Turn 4 News -- Year of the Rabbit

The light of Heaven shined down upon Emperor Shen Ye Zi, as his forces defeated those of the vile traitor, Meng, who so underhandedly struck at the capital without warning, his forces already positioned inside the walls. It was noble Zhushen Yu and Li Pao who aided in routing the force from our streets, and the forces of Wei and the Terracotta army of Emperor Song which sent them fleeing back to Wu. But there was no respite there, for the Phoenix and Lan Hou had seized his citadel from him, and Meng was forced out of the empire, crippled and fleeing west from our righteous wrath. Truly, the appearance of the Terracotta army marks the reign of Shen Ye Zi as auspicious, for what better sign of a true ruler could there be. The Emperor has let it be known that he will personally thank all the members of the Chrysanthemum Order that assisted him at their next meeting.

Rumours overheard

“I heard Zhong Yi, the Dread Overlord was there too, only on Meng's side.” “Yeah, he is Meng's right hand man, he butchered dozens of unarmed civilians.” “That doesn't begin to describe it, Meng put him in charge of flayings.” “They say that Zhushen Yu captured him just in the nick of time, he was about to assassinate the Emperor.”

The Phoenix and Lan Hou have taken control of the Carmine Citadel, and with it the province of Wu. Many of the previous Meng loyalists have been replaced by honest people of Wu, and together they will surely make Wu all the greater, now it is not under the rule of a madman. His force has been disbanded, now the people's army defend Wu, and the people finally rule and represent Wu.

Mutterings

“Wu now in control of a bunch of illiterate peasants. This dosen't seem good. What'll happen to the bureaucracy?” “Hey, it can't be worse than Meng.”

Emperor Shen Ye Zi ascended the Dragon Throne, before the witness of Heaven and Hell. A simple yet elegant ceremony saw the young Emperor crowned shortly after the traitor Meng's forces were driven from the capital.

“Got to hand it to Shen Jiang, that went a lot better than the funeral. Nothing blew up, no rogue elephants; all seems pretty auspicious to me.”

“I hear Wa Kheng presented the emperor with ten chests of jewels, just a personal show of appreciation. No wonder they say he's bankrolling the Empire now.”

Let it be known that that Shen Ye Zi is Emperor of all Chi'in. May the Mandate of Heaven grace him and the August Personage of Jade look kindly upon us all.
Witnessed by Heaven - High Speaker Shen
Witnessed on Earth - Thousand Whispers
Witnessed by Hell - Xue Feng Yi

Prisoners released by the Great Khan from amongst those captured at the breaching of the Great North Wall, all carry the same message, told to spread as they journey home after their defeat. All agree that the Khan's force is immense and that he is now camped south of the Wall. Northern Wu is under his control and the people are too frightened to stand against him. There are those who quietly add that those who do not oppose him go unharmed.

The Great Khan is chosen of the Horse God and by invitation of the last true Son of Heaven offers his strong sword hand to protect the people of Chi'in from the chaos that sweeps their land.

The Great Khan claims the Dragon Throne in the name of the Emperor Shen and shall demonstrate that he holds the Mandate of Heaven.

The Great Khan comes in peace and friendship where he is welcomed in peace, but he comes with war and death where he is greeted with sword or bow.

The Great Khan will reward those who perform their duties with righteousness, but those amongst you who are assassins and murderers will be struck down for the Great Khan brings justice in his wake.

Towards the end of the year, there is much celebration through the streets of the Capital as the Emperor's upcoming wedding is announced

The Emperor, fresh from his battle with Meng, is already working on raising the Empire from its ashes. The marriage between our brave ruler and the Duchess of Wei, most beautiful of women, will strengthen alliances. Perhaps there will soon be an heir who will secure a clear line of succession and, in time, will lead the Empire to further greatness.

Officials from the Ministry of Culture have warned that there will be grave sanctions for anyone caught reading a copy of the Ankytherine pamphlet 'The Virtues of Republic'. The blasphemous document which critically compares the Divinely Mandated government of Chi'in with that of the Western Barbarians has spread to the mainland from tradeships operating out of the island of Kong Dhao.

Delegate Kleitos publicly apologized to the Imperial Court for the release of the document but stressed that it was never intended to be translated into the True Tongue. The Republic representative claimed that the paper had been stolen and released to the people of Chi'in by unknown agents.

Delegate Kallista Pelagius has been recalled to the capital to further explain how this insulting document came to be written in the first place.

An anonymous treatise banned by the Ministry of Culture circulating throughout Chi'in. Possession of a copy is a grave offense, but the Ministry seems to be powerless to stop its spread.

What good is the Empire? Why do the people of Chi'in surrender to the August Personage of Jade? For as long as the Empire has existed, thousands if not millions of men and women have died to sit on the Dragon Throne. And for what? So that in a hundred years, thousands more can die just to perpetuate the cycle? The Empire fails to endure for long, and every time, Heaven turns away and people die. It is time we called for an end to this. We need to take a clear stand: let the August Personage of Jade rule in Heaven, and the People of Chi'in rule Chi'in. Do not place an Emperor on the Dragon Throne. Do not surrender to the will of Heaven. The Mandate is a construct that makes brothers fight each other and fathers take up arms against sons. The gods do not care for our plight, shut away as they are in Heaven. Let this state be for now and forever more. We do not need the favour of Heaven. Let Chi'in be free of the Yoke of Heaven.

In Wei…

“Hear this! Hear this! The vile pirates of Shu have raided the peaceful port of Xiang Geung. Noble warriors of the Imperial Navy fought off the Dread Pirate Feng's corsair fleet, but by that time half the dock front was ablaze and many citizens had been murdered by the raiding parties. Rest assured the dogs of Shu will pay for this villainy!”

In Shu…

The office of the Duchess firmly denies any instruction to assault our neighbors in Wei, and strongly denounces the vile actions of the outlaw Feng. We call upon the Navy to deal decisively with this threat to peace within the Empire.

The Governer of Yu and cousin to the Emperor, Shen Sun Qian has been taken extremely ill in the past month and rumours from the Prefecture are that the much respected governor may not recover. Other rumors are that the illness was the result of an assassination attempt or that it is divine punishment for some unspecified wrong.

The Emperor has made it known that any doctor able to cure his cousin will enjoy considerable favour. Many speculate that he may be seeking a replacement for Humble Wisdom, the venerable Imperial Physician to the late Emperor Lei.

A colossal storm has lain waste to Imperial Ships off shore and is heading inland towards the Capital. A legion of priests has attempted to calm nature's rage, but all prayers and rites seem to have failed. Peasants not busy rescuing their possessions from the rising waters and destructive winds are wondering whether the Priesthood has become too ineffectual at conveying their wishes to Heaven. More learned citizens of the Empire take this as a sign that the Mandate of Heaven is still not restored. Some are even beginning to question whether Emperor Shen Ye Zi is even capable of restoring the Mandate.

A recent crime spree has left many families bereft. Family heirlooms, jewels carefully stashed away, money to pay for the damages after the siege, earthquake, or any number of natural disasters that might soon follow - nothing is safe. It is unclear whether there is a single perpetrator or a group, but at least one eyewitness reports having seen the famous actor, the Reborn Phoenix, Zhang Li-Ying leaving from an upper window. But it goes without saying that in these uncertain times, we must keep an eye on our valuables. Nothing is safe from those who see an opportunity in the chaos.

Hopping Vampires have been plaguing people all across Chi'in. Although they aren't particularly smart, there are so many of them that not everyone who has encountered them has made a lucky escape. Small villages have been overrun by persistent groups, hungry for just a bit more chi. There are rumours of exorcists who have taken control of some of these Hopping Vampires, using them as convenient minions. In the chaos, it's hard to tell how true such rumours are.

By Decree of the Dragon Throne, and to honour tradition long blessed by Heaven, there shall be a great tournament of martial arts in the Imperial Capital next year, the Year of the Dragon upon the occasion of the Dragon Festival. All who are most worthy and cultivated of chi are invited to attend and receive the praise of the Son of Heaven.

The champion of all Chi'in shall receive the praise of the Son of Heaven and be rewarded most handsomely for their excellence.

I hear tell the Emperor has been practising with Wong Xiao-Xia… the last champion of a big tournament if you catch my meaning.
Drunken Monkey Style? The emperor is practising Drunken Monkey style? That's hilarious!

Word has leaked out of the magistrates offices that Zhan Yang is wanted for the murder of the Previous treasurer Lei Mei. His current whereabouts are apparently unknown and rumour has it that there is a substantial reward on offer for whoever brings him to justice.

In light of this new suspect, Three Laughing Sparrows of the Office of Records has been acquitted of all involvement in the murder.

The great southern city of Siampan is no more after the nearby volcano erupted burying the city in a landslide of mud and lava. An imperial expeditionary force in the process of pacifying the city was also rumored to have been caught in the eruption. In fact the imperial army came back from the south reduced to one third of it's original numbers.

No ones seems quite certain what happened in the city of who was fighting whom there are conflicting reports of three or even up to five sides in the conflict. Of course all the gold and ivory is still there somewhere just buried under flows of solid magma and mud.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of brave exorcist Kuei Fen the Imperial Capital has been cleared of those tormenting demons which escaped from Hell during the earthquake last year. No more will citizens of the Capital have to worry about being tortured by the unrelenting beings, Kuei Fen has allowed everyone to sleep more soundly at night.