Post by Sze Kamlong on Jul 26, 2006 1:05:48 GMT -5
Three months pass after Sze EnShan dies in his sleep. Officials tell the people that the benevolent emperor died of old age, a peaceful death fitting for a previous war-hero ruler who left his country in an era of peace. Gossipers on the street say that he was poisoned, that a maid saw a hand, adorned with a purple jade ring, dropping murky white liquid into his evening tea. No one knows.
Sze KamYing ascends to the throne, a figure well-recognized by the public. Even the low-level government workers know about his supposed talent in all fields of study. He's a fresh face, a poster face for a time of prosperity and happiness. EnShan had a second son, but little light is shown on that fact.
However, KamYing, young and aggressive, decides that the country has been inactive for too long already. The country under the tips of his fingers is strong and large, who was to say that it couldn't grow bigger yet? He is not alone in the sentiment. Old warmongers in the government are restless, and they shower the new Emperor with compliments, dropping hints here and there about where to start, what to do, about how utterly vulnerable that island nation to the north is.
Among them is Sze LiuChao, KamYing's uncle and a very persuasive man, with an eye on the throne rather than an eye on his nephew. He hides his face behind pearly smiles and his hands under long sleeves, along with the purple jade ring on the fourth finger of his right hand. In court, KamYing ignores the burning pain in his chest, and coughs neatly into his hand, clasping fingers into a fist and hiding the blood on his palm, while LiuChao watches him with slitted eyes. KamYing is young and though he has married, has fathered no sons.
Three months after taking the throne, KamYing declares a trade embargo. Though Japan is not completely helpless, the loss of its largest trade partner will have devastating effects on the future economy. With rumors of factions rising in preparation to take over the country, the Japanese government decides that they need to solve this current problem as soon as possible. They send a heavily guarded Koyada Akihito, their prince, to negotiate.
But they were misled. The rumors are now facts, and Akihito is ambushed on the coast, right before heading for his ship, and he is barely able to escape the massacre alone. He hides in the nearest boat he can reach, an old and plain-looking trade boat. It leaves the port before he can get off. The Japanese wait for a response, but no messenger comes. Furious, thinking that the enemy country has indeed made an act of aggression, they declare war.
KamYing, unaware of the circumstances of the Japanese prince, is not at all disappointed by the news. Disregarding the well-meaning advice of more peaceful advisors, Kamying sends a sizable force to the coast of China, preparing for the Japanese offense. He has his war.
Sze KamYing ascends to the throne, a figure well-recognized by the public. Even the low-level government workers know about his supposed talent in all fields of study. He's a fresh face, a poster face for a time of prosperity and happiness. EnShan had a second son, but little light is shown on that fact.
However, KamYing, young and aggressive, decides that the country has been inactive for too long already. The country under the tips of his fingers is strong and large, who was to say that it couldn't grow bigger yet? He is not alone in the sentiment. Old warmongers in the government are restless, and they shower the new Emperor with compliments, dropping hints here and there about where to start, what to do, about how utterly vulnerable that island nation to the north is.
Among them is Sze LiuChao, KamYing's uncle and a very persuasive man, with an eye on the throne rather than an eye on his nephew. He hides his face behind pearly smiles and his hands under long sleeves, along with the purple jade ring on the fourth finger of his right hand. In court, KamYing ignores the burning pain in his chest, and coughs neatly into his hand, clasping fingers into a fist and hiding the blood on his palm, while LiuChao watches him with slitted eyes. KamYing is young and though he has married, has fathered no sons.
Three months after taking the throne, KamYing declares a trade embargo. Though Japan is not completely helpless, the loss of its largest trade partner will have devastating effects on the future economy. With rumors of factions rising in preparation to take over the country, the Japanese government decides that they need to solve this current problem as soon as possible. They send a heavily guarded Koyada Akihito, their prince, to negotiate.
But they were misled. The rumors are now facts, and Akihito is ambushed on the coast, right before heading for his ship, and he is barely able to escape the massacre alone. He hides in the nearest boat he can reach, an old and plain-looking trade boat. It leaves the port before he can get off. The Japanese wait for a response, but no messenger comes. Furious, thinking that the enemy country has indeed made an act of aggression, they declare war.
KamYing, unaware of the circumstances of the Japanese prince, is not at all disappointed by the news. Disregarding the well-meaning advice of more peaceful advisors, Kamying sends a sizable force to the coast of China, preparing for the Japanese offense. He has his war.