Uhm, I only got a couple of reviews on this story, but they were both really sweet and encourage me to add onto this. So, continuing with my "historical accuracy", here is chapter two of Years.
AS FOR THE FOREIGN LANGUAGES; I don't speak Mandarin (I'm learning as of next semester), and I don't speak a lick of Russia. I am just using translators. It will get better when they learn to speak the same language. ^^;
Fours years. It had been four years since they had gone marching into the frozen country, intent of taking land. And now they would be getting it, though through much calmer methods than some would have liked.
Yao separated away from the group of people who were mobbing around Songgotu and slipped outside to inhale the cold, fresh air. Even during the summer seasons, it was surprisingly chilly there. There, sitting down on one of the small benches, he allowed his mind to wander. Instead of focusing on the treaty at hand, he wondered about things such as the people here and the country itself. Where was he? Yao knew that when something such as this happened, the country himself was supposed to be present. He wondered what he would look like, how he would act. The country was younger than most, he knew that, as well as previously being a Viking country. The Asian inhaled deeply again and closed his eyes.
"Чего вы делаете в холоде?"
Torn away from deep thoughts, Yao looked down at the child speaking in the foreign language. He used the term child loosely, seeing as the boy was ten and easily up to the Asian's shoulder. None the less, in comparison the boy was little more than an infant to him.
The boy repeated the question, and Yao cursed to himself at not understand the language. One of the several translators who had been coming to the meeting was walking by conveniently, and Yao called him over.
"Please ask him what he is saying..." Yao asked the man, who nodded and turned to the little boy. Obviously irritated, the boy once again repeated his sentence, eyes never leaving the Asian country. The translator turned back to him and said, "He is asking you why you are out here."
Yao looked down at the boy, and without breaking his gaze told the translator to continue to help them in their conversation.
"I am out here to think."
"Think about what?"
"That is a good question. Another thing for me to think about." The little boy furrowed his brow at this, obviously confused at the man's logic. The translator looked between them, not looking even vaguely interested. He was merely paid to translate.
"I asked you a question." The boy stated, and Yao laughed, lightly but strongly.
"Little boy, why do you seem so familiar?"
"Because..." The translator paused, seeming confused, before finishing the sentence, "You've met me before."
It was Yao's turn to be confused, and he looked the little boy up and down, before he noticed.
"Zĭ luó làn sè." Violet eyes.
"You are that boy from those years ago..."
"I am, yes. I knew it was you, sir..."
The translator stopped, again looking between the two of them curiously. Did either of them truly know who the other was?
"Sir? No, do not call me such a thing, please. Such formalities are not necessary...my name is Wang Yao."
"I am...Vancheka Braginsky."
This time, the translator did not need to help. Yao spoke for himself, playing with the foreign name. "Van...cheka...."
The two had continued their conversation for a a while longer, before Yao was called back by Songgotu to start the meeting. He bowed his head goodbye, before rushing away. The translator bowed his head as well, rushing off and leaving Vancheka alone. "J-Jao..." He repeated the name softly to himself, before following after into the meeting room.
The treaty of Nerchinsk was signed on August 27th, 1689, by Songgotu on behalf of the Kanxi Emperor anbd Fedor Golovin on behalf of Tsar's Peter I and Ivan V. This treaty was the first ever between Russia and China, and gave China control of the area north of the Amur River and east of the Argun River.
Songgotu was later found guilty for attempted murder against the emperor. He was imprisoned and died of starvation. Golovin "was the last Russian boyar and the first Russian chancellor, field marshal, general admiral. Until his death he was the most influential of Peter the Great's associates."(Wikipedia)
INACCURACY; although I have Yao speak Mandarin Chinese, there were no mandarins at the signing of the treaty. The reason? The journey had to be made on horseback and most gentlemen had not mastered this skill.
If you still like this, please leave me a review~ It's really encouraging for someone like me. I've very...approval desperate. Next up? The fall of the monarchies; 1912 and 1917. They might be two chapters or I may combine them into one. This story will only lead up to 1991, after which I will just switch to my fluff and lemons~!