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The Eastern Dragon RIses...
Topic Started: Mar 26 2013, 11:50 PM (273 Views)
NRE
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Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman

Gyeonggi Province, Korean Peninsula....

A Western wind crept over the open field, his salt and peppered hair flowing like gently rippled water over a pound. He retrieved a dirt-stained handkerchief from his back pocket and dotted it across his slightly-wrinkled forehead. The wind was cool, winter was coming and he worried he would not get through with the harvest in time. Looking across the field the hired hands were working diligently, earning the petty pay he was offering them plus the small part of the crop he'd promised their families. Stuffing his handkerchief back into his back pocket, he grabbed his tool from the ground and went back to work.

Life was tough for him and his family but that was not a story unique and to themselves. The Dominion Wars had cost the people of the region dearly, so did the Imperial Wars that followed. Sometimes he was surprised he could plow his shovel into the ground and not see blood pour up to the surface. The elderly in his village swore they could still smell the snitch of death in the area, he didn't really smell anything...not anymore. The wars were over now though, or at least the armies were all but dispersed. He knew that for a fact though he did not speak on it openly. Peace, like a late-night mistress, was now in their beds and they were enjoying every minute of her company. He stopped again and wiped his brow.

Putting his handkerchief away he heard the footsteps behind him. They were soft, barely making much noise what so ever but nevertheless they were there. He did nothing, smirking a bit as he grabbed his shovel and went back to work. Closer the footsteps got and before long the small silhouette of a shadowy figure could be made out of the corner of his eye, on the ground beside him. Without warning and with near-perfect precision and grace, he spun around. His shovel in hand he brought down to bare against a small 7, maybe 8 year old boy. The very tip coming within a mere itch of the boys nose, his young eyes crossed as he fixated on it.

"I thought I told you there was work in the house to be done for your mother" the man said.

"I did it father" the boy said, "Momma told me to retrieve you, its near time for dinner."

The man lower his shovel and looked at the sky, the sun was indeed begin to set. The time had quickly passed and he called out to his hands, telling them to go home for the day. Patting the young boy on the head he walked with him back to the house. "I have told you many times not to sneak up on me" he said. "I know, but you are so quick...I want to learn to do that father, please will you teach me" to boy asked, with enthusiasm in his voice. "Perhaps, one day, when I think you are ready." he said with a gentle smile. "Father" the boy said, his voice low now, "what was it like in the war?"

The man stopped and the boys face grew white. Kneeling down to the boys level he grabbed him gentle by each arm, holding him in front him with the two now face to face. "I have told you many times never to ask me such things. War and the stories there of are no business of a child's and you do best to simply not think of such things. The wars are over, the time for peace and farming is now." The boy simply nodded his head and the two continue on their walk back towards the house. Approaching the house the man noticed two military jeeps near the house and then saw the men near the door. His wife was in the doorway, her gentle gaze beyond them to her husband gave him away as the men themselves turned to greet him.


"Can I help you?" the man said, shovel firm in hand

The men were dressed in military uniforms, of something equivalent to, the tunic a rich green and the pants a dark black. The boy took quick notice of the fact that each man, four in total, war a single black glove on his right hand, traditional Chinese writing on the back side of the hand though he could not make out what it said.

"We sure hope said" said one of the men. "We're looking for someone and were told we could find him here. His name is Cao, Cao of the House Lu."

Cao's eyes quickly deceived him as his eyes widened a bit at the sound of his name. "An what manner of business do you have with him?" he asked, his grip growing tighter around the handle of the shovel.

"We simply wish to take him with us, ask him some questions" said the man, "nothing more." Though the man spoke plainly enough their actions suggested more. By the time he'd gotten the sentence out, his three other associated were already begin to encircle Cao.

"I'm sorry" said Cao, "but you have the wrong residence.

"I am sorry to" said the man.

At that point Cao pushed his son aside, the boy landing away from his father as the men went for him. Scared he ran towards the porch to his mother, turning to watch. Cao was quick, much as he'd shown in the field, and took two of the men down without an effort. The third man and the leader were much more diligent that the first two. Though Cao pushed off the third, the four and leader with one punch to the shovel's handle broke it in two. He then quickly kicked Cao to the ground, the other three subduing him and bounding him in chains.

"Cao of the House Lu" said the man, dusting himself off. "You are hereby under arrest for treason against your people. The charges are willful fighting under the banner of a Imperial Warlord against his majesty Yu. You are to be taken into custody by us, the Yǐng shǒu (Shadow Hand), an transported the Beijing at once." With that, two of the men picked up up and practically threw him into one of the jeeps. By this time his young sun, tears in his eyes, got the courage to run for his father. The leader, seeing this out of the corner of his eye, spun low with his leg extended and tripped the boy. He landed hard, face first, into the dirt path and his mother carefully came to him to pick him up. "Take him inside" the man said, the sound of his leather fist tighten enough to frighten the woman into submission.

The man then looked around, no one was out and the darkness was falling on the region. He turned to two of the men as they gather near him. "Kill them and burn the home, there is nothing to be left here" he said before entering the passenger seat and with the four associate, driving off. Making their way down the winding dirt path the glow of the fire soon became apparent, like a small beacon, behind them as they drove off into the darkness.
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NRE
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Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman

Beijing, Eastern Empire

It had been several weeks since the roundups began throughout the Eastern Empire. The Yǐng shǒu had been busy hunting down and detaining several men and even some women, who'd aided Yu's enemies during the Imperial Wars. What started out as a few disappearances here in there from villages all across the Empire soon became more and more noticeable. For the Yǐng shǒu, their work was as thorough as it was swiftly executed. Their investigations took there to all corners of the Empire as the enemies of Yu had scattered to the four wins once fighting during the Imperial Wars had finally stopped. Many hand changed their names and some even their appearances in hopes of hiding from what they knew would be an execution squad. Many had families, wives, husbands, sons, and daughters; their lives were now in danger and hiding was the only options as many lacked the resources to leave the country. With more and more people beginning to notice the disappearances, Yu gave the Yǐng shǒu permission to speak with local populations. The people were told that they were hunting down traitors of the Empire, men and women that had help to prolong the civil war and kept Yu from restoring order and peace.

At first the people were, on the whole, suspicious of the Yǐng shǒu and the motivations of Yu. After all the civil war had put the people of the Eastern Empire through a hell few have ever survived before. It conditioned the people to be suspicious, to question the supposed authority and not to trust anyone or anything anyone said. For a week or more the people stayed quiet and kept to themselves, much as they did during the wars because that's how they survived. However, Yu was as brilliant a politician as he was a military tactician, knowing how to move a crowd just as well as he could move men into battle. Yu needed to restore the trust of the people in the Empire and to do so, Yu began a strong effort in reaching out and getting much needed aid to some of the most remote areas of the Empire. The relief was for many, a lifeline they believed would never come. It loosened the grip of fear for many and before long the Yǐng shǒu found individuals eager to deal in information for more food, cleaner clothes, or much needed medicine. Neighbors began reporting neighbors, friends betrayed friends, it was a world where every man was now out for himself and Yu's Yǐng shǒu took it all. Before long some of the most difficult traitors to locate before were being captured, processed, and placed in detainment with the others.

Within the walls of the Forbidden Palace, Yu lived in a world that was far apart from the more spartan life of his subjects. The palace had never been stacked during the war and much of its vast supplies remained intact, save for what Yu had used and dispersed amongst the people so far. Daily he enjoyed the great creature comforts of fresh running water, electricity, and even satellite television. He lived the life of luxury that so many sovereigns before him had enjoyed and now, after years of fighting he was now ready to enjoy this new lifestyle with open arms. He sat very relaxed in the steamy waters of his bathing pool, the waters were filled with various incenses and soaps, on top of the water floated several lotus flowers. Sitting there, his mind at ease and his thoughts to a more simpler time, the prince did not hear the entrance of his most trusted adviser, General Chan-ho. Bowing before the young man as he sat there enjoy his bath, he cleared his throat to alert Yu of his presence. Under disturbed Yu simply opened his eyes and smirked a bit at the aged General. "Chan-ho, to what do I owe this intrusion?"

"Preparations are almost complete" the old man said, "an I have also had all of your top military officers gathered in the city upon your request. Though they were eager to get home and see their families after the fighting they answered your call swiftly and now await your audience."

"Good" said Yu, snapping his fingers as he began to rise out of the water. Eunuchs that had been awaiting the prince's call from the wings of the room soon appear from behind various drapery. Entering the pool they began to scrub Yu's wet body, cleansing him and covering him in sweet smelling lotions. The process took several minutes before Yu finally completely emerged out of the pool and took a robe. "It is time that I cement myself as the new ruler of the Eastern Empire. A time of change and rebirth is upon the people and I must not delay."

"I could not agree more" said Chan-ho.

"Gather the men in the Qianqing Palace" Yu said as he began walking out of the room, his Eunuchs in tow. "I shall take audience with them there and discuss with them their future roles in my new Empire. It is time to set everything in motion my old friend, to see that everything we worked for in the time of civil unrest is brought to fruition."

"Of course" said Chan-ho, "I will see to everything at once....."
Edited by NRE, Sep 12 2013, 09:25 PM.
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Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman

Qianqing Palace, Beijing....

The rays of the sun's first light streched across the landscape, like a furious beast descending and devouring everything in its path. The great world's capital, Beijing, seemed to glow in the first of morning's light. Like a candle just lit, its luminous glow seemed to defeat the darkness that had taken hold of the city the night before and it drove it out so that it only remained in the most remote corners. Many people were not quite up yet, the shows of the market would not be opening for another hour or more and the civil war had driven many into unemployment.It was at this early hour that the trucks began coming into the city. One by one, transports carrying some of Yu's most finest military commanders that had helped him win the war were now being escorted into the city. These vehicles made their way through the mostly emptied streets until finally making it to the gates of the Forbidden City. Once entering the great palace they were soon shown their way to the Qianqing Palace or Palace of Heavenly Purity. No one knew exactly why they were being called back to the capital as they had been told they were released from military service so they could return to their towns and homes to help rebuild. Though no many would refuse Yu if he was interested in making more war, most were weary of the prospect.

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The men gathered in the Qianqing Palace and waited for several hours. Most pasted the time speaking amongst themselves, for many it had been several weeks since last they'd seen one another. Having spent years on the battlefield together, having faced death so many times before, these men had a bond few else in the world could understand. Eunuchs emerged and served the men drinks and small sandwiches from platters of gold. This occupied the men's attention briefly but they soon began to grow bored and weary of the wait. At last General Chan-ho entered the room and asked the men to be seated. "Most honorary guests, it is a great pleasure to see you all present. Today is a most grand of occasions and while you have been made to wait since your arrival, I assure you that you shall be paid in full for this small inconvenience." The General moved away from the doorway and to the center of the room. "It is with great honor and pleasure that I announce you, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the Great Conn Dynasty, Son of Heaven, Lord of Ten Thousand Years." From out of the doorway came the robes Shoaist Priests, followed by several Eunuchs and then finally by Yu himself. Adorned in imperial garb, his goatee finely trimmed and his long hair put up, his robes flowed behind him as he walked across the room and then ascended the throne. Everyone bowed as he passed them, no one saying a word or moving until at last Yu spoke, "you may be seated."

"Our esteemed and honorary guests, welcome. We honor you this day as you are the first to witness ourself as Emperor. The Shoaist priests have performed the necessary rites and rituals and we have succeeded our father as it was always ordained. With the war now over, the time of the Eastern Empire's reemergence is upon us. We fought a long and difficult war to finally have peace but the people cannot eat peace, they cannot cover themselves with it for warmed and it cannot shelter them from the rain. The people need progress, they need industry, they need a way forward. We have every intention of bringing this to the people but to do so we must first ensure the rule of law, ensure that the land remains stable for the coming changes. To this end, we shall institute a Grand Council to assist us in the administration of the Empire. The Empire is divided into 38 provinces that span not only the mainland Empire but also Taiwan and the Fijian isles. These provinces are in need of direct leadership and that is why we called you here. We shall be appointing each of you to Govern these provinces in our name and, from time to time, to here to Beijing and sit in council so that we may here of our people's concerns."

The men were surprised by this news, never had any of them ever dream that they would be offer such prestigious positions within the court. Though nothing was said, it was clear to everyone that there was no man present that wanted to refuse such a generous offer from Yu. Yu was personally pleased by this, after all he trust many of these men with his life and after so much betrayal during the civil unrest, he needed the security that came with a close inner circle. "There will also be those among you for whom we shall bring into our imperial court. You shall be given ministries and positions with which to enact my will and bring the Empire back from the ashes it currently sits in. The Eastern Empire at its height was built upon the principles of honor and the loyalty of a man to his master. We shall build the new Empire by taking inspiration from the old. Your houses shall experience more wealth and more honor than any family ever before. The Empire shall be feared again and once more we shall dictate to Asia the course forward. Our enemies shall never rest and for this reason we must never rest also."

"However, today is not a day to speak of strategy and tactics" Yu said as me motioned over to another doorway. "Today is a day of celebration and in honor of your commitment to the Empire, we have prepared a feast. The time to eat and drink our fill is now and tomorrow, tomorrow we shall begin anew the Empire."
Edited by NRE, Sep 13 2013, 02:46 PM.
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Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman

The great feast that followed lasted for several hours and well into the night. It wasn't until dawn of the next day that the men invited to the Qianqing Palace left Beijing to return home and prepare their property to be moved. Now governors of the provinces, many of them were now going to move a vast distance across the great Empire to their new places of residence. In the weeks that followed, orders from the Emperor came from Beijing and the Governors followed them without question. For too long the Empire had been left to decay as those who attempted to seize power for themselves key the rightful heir, Yu, from fulfilling his duties and repairing the damages done during the Dominion Wars. So much was destroyed during the Dominion Wars and then the civil war, there was so little left. Yu understood that if the Empire was to return, communication would be key. After all, communication to the people would lead to motivation and getting the people motivated, eager to rebuild would be what would resurrect the Empire.

In the days before the Dominion, the Empire had its own state-own news station. Messages approved by the Sovereign were sent out daily and would reached everyone whether through their personal television sets, public monitors, or the radios. Much of that infrastructure was gone and what remained was in great disrepair. Radio was the only viable option, though this also meant that trucks with loudspeakers and receiver equipment would have to be stationed in the more remote parts of the Empire. To set it all up and in motion took several days but as organized as any fine military in the world, Yu's emerging government did as they were instructed and soon the nation was prepared to hear from their Great Emperor for the first time. Radios on and loudspeakers ready to broadcast, the Son of Heaven took to the microphone to deliver his first public address as the Emperor of the Empire.

"People of the Eastern Empire I, Chan-ho, First Minister of the Eastern Empire formally introduce to you His Majesty the Emperor." Chan-ho's voice, elderly and wise, came across the radio airwaves with great clarity. Yu's voice, more youthful, had a stern quality about it that was greatly reminiscent of the many Conn Sovereigns that had came before him. It was a familiar tone that many of the people could relate to and helped to catch their attention right away. "People of the Eastern Empire, We address you today to speak on the future of the Chinese people and the Empire. The civil unrest that has plagued our people for years is finally at an end. The perpetrators of these most vile crimes have been defeated and captured. They will be punished according to our laws and traditions, such that have kept the Empire intact for generations. However, the toll of war has been heavy and it has now escaped us, the suffering of the people. The Eastern Empire is an ancient power, it has survived countless wars, invasions, and civil unrest before. We outlasted our greatest Enemies such as the Velloryan Empire and have continued to serve as a beacon of power and honor in Asia."

"Now as we look out upon this great Empire, we recognize that it and its people are now on the eve of a new dawn. If we were to ask nothing of you then surely the Eastern Empire would fade into history just as our countless enemies have done before. However, it is by the will of the gracious Jade Emperor Shao Conn that this shall not be so. An it is We, his son, that shall give us the vision and the direction to move you, the people, forward. We shall oversee a great reform of the Eastern Empire, reforms that shall be dedicated to bringing stability and security back to the Empire. We shall organize the reignition of the industrial complex, putting you the people back into the workforce and fueling the reconstruction of the Empire itself. This shall not be a simply task but it has been tradition that when asked to do the impossible that the Chinese people of the Eastern Empire do the impossible. We have the honor to guide us and the tradition to key us on the path. The Empire shall rise again and it shall once again fuel the fear in our enemies hearts. The time of suffering is drawing to a close and the time of great prosperity is once again upon us."

The radio message ended with a return of Chan-ho's voice. He instructed the people to begin checking in with their local administrative center. The Governors were instructed to begin appointing officials to the lower levels of administration and those offices were oversee putting the people back into the workforce. If they were factory workers before the wars, then they would work in the factories again. The uneducated would be trained on the job if necessary, everyone would be given a task. Naturally, the Empire's caste system would not be neglected and many people would take jobs based on their social status but nevertheless, no one would be without some job to do.
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