News in the Empire is delivered in a variety of ways, from pamphleteers distributing their version to criers working for the various Ministries ensuring that the people know what they should. In addition, there are agents of the Chrysanthemum ensuring that the members of the Order are kept up to date with important recent events.
The shining light of the Empire of Chi'in, glorious beacon of divine radiance and exalted might, has succumbed to a tragic fate. People throughout the length and breadth of the Empire mourn their loss, and great kings and potentates from far afield send their deepest condolences. The Emperor had no surviving sons or daughters to inherit the Dragon Throne, and after a suitable period of mourning, the Order of the Chrysanthemum will ensure the smooth transition of power to the Emperor's successor.
In order to ensure the preservation of the Empire and the continuity of the Mandate of Heaven, all members of the Order of the Chrysanthemum are to return with all haste to the Imperial Capital, where the funeral of his Imperial Majesty will take place coinciding with the Night of Sevens, and which will be followed by an assembly of the Order to discuss matters of continuity and preservation of the Empire.
Alas, alas, that the Light of Heaven has dimmed and we are plunged into darkness.
Alas, alas, we who must wash the dust with our tears while the Dragon roars to Heaven.
Alas, alas, there is much to be done before our final farewells to the Perfect Son of the August Personage of Jade
The Brilliant Anticipator of Imperial Demise has received the blessing of priests and bureaucracy to suspend his mourning of the passing of the Son of Heaven for a year and a day that he may martial the sad servants of the Emperor with clear eyes and perfect clarity. The Great Emperor must be laid to rest amidst his ancestors with the ceremonies tested against the centuries.
All must be made ready for the great procession to the Tombs of the Shen Emperors. Priests by the hundreds must ward away every unrighteous spirit that seeks futile vengeance, bureaucrats by the thousands must catalogue the achievements of the great descendant of honoured Shen Sui and prepare the way for the tens of thousands. For there must be great games and great feasts, a pilgrimage from the provinces to the Imperial Capital, to witness that all is done in the most auspicious manner that pleases Heaven.
The High Speaker would like to assure the citizens of the Empire that they should not worry about the state of celestial affairs in the wake of the tragic passing of our Glorious Emperor or any other recent events. They should remain confident in the professionalism and capabilities of their own local priests to maintain a working, strong relationship with the Heavens while the Empire transitions into its next stage of being. Please continue to support local temples and monasteries with offerings and donations to help ease the process. [The page is marked with High Speaker Shen's personal seal]
The farmers' heads were bowed low, backs bent under the weight of empty baskets as they completed their meagre harvest. The soil of Wu has been particularly unforgiving this year, and while some wonder if the plants wilted from our most exalted Emperor's fading brilliance as he approached death, most are too busy consolidating what food there is. Already, the bandits steal food, the peasants accuse each other of unlawful borrowing, and everyone watches the food shortage approaching with slow, firm steps. With enough food for perhaps a couple of months, and Meng the Monstrous busy with other battles, the people of Wu wonder how many meals they have left.
Fragments of the two recent, relatively minor tidal disasters in some outer harbours of Wei are still washing up, along with those who have come to pray to the Harbour God, Buwei. Damao Shan is crowded with people lighting incense and praying fervently that there will be no third wave, but diviners insist that something is on its way, and experienced sailors remain uneasy. While Buwei remains silent, the prayers continue.
Members of the College of Exorcists have been overworked of late due to a clerical error which has led to the building being overrun by hostile ghosts and other such malevolent spirits. During the subsequent clean up period a number of junior exorcists perished as they where trying to contain the situation, thus adding to the problem, and workload, of their colleagues. Citizens of the Empire who are in need of an exorcism are being asked to be patient until the matter in hand has been dealt with.
Governor Two Blossoms of Gusu prefecture has vanished during an inspection of the Western Border. Regional officials suspect a kidnapping by one of the many outlaw groups active in the area.
Two Blossoms is a scion of the reputable Seung family and it is expected that a generous ransom will be available once someone is appointed to negotiate with his captors.
There has been a recent quiet on the Northern border, with few incursions occurring. Scouts report that the tribesmen of the Northern Steppes are gathering to commemorate the rise of their self-proclaimed leader, Jochi Khan. The tribes have sent riders into Chi'in, inviting the Emperor, the Dukes and the people to join in this 'celebration' and to bow before the great Khan. Of course no such thing shall occur, and a group of emissaries from the Order of the Black Lotus have been sent to teach these barbarians proper manners.
The annual tribute caravan from the Southern mining city of Siampan has been reported stolen, lost on the hazardous jungle road to the market city of Kalarat. The caravan, carrying a fortune in jewels and precious metals, was apparently set upon by brigands and the treasure stolen before the guards could organize a response. Survivors also claim that the bandits were assisted by a fearsome two-headed tiger that killed several men who tried to pursue the villains into the jungle.
Imperial Treasurer Lei Mei has decreed that the Mercantile Guild will pay a reward worth 10% of the tribute to anyone recovering the Empire's stolen property.
Those oafish and clumsy foreigners insist on causing numerous affronts to the memory of his Imperial Majesty. Not only have they docked one of their improbably-sized ships at the Ministry Docks of Xiang Geung (claiming that no other berth is deep enough to support their hulls), they have also destroyed one of the Imperial Fleet's greatest vessels. The Golden Heron, pride of the Imperial Navy, was brutally splintered in a collision with one of their vessels. Clearly, the size of their titanic vessels renders them far too cumbersome to control properly, and we should prohibit them from entering our ports lest they damage more vessels from the Imperial Navy with their ham-handed maneuvering. The brutish westerners are incapable of behaving in a civilized way and need to be banished from our shores.
The Eastern Mercantile guild who had previously been reporting improved progress in their eastern expansion have recently observed a marked upswing in the number of spirit related accidents among their workers. Things reached crisis point with the recent disappearance of a merchant galley from within site of Port Hifume. Since then the port has been in complete lock-down and a substantial reward has been offered to anyone well versed in the ways of spirits, who can divine the cause and rectify this recent upswing in spirit activity.
From the lost cities and deepest jungles of the Unexplored South comes a show greater than any that ten generations of your honoured ancestors has witnessed! If you live ten thousand summers you will not see its like again. If you die without seeing it your descendants will shake their heads at the foolishness of their forefathers and mothers.
The best tumblers, acrobats and magicians from lands burned by the sun and doused with cooling rains. Witness the astounding sight of a mute dragon with legs, a serpent with fangs as long as a man is tall, or twelve tigers black as coal. Observe the strange dances of the Tribe of Tailless Monkies, which will move you in ways you cannot describe. Marvel at the sword dancers of Siampan whose blades are sharpened ivory and clothes are spun gold. Spectacles beyond compare await you at the Palace of Ten Thousand Pleasures.
The lesser shows and menageries of Xiang Geung burn with jealousy, unable to compare with the wonders of the The Ten Thousand Pleasures. Perhaps it is they who have taken the Jewel of the Palace, a performer without peer, one who can find the truth in dreams, the Walker in the Mind's Dark. Any information about her whereabouts will be well-rewarded - our generosity is as extravagant as our sensational acts.
And remember, the Palace of Ten Thousand Pleasures continues to offer gems and gold for prodigious beasts and other marvels of this world under Heaven.