Into the Setting Sun…
Gulls cried overhead and the ever distinctive smell of fish was in the air of Guangzhou. A bustling sea port conducting trade with the coastal cities of Khemri, it was famous, or infamous for her raw fish, or sushi. Certain black and white animals were the patrons of this city and many of them in disguise would have bemoaned her destruction. Yet today, there was a strange sense in the air, a sense that only those that truly paid attention would have noticed. It was a scent of a purpose, a goal and of people striving towards one thing.
The port, busy as always would normally have no concerns for the small fleet nestled in the harbor after all, hundreds of ships left Guanzhong regularly destined for the Khemri’s cities, and in a few cases to Gorin. But none of those trade fleets could match this one in quality or size. They were all bearing the signets and banners of Guangfei showing the dragon upon a black background. They were nestled in the center of the port awaiting departure as peoples of all classes, farmers, craftsmen, scholars, merchants, and even a few nobles descended on to the ships. Final farewells in some cases on the dock as fathers to son, brother to brother and teacher to student said farewell, all sure that they would never return.
And on the flagship, or the head ship of the fleet, not a ship at all lavished or decorated, but a plain, perhaps even a bit old ship, the commander of this fleet said his words of farewell to his closest relatives. A bridge in which a Shrine to Xi Shi, the Celestial Consort dominated, two young men spoke. One in the lavish and wealthy clothing of the highest of the highest of the aristocracy, the robe intertwined with the Imperial Dragon. The other wore a relatively humble robe, that of a scholar official of the middling rank. Yet they were brothers, brothers who had simply chosen different paths in life.
“Ming, there’s no need to go. Someone else can take your place to command this expedition. I will petition our cousin the Emperor surely he can find reason to overturn the late Yue Emperor’s edict.”
“He won’t, and I don’t want him either. At Yue’s death, I had the occasion to speak with Emperor Ku and I reassured him that I have every faith in continuing the expedition as Emperor Yue ordered.”
“Emperor Yue was mad by disease when he made that decision. Prince Tang, now the Grand Emperor, practically ran the Kingdom. The only reason why Yue’s edict on this matter was carried out was because of your own views! Yue is dead, we are winning the war. There is no need for you to go into exile!”
“My opinions haven’t changed at all, and as I told you before I’m not going into exile. I’m leading an expedition to find new lands to settle, far away from Guangfei, New Veritas or Trinlin. To find a place of peace, where we can prosper and grow far away from the ravages of war. I am not going into exile. I am going to establish a new Kingdom to preserve Guangfei’s ancient heritage, knowledge and learning in the case, Heaven Forbid It, that the Dragon Throne of Guangfei falls.”
“Damn you Ming! Don’t give yourself those half arsed answers! You know the reason you were assigned to this command to “establish a new Kingdom” is
NOTHING like that! It was because Tang wanted you out of the Imperial Succession! Why did you have to be so stubborn? You wanted peace with New Veritas and Trinlin! You told Emperor Yue, our grandfather in his
FACE that you would sign away Qingdao to New Veritas in exchange for peace! This is a suicide mission!
GAHH!” In exasperation, he threw up his arms.
“Peace brother, that is perhaps Yue’s reason to do so, but it is not mine. If we survive in our task, we will rebuild anew. A Guangfei unspoiled by war, a Guangfei of peace and prosperity of all. Now now, don’t cry little brother. Things will get better. May your life be fruitful here, there is no convincing me. Good bye…”
The young man clad in the dragon robes of royalty shook his head, shook hands with his brother one last time and left. The drums began as the horns blew. The fleet set out, into the rising sun. A small fleet in all well supplied with goods ranging from books to trees, they set out. Children with ever bright and curious eyes, husband and wife together looking back to Guangzhou, to Guangfei, to home. A home they knew they would never return to in their lifetime. And above them all, a Prince whom had spurned his heritage and chose another path, finally lost himself in life.
And as they sailed on, white clouds beyond numbers in the north came in sight and with this heavenly sign, they continued onward. And as Guangfei, and all things of familiar sight to them disappeared, in near unity, the thoughts of the people were expressed. Long Live Guangfei.
And so they went, into the rising sun…