A quick recap of history of Three Kingdoms
To live, live one's passions; to survive, abandon one's passions (Historical SI- Three Kingdoms Era)
- Thread starter Castage
- Start date
Interlude: Chen Wen, the inspector of Yang province
- Location
- In front of monitor
I am not a good man.
I was born as the fourth son to Chen clan, a family of merchants. Being the fourth son to one of the concubines (who died when I was nine), not blessed with mind, strength or looks, made it obvious, that I wouldn't be inheriting my father's position as head of the clan. So father barely paid me any attention at all. Instead, when he saw an opportunity, he sent me to university. He put the matter clearly - after I finished my studies, the family would stop supporting me.
I was not exactly clear as to why he decided on that course of action. I was aware that there was some… competition among my half-siblings for my father's favour and my presence was not… desired. Whether he sent me away due to worry for my safety, or due to the scheming of his wife or one of his concubines, I will never know.
I left my family without much regret - after my mother's death, the only person I stayed close to, was one of my younger half-sisters.
At the university, I have experienced freedom, I have never known before. The time with my friends was precious to me, the poetry meetings, the debates... the parties and drinking... the women.
It was also at this place that I have met a teacher that would become my surrogate father in all but name.
With newfound freedom, it didn't take me long to find myself in trouble. I have spent too much money and found myself indebted. It quickly became apparent that I was in danger of losing my position as a student. My father refused to help me - more, he made it pointedly clear, that I was on my own. I don't think that he ever thought of me as his son. It... it broke me somehow.
At this time of trouble, one of my teachers came to my rescue. Master Li Ying did not give me money, no. Instead, he helped me to get a job. He put in a good word for me, which all but guaranteed that I became a government official. He straightened me, motivated me to take my studies and my job seriously.
He was the first person since my mother's death to treat me seriously. To believe, I was worth something.
To believe in me.
And I came to love the man, more than my own father. For he filled the void, that the man left - and I became complete again.
He was wise, compassionate and just. He embodied most of the Confucian virtues. He was not only a great teacher but also a capable governor. Despite how much work he had doing both jobs at the same time, he performed both of them admirably.
These were the happiest years of my life...
Until a disaster struck.
…
One day, performing his duties as governor, master Li Ying came across a particular case.
A fortune-teller from Luoyang by the name Zhang Cheng has predicted that the general pardon would be issued. So he instructed his son to kill a man.
Master Li Ying arrested both of the men and quickly found them both guilty, as they didn't even hide with their crime.
But soon, just as Zhang Cheng predicted, a general pardon was issued.
It didn't take long for Master Li Ying to discover the entire truth, and he was furious. He could not bear to let the murderer go unpunished… so in anger, he disregarded the pardon and executed both, son and father.
Master, for a long time, belonged to Confucian officials clique - a group of scholars and officials who opposed the eunuch faction.
For years both of factions pushed each other, neither ever gaining an advantage. Until now.
The fortune-teller Zhang Cheng was a good friend with eunuchs - who after his death accused Master Li and some of his colleagues of encouraging university students to criticize the government and the emperor.
That and the fact that Emperor Huan was quite interested in Zhang Cheng's fortune-telling was enough for him to issue arrest orders for Li Ying, his colleagues and academy students… including myself.
When I was arrested and interrogated, I was terrified. I was afraid of pain, I was nervous around the harsh people interrogating me, I was terrified of the possibility of pain and torture. I was also lost. I knew not what the situation was, why I was arrested? Why did the Emperor took such an action against his loyal servant?
When I was asked to tell about my studies, I answered, not hesitating at all. I was answering to the Emperor's officials, after all. When they asked about master Li, I also have told them honest answers. I knew that there was a possibility that they would use my words against him… but I was too much of a coward to try and lie to them… even if I did, I would probably fail miserably.
The time I spent in the cell under arrest, was terrible. The worst was uncertainty. What would happen to me?
Eventually, I got my answer.
I was stripped of my civil liberties and exiled.
…
And so started the worst period of my life.
I had no family to turn to, to ask for help or money. I, an educated man, could not hold any office. I could not even join the army.
I lived the life of a beggar, often hungry for days. Spending my time on the streets, begging, scrapping for food…
There were times, that I didn't have food for days - at times I was desperate enough to consider eating rats and bodies of dead beggars.
I never did. But that times, the feelings of that moments - of how close I was to eat the body of the dead, haunted me for the rest of my life.
From time to time I managed to find a temporary work on farms… sometimes I got to work for the more… questionable members of society.
But I didn't complain. A coin was a coin, and that meant food.
Before those times, I have never thought that simple foods could taste so good. That a few grains of rice could taste so heavenly, that you could kill for it... I saw quite a few people die for scraps.
I… existed in that state for some time, I survived.
Until, a year later, Emperor Huan died.
The emperor did not leave any direct heir, so his wife, Empress Huansi, became the regent and empress dowager. She and important officials choose Liu Hong as the new Emperor, who from this point on was known as Emperor Ling.
Since he was only twelve, the Empress continued being a regent. Unlike her deceased husband, she was a diligent ruler, who saw too many important matters. One of such matters was restoring the rights to those who lost them during the prohibitions. She even made many of them, officials.
And so, after a year of suffering, I have returned to the capital and was made an official. My time of hardship has come to an end. I would not beg anymore.
I had a very warm reunion with Master Li Ying, who also was made an official in Luoyang. We shed tears, during our reunion. Only after meeting the man again, I felt as if I returned home.
With a new ruler and different style of ruling, I have finally regained purpose in my life. My work made the difference, I made the country better.
I was fulfilled.
After a few months, a rumour started. Empress's father planned to have corrupt eunuchs exterminated. If he won, the disease running the Empire would be cured… but should the eunuchs won, they would exterminate the Empress's faction - including the Partisans.
And that terrified me, and again, a great fear gripped my heart. I remembered all too well the months of hunger I had to live through not so long ago. I would not survive that kind of life again.
I was not willing to risk it. Not again. I have requested the transfer to the Yang province - to the fringes of the Empire. Since that was something similar to the exile, my surrogate father tried to dissuade me from this course of action.
But I was too afraid, to listen.
I shared my fears with the man I considered my father and urged him to also leave the capital.
But that enraged him.
"You would leave the Empire in its time of need? This is why as loyal subjects we should support the Emperor! Yet you would run! I don't remember you being such a coward!" He snapped, his words cutting deep. "You want to run? Run, then, coward!"
My father's words left me broken. Yet they were not enough to settle the wild fear and the echoes of hunger, pain and... numbness.
...and so, to my shame, I did run.
I became an official in Shouchun.
After a few months, I received the dreadful news from the capital. The news I fared, the news that hurt me.
Empress's father, Dou Wu, the commander of the capital defence forces, planned the extermination of eunuchs, but his plans were found out. The eunuchs took both, the Emperor and Empress into custody and ordered Dou Wu's execution... but he managed to gather his soldiers and resist. So eunuchs tricked an experienced general Zhang Huan, into believing that Dou Wu was committing treason.
Zhang Huan defeated Dou Wu.
Dou clan was almost completely exterminated. Empress Huansi was imprisoned and her mother exiled.
Then the eunuchs turned their eyes to the Partisans. They convenienced the young Emperor Ling, that the Partisans wanted to rebel.
Hundred of Partisans were arrested and executed.
Among them, my surrogate father... with whom I parted in discord.
The news hurt me deeply, so deeply that I wept and not slept for the entire night. The man who gave me so much, the man who was the closest person to me, in the entire world, the man who was my family in all but blood, was gone. And the last memory of him, I have is... is our fight. Is of him, turning his back on me, denouncing me...
I later found out that one of the eunuchs intended to send orders for my execution… and he would if a single noble didn't point out that I was already in an effective exile. That seemed to satisfy the eunuch.
I wanted to thank the man for saving my life, but the young noble said that he aided many Partisans to escape eunuchs revenge.
Truly, I owed young master Yuan Shao a great debt.
My life went on relatively peacefully. But the shadow of the possibility of eunuchs changing their minds and ordering my execution lay heavily on me.
I continued my career as an official, but I wanted to secure my position, to be safe, in case the eunuchs changed their minds and went after me. For that I needed allies. My most realistic option was to marry into a respected clan. But for such a clan to even consider a marriage alliance with me, I needed to have something to offer to that clan.
The best way to do that was to hold a position of power. But to advance to such a position, I needed to buy it.
So I started gathering money… but it was going to slow. At that pace, I would advance the position in ten years.
So I decided to do, what everyone else were doing - to take a bribe. Still, my conscience didn't allow me to put more burden on innocent peasants… but there were few of them, who were scum, whom I wasn't guilty about taxing heavier. But once I secured enough coins, I cased doing that.
It took a few months, but I managed to secure a position high enough to try to convince a local respected Yang clan to allow me to marry one of their kin. Of course, it took some time, courting and manoeuvring, but after some time I married one Yang Xiuying.
We did not love each other, this was a political marriage, after all, but we came to respect each other.
The things were finally starting to look up for me.
And then, I became a father.
I was elated! My child, my heir!
Someone, who would be my family, unconditionally. Someone who would fill the void, that was with me, since the death of my surrogate father. The idea, it struck me hard - I would do everything that was in my power... for my child.
While I was distant with my wife, we were connected by our love for the child.
But soon I found myself in a bind again. My current pension was not enough to support my family now. So I had to gather cash again and fast too.
So I started taking bribes again.
Time went on. I advanced my position and had more children. It took time, but eventually, I achieved a position of inspector of Yang province. One of three, true, but still I had a position high enough to give the eunuchs a pause before going after me.
I was finally safe.
The tranquil and peaceful times continued.
One day, after dealing with my business, I heard two people talking. A merchant and a peasant were complaining about a corrupt official.
I wondered about who they were talking, so I continued listening. As the men described the official's corruption, I slowly realized, that it was I, they were talking about... and I couldn't rebuke their reasoning, the examples they gave.
With sinking heart, I realized that I became the very person I despised and feared.
Yet, with realization… and shame, the change did not come.
I did not change, cause it was… convenient, to continue the way I did.
So I did.
Years passed peacefully until a Yellow Scarves rebellion started. Thankfully, the Yang province was not as plagued by rebels as the northern region. The skilled general Zhu Jun with aid of famous Sun Jian managed to defeat the rebel forces near Yang province and push them north.
After that, the rebellion didn't have any meaningful impact on the border province.
The bandits and the southern Shanyue barbarians were a more visible threat.
And just as quietly the rebellion started, just as noticeably it ended.
It was only a few months later that something changed.
A man arrived from the capital – a new province's inspector. He was young, impressionable and naive – just as I was, all those years ago. Just as I, he was banished from the capital to the fringes of the Empire. A young noble from Yuan clan, Yuan Xi – the second son of the man who helped me all those years ago.
Despite the man having a claim for the position of the inspector that I held (along with two others) I felt a kinship to him. I also owed his father, so I decided to help him – guide him.
As we meet, the naive boy politely asked if I relinquished my position to him. He was so polite that I actually laughed. I apologized and refused (after all, I spend to much time, and money to get where I was) – instead, I offered my assistance in settling down. I also explained how things were in the province – of how the inspectors of Yang province had their own sphere's of influence and didn't interfere with each other's areas.
When I finished he inquired, why I was helping him – I admitted that I owed his father a favour.
He hesitated – which was good, I would be disappointed if he was a naively trustworthy person, who would believe without question that I owed his father and did not have any ulterior motive – before accepting my help.
I have introduced him to nobles and people of importance.
He mingled with nobles, got to know them, their families and their history. He was pretty interested in people's stories and clans histories.
The young noble took it a step farther – he started making connections with many other people. First, he met with merchants, who had financial problems. He would either borrow them money or buy their shops.
When he would buy the shop he would rearrange it and hire the clan that owned it before to attend it, or close it and repurpose the building. Often, when he borrowed money, he would take the clan members that caught his attention for one reason or other - be they men or, strangely, be they women, into his retinue.
I have also gave him a few tips on what to look for when performing inspections and shared quite a few stories. Yuan Xi did seem to enjoy it – stories, experiences, situations...
After some time in the city, we moved he moved to the country. He took upon himself to help the simple peasants.
His retinue often helped with repairing the houses of local families, the fences and the fields. His action brought him the appreciation of the simple folk, but providing help to one village was taking him a long time with his humble resources - he managed to stabilize the situation in three villages and it took him two months.
It greatly frustrated him.
Even though he was starting to be respected and liked official, it was not enough for him.
He came to me one day, pouring out his regrets at not being able to organize the wider help to the region. He asked me to organize the meeting of inspectors – he wanted to convince them to help him.
I wanted to laugh at him, but my chest hurt so much that I couldn't – this would achieve nothing. He would fail. I wanted to laugh, I wanted to mock his naivety,…
I opened my mouth to rebuke him – but nothing came out.
And then, I realized.
My chest hurt, not because I wanted to laugh – it was from shame. It was squeezing me, choking me, killing me…
I then realized that Yuan Xi reminded me of my surrogate father. Not in his character or naivety, but in the core principles he upheld… and the ones that I failed to uphold. The shame was unbearable.
And then, a thought came.
Maybe… maybe with him, I could become the man I was… the man my surrogate father was proud of, a man whose children, one day, would be proud of.
Smiling, I agreed to organize a meeting.
It took some time to organize, but I finally convinced two other inspectors for the meeting. When I arrived at Shouchun, with inspectors Zi Hua and Deng Fu, we were greeted by the Grand Administrator of Commandery. As we rode into the city, we were greeted to the surprise of other inspectors by crowds.
I had to smile at their surprise.
Truthfully, I doubted that Yuan Xi would be able to convince the corrupt officials to change their act and have confronted him about it. He answered that he planned to leave them as little manoeuvre as possible. He planned to gather the crowds and first tell them about the planned help from the government, leaving the inspectors and grand administrator with little choice, but to accept, or face an angry crowd.
In my opinion, it was a very risky move. The men might refuse, or change their mind later while blaming Yuan Xi for the failure. The administrator could also decide to use an army…
But Yuan Xi would not be dissuaded – stubborn young man.
I sighed.
I would have to act as a mediator between the inspectors.
I shook my head and looked around. The people were smiling and greeting us enthusiastically.
I frowned.
The people were never enthusiastic to see the inspectors – I don't remember when I was greeted enthusiastically. Has Yuan Xi already spread the news about the planned help to the civilian population? He didn't wait for inspectors to arrive? The boy couldn't be that impatient – could he?
My thoughts were interrupted as we approached the Yuan's mansion – the cheeky brat was standing before the building, surrounded by his retinue.
He stepped forward and put his hands in salute-
Then staggered back, as an arrow lodged itself right above his heart.
That crowd feel silent.
I watched numbly, as the young man slowly fell on his knees, blood pouring from his mouth. Before he fell, his bodyguard grabbed him and surrounded him with their weapons drawn.
"The corrupt officials assassinated Lord Yuan!" a voice called from the crowd.
"What?" I managed as I turned to the crowd.
What I saw was a wall of confused faces slowly changing – there was disbelief, disgust, anger – fury. Much of fury. I looked back at Yuan Xi – he was being carried into the mansion, but his guards stayed. Only now I realized, that their weapons were pointed at our group.
People started slowly to scream, throwing accusations at us. Someone stepped forward, other person followed. It was when someone threw a stone, we started slowly backing. We had not enough guards to stop that crowd.
As the stones started flying, we turned and started escaping.
We rode, wildly through the city, the crowd hot on our heels – hunting us.
I saw one of the guard's horse trip, and the man fell off. He was almost immediately surrounded by the angry crowd – I saw the sticks raising and falling. The sticks that rose again were red. I turned my head.
We successfully escaped the city, but we didn't stop our mad ride. We finally slowed down when the city was far behind us, and a pursuit was long lost.
I was still in shock as our horses slowly stepped through the forest.
"How did it come to this." I couldn't help but mutter.
"What a mess." One of the inspectors said.
"Good riddance – the young man was nothing but trouble." the other said.
"Good riddance!?" The administrator screamed, the disbelief clear in his voice. "We have an entire city trying to kill us, the second son of one of the most powerful of noble clans in the Empire was killed and we are the most likely suspects! When his father hears about this, he will call for our heads! Just on principle, to make sure that none messes with Yuans! I don't know which one of you organized that assassination, but I will - Cagh!"
The administrator rasped as the arrow stuck from his throat.
"UH!" the inspector Zi Hua, who was riding next to him, managed only to grunt as two arrows hit his chest, with enough strength to throw him from the horse.
I didn't wait. I screamed at my stead and waved the reins, making the horse run in a gallop.
I only slowed twenty li further, to give the horses some time to rest. It was then, one of the surviving guards told me, that both inspectors and the administrator were killed in the ambush.
I paced, around the room. My head snapped as Lei Bo entered the room.
"What news?" I asked briefly, impatiently.
The former bandit saluted.
"The Schouchun was briefly in chaos, but the order was restored by Yuan Xi's adviser, Xun Yu."
"What about Yuan Xi?" I asked impatiently.
"Alive, but in a critical state. It is unknown if he will survive."
I sat on a chair, resigned. Lei Bo stayed silent for a moment, before continuing.
"The grand administrator's family was killed by an angry population. Inspector Zi Hua's clan submitted to Xun Yu, hoping for his protection." The man hesitated, before continuing. "The clan of inspector Deng Fu declared you the killer, and called for your head."
My head snapped, as I looked at my subordinate.
"What?" I asked, disbelief clear in my voice.
"My lord," he started uncertainly. "The inspectors and the grand administrator were blamed for the assassination of Yuan Xi… but since the administrator and other inspectors are dead, people believe that you made a power play to take over the province."
I hid my face, covering it with both of my hands.
What should I do now?
I woke to the loud noise.
I slowly sat up, listening to the sounds coming from the outside.
Screaming!?
I got up and run to the source of the sounds - not carrying to even put on my clothes.
As I got outside, I saw a slaughter.
The gates were open!
I saw Lei Bo desperately fending of ten men, holding them off in gate, only to scream as one spear jabbed him in the face. As he turned with a painful howl, I saw his right eye bleeding. Gone. He tried to run, but the men who fought him didn't give him a chance. He collapsed on the ground dead, pierced by several spears. Yet the soldiers that killed him did not take chances - they continued stabbing him until they were sure he was dead.
Enemy soldiers purred into the yard, slaughtering my guards.
I took a step back, as the intruders finished killing my guards and started advancing on me.
It was at that moment that Ji Ling crashed into intruders, putting himself between them and me.
I watched with wonder as he slaughtered the bandits - like a mythical demon.
It was so easy because the intruders were dispersed. He killed the bandit with single thrust or swing of his ji, before advancing onto the next one. He overwhelmed over ten people that way before they even knew what was going on. The intruders started panicking, slowly backing before the might of the warrior.
But as Ji Ling brought his blade down on another intruder, it was deflected. Ji Ling fluently spun, switching his attention to the new opponent, as the man he failed to kill, scrambled back.
What happened next, I could barely see. A flurry of stabs and thrusts were exchanged between Ji Ling and the challenger. I could barely see, so fast the exchange was.
The ji clashed against the ji.
The challenger was good, but not enough. He slowly, but surely backed under Ji Ling's assault.
As it looked as if the victory was in Ji Ling's hands, another intruder joined the fray, helping the old man.
He lacked the old man's experience and skill, but still, he was good. Both, of the men, worked finely together, but even their combined skill merely delayed Ji Ling. He still managed to push both men back.
I frowned as I looked closer at the assailant. My eyes widened as a recog-
"Uf!" I grunted and fell on my knees. My vision darkened and I could feel some warm fluid flowing down my forehead.
"Enough!" A familiar voice bummed, right next to me.
Yuan Xianyi – I recognized the man.
I could, as if through the fog, as Ji Ling briefly turned his head to look at the voice, only to stop completely, when he saw me.
As my vision darkened, I could see net falling on him…
The guards lead me through the corridors. My arms and chest were bound tightly – too much for a simple weak scholar like me – and my mouth was gagged.
I had no delusions that I would face my death soon. I don't know how I would be able to convince Yuan Xi that I had nothing to do with the assassination attempt on him.
As we entered the main chamber, they had forced me to my knees – not that I was able to resist in my state.
There were not many people present.
Yuan Xi, wearing simple robes, sat in the centre of the room. Next to him stood his adviser Xun Yu and officers – Cao Xing and Han Hao. The men who duelled Ji Ling.
But my eyes were turned to the woman standing in front of Yuan Xi - Yang Xiuying, my wife.
Yuan Xi merely looked at me, before turning back to my wife, who, immediately after noticing me, turned her head away.
"As I was saying, Lady Yang, the punishment for treason and crimes of inspector Chen Wen, is the execution of him and his entire clan." Yuan Xi paused. "But you assisted us against this criminal by opening the gates for my soldiers - for which I am grateful for."
'What!?' My head snapped at the woman.
"Thus I have no problem from excluding you from the punishment, as well as blaming the Yang clan for inspector Chen's crimes." Yuan Xi said.
"Thank you, inspector Yuan." Yang Xiuying bowed, sighing with relief.
"Your children, on the other hand, are still members of Chen clan." the words of Yuan Xi were like hot iron stabbing into my heart. And my wife's – as she stilled, frozen in place.
After a moment, she fell on the floor, kneeling in front of the inspector.
"My lord! I beseech you! Not my children! I beg you, please spare my children!" The desperation was clear in her voice.
"They are from Chen's clan." Yuan Xi said with finality. "But!" he interrupted my wife before she could protest.
He got up and slowly walked up to me.
"Should they changed the Chen surname, and were adopted into Yang clan..." I felt as Yuan Xi put a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it, strongly. "They would no longer be of Chen clan."
He turned around and walked back to my wife. She sighed with relief and put her hands in salute, bowing deeply.
My children would live. Despite the situation, I was grateful to the man, for that mercy.
But…
Something was not right. Something was wrong.
"There is one last… matter, Lady Yang." He said stopping in front of my wife. "Some people might say, that you turned on Chen clan, only after it became apparent that the corrupt inspector would lose. Such rumours would be both dangerous and harming to your clan… Unless..." He dropped a knife right in front of Yang Xiuying. Her eyes landed on the knife, then she snapped her head up, to look at Yuan Xi "You would be the on to deliver the justice. If you were the one who executed the treacherous official, you would be seen not as a treacherous woman who would betray her husband to survive, but a staunch woman, who choose the loyalty to the Han over her loyalty to her husband – tragic, but something to look up to…"
I heard him but I was not listening to him.
I did barely react as my wive slowly reached for the knife.
What didn't match? What was wrong… I looked at Yuan Xi, as he calmly left my wife, sat down and put his arms-
Then an understanding hit me.
I understood, what I felt was wrong.
Yuan Xi's grip was far too strong for a man who was wounded days ago. But how…
Unless…
Slowly everything started clicking in my mind. The helping the populace – winning their hearts, the invitation of the inspectors and administrator despite the poor preparations, informing the crowd of the purpose of the meeting before our arrival…
It was a setup…
He prepared the stage and then-
My head snapped to look at Cao Xing – Yuan Xi often praised his skills with a bow.
I numbly lowered my head.
…
He used me.
…
An uncontrollable rage filled my heart.
I started getting up but was quickly held by the guards. The wood of the gag crackled as I clenched my teeth over it.
'Yuan Xi, you villain! How dare you destroy my dream of finally redeeming myself! How dare you give me a chance to finally do something good and finally make up to my surrogate father - only to take it away when I dedicated myself to it and trample over it-!'
I groaned as the knife pierced my body. My legs weakened and wobbled, as my vision darkened I looked at the person I considered a 'colleague' with unrestrained fury.
'Curse... you… Yuan... Xi!'
The darkness swallowed me.
Year 186.
Despite the deaths of Zhang brothers, the Yellow Scarves Rebellion continued ravaging the country.
In Yang province, after the failed assassination attempt on him, Yuan Xi defeated the rebels and pacified the populace.
Fearing the court intrigues in the capital, Liu Yan - under the guise of quelling Yellow Scarves - convinced the Emperor to change inspectors into governors and grant them rights the authority to levy taxes and command armed forces within the borders. He then requested to be posted as governor of border Yi province.
Liang Province Rebellion escalates. Almost all Han forces were defeated and annihilated - only general Dong Zhuo managed to keep his forces relatively intact, despite defeats the army suffered.
Liu Yu is appointed as a governor of You province.
Emperor Ling of Han dies of illness-
The chronology of the reign of Emperor Ling of Han
The pain in heart, unbearable
Two loyalties, but only one path
The love, the Han?
A way out, a knife by throat
The hand stays - cowardice, betrayal?
Then clarity, and with it decision
At night, gates open
Raid commences, castle falls.
The love bound, on his knees
'Traitor!' - he wails.
Knife held firmly, eyes full of conviction
'Loyal to Han!', the eyes soften
'Loyal to memory, of the love long dead'
The tears flow, the hand raises
'Death to traitors!' the knife falls
The body drops, traitor is dead!
The tears flow, the stains are red
Love long lost – avenged.
Poem of Yuan Xi, praising Lady Yang
Translation from the book 'A hundred examples of bad poetry.' by...
Beta-reader: NathanHale
This is my first poem – do judge it… to harshly.
I was born as the fourth son to Chen clan, a family of merchants. Being the fourth son to one of the concubines (who died when I was nine), not blessed with mind, strength or looks, made it obvious, that I wouldn't be inheriting my father's position as head of the clan. So father barely paid me any attention at all. Instead, when he saw an opportunity, he sent me to university. He put the matter clearly - after I finished my studies, the family would stop supporting me.
I was not exactly clear as to why he decided on that course of action. I was aware that there was some… competition among my half-siblings for my father's favour and my presence was not… desired. Whether he sent me away due to worry for my safety, or due to the scheming of his wife or one of his concubines, I will never know.
I left my family without much regret - after my mother's death, the only person I stayed close to, was one of my younger half-sisters.
At the university, I have experienced freedom, I have never known before. The time with my friends was precious to me, the poetry meetings, the debates... the parties and drinking... the women.
It was also at this place that I have met a teacher that would become my surrogate father in all but name.
With newfound freedom, it didn't take me long to find myself in trouble. I have spent too much money and found myself indebted. It quickly became apparent that I was in danger of losing my position as a student. My father refused to help me - more, he made it pointedly clear, that I was on my own. I don't think that he ever thought of me as his son. It... it broke me somehow.
At this time of trouble, one of my teachers came to my rescue. Master Li Ying did not give me money, no. Instead, he helped me to get a job. He put in a good word for me, which all but guaranteed that I became a government official. He straightened me, motivated me to take my studies and my job seriously.
He was the first person since my mother's death to treat me seriously. To believe, I was worth something.
To believe in me.
And I came to love the man, more than my own father. For he filled the void, that the man left - and I became complete again.
He was wise, compassionate and just. He embodied most of the Confucian virtues. He was not only a great teacher but also a capable governor. Despite how much work he had doing both jobs at the same time, he performed both of them admirably.
These were the happiest years of my life...
Until a disaster struck.
…
One day, performing his duties as governor, master Li Ying came across a particular case.
A fortune-teller from Luoyang by the name Zhang Cheng has predicted that the general pardon would be issued. So he instructed his son to kill a man.
Master Li Ying arrested both of the men and quickly found them both guilty, as they didn't even hide with their crime.
But soon, just as Zhang Cheng predicted, a general pardon was issued.
It didn't take long for Master Li Ying to discover the entire truth, and he was furious. He could not bear to let the murderer go unpunished… so in anger, he disregarded the pardon and executed both, son and father.
Master, for a long time, belonged to Confucian officials clique - a group of scholars and officials who opposed the eunuch faction.
For years both of factions pushed each other, neither ever gaining an advantage. Until now.
The fortune-teller Zhang Cheng was a good friend with eunuchs - who after his death accused Master Li and some of his colleagues of encouraging university students to criticize the government and the emperor.
That and the fact that Emperor Huan was quite interested in Zhang Cheng's fortune-telling was enough for him to issue arrest orders for Li Ying, his colleagues and academy students… including myself.
When I was arrested and interrogated, I was terrified. I was afraid of pain, I was nervous around the harsh people interrogating me, I was terrified of the possibility of pain and torture. I was also lost. I knew not what the situation was, why I was arrested? Why did the Emperor took such an action against his loyal servant?
When I was asked to tell about my studies, I answered, not hesitating at all. I was answering to the Emperor's officials, after all. When they asked about master Li, I also have told them honest answers. I knew that there was a possibility that they would use my words against him… but I was too much of a coward to try and lie to them… even if I did, I would probably fail miserably.
The time I spent in the cell under arrest, was terrible. The worst was uncertainty. What would happen to me?
Eventually, I got my answer.
I was stripped of my civil liberties and exiled.
…
And so started the worst period of my life.
I had no family to turn to, to ask for help or money. I, an educated man, could not hold any office. I could not even join the army.
I lived the life of a beggar, often hungry for days. Spending my time on the streets, begging, scrapping for food…
There were times, that I didn't have food for days - at times I was desperate enough to consider eating rats and bodies of dead beggars.
I never did. But that times, the feelings of that moments - of how close I was to eat the body of the dead, haunted me for the rest of my life.
From time to time I managed to find a temporary work on farms… sometimes I got to work for the more… questionable members of society.
But I didn't complain. A coin was a coin, and that meant food.
Before those times, I have never thought that simple foods could taste so good. That a few grains of rice could taste so heavenly, that you could kill for it... I saw quite a few people die for scraps.
I… existed in that state for some time, I survived.
Until, a year later, Emperor Huan died.
The emperor did not leave any direct heir, so his wife, Empress Huansi, became the regent and empress dowager. She and important officials choose Liu Hong as the new Emperor, who from this point on was known as Emperor Ling.
Since he was only twelve, the Empress continued being a regent. Unlike her deceased husband, she was a diligent ruler, who saw too many important matters. One of such matters was restoring the rights to those who lost them during the prohibitions. She even made many of them, officials.
And so, after a year of suffering, I have returned to the capital and was made an official. My time of hardship has come to an end. I would not beg anymore.
I had a very warm reunion with Master Li Ying, who also was made an official in Luoyang. We shed tears, during our reunion. Only after meeting the man again, I felt as if I returned home.
With a new ruler and different style of ruling, I have finally regained purpose in my life. My work made the difference, I made the country better.
I was fulfilled.
After a few months, a rumour started. Empress's father planned to have corrupt eunuchs exterminated. If he won, the disease running the Empire would be cured… but should the eunuchs won, they would exterminate the Empress's faction - including the Partisans.
And that terrified me, and again, a great fear gripped my heart. I remembered all too well the months of hunger I had to live through not so long ago. I would not survive that kind of life again.
I was not willing to risk it. Not again. I have requested the transfer to the Yang province - to the fringes of the Empire. Since that was something similar to the exile, my surrogate father tried to dissuade me from this course of action.
But I was too afraid, to listen.
I shared my fears with the man I considered my father and urged him to also leave the capital.
But that enraged him.
"You would leave the Empire in its time of need? This is why as loyal subjects we should support the Emperor! Yet you would run! I don't remember you being such a coward!" He snapped, his words cutting deep. "You want to run? Run, then, coward!"
My father's words left me broken. Yet they were not enough to settle the wild fear and the echoes of hunger, pain and... numbness.
...and so, to my shame, I did run.
I became an official in Shouchun.
After a few months, I received the dreadful news from the capital. The news I fared, the news that hurt me.
Empress's father, Dou Wu, the commander of the capital defence forces, planned the extermination of eunuchs, but his plans were found out. The eunuchs took both, the Emperor and Empress into custody and ordered Dou Wu's execution... but he managed to gather his soldiers and resist. So eunuchs tricked an experienced general Zhang Huan, into believing that Dou Wu was committing treason.
Zhang Huan defeated Dou Wu.
Dou clan was almost completely exterminated. Empress Huansi was imprisoned and her mother exiled.
Then the eunuchs turned their eyes to the Partisans. They convenienced the young Emperor Ling, that the Partisans wanted to rebel.
Hundred of Partisans were arrested and executed.
Among them, my surrogate father... with whom I parted in discord.
The news hurt me deeply, so deeply that I wept and not slept for the entire night. The man who gave me so much, the man who was the closest person to me, in the entire world, the man who was my family in all but blood, was gone. And the last memory of him, I have is... is our fight. Is of him, turning his back on me, denouncing me...
I later found out that one of the eunuchs intended to send orders for my execution… and he would if a single noble didn't point out that I was already in an effective exile. That seemed to satisfy the eunuch.
I wanted to thank the man for saving my life, but the young noble said that he aided many Partisans to escape eunuchs revenge.
Truly, I owed young master Yuan Shao a great debt.
My life went on relatively peacefully. But the shadow of the possibility of eunuchs changing their minds and ordering my execution lay heavily on me.
I continued my career as an official, but I wanted to secure my position, to be safe, in case the eunuchs changed their minds and went after me. For that I needed allies. My most realistic option was to marry into a respected clan. But for such a clan to even consider a marriage alliance with me, I needed to have something to offer to that clan.
The best way to do that was to hold a position of power. But to advance to such a position, I needed to buy it.
So I started gathering money… but it was going to slow. At that pace, I would advance the position in ten years.
So I decided to do, what everyone else were doing - to take a bribe. Still, my conscience didn't allow me to put more burden on innocent peasants… but there were few of them, who were scum, whom I wasn't guilty about taxing heavier. But once I secured enough coins, I cased doing that.
It took a few months, but I managed to secure a position high enough to try to convince a local respected Yang clan to allow me to marry one of their kin. Of course, it took some time, courting and manoeuvring, but after some time I married one Yang Xiuying.
We did not love each other, this was a political marriage, after all, but we came to respect each other.
The things were finally starting to look up for me.
And then, I became a father.
I was elated! My child, my heir!
Someone, who would be my family, unconditionally. Someone who would fill the void, that was with me, since the death of my surrogate father. The idea, it struck me hard - I would do everything that was in my power... for my child.
While I was distant with my wife, we were connected by our love for the child.
But soon I found myself in a bind again. My current pension was not enough to support my family now. So I had to gather cash again and fast too.
So I started taking bribes again.
Time went on. I advanced my position and had more children. It took time, but eventually, I achieved a position of inspector of Yang province. One of three, true, but still I had a position high enough to give the eunuchs a pause before going after me.
I was finally safe.
The tranquil and peaceful times continued.
One day, after dealing with my business, I heard two people talking. A merchant and a peasant were complaining about a corrupt official.
I wondered about who they were talking, so I continued listening. As the men described the official's corruption, I slowly realized, that it was I, they were talking about... and I couldn't rebuke their reasoning, the examples they gave.
With sinking heart, I realized that I became the very person I despised and feared.
Yet, with realization… and shame, the change did not come.
I did not change, cause it was… convenient, to continue the way I did.
So I did.
Years passed peacefully until a Yellow Scarves rebellion started. Thankfully, the Yang province was not as plagued by rebels as the northern region. The skilled general Zhu Jun with aid of famous Sun Jian managed to defeat the rebel forces near Yang province and push them north.
After that, the rebellion didn't have any meaningful impact on the border province.
The bandits and the southern Shanyue barbarians were a more visible threat.
And just as quietly the rebellion started, just as noticeably it ended.
It was only a few months later that something changed.
A man arrived from the capital – a new province's inspector. He was young, impressionable and naive – just as I was, all those years ago. Just as I, he was banished from the capital to the fringes of the Empire. A young noble from Yuan clan, Yuan Xi – the second son of the man who helped me all those years ago.
Despite the man having a claim for the position of the inspector that I held (along with two others) I felt a kinship to him. I also owed his father, so I decided to help him – guide him.
As we meet, the naive boy politely asked if I relinquished my position to him. He was so polite that I actually laughed. I apologized and refused (after all, I spend to much time, and money to get where I was) – instead, I offered my assistance in settling down. I also explained how things were in the province – of how the inspectors of Yang province had their own sphere's of influence and didn't interfere with each other's areas.
When I finished he inquired, why I was helping him – I admitted that I owed his father a favour.
He hesitated – which was good, I would be disappointed if he was a naively trustworthy person, who would believe without question that I owed his father and did not have any ulterior motive – before accepting my help.
I have introduced him to nobles and people of importance.
He mingled with nobles, got to know them, their families and their history. He was pretty interested in people's stories and clans histories.
The young noble took it a step farther – he started making connections with many other people. First, he met with merchants, who had financial problems. He would either borrow them money or buy their shops.
When he would buy the shop he would rearrange it and hire the clan that owned it before to attend it, or close it and repurpose the building. Often, when he borrowed money, he would take the clan members that caught his attention for one reason or other - be they men or, strangely, be they women, into his retinue.
I have also gave him a few tips on what to look for when performing inspections and shared quite a few stories. Yuan Xi did seem to enjoy it – stories, experiences, situations...
After some time in the city, we moved he moved to the country. He took upon himself to help the simple peasants.
His retinue often helped with repairing the houses of local families, the fences and the fields. His action brought him the appreciation of the simple folk, but providing help to one village was taking him a long time with his humble resources - he managed to stabilize the situation in three villages and it took him two months.
It greatly frustrated him.
Even though he was starting to be respected and liked official, it was not enough for him.
He came to me one day, pouring out his regrets at not being able to organize the wider help to the region. He asked me to organize the meeting of inspectors – he wanted to convince them to help him.
I wanted to laugh at him, but my chest hurt so much that I couldn't – this would achieve nothing. He would fail. I wanted to laugh, I wanted to mock his naivety,…
I opened my mouth to rebuke him – but nothing came out.
And then, I realized.
My chest hurt, not because I wanted to laugh – it was from shame. It was squeezing me, choking me, killing me…
I then realized that Yuan Xi reminded me of my surrogate father. Not in his character or naivety, but in the core principles he upheld… and the ones that I failed to uphold. The shame was unbearable.
And then, a thought came.
Maybe… maybe with him, I could become the man I was… the man my surrogate father was proud of, a man whose children, one day, would be proud of.
Smiling, I agreed to organize a meeting.
* * *
It took some time to organize, but I finally convinced two other inspectors for the meeting. When I arrived at Shouchun, with inspectors Zi Hua and Deng Fu, we were greeted by the Grand Administrator of Commandery. As we rode into the city, we were greeted to the surprise of other inspectors by crowds.
I had to smile at their surprise.
Truthfully, I doubted that Yuan Xi would be able to convince the corrupt officials to change their act and have confronted him about it. He answered that he planned to leave them as little manoeuvre as possible. He planned to gather the crowds and first tell them about the planned help from the government, leaving the inspectors and grand administrator with little choice, but to accept, or face an angry crowd.
In my opinion, it was a very risky move. The men might refuse, or change their mind later while blaming Yuan Xi for the failure. The administrator could also decide to use an army…
But Yuan Xi would not be dissuaded – stubborn young man.
I sighed.
I would have to act as a mediator between the inspectors.
I shook my head and looked around. The people were smiling and greeting us enthusiastically.
I frowned.
The people were never enthusiastic to see the inspectors – I don't remember when I was greeted enthusiastically. Has Yuan Xi already spread the news about the planned help to the civilian population? He didn't wait for inspectors to arrive? The boy couldn't be that impatient – could he?
My thoughts were interrupted as we approached the Yuan's mansion – the cheeky brat was standing before the building, surrounded by his retinue.
He stepped forward and put his hands in salute-
Then staggered back, as an arrow lodged itself right above his heart.
That crowd feel silent.
I watched numbly, as the young man slowly fell on his knees, blood pouring from his mouth. Before he fell, his bodyguard grabbed him and surrounded him with their weapons drawn.
"The corrupt officials assassinated Lord Yuan!" a voice called from the crowd.
"What?" I managed as I turned to the crowd.
What I saw was a wall of confused faces slowly changing – there was disbelief, disgust, anger – fury. Much of fury. I looked back at Yuan Xi – he was being carried into the mansion, but his guards stayed. Only now I realized, that their weapons were pointed at our group.
People started slowly to scream, throwing accusations at us. Someone stepped forward, other person followed. It was when someone threw a stone, we started slowly backing. We had not enough guards to stop that crowd.
As the stones started flying, we turned and started escaping.
We rode, wildly through the city, the crowd hot on our heels – hunting us.
I saw one of the guard's horse trip, and the man fell off. He was almost immediately surrounded by the angry crowd – I saw the sticks raising and falling. The sticks that rose again were red. I turned my head.
We successfully escaped the city, but we didn't stop our mad ride. We finally slowed down when the city was far behind us, and a pursuit was long lost.
I was still in shock as our horses slowly stepped through the forest.
"How did it come to this." I couldn't help but mutter.
"What a mess." One of the inspectors said.
"Good riddance – the young man was nothing but trouble." the other said.
"Good riddance!?" The administrator screamed, the disbelief clear in his voice. "We have an entire city trying to kill us, the second son of one of the most powerful of noble clans in the Empire was killed and we are the most likely suspects! When his father hears about this, he will call for our heads! Just on principle, to make sure that none messes with Yuans! I don't know which one of you organized that assassination, but I will - Cagh!"
The administrator rasped as the arrow stuck from his throat.
"UH!" the inspector Zi Hua, who was riding next to him, managed only to grunt as two arrows hit his chest, with enough strength to throw him from the horse.
I didn't wait. I screamed at my stead and waved the reins, making the horse run in a gallop.
I only slowed twenty li further, to give the horses some time to rest. It was then, one of the surviving guards told me, that both inspectors and the administrator were killed in the ambush.
* * *
I paced, around the room. My head snapped as Lei Bo entered the room.
"What news?" I asked briefly, impatiently.
The former bandit saluted.
"The Schouchun was briefly in chaos, but the order was restored by Yuan Xi's adviser, Xun Yu."
"What about Yuan Xi?" I asked impatiently.
"Alive, but in a critical state. It is unknown if he will survive."
I sat on a chair, resigned. Lei Bo stayed silent for a moment, before continuing.
"The grand administrator's family was killed by an angry population. Inspector Zi Hua's clan submitted to Xun Yu, hoping for his protection." The man hesitated, before continuing. "The clan of inspector Deng Fu declared you the killer, and called for your head."
My head snapped, as I looked at my subordinate.
"What?" I asked, disbelief clear in my voice.
"My lord," he started uncertainly. "The inspectors and the grand administrator were blamed for the assassination of Yuan Xi… but since the administrator and other inspectors are dead, people believe that you made a power play to take over the province."
I hid my face, covering it with both of my hands.
What should I do now?
* * *
I woke to the loud noise.
I slowly sat up, listening to the sounds coming from the outside.
Screaming!?
I got up and run to the source of the sounds - not carrying to even put on my clothes.
As I got outside, I saw a slaughter.
The gates were open!
I saw Lei Bo desperately fending of ten men, holding them off in gate, only to scream as one spear jabbed him in the face. As he turned with a painful howl, I saw his right eye bleeding. Gone. He tried to run, but the men who fought him didn't give him a chance. He collapsed on the ground dead, pierced by several spears. Yet the soldiers that killed him did not take chances - they continued stabbing him until they were sure he was dead.
Enemy soldiers purred into the yard, slaughtering my guards.
I took a step back, as the intruders finished killing my guards and started advancing on me.
It was at that moment that Ji Ling crashed into intruders, putting himself between them and me.
I watched with wonder as he slaughtered the bandits - like a mythical demon.
It was so easy because the intruders were dispersed. He killed the bandit with single thrust or swing of his ji, before advancing onto the next one. He overwhelmed over ten people that way before they even knew what was going on. The intruders started panicking, slowly backing before the might of the warrior.
But as Ji Ling brought his blade down on another intruder, it was deflected. Ji Ling fluently spun, switching his attention to the new opponent, as the man he failed to kill, scrambled back.
What happened next, I could barely see. A flurry of stabs and thrusts were exchanged between Ji Ling and the challenger. I could barely see, so fast the exchange was.
The ji clashed against the ji.
The challenger was good, but not enough. He slowly, but surely backed under Ji Ling's assault.
As it looked as if the victory was in Ji Ling's hands, another intruder joined the fray, helping the old man.
He lacked the old man's experience and skill, but still, he was good. Both, of the men, worked finely together, but even their combined skill merely delayed Ji Ling. He still managed to push both men back.
I frowned as I looked closer at the assailant. My eyes widened as a recog-
"Uf!" I grunted and fell on my knees. My vision darkened and I could feel some warm fluid flowing down my forehead.
"Enough!" A familiar voice bummed, right next to me.
Yuan Xianyi – I recognized the man.
I could, as if through the fog, as Ji Ling briefly turned his head to look at the voice, only to stop completely, when he saw me.
As my vision darkened, I could see net falling on him…
* * *
The guards lead me through the corridors. My arms and chest were bound tightly – too much for a simple weak scholar like me – and my mouth was gagged.
I had no delusions that I would face my death soon. I don't know how I would be able to convince Yuan Xi that I had nothing to do with the assassination attempt on him.
As we entered the main chamber, they had forced me to my knees – not that I was able to resist in my state.
There were not many people present.
Yuan Xi, wearing simple robes, sat in the centre of the room. Next to him stood his adviser Xun Yu and officers – Cao Xing and Han Hao. The men who duelled Ji Ling.
But my eyes were turned to the woman standing in front of Yuan Xi - Yang Xiuying, my wife.
Yuan Xi merely looked at me, before turning back to my wife, who, immediately after noticing me, turned her head away.
"As I was saying, Lady Yang, the punishment for treason and crimes of inspector Chen Wen, is the execution of him and his entire clan." Yuan Xi paused. "But you assisted us against this criminal by opening the gates for my soldiers - for which I am grateful for."
'What!?' My head snapped at the woman.
"Thus I have no problem from excluding you from the punishment, as well as blaming the Yang clan for inspector Chen's crimes." Yuan Xi said.
"Thank you, inspector Yuan." Yang Xiuying bowed, sighing with relief.
"Your children, on the other hand, are still members of Chen clan." the words of Yuan Xi were like hot iron stabbing into my heart. And my wife's – as she stilled, frozen in place.
After a moment, she fell on the floor, kneeling in front of the inspector.
"My lord! I beseech you! Not my children! I beg you, please spare my children!" The desperation was clear in her voice.
"They are from Chen's clan." Yuan Xi said with finality. "But!" he interrupted my wife before she could protest.
He got up and slowly walked up to me.
"Should they changed the Chen surname, and were adopted into Yang clan..." I felt as Yuan Xi put a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it, strongly. "They would no longer be of Chen clan."
He turned around and walked back to my wife. She sighed with relief and put her hands in salute, bowing deeply.
My children would live. Despite the situation, I was grateful to the man, for that mercy.
But…
Something was not right. Something was wrong.
"There is one last… matter, Lady Yang." He said stopping in front of my wife. "Some people might say, that you turned on Chen clan, only after it became apparent that the corrupt inspector would lose. Such rumours would be both dangerous and harming to your clan… Unless..." He dropped a knife right in front of Yang Xiuying. Her eyes landed on the knife, then she snapped her head up, to look at Yuan Xi "You would be the on to deliver the justice. If you were the one who executed the treacherous official, you would be seen not as a treacherous woman who would betray her husband to survive, but a staunch woman, who choose the loyalty to the Han over her loyalty to her husband – tragic, but something to look up to…"
I heard him but I was not listening to him.
I did barely react as my wive slowly reached for the knife.
What didn't match? What was wrong… I looked at Yuan Xi, as he calmly left my wife, sat down and put his arms-
Then an understanding hit me.
I understood, what I felt was wrong.
Yuan Xi's grip was far too strong for a man who was wounded days ago. But how…
Unless…
Slowly everything started clicking in my mind. The helping the populace – winning their hearts, the invitation of the inspectors and administrator despite the poor preparations, informing the crowd of the purpose of the meeting before our arrival…
It was a setup…
He prepared the stage and then-
My head snapped to look at Cao Xing – Yuan Xi often praised his skills with a bow.
I numbly lowered my head.
…
He used me.
…
An uncontrollable rage filled my heart.
I started getting up but was quickly held by the guards. The wood of the gag crackled as I clenched my teeth over it.
'Yuan Xi, you villain! How dare you destroy my dream of finally redeeming myself! How dare you give me a chance to finally do something good and finally make up to my surrogate father - only to take it away when I dedicated myself to it and trample over it-!'
I groaned as the knife pierced my body. My legs weakened and wobbled, as my vision darkened I looked at the person I considered a 'colleague' with unrestrained fury.
'Curse... you… Yuan... Xi!'
The darkness swallowed me.
* * *
Year 186.
Despite the deaths of Zhang brothers, the Yellow Scarves Rebellion continued ravaging the country.
In Yang province, after the failed assassination attempt on him, Yuan Xi defeated the rebels and pacified the populace.
Fearing the court intrigues in the capital, Liu Yan - under the guise of quelling Yellow Scarves - convinced the Emperor to change inspectors into governors and grant them rights the authority to levy taxes and command armed forces within the borders. He then requested to be posted as governor of border Yi province.
Liang Province Rebellion escalates. Almost all Han forces were defeated and annihilated - only general Dong Zhuo managed to keep his forces relatively intact, despite defeats the army suffered.
Liu Yu is appointed as a governor of You province.
Emperor Ling of Han dies of illness-
The chronology of the reign of Emperor Ling of Han
* * *
The pain in heart, unbearable
Two loyalties, but only one path
The love, the Han?
A way out, a knife by throat
The hand stays - cowardice, betrayal?
Then clarity, and with it decision
At night, gates open
Raid commences, castle falls.
The love bound, on his knees
'Traitor!' - he wails.
Knife held firmly, eyes full of conviction
'Loyal to Han!', the eyes soften
'Loyal to memory, of the love long dead'
The tears flow, the hand raises
'Death to traitors!' the knife falls
The body drops, traitor is dead!
The tears flow, the stains are red
Love long lost – avenged.
Poem of Yuan Xi, praising Lady Yang
Translation from the book 'A hundred examples of bad poetry.' by...
* * *
AN: Beta-reader: NathanHale
This is my first poem – do judge it… to harshly.
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- Location
- Venezuela
I love it, it makes me incredibly happy to see this jewel get another chapter. I truly love this story. Also, I really loved the chapter, it truly showed how intrigue could, and many times was, just as deadly as the battlefield . Truly a likeable chapter, the way the SI set up everything was great, gaining the love of the populace in order to use them as a resort to eliminate the other inspectors and the administrator was excellent. The ambush groups and the negotiotions with the wife of the last remaining opponent were great, it showed how the SI has truly become a part of the setting. Now Xianyi has complete control of the province and can truly begin his career as one of the great warlords of China.
I can't wait for the next chapter. To see what he will do next, what the plotting with Dong Zhuo will bring, how will others react to this new player, how great minds that burn with ambition like Cao Cao, Liu Bei and the Sun Family will see Yuan Xi and how will they interact with him.
Truly a great story, I'm eagerly waiting for more
Edit: I actually am happy with the links, ater all they lead to information of characters that many don't know so they help to have people follow the story without much problem and if you already know who that person is then you just don't click the link and keep reading
I can't wait for the next chapter. To see what he will do next, what the plotting with Dong Zhuo will bring, how will others react to this new player, how great minds that burn with ambition like Cao Cao, Liu Bei and the Sun Family will see Yuan Xi and how will they interact with him.
Truly a great story, I'm eagerly waiting for more
Edit: I actually am happy with the links, ater all they lead to information of characters that many don't know so they help to have people follow the story without much problem and if you already know who that person is then you just don't click the link and keep reading
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Chloe Sullivan
Subdefective
- Location
- 1630 Revello Drive, Sunnydale CA
I love how you use a semi-sympathetic character to show the plot from the outside.
I mean, the betrayal was a bit too easy to see coming, and he comes off as a tad naive, but that may just be the advantage of seeing events from outside.
I mean, the betrayal was a bit too easy to see coming, and he comes off as a tad naive, but that may just be the advantage of seeing events from outside.
Maps of Han
- Location
- In front of monitor
Map of provinces of Han:
Source: File:Han provinces.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
General map of Han
Source: Romance of Three Kingdoms - by Luo Guanzhong - Large Map
Source: File:Han provinces.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
General map of Han
Source: Romance of Three Kingdoms - by Luo Guanzhong - Large Map
- Location
- Toronto, Ontario(occasionally)
I mostly ignore them. It's not like I need all these peoples' backstories in order to follow the plot.(though
I disagree with you and think it's nice that they're made available)
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On another question, is this story purely using historical knowledge to the benefit to the character, or is he going to commission some artisans to use technological knowledge as well?
I'm not sure if he knows how to make gunpowder, despite it being the thing everyone goes to immediately when writing characters sent to the past.
Other than that I suppose a practise of actually training his militia would be of great use. So long as they get a certain number of required days assembled together and training out of the year it could be an advantage. Same as promoting officers for competence rather than connections, though that's probably only worth it for the more regular units.
Though I get the sense that this story is really more about playing the other players rather than playing the numbers and military, it adds a certain flavour to the events that might not gel particularly well with the above ideas.
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More relevant to this specific post: how significant is his control over the Yang province now? I read something about someone convincing the Emperor to change the post of inspector into being something more like a governor. Does that make him governor now?
And is that poem actually referring to his own betrayal of the other official? It just felt like the official saying traitor in the poem might have been directed at either him or the wife.
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- Location
- In front of monitor
I'm sorry you think that and you don't have to read every link. They are just there should something/someone caught your attention and you wanted more information.
I love it, it makes me incredibly happy to see this jewel get another chapter. I truly love this story. Also, I really loved the chapter, it truly showed how intrigue could, and many times was, just as deadly as the battlefield . Truly a likeable chapter, the way the SI set up everything was great, gaining the love of the populace in order to use them as a resort to eliminate the other inspectors and the administrator was excellent. The ambush groups and the negotiotions with the wife of the last remaining opponent were great, it showed how the SI has truly become a part of the setting. Now Xianyi has complete control of the province and can truly begin his career as one of the great warlords of China.
I can't wait for the next chapter. To see what he will do next, what the plotting with Dong Zhuo will bring, how will others react to this new player, how great minds that burn with ambition like Cao Cao, Liu Bei and the Sun Family will see Yuan Xi and how will they interact with him.
Truly a great story, I'm eagerly waiting for more
Edit: I actually am happy with the links, ater all they lead to information of characters that many don't know so they help to have people follow the story without much problem and if you already know who that person is then you just don't click the link and keep reading
I thank you for that overly positive review.
In this chapter, the SI establishes his base and starts building a foundation of his faction, thus starts his path of being a warlord.
I don't plan on doing Liu Bei and Sun's perspective anytime soon, maybe Cao Cao nut it would be in distant future. For now, they are still minor players.
The point was to show the corrupt official as human, and his reasons for corruption completely logical - to make him likeable and sympathetic. It seems I succeeded
!If the chapter was shown from SI's point of view, it would be pretty boring. And from Chen Wen's perspective, it's Yuan Xi who is the villain.
As for his naivety - the Yuans helped him before when they had no reason to. He was indebted to them, so there was no reason to think they would betray him - especially since he did his best to help the young SI. Ironically, Chen Wen's ties with Yuan Shao was one of the reasons SI decided to act against him. How was Chen Wen to know, that Yuan Xi was antagonistic to his father?
Thank you for your opinion on the subject of links.
While I have doubts should the introduction of gunpowder (and no - he does not know how to make it) in this era is a wise move, I do plan for SI to introduce the technological advances (or more of improvements) in the civilian sector. The problems with most SI sent to the past, as I see it, is that they have an encyclopedia in their heads. Well, it's not the case for the SI, and there is a limited number of things he knows - the rest he will need to experiment with or delegate.
The idea with the militia is an interesting one. The problem with it is that it would require taking away peasants from the fields - which in times of famine is not the best idea.
Playing numbers and military is important, but without capable leaders, it would achieve nothing, as shown by the example of Liu Zhang.
'An army of sheep led by a lion is better than an army of lions led by a sheep.' - Alexander the Great.
Yuan Xi is still an inspector and not the governor - it will happen in the future. That means that he still can't create his own armies and raise taxes. On the other hand, he gained temporary control over the city of Shouchun as an administrator (maybe I should mark the location of the city on map?). As an inspector, he managed to introduce himself only to northern parts of Yang province, leaving the southern parts for later.
The poem might be interpreted in many ways.
In the poem (in Yuan Xi's intention) Chen Wen was calling traitor his wife, and she answers that it was he who changed and betrayed who he was. So the man she loved and married was dead - she was merely avenging him, by killing the corrupt official Chen Wen has become. The one who cries for 'Love long lost – avenged' might be both - Chen Wen or his wife.
- Location
- Toronto, Ontario(occasionally)
After thinking about it I too am uncertain how exactly it could be made to work out.
The model I was thinking of when I read Wikipedia lamenting the poorly trained state of militia during and before the three kingdoms period was the English Fyrd, which we don't have great historical records of, but which was raised primarily from free minor landholders under the assumption that they would be more affluent than the people who feed themselves by working the land of a lord, and presumably operated around a very different rhythm of agriculture, especially considering that a lot of the English diet came from the sea, and considering how many regions were rocky hills and the lesser availability of rivers, probably more herding by percentage.
On the other hand the situation in China is not just famine, but I think??? famine caused by flooding problems, which means that when the farmers aren't working on their crops they are probably doing year-round work to try to improve or repair the works controlling the flow of water.
So you're right unless the famine problems stop at some point partway through the wars following the fall of the Han dynasty it might be a poor use of peasant time.
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Interlude: Empress Lingsi
- Location
- In front of monitor
The moon was beautiful.
There were so few chances for me to slip out of the palace. To have a breath of fresh air, instead of being stuffed inside - and I enjoyed every single moment of it.
I took a bite of a plum. I sighed with pleasure as the sweet juices filled my mouth, my body practically trembling with pleasure.
My head got lighter, my eyes flutter. My chest heated, as trembling spread all the way down my body, even making my toes curl lightly.
I licked the sweet nectar from my lips, prolonging the pleasure.
After the sensation weakened, I took a sip of bitter tea, clearing my throat, removing the taste of sweet fruit.
I looked at the moon, again, enjoying the night, before taking another bite, and enjoying the taste from the beginning.
Being born a peasant, and spending days hungry was not something unfamiliar to me. Only after I became a concubine, I could enjoy such treats - and I enjoyed each moment of it.
Those born noble, they never knew hunger. They did not enjoy the taste of the treats they were… 'entitled' to. They just stuffed themselves with this delicacies, not enjoying them fully. Not even understanding how blessed they were by being able to taste such things on a daily basis.
Such a waste.
I sighed.
The situation was slowly becoming more complicated. Just as Yuan Xi predicted, the Emperor was disappointed with my son being the heir. He often spoke about it, even mentioned making Liu Xie the heir. He did nothing but talk, but there were people who listened, people who might do something… people that were dangerous.
That's why I was here, putting the final touches to rectify the situation.
I turned and smiled as the attendants brought my guest.
"Ahh… Lady Shang Dan." I nodded, and put my hands together in greeting. "I thank you for coming."
"My Empress." She saluted. "As you requested, I have delivered to Emperor the fruits - he was quite delighted by their taste."
I smiled hearing that.
"I see. I guess it brought you his favour?"
The woman nodded enthusiastically.
"Indeed. The Emperor was quite pleased with my gift."
I smiled.
It was rather ironic that I was inspired by Yuan Xi's tale of poisoned fruit. The amount of poison in one fruit was so small, that it was almost undetectable. But considering how much of the glutton he was, how much my husband tended to eat, it will be enough to take effect. Not immediately - it would take a few days and a few more bowls of fruit, but it would eventually take effect.
By the time he realized what was going on, he would be dying - unable to actively threaten my family. Nor me, nor my brother, and especially not my son.
"Great! That's good for you." I clapped my hands. "And it requires a toast."
I waited for my attendants to put the drinks in front of us, before raising my cup.
"For profitable cooperation!"
"For profitable cooperation!"
We both drank at the same time. The bitter taste of alcohol attacked my tongue, just as the heat spread over my body, warming me up in this cold night. I got goosebumps as the initial sensation of heat passed.
"I hope that from now on, you will support me and my son." I raised a cup, and the attendant immediately approached me to fill it.
"Of course, my Empress." Lady Shang Dan answered raising her cup, and my servant walked up to her with a pitcher.
"Good. Then in the spirit of our newfound profitable cooperation, you won't mind that I will permanently remove your ties to the eunuch faction."
Shang Dan froze hearing my words and looked at me with eyes filled with surprise. Before she could answer the attendant grabbed her hands and held firmly, while the other threw the cloth around Shang Dan's neck and tightened it.
I shook my head, took another sip from my cup and looked at the moon, ignoring the noises of struggle.
Truly, did she really think I would trust her after she acted on behalf of eunuchs against Emperor? After she started acting as Yuan Shu's spy? As at the same time she started courting Yuan Shao's favour? Her? A corrupt official at best a traitor at worst?
No, all she was, was a loose end.
I took another bite of plum, enjoying the sweet taste of the fruit.
"The moon shines,
The beauty of night undebatable,
The wine flows,
The dry flavour undeniable
The fruit splits,
The sweet taste, unresistable
The noble gasps,
Her ambition unachievable,
The moon set,
The wine split,
The fruit bit,
The noble... dead,"
I frowned. The ending was... off.
Sometime during my poem, Shang Dan must have expired, cause my attendants were-
I blinked.
"Why are you disrobing her?"
The servant standing next to me bowed.
"When found, a naked body brings less attention than a one in rich clothes." One of them answered as they started dragging the body out.
I almost laughed. It was logical, true, but hearing it from my attendants... I knew my servants for a few months already, but they continued to surprise me.
While far from perfect or even good servants, they learned their duties quickly. And what was most important, they were loyal. True, at the start only to each other - and what kind of man just encourages female servants to bed each other? But after some time I managed to secure their loyalty by biding them to myself, just as they were bound to each other. I disguised it as rewards, of course, but it seemed to work all the better.
I will have to find some way to repay Yuan Xi for such a useful gift. Who gives a woman a bunch of female bodyguards doubling as assassins? Truly, the man was something else.
I smiled as my thoughts went to the young noble.
He was the first person to consider me his equal - and not in sense of social standing, but as a person. I had people who were either above me or below me, but never beside me. It was naïve, it was an illusion… a refreshing one, a truly pleasant, but still, an illusion.
In this world, you were either dominating or were dominated.
Despite this foolishness, despite his naivety, I still craved for more of it. For it was like a gust of fresh wind, like a cup of cold water in a hot day... I almost scowled. Such weak thoughts for a person of my position.
And yet… I still can't help but wonder. If he was born ten years earlier if I became his wife... would I…
I shook my head and looked at the liquid in my cup.
Such thoughts about what-ifs would change nothing, only make me bitter. The world is, as it is. I can't change what was, only take reins of my destiny and shape it to my liking.
Yet, for all of my wants, Yuan Xi couldn't stay in the capital. He was too naïve, to simple… a boy playing politics… He was not ready for that life.
So I had spread rumours.
Yuan Shao heard about how noble, but naïve was his son. And how there were some rumours of eunuchs preparing to move against him.
The eunuchs heard rumours, about how noble and powerful the young man was becoming. How he started forming his faction.
When the Emperor announced the creation of the Army of the Western Garden, it was enough to make both parties move.
Eunuchs proposed to move Yuan Xi to another post, outside capital. They could not move directly against the son of one of the most powerful nobles in the kingdom.
But the Emperor, as usual, hesitated.
But then, the ever shrewd Yuan Shao proposed to take his son's position. And Emperor jumped on such a solution.
When both sides heard that the other wanted to remove Yuan Xi from the capital and that they helped in achieving that goal, both parties thought that they fell for some kind of scheme.
Heh, they did.
The eunuchs became even more suspicious of Yuan Shao, for they believed that they were played by him. That Yuan clan was granted more privileges and Yuan Shao himself took the prestigious position as a commander of Western garden Army.
Yuan Shao on the other hand, when heard that eunuchs wanted to remove his son from the capital, had his suspicions - created by rumours - confirmed.
Add the fact that he tried to get close to, now deceased, Lady Shang Dan - who suddenly disappeared right after his son was all but forced to flee capital…
My lips curled up as I took another sip from my cup.
Well, I won't even need to do anything for both parties to be at each other's throats.
Another bite brought another taste of sweet juices in my mouth. As I looked at moon I started carefully counting, what I achieved by allying with Yuan Xi.
One, I further divided one of the greatest clans in Empire. The weakening of the Yuan clan will only enforce He clan.
Two, it made Yuan Shao and the eunuch's faction, even more antagonistic to each other.
Three, it cemented Yuan Xi's ties to me, while at the same time making him more antagonistic to his father.
Four, it gave time for my Yuan Xi to build up his base and experience.
Five, it ensured that my son's position as heir was officially confirmed.
Six, it secured my son's safety by giving him the protection of two divisions of Army of the Western garden.
Seven, it granted me a squad of my own murderous bodyguards.
Eight… it allowed me to meet a surprisingly fascinating young man.
Eight birds with one stone. You still have much to learn, Yuan Xi.
I took another sip of wine and smiled.
When the time comes, I shall call you back, and you will take on the position as one of my son's pillars.
So, until then, grow, my dear Xianyi, for I miss your company.
* * *
...since the times of Ming and Zhang, one hundred years before Yellow turban rebellion, the Han dynasty has failed to produce a competent ruler. Truly, the Emperors of Western Han done their best to destroy their legacy through their incompetence, lack of abilities and misjudgment. The only thing keeping the Empire together were the Empresses with the support of their clans. It were women such as Empresses Hexi, Shunlie and Lingsi that kept the Empire from fragmenting into warring states and descending into total chaos. It was ironic that the Han Emperors, usually turned on these patriotic women and their clans, to continue their thoughtless and ignorant rule-
"Empresses, Consorts, Heroines - the influence of women on the Han Empire, through the eyes of modern Suffragette." published in 1912...
AN:
Beta-reader: NathanHale
There were so few chances for me to slip out of the palace. To have a breath of fresh air, instead of being stuffed inside - and I enjoyed every single moment of it.
I took a bite of a plum. I sighed with pleasure as the sweet juices filled my mouth, my body practically trembling with pleasure.
My head got lighter, my eyes flutter. My chest heated, as trembling spread all the way down my body, even making my toes curl lightly.
I licked the sweet nectar from my lips, prolonging the pleasure.
After the sensation weakened, I took a sip of bitter tea, clearing my throat, removing the taste of sweet fruit.
I looked at the moon, again, enjoying the night, before taking another bite, and enjoying the taste from the beginning.
Being born a peasant, and spending days hungry was not something unfamiliar to me. Only after I became a concubine, I could enjoy such treats - and I enjoyed each moment of it.
Those born noble, they never knew hunger. They did not enjoy the taste of the treats they were… 'entitled' to. They just stuffed themselves with this delicacies, not enjoying them fully. Not even understanding how blessed they were by being able to taste such things on a daily basis.
Such a waste.
I sighed.
The situation was slowly becoming more complicated. Just as Yuan Xi predicted, the Emperor was disappointed with my son being the heir. He often spoke about it, even mentioned making Liu Xie the heir. He did nothing but talk, but there were people who listened, people who might do something… people that were dangerous.
That's why I was here, putting the final touches to rectify the situation.
I turned and smiled as the attendants brought my guest.
"Ahh… Lady Shang Dan." I nodded, and put my hands together in greeting. "I thank you for coming."
"My Empress." She saluted. "As you requested, I have delivered to Emperor the fruits - he was quite delighted by their taste."
I smiled hearing that.
"I see. I guess it brought you his favour?"
The woman nodded enthusiastically.
"Indeed. The Emperor was quite pleased with my gift."
I smiled.
It was rather ironic that I was inspired by Yuan Xi's tale of poisoned fruit. The amount of poison in one fruit was so small, that it was almost undetectable. But considering how much of the glutton he was, how much my husband tended to eat, it will be enough to take effect. Not immediately - it would take a few days and a few more bowls of fruit, but it would eventually take effect.
By the time he realized what was going on, he would be dying - unable to actively threaten my family. Nor me, nor my brother, and especially not my son.
"Great! That's good for you." I clapped my hands. "And it requires a toast."
I waited for my attendants to put the drinks in front of us, before raising my cup.
"For profitable cooperation!"
"For profitable cooperation!"
We both drank at the same time. The bitter taste of alcohol attacked my tongue, just as the heat spread over my body, warming me up in this cold night. I got goosebumps as the initial sensation of heat passed.
"I hope that from now on, you will support me and my son." I raised a cup, and the attendant immediately approached me to fill it.
"Of course, my Empress." Lady Shang Dan answered raising her cup, and my servant walked up to her with a pitcher.
"Good. Then in the spirit of our newfound profitable cooperation, you won't mind that I will permanently remove your ties to the eunuch faction."
Shang Dan froze hearing my words and looked at me with eyes filled with surprise. Before she could answer the attendant grabbed her hands and held firmly, while the other threw the cloth around Shang Dan's neck and tightened it.
I shook my head, took another sip from my cup and looked at the moon, ignoring the noises of struggle.
Truly, did she really think I would trust her after she acted on behalf of eunuchs against Emperor? After she started acting as Yuan Shu's spy? As at the same time she started courting Yuan Shao's favour? Her? A corrupt official at best a traitor at worst?
No, all she was, was a loose end.
I took another bite of plum, enjoying the sweet taste of the fruit.
"The moon shines,
The beauty of night undebatable,
The wine flows,
The dry flavour undeniable
The fruit splits,
The sweet taste, unresistable
The noble gasps,
Her ambition unachievable,
The moon set,
The wine split,
The fruit bit,
The noble... dead,"
I frowned. The ending was... off.
Sometime during my poem, Shang Dan must have expired, cause my attendants were-
I blinked.
"Why are you disrobing her?"
The servant standing next to me bowed.
"When found, a naked body brings less attention than a one in rich clothes." One of them answered as they started dragging the body out.
I almost laughed. It was logical, true, but hearing it from my attendants... I knew my servants for a few months already, but they continued to surprise me.
While far from perfect or even good servants, they learned their duties quickly. And what was most important, they were loyal. True, at the start only to each other - and what kind of man just encourages female servants to bed each other? But after some time I managed to secure their loyalty by biding them to myself, just as they were bound to each other. I disguised it as rewards, of course, but it seemed to work all the better.
I will have to find some way to repay Yuan Xi for such a useful gift. Who gives a woman a bunch of female bodyguards doubling as assassins? Truly, the man was something else.
I smiled as my thoughts went to the young noble.
He was the first person to consider me his equal - and not in sense of social standing, but as a person. I had people who were either above me or below me, but never beside me. It was naïve, it was an illusion… a refreshing one, a truly pleasant, but still, an illusion.
In this world, you were either dominating or were dominated.
Despite this foolishness, despite his naivety, I still craved for more of it. For it was like a gust of fresh wind, like a cup of cold water in a hot day... I almost scowled. Such weak thoughts for a person of my position.
And yet… I still can't help but wonder. If he was born ten years earlier if I became his wife... would I…
I shook my head and looked at the liquid in my cup.
Such thoughts about what-ifs would change nothing, only make me bitter. The world is, as it is. I can't change what was, only take reins of my destiny and shape it to my liking.
Yet, for all of my wants, Yuan Xi couldn't stay in the capital. He was too naïve, to simple… a boy playing politics… He was not ready for that life.
So I had spread rumours.
Yuan Shao heard about how noble, but naïve was his son. And how there were some rumours of eunuchs preparing to move against him.
The eunuchs heard rumours, about how noble and powerful the young man was becoming. How he started forming his faction.
When the Emperor announced the creation of the Army of the Western Garden, it was enough to make both parties move.
Eunuchs proposed to move Yuan Xi to another post, outside capital. They could not move directly against the son of one of the most powerful nobles in the kingdom.
But the Emperor, as usual, hesitated.
But then, the ever shrewd Yuan Shao proposed to take his son's position. And Emperor jumped on such a solution.
When both sides heard that the other wanted to remove Yuan Xi from the capital and that they helped in achieving that goal, both parties thought that they fell for some kind of scheme.
Heh, they did.
The eunuchs became even more suspicious of Yuan Shao, for they believed that they were played by him. That Yuan clan was granted more privileges and Yuan Shao himself took the prestigious position as a commander of Western garden Army.
Yuan Shao on the other hand, when heard that eunuchs wanted to remove his son from the capital, had his suspicions - created by rumours - confirmed.
Add the fact that he tried to get close to, now deceased, Lady Shang Dan - who suddenly disappeared right after his son was all but forced to flee capital…
My lips curled up as I took another sip from my cup.
Well, I won't even need to do anything for both parties to be at each other's throats.
Another bite brought another taste of sweet juices in my mouth. As I looked at moon I started carefully counting, what I achieved by allying with Yuan Xi.
One, I further divided one of the greatest clans in Empire. The weakening of the Yuan clan will only enforce He clan.
Two, it made Yuan Shao and the eunuch's faction, even more antagonistic to each other.
Three, it cemented Yuan Xi's ties to me, while at the same time making him more antagonistic to his father.
Four, it gave time for my Yuan Xi to build up his base and experience.
Five, it ensured that my son's position as heir was officially confirmed.
Six, it secured my son's safety by giving him the protection of two divisions of Army of the Western garden.
Seven, it granted me a squad of my own murderous bodyguards.
Eight… it allowed me to meet a surprisingly fascinating young man.
Eight birds with one stone. You still have much to learn, Yuan Xi.
I took another sip of wine and smiled.
When the time comes, I shall call you back, and you will take on the position as one of my son's pillars.
So, until then, grow, my dear Xianyi, for I miss your company.
* * *
...since the times of Ming and Zhang, one hundred years before Yellow turban rebellion, the Han dynasty has failed to produce a competent ruler. Truly, the Emperors of Western Han done their best to destroy their legacy through their incompetence, lack of abilities and misjudgment. The only thing keeping the Empire together were the Empresses with the support of their clans. It were women such as Empresses Hexi, Shunlie and Lingsi that kept the Empire from fragmenting into warring states and descending into total chaos. It was ironic that the Han Emperors, usually turned on these patriotic women and their clans, to continue their thoughtless and ignorant rule-
"Empresses, Consorts, Heroines - the influence of women on the Han Empire, through the eyes of modern Suffragette." published in 1912...
AN:
Beta-reader: NathanHale
Dramatis Personae gallery
- Location
- Australia
You raise some good issues, but if we both agree that sexual tastes and preferences are a large part shaped by the environment then just as exposure to porn and photoshopped celebs affect his interests then given enough time the beauty standards of the day will affect and overwrite his own preferences. Especially since he's isolated from any reinforcement of modern sexual ideals.
I understand and empathise with interrupting your reading to check each link can disconnect you from the story, however, you always have an option to not pursue every or any links, and IMO it helps sell the immersion by proving that the author has taken the time and effort to ground their historical narrative in the world that really existed. They aren't just using stereotypes and pop culture in the guise of history.
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- Location
- Toronto, Ontario(occasionally)
The images provide an interesting flavour, though something about the update notification system is acting oddly for the two most recent updates, it's just saying that the author has commented, where as for the three kingdoms video I got a notification of update, despite the low word count.
I'll just pay careful attention, maybe it'll stop being a problem.
I'll just pay careful attention, maybe it'll stop being a problem.
- Location
- los angeles
Very well written
Reign of Emperor Shao 1
- Location
- In front of monitor
"I am still unsure if it was wise to send Ji Ling to suppress the Deng clan." Xun Yu said. His worry was warranted - just a moment ago Ji Ling was an enemy who killed several of my soldiers.
"He needed to see that I trust him, and he needed to clean his reputation from the stain of working for corrupt official. Both for the way he is generally viewed as well for himself.
Besides, the situation is all but resolved. The Deng clan are fools, for not seeing that even should they win, they would not be able to hold to the power." I explained.
Really, some people just don't know when to give up. Once they get a taste of power, they are ready to throw away their lives, just to keep it.
"Even so, why did you decided to keep him alive while you killed Chen Wen?" He asked, looking at me curiously. Now, the answer to that was rather easy.
"The only crime of Ji Ling is that he followed orders of his liege. Giving him a chance to redeem himself, is only fair. Besides, to kill such a talented warrior in these uncertain times would be a crime."
Not to mention that Ji Ling was one of few warriors who could fight Guan Yu to a draw, according to some sources I remember... I was not going to throw away a talent like that.
"Chen Wen, on the other hand, was a known corrupt official. If we kept him alive, we wouldn't be seen as any different then the previous corrupt officials. His execution united people under my rule and secured the populace support for my regime. He also not greatly talented, so replacing him is easy."
I couldn't tell Xun Yu that the main reason was that he was connected to my father. Having a man who owed Yuan Shao in my ranks, was not a good thing. I simply couldn't trust him. He posed to much a danger, should the time come when I would clash with my father. Somehow, I was starting to think, that it was not the question of 'if', but of 'when' I will fight against him.
Unaware of my musings, Xun Yu hmmed then asked:
"What do you intend to do with Chen Wen's widow?"
"Lady Xiang is meaningless to me." I shrugged.
"Then why force her to kill her husband?" He asked curiously. So that was his point. Well, I can't say that I took a typical approach...
"There are several reasons. First, it would cut off her - and thus her clan, from the old, corrupt order. Second, it boosted Yang clan's reputation, and thus made it more… friendly to me. Third, it made it look like the situation was long in boiling point, thus it required only a spark to escalate - thus it removes the suspicion that it was all our scheming. Fourth, it gives Chen Wen's friends a target for vengeance, that is not myself. But the main reason I have done that were Lady Yang's children."
"Her children?" Xun Yu was surprised by that part of my reason. Well, it was that or me killing the children... and I had already more than enough of innocent's blood on my hands. Killing children was... well, if possible, I would prefer to avoid doing it... again.
"Should they ever seek vengeance, it is their mother they will turn their attention first." I explained. After all, a child avenging a parent was rather a common theme. Greek mythology was full of that theme.
"That's a grim way of looking at things." He commented making me shrug. I prefer to consider it a realistic outlook on the situation.
"If in twenty years Lady Yang is still alive, I will agree with you, if she's dead - well, then it would mean that I was right." I told him as I turned to look at approaching Han Hao.
"Young Master, the Yang clan send one of their own clan members to serve as your advisor." he reported.
Hoh. So they already hope to extend their influence on me by having their people whisper into my ear. I smiled at the thought.
"It would be wise to accept him. People of talent is who you need now, my lord." Xun Yu quipped.
"Indeed, show him in." I said, nodding.
Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.
"What is his name?" I asked before Han Hao left.
"Yang Hong."
Interesting. If I remember correctly, that man was one of Yuan Shu's advisors… I honestly don't know how to feel about that.
As predicted, the Deng clan fell within the days. General Ji Ling returned with the heads of the Deng clansmen as a gift. As per my instructions, the children were sent to a special orphanage, where they would be indoctrinated, and women were, as per custom, distributed among soldiers.
It was barbaric and not fair to those women… but I just couldn't let them go free and risk one or more of them, to have a chance to take revenge.
When I had time to reflect upon my actions, I was disgusted with myself, with my actions. But not as much as I would have at the time of my waking up in this era. I changed and started doing things I didn't think I would be capable of doing. Humans are truly adaptable animals.
The question I asked myself was, how much I would change by the end? Would I still be me?
I shook my head. Such meaningless thoughts. Humans are shaped by the events and environment. I would become, what would shape me... and what shaped me so far.
If I stayed unchanged, I would die… and the simple truth was, I wanted to live.
So I would continue going on the path I have taken.
"Message from the capital." The messenger said as he kneeled in front of me, keeping the scroll above his head.
I took the message from the man and read it.
"What does it say, your master?" Xun Yu inquired.
I finished reading and handed him the scroll.
"The Emperor, in his infinite wisdom, decided to grant inspectors special privileges... making them governors." I said with a hint of distaste.
It was too early. Liu Yan, has the situation in the court become so bad, that you were forced to act years earlier, then it happened in history?
"You don't approve, young master." Han Hao asked. He became quite proficient at reading me.
"For me, as the inspector... no, as a governor, it's very good. I have more tools to work with and a free hand to bring peace to the area I'm governing.
For the Empire, on the other hand, it's bad. The Emperor basically gave away his control over the regions.
Emperor Ling has done something that Xiang Yu aimed to achieve. The Empire is now not a united state, but rather a federation of kingdoms. It's hegemony in all but name." I mussed. I always felt sympathy for the so-called 'Hegemon King'... which was only emphasised by my dislike for the founder of Han dynasty.
"Aren't you extravagating, governor?" Yang Hong asked. He actually showed himself to be quite a competent advisor and most of his suggestions showed themselves to be pretty good. He was not a brilliant advisor, but a competent one.
"Think about it. With that amount of power, it's only a matter of time, before one of the governors decides to become a sole ruler of his territory. When that happens, the emperor will mobilise his troops - but the only troops he directly controls is the Army of Western Garden. So he will need to summon governors to aid him. Of course, not all governors would answer the call - for various reasons. They didn't receive orders, they were busy with fighting barbarians, they were too far away or they didn't want to waste their resources.
Now, no matter how the campaign would go, the imperial army would suffer some losses... maybe even would be defeated. Seeing that as a chance, more governors would declare independence and attack neighbouring provinces, which's armies were away. helping the imperial army.
Again, the imperial army would have to react, but the new rebellions would encourage others to rebel. Just like Xiang Yu travelled around putting down the rebel king, after the rebel king, so would the imperial army be constantly on the move. With time they would lose men, support of loyal governors and slowly, they would start loosing... And to survive, they would need to cut their losses, to give up the control over governors, and concentrate on keeping control over their direct territory.
Thus, the Han empire would simply fall apart."
Ironic really. The Han Empire, created by Liu Bang, was being dismantled by his own dynasty. If there is one thing I regret, is that the old geezer, Emperor Ling, didn't live long enough to see that his action destroyed his empire.
The silence refined in the room after my disquisition.
"Well." Cao Xing cleared his throat. "Isn't it a grim perspective?"
"Doesn't make it any less true." I answer him then turned to the rest of my advisors. "But given the newfound powers I was granted, there are some changes I wish to make. Both in military and civilian sectors.
First, let us discuss the military. " I started. It was time to start implementing changes, but I couldn't do too much too fast.
"I intend to reform the army units in the following way…"
"Father, you called me?"
I looked up from documents. Lang Dü kneeled, waiting for me to speak. Gone was the dirty resigned child I found in the ruins of her house. I was looking at a young confident teenager, slowly budding into a beautiful woman.
Has it been two years since I have taken her in?
"I have a task for you."
She tensed, but also leaned forward, eager with anticipation. That would be her first task since I took her in. For some time now, she was showing signs of distress, being restless, for not being able to do anything for me.
"You will go to Beihai and seek a certain woman, who was last seen there. Once you find her, you will approach her as my representative, you will bestow gifts on her and make sure that she has everything she needs to live untroubled life. Offer to have her moved to a residence in Shouchun, but if she refuses, don't push the subject."
"Who is she." She asked with eyes burning with determination.
"…I don't know." I answered smiling at Lang Dü's surprise. "What I know is, that she is the mother of a very talented man, whom I want in my service. I would go myself, but I have to stay here to pacify the area." I leaned forward. "I don't expect you to hire the man, but I expect you to build a rapport with him and his family. You will take silks and silver for gifts and anything you think will help you in your task. Niu Jin and a group of soldiers will accompany you as an escort. Take Huo Tai with you… and few attendants, if you see a need to."
I paused, then looked at her sharply.
"Lang Dü, you will be my representative. You will speak in my name so I expect you to act accordingly."
The girl gulped as she nodded.
I frowned seeing sweat covering her forehead, few drops slowly making their way down her temples. I wasn't pushing her too hard, was I?
"I will not disappoint you, father. What is the name of the man you want?" She asked with hoarse voice.
For a moment I entertained the idea of reconsidering her task... but in the end, I decided against it. This task would be a good experience for her.
"Taishi Ci."
"Message from the capital!"
I turned to the running attendant. I took the scroll and started reading. I almost recoiled at the message.
The Emperor was dead.
It was too early. It's way too early. He was supposed to live for another three years. Everything starts coming apart… to fast! I am not ready! I need a few more years!
My army is still small and not organised. The reforms I planned to implement are still in the planning stages. I need more time!
Damnit!
I bit my lip. Now the history as I know it will be surely derailed. The question was, by how much. I had an advantage only as long as the events stayed unchanged… yet.
Yet I was actively doing everything to derail the train of history. The only thing I truly had left, were the biographies of people I remembered.
...
Wait a minute.
No!
I was wrong.
"Young master?" I turned to Xun Yu who looked at me worried. My worry must have shown on my face.
"Emperor Ling is dead. Emperor Shao took the throne." I said looking at my advisors. "Every single governor was called by Empress Dowager He and Regent Marshall He Jin to capital, to give their oath of loyalty to the new Emperor." I paused. "Prepare the escorts, we will depart as soon as possible."
"Ha!" All of my subordinates saluted me and went to carry out my order, while I returned to my musings.
I was wrong. I worried unnecessarily. It didn't matter how much I prepared my realm, for the Yang province is meaningless in this situation.
He Shi holds the court and makes sure that her brother would not fall for some scheme. The eunuchs wouldn't dare to act against the legal heir, especially since he is now in possession of Army of Western Garden.
I smiled.
Yes, despite the Emperor's early demise, the situation was under control. It's only a matter of cleaning the court from the trash and making sure that the governors fall in line. The ones that won't answer the Imperial call, will all but admit their ambition and traitorous intentions.
After getting rid of them and cleaning the court, the work on stabilising the country can begin...
I sat with sight as we finished the eight-day of our travel.
"Thank you." I nodded to the servant who brought me dinner.
"Master Yuan Xi!"
I looked up annoyed, from my bowl with soup. After the entire day of travel, eating my dinner was all I could think about now. And I couldn't even start the meal without being interrupted. No wonder so many rulers changed into tyrants.
I glared at the man, but he completely ignored it.
"Master Yuan! Ou Xing and Zhang Ju have risen in rebellion!"
After arriving at Yang province, Yuan Xi's situation was most dire. There was almost no army, to defend against bandits, rebels and barbarians. The local administrative structures were corrupted, fragmented and inefficient. The fields were destroyed by drought and pillaging rebels. The only reasons Yuan Xi managed to gain control over the situation and somewhat stabilize the province, was because he had skilled personel and financial support. Interestingly enough, it was not his father, Yuan Shao, who aided him financially but rather the He clan - in particular, the Empress Lingsi was one who supported his expedition, by donating him a large amount of silver, silks and even jewels. It is a common assumption that it was a show of gratitude for his help in the creation of the Army of Western Garden, that would protect her son, the heir to the throne-
Right after Emperor Shao began his reign, a number of rebels raised arms, hoping to use the chaos following the death of Emperor. Some, like Ou Xing, used it to declare themselves the Emperors. Others, like Zhang Ju, raised in rebellion in hope to kill the Eunuchs...
'Hundred Years of Turmoil' – historical work about the 'end of Han dynasty' and an era that followed.
AN:
Usual thanks to NathanHale for the input!
"He needed to see that I trust him, and he needed to clean his reputation from the stain of working for corrupt official. Both for the way he is generally viewed as well for himself.
Besides, the situation is all but resolved. The Deng clan are fools, for not seeing that even should they win, they would not be able to hold to the power." I explained.
Really, some people just don't know when to give up. Once they get a taste of power, they are ready to throw away their lives, just to keep it.
"Even so, why did you decided to keep him alive while you killed Chen Wen?" He asked, looking at me curiously. Now, the answer to that was rather easy.
"The only crime of Ji Ling is that he followed orders of his liege. Giving him a chance to redeem himself, is only fair. Besides, to kill such a talented warrior in these uncertain times would be a crime."
Not to mention that Ji Ling was one of few warriors who could fight Guan Yu to a draw, according to some sources I remember... I was not going to throw away a talent like that.
"Chen Wen, on the other hand, was a known corrupt official. If we kept him alive, we wouldn't be seen as any different then the previous corrupt officials. His execution united people under my rule and secured the populace support for my regime. He also not greatly talented, so replacing him is easy."
I couldn't tell Xun Yu that the main reason was that he was connected to my father. Having a man who owed Yuan Shao in my ranks, was not a good thing. I simply couldn't trust him. He posed to much a danger, should the time come when I would clash with my father. Somehow, I was starting to think, that it was not the question of 'if', but of 'when' I will fight against him.
Unaware of my musings, Xun Yu hmmed then asked:
"What do you intend to do with Chen Wen's widow?"
"Lady Xiang is meaningless to me." I shrugged.
"Then why force her to kill her husband?" He asked curiously. So that was his point. Well, I can't say that I took a typical approach...
"There are several reasons. First, it would cut off her - and thus her clan, from the old, corrupt order. Second, it boosted Yang clan's reputation, and thus made it more… friendly to me. Third, it made it look like the situation was long in boiling point, thus it required only a spark to escalate - thus it removes the suspicion that it was all our scheming. Fourth, it gives Chen Wen's friends a target for vengeance, that is not myself. But the main reason I have done that were Lady Yang's children."
"Her children?" Xun Yu was surprised by that part of my reason. Well, it was that or me killing the children... and I had already more than enough of innocent's blood on my hands. Killing children was... well, if possible, I would prefer to avoid doing it... again.
"Should they ever seek vengeance, it is their mother they will turn their attention first." I explained. After all, a child avenging a parent was rather a common theme. Greek mythology was full of that theme.
"That's a grim way of looking at things." He commented making me shrug. I prefer to consider it a realistic outlook on the situation.
"If in twenty years Lady Yang is still alive, I will agree with you, if she's dead - well, then it would mean that I was right." I told him as I turned to look at approaching Han Hao.
"Young Master, the Yang clan send one of their own clan members to serve as your advisor." he reported.
Hoh. So they already hope to extend their influence on me by having their people whisper into my ear. I smiled at the thought.
"It would be wise to accept him. People of talent is who you need now, my lord." Xun Yu quipped.
"Indeed, show him in." I said, nodding.
Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.
"What is his name?" I asked before Han Hao left.
"Yang Hong."
Interesting. If I remember correctly, that man was one of Yuan Shu's advisors… I honestly don't know how to feel about that.
* * *
As predicted, the Deng clan fell within the days. General Ji Ling returned with the heads of the Deng clansmen as a gift. As per my instructions, the children were sent to a special orphanage, where they would be indoctrinated, and women were, as per custom, distributed among soldiers.
It was barbaric and not fair to those women… but I just couldn't let them go free and risk one or more of them, to have a chance to take revenge.
When I had time to reflect upon my actions, I was disgusted with myself, with my actions. But not as much as I would have at the time of my waking up in this era. I changed and started doing things I didn't think I would be capable of doing. Humans are truly adaptable animals.
The question I asked myself was, how much I would change by the end? Would I still be me?
I shook my head. Such meaningless thoughts. Humans are shaped by the events and environment. I would become, what would shape me... and what shaped me so far.
If I stayed unchanged, I would die… and the simple truth was, I wanted to live.
So I would continue going on the path I have taken.
* * *
"Message from the capital." The messenger said as he kneeled in front of me, keeping the scroll above his head.
I took the message from the man and read it.
"What does it say, your master?" Xun Yu inquired.
I finished reading and handed him the scroll.
"The Emperor, in his infinite wisdom, decided to grant inspectors special privileges... making them governors." I said with a hint of distaste.
It was too early. Liu Yan, has the situation in the court become so bad, that you were forced to act years earlier, then it happened in history?
"You don't approve, young master." Han Hao asked. He became quite proficient at reading me.
"For me, as the inspector... no, as a governor, it's very good. I have more tools to work with and a free hand to bring peace to the area I'm governing.
For the Empire, on the other hand, it's bad. The Emperor basically gave away his control over the regions.
Emperor Ling has done something that Xiang Yu aimed to achieve. The Empire is now not a united state, but rather a federation of kingdoms. It's hegemony in all but name." I mussed. I always felt sympathy for the so-called 'Hegemon King'... which was only emphasised by my dislike for the founder of Han dynasty.
"Aren't you extravagating, governor?" Yang Hong asked. He actually showed himself to be quite a competent advisor and most of his suggestions showed themselves to be pretty good. He was not a brilliant advisor, but a competent one.
"Think about it. With that amount of power, it's only a matter of time, before one of the governors decides to become a sole ruler of his territory. When that happens, the emperor will mobilise his troops - but the only troops he directly controls is the Army of Western Garden. So he will need to summon governors to aid him. Of course, not all governors would answer the call - for various reasons. They didn't receive orders, they were busy with fighting barbarians, they were too far away or they didn't want to waste their resources.
Now, no matter how the campaign would go, the imperial army would suffer some losses... maybe even would be defeated. Seeing that as a chance, more governors would declare independence and attack neighbouring provinces, which's armies were away. helping the imperial army.
Again, the imperial army would have to react, but the new rebellions would encourage others to rebel. Just like Xiang Yu travelled around putting down the rebel king, after the rebel king, so would the imperial army be constantly on the move. With time they would lose men, support of loyal governors and slowly, they would start loosing... And to survive, they would need to cut their losses, to give up the control over governors, and concentrate on keeping control over their direct territory.
Thus, the Han empire would simply fall apart."
Ironic really. The Han Empire, created by Liu Bang, was being dismantled by his own dynasty. If there is one thing I regret, is that the old geezer, Emperor Ling, didn't live long enough to see that his action destroyed his empire.
The silence refined in the room after my disquisition.
"Well." Cao Xing cleared his throat. "Isn't it a grim perspective?"
"Doesn't make it any less true." I answer him then turned to the rest of my advisors. "But given the newfound powers I was granted, there are some changes I wish to make. Both in military and civilian sectors.
First, let us discuss the military. " I started. It was time to start implementing changes, but I couldn't do too much too fast.
"I intend to reform the army units in the following way…"
* * *
"Father, you called me?"
I looked up from documents. Lang Dü kneeled, waiting for me to speak. Gone was the dirty resigned child I found in the ruins of her house. I was looking at a young confident teenager, slowly budding into a beautiful woman.
Has it been two years since I have taken her in?
"I have a task for you."
She tensed, but also leaned forward, eager with anticipation. That would be her first task since I took her in. For some time now, she was showing signs of distress, being restless, for not being able to do anything for me.
"You will go to Beihai and seek a certain woman, who was last seen there. Once you find her, you will approach her as my representative, you will bestow gifts on her and make sure that she has everything she needs to live untroubled life. Offer to have her moved to a residence in Shouchun, but if she refuses, don't push the subject."
"Who is she." She asked with eyes burning with determination.
"…I don't know." I answered smiling at Lang Dü's surprise. "What I know is, that she is the mother of a very talented man, whom I want in my service. I would go myself, but I have to stay here to pacify the area." I leaned forward. "I don't expect you to hire the man, but I expect you to build a rapport with him and his family. You will take silks and silver for gifts and anything you think will help you in your task. Niu Jin and a group of soldiers will accompany you as an escort. Take Huo Tai with you… and few attendants, if you see a need to."
I paused, then looked at her sharply.
"Lang Dü, you will be my representative. You will speak in my name so I expect you to act accordingly."
The girl gulped as she nodded.
I frowned seeing sweat covering her forehead, few drops slowly making their way down her temples. I wasn't pushing her too hard, was I?
"I will not disappoint you, father. What is the name of the man you want?" She asked with hoarse voice.
For a moment I entertained the idea of reconsidering her task... but in the end, I decided against it. This task would be a good experience for her.
"Taishi Ci."
* * *
"Message from the capital!"
I turned to the running attendant. I took the scroll and started reading. I almost recoiled at the message.
The Emperor was dead.
It was too early. It's way too early. He was supposed to live for another three years. Everything starts coming apart… to fast! I am not ready! I need a few more years!
My army is still small and not organised. The reforms I planned to implement are still in the planning stages. I need more time!
Damnit!
I bit my lip. Now the history as I know it will be surely derailed. The question was, by how much. I had an advantage only as long as the events stayed unchanged… yet.
Yet I was actively doing everything to derail the train of history. The only thing I truly had left, were the biographies of people I remembered.
...
Wait a minute.
No!
I was wrong.
"Young master?" I turned to Xun Yu who looked at me worried. My worry must have shown on my face.
"Emperor Ling is dead. Emperor Shao took the throne." I said looking at my advisors. "Every single governor was called by Empress Dowager He and Regent Marshall He Jin to capital, to give their oath of loyalty to the new Emperor." I paused. "Prepare the escorts, we will depart as soon as possible."
"Ha!" All of my subordinates saluted me and went to carry out my order, while I returned to my musings.
I was wrong. I worried unnecessarily. It didn't matter how much I prepared my realm, for the Yang province is meaningless in this situation.
He Shi holds the court and makes sure that her brother would not fall for some scheme. The eunuchs wouldn't dare to act against the legal heir, especially since he is now in possession of Army of Western Garden.
I smiled.
Yes, despite the Emperor's early demise, the situation was under control. It's only a matter of cleaning the court from the trash and making sure that the governors fall in line. The ones that won't answer the Imperial call, will all but admit their ambition and traitorous intentions.
After getting rid of them and cleaning the court, the work on stabilising the country can begin...
* * *
I sat with sight as we finished the eight-day of our travel.
"Thank you." I nodded to the servant who brought me dinner.
"Master Yuan Xi!"
I looked up annoyed, from my bowl with soup. After the entire day of travel, eating my dinner was all I could think about now. And I couldn't even start the meal without being interrupted. No wonder so many rulers changed into tyrants.
I glared at the man, but he completely ignored it.
"Master Yuan! Ou Xing and Zhang Ju have risen in rebellion!"
* * *
After arriving at Yang province, Yuan Xi's situation was most dire. There was almost no army, to defend against bandits, rebels and barbarians. The local administrative structures were corrupted, fragmented and inefficient. The fields were destroyed by drought and pillaging rebels. The only reasons Yuan Xi managed to gain control over the situation and somewhat stabilize the province, was because he had skilled personel and financial support. Interestingly enough, it was not his father, Yuan Shao, who aided him financially but rather the He clan - in particular, the Empress Lingsi was one who supported his expedition, by donating him a large amount of silver, silks and even jewels. It is a common assumption that it was a show of gratitude for his help in the creation of the Army of Western Garden, that would protect her son, the heir to the throne-
Right after Emperor Shao began his reign, a number of rebels raised arms, hoping to use the chaos following the death of Emperor. Some, like Ou Xing, used it to declare themselves the Emperors. Others, like Zhang Ju, raised in rebellion in hope to kill the Eunuchs...
'Hundred Years of Turmoil' – historical work about the 'end of Han dynasty' and an era that followed.
* * *
AN:
Usual thanks to NathanHale for the input!
Reign of Emperor Shao 2
- Location
- In front of monitor
I am starting to regret leaving Xun Yu, Ji Ling and Cao Xing in Shouchun. Originally I intended to leave Han Hao in charge of the military instead of Cao Xing but decided that I needed to have someone trustworthy by my side, in the capital... and that will be a good experience for Cao Xing.
I slammed my fist on the table, making Yang Hong flinch. Han Hao didn't even react to my outburst, already used to my temper.
"I have a total of three hundred escorts – two-hundredth infantry and one hundred cavalry. What do you want me to do with that kind of forces against Warband, counting thousands?" Ou Xing had between five and twelve thousand according to the reports. "What would you have me do? March with three hundred soldiers against the army of ten thousand?" I asked sarcastically.
I massaged my forehead in irritation. The discussion continued for some time already and it was going nowhere.
"Look," I continued. "Even if I were to return to Yang province, I would be able to gather maybe four thousand soldiers. And that is the optimistic prognosis. Not only would I still be at a disadvantage against Ou Xing's forces, but I would also leave the Yang province defenceless!"
And considering that I already invested money and effort into securing that area, I was not eager to give it up.
"Even if I did bring here the entire forces that I could gather," I shake my head, looking and Han Hao who nodded hesitantly seeing my point. "Ou Xing might already in a different province." I finished.
"That is true, Lord Yuan." Yang Hong conceded, hesitating, still unnerved by my earlier outburst. "But consider this-" He moved his hand over his chin, stroking his short beard... gathering his thoughts before explaining his reasoning. "should you leave and continue to capital without dealing with bandits, they will pillage the villages and kill countless men. As a person who was in the area and done nothing to stop them, you will be seen as a coward, who escaped to the capital from bandits. Your reputation of the benevolent governor will take a hit. Depending on how much the rebellion grows…" He didn't finish, he didn't have to.
I bit my lip, cursing. I knew that Ou Xing didn't build the forces as large as Zhang Jue's Yellow Scarves… but that was before the changes I made. If he managed to grow his rebellion into meaningful force, I would be blamed for not acting when the situation was still manageable.
"Governor," Han Hao quietly interrupted. "You should consider two more things. First, a quick defeat of the rebels would help the new reign's legitimacy immensely." I nodded, seeing his point. We both were aware of how important it was to keep He clan's prestige high. If there would be slip-ups, the eunuchs and the vultures from the court would not hesitate to jump on weakened regent… and Empress Dowager. "Second, their force is between us and the capital..." and that would mean days, if not weeks of detour…
I gritted my teeth. I hated being forced by the situation to do what I didn't want to do.
I sighted. It seemed I couldn't escape from this.
"You've made your point Yang Hong, Han Hao." I put my hands on the table and sighed in defeat. "Come, It's time for us to plan."
"Cough, cough!" I covered my mouth as another fit of cough shook my body.
"Your health is getting worse – maybe you should rest a few days after we finish our business in the city?" Han Hao suggested. We both knew how deadly unattended illness could be.
I shook my head. Three days of intensive travel to the nearest city seemed to have taken a toll on my health.
"No, we don't have much time." I looked at the gathering of civil and military officials waiting for us at the gate.
"Governor, I welcome you to our city!" the man saluted.
"Welcome, administrator." I answered holding my hands in salute. After a moment, I lowered my hands. "I was on my way to the court, by the orders of Regent Marshal and Empress Dowager, when I heard about rebellion being staged in the area by one, Ou Xing. I decided to postpone my travel to the capital and add my meagre forces to suppression of the bandits."
The Administrator looked troubled for a moment, before smiling.
"Thank you, governor, but I would dare not to pull you away from duties-" He started saying, but I interrupted him, not in the mood for that kind of play.
"But on the contrary, Administrator. Taking care of those rebels, is part of my duties, as Han official. To turn away from those duties could be considered treason to the Han."
"Ah, bu- but governor, risking your life to fight meagre bandits is-"
I lowered my hands, smiling. So that's how it was?
"Administrator, you have no intention of marching against the rebels, do you not?" I asked. The look on the man's face was enough of an answer for me.
I grabbed my knife and with a swift movement sliced the man's throat. He looked at me with the incomprehension of what just happened. He grabbed his throat and gurgled as the blood started leaking. Only when he fell on the ground, bleeding, the understanding spread among those gathered. Some civilians stepped away, some raised a cry, some soldiers grabbed their weapons...
"I, Yuan XI, governor of Yang, have killed the traitor and rebel sympathizer!" I raised my jagger high turning and addressing not only gathered officials, but also the soldiers on the walls. "The Administrator had no intention of quelling the rebellion!" That was a lie... most probably. He probably wanted to wait till the rebels passed his position, safety behind city walls – a sound strategy. Unfortunately, I couldn't allow it.
"Anyone refusing to put down the rebels and allow them to ravage the countryside, pillaging, raping and killing, is rebel himself!" I addressed the officials, but the main focus of my speech was the soldiers on the walls. I cared little for the officials, but I needed the support of the local army. "Those of you, who harbour sympathize with rebels, are free to attack me!" Hopefully, the administrator was not loved enough for them to throw themselves with weapons on my person. "The rest of you will follow my command, and defeat the rebels!"
"...with that, we have a total amount of three thousand soldiers. If we add our retinue to local forces, we will have four hundred cavalry." Yang Hong finished.
"That's optimistic, advisor. These soldiers are more like militia – not many of them took part in fighting against Yellow Scarves or local bandits." Han Hao shook his head, dissatisfied with the situation.
"Even with those forces, we will be outnumbered..." I said slowly, thinking. "Chances for support from neighbouring cities?"
"They are either too far away or tied with remnants of Yellow scarves or bandits." Yang Hong shook his head, before continuing. "As you ordered, we sent messengers to local villages, ordering their evacuation... as well as your orders considering the food supplies." I nodded absently. If the villages couldn't take the food with themselves, they were to burn it. Hopefully, we will thin Ou Xing's army with some attrition.
Maybe…
"How is the local armoury?" I asked, turning to Yang Hong, still considering the strategy that started forming in my mind-
"Cough, cough!" I leaned forward as I head another fit of cough. I motioned and a female attendant quickly ran to me with a cup of hot tea. I took a sip, clearing my throat. I really needed to take some time to rest later. "It's alright" I raised my hand, calming my officers. "I will rest after this. Continue."
Yang Hong nodded then scoffed, as he started his report.
"The actual equipment is maybe forth, of what it is supposed to be."
"They actually stole equipment from imperial arsenal?" I asked surprised. These armouries were usually kept well stocked and maintained. Only idiot with a death wish would steal from them, cause the punishment for that would be according to the military law. I shook my head. And the award of Darwin goes to- "Have officials responsible for armouries executed."
"You don't want them interrogated?" Yang Hong asked surprised.
"We don't have the time to play with them-" I paused, before turning fully to my advisor. "I will leave that matter to your judgment." I finally decided.
"Ha!" The man bowed. It seemed I made a decision that satisfied him.
That still left me with a problem. At best, the opposing force would be twice as big as mines, at worst, seven times. If I had veterans or elites, I would be happy to take my chances… but with militia…
That left me with one option… and I really didn't like it.
"Every man and woman capable of caring weapons, are to be conscripted to the army."
"Governor!" "Governor!" Both of the men protested at the same time.
"The morale of conscripts, their training-" Han Hao started speaking hotly.
"I know!" I hissed. "I know… but if we want to win, this is the necessary step." Because I was not Zhuge freaking Liang, pulling victories from my hat. I didn't know the area, I didn't know the opposing forces – saying that this situation was not pleasant to deal with, was like saying that the sky was blue. "I might do something about their morale… and I have an idea for strategy." But for that I need numbers.
I paused and took another sip of tea, calming myself. I gave the cup to the attendant, who quietly took it. I turned my attention back to my officers.
"We have maybe... fifteen days before Ou Xing's force arrives?" Seeing Han Hao nodding, I continued. "In that time, we must give the conscripts at least basic training, so they don't break at first contact with the enemy. Make a point to them, that when bandits arrive, they will either kill them or die. The bandits need not prisoners." I paused before turning to Yang Hong.
"Will we have enough equipment to give to all new conscripts?" I asked him.
"The recruitment should give us between five and eight thousands conscripts..." the man checked one of the documents and winced.
That didn't give me much hope.
"People of Han!" I raised my voice, as I rode in front of the battle line. "The men that are coming are nothing more than beasts! They rob, pillage, burn, rape and kill as if it was something normal – something worth boasting about! You can't negotiate with them, you can't deal with them, you can't bargaining with them - for they only see you as victims, ready to be robbed! You either kill them or die!" I took a breath before continuing. " Do no fear them! If you fear them, if you escape here, your homes, your households, your families will be their next victims! They will pillage your homes, burn and destroy everything you ever build, just for the fun of it! They shall defile your wives and daughters, torture and kill your sons and brothers, slaughter your elders! People of Han! You fight to defend your homes! To defend your families! You defend everything that is dear to your hearts! If they pass us here, then we have lost everything we hold dear!" I pause for the effect. "But they shall not pass! They shall not come closer to the city! Because they will die here, at our hands!" I raise my Ji. "Death to rebels!"
Thousands of voices raised with mine.
That was nostalgic. The first time I gave that speech, was right after I came to this era and was escaping the capital. Now, I was giving it again, while trying to break to the Capital. The irony was not lost to me. Has it truly been two years since the first time I gave that speech? Time flies...
I turned to my two companions. Yang Hong commanded the archers and crossbowmen – a total of three thousand. Most of the females went to that unit… and unfortunately, all of the people in this unit, were without armour – the courtesy of local corrupt officials. Han Hao commanded cavalry – all four hundred of them. One hundredth being from my retinue. I commanded infantry, all six thousands of them.
The battle line was simple. Archers and crossbowmen at the front, three thousand five hundred infantry in line behind the skirmishers, cavalry at the left flank. At right, a five hundred spear infantry detachment to counter any enemy cavalry outflanking manoeuvres. Additionally, two detachments, each counting a thousand, of cities most experienced soldiers were kept in reserves on flanks.
And in front of us… about twelve thousands of bandits. More mob then soldiers, but an experienced mob. I shudder to think what the size of the army would be if it didn't suffer the attrition...
We managed to buy ourselves a total of twenty-two days for training. Additional time was mostly due to bandit's slow march and Han Hao's night raid that bought us an additional two days. The training, the fear of losing everything they had and few executions of corrupt officials raised the morale quite nicely... hopefully, it will be enough.
"Well then," I say as I look at Ou Xing's army. No intelligent remark came to mind, no joke, no inspiring speech, no snarky remark. "I will see you after the battle." I say simply and nod to them. I unmount and give reins to Han Hao.
"Good luck in battle." He said and galloped to his unit.
I step to the line infantry and take my place in the line. I could already see some of them visibly gain confidence. Unfortunate, but if I didn't join, the mainline would probably break after a few minutes of battle. The presence of general on the frontline could make that much of a difference in impact on the soldier's morale.
"Loose!" Yang Hong commanded.
A first volley smashed against the storming mob, then the second. Then, they returned fire. While I could not see everything, I could see some of my soldiers falling with a rain of arrows… and I heard their screams.
"Back!" Yang Hong commanded.
The archers and crossbowmen turned and run through the small roads created by infantry, behind the frontline troops. Some of them, carrying wounded. Yang Hong followed them. Once they were behind, the soldiers moved, closing the roads.
As the troops closed the ranks behind skirmishers, I was faced with advancing screaming horde. Suddenly, a young man ran forward – I looked with disbelief as he ran at the bandits, only to stop and grab a wounded archer and start dragging her back to our lines.
"Hold!" I screamed as I felt the line waver, some men ready to run and help the fool. "Hold the line!" From what I understood from the screams, the guy wanted to save the woman he was infatuated with.
I cursed silently. They won't make it… and because of the little brats stun, the morale will take a hit.
The bandits finally cough up to the pair – I could see that the guy was immediately cut down, the woman… she would be lucky if they ignored her, but she was probably trampled to death.
I could feel the morale fall with the deaths and cursed again.
"Brace!" I ordered, "Ready!" I paused waiting, for the first bandits to reach our lines.
"KILL!" I screamed loudly, thrusting my Ji at the coming man at the same time.
The first bandits fell… then the rest crashed against our line. Pikes, spears, swords, axes and Ji were put to work, as two walls of people pushed against each other. Yet, slowly but surely, the Han troops were being pushed back. The lack of numbers and experience were showing - but that was expected. That was calculated into our tactics. I was pleasantly surprised that the conscripts didn't break and started running - and that was the most important thing right now.
They pushed us for some time and yet, the line did not break.
"Agg!" A man charged through the line, with one swing of the great axe, cutting the man who stood in front of me. Before the body fell on the ground, the rebel slammed into it and then into me, pushing the dead body on me. I fell into the mud and looked, stunned as the man raised his great axe, ready to finish me off.
Just as it fell, a small soldier thrust sword right into axe's path. The sword has broken from the strength of swing and the teenager fell on the ground with a cry. But the axe landed right next to my head instead splinting it in half. That woke me up. I started pushing the dead body to the side, just as the rebel started making another swing. But before he could take a swing, another teenager thrust a spear into the man's side. The rebel grunted lowering the axe. He grabbed the spear and broken it easily. He was either a monster or had a really good armour. The teenager stumbled and fell forward as he lost the support. The rebel raised the axe again to strike the offending teenager.
At that moment, I managed to finally push the body of my soldier. I grabbed my knife drove it into rebel's leg unprotected by armour – right at the back of his knee. And then I twisted it. The man wailed and fell on his knees, almost dropping the axe. I quickly removed the knife and then thrust it into the man's neck.
He gurgled for a moment, before falling on the ground dead.
I quickly got on my knees and looked around for enemies.
To my surprise, there was now some free space between our forces and fighting in this section paused for a moment. A lone rebel walked in front of the ranks of the rebels. He looked more distinguished then the others – his armour and weapons were certainly of better quality.
"Guo Shi..." He said stunned, looking at the body of the man I just have slain.
I got at and grabbed my Ji. As the man's eyes turned to me, I got up and gestured two teenagers to fall back – without their weapons they were just hindrance in what was about to happen.
"Ou Xing issues a challenge!" The rebel has raised his Ji.
Of all people! I curse my luck!
I took off my helmet – the mud and blood dripping from it were getting into my eyes.
"Yuan Xi, governor of Yang of Han, accepts!" I took a stance.
With a roar, the bandit leader advanced. After a first few bouts, he had me on the deference. His strikes were powerful and he had far more experience in using that weapon – and it showed. It was frustrating, that even no-name like Ou Xing was better than me.
The soldiers gathered around were cheering for us, screaming loudly, striking weapons against shields or raising their weapons high.
I backed off after our fourth bout was finished, trying to think of a way to win. I clicked my tongue with frustration… I had an idea, but it was a risky one. Not like I head any choice at this point.
This time I attacked. Ou Xing was surprised but quickly put on firm deference. At one moment, my grip on Ji weakened – and Ou Xing noticed it immediately. He started circling his Ji, weakening my hold on the weapon even more. Then with a swift movement, he pulled his Ji with wide movement – reaping my weapon from my hands.
Just as I planned.
As soon as I lost my Ji, I advanced on the man. Seeing my advance, Ou Xing quickly tried to cut me, but he lost some balance with the last manoeuvre. As I got inside his guard, I blocked his elbow, blocking any movement he could perform with his Ji. Having disabled his attacks, I grabbed the hilt of my sword, and with one move, I cut Ou Xing's stomach. The blade cut shallowly, most of the impact absorbed by armour.
"Good armour." I said to him, then thrust the sword into his stomach. The thrust was strong enough to pierce his armour. Ou Xing grunted and let go of his Ji as his body jumped from my strike.
Then I thrust the sword again, and again and again.
As he fell on his knees, I removed his helmet. Then with a swift movement, I cut his head off. I picked up his head and presented it to bandits.
"Rebel Ou Xing is dead!" I screamed. The rebels flinched and some even actually took a step back. "Death to rebels!"
A loud roar answered my call as my soldiers advanced on now panicking rebels.
I looked with satisfaction as my soldiers started pushing the rebels back – the news of Ou Xing's demise spreading like a fire among the ranks.
"My lord." I turned to see two teenagers who saved my life. The one who lost the spear was holding my Ji, offering it to me. I turned to the younger of teenagers, still holding the hilt of a broken sword. I frowned, this would not do. I would not have my soldiers fight with broken weapons.
"Keep it." I shook my head. The boy has lost his spear, so at least that would serve his weapon… I then offered my sword to the younger one. "Take it." I said, starling the poor youth.
"But you will be without a weapon, my lord!"
"There are plenty of weapons on the ground for me to choose from, take it." After a moment, the younger one accepted my sword.
I walked to Ou Xing's body and took up his Ji, with a grunt. That damn thing was three times heavier than mine! No wonder his strikes felt so strong. I shuddered at the thought of facing Lü Bu, Guan Yu or Zhang Fei – their weapons are said to be even heavier…
"What clan are you from?" I asked the teenagers.
"Lü!" the spear-wielding teenager said.
"Bu!" the younger one added.
I was startled for a moment before shaking it.
"You both save my life. After a battle, come see me. I will be sure to reward you." I said as I turned to battle. I smiled seeing that we were winning.
"The loss of their leader broke the rebels." The spear teenager said.
"Not only that." I said as I started explaining. "You see, right now, the rebels are attacked from three sides."
"What?" he asked startled.
"Usually, you put your veterans in the centre of your formation. But for this battle, I put the regular troops on the sides and weaker soldiers, conscripts in the centre, so the bandits easily pushed the front line, while the detachments with veterans stud their ground, easily flanking the rebel army. Now, we only have to wait for Han Hao's unit to deal with rebel cavalry and strike at their back." I smiled looking at the battle turning in my favour. "Smaller army surrounds the big army."
At this moment Yang Hong arrived.
"Governor! Han Hao reports killing rebel leader Zhou Chao! His unit attacked the rebel's rear and finished the encirclement." My advisor reported. "The rebels are starting to slaughtering each other in panic, seeking a way out of the encirclement."
"The battle is won!" the younger teenager exclaimed.
"Not yet." I shook my head. "Now, we have to kill thousands of bandits… Yang Hong, move the archers and crossbowmen behind the infantry. Have them fire at the bandits at point-blank range. That should break them even further."
"Ha!"
"Let's go. This will be a long day." I turned and started walking back to the battlefield.
People laughed and celebrated the victory. In the end, we managed to slaughter twelve thousand of bandits, while losing merely four thousand soldiers… but, they were not just soldiers – they were conscripts. Men and women forced to take up arms.
There were much-stolen goods in rebel's camp. There was also much silver, gold and silks confiscated from corrupt officials. So I decided to use those riches as awards to soldiers for participation in battle. That was enough to quiet any dissatisfied voices.
"Governor! A message from the capital!"
I nodded to the messenger, took the message. I took a sip of tea, as I calmly started unrolling the message. The cough returned after the battle, so I had every intention to finally take some rest and get well - it just would not do to present myself to my Empress, while being barely able to stand on my legs from the illness. Taking another sip of tea, I started reading the message.
Not much is known about Yuan Xi's battles before he became governor. What is known, is that he served under the orders of General Huangfu Song, where he gained enough merit to be made responsible for forming the Army of Western Garden. But it was the battle with Ou Xing, during which he massacred twelve thousand soldiers with the inferior force that showed the deadliness that put him on par with the heroes of the era.
Modern historian about 'Hundred Years of Turmoil' in 'Behind the propaganda - the records of Hundred Years of Turmoil'
"Your armies shall shatter, your weapons shall break, your shields shall split before the power of Yuan Xi…"
"My tactics are outside your comprehension and my strategies are beyond your imagination…"
"You want to face me? Fine, come meet your death at the hands of Yuan Xi!"
"I will compose a verse describing our fight and your death… but don't think I will bury your body."
The battlefield introduction lines of Yuan Xi in the sixth instalment of game 'Turmoil Warriors'. The character voiced by awesome...
AN:
Thanks to NathanHale for the input that made this chapter better than it was!
I slammed my fist on the table, making Yang Hong flinch. Han Hao didn't even react to my outburst, already used to my temper.
"I have a total of three hundred escorts – two-hundredth infantry and one hundred cavalry. What do you want me to do with that kind of forces against Warband, counting thousands?" Ou Xing had between five and twelve thousand according to the reports. "What would you have me do? March with three hundred soldiers against the army of ten thousand?" I asked sarcastically.
I massaged my forehead in irritation. The discussion continued for some time already and it was going nowhere.
"Look," I continued. "Even if I were to return to Yang province, I would be able to gather maybe four thousand soldiers. And that is the optimistic prognosis. Not only would I still be at a disadvantage against Ou Xing's forces, but I would also leave the Yang province defenceless!"
And considering that I already invested money and effort into securing that area, I was not eager to give it up.
"Even if I did bring here the entire forces that I could gather," I shake my head, looking and Han Hao who nodded hesitantly seeing my point. "Ou Xing might already in a different province." I finished.
"That is true, Lord Yuan." Yang Hong conceded, hesitating, still unnerved by my earlier outburst. "But consider this-" He moved his hand over his chin, stroking his short beard... gathering his thoughts before explaining his reasoning. "should you leave and continue to capital without dealing with bandits, they will pillage the villages and kill countless men. As a person who was in the area and done nothing to stop them, you will be seen as a coward, who escaped to the capital from bandits. Your reputation of the benevolent governor will take a hit. Depending on how much the rebellion grows…" He didn't finish, he didn't have to.
I bit my lip, cursing. I knew that Ou Xing didn't build the forces as large as Zhang Jue's Yellow Scarves… but that was before the changes I made. If he managed to grow his rebellion into meaningful force, I would be blamed for not acting when the situation was still manageable.
"Governor," Han Hao quietly interrupted. "You should consider two more things. First, a quick defeat of the rebels would help the new reign's legitimacy immensely." I nodded, seeing his point. We both were aware of how important it was to keep He clan's prestige high. If there would be slip-ups, the eunuchs and the vultures from the court would not hesitate to jump on weakened regent… and Empress Dowager. "Second, their force is between us and the capital..." and that would mean days, if not weeks of detour…
I gritted my teeth. I hated being forced by the situation to do what I didn't want to do.
I sighted. It seemed I couldn't escape from this.
"You've made your point Yang Hong, Han Hao." I put my hands on the table and sighed in defeat. "Come, It's time for us to plan."
* * *
"Cough, cough!" I covered my mouth as another fit of cough shook my body.
"Your health is getting worse – maybe you should rest a few days after we finish our business in the city?" Han Hao suggested. We both knew how deadly unattended illness could be.
I shook my head. Three days of intensive travel to the nearest city seemed to have taken a toll on my health.
"No, we don't have much time." I looked at the gathering of civil and military officials waiting for us at the gate.
"Governor, I welcome you to our city!" the man saluted.
"Welcome, administrator." I answered holding my hands in salute. After a moment, I lowered my hands. "I was on my way to the court, by the orders of Regent Marshal and Empress Dowager, when I heard about rebellion being staged in the area by one, Ou Xing. I decided to postpone my travel to the capital and add my meagre forces to suppression of the bandits."
The Administrator looked troubled for a moment, before smiling.
"Thank you, governor, but I would dare not to pull you away from duties-" He started saying, but I interrupted him, not in the mood for that kind of play.
"But on the contrary, Administrator. Taking care of those rebels, is part of my duties, as Han official. To turn away from those duties could be considered treason to the Han."
"Ah, bu- but governor, risking your life to fight meagre bandits is-"
I lowered my hands, smiling. So that's how it was?
"Administrator, you have no intention of marching against the rebels, do you not?" I asked. The look on the man's face was enough of an answer for me.
I grabbed my knife and with a swift movement sliced the man's throat. He looked at me with the incomprehension of what just happened. He grabbed his throat and gurgled as the blood started leaking. Only when he fell on the ground, bleeding, the understanding spread among those gathered. Some civilians stepped away, some raised a cry, some soldiers grabbed their weapons...
"I, Yuan XI, governor of Yang, have killed the traitor and rebel sympathizer!" I raised my jagger high turning and addressing not only gathered officials, but also the soldiers on the walls. "The Administrator had no intention of quelling the rebellion!" That was a lie... most probably. He probably wanted to wait till the rebels passed his position, safety behind city walls – a sound strategy. Unfortunately, I couldn't allow it.
"Anyone refusing to put down the rebels and allow them to ravage the countryside, pillaging, raping and killing, is rebel himself!" I addressed the officials, but the main focus of my speech was the soldiers on the walls. I cared little for the officials, but I needed the support of the local army. "Those of you, who harbour sympathize with rebels, are free to attack me!" Hopefully, the administrator was not loved enough for them to throw themselves with weapons on my person. "The rest of you will follow my command, and defeat the rebels!"
* * *
"...with that, we have a total amount of three thousand soldiers. If we add our retinue to local forces, we will have four hundred cavalry." Yang Hong finished.
"That's optimistic, advisor. These soldiers are more like militia – not many of them took part in fighting against Yellow Scarves or local bandits." Han Hao shook his head, dissatisfied with the situation.
"Even with those forces, we will be outnumbered..." I said slowly, thinking. "Chances for support from neighbouring cities?"
"They are either too far away or tied with remnants of Yellow scarves or bandits." Yang Hong shook his head, before continuing. "As you ordered, we sent messengers to local villages, ordering their evacuation... as well as your orders considering the food supplies." I nodded absently. If the villages couldn't take the food with themselves, they were to burn it. Hopefully, we will thin Ou Xing's army with some attrition.
Maybe…
"How is the local armoury?" I asked, turning to Yang Hong, still considering the strategy that started forming in my mind-
"Cough, cough!" I leaned forward as I head another fit of cough. I motioned and a female attendant quickly ran to me with a cup of hot tea. I took a sip, clearing my throat. I really needed to take some time to rest later. "It's alright" I raised my hand, calming my officers. "I will rest after this. Continue."
Yang Hong nodded then scoffed, as he started his report.
"The actual equipment is maybe forth, of what it is supposed to be."
"They actually stole equipment from imperial arsenal?" I asked surprised. These armouries were usually kept well stocked and maintained. Only idiot with a death wish would steal from them, cause the punishment for that would be according to the military law. I shook my head. And the award of Darwin goes to- "Have officials responsible for armouries executed."
"You don't want them interrogated?" Yang Hong asked surprised.
"We don't have the time to play with them-" I paused, before turning fully to my advisor. "I will leave that matter to your judgment." I finally decided.
"Ha!" The man bowed. It seemed I made a decision that satisfied him.
That still left me with a problem. At best, the opposing force would be twice as big as mines, at worst, seven times. If I had veterans or elites, I would be happy to take my chances… but with militia…
That left me with one option… and I really didn't like it.
"Every man and woman capable of caring weapons, are to be conscripted to the army."
"Governor!" "Governor!" Both of the men protested at the same time.
"The morale of conscripts, their training-" Han Hao started speaking hotly.
"I know!" I hissed. "I know… but if we want to win, this is the necessary step." Because I was not Zhuge freaking Liang, pulling victories from my hat. I didn't know the area, I didn't know the opposing forces – saying that this situation was not pleasant to deal with, was like saying that the sky was blue. "I might do something about their morale… and I have an idea for strategy." But for that I need numbers.
I paused and took another sip of tea, calming myself. I gave the cup to the attendant, who quietly took it. I turned my attention back to my officers.
"We have maybe... fifteen days before Ou Xing's force arrives?" Seeing Han Hao nodding, I continued. "In that time, we must give the conscripts at least basic training, so they don't break at first contact with the enemy. Make a point to them, that when bandits arrive, they will either kill them or die. The bandits need not prisoners." I paused before turning to Yang Hong.
"Will we have enough equipment to give to all new conscripts?" I asked him.
"The recruitment should give us between five and eight thousands conscripts..." the man checked one of the documents and winced.
That didn't give me much hope.
* * *
"People of Han!" I raised my voice, as I rode in front of the battle line. "The men that are coming are nothing more than beasts! They rob, pillage, burn, rape and kill as if it was something normal – something worth boasting about! You can't negotiate with them, you can't deal with them, you can't bargaining with them - for they only see you as victims, ready to be robbed! You either kill them or die!" I took a breath before continuing. " Do no fear them! If you fear them, if you escape here, your homes, your households, your families will be their next victims! They will pillage your homes, burn and destroy everything you ever build, just for the fun of it! They shall defile your wives and daughters, torture and kill your sons and brothers, slaughter your elders! People of Han! You fight to defend your homes! To defend your families! You defend everything that is dear to your hearts! If they pass us here, then we have lost everything we hold dear!" I pause for the effect. "But they shall not pass! They shall not come closer to the city! Because they will die here, at our hands!" I raise my Ji. "Death to rebels!"
Thousands of voices raised with mine.
That was nostalgic. The first time I gave that speech, was right after I came to this era and was escaping the capital. Now, I was giving it again, while trying to break to the Capital. The irony was not lost to me. Has it truly been two years since the first time I gave that speech? Time flies...
I turned to my two companions. Yang Hong commanded the archers and crossbowmen – a total of three thousand. Most of the females went to that unit… and unfortunately, all of the people in this unit, were without armour – the courtesy of local corrupt officials. Han Hao commanded cavalry – all four hundred of them. One hundredth being from my retinue. I commanded infantry, all six thousands of them.
The battle line was simple. Archers and crossbowmen at the front, three thousand five hundred infantry in line behind the skirmishers, cavalry at the left flank. At right, a five hundred spear infantry detachment to counter any enemy cavalry outflanking manoeuvres. Additionally, two detachments, each counting a thousand, of cities most experienced soldiers were kept in reserves on flanks.
And in front of us… about twelve thousands of bandits. More mob then soldiers, but an experienced mob. I shudder to think what the size of the army would be if it didn't suffer the attrition...
We managed to buy ourselves a total of twenty-two days for training. Additional time was mostly due to bandit's slow march and Han Hao's night raid that bought us an additional two days. The training, the fear of losing everything they had and few executions of corrupt officials raised the morale quite nicely... hopefully, it will be enough.
"Well then," I say as I look at Ou Xing's army. No intelligent remark came to mind, no joke, no inspiring speech, no snarky remark. "I will see you after the battle." I say simply and nod to them. I unmount and give reins to Han Hao.
"Good luck in battle." He said and galloped to his unit.
I step to the line infantry and take my place in the line. I could already see some of them visibly gain confidence. Unfortunate, but if I didn't join, the mainline would probably break after a few minutes of battle. The presence of general on the frontline could make that much of a difference in impact on the soldier's morale.
"Loose!" Yang Hong commanded.
A first volley smashed against the storming mob, then the second. Then, they returned fire. While I could not see everything, I could see some of my soldiers falling with a rain of arrows… and I heard their screams.
"Back!" Yang Hong commanded.
The archers and crossbowmen turned and run through the small roads created by infantry, behind the frontline troops. Some of them, carrying wounded. Yang Hong followed them. Once they were behind, the soldiers moved, closing the roads.
As the troops closed the ranks behind skirmishers, I was faced with advancing screaming horde. Suddenly, a young man ran forward – I looked with disbelief as he ran at the bandits, only to stop and grab a wounded archer and start dragging her back to our lines.
"Hold!" I screamed as I felt the line waver, some men ready to run and help the fool. "Hold the line!" From what I understood from the screams, the guy wanted to save the woman he was infatuated with.
I cursed silently. They won't make it… and because of the little brats stun, the morale will take a hit.
The bandits finally cough up to the pair – I could see that the guy was immediately cut down, the woman… she would be lucky if they ignored her, but she was probably trampled to death.
I could feel the morale fall with the deaths and cursed again.
"Brace!" I ordered, "Ready!" I paused waiting, for the first bandits to reach our lines.
"KILL!" I screamed loudly, thrusting my Ji at the coming man at the same time.
The first bandits fell… then the rest crashed against our line. Pikes, spears, swords, axes and Ji were put to work, as two walls of people pushed against each other. Yet, slowly but surely, the Han troops were being pushed back. The lack of numbers and experience were showing - but that was expected. That was calculated into our tactics. I was pleasantly surprised that the conscripts didn't break and started running - and that was the most important thing right now.
They pushed us for some time and yet, the line did not break.
"Agg!" A man charged through the line, with one swing of the great axe, cutting the man who stood in front of me. Before the body fell on the ground, the rebel slammed into it and then into me, pushing the dead body on me. I fell into the mud and looked, stunned as the man raised his great axe, ready to finish me off.
Just as it fell, a small soldier thrust sword right into axe's path. The sword has broken from the strength of swing and the teenager fell on the ground with a cry. But the axe landed right next to my head instead splinting it in half. That woke me up. I started pushing the dead body to the side, just as the rebel started making another swing. But before he could take a swing, another teenager thrust a spear into the man's side. The rebel grunted lowering the axe. He grabbed the spear and broken it easily. He was either a monster or had a really good armour. The teenager stumbled and fell forward as he lost the support. The rebel raised the axe again to strike the offending teenager.
At that moment, I managed to finally push the body of my soldier. I grabbed my knife drove it into rebel's leg unprotected by armour – right at the back of his knee. And then I twisted it. The man wailed and fell on his knees, almost dropping the axe. I quickly removed the knife and then thrust it into the man's neck.
He gurgled for a moment, before falling on the ground dead.
I quickly got on my knees and looked around for enemies.
To my surprise, there was now some free space between our forces and fighting in this section paused for a moment. A lone rebel walked in front of the ranks of the rebels. He looked more distinguished then the others – his armour and weapons were certainly of better quality.
"Guo Shi..." He said stunned, looking at the body of the man I just have slain.
I got at and grabbed my Ji. As the man's eyes turned to me, I got up and gestured two teenagers to fall back – without their weapons they were just hindrance in what was about to happen.
"Ou Xing issues a challenge!" The rebel has raised his Ji.
Of all people! I curse my luck!
I took off my helmet – the mud and blood dripping from it were getting into my eyes.
"Yuan Xi, governor of Yang of Han, accepts!" I took a stance.
With a roar, the bandit leader advanced. After a first few bouts, he had me on the deference. His strikes were powerful and he had far more experience in using that weapon – and it showed. It was frustrating, that even no-name like Ou Xing was better than me.
The soldiers gathered around were cheering for us, screaming loudly, striking weapons against shields or raising their weapons high.
I backed off after our fourth bout was finished, trying to think of a way to win. I clicked my tongue with frustration… I had an idea, but it was a risky one. Not like I head any choice at this point.
This time I attacked. Ou Xing was surprised but quickly put on firm deference. At one moment, my grip on Ji weakened – and Ou Xing noticed it immediately. He started circling his Ji, weakening my hold on the weapon even more. Then with a swift movement, he pulled his Ji with wide movement – reaping my weapon from my hands.
Just as I planned.
As soon as I lost my Ji, I advanced on the man. Seeing my advance, Ou Xing quickly tried to cut me, but he lost some balance with the last manoeuvre. As I got inside his guard, I blocked his elbow, blocking any movement he could perform with his Ji. Having disabled his attacks, I grabbed the hilt of my sword, and with one move, I cut Ou Xing's stomach. The blade cut shallowly, most of the impact absorbed by armour.
"Good armour." I said to him, then thrust the sword into his stomach. The thrust was strong enough to pierce his armour. Ou Xing grunted and let go of his Ji as his body jumped from my strike.
Then I thrust the sword again, and again and again.
As he fell on his knees, I removed his helmet. Then with a swift movement, I cut his head off. I picked up his head and presented it to bandits.
"Rebel Ou Xing is dead!" I screamed. The rebels flinched and some even actually took a step back. "Death to rebels!"
A loud roar answered my call as my soldiers advanced on now panicking rebels.
I looked with satisfaction as my soldiers started pushing the rebels back – the news of Ou Xing's demise spreading like a fire among the ranks.
"My lord." I turned to see two teenagers who saved my life. The one who lost the spear was holding my Ji, offering it to me. I turned to the younger of teenagers, still holding the hilt of a broken sword. I frowned, this would not do. I would not have my soldiers fight with broken weapons.
"Keep it." I shook my head. The boy has lost his spear, so at least that would serve his weapon… I then offered my sword to the younger one. "Take it." I said, starling the poor youth.
"But you will be without a weapon, my lord!"
"There are plenty of weapons on the ground for me to choose from, take it." After a moment, the younger one accepted my sword.
I walked to Ou Xing's body and took up his Ji, with a grunt. That damn thing was three times heavier than mine! No wonder his strikes felt so strong. I shuddered at the thought of facing Lü Bu, Guan Yu or Zhang Fei – their weapons are said to be even heavier…
"What clan are you from?" I asked the teenagers.
"Lü!" the spear-wielding teenager said.
"Bu!" the younger one added.
I was startled for a moment before shaking it.
"You both save my life. After a battle, come see me. I will be sure to reward you." I said as I turned to battle. I smiled seeing that we were winning.
"The loss of their leader broke the rebels." The spear teenager said.
"Not only that." I said as I started explaining. "You see, right now, the rebels are attacked from three sides."
"What?" he asked startled.
"Usually, you put your veterans in the centre of your formation. But for this battle, I put the regular troops on the sides and weaker soldiers, conscripts in the centre, so the bandits easily pushed the front line, while the detachments with veterans stud their ground, easily flanking the rebel army. Now, we only have to wait for Han Hao's unit to deal with rebel cavalry and strike at their back." I smiled looking at the battle turning in my favour. "Smaller army surrounds the big army."
At this moment Yang Hong arrived.
"Governor! Han Hao reports killing rebel leader Zhou Chao! His unit attacked the rebel's rear and finished the encirclement." My advisor reported. "The rebels are starting to slaughtering each other in panic, seeking a way out of the encirclement."
"The battle is won!" the younger teenager exclaimed.
"Not yet." I shook my head. "Now, we have to kill thousands of bandits… Yang Hong, move the archers and crossbowmen behind the infantry. Have them fire at the bandits at point-blank range. That should break them even further."
"Ha!"
"Let's go. This will be a long day." I turned and started walking back to the battlefield.
* * *
People laughed and celebrated the victory. In the end, we managed to slaughter twelve thousand of bandits, while losing merely four thousand soldiers… but, they were not just soldiers – they were conscripts. Men and women forced to take up arms.
There were much-stolen goods in rebel's camp. There was also much silver, gold and silks confiscated from corrupt officials. So I decided to use those riches as awards to soldiers for participation in battle. That was enough to quiet any dissatisfied voices.
"Governor! A message from the capital!"
I nodded to the messenger, took the message. I took a sip of tea, as I calmly started unrolling the message. The cough returned after the battle, so I had every intention to finally take some rest and get well - it just would not do to present myself to my Empress, while being barely able to stand on my legs from the illness. Taking another sip of tea, I started reading the message.
* * *
Not much is known about Yuan Xi's battles before he became governor. What is known, is that he served under the orders of General Huangfu Song, where he gained enough merit to be made responsible for forming the Army of Western Garden. But it was the battle with Ou Xing, during which he massacred twelve thousand soldiers with the inferior force that showed the deadliness that put him on par with the heroes of the era.
Modern historian about 'Hundred Years of Turmoil' in 'Behind the propaganda - the records of Hundred Years of Turmoil'
"Your armies shall shatter, your weapons shall break, your shields shall split before the power of Yuan Xi…"
"My tactics are outside your comprehension and my strategies are beyond your imagination…"
"You want to face me? Fine, come meet your death at the hands of Yuan Xi!"
"I will compose a verse describing our fight and your death… but don't think I will bury your body."
The battlefield introduction lines of Yuan Xi in the sixth instalment of game 'Turmoil Warriors'. The character voiced by awesome...
* * *
AN:
Thanks to NathanHale for the input that made this chapter better than it was!
This is me being picky, but this is a move that would be allowed only for experienced archers and seasoned skirmishers, and not conscripts that barely had the time to learn not to shatter their bows with dry fires. Otherwise you are looking at an amount of friendly fire that would kill off most of your soldiers.
Perhaps have it changed a bit to have his regular archers, and trained militia do it. Allowing the barely trained archers to pick up weapons of the fallen and act as backup- pole weapons striking from the back line can easily disable a person- or begin cleaning the field off of friendly wounded.
Alternatively have the archers reform as a unit, and begin pouring arrows into the kettle of enclosed rebels- while it's unlikely to cause much death by itself, it would cause many to panic.
- Location
- Toronto, Ontario(occasionally)
My impression was that he was moving them around to reinforce the cavalry, behind the enemy infantry.
I'm wondering whether him getting sick would be a good or a bad thing, it might be a reason not to travel to the capital when he would really prefer to go there, but at the same time the centres of power are increasingly in each individual province, so he might be better off not leaving his own centre of power.
I suppose reading modern records of military history makes for a surprisingly decent military education by the standards of the day?
As this is before the proliferation of general staffs and the modern addiction to mathematics required knowing dozens of equations regarding the disposition of soldiers and supplies to fine tune deployments.
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Reading it like this, and thinking about his motivations, it doesn't really seem like he can afford not to go. Both on a personal and political level.
It would be the smart thing not to, but he's not playing a game.
These particular bits are something any commander would need to know, simply because of how critical they are. Not knowing the length of your marching column, or how to quickly make that estimate, would throw off any sort of estimates for travel times. Same for turning a column into a square or line, and having it face an enemy. It's something the smart ones that did get (or would soon be) promoted would pick up by osmosis near other soldiers/warriors.
At the end of the day reading about Trasimene will not give you insight into how thick the bushes need to be to hide your infantry, or how to signal them to attack together. Neither will reading about Cannae allow you to judge which wing of the enemies cavalry is weaker.
Interlude: Emperor Shao
- Location
- In front of monitor
The attendant put the cup on the table, then backed away respectfully. I nodded lightly to the servant, making her bow even deeper. My father would not even acknowledge the existence of the attendant, thanking her with a slight nod would be beneath him. For him all subjects of the empire, existed solely, to serve his needs.
I could not understand that.
Wasn't the Emperor's role, to look after the subjects, in return for their service? Wasn't that the principle of harmony?
It was confusing how different father was as an Emperor, compared to what master Shi Zimiao thought me.
Father always indulged himself in foods, drinks and pleasures… everything that went against the teachings of my teacher.
It was so… abhorrent.
His shameless behaviour towards his concubines in front of his court, his mannerism while he was eating and drinking during the fests, his disregard to his court officials who were giving him good advice and real assessment of the situation... and his contempt to the peasants, the very foundation of the Han Empire.
How could one ravage his own house… no, why would one seed such chaos in his own house?
It was surprising to learn after my return to the court, just how different people my parents were, in comparison to how they were portrayed. My father, instead of being an epitome of wise Emperor, who's efforts were sabotaged by corrupt officials, was a wasteful ruler who encouraged his officials to be more corrupt, so he could gather more riches. I cringed as I remember that my first thoughts of Emperor were that he was a tyrant… at one time I approached my mother when she was alone and told her, that I heard some in the palace called the Emperor a tyrant. I was curious about her reaction. To my surprise, she laughed. I thought she would tell me that those were just baseless accusations. Instead, she told me this:
"Calling the Emperor a tyrant, is to overestimate him. He is foolish, corrupt, greedy, glutton who is easily manipulated by his close advisors. He values high only advisors who tell him what he wants to hear, dismissing all the good advice he doesn't like. He gathers riches from wherever he can, to build more palaces - places where he could indulge in wine, women and food. He is a man easily manipulated, who lives for his pleasures while promoting his version of the reputation of Han."
"His version?"
Mother then spoke mockingly, speaking just the way that father used to speak:
"My ancestor was the first Emperor, bow to me! Everybody lives on the bounty of Han, so they have to stay loyal, no matter what. Any action taken by the Emperor is for the good of the Han and you should happily follow any order of your Emperor, even you'd starve to death!"
Despite her mocking words, the way she spoke - pride, cold disregard, scorn - she captured the Emperor's character and views spot on.
I couldn't understand… and despite what my father boasted, I couldn't follow his behaviour.
So I stuck to simple drinks and food, using my free time to study. Father considered that frivolous. Being humble? Being modest? Han Emperors were not modest! They were rulers of the world and everyone were beneath them!
'But once upon a time, so too was the Qin Dynasty, and look at them now. After they disregarded the people, they were replaced by the Han… and you are making exactly the same actions as them' – I wanted to say, but I kept my mouth shut. My teacher warned me many times, not to express my opinions freely, cause it was a fast way to the grave.
The irony was not lost to me. The Qin fell mostly due to actions of the eunuch, and now, the Han were also slowly, but surely, falling due to eunuchs.
My silence was taken as meekness. That disrespect, that assumption of my weakness... it made me so angry – I wanted to rage, to scream, to hit something. But I quickly calmed down. My teacher taught me to control myself – thrashing around would not bring any constructive outcome.
Instead, I continued as I was, ignoring my father's hurtful humiliating comments.
I showed my appreciation to servants for their work, I was humble to officials loudly admiring their wise advice, I was respectful when in the presence of father's concubines… and my actions did produce results.
Some of the servants and attendants started actually sharing information with me. An attendant explained how the life of common folk looked like. To hear how their life looked like beyond the walls of the palace was soo… alien. To hear how much everything became worse year after year, how the situation became worse not only due to inaction of the Emperor but also due to his actions – it truly hurt my pride as a member of the house of Liu and descendant of the Emperor Gaozu. But when I heard that in many regions, eating bodies of fellow family members in order to survive... hearing that, I puked.
How did it come to this? How did my clan fell so much in our duties and management of the realm?
The Emperor had to rule wisely, being just and fair ruler. In return, the peasants had paid taxes and worked on fields
Without balance, there could be no harmony. Without harmony, there could be no peace. Without peace, there could be no prosperity.
But now - How could there be harmony?
After that, I managed to convince some of the officials to explain the current reforms to me as well as the state of civil service.
I was shocked to learn the current state of affairs. Majority of reforms and imperial decrees introduced through the last few years had only one purpose - to fill Emperor's trunks. Even after natural disasters, even after rebellions, the Emperor didn't lessen the burden on common people… he levied even higher taxes. The policy of paying for offices practically forced the civil officials to heavily tax the common people.
How was the empire supposed to function if the peasants weren't left enough to survive!? It was as if the Emperor was pushing them into rebelling.
It was somewhat hard to understand. How could you gather more gold and more power, if you knew that it's hurting other people? The teacher said I was still young and naive. Mother told me that it was easy to hurt someone if you didn't know their name or their looks. That hurting hundred peasants is easier than hurting the wise Long Gan, the beautiful Ru Li or the courageous Zhao Tao…
I understood her lesson.
I tried to create rapport with some of the concubines of my father but failed miserably at getting close to any of them. To my great surprise, it was one of them who approached me. She explained to me a great many things about the politics and schemes in both, Imperial harem and Imperia court. As she explained the mechanics and my mother's role as the dominant power in the harem, I slowly became suspicious of her. If what she said about all the conflicts and scheming in the harem was true, why was she telling me about it? She actually laughed and confessed that she approached me and educated me because she hopped to ally with my mother and her clique. The things she told me about harem and my mother were both, scary and inspiring.
From one point of view, my mother was a cruel woman for what she done to Lady Wang… yet from another, as the concubine explained, that very action, was done for my protection. I was at a loss for some time… but in the end, she was my mother - and despite her actions being cruel, they were taken to secure mine life. If I hadn't got to know my father, I would not understand, and I would denounce her. But… knowing the Emperor, his way of thinking and doing things… I came to understand her… to respect her.
I was a filial son, and all the actions my mother took, were for my safety - how could I not honour her?
With that realization, came an oath. I would create a world, where my mother would not have to bloody her hands for my safety.
Father's mismanagement is what brought yellow scarves to rebel. I could still remember the panic in the capital when Ma Yuanyi was discovered to be planning a rebellion. It was only after my uncle secured the capital, the Emperor and the court settled down.
Due to the actions of my uncle, the semblance peace was restored and the rebellion put down. I was not so naive, to think that we were out of danger - on the contrary. My father continued wasteful decrees brought us even closer to disaster.
Then… my father's way of life finally caught up to him, as he became ill and died soon after. And so, I became the Emperor.
Was it strange now, that after his death, instead of turning to eunuchs, who were known for their corruption and were partly to blame for a current disastrous situation, I turned to my uncle for help? The man who was quite popular with officers and army?
Mother also helped.
She has suggested hiring a number of scholars, who were judged in the Disasters of the Partisan Prohibitions - the Partisans. The men were eager to prove themselves and already suggested a number of reforms, that would make government less corrupt and lessen the burden on peasants.
She insisted on keeping the troops of the Army of Western Garden at hand at all times. She explained that since I was the new Emperor and my rule still fresh, there were people ready to kill me, for fear of losing their privileges.
My mother was a wise woman. I had no doubt about her love for me. Often, when we were alone she would dote on me.
But she was also a strict and harsh teacher. Often she would ask me how I would do something, about my opinion on someone… and then, she had me explain why. After that, she would tear down my decisions and opinions by pointing out the obvious flaws in my reasoning, the facts I have forgotten or circumstances that simply made my decision faulty.
It took me a while to understand that many times, she was testing me. When I understood it, she smiled and complimented me on figuring that out.
Then she admonished me - I was to be Emperor. I had to be better than that.
I smiled as I took another sip of my tea.
With the aid of the new officials, the Partisans, I will be able to reform the Empire, to ease the suffering of people. First, I shall lower the taxes, then reform the rest. Then I shall order the measures to be taken to secure the food and relief the areas harmed by the disasters.
With the aid of my uncle, I shall have the military bring order to the realm. Whether they have to fight barbarians… or rebels. I had no illusions, my mother did not allow me to have any. The people I wanted to help, would rebel to survive… but if I were to succeed, I needed to bring order, even if I had to put down rebelling hungry peasant.
And with the aid of my mother - pointing out the obvious flaws in my reasoning and suggesting the solutions I would not have thought about - the prospect of not only bringing such neede relief to the Empire but also bringing it to the third golden age was not something impossible. It was a target I could reach. It would take years, maybe a decade or two. But it was achievable!
I frowned as a drop of ink dropped on my paper. How clumsy of me - in my thoughts about the future, I casually spill the ink on an important document. Not good, I really should concentrate on my current task. Daydreaming about glory, before finishing my task - the teacher would scold me-
I frowned as another drop fell on the paper. But my pen was-
I touched the drop of ink and smeared it - it was red. I brought my hand to my lips then looked at it - it was red…
What?
Suddenly, my head became light as nausea took over me - unable to control myself I spit. The red covered the documents. I looked at that with wide eyes, not truly comprehending what I was seeing. The fear slowly started spreading in my mind.
I started coughing violently, the globes of blood splitting on the table-
It didn't stop flowing. Why it didn't stop?
As my head slowly became lighter, I could not stop thinking…
'There shouldn't be so much blood...'
-While the short-lived Ou Xing's rebellion, while had little impact on the political stage of the era, it had rather large military implications. During the battle, the leader of Han troops, Yuan Xi, used exactly the same tactics as Hannibal of Barcids during the battle of Cannae. And while it is unknown whether the Han general heard somewhere about the tactic or came with it on his own, he is the second confirmed person to ever use the tactic successfully...
The Military history on ancient kingdoms, 2010, London - the work received many negative reviews for it's banal approach to the subject, the author's not deep enough study of the subject as well as being an obvious propaganda work. The author was nominated to be the minister of education by the Prime Minister last week...
AN
I was listening to "Game of Thrones: Season 6 OST - Light of the Seven (EP 10 Trial scene)" when I was writing this.
And as usual, thanks to NathanHale, who decided to become my full BETA.
I could not understand that.
Wasn't the Emperor's role, to look after the subjects, in return for their service? Wasn't that the principle of harmony?
It was confusing how different father was as an Emperor, compared to what master Shi Zimiao thought me.
Father always indulged himself in foods, drinks and pleasures… everything that went against the teachings of my teacher.
It was so… abhorrent.
His shameless behaviour towards his concubines in front of his court, his mannerism while he was eating and drinking during the fests, his disregard to his court officials who were giving him good advice and real assessment of the situation... and his contempt to the peasants, the very foundation of the Han Empire.
How could one ravage his own house… no, why would one seed such chaos in his own house?
It was surprising to learn after my return to the court, just how different people my parents were, in comparison to how they were portrayed. My father, instead of being an epitome of wise Emperor, who's efforts were sabotaged by corrupt officials, was a wasteful ruler who encouraged his officials to be more corrupt, so he could gather more riches. I cringed as I remember that my first thoughts of Emperor were that he was a tyrant… at one time I approached my mother when she was alone and told her, that I heard some in the palace called the Emperor a tyrant. I was curious about her reaction. To my surprise, she laughed. I thought she would tell me that those were just baseless accusations. Instead, she told me this:
"Calling the Emperor a tyrant, is to overestimate him. He is foolish, corrupt, greedy, glutton who is easily manipulated by his close advisors. He values high only advisors who tell him what he wants to hear, dismissing all the good advice he doesn't like. He gathers riches from wherever he can, to build more palaces - places where he could indulge in wine, women and food. He is a man easily manipulated, who lives for his pleasures while promoting his version of the reputation of Han."
"His version?"
Mother then spoke mockingly, speaking just the way that father used to speak:
"My ancestor was the first Emperor, bow to me! Everybody lives on the bounty of Han, so they have to stay loyal, no matter what. Any action taken by the Emperor is for the good of the Han and you should happily follow any order of your Emperor, even you'd starve to death!"
Despite her mocking words, the way she spoke - pride, cold disregard, scorn - she captured the Emperor's character and views spot on.
I couldn't understand… and despite what my father boasted, I couldn't follow his behaviour.
So I stuck to simple drinks and food, using my free time to study. Father considered that frivolous. Being humble? Being modest? Han Emperors were not modest! They were rulers of the world and everyone were beneath them!
'But once upon a time, so too was the Qin Dynasty, and look at them now. After they disregarded the people, they were replaced by the Han… and you are making exactly the same actions as them' – I wanted to say, but I kept my mouth shut. My teacher warned me many times, not to express my opinions freely, cause it was a fast way to the grave.
The irony was not lost to me. The Qin fell mostly due to actions of the eunuch, and now, the Han were also slowly, but surely, falling due to eunuchs.
My silence was taken as meekness. That disrespect, that assumption of my weakness... it made me so angry – I wanted to rage, to scream, to hit something. But I quickly calmed down. My teacher taught me to control myself – thrashing around would not bring any constructive outcome.
Instead, I continued as I was, ignoring my father's hurtful humiliating comments.
I showed my appreciation to servants for their work, I was humble to officials loudly admiring their wise advice, I was respectful when in the presence of father's concubines… and my actions did produce results.
Some of the servants and attendants started actually sharing information with me. An attendant explained how the life of common folk looked like. To hear how their life looked like beyond the walls of the palace was soo… alien. To hear how much everything became worse year after year, how the situation became worse not only due to inaction of the Emperor but also due to his actions – it truly hurt my pride as a member of the house of Liu and descendant of the Emperor Gaozu. But when I heard that in many regions, eating bodies of fellow family members in order to survive... hearing that, I puked.
How did it come to this? How did my clan fell so much in our duties and management of the realm?
The Emperor had to rule wisely, being just and fair ruler. In return, the peasants had paid taxes and worked on fields
Without balance, there could be no harmony. Without harmony, there could be no peace. Without peace, there could be no prosperity.
But now - How could there be harmony?
After that, I managed to convince some of the officials to explain the current reforms to me as well as the state of civil service.
I was shocked to learn the current state of affairs. Majority of reforms and imperial decrees introduced through the last few years had only one purpose - to fill Emperor's trunks. Even after natural disasters, even after rebellions, the Emperor didn't lessen the burden on common people… he levied even higher taxes. The policy of paying for offices practically forced the civil officials to heavily tax the common people.
How was the empire supposed to function if the peasants weren't left enough to survive!? It was as if the Emperor was pushing them into rebelling.
It was somewhat hard to understand. How could you gather more gold and more power, if you knew that it's hurting other people? The teacher said I was still young and naive. Mother told me that it was easy to hurt someone if you didn't know their name or their looks. That hurting hundred peasants is easier than hurting the wise Long Gan, the beautiful Ru Li or the courageous Zhao Tao…
I understood her lesson.
I tried to create rapport with some of the concubines of my father but failed miserably at getting close to any of them. To my great surprise, it was one of them who approached me. She explained to me a great many things about the politics and schemes in both, Imperial harem and Imperia court. As she explained the mechanics and my mother's role as the dominant power in the harem, I slowly became suspicious of her. If what she said about all the conflicts and scheming in the harem was true, why was she telling me about it? She actually laughed and confessed that she approached me and educated me because she hopped to ally with my mother and her clique. The things she told me about harem and my mother were both, scary and inspiring.
From one point of view, my mother was a cruel woman for what she done to Lady Wang… yet from another, as the concubine explained, that very action, was done for my protection. I was at a loss for some time… but in the end, she was my mother - and despite her actions being cruel, they were taken to secure mine life. If I hadn't got to know my father, I would not understand, and I would denounce her. But… knowing the Emperor, his way of thinking and doing things… I came to understand her… to respect her.
I was a filial son, and all the actions my mother took, were for my safety - how could I not honour her?
With that realization, came an oath. I would create a world, where my mother would not have to bloody her hands for my safety.
Father's mismanagement is what brought yellow scarves to rebel. I could still remember the panic in the capital when Ma Yuanyi was discovered to be planning a rebellion. It was only after my uncle secured the capital, the Emperor and the court settled down.
Due to the actions of my uncle, the semblance peace was restored and the rebellion put down. I was not so naive, to think that we were out of danger - on the contrary. My father continued wasteful decrees brought us even closer to disaster.
Then… my father's way of life finally caught up to him, as he became ill and died soon after. And so, I became the Emperor.
Was it strange now, that after his death, instead of turning to eunuchs, who were known for their corruption and were partly to blame for a current disastrous situation, I turned to my uncle for help? The man who was quite popular with officers and army?
Mother also helped.
She has suggested hiring a number of scholars, who were judged in the Disasters of the Partisan Prohibitions - the Partisans. The men were eager to prove themselves and already suggested a number of reforms, that would make government less corrupt and lessen the burden on peasants.
She insisted on keeping the troops of the Army of Western Garden at hand at all times. She explained that since I was the new Emperor and my rule still fresh, there were people ready to kill me, for fear of losing their privileges.
My mother was a wise woman. I had no doubt about her love for me. Often, when we were alone she would dote on me.
But she was also a strict and harsh teacher. Often she would ask me how I would do something, about my opinion on someone… and then, she had me explain why. After that, she would tear down my decisions and opinions by pointing out the obvious flaws in my reasoning, the facts I have forgotten or circumstances that simply made my decision faulty.
It took me a while to understand that many times, she was testing me. When I understood it, she smiled and complimented me on figuring that out.
Then she admonished me - I was to be Emperor. I had to be better than that.
I smiled as I took another sip of my tea.
With the aid of the new officials, the Partisans, I will be able to reform the Empire, to ease the suffering of people. First, I shall lower the taxes, then reform the rest. Then I shall order the measures to be taken to secure the food and relief the areas harmed by the disasters.
With the aid of my uncle, I shall have the military bring order to the realm. Whether they have to fight barbarians… or rebels. I had no illusions, my mother did not allow me to have any. The people I wanted to help, would rebel to survive… but if I were to succeed, I needed to bring order, even if I had to put down rebelling hungry peasant.
And with the aid of my mother - pointing out the obvious flaws in my reasoning and suggesting the solutions I would not have thought about - the prospect of not only bringing such neede relief to the Empire but also bringing it to the third golden age was not something impossible. It was a target I could reach. It would take years, maybe a decade or two. But it was achievable!
I frowned as a drop of ink dropped on my paper. How clumsy of me - in my thoughts about the future, I casually spill the ink on an important document. Not good, I really should concentrate on my current task. Daydreaming about glory, before finishing my task - the teacher would scold me-
I frowned as another drop fell on the paper. But my pen was-
I touched the drop of ink and smeared it - it was red. I brought my hand to my lips then looked at it - it was red…
What?
Suddenly, my head became light as nausea took over me - unable to control myself I spit. The red covered the documents. I looked at that with wide eyes, not truly comprehending what I was seeing. The fear slowly started spreading in my mind.
I started coughing violently, the globes of blood splitting on the table-
It didn't stop flowing. Why it didn't stop?
As my head slowly became lighter, I could not stop thinking…
'There shouldn't be so much blood...'
* * *
-While the short-lived Ou Xing's rebellion, while had little impact on the political stage of the era, it had rather large military implications. During the battle, the leader of Han troops, Yuan Xi, used exactly the same tactics as Hannibal of Barcids during the battle of Cannae. And while it is unknown whether the Han general heard somewhere about the tactic or came with it on his own, he is the second confirmed person to ever use the tactic successfully...
The Military history on ancient kingdoms, 2010, London - the work received many negative reviews for it's banal approach to the subject, the author's not deep enough study of the subject as well as being an obvious propaganda work. The author was nominated to be the minister of education by the Prime Minister last week...
* * *
AN
I was listening to "Game of Thrones: Season 6 OST - Light of the Seven (EP 10 Trial scene)" when I was writing this.
And as usual, thanks to NathanHale, who decided to become my full BETA.
- Location
- Toronto, Ontario(occasionally)
Yep definitely something strange about my alerts system and how it interacts with updates on this thread. I'm going to try unwatching and rewatching, maybe that'll fix the problem.