by Mark Swaine
“I do not wish to disturb your peace,” replies Liu Chan.
“My peace? Simply because you have moved into the barracks do not make the mistake of believing it your home. This is still your home, and it always will be,” says the General confused by Liu Chan's statement.
“But I cause you so much anger and displeasure during watch,” says Liu Chan.
“Yes... but we are not on watch now,” says the General.
“Yes General... Uncle,” says Liu Chan uncomfortably.
“Liu Chan, do not presume I have forgotten what you did for me all those seasons ago on the bridge. Your loyalty to me, and your General has not passed unnoticed,” says Uncle Arachie standing straight and square-shouldered.
“Food is ready,” says Aunt Yuming standing in the doorway, smiling adorably at the two men.
“Good, I starve. Let us eat,” says the General, leading the way.
Liu Chan rushes back to wash his hands and face before sitting cross legged on his old cushion in his usual place opposite his Uncle. As Aunt Yuming walks back and forth from the kitchen with plates and bowls of fresh hot food, Arachie stares at his nephew rolling his chopsticks from side to side, just as he used to when he was an infant. Arachie resists the urge to discipline his bad manners with strong words and bites his tongue in favour of maintaining the delicate peace. Aunt Yuming continues to arrange the carefully organised banquet of food on the table with steaming bowls of egg fried rice, a large crispy duck with pancakes, shredded veg and hoi sin sauce, a large platter of sea food Dim Sum, and a large pot of Wonton soup.
“Enjoy this meal...” says Aunt Yuming with a calm smile.
No sooner than her last word has ended, Arachie grabs his chopsticks and reaches for a pancake and his hand is met with a sharp sudden slap from Yuming. Liu Chan smirks as Arachie looks her in surprise whilst rubbing his hand.
“...I have more to say. My dear husband, my dear beloved nephew, I am with child,” says Yuming.
Arachie is unresponsive, but Liu Chan smiles in astonished delight before hugging his Aunt over the table. As the two part, they look at Arachie, still sat in a stunned silence.
“Do you understand what this means my love? You are going to be a father for the first time,” says Yuming.
“After all these years, how can this be?” says Arachie, trying his hardest to absorb the abrupt news.
“Congratulations Uncle. I shall pray to the Three Pure Ones for a well birth,” says Liu Chan.
“How can this be, when?” muses Arachie quietly whilst reaching for a jug of water to douse his sudden thirst. “Two weeks ago, at the height of my passion I performed the Hummingbird technique,” says Arachie in self-agreement.
As Aunt Yuming titters bashfully under her quaint hand, Liu Chan frowns in revulsion. Pushing his plate slightly away, he can't even look at the mighty feast before him as he imagines his Aunt and Uncle engaged in the Hummingbird technique.
“In these dark times, are we wise to even consider bringing a child into this world,” muses Arachie.
“It matters not, we have been blessed, and we have waited for so long,” says Aunt Yuming.
“Uncle, were every man and woman to think as you do now, there would be no children to occupy our great lands,” says Liu Chan.
“Wise boy,” nods Arachie, “the birth will be a success,” says Arachie in a staid manner.
Liu Chan looks at his Uncle as the corners of his mouth buried under that thick grey moustache begins to twitch and rise until finally revealing his chunky white teeth. As Arachie finally shows of his pearly whites in the form of a great wide smile, the small family begins to laugh whilst gripping and shaking each other’s arms. Aunt Yuming smiles as she watches the only men in her life get along better than they have in a long time. The beaming family feast, laugh and talk about what will be when the baby is born, with only Liu Chan and Arachie assuming it will be a boy. As the hour grows late Aunt Yuming retires to her bed, and Liu Chan and Arachie treat her like a delicate flower as they aid her to her feet. Aunt Yuming embraces the two men goodnight before she retires to her bed chamber.
“The hour is late Uncle, I too must retire to my quarters,” says Liu Chan.
“Nonsense, stay a while,” replies Arachie, “let us celebrate as men,” adds Arachie whilst leading Liu Chan to the front garden.
Arachie and Liu Chan sit on a bench in a garden closed off by a wooden fence and Arachie opens a small panel on the wide hollow leg of the bench to reveal a dusty jug covered with a string tied cloth. Arachie smirks as he grabs two small cups and he gives one of them to Liu Chan.
“Are we not forbidden to drink?” says Liu Chan, surprised by Arachie's misconduct.
“Not when there is great cause to celebrate, ‘tis the unwritten rule my boy,” says the General with a cheeky smile. “Besides, the forbidden consumption of alcohol is more of a guideline, it ensures all Jade soldiers are aware of the penalty should they be caught, and I can think of no better way to celebrate my good tidings than toasting to my unborn child with my sister's son,” says Arachie filling his cup with a generous measure of Baiju.
Arachie fills his own cup and the two soldiers knock back the small measure. Liu Chan coughs viciously as the ultra strong distilled spirit lays a fiery sensation from his throat to the pit of his stomach.
“Another?” asks Arachie after knocking back the flavourless drink with ease.
“Yes,” coughs Liu Chan, “where did you get this Baiju from?” asks Liu Chan questioning its health merits.
“It belonged to a man I once called friend,” says Arachie, wishing his old friend was also joining him.
“You had a friend?” asks Liu Chan in a surprised manner. “Who was he? Whatever happened to him?” he asks.
“It matters not, that was a long time ago,” replies Arachie dispassionately.
A short while later, and after many more measures, Liu Chan and Arachie laugh and talk into the starry night.
“I wonder if Emperor Yu-Huang would approve if he could see us now,” says Liu Chan with a wry smirk.
“Master Yu-Huang would bear no grievance, not for an occasion such as this,” says Arachie in a cavalier manner.
“One day I hope to be half the man Emperor Yu-Huang is,” says Liu Chan in a drunken wonder.
“All a man can strive to be is great,” says Arachie pouring another shot.
“But such power he commands,” says Liu Chan.
“Emperor Yu-Huang commands no power. ‘Tis his power that commands him,” says Arachie.
“What is your meaning?” asks Liu Chan.
“Emperor Yu-Huang is the perfect mortal, kind, merciful, passionate; he was born adjusted to his surroundings, the air, the earth, water, fire, and shadow, even time. For all these centuries he has remained blind to the real nature of mortal men. He is unable to see the bad in mortal men, ‘tis the Ministry and the Jade army that enforce the laws before his blind eyes. He can hear the thoughts and prayers of mortals who are not destined for Diyu, and those prayers are few. For reasons unknown to me, his eyes are now open, and he is beginning to see the world for how it really is,” says the General,
“You regard him with such distance, surely you favour our great Emperor, after all he is our mutual friend,” says Liu Chan.
“I will fight to my dying day, to my death, to my last breath for the continued reign of the Yù Xīng dynasty, for the Huanghua territories, and for Emperor Yu-Huang. Not since he considers me a friend, but because first and foremost he is my master and commander...” says Arachie, “...I have not the time for friendship,” concludes Arachie ridiculously.
“He considers you a friend,” says Liu Chan.
“I know, ‘tis most uncomfortable,” says Arachie.
“Uncomfortable? ‘tis the highest honour Uncle,” says Liu Chan laughing at his Uncle's ill manner.
“The idea of Yu-Huang befriending a mortal is no different from I attempting to befriend an ant. I despair for him Liu Chan, truly,
he has known me since I was a child and until recently he has not aged a day. How is a man such as he able to maintain a friendship in his slow ageing vessel?” says the General.
“Sounds a little cruel,” says Liu Chan.
“‘Tis not my intention to speak cruelly, I am a realist. The Emperor is as mortal as a wench is a Cuju player, regardless of claims to the contrary,” says Arachie.
“But the spell of immortality would allow one to reside in his company for all time...”
“...the immortally cursed will outlive the Emperor, as they will not age. Yu-Huang ages Liu Chan, only much slower,” says the General.
Arachie notices Liu Chan's forlorn and quiet demeanour and continues to better explain his concerns regarding the Emperor.
“Imagine a person so pure that he actually irradiates positive vibrations and is even able to influence the will of good. That is Yu-Huang's true power, and I remember the times of great peace and tranquillity in the territories. But over the years I noticed an increase in crimes and ill doings between our fellow men. I have noticed it, and so have the Priests, only they are too stupid, lazy and weak to ponder on the cause of this, otherwise they would surely have made attempt to overthrow his rule. One might say the Darkness is the cause of the increase of corrupted souls in our homeland, and the Emperor's might cannot match the strength of the Darkness,” says Arachie.
“What do you say Uncle?” asks Liu Chan.
“I say the veil has finally been lifted, and we are revealed for who we truly are, monsters inviting the Darkness home,” replies Arachie.
“Not all of us are so,” says Liu Chan smiling at his Uncle.
“True, I too still hold faith that a few good men is all is that is needed to hold this Darkness at bay,” says Arachie.
“Many courageous peasants revealed themselves as warriors during the attack, I hear even Chao Gao the cook fought and died bravely,” says Liu Chan.
“I shall miss his fine cuisine... to Chao Gao the Dragon Slayer,” replies Arachie raising his glass.
“He was a Dragon Slayer? He kept his secret well for this I did not know,” says Liu Chan. “I suppose we all have secrets,” muses Liu Chan. “To Chao Gao the Dragon Slayer,” he adds whilst raising his glass in Chao Gao's memory.
“I suppose,” replies Arachie carefully.
“Regarding the Darkness, perhaps the Emperor's divine influence will work in our favour. Though I still do not understand how the Emperor is able influence people to be well of heart,” says Liu Chan.
“People generally are, but even the kindest of heart and strongest of mind are capable of heinous deeds. Wrongdoings that see more and more people sentenced to the Liumang prison each day. Have you ever been so angry you thought you were going to kill? Speak the truth, nephew,” says Arachie.
“...Once,” replies Liu Chan honestly.
“‘Tis often the Emperor's will that refrains our hands, he has always strived to rid us of our dark urges,” explains Arachie.
“These heinous people should be dealt with before they are presented with the chance to wrong onto others,” says Liu Chan.
“Liu Chan, I, like so many others possess one simple goal from the instant I awake until the moment I go to rest. I wish to fulfil my duties as General, spend what little free time I possess with my wife... and you, or ponder in peace along the Great East Lake. A common man will rise, embrace his beloved family and begin his day's labour and reap the value of his working day and return home and feed. But our days are not so perfect, and as much as one would strive to maintain peace of mind, unexpected events challenge our most basic of desires at the hardest of times. Whether it be the angry customer screaming in his face, the cheating wife of a pig handler... or the will to protect the honour of those you love. Do not be so quick to judge dear nephew, I have known many good, good people who have committed horrible crimes in the name of honour, sacrifice... and love,” says the General.
“But that does not condone their actions,” replies Liu Chan.
“Of course it doesn’t, but I understand them,” replies the General. “Not everything is as plain-coloured as you have been led to believe. There is a line one should not cross; others manipulate this line to their own advantage. The Priests above all else know this too well, ‘tis why they indulge in their petty thievery by implementing various taxes on struggling farm lands. They brand this charge as tax... I call it thievery,” adds the General.
“What you said about the Priests: you truly believe they would seek to overthrow the Emperor's rule were they to discover the truth of his vulnerable condition?” asks Liu Chan.
“Undoubtedly, ‘tis one of many reasons why I detest the Brotherhood. They seek only to exploit his kindness to further their own gain. The Emperor is good man, untainted by anger and malicious pride, but most naive. I despise watching the Brotherhood take advantage of him,” says Arachie.
“He needs us, the Emperor needs people he can trust,” says Liu Chan.
“The Emperor is wise to shield himself by those he trusts, but shields are intended to take damage. Liu Chan, as your mother's brother, as your Uncle, not as your General, heed my words, do not allow yourself to grow too close to the Emperor,” warns Arachie in a quiet friendly manner.
“But the Emperor is not a threat to us, Uncle,” says Liu Chan more strongly.
“Nature has a way of adapting Liu Chan, sometimes in the most deadly of ways. Have you ever looked upon a Praying Mantis perched upon a leaf before capturing its feed, or a spider waiting in the wings of its silky webbed snare? What of a snake slithering through the grass, for all predators use the world around them to best their pray. Yu-Huang too is a force of nature, and like all natural predators, he too will learn to adapt in order to overcome his new prey,” says the General.
“Adapt to the Darkness?” asks Liu Chan, confused.
“Do not allow his kind and merciful nature to fool you Liu Chan, for I dread the force of nature he will adapt to next. These are dark times Liu Chan, beware of your friendship with the Emperor... keep your distance,” adds Arachie looking at the crackling Tower of Guang.
Liu Chan feels slightly disheartened at his Uncle's cold logic, but from a soldier's point of view, his advice was sound and perhaps worth heeding.
“You speak as though the Emperor poses a threat to us,” says Liu Chan.
“The Emperor has not been himself of late, each time I speak with him he appears... different, unsure of himself. He appears conflicted in many of his decisions, and he needn't for every decision he has made possesses strategic advantage,” says the General.
“Even the decision to have the Jade army practice the art of magic?” says Liu Chan with a smirk.
“Especially the decision to have the Jade army practice the art of magic... ’twas only a matter of time,” says Arachie laughing at his nephew's candour.
“But you doubt his reason of late,” asks Liu Chan.
“The Emperor wishes to save us, so much so...” says the General cryptically and hesitantly, “....but I possess every confidence he will find some way to defeat this new evil,” says Arachie positively, whilst recalling the Emperor's legendary and devastating battles against the water and fire gods.
“You appear disturbed by these thoughts Uncle,” says Liu Chan.
“Disturbed? Look at that, what in Diyu's name is that?” says Arachie, watching bolts of red, green and yellow plasma writhe in jumping bolts around the Tower of Guang. “That tower was once a beacon of hope and symbol of peace. Does that appear to be a Tower of Peace to you?” says Arachie, irked by the alien-looking tower.
“What do you suppose it is? Where do you suppose it really came from? ‘Tis surely not a construct assembled by the hands of mortal men,” says Liu Chan, looking at the metal tower of lightning less than a mile away.
General Arachie answers his question with raised eyebrows and a shake of his head, and then turns his head to the open space of night. The unknown realm of space is the only con
clusion Arachie can reach, and the only destination alien enough to match the bizarre nature of the spiked flashing tower.
“My feelings tell me it came from somewhere else,” says General Arachie. “From my days as a Watchman on the Huanghua wall to my current rank as General, I believed I knew everything I was required to know about my current position as General. I have always embraced the possibility of the existence of demons, spirits, even though I had never laid eyes on one until the attack. This construct challenges everything I know, and if the Emperor knows the true origins of this alien machine, what else does he know that is preventing me from fulfilling my duties?” says the General.