Chapter 9: REVOLUTION IN THE FORBIDDEN CITY

THE SCHOLARS AND ONE HUNDRED Academicians made haste towards the capital on the warship the Phoenix Spirit at a speed unmatched by any other vessel in the Ming Imperial Navy. The open sea was quite a relief from the hustle and bustle of the city and the stale ocean breeze was refreshing in comparison to the dust and grime of the streets. These simple pleasures were most appreciated by Lu Guanying who looked forward to their arrival in Beijing so that they may coordinate with their comrades in Hanlin Academy, the institution with which the League was well-connected. The Yellow Sea has always been known as the 'peaceful' ocean, but was no longer at peace. The waters near the eastern shores of the Middle Kingdom have become a highway for pirates for many years and have grown even more rampant since a severe restriction on ocean-going navigation had been imposed on sailors many years ago. Hostile ships still managed to slip through the seas unchecked.

This fact did not go unnoticed by the Scholars and the crew of the Phoenix Spirit who came upon a pair of pirate ships far towards the East, sailing and rowing south at a quickened pace. They bore the banner of Mizushima the pirate lord who had recently had a duel with Sun Xin that ended in a bare stalemate.

"The pirates sail south downwind. It seems they are assembling... amassing. There is naught but scattered islands in the south of the Yellow Sea," commented Shang Jian as he peered through his spyglass.

"I suspect those islands harbor a pirate bay or two. Should we test the weapons system on the ship to see if Big Bang's claims will hold?" Tian Qiu asked.

"Not today, brother. Our priority is the capital. We cannot afford any delays or distractions at such a crucial time, regardless of our ship's superiority. The pirates will definitely be dealt with later," he replied sternly. As soon as he had finished speaking, puffs of blue flames erupted from the box-shaped pirate ships and explosions rang around the Phoenix Spirit's port and starboard and soaked the deck with foamy sea water.

"They're coming about!" shouted one of the crew.

Big Bang came running out from below deck shouting and challenging the pirates to a fight. "You want to fight, do you!? Come get a taste of my very own arsenal, you savages!" he shouted with crazed laughter and excitement as he pounded his chest.

"We are out range, sir!" cried one of the crew members as he clung to the railings bracing for another impact.

"Get the missiles ready now!" Shang Jian barked. The crew brought forth a set of fierce long-range weapons from iron cases. They were two-stage missiles twice the length of a man's arm and powered by a set of rockets on either side. It was elaborately called Fire Dragon Issuing from the Water, and appropriately so, for the anterior of the missile was carved to liken a face of a roaring dragon which unleashed a barrage of fiery arrows should the rockets burn out before reaching the target. The ordnance can be fired into the air or cruise above the water for up to two li. However, with Big Bang's personal improvements, they were able to reach further distances.

A second volley erupted from one of the ships, but the projectiles missed by a small margin, again soaking the deck and the crew.

The missiles were mounted on their platforms and primed to launch when the enemy ships fired a second volley with one of the flaming rounds grazing the rear of the vessel. The ship listed slightly with the impact. One of the Academicians grasped the rotating tiller with all his might and spun it around into a hard right that brought the ship ready for retaliation. The shafts and gears that connected the modified tiller to the rudder groaned with the strain.

"Launch the missiles now!" shouted Big Bang with a war cry. The rockets ignited and launched simultaneously with a boisterous rumbling roar that sent the five missiles racing towards the pirate ships as the crew dove away from the back blast. Two missiles scored direct hits on the nearest vessel and engulfed it in flames instantly. The remaining three destroyed the sails and punctured the hulls of the second ships with fiery explosion. Still, the pirates' oars continued to row even as the flames spread.

The Phoenix Spirit circled around the pirate squadron before it could maneuver for a third volley.

The cannons were primed to fire with the crew and Academicians waiting to ignite the fuses. Shang Jian waited for the Phoenix Spirit and enemy ships to get into position.

"Hold, hold!" he shouted. As soon the enemy ships lined up, "Fire! Fire all!" he cried.

With a series of consecutive 'booms', the cannons fired away and unleashed a thunderous salvo of shells that arced over the water, and with remarkable accuracy, slammed into the hull of one pirate ship, shredding it and sending planks and splinters in all directions. Clouds of white smoke crawled over the deck.

Through the lens, Shang Jian observed the pirates then crashing into the water with some sinking to the depths under the weight of their own armor. Others clung to wooden planks and debris as their very own ships burned away or disappeared beneath the waves.

Shang Jian retracted his monocular and rubbed his chin in satisfaction and winced at the ringing in his ears.

"Aha! Take that, you arrogant buffoons!" Big Bang scorned at the pirates. His unique maniacal laughter continued as the crew cheered for their seamless victory against overwhelming odds thanks to the heavy armaments he had personally engineered and supplied.

"I am quite impressed with your new designs to these armaments," commented Tian Qiu to Big Bang.

"Of course you're impressed! I live for this stuff! Besides, you saw those pirates can't aim if their lives depended on it!" Big Bang replied enthusiastically. The pirates were no longer a threat and were unable to make chase.

The Phoenix Spirit continued towards their rendezvous near the capital and the closer they approached Beijing, the more anxious the Scholars became. They were about to answer the greatest call of their duties. Soon after their escapade against the pirates, the Phoenix Spirit raised its four large battened masts to sail close-haul in a general northerly direction. The rest of the trip was rather uneventful save for the rare sightings of large sea creatures along the way. Days of continuous sailing led the crew of the Phoenix Spirit near the northern mouth of the Grand Canal. The artificial river was vast and ran along half of the Middle Kingdom's east coast, and snaked far from the sea as it cut through the thick landscape. It meandered between several towns and cities as well. It first began construction nearly two thousand years ago and underwent a restoration under the administration of the Ming Empire. Not far from the northern entrance of the Grand Canal, the Scholars docked their ship at a private harbor where horses and supplies were provided courtesy of the Hanlin Academy.

There, they were greeted by representatives from Hanlin who would escort them all the way to the capital. The crew of the Phoenix Spirit stayed with the ship and the core Scholars accompanied by one hundred armed Academicians and a light detachment of soldiers belonging to General He Jin proceeded to ride to Beijing.

Far into the distance stood the mega metropolis that was the capital of the Middle Kingdom. It stood proud and strong behind mighty fortress walls surrounded by imposing guard towers armed with cannons and scores of soldiers. Small communities and townships surrounded the capital and endless waves of people made their way in and out of the city. Security at the gate had become heavy and the presence of troops lined the roads leading to the gates. It was but the Hanlin Academician and the banner of General He Jin that allowed the League of Scholars to enter the city without fret.

"It was wise of us to not have taken the route of the Grand Canal," whispered Shang Jian to the others as he observed the security. "The hassle of all the checkpoints would have led to many unwanted delays."

Beijing was grand, being the capital city after all, and as such featured a very bureaucratic infrastructure. Its streets were endless and the buildings were innumerable, but for all its size and grandeur, it lacked the Southern cultural charms of Guangzhou. The entourage plowed through the thick crowds which parted to make way. Curious onlookers from second story balconies waved hand fans and kerchiefs.

After completing the arduous task of navigating the busy and often dusty city streets, the Scholars arrived at the headquarters of Hanlin Academy where they were promptly received by Chancellor Wu Chan who was evidently relieved with their arrival.

"It is a great pleasure to receive the League of Martial Scholars, Headmaster Lu," said Wu Chan with a salute. "Your timing is impeccable because I believe our great civilization has just entered a crisis."

"That is why we have emerged from the shadows to liberate our nation from the clutches meddling barbarian foreigners," affirmed Lu Guanying. After the formalities and greetings, the Scholars of both schools assembled to discuss matters concerning the Ming and its relations with the pale foreigners who have been discovered to have called themselves "Terukk". Their presence had already become quite apparent in the capital as they have been seen frequenting government headquarters and paying their ceremonial respects to the authorities. To the dismay of the Scholars, the Terukk have already installed outposts and settlements outside the city walls and at the mouth of the Grand Canal. Though their numbers were quite few, their presence was strongly felt as they carried themselves with arrogance and evident overconfidence. The Terukk have been seen frequenting the gates of the palace conducting business with the palace officials to investigate terms of trade and political relations.

"Though in light of recent events, evidence gathered by those within and outside the inner circle of the Hanlin Scholarship showed that colonization and indirect conquest is what truly lay at the heart of their agenda," Wu Chan expressed.

"Our own investigations conducted recently in Guangzhou have led us to the very same conclusions," said Zhang Sunzan.

"I have personally observed interactions with them. They are deceitful and will outwardly show you esteem and respect, but their hearts are full of ill-intent and if we do not act quickly we will find ourselves in a situation with which escape would be most difficult," said Wu Chan. The Scholars present all nodded in agreement. "The easy access Hanlin Academicians have to the Emperor and the politicians of the court have been of great importance to our initial investigation, brothers," he added. "Despite this privileged access, there is not much I or the Hanlin Academy can say with certainty concerning the loyalties of officials in and out of the palace. However, it has become apparent to me that the Emperor has been left in the dark concerning the true state of affairs within the very empire he rules. His health has been in poor condition of late and I fear that many conspire against him in fear of their corruption being discovered. For if the emperor were to know the truth, many government positions would be left... vacant." The meeting room was silent and anxiety filled the air as Academy Chancellor Wu Chan continued.

"A thorough and secretive investigation must be carried out for the following days to see who is conducting illegal business with the Pale Foreigners granting them unfavorable trading rights and diplomatic privileges." He then also presented to the Scholars a small pile of light yellow dust wrapped in paper. "This mysterious substance was seized some time ago by our very own Wei Qiuyuan, currently imprisoned in a government dungeon. It was found in the quarters and offices of several eunuchs and key ministers who have been gaining more political influence than they should." The mysterious substance was passed around among the Scholars who examined it and sniffed its potent odor.

"By its scent it seems to be some sort of drug, one that can be easily abused," remarked Tian Qiu as he passed it slightly beneath his nose. "Even with a small whiff of its toxic fragrance, I am beginning to feel its seemingly euphoric effects. I am not fond of it," he continued to say as he turned his head away from it in distaste.

"You are correct, comrade," said Wu Chan. "In recent days, several of us at Hanlin have been secretly observing its influence on the users. The substance has very addictive effects, and we can confirm that those who are under its influence do not only crave more, but have become susceptible to the Foreigners' bidding. This alien drug is altogether evil."

"This explains many things, including their access to our land, their ridiculous trading privileges, and apparently their influence upon our politics," commented Lu Guanying.

"Specifically what sort of privileges and favors have they been granted?" asked Shang Jian.

"As you know all foreigners from kingdoms near and far conduct limited trade in the southern ports. All transactions are under a conditional level. In other words, the Ming is doing them a favor simply by allowing them any sort of trade and commerce at all. Sad to say, our ancient foreign policies have always been lopsided where the terms were largely in favor of the Middle Kingdom's dynastic rule and the other party is often belittled and exploited. Trade with the Middle Kingdom has always been treated as a tremendous privilege granted to nations the capital esteemed. In exchange for this favor, the foreigners would pay a handsome monetary and symbolic tribute to the emperor representing their 'inferiority' before the Middle Kingdom." Wu Chan paused for a moment to catch his breath.

"Go on, Chan," said Zhang Sunzan eager to hear Chan's address.

"When these Terukk arrived in relatively small numbers several weeks ago, they proceeded with the same caution and meekness all foreigners were expected to follow. The authorities were not pleased at all that they have anchored along the northeastern coast which was uncomfortably near the capital. However, curiosity quickly overcame reason and the government was enamored by them and soon they were granted permission to move further inland. They kowtowed before the Forbidden City palace, paid their tribute in gold ingots, and addressed them with the proper rites. As the weeks went by however, our government began to favor them moreover than the other foreigners who hail from south overseas. Those of us in the Hanlin Academy's inner circle have grown suspicious of them compelling us to conduct an investigation concerning their activities."

"Soon enough, we uncovered under-the-table negotiations between several officials within the Six Ministries, and handfuls of eunuchs close to the emperor. It was not long until we have also discovered the true extent of the use of bribery with this drug," said Song Yuan, a fellow Hanlin Scholar. "It has an unprecedented ability to twist the mind. Those who take more than what is prescribed experience episodes of hallucination and unexplainable behavior, not to mention slight changes in their physical appearance. Our spies have witnessed their effects immediately after it has been administered," Wu Chan told them sadly.

"This scandalous behavior runs deep, brothers. We are on the verge of losing our great nation to these inhuman corpse-looking Foreigners because of some drug," said Tian Qiu.

Thus was the topic of discussion amongst the Scholars of Beijing and Guangzhou who have now become increasingly alarmed at the nation's state of affairs. The Hongzhi Emperor, who has proved to be more virtuous than his predecessors, has been thoroughly deceived and kept in the dark concerning the conspiratorial events taking place within his own court. To ensure that the emperor did not pose a threat to the Foreigners' agenda, corrupted eunuchs have been serving him a special 'medicinal' brew that causes increased illness that has rendered him unable to fulfill his duties and most importantly, unable discover the truth of what is taking place. The righteous officials in the palace were unable to make a stand in fear of being discovered by those who have fallen under the wiles of the Pale Foreigners. The line between friend and foe has been severely blurred in the imperial court. In fear of neutralization, the righteous officials backed down and were obliged to tolerate the radical changes taking place within the Ming court.

It was not long until Zhang Sunzan discovered that his friend and trusted investigator, Fox, had been executed on the spot upon the discovery of his investigation. He was proceeding to embark on a ship to Nanjing via the Grand Canal, but was somehow caught and arrested just before he could board the ship. Others who had been discovered to be in opposition of recent happenings have also been imprisoned and tortured for "slander and high treason". Zhang Sunzan, inconsolable over the death of his friend grieved for three days. It appeared that even the very own Censorate, created to prevent corruption and bring justice to the corrupt had already fallen to the Terukk's wiles.

After the Scholars had finished discussing matters, they devised a plan to rescue the emperor from the cunning of the corrupted eunuchs and officials and to start a government take-over that will allow them to by force expel the Terukk from the court and from the country. The first order of business was to gain an audience with the emperor in secret and away from the creeping eyes and ears of the palace walls. It would prove difficult as the emperor's strict palace policies prohibited any official or scholar from seeing him outside the appointed times of the day. Second was to discover those of who were still loyal among the key officials in order to coordinate their assault against the opposition. There were many among the secret police, the Jinyiwei, who have proved more loyal to the eunuchs than the emperor himself. A physical confrontation with them would be inevitable.

Over the course of several days, the Scholars of Hanlin in coordination with the League, acted as spies within the bureaucracy and the Six Ministries of government to uncover the real depth of the corruption. The investigation was long and tedious, but was nevertheless executed with careful maneuvering. With diligent documentation of the officials' comings and goings across the city, along with the thorough examination of their documents, books, and papers, the Martial Scholars worked long nights, sleeping little and eating even less.

Such was the intricacy involved in exposing the conspiracy, for the palace itself was city within a city with many watchful eyes and ears, and full of rigid ceremony. Even as Hanlin scholars, it was imperative to move with caution. Nothing would stay hidden for very long. It was called the Forbidden City for it was quite possibly the largest palace in the entire world and was the home the emperor, his family, his attendants, and the working place of all officials. To the Scholars conducting their investigations, much of what they were uncovering was indeed, forbidden. Hanlin continued going about the palace gathering information and separating allies from the enemies.

A special observation was placed upon the outposts of the Terukk who remained mysterious in their comings and goings and their activities amongst the palace and the city. The people of the city have become suspicious of their presence in the capital, but have remained quite curious about their business. What was rather most insulting was their freedom to build their structures and occupy space that encroached on the Ming Dynasty's sovereignty over the land. The very authority of the empire and the rights of the people were being defied. Overturning the government and defying the presence of the Terukk would be openly declaring war upon them and so this was the full intention of the Scholars.

After the Scholars and Academicians had taken the names of the traitors and have gathered evidence against them, Lu Guanying and Wu Chan maneuvered to gain an audience with the Emperor Hongzhi at the dead of night way past palace curfew despite his weakening health. They met in the Imperial Garden, which sat in seclusion within the walls of the mighty palace and was one of the very few places that was remotely safe to speak in private... given that nobody had spotted them on their way to the garden. The emperor emerged before them, though ill, his chin was held high, his shoulders broad, and eyes as focused and determined as ever. A young man who has lived just a few winters beyond twenty stood before Wu Chan and Lu Guanying as the most powerful ruler in the known world.

"I certainly hope there is a rational reason as to why we are breaking protocol at such an hour so late... and in an evening so dark," he said looking down at them both directly from his erect posture. His commanding presence was further reinforced by his reverberating voice and flawless diction.

"Imperial majesty," they said as they transitioned their bow to a kow-tow, their heads pressed firmly against the ground.

"Get up, get up. We can dispense with the formalities and honorifics. This is an unofficial meeting, and I am too pragmatic to care about such vanity," he stated. "Chancellor Wu Chan of Hanlin Academy- I suspect this meeting has nothing to do with your secretarial duties? I hope they do not overwhelm you."

"Your imperial majesty, I must introduce you to a most trusted friend and a staunch supporter of your rule. This is Lu Guanying, a great scholar as much as a warrior, and Headmaster of a highly respected school in Guangzhou." He kept his eyes to the ground and his posture slightly bowed toward the emperor.

The emperor redirected his gaze to Lu Guanying. "Outsiders in my palace... were it not for the Chancellor I would have already called for my Capital Guards to cut you down, not that I would have needed help. This had better be worth my time. Go on then. Speak." He commanded.

"We come before you today with grave and alarming news regarding the new pale foreigners with which the court has been treating..."

That night, they revealed to him all that was transpiring in secret within and beyond his own court and named to him all who had betrayed the nation and his trust. Thanks to the aid of Zhang Sunzan's allies Fox, Wei Qiuyuan and Zhou Liang- the two vice-censor-in-chiefs of the Censorate, he was also presented with documents that outlined the deals done with the Terukk and a record of all their transactions serving as proof of the Pale Foreigners' sinister and subtle colonial and expansionist agendas. They told him that a coalition of several eunuchs and other officials led by a certain Liu Jin, was at the core of the corruption that had taken hold in the court and spy agencies.

"Long before the arrival of the Terukk, Liu Jin has had a rather long record of greed and fraud which did not go unnoticed by the Scholars and other key officials. Such a fact was what led us to suspect Liu Jin of illegal dealings with Terukk in the first place. He and his allies were instrumental in the spread of corruption and greed within the court and within the provincial-level governments throughout the eastern coast of the Ming Empire," informed Wu Chan.

"The arrival of the Pale Foreigners has also caused a drastic decline in the Ming's relationship with its tributaries as trade and communications with other nations have been neglected or altogether severed by the palace officials. Tributes have not been received since the Terukk have grown unchecked and unbalanced as they monopolized all trade, commerce, and have meddled in the political affairs of the nations and kingdoms over the mountains, deserts, and sea," added Lu Guanying.

Upon receiving the disturbing news and hearing the truth from the findings of the Scholars, Emperor Hongzhi became outraged and distraught at what had become of his reign. The very eunuchs that served him had plotted against not only his family and throne, but his life by keeping him ill with a mystery concoction that had left him bedridden and delirious.

Emperor Hongzhi's fists shook. His entire body trembled with anger. "How could I have been so blind to confide in those eunuchs without doubt? Never before have I been made such a fool, but now, they will feel my wrath!" he declared. His whole body shivered with rage. "I have suspected the Terukk the moment they presented themselves before the palace gates. There had not been one moment where I found their presence and their ways the slightest bit pleasurable. Because of what I had felt about them, I acted upon my instincts and ordered them to leave and never return. However, not even in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought that events would unfold the way they have. The Terukk will be punished for not leaving our lands and shores as I have commanded on the very first day. Heaven has witnessed that I have only ever held my position with honor and truth. All those who have played a part in all of this must be dealt with immediately!" he shouted.

"Summon all the officials and eunuchs of the court and gather them to the palace square," suggested Lu Guanying and Wu Chan. "You now have the evidence and multiple witnesses. Call out the guilty from amongst the crowd of eunuchs and officials of the Six Ministries and confront them regarding their traitorous actions and punish them however you see fit. I must add, that although your Capital Guards may remain loyal to you, some agents of the Depots as well as the secret police may reveal their true colors. If they choose to be against you, our Academicians will ensure your Majesty's safety and security."

Emperor Hongzhi agreed to the Scholars' advice and the next day summoned all the officials inside the palace, and those serving in the city, and they stood before him at the Forbidden City's main square. With the careful and diligent aid of the Martial Scholars and Academicians, the emperor forsook the strict rites and schedules of the palace and straightaway made the preparations necessary to make his address. Representatives from the Terukk delegation were present among the officials as well. They stood tall and arrogant and no longer observed palace rites, such as kowtowing before the emperor when he stood before them. It appeared that they too sensed something within the palace had changed. The emperor glared at them with malice, evidently infuriated by their very arrogant presence. He nonetheless proceeded to address the crowd assembled before him. He began with a simple speech by preaching to them the purpose of government, the values upon which their civilization stood, and the causes of the poor political situation in which the Ming government had now found itself. Finally, he revealed his recent knowledge of the scandals and conspiracies taking place right under his nose –knowledge provided by those who were still loyal to the throne. He called out the accused from amongst the crowd, separating the guilty from the innocent, according to the League of Scholars' thorough investigation. There were dozens from the Six Ministries and many more from the Eastern and Western Depots and the Jinyiwei officers with whom they coordinate. The drug that the corrupt officials had been abusing had side effects that over time became quite apparent. One was the trembling of the hands and the other was a discoloration of the chest right above where the heart rested.

"You have committed the greatest of crimes against the Ming Dynasty and the entire civilization of the Middle Kingdom! You have willingly sold our land and our sovereignty over to the Foreigners who want nothing more than domination and conquest of what Heaven has granted to us for over four and a half thousand years! You are all fools for failing to realize these foreign devils will grant you nothing;all they have promised you are but lies and deceit. They are all false, just as the effects of the drug with which you have been bribed!" The emperor was infuriated and the tension within the palace square ran extremely high amongst all who were present."Most of all, you would attempt to murder me. ME! The one who holds the Mandate of Heaven! This is beyond treason. This is an offense against Heaven itself!"

After the emperor had finished his address, the Terukk delegation present in the square made a hasty exit, seamlessly bypassing the secret police that stood by the gateways and paths. It appears that the guards had already had themselves sold to the Terukk.

The emperor frowned, but continued. Upon commanding the guilty to segregate themselves from the rest, Liu Jin and his coalition jumped out from the rest of the guilty.

"You are wrong!" shouted Liu Jin defiantly. "The Terukk will bring unity, peace, and salvation to the world. They have power and wealth beyond our wildest dreams and they have graciously offered them in abundance to those who would are willing to join their campaign against all who refuse to see the truth!"

"You know nothing of truth, you vermin. You and your kind are ignorant, blind and stupid for you have lost all sense of reality. Guards, seize them at once!" the emperor barked, at the Jinyiwei. The guards however, were hesitant to obey and remained at their post. The evil eunuch then rallied the guilty dozens to riot against the throne and summoned the officers of the fallen Jinyiwei to defend them. Their loyalties of the officers it seemed already belonged to the evil eunuch and his followers. In that same moment, the Scholars present at the square summoned the martial Academicians to come to the aid of the emperor's personal guards and to the remaining loyal government officials and eunuchs. Hundreds of Jinyiwei and the hooded Academicians from both schools stood facing each other in the square tensed and ready to battle for the sovereignty of the Ming's governance over the Middle Kingdom. Dozens of the emperor's personal Capital Guards formed up alongside the Academicians.

The battle began with the unexpected entrance of Big Bang who, with a war cry, fired a mortar onto the Jinyiwei. He shouted and cursed at them.

"Take that, you accursed traitors!" he screamed. The first battle of the Ming's first civil war was taking place within the emperor's very own palace. Swords, shields, and polearms clashed as the highly skilled combatants on both sides battled to the death. Lu Guanying and the remaining Martial Scholars joined the fray. Government officials, clerks, and other eunuchs who have not been charged with a crime scrambled in different directions to take cover in the nearby structures and offices.

The battle lasted many minutes without either side gaining a decisive foothold over the other. At last, when the timing was most crucial, Big Bang tossed several powerful explosives into the side of the traitors. Bodies flew in every direction and leaving many others disoriented or paralyzed. Big Bang's attacks consequently turned the tide of the battle in favor of the Scholars. After the Jinyiwei had surrendered or fled, the guilty parties were seized from escape as the Academicians and the loyal Capital Palace Guards secured the victory for the emperor. Liu Jin and his seven accomplices including many scheming officials however, had slipped past their grasp and immediately made their way out of the palace and mounted up in haste to their new masters the Pale Foreigners elsewhere outside the city. The victorious Scholars then imprisoned the survivors and the defeated Jinyiwei into the lowest dungeons then proceeded to secure the entire Forbidden City.

The Scholars and their Academicians were now officially the emperor's new trusted advisors, protectors, and attendants. Those loyal men working within the palace expressed their gratitude and great relief for what had transpired. It was most unfortunate however, that the vast majority of the government's secret police force had seceded to the enemy or had long since disappeared into hiding.

The Terukk were most cunning indeed, being sure to win over the emperor's trusted officers of the Depots and secret police to their devious agenda. No bother. The Martial Scholars and Hanlin Academicians more than sufficed to fill the gap left behind by the Jinyiwei and the traitorous officials. Unlike their traitorous counterparts, the Academicians were highly educated and intelligent in more than just warfare. Each of the initiated would have passed the Imperial Examinations to the highest degree so the emperor was far better off under the protection of the Martial Academicians despite being much fewer.

"Many of us here knew what was happening behind the walls and closed doors of the palace. We did not know whom to trust and where each of us stood. The Foreigners are extremely clever and would have most surely brought death and ruin to us all," the remaining palace officials expressed to the League and the emperor.

"We commend you, brothers, for what you have accomplished for the emperor and the Ming Empire!" The Hongzhi Emperor sat upon his throne still clearly distressed and bereaved. He grieved not only for his administration, but for the utter betrayal he and all the people suffered. He was nonetheless grateful to the Scholars and Academicians for what they had done though he expressed mixed emotions concerning the existence of the League from Guangzhou and the brotherhood they had forged with their Academician warriors.

The Middle Kingdom had just declared war on the Terukk and the Scholars would do all in their power to fight alongside the Emperor to protect the nation. Censors Zhou Liang and Wei Qiuyuan were found in a pit beneath the Jinyiwei headquarters starved, tortured, and near death. They were transported to the palace for recovery and rehabilitation. Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy Wu Chan approached the Emperor and assured him saying,

"As Chancellor of Hanlin, good Emperor, I am able to ensure that the palace and the central government are in the most capable hands and minds. All the key Scholars of both Academies are not only masters of the civil service examinations, but polymaths, men and women of superior skills and intellect most qualified for aiding the emperor in the management of the government and the strategizing of war." The Emperor gazed at him without blinking an eye. "Of Hanlin I know this to be true, but then little did I know of the true extent of neither its capability nor the number of the initiated within your inner circles. What is of great bother to my already-anguished mind, however, is the discovery of yet another order- a League of Scholars that has existed beneath my sight and the sight of my fathers' whilst operating freely with a hidden army outside the parameters of the government for many years. The existence of such a secret society that occupies itself with campaigns that belong to the government alone is punishable by death. You as well, Chancellor, are not innocent of this withheld knowledge," said the Emperor seemingly testing the response of Wu Chan.

"Your Excellency, the League at Guangzhou is but an association of professionals, the wealthy, and highly educated. They aim not to defy the authority of your government by working behind it, but rather take action in favor of the empire and its emperor for the preservation of the culture of the Middle Kingdom and the protection of the commoners from outlaws and rebels throughout the provinces. Their services are great gifts to your very throne and the thrones of those who came before you. They exist in secret only so that their actions would be swift and to be of great effect as they are able to bypass what they would deem are bothersome, time-consuming politics. In fact, I should add that it was through their work that the Wo pirates of Riben have been kept at bay and rebels in the outlying regions have been subdued. Their actions are selfless and rarely do they ever receive reward for their work. They will prove to be more capable and trustworthy than the traitors we had just eradicated. Their services would be invaluable for our campaigns against the Pale Ones," assured Wu Chan.

"Your words will be taken to consideration. Other pressing matters require my attention for the time being. I will deal with the League of Martial Scholars and decide their fate after this is ordeal with the Terukk is over," answered the emperor.

He was compelled to agree with Wu Chan's justifications on behalf of the League of Scholars. He had little choice but to accept their aid. They had, after all, saved his administration from the destructive corruption and betrayal of the powerful eunuchs and their puppet officials. Now, he needed the Scholars to free the Middle Kingdom from the bonds of the deceitful and cunning Terukk. A dozen members of the Scholars from Beijing and Guangzhou took their seats within the ministries and conducted their duties according to court tradition and laws. Wu Chan and Lu Guanying were now the emperor's closest advisors.

****

The evening after the battle within the Forbidden City, Big Bang and a strike team of Martial Academicians with a light detachment of imperial troops led an attack to destroy the Terukk outpost which stood not far outside the walls of the capital. The Terukk leadership had already fled the premises before the team arrived leaving only handfuls of Jinyiwei defectors dressed in Terukk uniforms to defend the compound and encampment. Resistance was minimal and all defectors within the secret police who defended it were eliminated. By dawn, what was left of the Terukk outposts were but rubble, splinters, and ash. The compound had already been emptied of its supplies and materials leaving nothing for the Scholars to investigate. The great conflict of their age had officially begun. Much blood would be spilt and in the mind of Lu Guanying, he aimed to make most of that blood from the Terukk themselves.

The emperor and the Scholars had to act swiftly. The Terukk were just beginning to leave their mark upon the Ming Empire and would no doubt be infuriated at the unexpected turn of events that have reversed the tide against them in the Middle Kingdom. The rise and the defiance of the Scholars were unforeseen and greatly unexpected by the corrupted eunuchs and the Terukk. The true extent of their capabilities had finally been revealed and with one swift act, the pale devils have become unwanted guests. Through the efforts of the new government, every province along the coast would have the alien visitors expelled and destroyed by the command of the Hongzhi Emperor. In the following weeks, an imperial decree then spread across the governments across the provinces and prefectures, commanding all righteous magistrates, grand coordinators, governors, and prefects to cease all diplomatic relations and treaties with the Terukk. All Pale Foreigners were to leave at once never to return should they face the full military might of the Ming Empire. All their structures and settlements were to be dismantled or be destroyed. Thousands once loyal to the Jinyiwei fled to unknown regions of the empire and stayed low among the ranks of the Underworld only to regroup elsewhere, ready to finish what the foreigners had started.

The emperor and the Scholars knew this task would not be so easy and neither would every one of the government officials, guards, and soldiers, across the empire remain loyal to the throne. Their defecting would have unforeseen and inevitable consequences as their knowledge of the empire's strengths and weaknesses were now at the disposal of the Terukk. This did not dismay the capital as the emperor and his new administration were more determined than ever before to rid the foreign scum from their shores and their seas. The attack led by Big Bang and the Academicians were similarly repeated by the provinces on many other Terukk outposts in the major cities and towns along the eastern and southern provinces. The strikes were led by loyal and capable military officers whom the Terukk had not yet had the opportunity to corrupt. So it was with the angered Terukk who did not take kindly to these new actions and changes.

Therefore, they sought to defend their right to stay in the Middle Kingdom based on their self-imposed feelings of superiority over the people in as much the same way a master was to his slave. Many of their ships were anchored in the island of Dayuen and south of the Yellow Sea. Their eunuch puppets rallied many from within and from abroad, a force one hundred thousand strong. Within a fortnight, defected Jinyiwei officers, slaves, and defected Nuzhen and Menggu horse warriors from the fringes of the steppe all assembled under the command the enemy. They established several outposts and one major encampment on the Peninsula of Liaodong. The Terukk regrouped along the northeastern coastlines and in the waters of the Gulf of Beizhili within reach of the most eastern border garrison of the Great Wall in an attempt to stand their ground and perhaps take back the capital. The bulk of the Terukk forces had retreated to island kingdoms south of Dayuen Island leaving their new minions, some so-called "mages", and a few dozen of their commanders to deal with the fighting in the Ming Empire. No longer were the defected Jinyiwei officers clad in the uniforms of the Imperial Police.

All such reports and more were gathered together by the court through the aid of the Martial Scholars, Hanlin, and all the Academicians working in tandem with the bureaucracy.

"They are likely to start with a hasty invasion from the North and the burning of the Forbidden City palace. Their true colors have finally been revealed to all the Ming people who at first looked upon the Terukk with great curiosity and esteem. In the recent weeks and days, several fierce and isolated clashes between government troops and the forces of the initial Terukk occupation have already been reported to have occurred in Guangzhou, Nanjing, and in several townships in the south and in the east during the Terukk oustings. Many of their districts have been left smoldering in ruins or ashes. The expelled Terukk now regroup with their kin who have taken to the seas and along the shores of the Penghu Islands off the coast of the island the natives called Dayuen, in the archipelago kingdoms to the south, and in coastlines of the neighboring sister nation of Joseon in the northeast. They too have begun to resist the Pale Foreigners not long after the Ming's expulsion of them," reported the Scholars to the emperor.

But for how long would they be able to resist?

"These are an unexpected turn of events for the Terukk. All that we have done is simply cause them to prematurely initiate the second stage of their grander plan- and that is war," said Shang Jian. "What they have been unable to accomplish with the use of deceitful diplomacy and politics they shall achieve with force."

****

The sun arced and neared its dip into the horizon when Sun Xin had been sitting in meditation under a small pavilion overlooking his master's estate. His mind still grew clouded and restless. The rains had just about come to a complete stop and through the mist and drizzle, the afternoon sunshine bathed the wealthy village in golden rays as if to signal the end of his time in quiet solitude. Meiling approached him from behind holding a parasol and a tray of hot tea, her dress gently swaying in the breeze. Xin opened his eyes and stood from his stiff seated position and turned to face her.

"It's a pleasure to see you before all other things, Meiling," said Xin as he emerged from meditation with a slight smile in his eyes. She blushed and although she tried to hide it, it pleased Xin to see her still fond of him. They sat together as the smile on Xin's face faded into a solemn reminiscing. "My deeds and accomplishments through all these years have not left me fulfilled or any closer to finding peace. I have absolutely no sense of my destiny, Meiling," confessed Sun Xin humbly. "Though I have done much, my deeds have achieved the very opposite of what I have intended. Where one would expect a decrease in criminality and corruption, I instead find a significant resurgence of darkness as if in retaliation to what I have done."

Meiling sat and listened intently as Xin continued to pour his thoughts and inner disturbances.

"I am continually haunted by the lives I have taken. They haunt me in my thoughts and in my dreams, as if slaying them was a much greater injustice than their crimes. I do not understand it. It makes no sense. Seven years ago, after a prolonged manhunt I had finally tracked down one of the Ming's largest crime lords. After I had slain his companions, I pursued him across the province and tracked him down to his large estate, which I knew was acquired by ill means. When I had finally landed the killing blow, I saw a woman and a young boy glaring at me in horror at what they had just witnessed," Xin said as his face writhed with the memory. "He held documents in his hand granting him full pardon for his crimes in exchange of the services and charities he offered for the local and imperial governments. I had read through them, smearing the blood blotting out the letter proving that he was transitioning to legitimate and lawful enterprise... for the sake of his family. Right before the eyes of his family I killed a man who sought reform." Xin and Meiling kept silent for several moments as they absorbed the depressing story. "Now that I think about it, he tried to tell me he was a changed man, but I denied him that chance." He closed his eyes and turned away feeling remorse for what he had done. "Now his son has grown much in the past several years and has rallied his father's allies to hunt me. I cannot blame him and I cannot find it in myself to confront the boy. I have spent most of this past year trying to elude them". Meiling summoned the courage to tell Xin what she thought.

"Perhaps it is time that you put your sword to rest from these sorts of contracts. Truth and reality are often times far more complex than we realize and the permanence of our actions produce finality we can never retract. A peaceful life is nothing to be looked down upon," she counseled Xin.

"I am ill at ease knowing my skills are put to no use," he said.

"The skill and strength of a swordsman goes far beyond mere fighting, Xin," she preached.

"In the journey that is life, the sword is but a tool used sparingly and with extreme discretion; it is not a measuring rod for judgment." These words left a mark in Sun Xin's heart and mind as he lightly smiled and nodded to her words.

Meiling had become wise as much as she had grown fair. An honorable and principled young woman was she, far from the playful and mischievous girl she was ten years ago.

"Your reminders have humbled me, 'Ling," whispered Xin. Together under that pavilion they had tea while Xin continued to speak of his travels and adventures throughout the provinces, to the lands across the sea, and to the kingdoms beyond the deserts of the west. Upon searching for Master Lo he was told that he had left for some time to attend to certain personal matters of particular importance far away from the village. No one was certain as to where he had gone or matter it was that he had to attend. The estate and the woodshop business were left in the care of Meiling and the workers, so there Sun Xin took up the work alongside them just as he did during the days of his youth. For the first time in a long time, Sun Xin felt at peace and a sense of belonging he had not felt since the day he allied himself with the League of Scholars. He wondered however, what they were doing at that moment.

****

News of these drastic and world-changing events have finally reached the ears of Sun Xin who had all that time been working and staying in his master's woodshop alongside Lo Meiling, his master's daughter for the past few weeks.

"Have you seen the notice board's announcements in town? It appears my comrades in the League of Martial Scholars have been busy in my absence," Sun Xin said to Meiling. "I feel I have abandoned them as well. It's time I go back to them in the capital to give my support."

Meiling looked down and fell silent at the news. "I will not stop from doing what you feel is your duty, Xin," she muttered worriedly. "It is right that you fulfill your oath to your allies. If you must depart, may it be by the will of Heaven," she told him as her eyes watered with tears.

"I am sorry that I must leave you again, but I promise I will return, Meiling. When all is done, I would lead a new life of peace with you and Master. Tell him that this time I will return regardless of what he thinks," he said assuring her. He gathered his belongings and secured his sword to his hip once again. "I've spent many years putting down those that would do harm to others all over the land, and all throughout that time, I've felt my deeds have been insufficient, and that it will always be. Now that these beasts have come to threaten our very existence, I'm finally presented with a chance to for something higher than myself honorable cause. I want the changes I make through my actions to last for generations."

"Then go. You always were destined for great things, Xin. This I have always known since the days of our youth." With these words having been said, Meiling mustered the confidence to tenderly embrace him farewell. From atop the hill and under the pavilion, she watched him ride north in haste towards the far, far away capital until he disappeared behind the hills and trees. Her father's home and town was far from the conflict and hidden from the sight of the Pale Ones. This gave Sun Xin a small measure of peace leaving behind Meiling as he made the long, arduous journey north. He was sure to avoid the main roads for there were many from his past that still sought the bounty upon his head. He would cut through to lesser known roads that leaned northwest passing the Wudang Mountains were the mystical priests have lived peacefully in temples and dwellings along the misty peaks. His journey would yet reveal to him something else the Scholars and the Emperor have not foreseen. It would only hasten his pace towards the capital.