Post by Fai on Nov 6, 2009 5:55:38 GMT
The Other Side of Virtue
Within the confines of a candle-lit room in the middle of the night, a deal was taking place. During these chaotic times, death was abundant. People died, it was the natural order of things. Perhaps people have grown desensitized by the constant showing of bloodshed, but morally, is it still wrong to kill? Was it still alright to be the one who judges who lives or who dies? That is a subject of debate. Something that certain people don’t indulge in. For if there was any crack in their fortitude, your sanity could be in jeopardy; to Xin Fai, no such cracks would ever exist.
He sat comfortably on a wooden chair, the cushions making him comfortable. Xin Fai had never felt such luxury before, and he knew that he made the right decision in joining the ranks of Shu-Han. He sat behind a table, drinking some hot tea that was brought up by a servant. They were in an office chamber, various scrolls and other reading material were scattered all over the place. The candle it self was placed cautiously above him in a lamp so no one would ever knock it over and set these scrolls aflame. It was the right move.
Xin Fai the Sniper was what he was called by many. Mostly because of his great marksmanship abilities, but secretly it would be his perceptive nature and highly sharp mind. Do not be fooled by his previous occupation, he was a master of manipulation as well as the bow. He was a handsome man with long, silky hair perched wildly on his scalp. His robes weren’t as extravagant as they should be, but more suited for comfort rather than elegance. He was once a ‘peasant’, some of the riches he had now was something he was unaccustomed to.
Seated across from the former bandit leader was a portly man. He was the opposite of Xin Fai in general. He was not exactly hideous, but he was not very handsome either. His ‘office’ job contributed to the huge belly he had gained over the years. A perpetual frown was on his face as various wrinkles were on his forehead from glaring far too much in his life. His black beard covered most of his mouth, and was about six inches past the chin. His clothing included a stylish headdress with a fancy robe that was much too bright for the more humble of the two.
Xin Fai sipped his cup of tea, calm and collected. The portly man glared at him viciously, but did the same. The man was actually Wu Ling’s richest merchants who had stayed behind in the city with Shu’s recent occupation of it. Currently, they were in his home. However, this was not a mission of the Shu General, Xin Fai, but a business proposition brought on by the merchant himself Kin Liang. No sound came from either of them aside from the slurping noises of tea being drunk. However, it was Xin Fai who decided to break the silence, “So is it a deal? In exchange for my services, Shu-Han will have your business’s backing in Wu Ling?”
Kin Liang frowned deeper as he let out a low grumble from his throat. Whatever his thoughts were, it was not too pleasing. Since before his father’s time, the Kin Clan were elite merchants in the city of Wu Ling. They would always provide their services and money for whoever controls the city. Mostly for their own protection, yet at the same time, for their own profit; businesses that decided to contest against them were swiftly rooted out. Kin Liang, however, was not a master businessman like any of his predecessors. He was weak, and a coward. Although Xin Fai knew not his family background, he was certain that the man before him was not the one who made his clan ‘successful’.
“Very well. You have a deal. His death will allow my son to fill up his position. Besides…I’m sure you men of Shu wouldn’t want someone to incite the people into rebelling against you. A win-win situation I say ha ha ha!” Kin Liang said as he smiled at Xin Fai. He began to bellow loudly, uncaring of whom or what heard him. Xin Fai smiled politely back, his cold, and unfeeling business smile that looked so warm and inviting to others. This man was a filthy bastard, but it was for the good of Shu to have the financial backing of a strong merchant. That much was certain. If Liu Bei was to be the white, Xin Fai shall be the black…
----
A crowd of people, too busy with their daily lives but yet taking time out of their schedule to attend, gathered tightly together at the forum of Wu Ling. Today’s speaker was a certain favorite one, who, for the past few days, had been attempting to incite the people into rebellion. However, Shu-Han could do nothing to stop him at the moment as the man was a master of rhetoric, and by killing him, would also make the people rebel anyways. Either way, it was a bad situation for the forces stationed there. His name was Shi Jiao, a major politician in the courts of Wu Ling who had also stayed behind.
Although not essentially old, he still held that still fiery passion he had been known for in his youth. Although thin from age, he held himself with an air of dignity and acted like a wise sage. He spoke each worth with fervent emotions, and managed to help identify with the people in the audience to heed his cries. He wore humble to better associate himself with the commoners, and despite his old looks, was handsome in his own way that attracted many to his cause.
The Hornet and the Hawk’s Shadow, brothers Lu Huo and Lu Fon, sat next to one another at the edge of a building that was close to the stage. They were listening to his speech, and couldn’t help but be drawn in by his words. The stoic one, Lu Fon, had closed his eyes as he took in every word the man said. Lu Huo, the younger of the two, sighed and rested his chin on his palms as he propped them up with the help of his knees; he looked bored. “Brother. That man…is the one Xin Fai must eliminate right?”
“Yes. His death is our objective.” Lu Fon said, he was always a man of few words.
“Then let’s get ready then. His speech is almost over.” Lu Huo replied with a smile on his face. He got up from his position along with his brother and began making their way towards the gate. For Xin Fai’s plan to succeed, they had to add in a bit of trickery and lying into the mix. It would be up to Xin Fai to actually place the man in position. Unknown to Shi Jiao, it would be his last day to be living…
----
An hour later, Shi Jiao had finished speaking and answering the questions of the people. They all asked very tough questions that Shi Jiao couldn’t guarantee. Many were in favor of Shu, while others remained resilient and knew that they must be free from the hands of the soldiers. Those that heeded his words were sick of constant military occupation of foreign lords, and were more than ready to pick up their arms and battle. However, the day was not over yet, not just yet. He had a meeting with the Shu Officer named Xin Fai at the walls.
When they first met in the court of Wu Ling, he saw both Mi Zhu and Xin Fai. Mi Zhu was for sure a man of peace. He respected his way of wanting to not have any bloodshed in taking Wu Ling. He was an honest fellow, and for that, Shi Jiao trusted the man. However, despite this trust, he did not want Wu Ling to fall under their hands. The last prefect was a fool for leaving; they should have attempted to stand their ground and not just cowardly leave! However, there was the matter of Xin Fai. He was a man Shi Jiao could not read, and was not certain of his motives. He had heard from many of Shu soldiers that he was a former bandit recently appointed by Liu Bei to be a general. It was an impressive feat for a peasant, but…there was some unknown quality in there that he could not place. He also had a feeling of dread with each step he took towards the walls.
”Ah. Master Shi Jiao. Welcome.” The voice of Xin Fai pierced through the air like butter. His hair swayed brilliantly in the wind as Shi Jiao noted when he took his step out of the carriage. Apparently, the young general had decided to meet him by the stairs. The man was smiling brightly at him, and Shi Jiao couldn’t help but chuckle and do the same.
“Indeed. What is this meeting for, if I’m not being too rude?” Shi Jiao said slowly, he kept his tone from being too hostile, yet at the same time, he made it pressing.
Of course, Xin Fai did not miss the way he sounded, but replied, “This is to build trust. I assure you, that in no way will we oppress the people of Wu Ling. We follow our lord’s strict morals to guide us.” He smiled politely at him. He turned around and began walking up the stairs with Shi Jiao following him. The man certainly had a way of words, that much was certain.
“If you are not here to oppress us. Then why don’t you leave us be?” Shi Jiao retorted with a satisfied smirk.
“If only it was that simple. A growing army needs money and food. In return for those, the army protects the people.” Xin Fai replied, almost calmly as he strode through the top of the walls. Many soldiers were patrolling, watching the careful eye of the forests to make sure that no intruders or invaders were left unnoticed. They gave off the appearance of well-disciplined soldiers. However, they were the soldiers of Wu Ling, not the soldiers of Shu.
Shi Jiao looked at the soldiers and nodded his head; they were certainly keeping a good job in watching the surroundings so intently. “So what? There are people who are corrupted who had abused that power.”
“That is when trust plays an important part. You must trust us to do our jobs. And we need to trust you to do your job. It’s quite simple really.” Xin Fai sighed as he stopped in front of the gates. He looked to the side, watching the endless landscape. However, there was one speck in the seemingly endless land that caught his attention.
“General Xin Fai. We spotted a horse riding up to us carrying the Shu Flag!”
”Calm down. It’s just a messenger.”
As the horse rider came closer and closer, they noticed that the soldier was cloaked in black, and the only visible feature was the flag of Shu attached to the back of him. Shi Jiao looked over the railing to see if it was a Shu soldier as well, curiosity having gotten the better of him. “Halt! Who goes there?” Yelled out a guard that at the top of the wall next to Shi Jiao and Xin Fai. The rider looked at them and smiled. He seemingly pointed at Xin Fai and yelled out, “Die enemy commander!”
The rider tore off his cloak to reveal the markings and armor of a Nanman warrior; he pulled out a bow and an arrow from his quiver and strung it together. Before the guards could even react, the Nanman warrior aimed its bow at Xin Fai. The Nanman let go of the string and the arrow raced across the air. Suddenly, blood began spurting out of the neck of the person that was shot down. It was not Xin Fai though, but rather Shi Jiao that was shot. The arrow had pierced cleanly through his neck, and it was now stuck in his throat.
The Nanman warrior turned and quickly galloped away on his horse. The soldiers on the walls fired arrows after arrows after him, only for them to miss because of the expertise the warrior had with the horse. Xin Fai knelt down beside the dying Shi Jiao and propped him up. The former bandit leaned forward to look over Shi Jiao. The old man opened his eyes, knowing what had just happened. Everything was so clear to him now.
Looking up, he spotted the smug smile of Xin Fai gazing down upon him. It burnt his eyes to see that smile as he knew that the man had bested even he. His death would solidify the need of well-trained soldiers to defend them against the threat of tribal savages. Not only did he create a need for Shu’s army and not Wu Ling’s, Xin Fai also had managed to eliminate Shi Jiao in a way that the public could not blame Shu for his death, thus averting any major rebellions.
His consciousness was slipping away, and he looked up at Xin Fai. Before he died though, he took in one last breath before quietly whispering, “You…snake…” His eyes then closed, and Shi Jiao took in his last breath. Soldiers began gathering around. Some had heard his speeches and had wanted to rebel against the Shu occupation. However, they felt ashamed of their failure to even defend one man from killing one of Wu Ling’s most celebrated citizens.
To Xin Fai, only one thought came to mind, “Just as planned.”
----
Ki Liang stood over the crowd, his shoulders were stiff and his arms were crossed. He scanned through the crowd of people and nodded as he was satisfied with the numbers that had presented themselves. Days ago, Shi Jiao died by an unknown Nanman archer riding up to the gates; stories spread that the archer was aiming for Xin Fai, but Shi Jiao being a valiant hero, decided to take the shot instead. His position in the court of Wu Ling was then fulfilled by Ki Liang’s son, Ki Xiang as Shi Jiao had no true heirs to the position. Instead, Ki Liang just bought his way to allowing the rest of the court for Ki Xiang to his replacement.
“Days ago! Our brother, Shi Jiao was mortally wounded by an arrow meant for our ‘supposed’ enemy Shu who has occupied the city. We, as the people of Wu Ling, refused to allow them to patrol for us. Instead, we allowed the untrained militia to defend ourselves. Now, our brother, Shi Jiao, who had loved each one of you who lived in this city, died because of our selfishness!”
Ki Liang cleared his throat and looked at the reactions of the people. Some were ashamed, while others continued to stare down defiantly, “People! We are not soldiers. We are just citizens! Allow the Shu army to defend us, for it is their goal to protect the people is it not? We must trust them to do their duty, but in order for them to do so, they must trust us to perform our duty. The southern tribes has been quarreling with us for years, with the Shu here, they would not dare fight against us. They would tremble in fear because of their disciplined army! Now what we people of Wu Ling do? Should we just cowardly let others do the fighting? No! We must unionize ourselves with them. One of my sons has agreed to be trained under their generals, why not let yours do the same? They will protect their home with their very lives, and from the best warriors as well? Was it not the help of Shu that the Wu army was able to defeat the giant legion of Cao Cao? Stop thinking selfishly, think of others for once!”
Xin Fai rolled his eyes as he leaned against the wall at the top of the stairs. He looked down at the forum below, filled with the Wu Ling people once again. Everything went according to how he predicted it. Lu Fon stood next to him along with his brother, Lu Huo. They had gotten the backing of the Kin merchant clan that much was certain, and fortunately, as an added bonus, Ki Liang, the rich merchant, was now attempting to convince some of the populace to join the army of Shu. Xin Fai chuckled to himself as he crossed his arms. Lu Huo turned to look at him and smiled, ”Hm. Happy about our latest victory?”
”Yes. We have killed two birds with one stone so to speak. Lu Fon, excellent disguise. I’m sure you had no trouble fitting the Nanman armor you had found in the forest to match you?”
”The Wu Ling archers were terrible. They could not have hoped to have hit me.” The stoic assassin stated, it was evident that he was the ‘Nanman Archer’.
”What if Kin Liang talks?” Lu Huo asked, worried at the prospect that Kin Liang would tell the citizens of the entire deal.
”Kin Liang can’t afford the secret to be let out. The people will turn on him, and we also hold his son hostage at the court. We can easily dispose any of them at any time.”
Lu Fon and Lu Huo nodded. Xin Fai smiled once more as he looked down at Kin Liang. From the comforts of the light, you would believe that Xin Fai, at the time he was stationed at Wu Ling, did not contribute much at all for the growing kingdom of Shu. However, to those that are in the darkness, to those that are willing to dirty their hands for the justified ends, would know what things had to be done in order for something to grow. It may seem immoral, but that is what a former bandit was for:
To be the shadow of a master that is constantly shined upon by the sun.
