The First Step

The capital of the Empire, once a symbol of power and splendor, now breathed paranoia. The streets, once bustling and full of life, were silent, as if the weight of Emperor Zhen Ying's death had suffocated even the last breath of joy. Citizens walked with their heads down, avoiding eye contact, while soldiers patrolled the corners with suspicious glances. The four great families had extended their spy networks like an invisible web, ensnaring anyone who dared to question their dominion.

In a discreet corner of the city, far from prying eyes, Luo Wen took refuge in an abandoned tavern. The air was heavy with humidity, and the smell of rotting wood mingled with the scent of cheap wine. Seated at a worn table, Luo Wen held a cup between his hands but did not drink. His eyes were fixed on the surface of the liquid, as if searching for answers in its murky reflection.

The emperor's death had left a void that no one seemed willing to fill. Zhen Luo, the child emperor, was little more than a shadow on the throne, while the four families wove their intrigues in the shadows. Luo Wen remembered the words of his father, an honest official who had died trying to denounce the families' corruption. "The Empire is not just a territory, Luo Wen. It is an ideal. And if that ideal dies, everything else dies with it."

His father's voice echoed in his mind, more vivid now than it had been in years. He could still remember the warmth of his hand on his shoulder as he recited those words, the way his gaze burned with conviction despite knowing that his fight was hopeless. His father had paid the ultimate price for his ideals, and Luo Wen often wondered if that sacrifice had been in vain. The guilt of surviving when his father had fallen weighed on him, a constant reminder of his own inaction.

But what could he do? A mere official, without armies or powerful allies, how could he confront the families that controlled everything? His thoughts grew clouded with recent memories: bribed officials, desperate peasants, and the empty gaze of the child emperor during his coronation. Corruption had infected everything, and he felt trapped in a web from which he could not escape.

The sound of cautious footsteps pulled him from his thoughts. He looked up and saw Yuan Guo entering the tavern, his imposing figure cloaked in darkness. The general sat across from him, saying nothing at first. His eyes, hardened by decades of battle, studied Luo Wen with intensity.

Despite his stern demeanor, Yuan Guo's presence offered a strange sense of reassurance. The two men had known each other for years, their relationship forged in the flames of war and political intrigue. Luo Wen had served under Yuan Guo during the last border campaign, where his keen mind for strategy and unwavering loyalty had earned the general's respect. Yuan Guo, in turn, had become a mentor of sorts, guiding Luo Wen through the treacherous currents of imperial politics. Though their positions differed—one a battle-hardened general, the other a principled official—they shared a common goal: preserving the Empire.

—We cannot stay here—Yuan Guo finally said, his voice deep but firm—. The families are watching us. If we do not act soon, we will be just another pair of names on their list of eliminated enemies.

Luo Wen nodded slowly. He knew Yuan Guo was right, but the idea of taking action terrified him.

—What do you propose?—he asked, almost in a whisper.

Yuan Guo leaned forward, lowering his voice even further.

—There is a way to leave the capital without raising suspicions. We can request an official mission, using imperial laws to our advantage. I propose leading a campaign in the border regions under the pretext of reinforcing the Empire's defenses. It is legal and will give us the perfect excuse to get away from here.

Luo Wen frowned.

—And what do we gain from that?—he asked—. Wouldn't it just be a disguised escape?

Yuan Guo's expression softened, though his voice remained firm.

—Luo Wen, you underestimate yourself. Your mind is sharper than any blade I have carried into battle. You see patterns where others see chaos, and you inspire loyalty not through fear, but through conviction. I do not make this proposal lightly. I make it because I believe in you—and because I know we cannot save the Empire alone. Outside the capital, far from the families' grasp, we can regroup allies. There are loyal officials, discontented soldiers, and desperate peasants. If we can unite them, we will have a base from which to fight.

Luo Wen leaned back in his chair, feeling the weight of the decision before him. Accompanying Yuan Guo meant abandoning the relative safety of the capital and venturing into unknown territory. It meant exposing himself to the danger of being branded a traitor if the families discovered their true intentions. And, most importantly, it meant risking his life for an ideal that might already be dead.

—What if we fail?—he asked, his voice trembling—. What if the families discover us before we can do anything?

Yuan Guo looked at him sternly, yet there was an undercurrent of trust in his gaze.

—Staying here guarantees failure—he said—. The families have already won in the capital. If we do nothing, the Empire will fall, and everything we have fought for will be lost. Leaving is a risk, but it is the only path left to us.

Luo Wen closed his eyes, trying to organize his thoughts. He remembered his father's words, the desperate gaze of the peasants, and the corruption he had seen in every corner of the palace. He knew Yuan Guo was right. Staying meant surrender. Leaving meant fighting.

—All right—he said finally, opening his eyes—. I will go with you.

The following days were a whirlwind of activity. Yuan Guo and Luo Wen formally submitted their request to lead a military expedition, citing the need to reinforce defenses in the border regions. They used imperial laws to their advantage, ensuring their petition was legally impeccable.

However, not everything went smoothly. Officials loyal to the families tried to block the request, arguing that resources should be allocated to quelling internal rebellions. Yuan Guo, shrewd and experienced, used his authority and reputation to pressure the most influential officials. In some cases, he resorted to discreet bribes; in others, to veiled threats. In the end, they secured the necessary approval.

As they prepared to depart, Luo Wen could not help but feel that each step brought them closer to the abyss. But he also felt a spark of hope. For the first time in years, he was doing more than just surviving. He was fighting.

The dawn of their departure was cold and gray. Yuan Guo and Luo Wen led a small detachment of soldiers, their faces serious and determined. The walls of the capital loomed behind them, imposing but growing more distant with each step.

From his horse, Luo Wen watched as the city faded into the horizon. He felt a mix of guilt and relief. Guilt for abandoning those who still believed in the Empire, and relief for escaping the suffocating atmosphere of the capital. But above all, he felt determination.

—This is not an escape—he murmured to himself, thinking about the future of the Empire—. It is the first step to rebuilding what the Empire has lost.

And with that conviction, Luo Wen and Yuan Guo rode toward the horizon, ready to face whatever was necessary to save what remained of their world.