Amongst the chaotic and turbulent times that wracked the world, Ba Sing Se was enjoying a small measure of prosperity. As Earth King Kuei spent lavish fortunes to fund his war, the whole empire was awakened with blacksmiths busily pounding iron into steel weapons. Farmers flocked to the cities and working diligently as day laborers, and then to return to their village for the seasonal harvest. The merchants earning a tidy profit from a sudden increase for their goods from the army. And with news of victory after victory from the front, the spirits of the people were uplifted - victory after victory, siege after successful siege - the Divine Will of the Son of Heaven became of the Will of the Earth People. To add to these good times, Kuei was celebrating the birth of his newborn children with Princess Fuyou and Princess Iroha. He named the boy Fāsòng de tiāntáng or Sent From Heaven. The girl was named Tiānkōng zhī guāng or Light of Heaven. With a clear line of succession and the future of the Empire assured, he proclaimed a week of celebration in Ba Sing Se.
"Truly the people will follow their emperor to the stars, if the army gives us another victory," said the handsome attendant.
"Victory is in the air. One more quick victory and the Air Nomads will surrender. This is turning out to be a splendid little war," said Chief Minister Li Su.
"What about the Fire Nation?" asked the large attendant.
"What about them? The Fire Nation might as well be on the moon for all we care," replied Li Su.
The handsome attendant placed his face in hand. "Nothing short of act of war will force the Fire Lord. And even if he has the guts to declare war, he will find the whole Earth Kingdom aroused and ready for him."
"And the Avatar brat?" asked the large attendant.
"The Avatar has told me of the Fire Lord's promise between them. Apparently the Fire Lord is so unsure of himself that he has asked the Avatar to take his life, if he should repeat the same mistakes as his father. It is quite possible that he would side with us if there is war between the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom."
In the streets, everyone showed their patriotic fervor. The young ladies danced with handsome officers, the rank and file soldiers on leave spending their pensions on wine, women, and song. The most ardent of patriots toasted their sovereign and the newborn prince and princess. Young boys played army, and tried to march in step with the soldiers who were on maneuver with the silent approval of the adults. Students put down their books and pens, to hear war stories from their friends who had returned home fresh with victory.
"What an adventure." Haru overheard someone say as the speaker bragged to his friends about his latest exploits. "I killed 5 nomads, they were nothing special." For Haru's part in the recent campaigns in the west against the rebellious Air Nomad countries, it was uneventful. Because he was an Earthbender, he and his friends spent their time building new roads and bridges for the army to travel on. Wherever the Earth Kingdom went they built roads.
"Have you heard about the Fire Nation withdrawing from the Harmony Restoration Movement?" another asked. "Do you think that we'll be at war again?"
"Why not? We're going to fight them anyway."
In the Earth King's Imperial Palace, the Earth King was personally leading a ritual of offering food, wine, tea, and incense. With him was his family, and of course the Ten Attendants, as it was stately affair; the Son Heaven was honoring his ancestors with a mausoleum. Also there were the King Hakuma and Dong Zhuo. They ended the ceremony by Taoist tradition by burning mock paper money, and paper marce of buildings, chariots and horses, and servants.
"Your father would have been so proud of you," said the Dowager Empress after they had paid their respects and they were at rest back in their palace.
But Keui was filled with unease.
"Li Su," said Keui.
"Yes, Your Majesty?" Bowed Li Su.
"Recall the tales and exploits of my ancestors the Earth Kings starting with the first; Chin the Great."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Your august ancestor Chin, was a humble straw peddler who made straw mats, hats, sandals, ponchos and all manner of things to the people. He desired only to live in peace and harmony with the people and with the land. But fate was not so kind, one day he awoke to see his whole world torn asunder as his family was murdered by the cruel king. These were dark times in the world; It was the Age of Chaos. Vassals betrayed their lords, lords betrayed their vassals. Sons betrayed their fathers, fathers betrayed their sons. Brothers betrayed brothers.
"Filled with righteous anger, and with only a simple knife in hand Chin gathered his village proclaiming 'Let us rise up against the evil tyrant with our bamboo spears as our banners of rebellion!' He and his followers would call themselves, the Harmonious and Glorious Fist, as they began their glorious and exalted march to overthrow their tyrant. Chin and his followers stormed the tyrant's palace and threw him from the highest tower.
"Chin exorcised demons and evil spirits from the land. Received the Celestial Sword Grass Cutter from the Heavens, who commanded him to end the Age of Chaos and restore peace to the land. He singlehandedly saved the child Avatar Kyoshi and her village, from evil men who wanted to prevent her from carrying out her divine mission. He rescued the princess of Omashu from the clutches of an evil invader, and then liberated the country.
"Chin the Mighty became Chin the Liberator. Renowned throughout the land, undefeated in battle, and with the help of Avatar Kyoshi, Chin the Liberator went on to fulfill his divine mission. He created the Council of Five, charging them to defend the realm. And the people loved him for it and they crowned him as their king.
"Chin the Liberator became Chin the Great. By his Will Chin united the Earth Kingdom by codifying the laws, standardizing our systems of measurements, banned the burning of books, and established the common script. Recognizing his virtuous deeds, Avatar Kyoshi bestowed him the Mandate of Heaven, and inaugurated his reign.
"After Chin's untimely death, his son Earth King Jing succeeded him. He said famously, 'To fulfill the Mandate of Heaven, we must fulfill the needs of the people.' Earth King Jing gathered the best and brightest of the land and made them his Ten Attendants. Together they worked hard everyday to improve the empire and addressed the grievances of the people. But before his great work could be completed he suffered an untimely death.
"His cousin, Earth King Wen succeeded him and built many temples, including the great Air Temples to please the Heavens..."
As Li Su continued his tale of the Earth Kings one after another Kuei was moved to tears.
"Why are you crying dear?" asked Iroha.
"I'm not crying," said Fuyou who was studying herself with a hand mirror.
"I meant our husband, dear," said Iroha patiently.
Kuei wiped away his tears, "I feel as though as I have failed in some way. What I have accomplished compared to my ancestors? Each of them were benevolent and wise rulers who pleased the Heavens, and served the people. And what have I done?"
"Do not feel discouraged. You have accomplished much. You have liberated our lands from the evil Fire Nation, and you have preserved the empire," said Kuei's mother Dowager Empress He Ji.
A doorman appeared in the room and bowed to the Royal Family and the ministers. "Avatar Aang wish to speak with His Imperial Majesty," he announced.
"Show him in," Kuei said.
"Avatar Aang and Katara daughter of Chief Hakoda of the Southern Tribe," said the doorman who then erectly stood aside the pair to enter.
"Greetings, Earth King Kuei," bowed Aang and Katara.
"Avatar Aang! Katara! It's been much too long! I heard you were in the Earth Kingdom dealing with the situation at Yu Dao! Thank you for all your help with the removal of that colony! The remaining few seem to be more difficult than-"
"That's why we're here, your majesty," said Katara to avoid any misunderstanding. "We'd like to set up a meeting between you and Fire Lord Zuko. Yu Dao...is still there."
"For now," added Aang.
Kuei furrowed his brow. "So then, the Fire Lord persists in denying the movement his support! He wants to keep his colonies!"
"Earth King Kuei, I'm on your side! The people of the Fire Nation don't belong in your kingdom, so the Harmony Restoration Movement has to continue! With a little convincing, I'm sure Fire Lord Zuko-"
"Fire Lord Zuko has legitimate concerns about the colonials who still live here! We really need to sit down and talk through our options. Maybe there's something we missed," Katara subtly argued with her lover.
Kuei fell silent as the Avatar and the imperial court waited for his answer. Kuei's face hardened and reverted back to his statemanship using the royal "we" instead of "I" with a disarming smile.
"We shall think on it. But for now we wish to throw you a feast, you must have come a long way."
The doorman opened the door for Aang and Katara as they left the room his face was passive. Kuei summoned the Council of Five. And after having his herald relay what was said Kuei addressed those around him, "What do you think of this situation? I want to hear all of your opinions."
Without ceremony Chief Minister Li Su stepped forward, the Ten Attendants looking straight forward as though they had rehearsed it all before. "I believe I speak for the ministers when I say that we should move forward with the Harmony Restoration Movement; with or without the support of the Fire Lord."
"That would mean war with the Fire Nation," said Han.
"Then we shall rattle our sabers, if we rattle enough, the Fire Lord will back down," argued Fong.
"And when we draw out our sabers, we will find them all broken. We should not be fighting the Fire Nation, we should be crushing the rebellions."
Fong turned on Han, "Do you really think that the Fire Lord will sit back and watch as the nomads are cut to ribbons? He has already given them weapons. My spies have already informed that the Yu Dao is helping their neighboring country of Kai. Which means the Fire Lord must be arming the colonists as well. We must attack now!"
"I wholeheartedly agree. We are no longer a weak nation on the verge of defeat, we have an entire empire at our disposal," Dong Zhuo interjected. "We have the men, we have the weapons, and we have the ships now. If we have the strength to take back the colonies, why not simply reclaim what is rightfully ours?"
"Indeed! The colonies are scar on the Earth People, these foreign ash-makers defile our sacred land with their presence. Why should we extend our hand to an enemy who continues to conspire with treacherous Air Nomads to destroy the empire?" The King of Hakuma chimed in.
"Have you been able to keep peace with the nomads in your kingdom?" asked Kuei to the King of Hakuma.
"In Hakuma I had all the treacherous nomads leave the province. They left in 3 days."
"Didn't they resist?" Kuei asked.
"I had my army make sure it was expedient."
"Where did they all go?"
"I was not concerned where they went, so long as they left," the arrogant king replied nonchalantly. "The Air Nomads are no different than the Fire Nation. They are mere puppets and do not deserve any sympathy they all should be killed."
Princess Iroha inaudibly inhaled sharply.
"That may be what we may have to resort to if we are to have peace in the empire," said Han without pause as though giving in. "If we are to defeat all our enemies and have any hope for final victory in the lost provinces, we would have to impose martial law. Once we have consolidated our gains we will deport the local population and supplant more loyal subjects into the lands that we have conquered. The more the better."
"What do you think brother?" asked Kuei to Chielun.
"Your Majesty, I believe we should talk to the Fire Lord, and listen to what he has to say, and see if we can come to some sort of arrangement. For instance, if he was willing give up certain strategic positions; in exchange we may have to give up some of ours. And I believe that in our haste to reclaim lost glory we may ruin the empire. What the empire needs to do now is to consolidate our gains and make stability our top priority."
Everyone stood in shocked silence, except Dong Zhuo who was visibly unmoved as though he had expected this who said, "Your Royal Highness, is truly a man of peace. But the Fire Lord will not give up any land so long as a single colonist remains in the Earth Kingdom. And he will send his armies to protect them. Therefore we must take back the lost provinces by force, in order to that we must occupy Yu Dao and our army march through it."
"And risk starting a second world war?"
"Why not? All of our commanders are ready for it," said Fong.
"We will not make the empire stronger by taking one yard of Yu Dao."
"But the nomads have lost, and the Fire Nation has no more allies, why not continue?" asked Kuei.
"And we have already won our prize. Now we can send our men home and bargain."
"I do not agree."
"Then what would be gained from conquering Yu Dao?"
"Retaking the lost provinces, keeping the nomads down, and keeping the Fire Nation out."
"The lost provinces have already been lost; those were rebellious provinces filled with rebellious Air Nomads that our forefathers had to constantly repress. They have no interest in rejoining the Earth Kingdom, and neither will they wear their yoke under the Fire Nation for long! This foreign adventure is not worth the healthy bones a single Imperial Guardsman, let the others fight their own battles! War should only be used to fight for something worth sacrificing for. Now that we have achieved more than we had expected; everything else is nonsense! We have shown the world our strength, now we should use it wisely! At least we shall need the neutrality of the Fire Nation if we are ever at war with Kai or Kanto."
The room was silent as the prince's words sunk in.
"I agree with His Royal Highness Prince Chielun," said Han.
"As do I. And I strongly believe that we must make accommodations for the refugees who had been forced to leave their homes. We should show them - no, show the world - the benevolence of our emperor," said Iroha whose voice did not waver and drew the attention of everyone.
Kuei was silent for a few moments before speaking his final words. "I made a sacred promise to my loyal subjects that I will reclaim the lost provinces. I will not turn that promise into a lie." And then turning his attention to Iroha and said firmly, "And I will not suffer further humiliation. And in regards to the refugees that is a problem that we will have to settle later."
Meanwhile the oblivious young avatar and his lover were enjoying some imperial fine dining...
"Mm! Sweetie, you have to try this!" said Aang.
"I'm still working on these delicious pan-fried noodles!"
"This has to be the best tofu I've ever tasted! Right, Momo?"
Keui appeared at the table and said, "Avatar Aang and Katara, thank you for giving me time to ponder our present situation."
"No problem, your Earthiness! Thank you for dinner! So when should we set up our meeting with Fire Lord Zuko?"
"I'm deeply sorry, but you're not going to like what I have to say," Kuei said with complete seriousness. "All my life, I've been weak - so weak that my most trusted advisor was able to hide a hundred years' war behind a curtain of lies. Well, I'm tired of being weak. Because I am the Son of Heaven, the Emperor of the Earth Empire, and the Earth King of Ba Sing Se. And I am your sovereign." Kuei towered over Aang. "Fire Lord Zuko promised he would see the Harmony Restoration Movement through to the very end. Now he's turned his promise into a lie! Why should I meet with him - so he can tell me more lies? I will not stand for it! I will order General How to lead my troops to Yu Dao and enforce harmony!"
"But my emperor, you are sovereign only because I agreed to call you that," said Aang but then forgetting himself he got out of his seat and kneeled at Kuei's feet. "Son of Heaven, I implore you to reconsider. Sending your army there will be seen as an act of war!"
"The Fire Nation residents of Yu Dao will either leave my empire peacefully or face the most dire of consequences. That is my decision." Kuei said as he left the room, the servants and his ministers bowing before him.
"Your majesty, do you even hear what you're saying?" cried a shocked Katara.
"I have already made up my mind. If the Fire Lord is not with me, then I assume that he is against me."
The doorman bowed the lowest and burrowed craven eyes at the emperor's retreating back.
Dowager Empress He Ji reached for his son's crooked arm. "That was well said my son. Oh, and by the way, I do not approve of the nomad princess interfering on our affairs of state."
"But she is the mother of my daughter and one of my wisest counsels."
"Yes, she is a very good mother, I've seen her dote on her little bundle of joy. But she will be very busy as your family grows. And so her influence will be in the nursery and there it should remain. If you need some real advice you should come to me. Trust me, it would be better this way."