Time of Troubles: The Spy Returns. (1050 BC/950 TY)
It was the morning of the fourth day since Shao-li's declaration when the spy arrived at Guni-sang. The city was large, larger then Huong-li as the spy only now realized, but more humble decorations-wise. The three temples here (unlike the five in Huong-li) were also smaller.
It was only natural, as Huong-li was the capital.
The spy jumped from his horse (as all other Taiwanese horses, it was a rather small pony which however wasood for local rocky surface) and entered the administrative building. Or, rather, the Palace of the General.
---
Taiwan was almost always at peace. Almost because some bandits and old-faithers still remained, and much as Tonsang disliked violence, they had to be tossed out into the sea (nobody wanted to build another ship to transport them to the Islands of the Exiles). The latter, that is. The former, the bandits had to be killed of, for certainly they were no humans.
Many Pupils disliked Taowang's militaristic policies (or, rather, the strenghthening and disciplinnation of the armed forces), but Tonsang quietly approved them. Perhaps, Taowang thought, he expected his death. And expected the chaos that will follow.
Perhaps. But what was important was that the army, despite the early disertions, was mostly ready to restore order. It already did in Guni-sang, and now it will in Huong-li. But it will be harder there, Taowang was sure.
He was even more sure now, now when he was white from rage and hatred, knowing that power was usurped by a heretic who pretended to be Tonsang's good pupil. Somehow, Taowang never trusted the monks and the Pupils, with few exceptions. Now he knew - he was right.
Wao-li, the spy sent by him to Huong-li to find out the reaction of the Great Monks and the more prominent Pupils, continued the report.
"...by lies, my master, they gained the support of the people there. The masses follow them, and much of the garrison has defected. Shao-li was accepted by most."
"Most?"
"Some left the city quietly, hiding their scorn, like I did. One of the Great Monks, Ta-ling, is amongst them."
"I know Ta-ling. He could be trusted." - that was not strictly so, Taowang didn't trust him neither.
"Indeed."
They were quiet for a moment or two. Taowang nodded.
"Very well. Wao-li-Rin, I ask you to gather the other emissaries and to contact Ta-ling, and some others. I will give you a list." - he indeed took out a parchhment. The hieroglyphs there did not, ofcourse, mean any names - simply the nicknames used by the emissaries. Taowang did not only strenghthen the army while General; he also created an advanced spy system.
Wao-li bowed, took the parchment and departed from the Room of Consultations.
---
Time of Troubles: The Room of Consultations (1050 BC/950 TY)
The Room of Consultations in the the Palace of the General was a craftfully-built small room, with the occasional ceramics, sculpture and flowers near the walls, and all this surrounding a well-crafted wooden table, with two decorated wooden chairs on its two sides. The General was a very cultured man.
This room saw not much intrigue in the past, despite what the rumors would say. No, the General would accept here his spies and his officers, and make sure that the army and the spy system continued to function, and function well, and also met Tonsang and his more trusted Pupils here.
But not much intrigue, really, more like the everyday routine.
Not until now, anyway.
The long-chinned, pointy-bearded, long-nosed, tall thin man in crimson robes was Ta-ling. The well-built burly well-shaven man was Taowang. The General.
"Taowang-Rin." - Ta-ling finally said.
"Ta-ling-Rin." - replied Taowang. They bowed to each other again.
"We had our differences in the past, G... Taowang-Rin."
Taowang ignored the fact that the Great Monk almost said "General". He acknolwedge himself to be the General and saw no shame in it.
"Indeed we had, Ta-ling-rin." - replied Taowang - "I will admit it, admit it bluntly so that we don't have any mistrust left - I thought that you would try to... replace the Teacher."
Taowang had to give his credit to Ta-ling, he did not shudder at all.
"And I expected you to do so, Taowang-Rin."
"But neither of us did." - said Taowang - "Instead, the snake that the Teacher fed at his breast, Shao-li did. No doubt with the help of the other snakes, especially Dao-fang. All the other colleagues of yours and his simply sucked up to him, hoping to increase their influence. You did not, and for this, you can have my - no, not favor, not friendship, but RESPECT.
They must not be allowed to rule Taiwan."
"Indeed. And may I add, that you too have my respect. You did not seek to replace the Teacher, in any way." - Ta-ling elaborated - "It is clear that you could never become a Teacher, as you are not a religious figure. But still, you did not offer your candidature to the post of Taiwan's ruler, under any name or title."
Taowang remained silent. Ta-ling smiled to himself.
"It is due to this that I decided that it is you who should become the new ruler of Taiwan, not Teacher, but ruler... General."
Taowang was rather surprised by this turn of events. He expected to agree with Ta-ling on forming a ruling council, and even then he thought Ta-ling would have to be persuaded first.
"Yes, yes, General-Rin." - smiled Ta-ling - "This is my suggestion. As you know, the other lands are, with no exclusions, ruled by dynasties of rulers. Many of them think that their imaginary gods watch over them, that they are thus superior to all mortals. They could respect other kings, only them.
You know, General-Rin, that the outside rulers do know about Taiwan. You know that they do have good boats. And that those boats are getting better and better. Taiwan - to them - is a state ran by a priest. Yes, I know that you had an idea about a ruling council; that idea, as you yourself know, has many flaws. The largest here is foreign relations.
We closed ourselves to the world. But now, the world is about to knock at our door. We should be prepared for it, General-Rin.
I will put it this way, General-Rin. While I will become the Temple-Keeper (no, not to replace the Teacher, only to lead the Temples, and to make sure that the Teaching is not corrupted or altered by heretics), you will become the Emperor, Emperor of Taiwan. You will crush the heretic rebels, and will lead Taiwan out of isolation. No, do not speak yet, General-Rin. While I will make sure that foreign influences will not corrupt our culture, and will only adopt those things that go with the flow of our culture and with the Teacher's Teaching, you will command Taiwan's domestic and foreign affairs. You will be an Emperor, their equal, representing a divine force just like they think they do, and then they will not dare to attack Taiwan just like that. No. They will accept us as equals... and one day, as superiors.
Please, consider this, General-Rin. Think and then reply."
"I already thought, Temple-Keeper-Rin." - said the General after just a moment of silence - "I agree. I wanted to refuse, but I agree. That is because I see it in your eyes."
"See what?" - asked Ta-ling, oddly quietly.
"You do not do this out of mere power-lust, or out of favor-lust. You did this out of respect, I saw it.
And I agree. Out of respect. And out of fear, fear for Taiwan."
