Shadows on Water
"Friends and family, food is still cooking in the kitchen, and I have something cooking inside me. I have important news. It seems the whole of nature has proclaimed Wang Mang to be the new emperor, but he is not the only one to have received a mandate."
Fang looks perturbed at this, as you mean him to be. Let him stew a while longer.
"A mandate is both a duty, and a responsibility. When I served the first emperor, and was later sent away, I thought I had fulfilled my duty, that I had given all I had to give. It is now clear to me I have further responsibilities, that will take me away from this village I have cherished for long years. In the morning I will leave for the capital. Friends, there is plenty more food in the pot!"
At this a cheer goes up, and Fang's face visibly brightens. You seat yourself between he and the soldier Ling, and drink and joke like you had once in the capital, Chang'an.
Fang looks perturbed at this, as you mean him to be. Let him stew a while longer.
"A mandate is both a duty, and a responsibility. When I served the first emperor, and was later sent away, I thought I had fulfilled my duty, that I had given all I had to give. It is now clear to me I have further responsibilities, that will take me away from this village I have cherished for long years. In the morning I will leave for the capital. Friends, there is plenty more food in the pot!"
At this a cheer goes up, and Fang's face visibly brightens. You seat yourself between he and the soldier Ling, and drink and joke like you had once in the capital, Chang'an.