that emitted from the creature it seemed likely that it possessed no tongue either. To top things of, and perhaps most revolting to the eye, an attempt had been made with great skin and artistry to peel of the entirety of the face of the creature, leaving no real features on the head. A eunuch standing nearby, a physician whose trade it was to make more eunuchs noticed that Prince Qing appeared to wear a hat made of a similar fabric to his eye patch, but much fresher, and this castrater promptly deposited the content of his stomach on the throne room floor. Prince Qing's present wore the robes of a Chu mandarin which at the groin area was covered in blood and had a faint smell of urine suggesting perhaps other horrific dismemberments.

The two banner men dropped, with some relief their cargo on the floor in front of the emperor, next to Prince Qing, a very low whimpered escaped the maimed mandarin at the impact with the floor. Miraculously he was yet alive. "This thing!" Prince Qing stated, calmly unfazed by the reaction of the court, and the fact that a few drops of blood had hit him when the thing hit the floor; "This Chu, has plotted against the emperor. He was caught bearing a letter to the secretary of the Dongshansheng chancellery asking him to withhold the pay of the troops of the Green Standard Army in my viceroyalty to incite them to riot against the empire."

Prince Qing withdrew from his pocket a piece of paper holding it out towards his nephew. The captain of the emperor's guard stepped towards Prince Qing, very carefully with a firm grip on the handle of his sword. While trying his level best not to go near the dismembered mandarin he took the piece of paper and withdrew once more from Prince Qing, handing the letter to the Emperor.

Honored Sun Wan,

However much longer must the Empire suffer the misrule of the savages of the north? The barbarous emperor is death and yet his whelp lives to lord over our people, aided by the monster who name himself Prince Qing, destroyer and defiler of our nation, whom you serve, aiding him in his many wicked deeds. Enough say we, the many mandarins, loyal and true to the heirs of the rightful Liang Dynasty. Join us Sun Wan. Through your office all funding for the Green Standard Army in Dongshansheng passes. Withhold it and we shall send our agents among the soldiers and tell them that it is Prince Qing who refuses to pay them because they are good Chu not evil Luzhen, and they will riot against the false dynasty, the wicked prince and the evil emperor. So, we may undermine their barbarian regime and in turn bring it to fall. Do this thing Sun Wan and when a rightful Chu emperor sits the celestial throne you shall be richly rewarded for your loyalty with honors and offices aplenty. Do it not and we fear that the evil emperor shall soon permit the wicked prince to slay you and all your kin as is his brutish fashion. Choose wisely.

Your humble servants,
Anonymous

"You are wise nephew." Said Prince Qing, to desire to subjugate the southern rebels once and for all, for if the letter is unsigned clearly the hand of those degenerate self-proclaimed kings and princes are here at work. These little mice scurry about plowing and scheming, thinking that the strength of Yin died with your father. We must prove them wrong; we must destroy their hateful princedoms and statelets and unite all of Heaven under the glorious banner of mighty Yin. It is our destiny." Declared the Prince. "But." He continued. "If those southern despots in their decadent palaces are the masters of this letter they have help, and no doubt a great deal of it, from elements within our own state. How else could they ever hope to stand against the might of our dynasty? What armies have they to resist us? What battles have they won that we should fear them? None and none. Only by subterfuge and treachery and the disloyalty of those closest to the celestial throne can they hope to prevail. So therefore nephew I urge you: crush the dissidents and the traitors, the renegades and the criminals. Purge them of their offices and deprive them of their titles."

Prince Qing took a step closer towards his nephew and lowered his voice so only the emperor his guard and those closest to him could hear. "Nephew, my armies are not far from here, I can have ten thousand loyal Bannermen in Tianjin in a week, and threefold as many within a fortnight. Give the order and I shall bring them here and root out the treasonous element within your capital. Your own hand needn't be stained by the act, you can leave it to me to do what must be done." Prince Qing said, his voice conveying the ominous meaning of his proposal.

[Aeyariss]

Duchy of Wei

"To the Duke Of Wei,

Let it be known that you were a good friend to the late emperor, and that you were loyal to him- you followed him through war and peace. But our great Sovereign is dead, and the new Sovereign, who trusts the new Empress, Kila, and the Governor, Surhaci, both of which being racists and not above genocide, may choose to perform a purge of the court from all of Chu descent, you included. What loyalty to the Yin emperor will they care about? They are pyschopaths and murderers.

You have not sent your child as hostage to the Capital yet, I hope. I suggest you perform actions necessary to ensure the survival of you, your family, and hopefully the Chu peoples in your dominion.

And also, there is not one sun in the sky, like widely believed. The remnants of the old sun still dwell in the air, and are consolidating into a sun again- choose wisely.

Yours sincerely,
Anonymous."

The old man sighed upon reading the content. It was the night before the Northern lords depart for the imperial capital to attend the funeral. He had been informed that he had received an urgent message, and left on his study table.

The imperial family had many enemies, that is for sure, but he never anticipated that they would attempt to maneuver as quickly as this. The Dead emperor barely laid to rest, and already troubles seem to be brewing. He shudders to think what is going to happen in the Forbidden Palace in the near future if forces acting in the shadows are already scheming intrigue and plots…Surely, power transition offers a good opportunity for drastic change in the balance of power.

But to what end?

And what of the Middle Kingdom? What of the Chu People?

The Duke sided with the late Emperor in the past because he believed it would end the dynastic war and bring about peace. He was right. Peace returned to the land after years of war and political turmoil. For a generation the kingdom was able to return to a sense of normalcy… at least for the interior where the sovereign law and justice reaches.

He re-read the letter again. The content of the letters does not serve his clan at all. No offer of help. No new information that he doesn't already know... and most importantly, he has no idea who the writer intended for him to support. Old sun? What is that even referring to?

Either way, all he knew at this point was; the new Emperor’s got himself a new enemy. This writer claimed the Emperor wanted to suppress the rights of the Chu people. The ethnic majority in the Middle Kingdom? Bah! Unlikely. The imperial court doesn’t have the strength. Half the Chu warlords would rise against such tyrants. Even the late emperor was only able to win because half the Chu warlords sided with him.

Nevertheless he kept the letter in a secure place. Right now, no one needs to know about this.

***

The Capital

The journey to the imperial capitalist was only about 1,400 li away. But it did take the better part of a week from their capital in Luoyang - since they had to rush to arrive before the end of the funeral rites, which typically last a week. His adoptive son and daughter accompanied him, along with his wife, and a host of guards, entourage and retainers. The journey was rather uneventful.

Now it’s time to meet with his new Sovereign…

[New Aeyariss]

Anger filled the Emperor's breast as he read the letter. The realisation hit him like a thunder from a clear sky. There were traitors within his court, working to restore the old dynasty behind his back. How many were there? Where were they hiding?

He paused for a second, realising that he could trust no one. While his uncle did expoe the traitor, he could have an ulterior motive here. He knew that his uncle was often accused of wanting to take power - what if the forces that were brought to the capital deposed him next?

But still, the action had to be taken.

"Convey my Decree!" he said, addressing the prince Qing "I order you to summon the bannermen into the Imperial Capital. Let them come armed and prepared.

I also order you to bein an official investigation into the corrupt officials. I appoint you with all the necessary power. However, I order you to throughly investigate every official. Those who are innocent are not to be punished!"

A plan was hatching inside his head, of how to solve the two dangers. Time would show weather the plan was effective.

[Second Sina]

He Chao could do nothing about the Bannermen searching his home.

This morning, He Chao had been consuming his morning meal when four Bannermen barged in, declaring themselves here on order of the Emperor of Yin and the Prince Qing. Without any further explanation they began to rummage through his belongings. He Chao dared not resist, eating his breakfast as though nothing happened.

Was it not ironic that the men of Chu seek to find and kill their rightful emperor and would-be liberator?

"What's this?" a Bannerman asked, rudely seizing a piece of fabric in the corner, worn and tattered, which had been behind two cupboards, which had been pushed away.

The "this" in question was a corner of a flag, which seemed to have been yellow in colour.

"Why do you have yellow flags?" asked the Bannerman, pointing his sword at He Chao.

He Chao replied: "I found it some days ago at an antique shop."

"The pattern is reminiscent of the Liang Dynasty imperial banner, owned by the Liang imperial family."

He Chao replied: "That is truly interesting. I will report to the emperor about this."

"We will do it for you," replied the Green Bannerman.

Just then, another Bannerman went over to the first and said: "A full search has been conducted, and all is well, except for a single pearl."

"That.. would be an ancestral treasure."

"I thought you were an orphan?" asked the Bannerman, suspicious.

"It's a friend's pearl. I'm taking care of it- he's going for a journey to Changan for business oppoturnities."

"Very well. We will be taking it for, uh... research."

And thus the four Bannermen departed with the pearl, of which they had no meaning of returning.

He Chao looked down, and looked at the block of jade he had hidden within his robe- and that the Bannermen had not discovered.

It was a very peculiar type of jade- peach in colour. There was a small sculpture of a dragon on top of the block, also made of jade. And on the block was carved:

"受命于天，既寿永昌"

Indeed, it was the 玉玺 of the Liang Dynasty itself.

[Of the Quendi]

Nary a glimmer of triumph showed in Prince Qing's cold eye or on his gaunt and maimed face as he received the emperor's decree. "The will of the emperor be done!" He shouted in the Luzhen tongue, bowing before his nephew, like a Luzhen beile to his khan rather than kowtow as a Chu official to his emperor. Rising anon he turned towards his entourage. "Send words to Shengjin and to the border garrisons. Summon the banners, the faithful servants of the emperor." Prince Qing ordered. A half dozen grizzled Yoghuz warriors of the Bordered Black Banner and a solitary dark and dashing young warrior with one eye and features that seemed half Chu and half Luzhen who wore the uniform of a senior officer of the Plain Black Banner, Prince Qing's seventh son, Yoto, the offspring of a Tongilsillan concubine, received this ordered with a salute first towards their commander and then towards the emperor. They departed the great hall determinedly to summon Prince Qing's troops to the capital.

The order given Prince Qing turned again towards his nephew and sovereign only for his eye to catch sight of the maimed official beneath him. A faint reaction of disgust or revulsion briefly marred the otherwise still and emotionless visage of the prince. "Have this thing taken." He ordered. "And throw it into the unsealed tomb of Wuzong Emperor. In this life the creature betrayed its emperor; in all future lives it may serve as the lowest slave of the Wuzong Emperor and in performing the most menial service may find some purpose to its offensive existence and learn to praise the boundless mercy of the Great Yin Dynasty. Alongside its entire family to the ninth degree who may join it in the Wuzong Emperor's tomb." Prince Qing ordered, surveying the court as he spoke, his eye searching for dissension, weakness and treachery in the faces of the scared and shocked courtiers.

Having offered this "merciful" punishment of extermination of an entire clan the Prince turned back to his nephew-emperor. "I vow to be diligent and dutiful in investigating the corrupt and disloyal officials and to be guided by no principle but the might and glory of the dynasty in rooting out the traitors." He declared. "No one shall be above suspicion and censure and none shall be shown preference or consideration on the basis of kinship or status or any other consideration but their guilt or innocence." The Prince declared as the mutilated Chu mandarin was grabbed by the two banner men who had brought him and dragged away.

Then the Prince took a step closer to his nephew and lowered his voice, speaking only the emperor and those standing nearby rather than to the whole of the court. "I shall see the matter done and see it done quickly nephew, have no fear." He assured his nephew. "In the meantime however perhaps you might wish to absent yourself from the capital? Your reign has just begun it need not be sullied with the dirty work of purging traitors and rebels, leave that to me that your Majesty may remain untarnished by the act." The Prince suggested. "I own an estate in the mountains four hundred li northeast of here, at Rehe Xinggong where the Luzhen, Yoghuz and Chu lands meet. The game there is bountiful and the landscapes beautiful. I ahem enjoyed many a happy time there. I hereby gift it to your majesty. Perhaps you may go there with a few courtiers, like the empress, whose loyalty is beyond reproach and what servants you need to attend you and soldiers you need to keep you safe from traitors and assassins, while I secure the loyalty of the capital." Said Prince Qing.