Here is Chapter 4! I was actually pretty fast about this one. I know Non Malum mentioned that Shen was kind of sort of nice-ish in the second chapter, but now that he's gotten over the stress of being in an actual real battle and is back to city living, he's pretty much his old grouchy-ass self again. Although when he's alone and kind of stressed, I imagine that he kind of wigs out sometimes. I feel like Shen can over-think things and it probably makes him unpleasant and stressed out.
Also, I think whiteling asked who the invaders were so just to clear things up, they're actually just your generic, nomadic, warring tribe. Kinda like the Mongols but probably not as tough because I think the Mongols would have kicked Shen's butt. This is why I didn't want to name specifics.
Again, thanks to my readers and reviewers. Your feedback is much appreciated.
Oh I almost forgot. This chapter takes place simultaneously with Chapter 3. That was kind of important. This is what happens when I get distracted.
Summary: The paths Shen took in the past seem only to lead deeper into darkness. But through the eyes of those who have woven themselves into his life, a new story unfolds-one leading away from old misery and guilt-that may yet bring him redemption. Slight AU. Chapter 4-Shen takes a day off from the stress of ruling a city.
Chapter 4.
Shen.
"My lord, the head architect has finished his plans for the new Tower of Sacred Flame. He requested you to look over it and give it your approval."
"If I may be so bold, might I suggest you organize a council to help you manage your affairs?"
"We've just received messages from the provinces you claimed during the campaign requesting orders."
Questions like these had assaulted Shen from every corner, and it was driving him mad. A part of him wanted to simply cast all his duties onto someone else, but he hated the idea of giving his hard-earned power. So he sat through meetings and endured the insipid questions and petitions that peppered him all day.
I can see why my parents were always so busy, he thought. But they were the rulers of the city. Surely they could have made some time…for me.
It was late evening by the time Shen adjourned the meeting to elect a council of officers who would take care of more menial affairs. If anyone asked him even one more question, he thought he was sure to put a knife through that person's skull.
A pig servant poked his head through Shen's chamber door. "Sir, what will you—EEeeeep!" The throwing knife sliced his hat open and pinned itself to the door.
"Don't you knock?" Shen demanded, touching the hilt of another knife inside his sleeve.
"I beg your pardon, my lord!" the pig squealed, bowing. "I just wanted to know—" The second knife flew, and the pig barely dodged it.
"Get out! I don't want to see your stupid, ugly face! I don't want to hear your idiotic questions! In fact, tell everyone in this stinking mansion to stay away from me! LEAVE!"
The pig slunk out of the room, cowering so low his chin nearly touched the ground. As he passed another servant heading up to Shen's room, he waved his arms in distress. "No, no! Don't go in there! The lord is in a rage. He wouldn't even let me inquire about his dinner."
Shen sat on his couch, still breathing hard from his outburst. Was this what ruling was like? All the pestering citizens, money to be managed, nobles begging for favor…was this his reward? He thought it would be better than this. This was not worth the long wait. This was not what he had dreamed of.
No, don't lose sight of things, he told himself. Just be patient. Remember, this is your destiny! Everything will fall into place.
Destiny, destiny, destiny. He repeated it in his head like a mantra. However, the conscious mind has little sway on one's innermost thoughts, despite its efforts, and Shen's subconscious remained unconvinced.
He could feel a desperate frustration bubbling inside him, and he fought to control it. How had he imagined his success before? In his dreams, he had attained victory after victory before declaring himself emperor, and all of China bowed before him, whether they wanted to or not. Every life form in the nation was under his thumb, and he could squash them into oblivion if they so much as annoyed him.
Shen felt trapped in between two conflicting desires. On one hand, he wanted the power to rule all on his own, no advisors pestering him, no councilmen, no meetings, just his orders. On the other hand, he knew such a rule would be short lived. Ultimately, he would have to defer some authority to others or else everything would fall apart.
Curse everything! He'd worked so hard for this. How could he be getting cold feet now? He clenched his metal talons, scraping the floor. Had the Soothsayer been right about this being a cup that couldn't be filled or whatever annoying ambiguous advice it was? No, it couldn't be. That old goat was no different from anyone else. She could be wrong too, just like she had been wrong about her prophecy. Shen smiled crookedly at the thought. The best part about that was that he had been personally responsible for proving her wrong. He hadn't been defeated! That had to mean destiny was on his side…right?
Shen flung some of his knives, watching them impale the wall with dull thuds. Right now, he hated everyone. He hated the hypocrisy of his citizens. He hated the stupid, arrogant sense of nobility of ones who called themselves kung fu masters. Most of all, he hated that god-awful voice in his head that wouldn't shut up!
"I don't care about the past! It means nothing to me," he moaned, running a hand through his crest. "Only the future matters." More knives struck the wall as he hissed furiously.
"Why can't I let go of it? Why, why, why, WHY?" With each "why" another knife speared the pillars and walls. Breathing heavily, Shen surveyed the room, which looked like it had grown rows of metallic teeth, all bearing down on him.
He dropped down onto his bed, not bothering to change into new robes. As he drifted off to sleep, the smug little voice in the back of his mind whispered to him. You could conquer the entire world, and it would not change anything. No matter what, you're the same pitiful white peacock whose parents did not want you.
Shen groaned into his pillow. That's it. He needed a day off.
Obeying his promise to himself, Shen began the next day by snapping at any servant or advisor who attempted to gain an audience with him and promptly left the mansion. He passed through the upper districts where the nobles resided. He had been confined to these districts as a child, but with the help of the wolf, young Shen had climbed the walls of the palace town and snuck out into the big city. The two children had run up and down the streets, weaving between the legs of adults to make them trip. They each took turns snatching bean buns off lunch wagons while the other distracted the cart owner. The Wolf Boss was not the Wolf Boss then, but just Lang, plain and simple, and Shen had glared every time Lang called him "Prince" because being a prince was stupid and boring way back when everything was still easy.
Shen examined the houses of various wealthy families and high-ranking statesmen, but none of them stirred anything inside of him. The houses were grand, but somehow they seemed sterile and lifeless as a pale corpse. He tried to remember what he had done amidst these houses and their people, but the only memories he could conjure were laced with the fog of lies and false charm. Somehow all the opulence seemed tacky all of a sudden, and it clung to his feathers like a film of muck—shimmering gold and red muck, but muck nonetheless. Half-consciously rubbing himself off, Shen hurried through the gates and out into the main city.
Outside the palace district, the streets were thick with people, clamoring with shopkeepers, shouting out restaurant orders, or simply having conversations. Shen tried to ignore the stares and barely concealed whispers that erupted from the crowd as he passed among them. Perhaps this plan had not been thought through very well. It was hard not to notice an albino peacock dressed in Gongmen Province's finest silk. Shen glared at a wide-eyed rabbit who stood in his path.
"What?" he snapped.
The rabbit's nose quivered and his ears shot straight up in alarm, and he bowed quickly before scampering away. Shen ran a finger along the cool metal of a knife. The feeling of the blade calmed him, reminding him who was in complete command over those little animals. I must be getting stir crazy, aggravated so easily by every little thing. I'm over-thinking everything.
Shen's thoughts floated to his conquest. The barbarian invasion threw his plans out the window, and now he was stuck here in the city, forced to reset. He ordered a rickshaw to take him to the outskirts of the city where his armory lay. He had never rested easy during his exile, and perhaps after thirty years of constant planning and activity, he had become so accustomed that he actually craved it. Besides, neither the gorillas nor the wolves were known for their grace. If anyone so much as dented the cannons that remained in working order, he was going to flay them.
The wolves standing guard at the factory knelt in acknowledgement as their lord passed through the gates. As Shen stepped through the doors, a wolf caught his eye and headed over to meet him.
"Sorry, my lord. I didn't know you were coming," he said with a bow.
"Why? Is there something you should be sorry for?" Shen asked coolly, watching in satisfaction as the wolf's tail tucked between his legs at the threat.
"No! Of course not, my lord. It's just kind of a mess, that's all," the wolf said quickly.
"Mm." Shen walked straight past him, eying the still machinery that had once been whirring and smoldering with activity. "What are you called?" he asked, not bothering to turn to the wolf.
"Captain Hao , my lord. Boss put me in charge of the factory here."
"Well Captain, would you mind explaining to me the point of a fireworks factory that has no fire?" Shen said with icy courtesy.
"I-uh-uh-well, we-we weren't sure-" Hao stammered, ears flattening.
"Here is my problem: I'm surrounded by idiots! What on earth have you fools been doing all this time? We've been in the city for a week. You mean to say it takes you a week to put all the cannons into a warehouse? Have your fleas sucked out brain instead of blood? My war is not yet over, and you are wasting my time! How many cannons here remain undamaged? How many?" Hao was on the ground by this point, Shen's metal talons digging into his fur. Shen dragged the wolf back to his feet and tossed him to the small section of cannons that remained in good condition. "COUNT THEM!"
"There-there's twenty," Hao said gasping.
"Twenty, MY LORD." Shen whipped his train at the incompetent wolf, sending him flying. "Listen up, all of you!" Everyone in the factory had ceased what they were doing when he had started threatening Hao, and now they all straightened up nervously, eyes trained on their master. "You idiots may think just because we bullied a few provinces into submission means we can sit back and relax. However, this is only the beginning. I told you I would conquer all of China, and do you honestly believe I will do it with twenty cannons? Under this fool Hao, you may have been bored and idle, but now your master is here and he has a job to relieve you of your boredom.
"Find more metal—good metal. Go to the mining towns we conquered and levy my tax. We no longer have to beg and steal for poor men's mongrel metal. By the time we strike out again, my cannons will not be made of shopkeepers' pots and musicians' bells, but true steel! Stoke the fires, begin your work again, and do it now! I cannot stand to wait any longer. China. Must. Be. Mine!"
By the time he left, Shen was feeling quite satisfied with himself. The wolves had gone scurrying immediately to find the resources to begin replenishing the supply of weaponry. Enough with trivial politics. He was a warlord. Iron and fire was in his blood, and Shen resolved to spend his days overseeing the factory, leaving the dull meetings to his council. They would still report to him with their decisions—he refused to trust everything to them—but dealing with petitions of peasants was far beneath him. He wondered where the Wolf Boss was. It felt odd walking the streets alone since the wolf had followed him everywhere like the faithful dog he was. Lately the pack leader seemed to be away rather often, now that they had come back to the city. Shen wouldn't say he missed the wolf, but it had been a long time since he had traveled solo.
Realizing he was hungry, he executed a wonderful abuse of power by clearing a restaurant of its customers, many who were only halfway through their meals, and seating himself at one of the emptied tables.
The rabbit server brought him steamed vegetable dumplings and white jasmine rice, and she almost spilled hot tea all over the table, her hands were shaking so violently. The fare was simple, but surprisingly, not very different in quality from the food he often received in the homes of the wealthy. Of course, it seemed difficult to botch steamed vegetable dumplings, but Shen had to wonder at the credentials of the chefs who were supposedly qualified to serve the nobility.
There was an anxious crowd gathered outside when he finished, and they all struggled to get out of his path as he made his exit. Several weren't quick enough, and stumbled across his path.
"Out of my way!" he commanded, causing the crowd to panic slightly as they surged away. A young rabbit dashed in front of him, and he nearly tripped. "Gah! Insolent little-" Shen glared at the child as he rushed past, squeezing behind the legs of…
"What?" Staring him right in the face, her eyes wide, was a rather plain-looking peahen. In the moment's pause, the crowd managed to clear, leaving the two of them staring each other down in a mixture of bewilderment and surprise.
Shen's eyes narrowed as he studied her. She never broke her gaze, watching his every move intently, but the rest of her face was frozen into an emotionless mask. When he was young, there had been a few peafowl families that lived in Gongmen, but all were nobility. Since his fall from grace, he had not seen a single peafowl in the city, and he'd assumed they'd all left, now that their claim to power in Gongmen had been torn apart. Yet here was a peahen, and clearly not one of high birth, judging by her shoddy appearance and lack of etiquette. It seemed strange to Shen that one would show up so suddenly after his return.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"Min," she replied robotically.
"You will address me as 'my lord,' peahen. Do you not realize whom you are addressing? I am Lord Shen. Ruler of Gongmen City and soon to be Emperor of China."
"I'm sorry. My lord. I'm from a small village. My lord. We don't have much contact with the outside world. My lord."
Shen curled his beak in disdain. Yes, she definitely seemed a peasant, and a fool as well. But those eyes seemed to say otherwise. He continued his interrogation.
"Why are you here?"
"I had heard about Gongmen City. My lord. I wanted to see it for myself. My lor-"
"Alright! You don't need to say it after every sentence!" Shen said, rubbing a hand down his face in exasperation. "Just get on with answering my questions. What village are you from?"
This time, he noticed a slight twitch of her facial muscles before she answered. "Only a small village on the outskirts of a larger town," she said. The twitch might have been his imagination. "My…lord?" she added hesitantly. Shen rolled his eyes.
"What is it called though? Surely you know the name of your own town if you're not a complete imbecile."
No, the twitch was definitely not a part of his imagination. He saw it again. "Xiao Niao," she answered. Shen searched her face for any sign of deceit, but the peahen could have been made of stone. No ordinary small-town peasant could keep such a straight face in the presence of a lord while standing in one of the largest, grandest cities in all of China. And no ordinary peasant idiot would have a look so sharp and observant. Her story was not matching up.
Shen was royalty, and therefore a practiced liar. Two could play this game. "I'm quite intrigued by your presence here, Min." He put on a light smile, though he doubted he could keep the scorn completely suppressed. "You see, we don't get many peafowl in the city, and when we do, they all seem a bit more…regal." There was that twitch again. He continued, "Even so, it's rather nice for me to see someone of my own species. Perhaps you would like to accompany me to my home. I'd love to hear all about this village of yours and how you came to be there."
The peahen opened her mouth, but it was a split second before words actually made their way out. "No, my lord, I couldn't…" The sentence came out properly—no stilted, last-minute "my lords." Shen almost grinned. He was sure she was hiding something, and he would not let her out of his grasp until he found out what.
"I don't mean that as a suggestion," he interrupted. "My mansion is across the city. We'll need a carriage." Shen was about to force a villager to find him transportation when out of nowhere appeared the Wolf Boss.
"Gods, Lord Shen, I've been looking everywhere for you," he panted. "Why didn't you tell me you left this morning?"
"I don't need your permission to leave my own house," Shen snapped. The wolf stared, dumbfounded.
"No, of course not, but it would help to know where my freaking lord is," he retorted.
"That's your concern, not mine. Now make yourself useful and find me a carriage. We're having a guest." Shen gestured to the peahen.
The Wolf Boss grinned at her, all his teeth showing, and she cringed slightly. "Hey there, Miss Peacock," he said with a wave and padded away before Shen could correct his mistake.
"Idiot dog," Shen muttered and glanced back at the peahen. Her face was as serene as ever but her gaze was hard and sharp, like rocks piercing the skin of a calm ocean. Peasant, my tail feathers. I will find your secret Miss Min, if I have to cut it out of your scruffy little throat.
Xiao Niao is "little bird" typed into Google translate. I'm sure a Chinese person somewhere is crying at the inaccuracy. But I don't speak a lick of Chinese. What can I do?