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Chapter Six: Difficult choices
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Beijing
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August 1823
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- It is not right…
Yongling Emperor looked up and frowned at his beloved wife who just happened to have committed high treason!
- I beg your pardon, dear?
Oungga looked up and answered to his frown with a frown of her own.
- I know quite well that even your first wife isn't allowed to criticize the Son of Heaven, but I still will insist that what you plan to do with those Clans is not right.
Yongling turned around and erased the frown from his brow. Clearly something was troubling his wife and since it could be related to her pregnancy he chose to show empathy. Women bearing a child were reputedly victims of strange and weird mood changes and he, as a future father and very much in love with his, for now, only wife, had to take those mood swings into account.
They were in their old townhouse's main bedroom where he had been able to hide for at least a few hours. He still was reluctant to let her enter the Palace. Too many enemies had still allies within the palace's wall.
And when all was said and told he loved their old Townhouse a lot more than the ugly Palace he was, for now, forced to inhabit.
- How else should I treat them, love? They have betrayed me -and you by the way- and the punishment for betrayal is, by tradition, death by any means I decide…
- I wasn't trying to save the traitors, love. I'm just saying that erasing whole clans just because they have blood links with a bunch of appalling traitors is exaggerated. Out there in the wild, there are countries where guilt by family association is no longer admitted…
Yongling Emperor decided that letting his exasperation seen -and known- was, at this precise moment, an admissible counterargument.
- And which countries would you been alluding to?
He could see her eyes smiling even if her face looked perfectly under control.
- Most of those Western Countries which have shown us our technological pettiness have other conceptions of justice which seem to me a little more Humane.
- Being Humane is a weakness we, the Qin, have over come centuries ago. And it is not how we do things here. I'm trying to set an example, love. Anything less efficient would be looked at as a weakness. If I can't show that I'm a man with whom trifling is a lethal mistake, I won't stay on the Throne more than a few years. Being Humane for the Son of Heaven would be a fatal error. Qin's people and our Mongol cousins want their rulers to be as merciless as they want them strong. They don't believe in leniency and the Qin and Mongol Aristocracies want their ruler to show how heartless he can be. It's the way of the Middle Kingdom and if I try to change it, I risk to provoke foolish thought within some empty heads who are not yet very sure that I'm the best ruler for the Middle Kingdom.
Oungga nodded to show that she understood, not that she agreed.
- I do know that, love. My mother herself is, as we speak, honing her perfectly sharp knives to be at your side when the massacre begins. But…
She took her time to preserve a small part of suspense but also to sort her thoughts.
Yongling was the first to show impatience.
- But?
- But those executions would shed a bad light on you and Qin, love. Those strangers would use our reactions to frown at us and emit judgmental words about our culture.
Youngling was about to say what he thought about the opinion of strangers when her index met his lips.
Another of those little habits she hadn't had before her trip to the West.
He had asked his ambassadors to investigate it and they had reported tat it was a gesture Ru Quonru's wife did rather often to stop him saying things she knew he would regret. At least it was commonly admitted that she always knew that he was about to say things she... Refused to be said bu him.
Yongling let out a long sigh. Loving a wife was clearly a great weakness in a ruler and a man of means. From time to time he couldn't help but envy his fellow Aristocrats who looked at their females with spite and arrogance. Women were, for most of them, a political necessity not something you had to like.
- I know perfectly well what you are about to say, love! And somewhere deep within my Mongolian Heart, I agree with you. Who are those people to dare judging us? Who has given them the right to believe that with their small minds and tiny histories they will ever be at par with us?
He agreed with a heartfelt nod.
- But the fact is that they are not only at par with us but that we let them overtake us!
- It was only for a few decades, love. We will catch up and we will be stronger than ever before. It is only a phase we are about to overcome.
- I don't doubt for even a minute that, thanks to you and Ru Qonru's efforts, we are going to catch up and restore Qin's Might! But we can't just forget that we have, for at least three centuries, knowingly crippled our country and smothered our people's former brilliance. We must do everything in our power to ensure that such a foolish philosophy won't, within a century or two, throw us back into that same pit of smug self-indulging madness.
Oungga shook her head before snuggling herself against her husband. He was soon embracing her from behind, both his hands on her tummy.
- We owe it to our people to make sure that we never again let some madman calling himself a philosopher destroy our Nation's Might. It's the most important duty we have, love. The rest, even losing the Throne can only be secondary.
- I agree, love, but we need to stay in power to succeed. If we move too prematurely, they will swipe us from power within only a few months. I need to show that I'm a man who's ready to do everything that must be done to consolidate his power. Showing leniency would be considered a weakness.
- I agree and I don't ask for leniency, love. I want you to be strong and merciless! I even ask for the most dreadful sentence any of your Mongol cousins could imagine.
She stopped to add a hint of suspense.
- And what would that be?
- Can't you imagine? Send them as far away from the Middle Kingdom as possible. I want you to do to them worse than what you've done to those bloated Eunuchs! Exile them out of the Middle Kingdom and send them away to rot somewhere on the other side of the planet.
She pointed at the map of the Earth Yongling had been offered by the French Emperor. It had been drawn for Yongling and even if the symbols were western style every word and name written on it was pure Mandarin.
- There are quite a few unwelcoming and sparsely settled islands in the Southern part of the Atlantic Ocean that are almost perfect to host a strong colony of Mongols. I'm quite sure that King William would realize the necessity for us to get rid of people who have plotted against the Throne. And since, for the Westerners, life is important, they will probably accept to envision letting us colonize, as a penitentiary island, a group of islands they don't have a real use for. We need a place to put all those people you cannot let stay here.
- You have a place in mind?
- The Malvinas, answered Oungga. I'm quite sure we could convince the Spaniards to sell us the Archipelago. And once we have people there, with a garrison and enough prison wards to be sure that the convicts don't escape, we would have a base in the Atlantic Ocean. And the climate is, even if rather rough, totally viable for people who have been, for centuries, living in the icy steppes of Mongolia.
- Death would be safer…
- Dead people would just be lost for us, love. A few thousand settlers, on the other hand, even if they have been forced to migrate, will remain Chinese Subjects we will be able to use as valuable auxiliaries of the Throne. Those people, if you don't let your administrators' greed take the overhand will go with servants, craftsmen, and a hefty part of their money. Their money will finance your colony and since they won't have been transformed into paupers the next generation will, with luck, have overcome their parents' anger to reenter willingly the Throne's service.
She looked at her husband and smiled at his, much more discreet frown.
He still wasn't on good terms with her having interfered with his power.
What he had no problem accepting when they were only a vague hope of succession was no longer as easy. Not because of him but because of what he feared those others would think of him.
- Our world must change not only by being able to build airships and telephones, but it must change by embracing a new philosophy like every other developed Nation on Earth!
Yongling's frown was back with a vengeance.
- We are not like the others!
Once more she stopped him with a finger on his lips.
- Perhaps not and that's not what I believe we should do! Because, whatever you believe the four dominant nations are all different one from the other! Let's use as an example Britain and France. They are indeed amazingly similar but there are also huge differences.
The frown slowly disappeared showing that, once more she had been able to stifle her husband's ire.
- They look indeed like twins to me…
- That's because you look only at what they show to the world. But beneath are huge differences. France is a predator. Always has been. Deep down France looks at the world like a gathering of preys. Napoleon's France has been built on conquest and on their belief in their own superiority. The revolution has changed that by adding an endless longing for personal and individual aggrandizement. Frenchmen, today, have a never-ending thrust to give oneself the opportunity to grow and reach its apex. Whatever the price!
Yongling nodded. He hadn't thought it through but he was sure that Oungga was right. The French Emperor, which he was even if he was still hiding behind a lower title, was a never-sated predator who would always look for his opponents' weak point.
- That's why I know that France would have been the Nation to pounce on us.
- But for Ru Quonru's meddling, said Oungga with a smile.
Yongling nodded while smiling.
- You are right, but for d'Arcy. He's a predator like napoleon, perhaps even worse than the man who thinks being his Master, but he is also a man who's fallen in love with China's best side. He couldn't let his first true love be conquered and destroyed. And he, being the British King's father, played the same role there…
- I don't think so, love, countered Oungga. There was no need for him to stop his son. Britain wouldn't have attacked us. At least not to conquer us for the pleasure of showing off to the world. Britain, the new Britain being very much like the old, has been built on a profound veneration of what the Brits believe to be normal and honorable. It is normal for the aristocracy to be in charge, but it is the honorable thing to do what is in everybody's power to lift the commoners to new heights. The French are like a wolf pack. They work together but, while not threatened from outside, within their ranks, they will do what's necessary to become the Alpha wolf.
- And the British aren't so?
- No, they don't doubt that their betters are just that: better! And that is true for the commoners as well as the Nobility. Those who are, by blood or by merit, better than them deserve respect and obedience! And since with William and the Darcy Clan, it is, at least for the time being, really the case everybody's lifted at the same time to new very satisfactory heights. It's not a struggle to get the best and the most for themselves, it's a collaboration to pull everybody up!
Yongling's frown did disappeared and a smile came upon his lips.
- You do make me proud; you know?
- No prouder than I am when I see you listening to me.
The frown was back.
- I've always listened to you, love. We've always made our decisions together.
- In the past when we were lesser nobility with great ancestors, I agree. Since you became Emperor it hasn't been the case as often…
- A lowly princeling is in nobody's focal point, love. Even you must understand that! The son of Heaven is in everybody's focus.
- I agree but, by letting those outsiders force you into what they believe a proper Imperial behavior, you've abdicated a lot of power to them. I think it is time for you to take all that power back and to show them that there is only one person who can dictate the Emperor's behavior…
- You?
- Never! As long as you are willing to listen, I will always give you my opinion! But in the end it will always be you who has the power to decide! I'm not like any other of your advisors, dear. I do love you and what makes me happy is you being happy! But that doesn't imply that I ceased to be the girl you fell in love with.
- The one who refused me twice, you mean?
- I refused you until you fathomed how to ask. And mother had advised her daughters wisely.
- Oh, so it was Lady Niohuru's fault…
- It was but it was also my refusal. You did brag with your rank, you remember, don't you?
- I didn't brag, I was informing you about my true value, said he with a smile full of memories. And it was a good thing that I did do it since what I spoke about has happened!
- Thanks to some Demon who's in league with Ru Quonru. I've seen her. She's doesn't look the part but one cannot deny that she's gotten results.
- She? From what I know demons are without gender. They are pure evil incarnate.
- Well since she says that she's no Demon but a Nightcrawler it could be the needed explanation. And she clearly isn't pure evil. She will do what's necessary to protect herself, her cub and her Humans but, while I was there, I have looked all over the place, there has been not one sighting. But I still think she's a real Demon. One very discreet and ascetic Demon but a Demon nevertheless! I've smelled the reek we've been warned of. She's learned how to hide it rather efficiently but it's still there for those who know what to sniff for.
- The sons of Heaven have been in association with Demons for as long as we can remember, I won't be the one to condemn Ru Quonru's association with them. And it seems that he has been a lot more successful than any of my ancestors ever was when dealing with them.
- One must use the tools the Spirits bestow, agreed Oungga who had her mother's point of view when it came to look at Power and the means to get it and keep it. And since she is on your side, I will welcome her meddling with a grateful heart.
She took a long breath and let her head rest on her husband's heart.
- Sorry, I digressed of what I wanted to point at. We still haven't spoken about how we, the Qin people, should adapt to that new era. What do you think should depict us as a people?
She could feel his breath when he sighted.
- Is really what I think important? As I see us we've been quite the same for a very long time. Even our taking over as the Qin's elite hasn't changed what defines China's soul.
- And what has it brought us? A foolish anti-progress philosophy that would have pulled us under another people's domination.
- Sometimes it happens, dear. Sometimes even the greatest Empires disappear!
- It never happened to us, love. We've swallowed every invader that has come to take over and we've transformed him into a twin of the one he'd just eliminated. And for a time, the newcomers' strength became Qin's strength.
- For a time, whispered Yongling. Soon the weakening and the sloppiness was back. Even we Mongols became weak and sloppy… Ready to be ousted to let another elite take over.
- But this time the newcomers would have been too different to be swallowed easily. The French world vision would have been too selfish and culturally intolerant to even consider adapting. They would have tried to force their way on us and we would have revolted… And in this world of airships and flying fortresses they would have won. And killed us, either in the flesh or in the mind…
- You're quite gloomy, this evening, love. I'm surprised, I would have sworn when you came to me that you were in a perfect mood.
- I am in a perfect mood, love. But I'm also in the mood to look at the reality without lying about it. And the truth is that, for once, we will need to find the strength to survive and prosper within us and not borrow it from younger and more enterprising neighbors our wealth has pulled in.
She turned around and looked him in the eyes.
- And, as I see it, it will be us and nobody else! In one or two generations, it will probably be easier but here and now, we, and Ru Quonru's daughter are the only hope of our Nation. Everything lies on us and, I will confess it only to you, it scares me!
- Well, smiled Yongling, welcome to the Club. I have been scared since the moment they came to tell me that I was the new Son of Heaven. And since then it just became worse and worse. The worst being that, while we were busy dreaming ourselves superior and immortal, the world around us had changed in such a way that –even I will have to admit it- we no longer can be what we thought we would be forever.
Oungga let herself relax while lying on her husband's athletic body.
He had always been a calisthenics freak and even if he wasn't at the same physical height as Ru Quonru he was one among a very few man of the Imperial family who didn't tend towards being fat.
After a few minutes of a perfect and relaxed bliss, she took a long breath.
- Shall I inquire with the Darcys if they can organize a deal with Spain?
She could feel the rumble of his discreet laugh.
- You shall, wife, you shall.
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Madrid
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August 1823
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- I'm here as a discreet broker, said Charles while sipping at his glass of Ribera des Duera his favorite Spanish wine.
He was sitting across from Manuel de Godoy the man who, single-handedly was holding the whole of Spanish Affairs in his hands. Manuel had been for years the man who had dealt with the Company and without him no Company factory would have been built anywhere in Great Spain.
Manuel was if not in title, then in truth the real sovereign of Spain. The fact that, even after having served his King for decades, he hadn't, once, tried to take his Throne spoke volumes for the man.
- The deal will of course become official as soon as you agree to it but the Chinese Imperial Court has been confronted with quite a lot of internal strife and now that the Army has been able to squash the rebels there are a lot of people who are about to lose their heads.
- Why would they want a score of small islands in the Southern Atlantic Ocean to deal with rebels?
- Because the new Emperor, probably influenced by his wife who's spent a few weeks in Pemberley, is a little less convinced that the perspective of beheading women, children and servants, as it is traditional there, is the right thing to do. Especially considering the challenges the Middle Kingdom is currently facing with GGB and the Consulate looking -greedily in case of Napoleon- in his Empire's direction. He believes that for Chinese Aristocrats who are literally revolting at the idea of being sent a few hundred miles away from their Capital City, exile would be an even worse condemnation than an execution. But to convince his political allies that it is so, the chosen place to exile those rebels must be considered horrible and unwelcoming. The Malvinas seem to be the perfect spot to send people who have committed major political blunders.
- Sheep and goats are probably the only agricultural possibility there, you know… And the climate is indeed not on the sunny side of life. It will be hard on them.
- That's what convinced Yongling Emperor that it would be the perfect place to send the families of the beheaded rebelling Clan Leaders. They won't like it at all but then it is the reason why it will be done, won't it?
- What would his Imperial majesty be willing to offer for those forgotten isles?
- The Chinese have a lot of defaults but thriftiness isn't one of them. Your envoy should be able to get what those islands are worth. And the fact that it gives China a foothold in the Atlantic must stay in your Ambassador's mind. Those islands filled of full blooded Manchu and Qin will be their main naval and trading base around there.
- Why let them enter the Atlantic?
- Because we need to convince them that we, the Westerners, are trustworthy. Not good or foolish but trustworthy. What GGB, the Consulate and the Spanish Empire do anywhere in the world must be open and visible by everybody.
- Visible? What about the Athena surprise?
- Being trustworthy doesn't mean being an idiot and showing off with the weapons of the future. GGB is a peaceful country who believes in good relations with everybody. That doesn't mean that we will ever forget that a Nation doesn't have friends, only interests! And it is in GGB's interest to be at the point of everything technological! We are leaders in science and technology, and we will do what's necessary to remain just that! GGB's current main interest is to secure its possessions and to make sure that neither of the major Powers goes to war with one of the others. We know that it would be a catastrophe for both enemies. So, we do what's in our power to get the players to deal with their problems peacefully before it's too late. Within the Nations' Council is one of the possibilities. Brokering independent deals could be another. We believe that peaceful solutions are always possible and a lot cheaper. That's why we helped Yongling to get rid of his rebels and why we believe that offering them a peaceful and Humane solution to secure peace within their borders is a must.
Charles sipped at his glass and smiled at Spain's most important man.
- And the fact that Spain could, by selling the Malvinas, enter Yongling's good graces would be a chance Spain shouldn't let pass. You are a major power only because of the hugeness of your possessions. It would be a good idea to enter a relationship with an Empire which still has huge monetary reserves but that lacks locations where to install its bases. Spain has hundreds of islands all over the world. I'm quite sure that Yongling would appreciate to have the chance to show to his surviving Clan Leaders that he is steadily increasing China's influence in the world by acquiring what's needed to be present everywhere.
- You are indeed right, and I already see quite a few we could add to the bargain. But if we do that won't he send his rebels elsewhere?
- If you have an island that is still capable of giving a few thousands of inhabitants a chance to survive but that has a worse climate than the Malvinas, it could be that he will chose that! But if you are willing to listen to my advice let the Malvinas be the worst piece of real estate you include in your offer. Yongling wants it to be a punishment, a real one but he also wants the exiles to be able to recreate a home they will be proud of while building a real and efficient Chinese base.
He shrugged.
- And I'm quite sure that, to build their new home, the settlers will be in need of quite a lot of things that will probably be very rare where they are going to live. Your colony of Argentina is the nearest civilized land around the Malvinas. There should be interesting opportunities for some crafty businessmen.
- Won't the Company be interested?
- The Company is always interested in investing in places where new things happen; you already know that, don't you?
- There are rumors, indeed. But this part of our Empire is rather underdeveloped.
Charles let a small frown be seen. The whole Spanish Empire was underdeveloped and the world's back-yard. Even Russia was better off. But he abstained to say it aloud. No need to show your host his King's foolishness. With Chinese money the Spaniards could, if they would agree to listen to some smart advisers, catch up and build a real industrial economy in less than a decade.
They looked at each other and they both knew what the other was thinking.
Spain needed a new, if possible smart, King. A King who would be, at last, able to look at what was happening around Spain with something else but fear and paranoia. He knew that Jane and Lizzy had had long conversations with Kitty and the rest of the sisters about that and, if he was still able to judge his wife's degree of inner glee, he suspected that they had found a satisfactory -if discreet- way to meddle with the Spanish Succession. He just hoped that it wouldn't destroy the good relation he and Manuel had built over the last years.
Time to go back to the South Atlantic Ocean.
- The Company is, as you know, already extensively present along the Northern Plate River, we could easily extend our territorial influence to the South. The Climate there is incredibly like what we have in England or Scotland. We shouldn't have problems to find interested and interesting people to either settle there or accept to spend a few years to teach another generation of Company worker.
- There are voices in my Council to believe that the Company wants to reign all over the world. You have a Monopoly on almost everything of great value.
- And what about it? Always remember that like war and politics, business is made by men. Find good men and you'll have good politics and good business. Not good war because there's no such thing as a good war, but for the rest it is true.
Charles shook his head.
- Of course, we want to be all over the world. We have shown that we are better at that job than any of our would-be competitor. Why would a ruler want second class businessmen working for him if he can have the best? Who, by the way are also the most honest of the lot? But we really don't want to reign, not at all. We do finances and trade, and the States do Politics. And we both go on doing what we do best without trying to meddle with the other just because we have the money or the power to do it.
He snickered.
- I'll admit that we were lucky to have in our family people who were good at trade while others were good at state crafting and still others good at warmongering. It helps tremendously to trust the other side. We, the traders and financiers, we know how to make money and we love it! And we love even more to spread it on all those who work with us, States included. What we have worked out with Fitzwilliam and Napoleon works because of the trust we share! The States get enough money to finance what they are, by essence, the only ones that should do it, but they don't try to do what history has shown States and rulers are abysmally bad at! We, the Company Managers aren't foolish enough to not understand that the Nations where we live need enough money to create and maintain the infrastructure our business needs to go on thriving. And that means taxes, but those taxes must be maintained at the lowest possible level to give us managers the possibility to share with those who will buy our products! And that's the deal we stroke with Fitzwilliam and Napoleon. And it works for all parties involved a lot better than what existed formerly.
He smiled at his vis-à-vis.
- That's also why we want peace to reign everywhere. War is anathema for any real businessman. War is for a Nation the same as for a family to burn down its own house with a few members still within. It's not the end of everything but it is an utter tragedy and the destruction of the formerly accumulated wealth. If there is only one Cartel owning anything, whatever is destroyed is a part of said Cartel's possession. So, a war always makes the Cartel lose money! And if there is one thing, Cartels hate more than burying loved ones, it is the idea of losing money or destructing wealth, believe me!
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Beijing
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August 1823
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They were all there in one row facing him with a member of the imperial guard standing behind each of them.
What was left of the ruling families of what had been, until a few weeks ago, twelve of the most powerful Clans of the Middle Kingdom. Twelve Clans who had bet on his demise and replacement.
They were all young men. Three of them even children. Their fathers, grandfathers or Uncles had gone to Siberia to never come back. There were rumors that an unknown but efficient killer had mercilessly slain the Emperor's enemies.
He was smiling. Not out of any wicked satisfaction but out of pride. Not one of them had, when he had entered the room begged or showed his fear. They were all true heirs of a proud Manchu bloodline and they wouldn't lose face before the others.
Perhaps was Ounnga right. Perhaps did those men deserve something better than the executioner's axe.
He had come to visit them in the Central Prison where they had been brought to await his sentence.
- I'm not here to gloat, gentlemen. I'm here because, even if it has been established that your Clan Leaders have betrayed me by allying themselves with the Russian Usurper, I'm not out to just destroy you and your people like any of my ancestors would have done. There are new times coming up and those times ask for different answers to old problems.
He took a long breath.
- Qin is facing an exceedingly difficult period and I know that I'm going to need every one of my subjects. You included. And that's why I'm here to propose you a deal I think you will have the wits to consider.
He looked at the score of people facing him and made a placating gesture.
- I know that your honor forbids you to speak with me but one of you will have the doubtful honor to be your spokesman. Your life and the lives of your kin are the issue here. So, pray that I'm about to choose him wisely since he will, should he be foolish or too lacking in diplomacy, take you with him to his doom.
He looked at Nikal Gikulu who was the grandson of Tui Gikulu the man who had been identified as the ringleader of those who had decided to overthrow him. He was his grandson and was, by blood, obliged to take over his duties.
Both men exchanged a long glance and finally Nikal Gikulu nodded.
- I will speak in everybody's name, said he finally. What do you propose?
- As said the Middle Kingdom is facing difficult times and I have decided that we would not only catch up with the Western Countries but that we would overtake and surpass them. Perhaps not in the next few years but it won't take decades I swear it.
- Those western ways are not what we should follow. Ever.
- We no longer have a choice in that matter! We've been fools and our arrogance has lulled us into forgetting that around us other people were living and working. And while we gently let ourselves glide into oblivion those others transformed the world and created conditions we can no longer ignore. I do fear that our only choice is following them and becoming better at everything or ending up the Westerners' sidekicks.
- If we follow their ways we will become like them which would be worse than being just sidekicks, protested Nikal Gikulu.
- Oblivion comes under multiple forms, my friend. If you are not strong enough to defend your possessions, you'll end up being robbed if you are lucky and killed if you are not. I want Qin to fight in the same league as those Western Powers. And I will do everything in my power to get there as soon as possible.
- Our Clans do not share your views. That's why our leaders tried to overthrow you. We believe that this new path will destroy Qin's soul.
- It could be that you are right and that I'm the one who's about to destroy Qin's soul. But since you tried to stop me, and failed, it should, perhaps, when everything else is considered, push you into wondering why the ancestors' spirits haven't shown more support for your cause!
- You're consorting with Demons…
- Indeed, smiled Yongling. And since when has that been a problem in the Middle Kingdom? Or is the problem to be found in the fact that, for once, the Emperor has been able to master it and use it to succeed? It has been a tradition for as long as the Middle Kingdom had existed. We, the legal sovereigns of Qin, have the power to call upon Demons. And said Demons' help got me and you were we currently are! So, since I won, let's consider that my point of view is not only the winning one but also the right one! Smart Clan Leaders should have no problems to accept the ugly truth of their past Leaders' errors and conclude that they should never have acted in such a blatantly mistaken manner.
There was a weighty silence, finally broken by Nikal Gikulu.
- You spoke of a proposition?
- Indeed, I have something to propose. Something that could avoid us the usual bloody cycle of mindless killing followed by eons of internecine hatred. But if I could accept to show leniency it would only be in exchange for two rather unpalatable -in your world view- things.
- What would those two things be?
- First, I demand that each and every one of you makes an official request for an Imperial pardon. With the whole demeaning hoopla…
Considering the totally humbling procedure such a request implied, Yongling wasn't surprised that most began to protest.
He stopped them with an imperial order.
- Shut up! Seeing you humbled and about as low as any man can ever be will clean your Clan's debt towards the Imperial family. If you want your mothers, sisters and wives to survive that's exactly what you will do!
They stopped and most of them had the good idea to look at their feet.
Nikal Gikulu took a long breath.
- What will be your other demand?
- I will grant you said pardon at the condition that you accept willingly to leave the Middle Kingdom. You'll be exiled to our farthest new colony where you will, in my name, take over and build everything that's needed to let it become a major military base and trading post.
He frowned at those who had been the loudest a few minutes earlier.
- Of course, none of you or your present living clan members will ever be allowed to come back to Qin. You are exiled and it will be a life sentence. The next generations, those of your children who will be born in our new colony, could see that ban lifted if you have shown that you are worthy of being pardoned twice!
Yongling stood up.
- I won't go any further, gentlemen. That proposition is a "take it or leave it" decision and I want you to choose it as a group. It's up to you now to decide if saving all those clan members that would have been beheaded is worth the little inconvenience of a very humbling procedure added to a sentence of perpetual exile! Just remember that either you accept exile, or we go on as usual. I'm quite certain that I have enough executioners around here to be able to close the whole slaughter procedure in less than a month.
He smiled at his prisoners. And this time it wasn't a friendly smile. At all…
- Of course, you'll be the last.
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- Any good news?
Yongling could just shrug.
- I wouldn't bet a fortune on them being reasonable but I hope that their young age will push them into preferring their kin's survival to dying honorably. I'm not overly optimistic but I have seen quite a few of them interested by my offer. Now it's up to them to convince the die-hards.
He looked at his wife.
- I suppose "operation disappearance" is, as we speak, underway?
- Has been for quite a few weeks now, nodded Ounnga. Sunteu is determined to save as many as possible should those foolish males give their honor preeminence. The little ones with their mothers are already safely hidden within our new allied Clans. They no longer risk your bloodlust, dear husband. Sunteu hopes to get all the children under twelve out of harm's way within the next few days.
- She's quite dedicated to children, wouldn't you agree?
- Until very recently she was persuaded that she would never have any, dear. Taking care of other people's children has been, for her, a way to compensate the desperate longing she was feeling deep within her womb. Remember that I was as frustrated as she while believing that I would never be able to give you the son you wanted. And I'm the happiest wife in the world since now I know that I will be able to give birth not only to your first son but also to your first daughter.
- You are sure that we will have a girl and a boy? Twin boys would be a dynastic problem.
- I'm not sure at all, but Jane d'Arcy seemed very convinced that it was the case and in matter birth and pregnancy she's probably the most knowledgeable specialist I have ever met. Even mother has, half-heartedly, admitted that she was probably a better midwife than her. If there is one skill this woman knows better than any other, then it is how to deal with a pregnant woman's situation.
She smiled at her husband.
- And fears, to say the truth. It has been difficult to believe that such an awfully ugly woman could be the siege of such a benevolent soul! But after so many interesting conversations I must admit that she's probably the only person I've ever met who truthfully loves every Human being she encounters… It is very disturbing to look into those terrifying blue eyes and only find love there.
Yongling couldn't help but smile when he thought that d'Arcy's eyes were grey. The same color the Qin culture associated with benevolence. And even if he was very glad to have d'Arcy as an ally, benevolence wasn't something he would ever link with the man called Ru Quonru.
- Let it be a lesson that not everything out of tradition is always worth to be followed.
Oungga nodded.
They would be doing a lot of not following traditions in the very near future.
But they would do it together and, with luck, with a great part of the population of the Middle Kingdom backing them along the way. It was perhaps a dangerous future they were looking at but, by the Spirits of all the Clans, it would be an interesting one.
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Soon to come… Another Chapter.
Sorry, no title for that next one. As I have seen recently, choosing a title means nothing. The story will come and probably, like this time, ignore my foolish attempt to force it into a special path.
I wanted to describe what had/ would have happened in China, but it wouldn't come. So I let the characters chose the way they wanted to follow and here we are ending with "Difficult choices" and not "Traps and Troops". It is probably a good thing since I'm a lot better at developing character interaction than describing action and battle scenes…
So be it. I hope you enjoyed it.
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