The Kingdom of Man
For four days and four nights, lightning fell upon the ancient city of Giangven and by the end, the retaliation of the Ge-u was complete. The city was no more; the forces of righteousness marshaled to avenge the fallen city and fight for justice. On the day of the Winter Solstice, the Great To-ra rallied arms and marched to war. Upon his flying chariot Baxiiang, nothing stood. The Book of The Great War, III, Li.
Son, what is this weird looking object?
Father, its a precious jewel from Tian Shi; I bought it when I was in Shanxi for mothers birthday this year after I find a suitable jeweler who will be able to affix this to a beautiful golden seal.
Are you sure you werent cheated by those merchants? Cant trust those no good money grubbing fiends.
Father, isnt dear aunt married to one? There is nothing wrong with merchants, its not our fault that farmers arent able to cheat anybody out of anything.
How dare you! Farmers are good to earth honest people! The next thing you say is that we, the House of Li is not descended from the Gods! Go before I lose my temper!
As you wish Father.
He bowed and left the house whistling a tune he had heard from the marketplace; Father was simply so dull at times. When all was said and done, they were wealthy and members of the ruling class. The House of Li, splendor and wealth undiminished since the founding of the Huming Ziguo and descendants of Gods. What pish-posh, descendants of Gods!
May To-ra forgive him, but his father would not remain active in politics for much longer and neither would his counterparts in the other families; he, as befitting a member of his class, had come into contact with his fellow counterparts among the families years ago and he knew they were all like-minded spirits.
He held the reins of his horse and slowly trotted onto the quite city boulevards that marked the signs of the wealthy and influential. Every home in this part of the city was marked and surrounded by extensive walls to keep out thieves, intruders as well as protect the inhabitants from evil spirits according to tradition. From his vantage point, atop a high hill, he could see the rest of the small city that had coalesced around the original vacation home of the aristocracy.
Change was coming to the country; the rise of the merchant and urban classes with the increasing trade and commerce and despite the opposition of many like his father, a new time was coming.
Hmm
He was hungry, should go get something nice to eat; all this thinking sure makes one hungry.