Turn 2 News - Year of the Ox

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 Ministry of Culture is ruthless in ensuring that only words respectful of the Emperor's farewell to his people are said. The Imperial Bureaucracy lends its efforts with more success in distributing sweet tidings.

Is it an ill-omen? You can't believe every rumour you hear and the rest of the Funeral was so flawlessly organised. The coffin must have been struck by an errant firework, the rest is just exaggeration. And the elephants were startled by the display. It was such a fine display. I wonder if that fool Hon Ji had something to do with it, perhaps he has more skill at crime than Heaven pleasing bureaucracy. Thank the Jade Emperor, Xan Yi managed to rid of that incompetent fool before he could ruin everything. I hear he had only seven pages of plans!

But what I saw was the finest of organisation. The whole Capital turned out for it. Remarkable how Tan Qia managed it.

… said to be the greatest fireworks display this generation. How I wish I'd been there! And elephants, I've never seen an elephant and yet they pulled the carriage in which lay the Son of Heaven. But I will remember the feast we had here. It may have been a simple spread, but it has been so long since we could eat our fill. How we praised the Son of Heaven for his final gift. My great-granddaughters will marvel at how such simple folk found such beautiful words.

Of course, the new granary, the Emperor's Bountiful Memory in Stone means our descendants will honour the emperor as much as we. That Shen Sun Qian, he has imperial blood, and I've never seen the local magistrates give planning permission so quickly once they knew he'd taken an interest.

Flaming elephants? Juggling burning bodies? Say that again and I'll show you how to respect the dead. Lies and I don't doubt spread by those northern horse lovers. No, Heaven loves its son too much to allow such a thing.

I know it's in fashion, they say it's southern style but it's a little, eh, well there's not too much of it, is there? And the bows, really? I know Tan Qia wore its like, and at her age, but… Yes, I know it's all the rage. Perhaps a slightly whiter shade of pink, we are in mourning after all.

Papers distributed around the Empire

The Empire of Chi'in has won a great victory over the barbarian rabble. Imperial forces being lead by the great warriors and generals of the Empire, including much renowned Zhushen Yu, masterful Li Pao and brilliant Gui Huaidan of the Chrysanthemum order, have beaten back the Khan's army, sending them fleeing back to their barren plains. Reports state that for every soldier lost, a dozen horsemen fell. The wall stands, unbreakable as the enemies of the Empire scatter before our might. Now is a time for celebration, for we are truly blessed to be protected by such heroes.

In celebration of the life of our beloved Emperor and the thousand glories of his reign, the greatest warriors of Chi'in have competed in the Tournament of Champions to amaze the people and demonstrate the fine martial traditions that ensure the indomitable spirit of the Imperial Soldier.

Organised by the noble Chen Wen-Bo the Tourney traversed the Empire, with competitors from every province being granted an opportunity to demonstrate their prowess before a cheering crowd and a judging panel of military heroes.

The Grand Finale was of course held in the Imperial Capital. There the delighted crowds were witness to a fantastic display of skill from the heroes of the realm. Legendary Exorcist and Ambassador to Hell Xue Feng Yi clashed with the Captain of Artillery, Black-Handed Li Pao, the epic battle ending in a narrow victory by decision for the dashing soldier.

The Final round offered a surprise for the all, as Wong Xiao-Xia won a swift but explosive bout with Li Pao. Despite her victory the Observant Attendant seemed barely able to stagger out of the arena whilst her opponent rose to demonstrate the resilience and grace typical of an officer of the Dragon Host

Though the Palace of Ten Thousand Pleasures is a sight most will only see in their finest dreams, rumour has it they hope to improve their performances with a new addition - the rumoured Giant Panda of Shu. Do you dare to wonder at how the subtle artistry of these Southern performers could be improved by such a beast? Several people have gone to Shu in the hopes of finding out - and in getting the reward that comes with finding the Panda. The Palace's head chef is waiting in anticipation for anyone who can find the rumoured beast.

A proclamation carried by merchants hailing from Siampan.

To all great and powerful nobles of Glorious Eternal Chi'in!

The gods have been kind to the City of Gold and Ivory, prosperous Siampan. We invite you to come and partake of our wealth, eat your fill and drink the finest wines in the world. Siampan's doors are open wide to all the people of Chi'in that they too may be as blessed as we. The Mountain City's granaries overflow and its coffers are bursting with gold and we invite you to share our wealth. This year shall be remembered as the greatest in the history of Siampan, when we extended our hands to our brethren of Chi'in in their time of need.

Official Report

Due to the heroic efforts of Tribune Lan Hou and Zhushen Yu the bandits that were plaguing Wu province have been truly crushed, and due to the aid of many charitable individuals, including Yu Min and the Duchess of Shu, and of course the benevolence of the Duke of Wu, the famine has been averted. The people of Wu may rest easy, as each day they become far safer and far more prosperous.

General mutterings amongst the people

“I heard that the Duchess of Wei would have had Wu starve, she didn't see fit to give them a single grain of rice, how heartless.”

Shortly after the last Night of Sevens, the following is distributed to the provinces by agents of the Keepers in White.

'We regret the unfortunate incident regarding the most recent Southern Caravan. Whilst, due to an unfortunate oversight in administration, the goods were not in our hands, we still take full responsibility for the problem and, rest assured, will be pursuing every avenue in order to return the goods. In the mean time, normal trade will resume with increased security and we hope you continue to use our services in the future'

Several months later, leaflets circulated in the South advertise the latest triumph by the mercenary company the Keepers in White. Rumours spread that the report may not be entirely accurate are surely the jealous whispers of envious rival mercenaries.

With the bandits dispatched, killed to the last man with not a drop of the blood of the unstoppable Keepers in White shed, it was time to hunt for their accomplices. For the treasure was not yet recovered but the thieves had fled into the jungle. But the Keepers in White are no less skilled trackers than warriors and the thieves could not elude their pursuit.

At the river they turned at bay and were revealed as pirates for from the fog that lay upon the water came the crash of cannon fire and from the deepest jungle a foul tiger spirit bound by forbidden blood magics. Lesser men, men not worthy of the Keepers in White, would have fled from such terrible surprises and fiercesome ambush. But each Keepers is worth ten lesser mercenaries and instead they drew their swords and fought. And how they fought! They killed the pirates and took the treasure, they battled the demon tiger and took its head, and if they could have walked upon the ripples of a river they would have taken the ship that fled in panic from their power.

In recent months the Three Duchies have begun minting their own coins displaying not the Emperors name but rather the character representations of the Duchy in question. The official reason for this is that minting new coins with the emperor's name is disrespectful but this doesn't quite explain why all coins passing through provincial treasuries are being melted down and reminted

Reports are spreading of outbreaks of sickness throughout Western Wu and Eastern Shu. The sickness seems to take man and beast alike, with both cattle and their farmers being discovered dead in the fields. Local governors have urged the populace not to panic and have requested that medical experts be dispatched from the Capital to diagnose the sickness.

General mutterings amongst the people

“It is the wrath of Heaven! People have fallen into impiety, forsaken virtue and embraced wickedness. Only ascetic living and prayer can save you from the sickness, mark my word!”

News has spread throughout the Empire of a lightning raid conducted on Duke Meng's Western palace. Numerous people around the residence say men and women clearly wearing triad colours stormed in, slaying the guards and emerged minutes later dragging away Meng's youngest daughter, Lady Lu. The Palace was guarded by only a token force as the Duke has been committing most of his men to ensuring the success of the Northern War.

There is money to be made in joining the army these days. As evidence of large numbers of posters throughout cities and villages shows (“Wu wants You!” “Show them the Wei way!” “Join up in Shu and see the world!”) the provinces of Wu, Shu and Wei have started recruitment drives for eager young soldiers to join their provincial forces. It's a matter of pride, it's a matter of pay! The provincial soldiers are getting a much more handsome salary than their counterparts in the Imperial Army, a worrysome prospect for Generals fearing their troops may be more loyal to their home province than they had once thought.