“Whole thing was a proper treat, you know. You wouldn't see something like that anywhere else in the world. Truly we are blessed to live in the greatest City under Heaven.”
”…watching that trader fellow? Ren On, that's right. Anyhow I wouldn't try and swindle him on a deal. One swing of his magic swords and you'd be dead meat, my friend.”
“Heard the Ankytherines were going to put on a display but cancelled when they realised their fancy machines couldn't compare to the worst martial artist in Chi'in. I know for a fact their entrant to the tournament got the stuffing kicked out of him by some miner's daughter from Wu.”
”…masked guy had a spectacular fight with Shen Jiang and then it turned out he was actually the Emperor all along! They ought to get Shen Sun Qian fighting next time, because it looks like the whole Imperial family is hard as nails.”
“Did you see the match between Zhong Yi and Li Dao Quan? Just amazing, I've never seen fighting like that before. I was half sure that the audience was going to get killed before either of them threw in the towel. Still couldn't look away though.”
“Wong Xiao Xia was this close to making it two tournaments in a row. You know the Emperor's in safe hands with her around. Still you've gotta give it up to Li Dao Quan, guy's the whole package when it comes to fighting. Good going for an office clerk!”
Top 5 Final Rankings as agreed by the Honoured Judges Shen Ye Zi and Shen Jiang
A proclamation posted just weeks into the year
By Order of the Light of Heaven, Sun Ye Zi, the army of Shu is to muster immediately to the defence of the Empire from the Northern Horde. Failure to do your duty to the Empire is treason, and all treasonous officers will be Righteously Executed.
A proclamation posted a month later
As the Army of Shu has failed to respond to the Dire Need of the Empire, so the Emperor's own Terracotta Army has been dispatched to execute the cowardly and treasonous officers that defy his Lawful Instructions and to escort the brave soldiers of Shu to join their Brothers upon the Front Lines.
Rumours from Shu
”…just marched right in and surrounded the local fort. When the commander wouldn't surrender they cut down every man inside….”
“They're headed straight for Twelve Moon Castle. I hear they're going to be bringing the Duchess' head back to the Emperor.”
”…sliced the heart right out of the Army of the Vermilion Bird. Killed General Gung and all his command staff right before the walls of the castle and then headed off West. I don't know why they didn't march in and finish the job, maybe they knew the Duchess wasn't at home…”
“Damn things slaughtered a third of our army and then disappeared! I was going to find them so I could join the war in Wu, but I'm damned if I'll support that bastard Emperor of theirs now.”
The peasants of Wu are now in a state of what some would call rebellion. They are refusing access of their land to the Imperial Armies, sending away tax collectors and ignoring the words of the Capital. The provincial government is attempting to quash this unruliness, but it seems in part to be due to rousing speeches by the Phoenix, and of course of the recent military activity in Wu, where it is said that many of the people are siding with the Khan against the cruel and tyrannical Imperial Army. On the whole, Wu remains neutral.
Dear Shen Yi Zi,
We have not yet met, for which I can only count myself lucky given the massive tyrannical sadistic streak you obviously possess. By what right did you march your army of terracotta through my Duchy, slaughtering my populace in the most brutal of manners? I will not support such a man to be emperor and I fear Sol Cai erred greatly in choosing you in my absence. I will have restitution for your heinous actions and whilst you sit upon the throne consider Shu to be a sovereign nation beholden to no one but itself.
Yours Wang Feifei
Queen of Shu
The recent efforts made by Head Magistrate Xan Yi in Wei to reduce Triad activity has definitely yielded some positive effects. The Red and Green Triads are a fraction of what they used to be. However, rumours of White taking advantage of the chaos to expand may be more than rumours - areas and people that used to be clad in red and green are now very distinctly white. And some are even one of several shades of purple; though people disagree on exactly what that shade of purple is supposed to be. Are there new crime lords in town?
News from the prefectures closest to the southern jungles tell of a new religion spreading among the people: The Cult of Ravana reject the celestial bureaucracy in favor of a belief spread by mercenaries from the southern city-states. The Cult leaves behind violence and anarchy wherever it spreads. Below is an excerpt from a speech given by a drunk mercenary who was removed by the Ministry of Culture.
Fickle Gods have laid waste to fields. People go hungry due to the whims of petty bureaucrats. Disasters ravage the land because the fat nobles in the Capital cannot agree on who is to sit on their chair. Reject these false teachings. Take charge of your own destiny. You do not need to pay tribute to gods who will turn on you and nobles who grow fat off your back. Take what you deserve. Kill those who stand in your way. True happiness is not reached by paying taxes, or slaving away for prefects and spirits who turn on you when it suits their fancy. Accept the teachings of Ravana and learn to master your fate. Behold, even now, servants of the established order that prevent you from realising your full potential have come to sil…
Kids all across Chi'in can be heard begging their parents for the latest, greatest clockwork mouse, spider, bird (with actual flying capability!), and so on, imported straight from the Ankytherine republic. But sometimes the parents are too busy to listen, buying clockwork-inspired brooches and hairpins, or the latest style of robe, a fusion of Ankytherine and Chi'in. Lesser merchants are trying to capitalise on the trend, but Yu Min is well ahead of the game, and rumour has it her wares are the best on the market.
The imperial city has recently undergone extensive restructuring work under the direction of Tan Qia and Zhushen Yu. The city now appears to be fully repaired although with a very strange road layout.
New Moon meanwhile has embarked on a project to build public gardens throughout the city a move which has been warmly welcomed by the cities populace.
Of course Li Pao was up to something surrounding the city which is now a series of trenches and earthworks. It has some defence application it can only be assumed.
Lam Chu Win and Tan Qia have set up medical academies in all three provinces of Chi'in . These academies have greatly improved the welfare of the local people, as well as increasing the spread of other forms of knowledge.
Common folk from all over the empire are singing the praises of the positive effect the academies have had on their lives.
Rumour has it that this project was funded by none other than Zhong Yi but given his reputation many doubt this fact.
Throughout the year refugees arrive in the Imperial Capital from the Province of Wu. At first it is the rich and prosperous, but by the end of the year peasants carrying everything they own on their backs are clogging the streets.
“Oof! Look where you're going you city bastard! I've spent the last year marching from Northern Wu. Every step of the way ahead of the Army, with the Khan and his whole horde at my back. Think you'll be so big and proud when the howling horsemen surround your city? It's big but the Khan's horde is bigger! Then you'll be hoping that Lan Hou looks after you, envying the poor people of Wu.”
Reports of battles and skirmishes in the north are constant. The Imperial Army under the command of Generals Zhushen Yu and Gui Huaidan, and reinforced by Wa Kheng's Keepers in White, is fighting constantly but there is no critical decisive battle. Instead the army retreats steadily south through Wu implementing a scorched earth policy to deny the invaders food and forage.
In the name of the Dragon Throne and by the authority of the Generals of the Army of the Black Tortoise this village is to be evacuated. Take what you can carry and move south. There is safety behind the strong shield and sword arms of the Imperial Army. March south lest you be taken by the horsemen. All food and forage that cannot be moved is to be destroyed, to deny it to unrighteous thieves who defy the authority of the Son of Heaven.
Rumours constantly swirl amongst the peasants that the Khan's forces are actually less destructive.
“I've heard that if you can resist the Army and wait for the horsemen you're actually better off. They take the food too, but they leave your homes alone and take no more than they need that day, or maybe a few days more. I'm not risking it. Better the devil you know!”
Towards the end of the year the Khan's riders begin distributing crudely printed pamphlets across Wu. On one side is printed:
The Great Khan is chosen of the Horse God and by invitation of the last true Son of Heaven comes to protect the Empire of Chi'in.
The Great Khan marches with the authority of the Son of Heaven against the traitors and villains who oppose him.
The Great Khan has made known to courtiers and generals alike the truth of his claims, and they deny it not. Look to those who claim to be your betters and demand they reveal the truth.
The Great Khan is forgiving but his sword is a blade of justice. Those who acknowledge the righteousness of his claim will be raised, but traitors and assassins will be cast down.
On the other side is printed:
Most Powerful of Khans,
It is with heavy heart that I write you this missive, and I pray to the gods it reaches you in time. I had hoped to avoid an all-out war between our nations, but it seems I have been betrayed. There are elements within the Order of the Black Lotus and the Imperial Army who fear the might of your army and have decided to mount an assault on your great nation.
I hope that this warning proves sufficient, and gives you a chance to escape those treasonous blades.
I fear my hold on the Empire is slipping. Every day, I look to the North, and read the reports from my agents detailing all you have accomplished. Perhaps, if you are still living when your great host assembles, you would join me in cleansing the Empire of your enemies and mine. I have no heirs on my own, and my own Dukes and Household are turning on me. The Empire needs a strong leader such as you.
Emperor Shen Lei
Preachers of a sort are beginning to appear all over the Empire, preaching the rejection of the Celestial Bureaucracy and the authority of Heaven. Each has a slightly different set of arguments and ideas about how and what should replace the rule of the August Personage of Jade, but the popularity of their ideas is growing.
By what right does the Jade Emperor rule? We are told that he is the most enlightened being in the three kingdoms of Heaven, Earth and Hell. But what evidence do we see? The Jade Emperor has sent plagues and famines, has watched as son wars with mother and sister turns on brother. Is this enlightened? Is this what we should emulate?
No! Reject the Jade Emperor as he has rejected us. Cease offerings to the gods that do nothing for us. Why should we burn joss or make sacrifices for lazy godlings and malicious spirits. Instead I say to you rely on your ancestors. Rely on familial ties and not on the workings of a Celestial Bureaucracy that values us less than the neat completion of a report.
If the opportunity arises strike against Heaven! Show your wrath and be not afraid. We are strong, our ancestors are strong.
The Duchess of Wei didn’t quite have the wedding she was expecting to our new and glorious Emperor, instead she was arrested during the ceremony. The Chief Magistrate burst in, citing all sorts of crimes she had supposedly facilitated through the Triads in Wei. Rather than being executed for her dishonour she was removed to a prison to await trial and from there promptly escaped, spreading rumour that she fled due to an attempt on her life. It is thought she is currently in hiding in Wei province where she still holds much influence and power.
The Duchess’ newly appointed Regent would like to reassure Chi’in that although the Duchess may have wavered in her path, Wei stands resolutely with the Emperor in his struggle against the Great Khan. The Duchess has also been placed under voluntary house arrest until the situation has been fully resolved. Those who attempted to take her life will be found and duly executed.
Many consider the actions of the Emperor in regards to his potential bride to be shameful and points towards him being unsuitable for the throne.
He clearly trusted the woman, says an anonymous guest to the wedding, Yet he allows her to be arrested on hearsay
Can a man who acts in such a manner be trusted to rule over Chi’in?
Others however have spoken praise of Shen Ye Zi's moral character. The marriage to Duchess Cao Lu would undoubtedly have solidified his rule, but how could the Empire have prospered if its stability were built on an unrighteous union?
The typhoons that have been hitting the Empire have been a lot less destructive than had previously been expected. Thanks to the hard work and prayers of the Imperial Priesthood, only small, mostly uninhabited areas were hit this year.
Captains in the Eastern sea report that the waters there are still dangerously choppy and there may be more storms still to come.
It seems that the Empire is suffering from a considerable lack of money, the armies and provinces being backed up by the personal fortunes of various individuals such as the Duchess of Wei, Wa Kheng and even loans from the Ankytherine Republic. There is a much greater use of credit, however they are now beginning to become devalued. Many are threatening to refuse to work without adequate pay. Without money the bureaucracy will grind to a halt and the Army will go unpaid.
The Imperial Treasury has been paying for much of its expenditure with paper promises and few remember the last time they saw actual silver. Merchants are beginning to refuse to receive payment in promises. The Empire's finances are in crisis.
The plague of hopping vampires has been rectified this year. The overrun villages have been cleared out and peace restored due to the heroic efforts of Lai Kian-Zhi of the College of Exorcists.
News that Hell may have opened its gates again has been greeted with glee, and it is hoped that supernatural problems will lessen in the coming year.
There is rumour of Meng's death, apparently killed in his sleep by an assassin's blade. His remaining forces have scattered. He leaves behind his terrible legacy, and his ruined, overrun province. Let this be a message to all those who would oppose the rightful Emperor.