Chapter 13: New China
When you know, say you know. When you do not know, say you do not know. That is true wisdom.
-Ancient Chinese Saying
Part 33: National Reform
"Have anybody seen master Zero around recently?" a member of the Black Knights asked.
"No, he isn't in the building. Maybe he went out to explore the town, the weather is mild today," replied another.
Lelouch and C.C. returned to the Chinese Mainland on the Gawain the next morning and left Penglaidao unattended. Now, without a central governor from the Chinese Federation or high eunuchs on duty, Penglaidao became property of the Black Knights until a new administration is installed. Recently, cities all over China were filled with swarms of peasant uprising, overthrowing their feudal lords for a social cause. The protesters shouted, waving rakes and hoes in their hands, "We want freedom! We want the wealth distributed to the people, not hoarded by aristocracy!" Slogans like absolute power corrupts absolutely and every person deserves a bowl of rice were written on posters, banners and flags. Even the national military played role in the revolution as ranks of marines and Gun-rus filled the avenues with lethal armaments. Li stood on a palace watch tower and peered into the heart of the city of Changan. He overlooked this reformation not only for his family, friends and the suffering citizens of China. He did this for the empress after he promised that one day, she would no longer be held captive in the Vermillion City. He promised her, "One day, I will give you the freedom to see the outside world and experience what normal people do."
"The old capital of Luoyang fell because the weak emperor and eunuchs were overthrown by peasant revolts. Today, history repeats itself as a new order will create a unified China where the people get what they want," he said to himself.
A strong woman in her early twenties walked to the balcony and reported, "Li, our message is appearing in every corner of China, from Suzhou to Shanghai, Calcutta to Dacca, Pyongyang to Xiadu and Champa to the capital Changan." Her name was Zhou Xianglin, a military comrade and contemporary of Li Xingke. She alongside other generals who desired the need to overthrow the persistent feudalism of this once great nation planned the rebellion. Like Lelouch, they seen enough of the citizen's suffering and exploitation; like Lelouch, they wanted change. Well equipped with military rank and authority, spreading the ideals through propaganda was a cinch as the news spread like wildfire as the general public agreed to what they have to offer.
"Sir, you cannot fight in your condition, you have to be aware of your rare illness," she warned him.
"Don't you worry, after all the nobility and petty officials tremble beneath the peasant's power, this revolt will be over and all of China will be cleansed of all its major corruptions. The military is on our side and the empress is safe with Zero. I promised to show her the outside world when she returns, if I die before then, I want you to do it," Li said.
"On my honour Li Xingke, I will not let you down," Zhou Xianglin complied. Li Xingke episodically coughed blood from a mysterious terminal illness. He was a warrior of great discipline, with an agility far superseding Tohdoh's and a military genius of higher calibre and experience than Lelouch. His superiors and the empress were always worried about his fatal condition to the point he became a subject to aphorism: Those born lucky are limited in time. The city of Changan was burning as the mansions of aristocracy were purged by revolution. Li ordered an airship and delivered an important message to the citizens. The message was simultaneously being broadcasted throughout the nation:
People of the Chinese Federation, comrades who oppose the eunuch's rule, listen to me! Our final hour has come as the eunuchs are disposed! No longer will their treacherous ways interfere with our social development. Tear down the names of aristocracy and burn it to the ground! Burn the mansions of feudal lords for they have done nothing but exploit the poor! Rid the nation of their evils and cry out for your rights! Overthrow your lords for the horrors they have committed, overthrow them for the food they wasted. China will be one nation where the poor will no longer starve on the streets. China will be a nation where the wealth once exclusively reserved to the rich will be rewarded to the deserving; the citizens. China will be a nation where everyone will work and live in harmony to build a new Great Wall, a new Porcelain Tower to the heavens! Save our nation from corruption! Long live the Chinese Federation! Long live Zhong Hua!
Streets all over China chanted these final words as flames charred once extravagant complexes of the upper class to ashes. The families of noblemen were slaughtered for a renovated country, a new order where the people have power. Gunfire from standard Chinese rifles burst like firecrackers as bullets pierced through even the hardest of metals, destroying even the most secured walls. People gazed at the wide sky in awe and hoped for the heavens to respond. They hoped for a new order where ordinary citizens have rights and a better life.
Part 34: Temple of Memories
Lelouch knelt before a large statue of an ancient Chinese philosopher. The temple was lit with only two dim candles that were placed on a bronze caldron with many lit incense sticks jutting out like little bamboo twigs. The religious fumes stimulated the sentiments of atonement as he breathed in the sweet fragrance from whence the smoke diffused. The sound of a bell played temperately from outside, swayed by the calm and constant summer breeze up high in the mountains. Lelouch sat on his behind with his legs spread out and palms pressed on the floor. He looked at the grand statue of a bearded man with his mask removed and said, "I heard you were revered as the wise sage of ten thousand generations. Oh great one, teach me something about virtue that I have been reluctant to acquire."
The statue did not budge as he expected. "What use is questioning a statue, when the answers always turn up from within," he mumbled at the dim alter.
"But it takes a long time for the answers to appear," a calming female voice entered the room, "I was expecting you here." Lelouch turned around to the voice's direction and saw C.C. appear in her black Qipao.
"C.C, how did you know was in this chamber? This is my first time embracing the Chinese culture," Lelouch asked.
"I have my intuition remember? I know you would only take interest if something is fresh to you," she returned.
"After meditating in this secluded temple, this inanimate stone reconstruction of the great sage has taught me quite a bit. Who knew some still statue can shed results unattainable through human interaction."
"Oh and what is that?"
"The statue doesn't speak or move it is forever still and clear. This one taught me that I get more out of the big picture when I shut up. I have become like this statue but clear in the mind."
C.C. gazed at his handsome face with loving eyes and said, "I am grateful to meet such an interesting guy like you for a change. You learn quickly without a clue to begin with."
"Ex nihilo, my dear, that is a power greater than Geass and safer by a hundred-fold if used properly," Lelouch replied with his index finger and thumb square in front of the lower right side of his face while resting his elbow on his knee. Lelouch seemed deep in thought as he stared at the smooth stone floor; the perfectly square tiles formed a pattern of simple yet elegant meaning. C.C. leaned forward and looked to her left, then her right and whistled.
"What do you find so amusing?" Lelouch asked, he was amused by her whistling.
"What do you think?" C.C. fired back immediately.
"Something suspicious coming from a devious girl like you," he said as he stood up and dusted his cape.
C.C. walked over to his side and said, "I am glad you did not call me a cold-hearted witch like you used to."
"Why should I? You have saved me a bunch of times to be called a cold person," he replied.
C.C. grabbed Lelouch's right hand and tugged him down a narrow hall silently. "Where are you taking me C.C, I am really curious," Lelouch inquired. C.C. did not reply and started to run. "What is the meaning of this," Lelouch questioned. They approached another chamber just like the previous one but it was light compared to the previous one.
C.C. entered a brighter room that illuminated in many shades of yellow, orange and red. With Lelouch by her side she stopped instantly at the entrance. She turned around and laced her ten fingers to his. C.C. kissed Lelouch on the lips without a warning. Lelouch looked startled by her impulsive action but eventually submitted to her pleasures. They deepened their kiss as they walked towards a wall; he guided her as she stepped back. "Why are you doing this," Lelouch asked her with delicate eyes. Her back was against a cold stone wall in which her heated body diffused its warmth into. "I do this because of love, nothing more can explain something this whimsical," she replied.
"And beautiful," Lelouch added, looking down into her amber eyes.
C.C. looked to a corner and asked, "Do you know where we are?"
"A Chinese temple," he replied.
"We were at the temple of virtue before and you sought for virtue. Now we are in the temple of matrimony so we are seeking for our union," C.C. said.
"Do we just make a wish or what?"
"When I lived in China eight years ago, many rebellious couples come here to marry in secret. I just thought it would be romantic to get married in secrecy, despite the opposition of others."
"C.C, you are a romantic, you know that?"
"I like that more than a cold witch like everybody says."
"Then they haven't gotten the chance to know you."
"Lelouch, you are the first to accept me for who I am and I thank you sincerely with all my heart," she said with the feeling of comfort in her voice; "Shall we wed?"
"As you wish my lovely wife," Lelouch said, tilting her soft chin towards his face under the rainbow of bright lights. He gazed into her bright eyes, bent down and gently placed his lips on top of hers. The bright lights glittered at a distance as they held each other in the process. They kissed ardently as if time was eternal, cherishing every moment like a blissful reverie and exchanging deep feelings for one another in indescribable proportions. The lovers stood there, bosom against bosom, hand in hand and life with life, never leaving each other until the end of time.
"I will remember this moment forever as it is my everlasting dream," C.C. said with a bright smile.
"My beloved wife, I will never leave you and I promise you with all my heart," Lelouch said.
"If you die and I return to life and find somebody else to fall in love with, I know it was you in the past life," C.C. said tenderly.
Shuffling noises echoed from outside the chamber. Lelouch turned his head and watched cautiously and said, "We have to hurry before somebody sees us."
"You still know how to ruin the mood," C.C. said, "But that will not make me dislike you anymore; I think you of all people are cute that way."
Lelouch carried C.C. in his arms bridal style and walked out of the chamber. C.C. asked him a question on his opinion, "Honey, what you think of our little journey to this place?"
"Honey?" Lelouch responded with a profoundly embarrassed look as he carried her, bridal style.
C.C. held onto his shoulders and asked, "Don't couples refer to each other with these terms and pet names." Lelouch did not answer.
"Did you enjoy Taishan," C.C. asked for his opinion.
"Well yes and I loved it. The view up on Taishan was absolutely marvellous with its natural landscape. The mountain's elegance and splendour made me think of you," Lelouch replied.
"Oh Lelouch, you words are so sublime," C.C. said as she stared tenderly into his eyes.
"I would love to embrace this natural serenity with you for as long as I live," Lelouch said romantically.
"Then we should come here on our anniversaries," C.C. suggested. Lelouch nodded.
They were on top of a mountain before entering the temple complex, watching the morning sunrise and listening to birdsongs of twilight on a romantic get-together, sitting on a cliff while holding hands. They shared an intimate time as they lived on the land with only each other, unobserved by other people, carefree and matched. The day was equivalent to a private holiday in the Garden of Eden; free from woes and authoritative suppressions.
Lelouch walked a long way out of the temple complex and thought to himself, "Although this wasn't very official, I am happy beyond my words could describe. The feeling of being together with C.C. under the same sky was a joy I cannot discard. It consoled my aching heart from my grievances of losing family, relatives and friends. Together, we are no longer mere accomplices or partners in crime like before. Now as husband and wife, our bond transcends beyond just existing together, we are united by soul; two balanced halves of one whole."
The glorious sun shone rays of warmth on the newlyweds as they got into the Gawain. C.C. was sound asleep in his arms so he took the initiative to pilot the Gawain in her place. They left the abandoned temple and flew towards the evening sunset in their little world; a world isolated from the wretched agonies of suffering. For an entire day on foreign soil, they had been unaware of the land's efforts for social reform.
Part 35: Reform
The night skies were a wonderful spectacle that night, as Lelouch piloted the Gawain safely into the city's hanger. Lelouch carried C.C., who was still asleep to the tall residential tower of his league of Black Knights. He walked to the entrance as it automatically opened in response to his proximity. Two women stood by the automatic door and bowed. They announced with their hands by their sides, "Welcome back Master Zero."
Ougi was sitting on a sofa at a corner and ran to see his superior, he said, "Master Zero where have you been, it is 11:30?"
"I was not on the island. The embassy was abandoned after last night so C.C. and I were sorting the logistics between our relations with China," Lelouch lied.
Ougi looked at the green-haired woman in Lelouch's arm and asked, "Is she alright?"
"She has a slight fever but will be fine by tomorrow morning," Lelouch said, "Were you going to tell me about something important?"
"Uh… yes! Our current position appears dire. With the death of Prince Odysseus, Chinese Federation in chaos and our powerless forces stuck on an island, our survival looks grim," Ougi said with a face of dismay.
"There is nothing to worry about," Lelouch returned.
"Are you positive?" Ougi reacted quizzically.
"The Chinese Federation has recently updated that they will get a new administration installed as the civil unrest was merely a reformation. We have the resources from here on the island, Japan, Philippines and Indo-Malaya to rally secret invasions across the globe. We must fortify our defences for the upcoming days and if Britannia does not respond with any measures of violence, we will begin a simultaneous invasion in New Tenochtitlan, Vancouver, Canberra, and Chicago," Lelouch informed firmly.
"Understood," Ougi replied with a bow.
Lelouch turned around and said, "Make sure that the empress stays alive, she is a valuable asset to the Black Knights."
"We have her under good care master," Ougi replied.
"Then you are dismissed," Lelouch concluded coolly and carried C.C. into the nearest elevator. Ougi stared mindlessly at Lelouch and snapped back into reality. He looked concerned about the honourable Knight of Justice and thought, "Master Zero didn't even tell us where he was going. He is our coordinator, leader and hope of returning back to Japan. These days, he spends most of his time with that mistress of his and is engrossed in destroying the base of the Britannian Empire. We are lost without his guidance, his tutelage. When he isn't around, we are secluded on this barren island to wilt away; we don't know what to do."