004
The sudden and unexplained death of Minister Qui left the Imperial Court with questions, shock and theories. Shock, anger and even rage were some of the other emotions experienced by the Court members. His death marked an almost amplifying effect on the already volatile tensions presiding over and simmering under the Courts.
As one of the most respectable and capable advisors of the Emperor, Qui's death (absence) left a vaccum in the political landscape.
One that each and every fraction was eager, willing and looking forward to fill.
The Emperor, a man frail and worn out by the decades of ruling, had became to many- erratic. The loss of Minister Qui, seemed to further push forward this motion. Minister Qui had after all once been a stabilizing force in the Court and thus his absence was felt deeply.
"This is an omen," The Emperor remarked bitterly. His voice though shaky and frail with age held authority. "The g*ds are displeased, i can feel it." He carried on, his eyes closed hide the presence of the man called "The Dragon Spawn".
His voice was calm, soft and easy as if remarking on the weather. His posture relaxed and his voice unassuming.
But the members of the Court knew better.
"...dragons never sleep. The merely rest so as to fool the sheep." Was one of the most common things the -then- young Emperor liked to say.
As a boy and later man who came from nothing. Li Yu Long was -as liked to describe- a dragon.
Born from a maid and the previous Emperor, Li Yu Hong had every single disadvantage and still made something of himself. He is regarded as being liked to "...the birth of a star."
He survived growing up in the palace at a time when ki**ings amongst the royals was at a all time high. He was beaten, humiliated and framed more times than his other siblings due to his "...lack of support."
It was with his vary own efforts that he was able to marry the 3rd daughter and legitimate daughter of the Kong family. His wife and Empress, Kong Guang Deng.
He not only retrieved lands lost to the belted states but expanded and conquered lands three times the size of annexed territories. With 4 of the once 12 belted states becoming Xiang Chun's newest territories.
He lead his country into war and won. And only once he was acknowledged as the "Heir apparent" did he show just why, he loved to spew nonsense about dragons.
He had his family members slaug**ered. Their corp*es used as decorations at the very same boarder he just created.
In total 46 members of the Li royal family were k**led.
3rd and 4th generations of the Li family were done away with. And why? Because as the young Emperor had once said "....One dragon, One dynasty. How can the people feel and respect my reign if the fossils are still present."
Therefore hearing what was to most an unassuming statement caused the vast majority of Court members into cold chilling sweats,
The Emperor may be old, frail and weak but the Emperor of the Sun or Sun Emperor was not weak.
At least not yet.
The Ministers, Officials and Scribes all present in the Grand Hall all exchanged some uneasy looks. But still even amongst the uneasy there were several people present that were calm, cool and collected.
None, however, dared to speak openly and frankly about the real issues the Court was soon to be facing. Things like;- the growing cracks in the Empire's very foundations. The discontent of the people among the multiple various (and numerous) provinces that were under loosening management. The strained treasury and the possible whispers of rebellion at the boarder amongst other things.
What was clear was that the death of the Minister had rattled the Emperor beyond what anyone realized. Not only weakening the Emperor's power but also reinforced the need for newer and brighter blood.
Or to quote the once young spirited and spirited Emperor, "...now is the time for the sons of the dragon to become true dragons."
This compounded into one simple fact. The Imperial Court was a ticking time b*mb on top of various landmines. Landmines waiting patiently for a small misstep. A single hair out of place. Before implo*ing with no way away from it.
Noticing it was time to move on so to speak, one of the senior most advisors to the Emperor redirected the focus of the Court onto the agenda of the day. And the Courties seeing their chance, went along with it. Making sure to be engaged but not problematic.
No one wanted to get on the Emperors nerves at a time like this.
And just like that the "disturbance" that was Minister Qu's death and the reinforcing of the Emperors power was over. Just like a husk of a abandoned ghost ship, avoided but story inducing. But it was underneath the "pleasant" Court discussions that the feelings, plans and schemes of all those attending was different and varying.
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With the Imperial Court of the Empire hanging on -barely- a tightrope, there were many like Huo Jin Chen willing to take advantage.
The "sons of a dragon" of age were Li Heng, Li Jian and Li Wei. Li Heng and Li Wei were sons of the Empress. Li Jian however was the son of the most "favored" Consort.
And with his oldest son approaching his mid 40s, it was miracle really that the Empire was merely turbulent and not a outright mess.
Minister Qui's d*ath was a tri**ar that none of the fractions or player could afford to miss. For some it was a outright opportunity, for others a trap, danger or both. Still other wished to used the presented circumstances to get rid of or have some people cut loose.
It was all in all an open door.
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The First Prince's Point Of View
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As the Oldest and Eldest son of the Dragon and the mother of the Continent, Li Heng was proud. Tall, handsome and striking nothing of his background or physical features was displeasing.
Li Heng was of course, privileged beyond believe. Basking in the spot like as the only son of the Emperor for the longest, Li Heng was also his fathers Official Heir.
Unfortunately for the Empire at large, this treatment and privilege, Li Heng received resulted in an extremely self entitled as well as ill-mannered (and tempered to be honest) man that was not in any way, shape or form prepared for the true realities of governance and ruling.
Back to the present, we can find Li Heng storming into his private office chambers. He was of course, chased by multiple officials (panicked and sweating) about what they knew with every fiber of their being was going to happen.
Li Heng meanwhile was just relieved that he could finally express his frustration and anger outwardly. So without missing a beat he walked over to his desk and tossed everything off. Documents, paper weights and even some decorative pieces hit the ground and broke, shattered or simply laid out on the ground.
The men following him were trying to be quiet, as they tried (in vain for some) to stabilize their breathing. It was It was almost two full xiaoshi (xiaoshi= a one hour period) to make their way from the Emperors audience chambers to the prince's study.
Some of the younger more recent scribes were surprised that the prince didn't even give them leave to sit, before jumping slightly when the prince screamed.
There they watched in horror (and bemused wonder) as his 23 year old man, screamed, yelled and even stomped his feet. Not satisfied with the outward pouring of emotion, he graded the antique vase his father-in-law got him and threw it at the wall.
Breathing in deeply and trying to get the shakes under control he finally spoke.
"Qui was one of my best and strongest supporters. And now with the scandal hovering his last known transactions, we're stuck for the next months or years if he gets indicted." Li Heng spoke in a hiss, his anger still present but manageable.
Realizing that the anger was just too much Li Heng began to pace. Back and fourth from behind his desk further breaking, destroying and anything not already completely broken.
"A known associate of the Minister was found with children's bo*y parts months ago." One advisor remarked, his words "matter of fact" and sharp. He then carried on, "His old mansion was raided illegal contra*and was discovered. And just a month before his de*th over 50 men committed su*cide at his farms for quote "..unfair and unjust treatment of workers and slaves alike."" Ni Ju Yi turned to look at the men in the study his voice still direct and factual, taking a breath before concluding.
"The only reason he was in Chu Province for the governors party was because we wanted to smoke out a or rather the suspect. Nothing conclusive was found except what we already know." Ni Ju Yi concluded evenly with not a ripple of emotion to be seen.
"Your highness what about Huo Jin Chen?" A scribe timidly asked before a scoff echoed from the back. "Hu Jin Chen was a mare bas*ard not even 3 years prior." Another man said, his words dismissive and cutting.
"But it can not be denied that Huo Jin Chen is a player ready and waiting to enter the game." An older men said causing nods and remarked agreements. "The fact that in 3 years his changed the image of the Court Huo household by passing and being labelled a provincial level scholar but was able and capable of reviving old Huo family merchant business thought to have been lost."
More nods, more grunts and agreements. Prince Li Heng at this point was calm. Still anger but calm.
"Be that as it may. I do agree that Huo Jin Chen was not or rather could not be the suspect." Advisor Mo called out with finality, his tone pleasing and just right.
'What a disappointing image. Is this supposed to be our next emperor?'
Theses were the thoughts of the finally man who had just arrived. The man had unlike the other been walking at his own usual pace. He had therefore missed the discussion and the tantrum he just knew the prince would have.
His presence though was noticed almost immediately. A soft but mighty pressure, unrushed, undeniable and unshaken. The man was Kong Li Xin, the prince's uncle.
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Context
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Minister of Interior, Kong Li Xin was the younger and biological brother of the Empress and Mother of the Continent Kong Guang Deng. And even though Kong Li Xin was in his mid 60s, he was a man that can be said to a have lived a full life.
From being the eldest legitimate young Master of the Kong Duke's family, to a nobody for almost 12 years. Having riches to begging for food. Safe behind walls and guards to fighting on the battlefield. Kong Li Xin has seen and done many many things.
Kong Li Xin therefore did not see a reason to rush his old self, for what he could predict without be there to happen.
He had arrived just in time to hear his childlike nephew say to whom-so-ever, "...make sure the culprit s found and caught alive if possible. I can and will settle for family and friends of the bas*ard if they are deemed impossible." Li Heng barked at courties, his words dismissive and still angry.
Kong Li Xin made his way to the front causing the people who didn't see him relief, with tense shoulders and arms as well as feet loosening up.
Nodding politely to his colleagues, Kong Li Xin made his way to the front before taking a seat at the front of the desk. Then, -not noticing the anger and sheer frustration reignited in the prince's eyes-, poured himself a cup of tea. Before leaning back in his seat and sniffing the tea with a light almost unnoticeable wrist movement.
"Your Highness."
A simple phase but it made all the anger, rage and unwilling feeling under the prince's skin chill.
After all his uncle did not suffer idiots. I didn't even matter if the person was his father or mother. It was all the same in Kong Li Xin's mind.
No one person was special. No one person was save. No one got a pass. I in Kong Li Xin thought you were an idiot, he said it making sure you were shamed and embarrassed.
"Yes uncle." Li Heng voce was calm at last, the small embers of rebellion buried under this facade. The Kong family was still his "back bone".
'Just a little while longer.' Li Heng convinced himself. 'Just until i am Emperor.' He carried on with his shoulders loosing the tension in them.
'And then you wont be able to get away.'
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The Second Prince's Point Of View
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Li Jian, the second prince was not unlike his older brother trying to interpret what the de*th of Minister Qui, as well as the cause and effect.
Li Jian was after all a cool, deeply calculating and collected type. His mentality was that of "...all things are game and all games have rules."
To many of his supporters and even people, Li Jian was widely acknowledged as the most capable of the Imperial Sons.
Unfortunately he was illegitimate. The son of the Emperor and a merchant. A stain on the Imperial house.
If not for the affection his father had for his mother, he would have suffered more than mare "back talk".
Sitting in his own private study, Li Jian was there with Advisor Xu and Lady Han. Advisor Xu was a senior advisor at the Royal Agriculture Department. While Lady Han was the only senior member of staff at the Royal Academy.
"Even though Minister Qui was a known aid of the Crown Prince, he also must have been a spy for His Majesty, the Emperor." Advisor Xu said stroking his beard,
"Annoyingly enough, Minister Qui's death may have weakened the Eldest Prince's position but also simultaneously throwing suspicion our way." Lady Han said, her eyes shrewd and calculating.
Prince Jian agreed, nodding his head and turning to look at Advisor Xu. "It is indeed the position we have found ourselves in. What I'm curious about is how to turn this around. Li Heng will probably use the disaster in Ni'an as a white washing tactic."
"Inept he may be but Li Heng has the Kong and Bai families behind him." Li Jian carried on his voice cold. Flashbacks of past trauma related to Li Heng briefly playing through his mind.
"Lets not forget Li Wei. He may appear harmless and unassuming but is the son of the Empress."
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Thus discussions went on for a while longer before they ended. And somewhere out in the word Huo Jin Chen was laughing. At least that was what his smirk widening meant for anyone watching him.
In front of him were 3 Go Board. On it the black was divided into different three loosing positions.
Atar; A situation with the threat of taking control of the black pieces by the white.
Ko; A position in which the players last move had inadvertently had created a opening for the white.
Failing to secure the territory. A weak strong hold, open to vulnerability.
Besides each board was a piece of parchment with words scribbled across it.
Taking a sit Huo Jin Chen watched the board read the notes and made some moves for the white. He then would write a note for each board and after making sure everything was in order left the small cave quietly and silently.