Shadows on Water
It is rude indeed to carry a concealed weapon over the threshold of a man's house. That Wang Mang sends you a common soldier with hidden motives reinforces your view that he is a rough usurper. You feel your anger mount, but try to keep the edge off your voice.
"Soldier,what do you hide beneath your coat?"
Fang pulls back his coat while looking you straight in the eye. A glint of steel, you see the handle of a long dagger.
"There is a new power in the land, Huan Tan. You served the old emperor well, but there are rumours that you are at odds with Emperor Wang Mang and his beliefs. I tell you now, he doesn't care that you don't believe in the spirits. But he has a right to ask you to serve him."
"And does he have the Mandate of Heaven?" you ask, knowing the question could be seen as dangerous.
"He is gathering a force to receive that mandate. Will you be a part of it? Will you be led by him?"
Distant thunder, the soldiers at the gate look up to the clouds massing above the hills to the north.
"Soldier,what do you hide beneath your coat?"
Fang pulls back his coat while looking you straight in the eye. A glint of steel, you see the handle of a long dagger.
"There is a new power in the land, Huan Tan. You served the old emperor well, but there are rumours that you are at odds with Emperor Wang Mang and his beliefs. I tell you now, he doesn't care that you don't believe in the spirits. But he has a right to ask you to serve him."
"And does he have the Mandate of Heaven?" you ask, knowing the question could be seen as dangerous.
"He is gathering a force to receive that mandate. Will you be a part of it? Will you be led by him?"
Distant thunder, the soldiers at the gate look up to the clouds massing above the hills to the north.