AN: Manchuria is actually the northeast of China. I'm very very loosely basing this off Chinese history. Manchuria was from where the Qing Dynasty started (and ended). They were Manchus, and considered themselves, Manchuria, Tibet and mainland China as 'China', which angered many Han Chinese. Their emperors were inefficient, and ended with the Dowager Empress put a two-year-old on the throne.
"Sino" is generally what China is referred to in wars (which in this story I'm using to refer to Hidden Kingdom)
"Manchu" is used to refer to Manchuria and not the Manchu people in this story ONLY.
2026:
Ayan, Emperor of Manchuria, Son of Heaven and Conqueror of the Middle Lands, was not pleased. Not one bit. The hand gripping the report he was reading tightened. This was not good. How could this happen?! Fang-La, the annoying pest that he was, had frequently tried to conquer Manchuria. Of course, he failed, but that was not important.
What was important and irritating was that a country called Hidden Kingdom, which had been plagued with a civil war for countless years, had just defeated Fang-La and his army, claiming the land as theirs. That meant that now, at least geographically, Hidden Kingdom had the largest amount of land with coal mines. Ones which he needed. Wanted, actually.
Ayan scowled at the report as he read on. The guards near the border of what was formerly Fang-La's land and now Hidden Kingdom's had found out more about the individuals responsible for this.
One was the Emperor Wei of Hidden Kingdom, presumed to have been dead for over a decade. Another one was the First General, Lin Chung. Not much was known about his history, but he was apparently the first peasant General in Hidden Kingdom's history. He had defeated Fang-La single-handedly and led his troops to victory. The third one was their Second General, Lady Green (who was the first female General in history). She specialised in underwater fighting, and was responsible for their naval victories against Fang-La. The last one was Third General Master Chou, who had led the troops and eventually the entire army to victory when the First and Second General were temporarily downed.
Ayan's scowl deepened. With the resources that Hidden Kingdom had, it wouldn't be long before they would declare war on Manchuria. Manchuria had to strike first, while Hidden Kingdom was during a peaceful time, to catch them off-guard. He looked around, and grabbed the glass jug with water. He flung it to the wall in a rage.
No one was around to witness his moods like this. Thank Heaven for that.
Storming outside of his room, he grabbed a servant nearby, and barked in his face "Get my War council ready in ten minutes. We're going to war."
The First General of the Manchurian armies sighed. This wouldn't be the first time that Ayan had stated he wanted to declare war and they had to talk him out of it. Hopefully, it might be the same this time. He nodded at the Second and Third General, and then remained silent and still as the rest of the War council trickled into the room.
Ayan was last to arrive.
As soon as he did, he got to his seat and slammed an open map onto the table. Everyone crowded around to see. Ayan had made several notes and drawings to the map. Fang-La's lands, the First General was disturbed to note, had now been coloured the same colour as the land next to it - Hidden Kingdom.
Last he heard, Hidden Kingdom had been in a civil war. How could they suddenly claim all of Fang-La's lands without them knowing?
Ayan looked up, eyes bloodshot and furious. "We're declaring war on Hidden Kingdom."
The First General raised an eyebrow, knowing that he had to be delicate when dealing with this. "And why would you think so, your majesty?"
"Because," Ayan spat, "Hidden Kingdom was supposed to be a hopeless weak country full of pacifists. They were never supposed to regain order and get Fang-La's lands. WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE!"
The First General frowned. So even Ayan didn't know. What were those border guards doing nowadays? He needed to get them replaced. "That is still no clear reason why we should declare war on Hidden Kingdom. It could have been luck."
Ayan scowled. "Then I want to make sure it is luck. Fang-La has made it impossible for me to expand Manchuria. Now that a supposedly lucky and peaceful country has taken hold of his lands, I can finally expand when we defeat them."
"I wouldn't be so certain, Emperor." The First General crossed his arms. "If they defeated Fang-La, they must have some amazing fighters, coordination, or a huge amount of luck that could come in again to interfere."
The Emperor scowled as he rolled his shoulders back. "I know of four individuals. One is their Emperor, Wei. Stupid brat is as peaceful and logical as his father had been. The other three are their Three Generals. One is a former Peasant that singlehandedly defeated Fang-La, the Second is a female that was responsible for Hidden Kingdom's naval victories, and the third one is their Air Force General, who has now retired and left the position to his SiC, a lady tactician named Rosefinch. Not only that, but they have the full support of the animal kingdoms in there."
The First General leaned back, unimpressed. A Peasant and two female Generals? What was Hidden Kingdom thinking? "Then what do we have to fear?"
"A lot!" Ayan snapped. "The fact that a woman and a mere Peasant can win their war is unbelievable." He calmed down slightly. "Manchuria is going to declare war on Hidden Kingdom in a few days' time, while they are still peaceful and unaware."
The First General raised an eyebrow. "You have to give us a week, at least, Emperor. It's impossible to plan a war strategy in a few days' time."
"A week and nothing more!" Ayan snapped once more. "By the end of this, one of us is going to win. And Manchuria won't be the one to lose!"
Master Chou was surprised to be called back to East Citadel. He had been dating a fairly nice woman, who had been widowed when her husband had died in the war. He was considering marrying her, but he had to focus for now. Lin Chung and Rosefinch had personally visited him to tell him he was wanted back at East Citadel.
Something that serious wasn't something to laugh at. He approached the doors, nodding at the soldiers who bowed at him.
He was led by a servant to the meeting room, where the Generals, Woo, Apetrully were waiting. Kowloon and Mano were also present.
"Master Chou." Wei smiled. "It is good to see you again."
"Likewise, Emperor." Master Chou nodded. "But I'm confused as to why I'm being called to East Citadel."
Wei shifted uncomfortably, nodding at Lin Chung.
The First General pinned him with his dark eyes. "You know of Manchuria?"
A nod.
"Well, they have deemed us a threat to their border, and are declaring war on us." Master Chou's eyes widened, but Lin Chung raised a hand. "Unless we give them land with the coal mines on them."
"Why not?" Master Chou asked.
Lin Chung shot him an amused look, but it was Woo who replied. "Well, for one thing, most of the coal mines are not near the borders - they are near many villages that use them to support their industries. If we gave them only the coal mine lands, they will have a foothold in Hidden Kingdom that they might take advantage of. If we give them the land accompanying the mine lands, they'll have roughly a third of what Hidden Kingdom is now."
"Then why am I here?"
"A war like this…it includes much scouting involved due to our suddenly expanded land. We are not as familiar with Fang-La's lands or how we can use them. Rosefinch is going to be in charge of those, which means that we are lacking a Third General. Mano is not experience enough in his position in order to take over the role of Third General."
"So you want me to reclaim my position as Third General?" Master Chou frowned, rocking back. "That is not necessarily a good idea. I'm afraid that I'm too old."
Lin Chung smiled. "That may be the case, but the forces trust you, especially after you led them to victory during the Fang-La campaigns."
"You are modest." Master Chou noted, taking in the smiles from the others around them. "The only reason that we won was because you defeated Fang-La."
A tilt of the head. "Nevertheless, you are still experienced in leading the three armies should the need arise. We need someone who is able to do so. Mano still doesn't have enough experience."
Master Chou raised an eyebrow. "And how will you know unless he does?"
Woo leaned forward. "Because Manchuria is deadlier than Fang-La in which they are actually a proper country and supplies and armies and Generals and planning. They have almost never lost a battle - the only known which they have been defeated by or held at bay by is Fang-La, and it took us a long time to defeat him."
"Then how do you want Mano to gain experience?" Master Chou pressed on. He wanted the best for the Imperial Air Force, and, on a more private note, his friend.
Lin Chung looked up. "Which is why Mano is going to serve as your SiC during the war. Hands-on experience is better, and you can instruct him while we do so."
Master Chou nodded. "Very well then." He looked at Lin Chung. "I'd be careful, if I were you."
At Lin Chung's confused tilt of his head, Master Chou elaborated. "Lady Green and I will be able to lead the armies if necessary, but it is you who boosts the armies' morale."
Lin Chung blinked, startled.
Smiling at the younger man's reaction, Master Chou bowed to the grinning Generals (well, Rosefinch was now a Commander) before taking his leave.
AN: Another new character is introduced!
Emperor Ayan of Manchurian, Son of Heaven, etc. etc. etc. - Emperor of Manchuria, which borders Hidden Kingdom. For years, he has been held back by Fang-La's lands between Hidden Kingdom and Manchuria. He is around the same age as Emperor Wei, and is frustrated by his inability to invade Hidden Kingdom and access its rich raw materials.