Clash of Alliances

by Pierre Dimaculangan

  ​He kowtowed before the Emperor and gave him a high salute before making his statements in the presence of the palace officials and the Martial Scholars. He was riled up and so eager for war that he unwittingly neglected expressing the required honorifics before the Emperor. Given the current state of affairs, that too was forgivable. His steel-toned voice directly reflected his fuming warrior spirit.

  ​“We are all aware that the snow-skinned bastards are on their bloody way. However, our recent battles against their grunts do little to testify to the true strength of their forces,” he said with a tone that sounded almost like a growl. His bulky, adamantine armor had been repaired and polished. The interwoven mountain-pattern scales shone beautifully even with the soft light of the overcast sky. “It is important that we do not underestimate them and be ready to face the possibility that their army may be superior to our own in more ways than one. But I am ready; needless to say—I am greatly dissatisfied that military preparations are not moving as swiftly as I had hoped. I have come to express my concerns about the bureaucratic obstacles that hamper our forces.” His facial expression was fierce and his eyes shot a gaze that could pierce armor. Though he had just turned fifty, his entire countenance and body language screamed for battle. Those in the army say that his prowess in combat and unmatched leadership abilities were legendary in the and even before, when his physical and mental tests in the Ming Military Examinations had proven that he was, in fact, without equal. His subordinate officers claimed his martial arts abilities were unparalleled in the army and that he had only just begun to reach the zenith of his career. He is Yue Fei reincarnated! they claimed.

  ​With the addition of his impressive military record, his younger brother, General He Jin, appeared laid back in comparison.

  ​“As the field marshal and imperial unit commander of the army, I request that I be granted full control over all the land-based forces, independent of the meddling of the bureaucrats from the War Ministry. I guarantee that our military’s effectiveness in this conflict will be greater than it has ever been. I continue to wrestle with these pesky paper-pushers, obstacles that inhibit me from training and mobilizing our forces the way I know best. Grant me this and we will increase the efficiency of our forces like never before,” Feishen declared with a raised fist. “The effeminate officials pushing papers in the Ministry of War do not realize that warfare extends far beyond old books and scrolls. The pesky mandarins they have assigned to the field are starting to annoy me. Their lack of real-world experience makes them unqualified to make military decisions, Majesty. Unblemished hands are not worthy to point the direction in which my armies should march.” He looked upon the civil servants with a hint of disdain and perhaps some bigotry. It was a drastic change in policy but even the Emperor saw the wisdom in it.

  ​The Emperor smiled and chuckled with the imperial commander’s expressed concerns. He admired Feishen’s passion for leadership and warfare. “Your outspokenness and candidness about this important matter is well-received. I am reminded of more military-oriented times, when the first emperors of this dynasty held the army in higher official status than the civil service. It wasn’t until the after the death of my ancestor Yongle that the status quo had been reversed. Let it be so, Imperial Commander; I grant you and the Five Military Commissions powers that place the army under your full unimpeded command; I officially decree that we return to the orientation of martiality of times past… but I would advise you to completely not disregard the authority of the Ministry of War. You must still adhere to proper procedures and protocols, and I implore you to not go rogue with your command. I know how passionate you are about war, Commander, but you must still heed their advisement throughout this conflict, for even you must still answer to this court. For better or worse, this empire has a working bureaucracy for good reason. Everything you do must still be reported through the proper channels in order to promptly notify the Martial Scholars and the Ministry. Be sure to send your gratitude to the Martial Scholars for insisting on this return to older tradition.”

  ​“Thank you, Imperial Majesty. As you wish, Imperial Majesty,” he said as he was kowtowed before the emperor. He shot a discriminatory glare at the ministers of the court standing right behind him, but his spiteful expression eased somewhat knowing that the respectable Martial Scholars oversaw and supervised the inner workings of the court. He had also grown to respect their influence and power, and he had found their deep connections across the Ming Empire to be quite admirable. He was also frustrated that his younger brother He Jin for years had been well-acquainted with them yet he, the highest-ranking officer in the Ming army, had not. Feishen bowed his way out of the emperor’s court and proceeded toward the long walk to exit the palace complex. There was much work left to do but he knew exactly how to accomplish it.

  ​“What of the rallying sects of this Underworld you speak? What offenses can we expect from them? Do they currently pose any serious threats to the Empire?” asked the emperor.

  ​Tian Qiu the Martial Scholars’ polymath answered, “There are many factions and organizations that comprise this so-called Underworld, Majesty. They’re naught but terror groups and fanatics, the lot of them. Based on our limited information, we can safely assume that the larger, more prominent sects such as Crimson Moon and the Shan Gui Mountain Ghosts are full participants in this movement. The participation of notable warlords, troublemakers leading merry bands of mercenaries, and even masters of martial arts schools is almost guaranteed. And yes, they can be very problematic for the empire should they succeed in forming alliances in the name of the empire’s downfall.”

  ​“I did not realize that this ‘Underworld’ was such a serious entity to threaten the Ming Empire. I do not understand how they have managed to exist under the governance of my predecessors. It’s infuriating,” said the emperor.

  ​Shang Jian took the initiative to speak his mind in the court. “Addressing the problem of the rebels amassing in the Underworld is a high priority. Many of the traitorous palace and provincial officials collaborate with those who have sworn their allegiances our enemies. Alas, despite our connections, none of our contacts have provided any more useful information. We know close to nothing about what is awaiting us in the shadows and it safe to assume that the eunuch traitors continue to conspire against us with Wulin—the Underworld. With majority of our armed forces and industries currently preparing for all-out war, we do not have the immediate resources to launch an offensive against the rebels of the Underworld,” Shang Jian lamented.

  ​The emperor listened intently as he rubbed his chin. “There has to be some way to deal with this rebel problem without compromising the strength of our defenses against the incoming threat,” he said.

  ​“This is now the current problem—a problem that if solved, would greatly cripple the enemy,” interjected Tian Qiu, the polymath of the Martial Scholars. He stepped forward to address the court. “When Sun Xin was making his way to the capital, he witnessed one such an army amassing amidst the woods in the lower province to the south. We know that this congregation is a great assembly, possibly alliances forming in the Underworld. Logically, we can assume that this is a large part of the Terukk strategy to conquer us. They must be dismantled and defeated before the Terukk invasion or else we will be forced to fight with our combat forces divided on two fronts.”

  ​“To accomplish this, we must launch a reconnaissance operation to discover what they’re plotting and thwart it all before they can be enacted. We must learn of the ones who rally and command them… and if possible, maybe even eliminate them once and for all – sever the head of the snake. Our swordsman, the Wandering Wolf, is more than qualified for this task,” Lu Guanying added.

  ​He paused for a brief moment and turned to reach into his belt compartment. “The second matter I would like to bring to your attention is this.” Tian Qiu raised a small bamboo cylinder that contained a toxic mix of various unknown chemical compounds. It was the Ter
ukk potion the many sects of the Underworld were consuming.

  ​“This is the powerful drug used to mutate the defectors who fought for the Terukk in the Battle of Liaodong. I have observed the effects of this potion and it could very well determine victory or defeat in the battlefield. There is a catch, however. Though it drastically increases strength and endurance, it sacrifices the vital functions of the mind. I believe this is a negative side effect that the Terukk have yet to correct, as far as we know. However, the drug allows them to be more prone to suggestion and indoctrination. We have personally witnessed these effects upon the mutants and they fought with unsurpassed ferocity, endurance, and strength. This potion, if perfected, can be a great advantage for our enemies. This cannot be allowed to happen especially now that we have evidence of its distribution across the Underworld. We must locate manufacturing and distribution centers and destroy it, if not put an end to this some way.”

  ​Murmurs and gasps filled the court.

  ​“The traitorous eunuchs within my court were being administered this potion or elixir, like we have proven. They seemed capable of clear thought,” said the Emperor.

  ​“The amount they consumed was but a refined and soft dosage designed to make them more willing to comply with the Terukk agendum. Still, the controlled amount was not sufficient to create the drastic changes we witnessed on the mutants on the battlefield. We must put an end to the manufacturing and distribution of this potion and prevent our domestic enemies from acquiring any form of physical advantage. It can mean disaster for the entire empire if the potion achieves widespread circulation in the black market and in the greater Underworld. Without the potion, they will be more vulnerable. In tandem to an overthrown leadership, they will be in disarray. At the very least, we can obtain vital information that can allow us preparation in time to respond to their plans.”

  ​The entire court murmured and whispered to each other in agreeing excitement.

  ​Emperor Zhu Youcheng stood from his throne and formally issued the command and the Martial Scholars kowtowed before him to receive his decree.

  ​“Then let this mission begin immediately. Prioritize this above the rest and I grant you complete freedom to accomplish them as you see fit! Failure is not an option! Now, however, I must attend to other matters of state. There is still an empire to maintain.” The court bowed in response.

  ​“Speaking of the Wandering Wolf, where is he?” asked Lu Guanying.

  - -

  ​“Well, well, well…” croaked the large, ugly man as he and several of his friends entered the underground tavern. He marched slowly toward the table where Sun Xin was enjoying a cup of oolong tea and fried tofu slices. The big man’s boots made a steady clot clot beat as the hardened heels landed on the wooden floorboards. He leaned over Xin’s table and placed his large, tattooed arm onto the surface. Sun Xin ignored the man as if he weren’t there, and casually took a sip of the tea. He closed his eyes as he savored the steamy fragrance of the fermented leaves. The other men inside the tavern who immediately recognized the gangsters made sure to vacate the premises hastily. The rest simply made way and lowered their heads, trying to avoid any possibility of confrontation.

  ​“What brings you to this shady part of the capital, ye Lone Wolf?” he asked directly in front of Xin’s face. His breath reeked with a stench akin to a decaying corpse. His companions, who sported similar tattoos, surrounded Sun Xin with their arms crossed and with breathing as heavy as that of horses.

  ​“I’m not in the mood for you, Yao Jia. Leave me be,” Sun Xin said bluntly. The thug was a well-known troublemaker in big cities, and Xin has had interesting interactions with him before.

  ​“Ohhh, I’m so scared,” mocked Yao. “This is my turf now. I own this entire block. Don’t mistake our previous encounter and you still need to pay for what you did to my face,” he said pointing to his crushed, crooked nose. Sun Xin raised his gaze to look at Yao in the face.

  ​“You were given ample warning before I laid a hand on you but you didn’t listen. I fail to see what’s worse with your face? It’s as ugly as I remember, though my treatment seems to have been an improvement,” he said with a smirk. Yao leaned forward to grab Xin’s collar but in a fluid blur of motion, Xin yanked the thug and slammed his head onto the wooden table. Yao’s eyes rolled back and he flopped to the ground unconscious, stiff as a wooden dummy. In response, Yao’s companions rushed to attack. The first one swung a wide haymaker at his head but Xin parried the blow with a raised arm and knocked the wind out of his lungs with a chest-crushing straight punch. Upon impact, he felt a bone break beneath his fist. The thug fell into a fetal position, clutching his abdomen as he regurgitated what was in his stomach. Sun Xin leaned forward to duck beneath the attack of the second thug who had broken off the leg of a chair to use as a club. The thug was immediately disarmed and bashed in the head with the same block of wood. The third attempted to grapple him from the rear so the fourth could get some free strikes to his body. Xin snapped his head back into the thug’s mouth and spun around to finish him off with the wide haymaker to the jaw. Several bloodied teeth poured out of his mouth as he hit the ground face first. The fourth thug un-holstered two large war hammers from his hip but had somehow managed to ensnare himself into one Xin’s powerful chokeholds. He struggled to remove Xin’s arm from his neck and he flailed like a fish for several moments until lack of air had caused him to snore and be still. He slumped onto the wooden floor face-first into the second thug’s vomit, arms and legs twitching.

  ​The tavern became completely silent all of a sudden and peace was restored… only to the dismay of the tavern keeper. Sun Xin took one last sip of his tea and proceeded as if nothing had happened. Violence was his greatest answer, and it seemed to always have been the correct one.

  ​He stood from his seat and flexed his neck for a crack then proceeded toward the exit after tossing the tavern keeper a small bag of coins. “When these scumbags wake up, tell them that if they ever cause trouble here again, I’ll be using the sword.” The owner was still in some shock after witnessing the altercation and nearly missed catching the coin purse. Sun Xin sighed then proceeded to head back into the capital city’s Imperial District. “They never learn,” he muttered to himself as he lifted his scarf to cover his mouth and nose. A small flight of stairs led him back up to street level where only armed guards sparsely patrolled the streets to enforce the night curfew. To avoid them altogether, he bolted toward the nearest structure and free ran up the side of the building by transferring his forward speed into an upward momentum. He scaled the wall with ease to reach the edge of the veranda. He muscled up and planted his feet onto the roof tiles then cut across the streets by leaping from rooftop to rooftop where he could see in the distance, the fortified walls snaking around the perimeter of the Imperial District. He never liked the dust of the streets but he loved the elegance and sheer immensity of the capital city. It was a very colorful and wealthy place and exploring it helped him to forget just how much worse the world was becoming even before the Terukk had arrived. Crime was on the rise while gangs and outlaws were becoming more daring as they increased in number. The Underworld had also been experiencing a reawakening, boldly defying all he had done to stand against them for the past ten years. Instead of the clans and sects clashing with each other, they had now banded together and focused their attention on him.

  ​ Sun Xin’s eyes focused on the run as he transitioned to full sprint over the roof tiles, being sure to place one foot in front of the other in precise rhythm. The freedom of the air was priceless and there was nothing like clearing a large gap between buildings using nothing more than speed, momentum, and precision. The rush of running the rooftops was different and perhaps more profound than a full gallop was for a horseman or the open seas for a sailor; but as much as he enjoyed vaulting over the gables and bounding above the city streets, his body was now struggling to match his desired pace. He did not want to admit his lifestyle was s
lowly catching up with him. Such a fact was evidenced when he lunged off the corner eave of the large structure and nearly missed the neighboring balcony. He would have fallen to his death had he not reacted quickly with his hands, but that reaction alone required more strength than usual. Fatigue was affecting his presence of mind and his ability to focus on an activity that should have been effortless and instinctive.

  ​Not long after he had just begun his sprint, Sun Xin was straining just trying to maintain speed alone. Spending weeks traveling nearly nonstop from Guangzhou to Beijing was a monumental feat even for a high-caliber bladesman who had already spent a decade wandering the Middle Kingdom. The journey was most exhausting. The mental and emotional stress was far more draining than the physical exhaustion, however, and it was making traversing the rooftops a dangerous activity rather than a stress reliever.

  ​ He paused for a moment to control his breathing and center his internal energy. It was even difficult now that frustration and anger were clouding his concentration. He walked toward the highest point and perched on it with a deep squat. “Sigh, if only I could talk to you again, Master,” he said under his breath. “You always knew how I could get myself together even if I did not want to listen. I’ve always felt assured knowing that you were there to listen and provide counsel. But… for all your wisdom, I believe you’re still mistaken. Your softness had made you weak, and it ultimately caused your death. Though you would disagree, Master, I must do this my way.”