Minister Qin

Minister Qin didn't know if he should cheer or curse his luck as he passed by another group of people talking about the recent rumor that was making its round all around the Fire Nation, on one hand, it helped in drawing a line in the sand so he could see the adversaries more clearly. On the other…well, let's just say that Qin has never been more appreciative of the fact that he didn't have to be constantly around the Fire Lord, more than one bureaucrat has met their end at the fiery hands of Ozai and he wasn't keen on joining their ranks.

At least now the Fire Lord was busy stamping out that rumor instead of following certain people, privately Qin wondered if prince Zuko had been the one to start the rumor and if there was any truth to it. Shaking his head Qin finally entered the room where his collaborator was currently working at.

"You look overworked minister," Piandao said as he enjoyed some tea.

"I always look overworked because I always am" the dry response of the minister drew a laugh from the swordmaster and not long after that Qin took a sit opposite to his supposed friend.

Qin knew that Piandao's ultimate goal was a peaceful world but that definition was quite broad and quite dangerous, perhaps the minister was overly cautious but a lifetime of playing politics had given him a healthy sense of paranoia and more than once it had saved him from an unfortunate end.

The silence in the room was quite uncomfortable but thankfully it was broken by Piandao.

"Is it true?" Qin didn't even need to ask what he was referring to so he simply answered.

"Who can say but Ursa, it would make sense but there is no denying that Zuko and Ozai are almost like mirror images of each other, with some differences yes but that is normal between father and son"

"Indeed, but it would certainly explain much. Zuko's more temperate disposition and kindness are a match to Iroh's and while age hasn't been kind to the general he also looked a lot like Zuko and his son also looked strikingly like Zuko"

What the swordmaster said was true and Qin was sure that many in the military thought the same, it was also well-known that Lu Ten spent a lot of time with Zuko in his earlier years and Iroh was never far behind. The fact that Ursa left soon after the death of Azulon who greatly favored Iroh and who could've possibly known of such a fact was also making people think.

When the idea that Zuko could be Iroh's son became known many people realized that perhaps the fact that Azulon named Ozai heir wasn't because the general was too busy mourning for his son to lead and instead was an effort to make sure Iroh's line continued in spite of such a problem.

"All this rumormongering is not why I came here, I want to know if you're ready to act"

Piandao looked surprised but he his face quickly started sporting a very bloodthirsty grin that would make even the fiercest firebenders proud "Of course, we could act today if it came to it, there would be many losses and surely rebellions and counter-attacks would follow but we could win. My students are in position to assassinate Ozai's biggest supporters and they're ready to die for our cause"

Piandao gave Qin a searching look that unnerved the minister before speaking again "I won't give the order though, not unless I know for a fact that you're planning to act for the benefit of the Fire Nation and not yourself"

The minister had to admit that the thought had crossed his mind, he could unleash the rebellion early and play both sides until a clear winner sprang up, then he would wield unparalleled influence in the court of the victor but such a thing was inefficient at best and suicidal at worst.

"I wasn't planning on telling you to act right away-"

"Good" the interruption was not necessary but powerplays were always the same even with allies so the minister merely grunted before continuing.

"But" and Qin stressed out the word "we need to be ready to act, Ozai is becoming unstable and I'm sure that he will do something that we can use as an excuse to finally put an end to this war"

And if Ozai didn't do anything the Qin might have to encourage some of his people to act, whatever atrocities they commit would be a small price to pay to have peace in their time. perhaps the minister wouldn't live to see it but he would do his best to try and survive.

"I find it amusing that the minister of war is now fighting for peace"

Qin would've liked to say that some measure of honor was pushing him forward but it was only a deep sense of preservation that kept him on this path, besides, his title may be war minister but he dealt with matters of technology first and foremost and he was sure that there would be plenty of advancements to be made available after the war. Not like he was going to explain all that to Piandao.

"We all have our reasons" Qin didn't know if Piandao had really betrayed the White Lotus or if he was merely a spy and it would be for the best to keep his intentions and thoughts private.

"What shall I say when Ozai's pets come and ask me what you were doing here?"

"You can tell them that I have a new variant of steel that I wish you to test, the Fire Nation's military deserves only the best and who better to judge the quality of a sword than master Piandao"

The swordmaster smiled wryly and went back to check out whatever he was working on, minister Qin quickly made his way out of the building and started making his way to his regular meetings.


Azula

If Azula had to hear another inconsequential lordling come to her with a proposal to 'better' her chances for the throne Azula would start throwing out lighting and damn the consequences of her actions. The only reason she wasn't as frustrated as she could be was Ty Lee.

Her friend had seemingly adapted to her new life as Azula's personal relief toy, it sounded more sexual than it actually was even if Azula did end up fucking her friend more often than not, then again, she didn't know if the games she played with Ty Lee could be called fucking. They certainly weren't penetrating each other beyond some fingering here and there. Mai could've possibly answered her questions but her more taciturn friend was already on her way or already at the colonies and thus unavailable to her.

Azula wouldn't have put up with such disrespect from her even if she hadn't made a whole plan to share her brother but her father had given the orders so there was no way Azula would punish her, she certainly could but that would only bring momentary relief. Azula would make sure to punish her properly once she had Zuko well in hand, a wicked grin came to the princess's face as she imagined herself riding her brother while Mai was tied up mere inches away from them.

Her thick-toned legs were rubbing against each other and the urge to have Ty Lee servicing her was a great one, sadly for the princess she had a meeting that would be difficult to miss and she couldn't very well walk around with Ty Lee on her knees and a collar on her neck, at least not yet. Becoming Fire Lady was more difficult than she imagined it to be, but unlike the other nations, the Fire Nation was not that complacent with their rulers so it made sense that it would be harder.

Any sexy thoughts and other personal musings quickly disappeared from her head once she entered the meeting room where the fossils (the generals weren't that old but compared to Azula they were ancient) discussed the possibility of an attack on the Northern Water Tribe.

"If I were to lead the expedition then-" Chao or Zhao, maybe it was Zaoh? Was quickly interrupted by another general.

"General Zhao" ah! so that was his name "The Fire Lord was very generous in giving you the title you currently hold but it seems that your focus is on lesser things"

What a polite way to call the man a glory hound, Azula would certainly remember that line. The newly promoted general grit his teeth at the unspoken accusation but managed to rein in his temper, the Fire Lord wasn't in the room but everyone remembered what happened the last time an inexperienced person spoke out of turn in one of these meetings.

"The conquest of the last holdout of the waterbenders is not a minor thing!" Zhao insisted petulantly and Azula decided to speak on the issue.

"It is when the Fire Lord has decided that crushing the last of the resisting Earth Kingdoms is the most important task, we rely on the food supplied by the colonies and I'm sure that the nobles would not be so content to follow without question if the spices and luxuries that they so enjoy are taken from them" as the room focused on her she continued "while our major holdings are unthreatened at the moment we cannot forget the ability of the earthbenders to move around obstacles, I don't think I have to remind you or our losses when we first tried to take Omashu"

The rest of the generals winced as they remembered the massacre that king Bumi led upon the forces assembled to take the city of Omashu, that old man was as dangerous as her father if not more and he showed why he remained king despite his advanced age.

"The princess is right and another thing to consider is the lack of riches we could take from the frozen city of the waterbenders, they have been in isolation so long that I doubt they even have any money for us to take and we would waste precious resources and countless soldiers to hold that frozen shithole!"

The general winced as he looked at Azula who had an amused look on her face.

"Forgive me, princess, I didn't mean o bother your ears with such crass language" Azula never understood the need to speak so softly to royalty but she did find it amusing, and more than once she personally punished some fool that tried speaking to her like that, not because she was offended but simply for the pleasure of hurting another.

"I will let this pass as you clearly are very passionate about the issue at hand" Azula's hand was suddenly covered in blue flames and everyone in the room recoiled at the sight "but I won't be doing the same again, understood?"

Normally she wouldn't be able to speak to a general like this but Azula had quite the reputation and according to the etiquette of the royal court she was being very accommodating.

"Of course princess, I won't soon forget your merciful nature" the words almost made her crack a smile.

No one had ever said such a thing about Azula's nature and the princess didn't know if the fool was trying to suck up to her or if his words were meant as a subtle insult to her temperament, either way, it was amusing.

"Speaking of Omashu thanks to war minister Qin we now have a way to take the city without having to resort to using a large army, the designs he presented are quite fascinating and will make sure we advance quickly on all fronts even a renewed siege of Ba Sing Se is not out of the question"

That drew Azula's attention immediately, she had heard from her father's spies that the minister had met her brother on ember island and her instincts screamed at her that this was no coincidence.

"I would like to see the designs and I wish to be informed of your conquest of Omashu" the general bowed and passed on the papers to her.

Azula took a cursory look at them and her eyebrows rose, flying ships wasn't what she had envisioned.


Author note: Minister Qin is back to continue a conspiracy that may or may not be useful in the end, politics are dangerous, more so if you're trying to rebel. Azula has discovered the joy of sex and like any teenager her thoughts have been taken over by it but her disipline has kept her focused. In regards to the airships, with the mechanist on Zuko's side he has no reason to delay anything and minister Qin was the one that originally made the desings for the ships that we see at the end of Avatar of course the ones here are not that well made but like many things in the Fire Nation a trial by fire is the best way to see if something is worthy.

As always i hope you've enjoyed the chapter and i hope you're in good health, i will see you again next wednesday and if you can't wait then be sure to check out my . also i know i don't talk with you guys but i would like you to know that the likes you give this story really motivate me and i can't wait for you to see the next chapter or the one after that, they have been my favorite to write in this story.