Jackal Among Snakes

During the musical performance, Argrave didn’t exchange further words with Governor Zen’s group or the emperor. Their sitting arrangement dictated they needed to speak loudly to be heard, and it would be rude to shout over the performance. They would have the chance to speak again once the next performer was setting up.

The first meal was served on raised trays placed in front of their sitting pillows, chopsticks as the utensil. Elenore had people watching the kitchens, ensuring no poison graced their dishes. The eunuch displayed a gigantic egg as large as Argrave’s head as he explained their first course came from giant birds in the hills and savannas of the far north where barbarians roamed. The egg had been processed into many rolls small enough to be eaten in one bite, doused in a reddish sauce, then crowned with exotic spices. It rather set the luxurious tone for the meals that were to come later in the day.

Argrave demonstrated to Anneliese and his brother how to use chopsticks, and then they watched the first musical performance. It had been a long time since Argrave enjoyed the company of music. At best Argrave would hear drumming, singing, or the odd flute in Vasquer, but those were few and far between.

Lady Zen Yue played her guzheng extremely artfully as they ate. The music itself, at times fast and others slow and somber, didn’t stir Argrave. He’d seen the refinement of music over centuries, all the way from orchestras to jazz and rock, so perhaps his palate was simply different. Still, to see her hands glide atop the flat-lying stringed instrument and pluck the strings without accident or error gave him some appreciation of the artistry. When she was done he thought to clap, but no one else did so he remained silent.

Lady Yue rose to her feet and bowed to the emperor, saying, “Thank you for the honor, son of heaven.” When she raised her head again, however, she was looking at Argrave. “May I ask if the Grand Commandant Sun enjoyed my performance?”

Argrave was caught off guard, but had repose enough to not blurt something out immediately. He said diplomatically, “It’s clear you’ve spent years practicing.”

He hadn’t really said anything at all, but the lady’s cheeks grew red and she acted demurely as the servants who’d helped her bring her guzheng to the room now helped her leave the same way. Argrave felt suspicion bubble. Was that what this was? Would Zen send the women of his house up one-by-one, each demonstrating their talents, to gauge Argrave’s interests? Looking at Anneliese, he could tell that was the case. He’d never really seen her be jealous, or possessive… until now, that was, as she realized what this day was to be. An exhibition, with Argrave as the buyer.

“So, Grand Commandant,” Governor Zen spoke up as they had idle time in between performances. “You’ve seen for yourself how the Great Chu survives, even amidst turmoil, haven’t you? I would rather liken this great nation—no, this country’s people—to the earth beneath our feet. The suns rise, the moon takes its place each night… yet the earth is constant as they fight on high.”

“Should I take that as metaphor?” Argrave raised his brows.

“Yes,” Zen said flatly, then ate from his plate. “A metaphor I hope I amply conveyed to the emperor.”

It was a message both to Argrave, and to the supposedly untamed emperor—the message being, simply put, that the Great Chu was not its leaders alone, neither sun nor moon.

“How long did it take you to think of those words?” Ji Meng looked at him. “Was it during that performance, Govenor Zen, or have you been holding onto them for days, waiting to say them like an upstart poet?”

The governor only smiled at Ji Meng’s cruel mockery. “The canals, the stone buildings, the metal statues—they can be destroyed, they can be built, or they can simply erode over the passage of time. People sustain the empire, not this palace—the idea of the Great Chu keeps it alive. You can’t change the ideas that people hold as you can wreck buildings or erect them high. The Great Chu is a system. It is the single greatest nation that has ever existed, but it’s also a mere system. This system requires certain parts—replaceable parts. Ultimately, it’s neither you nor I that truly decide which parts end up fitting where. It’s the people’s idea of what belongs.”

The next act of the musical performances came up, and a silence descended between them as a concert of four musicians played—a flutist, another stringed instrument, two drums… but the whole time, Argrave was anxiously awaiting its end that the conversation might continue.

“All those words for a pretty way of saying, ‘fall in line, or I’ll end you,’” the emperor cut into Zen concisely once the music stopped. “We understand people, Governor Zen. If we didn’t know people, we’d have been face down in the mud many decades ago, trampled under the feet of armies we raised. You never get the measure of a man better when you watch him kill.” Ji Meng’s gaze fell upon Argrave, then switched to Zen. “We never got your measure, governor. But that’s measurement enough. Could you make men die for you, or your grandsons? Look at them.” Ji Meng gestured lightly toward where some people who resembled the emperor sat—his sons, without a doubt.

“Understand what someone wants… you can direct them if you have it. Understand what someone needs, you can own them if you have it.” Governor Zen dared to look back at the emperor. “To be a functional emperor, you need a functioning empire. My family, like the Great Chu, is a system—a set of ideas. It so happens many pivotal parts of both systems line up rather nicely. You can see many of them, here, today. We can choke the gears until people think the emperor doesn’t belong. Myself, and the Grand Commandant.”

Argrave felt a swell of satisfaction—as Elenore had planned Governor Zen had shown a vast number of the cards in his hand in an attempt to cow the ‘untamed’ emperor. Provided they were doing their part down below, mingling with the crowd to gather information, they could effectively interpret and isolate the extent of Zen’s influence in the empire.

“None of us want this system to worsen, so let us direct you,” Governor Zen proposed.

The next performers came up—more young ladies of the Zen and Ji families had thin swords in hand with huge blue banners on their ringed pommels and their dresses. With two others performing a duet on the guzheng, the dancers performed an elaborate and highly choreographed dance. They moved around and atop each other with extreme grace as the blue silk flags whirled about, taking shapes of dragons and people and all manner of symbols. It was one of the more impressive performances. After, the women all fawned on Argrave, begging for his approval. Just as before, he was more interested in the conversation going on beside him and they left after he gave empty platitudes.

“Sometimes, systems must endure maintenance.” Ji Meng stared Governor Zen down. “Parts removed, replaced.”

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“At the eve of the calamity?” Anneliese pointed out. “We’ve already demonstrated the capacity to endure risk. We’re in the heart of your nation, our armies whole and healthy and supported. At worst, we return home with casualties. But you… the empire is on the brink. Consider carefully.”

Ji Meng finally fell silent. Argrave felt this little performance of theirs was going wonderfully.

“We intend to enjoy at least some of these performances,” the emperor finally said. “No more. For now.”

With that, conversation ended, and Argrave finally got to enjoy both the meal and shows both. Down below, Elenore reported to him that they were making ample progress in discerning what each individual present here actually did. Nikoletta was proving an incredibly useful card—pretty enough and Argrave’s blood relative, the scions of the Zen and Ji families were all too eager to tell her exactly what they did for a living to impress her.

They moved through eleven more performances in relative silence. Seven were solo acts, playing classics of the Great Chu with instruments or singing. They were all quite talented—in the Great Chu, it seemed, women were encouraged to pursued artistry. He saw people actually crying in the crowd when certain songs were played, but himself remained stone-faced and confused.

Anneliese grew more and more annoyed as the ladies’ flirtation took countless directions. Two young women gifted Argrave a painting, while one other gave him a personally woven handkerchief with his personal heraldry. One girl offered to serve his drinks throughout the rest of the day, and the palace guard answered for Argrave by giving the young woman a stern rebuke.

His favorite gift, though, was one that a very prudent girl offered not to him, but to Anneliese. It was an ivory sculpture of a cat with ambers for eyes—a representation of Anneliese, no doubt. The girl claimed to have sculpted it herself, while a jeweler set in the gems. Anneliese detected deception, however, somewhat spoiling what had otherwise been a perfect performance.

The orchestras and the choreographed dances were very enjoyable. There was a quaint performance with puppets midway through, though, that was his favorite. The puppeteer used cutouts behind a veil alongside bright light to create a fascinating effect where he could see only the cutouts, not the ones manipulating them. It was very strange when Argrave realized this was his story—it was the tale that they’d spread, where Ji Meng and Argrave fought, he was defeated, and then he swore loyalty. With singing, instrumentation, and even improvised sound effects, it certainly impressed.

Argrave enjoyed the meal and had a decent enough time with the performances, but even still he was glad when the eunuch declared that the last performer had come through. It was time, now, for the tour of the palace grounds. The silence and quiet enjoyment of the show had refreshed his mind, and he was ready to delve into the politics of negotiation.

Ji Meng declared unilaterally, “Governor, Grand Commandant. We will consult with some we trust about your words.”

With that, the emperor left, escorted by palace guards and a heavy contingent of eunuchs. Argrave and Anneliese received an offer of servants, but Governor Zen stepped in.

“My daughter and I would show the Grand Commandant and his wife around the palace. Meanwhile…” He looked to the empress.

Empress Tai Si sprang into action, gripping her daughter by the arm. The young girl flinched instinctively. “Ji Li, walk with Prince Orion. And remember your manners.”

“Yes, empress mother,” she said quickly. It was only when she was released that she walked up to Orion and offered her hand. “If it pleases, I would show you around the palace.”

When Argrave gave him a nod, Orion took her hand lightly. “Very well. It may be awkward walking with elaborate garments. I might carry you to ease that.”

Ji Li looked at him, eyes wide at a loss regarding the unexpected offer. Argrave instructed him, “I think it might be uncomfortable to do that on the second meeting, Orion.”

“I see,” Orion nodded. “If that is incorrect, the offer stands. Let us tour.”

Argrave watched Orion briefly, then looked at Governor Zen. “I’ll be along in a second. Just want to grab my sister. I think we have a lot to talk about.”

“Definitely,” the empress agreed.

Argrave and Anneliese walked away to where Elenore spoke with some people, Nikoletta nearby as the heart of things. When she spotted Argrave Elenore extracted the two of them and walked up.

“We’re to tour with Governor Zen,” Argrave said as greeting. “Want you with me. This could be our opportunity.”

“Alright,” Elenore agreed. “Things are going quite well. I’m having Stain write down any information I unearth back where he is. Nikoletta’s been a large help.” She looked back, then ordered in a whisper, “Melanie, Durran, stay with Nikoletta. Keep it up.”

After briefly checking in with Galamon and Patriarch Dras, who enjoyed some attention but less so than Nikoletta, they returned to begin the palace tour.

His sister explained things further as they walked. “We’ve struck gold. I had no idea that Zen had this sizable of a network throughout the kingdom. It’s no stretch to say he’s a finger in every pie. Agriculture, canals, water transportation, banking, weapons manufacture, construction work… I could go on, but gods, it’s impressive. He’s given me inspiration for back home, even.” She looked at him. “You must be having a nice time, I’m sure. So many young ladies, with wonderful… performances.”

“Let’s focus on the task at hand,” Argrave brushed past that comment. “Now that I’ve seen the… the goods, I suppose, Governor Zen’s going to try and sell me something. But we need to get Sataistador.”

“Alright. Don’t get overexcited; you already have some of what he’s selling,” Elenore continued to joke.

Argrave tried not to even crack a smile… for his sake, ultimately.

#####

“I think we did well with the emperor,” Governor Zen said.

They walked out into the imperial garden. Argrave couldn’t see much of it yet as it was blocked off by tall silver fences. He could see pink trees, though, and heard running water. The eunuchs described the garden as a place of unsurpassable beauty. He was curious if that held up.

“I’d agree.” Argrave nodded, and Anneliese agreed silently.

“But some of what I said in there was meant for you,” Governor Zen said.

Argrave looked at him strangely. “Did you think I missed your meaning? You’re breaking my heart. I’m not that slow-witted.”

“Not the metaphors. The thing about what someone wants, and what someone needs.” Governor Zen stopped before the entrance to the garden, adjusting his fine clothes. “I know you’re keeping some things from me. I respect that. I’m doing the same. It’s part of the game. But, if we’re genuinely to cooperate, there are some things you do need to know. Like what I want. Not alliances, wealth… but regarding this elaborate system. The Great Chu.”

Argrave contemplated that in silence, then asked, “But going by your logic, wouldn’t I be able to direct you if I know what you want?”

“In new territory, everyone can get lost.” Governor Zen shrugged. “Nothing wrong with directions.”

Argrave nodded. “So… what do you want out of this, Zen?”