Turn 8 News - Year of the Goat

Flyers widely posted in the Empire's ports and within the Capital.

The Ankytherine Republic and the Government of Siampan are pleased to announce a formal alliance. The Republic recognises the value of Siampan as a future trading partner and the possession of many shared cultural values between our states.

The Republic further emphasises the right of Siampan to political and economic self-determination and will provide all support necessary to ensure the independence and prosperity of our new allies.

Did you see it, just south of the imperial city a great azure dragon stretched all the way from earth up beyond the clouds. It stayed there for a good day or so although no one knows why.

Visible from the imperial city and indeed much of the empire a massive dragon appeared stretching into the clouds. Those sensitive to the flow of chi within the world claimed that the dragon glowed like a beacon. Brighter than anything they had ever seen before. However as quickly as the dragon appeared after one day it was gone seemingly vanishing into thin air.

The Court of Wei bids all men know
That the glorious state of Wei is ruled
By the even-handed and just Lady of Silks, Yu Min
A bringer of unmatched peace and prosperity
She protects us from the savage barbarians
And brings content to the heart of the disquiet peasant.
May the Emperor grant her the Honours that the people Demand!

Throughout the empire the wheels of government seem to have ground to a halt. In Shu the peasants have imprisoned the bureaucrats and started to run things themselves. In Wu and Wei after months the workings of government have gummed up to the extent that no one listens anymore. Perhaps worst of all the people of the imperial capital having heard of the various misdeeds of their betters have decided that they can do better themselves and are now ignoring all orders in favour of setting up their own committees.

The exception to this is that the people of the capital still seem to hold the Emperor in high regard but with his bureaucracy being ignored he is taking more of a figurehead role.

The Phoenix is dead, defeated by the Emperor in single combat, yet this figure remains divisive. There is tale in her final moments of her being revealed as an evil spirit, of her fading from the world as the Emperor righteously struck her down. While she certainly commanded less respect from the peasants of the country than she once did, a few still defend her words and actions, so what of her nature, she stood for the peasants when few would. These voices are drowned out, however, by tale of her evil nature and stories of schemes, death and torture. Many who grew disillusioned of their savior instead flock to Lan Hou, who has been declared Supreme Tribune of the People by the peasants, and has spent great effort in calming them after this event.

The dangerously addictive drug Xizizi has finally met its match, thanks to the talent of the Blossom of the New Moon and Lam Chu Win's tireless efforts in the past year. With Wa Kheng distributing the cure, many who were unable to afford the more difficult to obtain and far more expensive Xizizi can be saved from either crippling debt, death, or both. The distribution of the cure is still ongoing, but many have already been saved.

The murderous assassins of the Black Lotus, having refused the righteous order of Emperor Shen Ye Zi to disband and instead forming an illegal conspiracy to pervert the course of Imperial Justice, have now been destroyed by forces working under the auspices of the Imperial Magistrates.

Having tracked the villains to a mountain fortress, the righteous forces of the Empire wrought a terrible slaughter upon their number. Those who fled will now be tracked down and put to the sword.

A warrant remains out for the leader of these criminals, the despicable Gen Kai Nu. Citizens are warned that this man is armed and dangerous, sightings should be reported immediately to the nearest Imperial Barracks.

Let this be a stark reminder to all those who would place themselves above the good of the Empire, that the Magistracy is vigilant and treason will always be punished.

Yu Min, recently ascendant to the Duchy of Wei, has been cruelly murdered. The Duchess was apparently set upon whilst pursuing affairs in the countryside, and her body has now been returned to Xiang Gueng where she is expected to enjoy a state funeral.

Although the exact details of the killing are unclear, local Magistrates have confirmed that they have a suspect in custody, one Ren On, a fellow member of the Mercantile Guild and second son of the noted Ren Silk business. He will be brought to the capital to face Imperial justice.

Rumours have been sweeping the city of a doctor who can cure the woes of those desperately hoping for a child. The more wild rumours even say that he can allow same sex partners to conceive. Apparently for a modest sum anyone can now have their own child no matter what their state of being.

In the provinces of Wu and Wei the peasants have begun to refuse to work with representatives of the central and provincial governments, stating they will not aid them until they are properly and fairly represented. Taxes go unpaid and work goes undone. It seems this is a reaction to the recent promised overhaul of the system, which according to them has made it even more difficult for peasants to gain representation, everything obscured in a tangle of red tape and subcommittees. The peasants seem only to support Lan Hou, who is now known as supreme tribune of the people.

By the power of the Ultimate Arbitrator of Justice Chen Wen Bo the Imperial Treasurer Toutou Momo is hereby arrested under the charges of drug trafficking, fraud and embezzlement. The accused will be tried before the emperor at the first available opportunity. May the heavens have mercy upon his soul.

The imperial treasurer Toutou Momo has been arrested by the magistrates. Of course only an imperial trial will do for such a prestigious figure so apparently his case is going to be brought before the emperor. Let's hope the magistrates actually have evidence otherwise this could be a career ending mistake.

In the past year there have been many changes to Shu's provincial government. In the absence of the Queen, Lan Hou has stepped in to help stabilize the province. There have been rumours of great throngs of pesants taking to the streets and marching on the provincial palace. In any case, over the year many of the officials of Shu have resigned, been relieved of their positions or even imprisoned. Eager young folk of Shu have stepped in to fill the positions. While some decry this new government as a rabble of ill educated peasants, the government of Shu now has great popularity and respect from the people. The Queen of Shu has yet to comment on any of this.

Citizens of the Imperial City loudly proclaim their loyalty to the emperor - everywhere dragon banners are flying. But the Imperial City has rejected the authority of the Imperial Bureaucracy. Barricades are thrown across streets and the people form committees to rule accepting only imperial decrees. And flags are sown with crudely sewn Chrysanthemums so they may be burned.

… The Eight Skilled Gentlemen are loose. Everybody knows it! I hear some people say the priesthood have exorcised them. Maybe it's true. But those fools in the Bureaucracy made them Imperial Treasurer! I hear they even promoted one to rule Wu and Wei. What? No, the Phoenix isn't a hero. Or maybe she was and the Gentlemen got her and bureaucracy put her in charge. I'm not sure. What I do know is the Chrysanthemum Order are behind it all…

… that drug everyone was on about last year. The Xizizi. You've heard where it comes from, right? The Ankytherines make it and that Yudimon stuff. They give it a way free so people will be calm and uncomplaining. Like drones in a hive. Any you know why it's everywhere now? The Imperial Bureaucracy are in it. The treasurer got too greedy, but they won't stop. The merchants will get fat and rich and the bureaucrats will have us all filling forms in a happy daze…

… the children in the streets know the empress isn't alive. Oh, you've seen her? So have I, in the parade after the marriage. Didn't you think she was too pale? That's because she's a corpse that feasts on the poor and the peasants. The Order of the Chrysanthemum did it. They let her die, maybe she wasn't obedient enough. Maybe she would have helped the emperor see past their lies. But she's dead. Worse, she's the tool of the Chrysanthemum conspiracy. If you love the emperor spread the word. We have to save him…

… I don't believe the Order of the Chrysanthemum is as dangerous as they say. I have a few friends in the Imperial Palace and the word there is that they're a rabble. In a constant state of in-fighting and disorganisation. It's because they have too much influence that the Empire is in chaos. Disband them, arrest the worst, be rid of them and everything will swiftly be fixed by the honoured emperor and the priesthood. They know what's right…

The merchant Ren On led an enormous fleet to ambush the united pirate fleets of the Pirate King Red Blade and the Pirate Queen Feng. Together they swore to set the seas ablaze, to plunder towns and raze kingdoms. But Ren On's great fleet ambushed them, and he sank or took their ships whether they were as big as an Ankytherine trading vessel or as heavily armed as a warship. Martial artists like Wong Xiao-Xia and even the dread Zhong Yi answered his call and together they rescued the Queen of Shu from captivity.

… duelled amid the battle on the deck of her ship. Ren On with his twin blades, lightning wreathed, and Feng swinging from ropes and laughing as she did. At first the battle was Feng's, her crew pouring into Ren On's ship and pressing him from all sides. But when Wong and Zhong joined the fight it all turned. Ren On rained ice and lightning on her. But it was An-Xi and Ren On together who ran her through. An-Xi was her bodyguard so she never saw it coming as An-Xi stabbed her from behind, even as Ren On blades plunged in the front.

They'll sing songs about the Pirate Queen for generations, but that's the last we'll hear of Feng.

I never believed Wong would die like that. I thought she'd live to a ripe old age till her poor liver finally took its revenge. After all Heaven blesses fools, and you haven't seen a fool until you've seen Wong after her seventh bottle of rice-wine. I suppose you'll never see a fool now.

But to die by falling off a ship's rail and drown drunk. I just can't believe she's gone. It would make more sense if she'd fallen in the battle against the pirates. Cannons firing and decks slick with blood, but no a fall and a head bounced against a hull and gone forever beneath the waves. What a waste!

I hope the emperor is going to give her a hell of a funeral with special bottles brought from the imperial reserve. She was his bodyguard after all.

Reports are received from all over Chi'in of a strange sight in the sky, though perhaps not so strange as the great dragon that connected Heaven and Earth. Many claim to have seen an enormous dragon which soars above the clouds. It has great wings and armoured scales upon its belly. Many claim too to have seen it breathe fire, leaving scorch marks upon the ground. Some even claim that it has young, which roost upon it.

A few scholars who have studied the claims deny that it can possibly be a dragon. These scholars assert that no known dragon has wheels as well as wings, it would be even more exceptional if one took the form of a prolate spheroid. But too few can understand what they mean.

After several years south of the Wall, the Khan has told his people to scatter, the horde unnecessary in this time of peace. Many tribes head back north, however some remain in Chi'in to explore or settle, or explore the other interesting opportunities of this land. There is tell of new agreements of trade and prosperity with the northerners.

Through the tireless efforts of the Magistrates, the confessed murderer An-Xi has been caught. Wanted since the death of the Imperial Treasurer Lei Mei, An-Xi will finally face Imperial Justice. She stands guilty of:

• Murder of the Imperial Treasurer
  
• Two counts of High Treason
  
• Lying to the Face of the Emperor
  
• Multiple counts of Impersonation
  
• Multiple counts of Deception
  
• Unlawful entry to the Chrysanthemum Manse
  
• Unlawful entry to the Imperial Jails
  
• Failing to report crucial evidence to Magistrates
  
• Lying to Magistrates
  
• Vigilantism
  
• Bringing dishonour upon the Empire
  
• Illegal Possession of a Magical Artefact
  

She is due to be executed one week following the meeting of the Chrysanthemum Order. However, she pleads for mercy, for she claims to have been working with the Chrysanthemum Order, and that these crimes were committed for the good of the Empire. Therefore she will be brought before the Order to see if any will vouch for and explain her crimes, and for a final opportunity to beg the Emperor's mercy.