POV: Ma Yunyi (The way of peace representative in Louyang)
Location: The South east district in Louyang
Time: Early evening
As you walked home after an evening speaking to people at the public rice distribution center, you could not help the disappointment in your heart at how uninterested the people seem to be about the grand issues surrounding the nation. When you first came to Louyang the city was in an uproar due to the delay in rice distribution but now it seems that as soon as the imperial Palace began to seriously distribute rice most of the people just turned a blind eye towards the suffering of the people in other provences.To make matters worse the few times you had dared to speak against the second prince or even to call him a deceiver and an aristocrat it almost resulted in an angry mob beating you to death.The good news though is that while the Farmers and laborers are unconcerned about your words most officials have paid a reseptive ear. Even now you were trying to pick out the best clothes for a meeting with a certain palace enuch who have promised you his support.
"Having a successful trip?"
A voice called
You turned and saw a slim middle height man staring at you.
"What are you doing here Tang Zhou."
You asked casually
"I mean be a rebel Ma Yuanyi but I am a trader before anything else."
He answered
"I came to finish my deliveries in Louyang and I thought to check on my brother whom half the town have been calling a raving lunatic."
"The common people only care about food and wine Tang Zhou."
You said with a frown
"That does not mean that they are no others who are concerned about our fight."
He kept silent for a few breath and said
"Are you talking about the officials?"
He asked with a narrowed eyes
"Do you believe men like that will join our cause because of its righteousness. You and I know very well that such men will demand something from you and from the heaven general. Are you prepared to offer it?"
"The heavenly general tasked me with bringing these men to our side Tang Zhou?"
You replied
"I believe he is ready to give them what they will ask for. If he was not then he would have not sent me here."
Those words made him thought for a moment but he quickly took a deep breath.
"Even so I will advise you to be cautious with what you offer them my brother."
He said solemnly
"I mean not have much experience with imperial officials but one thing I know for sure if that they are very cunning and very greedy."
He then turned to live
"Tang Zhou."
You called and he stopped
"You are right. While obtaining support from this people is important to the heavenly general, it will not be right or just to allow them take advantage of us. That is why I would really like it if you could accompany me to this meeting and help me speak with them so that I will not offer too much out of desperation."
Are you asking for my help Ma Yuanyi?"
Tanza said with a very pleased smile
You swallowed your pride and said
"I am asking for support oh brother of the way of peace."
"Well if that is the case I suppose I can make this small sacrifice for the greater good."
Tanza said with a small bow
"I will be waiting outside."
With that he walked out of your room and shut the door.
After some time you finally settled for a red colored silk gown and together with Tang Zhou walked towards the most secretive place for a secret meeting.
"Welcome to the free flower inn precious customer."
A beautiful 'flower maiden' called.
"Will there be anything you require?"
"Yes"
You replied smoothly and leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
"Some friends of mine have ordered private tea for me. Will you be kind enough to get it for me?"
"Of course precious customer."
She replied sweetly
"Would you like your tea sweet or humble?"
"I do not like tea"
You lied
"Just fruit wine with all the medicine it can carry."
And your friend?"
She asked
"Does he require tea as well?"
"Same as me."
You said with a nod
She then leaned towards you and took your right hand in her hands.
"Please follow me."
She said and began walking towards the upstair rooms.
Before long the three of you entered a room where you saw two fat officials in simple clothes waiting for you. One look at them and you could immediately tell that they were Palace enuchs who were doing a poor job dressing simply.
"Is this the man you told me about Feng Xu?"
One of the fat men sneered
"I must say he does not look all that impressive."
"It is not about his looks Xu Feng but more about what he can offer us."
Feng Xu countered with a smile
"Please sit down my friends and tell me why you have gone to such great lengths to request this meeting."
You both obeyed and sat down at the table while the 'flower maiden' poured you both a cup of fruit wine.
"Respected enuchs"
You began
"As I informed you in my letter we are about to embark on a great endeavor that will change the lives of everyone in the nation for the better so for that..."
"We have been through all that moral obligations in your letter Ma Yuanyi."
Feng Xu cut you off with a dismissive wave
The only reason we are here is because you promised us tangible benefits in your letter and as far as I read it there was no mention of any specific benefits to us."
"From what we understand you are trying to raise a rebellion against the emperor and for that you seek our help."
Xu Feng added
"The question is why should we turn against an emperor who has been so good to us and side with a hermit who would not know the first thing about administration?"
"Because this helmet is willing to offer you something that the imperial court can not."
You said with a warm smile
"And what is that
Fang Xu asked
"Land settlement."
You replied
"The heaven general has promised that upon his ascension to the throne of heavens he will personally see to it that the enuchs who support him will be given proper lands in any province of their choice and be allowed to farm on it."
Both man bursted into laughter
"Is this some sort of joke?"
Xu Feng cried
"I alone own 100 Li of land in the Jing province and am set to acquire another 50 in the you province. Do you really think I need more lands to farm?"
"Patience Xu Feng. Maybe he is simply offering us this joke in order to create room for negotiation."
Fang Xu said and turned to you
"Am I right?"
"Of course of course."
You admitted while truly having prepared nothing else to offer.
"What is it that you want?"
"To put it simply if we support your rebellion, all we need is that when the rebellion succeed we will be made leaders of the Enuchs faction within the city."
Xu Feng demanded
"Unfortunately I do not think that is a condition my heaven general is willing to accept respected enuchs."
You said boldly
"He had sworn before now to wipe out the entire enuch faction."
"Isn't that all the more reason to keep us around?"
Xu Feng countered
"If all the enochs are gone who will handle the petty jobs of the day to day running of the imperial Palace? Do you expect your emperor to coordinates his own Palace servants?"
"Well spoken Xu Feng."
Fang Xu added
"Besides if all the enochs are to be executed how is he going to get proof against them without an insider? Does he wish for the records to label him a tyrant?"
You then tried to think about it but Tang Zhou whispered into your ears.
"Think about it Yuanyi. This man are involved in the inner working of the palace if we are to get them on our side not only will we know what the emperor is thinking but we will also be able to predict his every move and counter them before he makes them."
"But is it not obvious that if we leave these foxs in the imperial palace they will just find another way to steal from the people?"
You whispered back
"We only need them for the rebellion brother Ma."
He reminded
"Who is to say for sure what happens after?"
"Very well"
You declared
"I will try to convince the heavenly general to let you keep your positions your wealth and your lives after our rebellions succeeds. However it will be on the condition that you provide us any and all information you acquire within the palace."
"Of course great representative."
"It will be an honor to work with you."
Both men said with a bow.
Having done what you came to do you decided to leave the inn but Tang Zhou stayed behind because he wanted to enjoy the 'pleasures of the capital.'
On your way back to the house you were staying, you began noticing a group of people who had been following you. You started moving fast but they quickly increased their speed in order to catch up. Before long you ended up running from five fleet-footed men who were pursuing you. This made you started running through alleys and jumping over carts in order to escape. To make things worse these men began to stop and shoot arrows while keeping you in range at the same time. This made their speed slower but their numbers and coordination soon forced you to start searching for a crowd in order to avoid those merciles arrows. Finding none and receiving more arrows to your back as the time wore on, you were forced to hide in an abandoned house and tend to your many wounds as best as you can. When the street became a bit clear you cycled back to the inn and was lucky enough to meet your good brother and friend who was standing outside the inn and regailing a flower maiden of his imaginary exploits.
"Tang Zhou."
You called
He did not answer
"Tang Zhou!"
You called louder
He turned to look at you in irritation and his eyes widened in shock
"What happened to you my brother?"
He cried as he hurriedly supported you with his shoulder
"It is an ambush my brother."
You said briefly
"We must leave here before it's too late."
"Of course."
He agreed and turned to the maiden
"Is there a secret way out of here?"
She nodded and he placed you on his shoulders and half carried you through a passage you did not know was in the free flower inn while you struggled seriously with your body to avoid passing out due to blood loss. Eventually you lost that battle and simply decided to place your being into your good brother's hand.
However when you woke up the first thing you notice was that your hands were in chains and you were surrounded by vicious looking officials in red robes.
"What is the meaning of this?"
You cried
"Where is Tang Zhou?"
"Do not yell so loudly my good brother."
Tang Zhou said with a sly smile
"It won't do you much good now"
"What have you done?"
You asked with a growing dread
"Oh it's quite simple really."
He quipped
"My employers wanted you here and they decided to pay me extra if you would come peaceful."
It was at that point you realize that Tang Zhou had betrayed the way of peace.
"Why?
You cried
"Because I told you Ma Yuanyi."
He replied
"I am a merchant before all else."
He turned and walked away and one of the red robed officials stepped up to you with a red hot sword.
"Will you now tell us your plans for rebellion?"
He asked coldly as you felt the heat getting closer to your skin.
You spat on him defiantly
"You know I was really hoping for that."
He said with an insane smile.
The heat increased
You screamed.