Years after the war and evolution amongst clans, peasants and the noble families. Kingdoms formed. An Empire formed. The destruction and obliteration didn't stop the increment and success of many families left to fend for themselves, their families and build a home in a place they never thought they would call home.
The Wu Empire wasn't remote to these actions. Left in the ashes and remains of where they called home and peace once, they rose up to sovereignty. A step that wasn't worth just one man or family but filled with immigrants. Displaced families. Homes destroyed and lost.
Wu Shufen didn't sit and await a government that never was but made a government of his own. The Wu empire. It didn't take just years but team building and a synergy between families like him.
However the power and authority vested upon him was like an aphrodisiac that he never stopped taking to surge his desire for more control.
Control over kingdoms that were formed from the ashes like him. Created from the dust of the woods and bamboos burned. Walls painted with blood of the heroes lost.
He wanted power. Suzerainty over the lands and kingdoms. Seated in the throne hall with his palms draped over the dragon head of the arm rest. His eyes twitched watching his son who stood before him with an obscure gaze.
"You will do as I say. Get married to a princess from one of the other kingdoms. Cities, provinces' princesses or generals and nobles' daughters are no fit for a crown prince" he waved his hand dismissively in the air "and you know that. Don't make me take matters into my able hands"
Li-Rong bowed his head with his hands clasped in his front "Yes Father"
"And stop whatever you think I'm not seeing Li. I see everything and you know what I'm talking about. You're dismissed"
"Thank you Father" he backtracked with his head bowed and turned and left. Stepping out of the throne hall, he breathed out, turning back to look at the now unclear path.
He sighed, dragging his robes together. Getting married had never been a scare to him like his brothers, the real scare he had was to marry a woman he didn't love and knew as his wife and companion.
But love was a non-existent word to ever mention in the walls of the palace. Princes, princesses, emperors and kings didn't marry for love. They married to gain more power and that was what his father was after.
He was fed up with everything from his father, the constant inconveniences he got all the time. As he walked the palace grounds, his eyes moved to the direction of the training grounds.
The noise there was constant. His father never let the men of Wu breathe or marry without taking part in his army. He wanted everyone to be ready for war.
A war that he prayed never to be but with the way his father acted and built the palace was a testament to whatever he was plotting, he wouldn't vouch for him; he wasn't at peace with the tranquility around him.
He needed war. He craved the madness and brawl. A place filled with chaos, dispute and violence. The memory of the war that ended years past still lived in him and he wanted to relive it as the creator now and that was all he was going to get.
Li-Rong shook his head, trying to shake off the thoughts of his father. Entering the training grounds, his eyes roamed lazily over the place. Sweaty bodies and men in misery who were supposed to be out working and earning a living for their families out here instead.
He closed his eyes thinking about maneuvering his way around the grounds without drawing attention to himself; that wasn't possible when his eyes caught a maid laughing with one of the soldiers.
Xin-yi, she was a maid-servant and though she wasn't always treated like one, she still was. He curled his lips, deciding to stand and watch them instead of leaving the grounds as he once had.
While watching them he didn't hear the sounds of footsteps until he heard someone call out to him "your highness"
He whirled around to the voice. Commander zhu. The commander who had taken over from the last, a promising young man who had a future his father snagged from his life. He was so young Li-Rong was sure he probably would've been in school and not a commander.
Perhaps, a young scholar who'd no doubt be helping his family out and creating something for himself in the world but here doing what the emperor had ordered. He sighed.
A young man his father has successfully put in the position of the commander and soon a general where he could have powers and be in control to order them around against their will and integrity.
Their purpose and loyalty to the people of Wu whom they're to serve with honesty and unity amongst themselves. But no one had a choice, when you're good at leading the soldiers and commanding and backing out orders, never let emperor Wu catch a whiff of that unless you become tied to his army till your demise.
Whichever way it happens.
But that wasn't his reason for being there, he was…a sweet laughter of someone seized his attention and his eyes swerved to it before turning back to the man beside him who certainly was wondering why he was here.
There were many reasons and though he hadn't wanted to be here, he could use the chance and clear out some rough edges. One was that his father was holding a function and invited many prominent people from around different cities and kingdoms to make sure they brought their unmarried daughters.
This was clearly a match making event but he cared less since he only wanted to check in on the people that were going to guard and escort the guests around.
The soldiers were only tools in Wu. His father never let him fight or learn swordsmanship saying it was the job of his subjects and peasants to work for him after creating a good and prosperous kingdom for them to inhabit.
Some of his brothers learned archery and he learned swordsmanship all secretly, without the knowledge of his father. He acted like he didn't care but all those were facades he used to mask his plans.
"Is there anything you want your highness?" Li-Rong faced commander Zhu, realizing someone was beside him.
"Hmm?"
His lips parted to answer but the sound of chirpings from across him drew his attention again and he schooled his face, not revealing any emotion as he went back to the man before him.
For a moment he forgot his reason for being there and cleared his throat, putting his hands behind him, he said "I need your strongest soldiers ready. We are having an upcoming event and the guests need to be guarded"
The commander bowed in understanding "They will be ready before then your highness"
Li-Rong hummed and his eyes skittered back to the maid-servant chatting and laughing, he didn't know when he blurted out a question, an emotion flickering past his eyes "What is she doing here?" She was supposed to be in the kitchen or somewhere but not here.
A ground full of male testosterone and drenched bodies. This was no place for women, especially a maid-servant. It could taint her reputation.
The commander shrugged, his gaze also going to the maid-servant. He couldn't tell why she always came here with food for one of the soldiers and sometimes for everyone however it made him happy seeing her face.
At least someone saw them and knew they existed under the palace.
"I don't know your highness," he answered, dipping his head.
Li-Rong scowled "Does she come here everyday or…?"
"Yes she comes here everyday"
Li-Rong loosened his hands folded behind his back and sighed, glancing back to the maid-servant now waving for the soldiers that smiled, waving back with enthusiasm.
His scowl deepened with brows furrowing, he cleared his throat turning back to commander zhu "see you then" and left, his eyes trailing the maid-servant who was leaving for the exit. The dust followed in her wake as she ambled down.
His steps fastened when he saw her sprinting with a bamboo basket filled with plates that were obviously used by the soldiers. He had no problem with anyone feeding the soldiers. It's not his business but he has a problem with her feeding them.
His steps faltered when he got to her and he brushed his shoulders with her leaning down to whisper "meet me at the imperial garden tonight" with which he strode away.