General Denzhen watched his older brother, Emperor Puyin, ensconced on the elevated throne, utterly captivated by the large hologram being cast from the round table. Its dim light bathed the many faces encircling it in surrealistic shades of blue - the Grand Chancellor and advisor Lin Zexu, political representatives from distant districts, minor lords and ladies, and the four Dragons, two of whom were present virtually through hologram. These were the key players in Kowloon’s power game, and currently, that game was kickstarting Puyin’s Zhaisheng.
Denzhen cautiously scanned the five stoic Manchukuo guards, who stood cloaked in shadows along the chamber walls. Distinguished within the Kingmaker ranks, the Manchukuo served as the royal protectors of Emperor Puyin and his family. They wore midnight blue armour, enhanced with an intricate weave of graphene for added durability, and held towering spears against their shoulders. They remained a silent yet imposing presence in the upper levels of Yu Tower, scattered between the royal palace and its political nerve centres.
‘Can we start implementing the automated algae farms?’ Puyin asked. ‘What say you, Zexu? Pairing these farms with my quantum-energy stores could be what finally ignites my Zhaisheng in the Western Reaches. Emperor Hongwu’s great Renaissance, the Hongwu Zhaisheng eight-hundred annui-cycles ago, will soon look like child’s play in the history books.’
Chancellor Zexu stood stroking his long white beard, seemingly lost in thought.
Annoyance creased the Emperor’s face. ‘Surely, it does not take a scholar to recognise its greatness! Well?’
‘Forgive my silence. I am pondering the logistics of your most excellent plan. However, let there be no doubt about its unparalleled promises.’
Puyin’s features softened and he nodded, leaning back on his throne.
General Denzhen exchanged a worried glance with General Han Xi, the other general physically present. Denzhen, ever the voice of caution, was the first to temper his brother’s enthusiasm with pragmatic advice.
‘We shouldn’t get too ahead of ourselves, brother. A tandem launch of the farms and the energy may place financial pressure on our other projects in the region. We are accruing debts we won’t be able to pay off within any of our lifetimes.’
Puyin responded as if it was a trivial concern. ‘Fear not, little brother. East Kowloon is the Zhaisheng’s collateral. They have little to offer my renaissance apart from a steady flow of Hongs through taxes.’
‘Which we’ve increased six times in the past four annui-cycles.’
‘And I’ll increase it six more if my Zhaisheng calls upon it, brother! But don’t worry, they’ll soon reap the benefits of my plan,’ Puyin interjected with finality.At that moment, Denzhen understood he wasn’t pointing out an oversight in the Emperor’s plan, but rather a deliberate strategy. This was the essence of Kowlooni politics, where the game was played on a scale most could scarcely imagine, its consequences affecting unfathomable numbers of people.
Zexu floated his hand through the hologram and pulled a 3D rendering of the new farms.
‘Emperor, you suggested building the farms here in Tong Feng’s warehouses, yes?’ Zexu asked, tapping and enlarging several prompts floating above the simulated render of the factory, ‘The inspection team have approved the parameters of construction, some areas will need to be torn down but otherwise, the conditions are ideal to move forward.’
General Denzhen subtly shook his head, signalling his continued disagreement with the proposed construction. He noticed the Emperor catch the gesture, a slight frown forming as he leaned his head against his palm, his gaze lingering on Denzhen with a hint of disapproval. ‘General Denzhen,’ Chancellor Zexu began, looking at him through the ice-like holograms, ‘let me clarify something the Emperor may not have made clear to you.’ General Denzhen resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the chancellor, frowning as the chancellor spoke to him in paternalistic tones. Here he goes again, on both knees for my brother, Denzhen thought as Zexu continued. ‘The Zhaisheng isn’t an exclusionary project. In fact, it is a beacon of hope for the places you are concerned of, like the East. Let me tell you that as one with eastern heritage. The Zhaisheng is projected to lift 70% of eastern regions out of their famine within a handful of annui-cycles.’
Zexu pressed a button on the holotable, and the image of the empty warehouse transformed, filling with state-of-the-art farming machinery. The hologram displayed large cylindrical machines that spun and whirred, simultaneously processing algae, mushrooms, and grain. Water coursed through intricate aqueducts where they meandered through machinery and drained out of basins, and pathways wound around and above the hefty equipment. Enhancing the scene, plants and small trees adorned the walls and hung from the ceiling, making the warehouse resemble more garden than an industrial farm. This vivid display offered a tantalising glimpse into the grandeur of the Emperor’s visionary project and held Denzhen’s attention captive.
Zexu continued, ‘With the help of the quantum-energy caches, we can produce food in such quantities that we might be able to build a whole new East with just grain and algae alone. We may even look to helping towns in the Huang Wildlands who have endured endless famine.’
Still sceptical that the structures could live up to these monumental achievements, Denzhen looked at his fellow dragons to gauge their feelings. General Han Xi sitting across the holotable, sat with his arms crossed, his face turned away in disapproval. Cao’s expression was unreadable through static and waves of the hologram, while General Qin Shi, the eldest and most experienced of the four Dragons, nodded at Zexu’s promises.
Perhaps there is something I’m not seeing if the wisest of us agrees with the Emperor’s plans, Denzhen wondered, swallowing his concerns.
Puyin spoke up once more. ‘Indeed, Zexu. Denzhen, I understand your concern for those who may struggle through this transitory period. Undoubtedly, there will be many who will suffer until the Zhaisheng fully transforms Kowloon. Then, is it not incumbent upon us all to make sure we reach the light at the end of this dark tunnel as swiftly as possible? Why settle for a slower pace that merely prolongs this temporary suffering? The tandem construction of the farms and power storage stations will undoubtedly be beneficial. Denzhen, since you are so wary of this, why don’t you pay Tong a visit to see these farms for yourself? Let her know that I will be approving construction in less than fifteen work-cycles. I am sure she will be able to allay your fears.’
Denzhen could tell that the Emperor was not just hopeful for the Zhaisheng’s success. It was as if he had already foreseen it happen and returned to the past to convince everyone else of its greatness. For the time being, Denzhen allowed himself to cautiously nod to the Emperor.
‘Does anyone else have any questions regarding my Zhaisheng?’ Emperor Puyin asked the room.
General Cao raised his hand. ‘My Emperor, I have been in district Taiku Xhing for about three menses-cycles now, and I have observed some troubling trends with the new hospital equipment you are bringing in. Sain Victus Hospital has seen waves of lay-offs, and right now many of the former doctors and nurses are seriously considering moving to more impoverished hospitals in districts down south, where your Zhaisheng has yet to arrive.’
‘The unemployed will need to reevaluate the skills they will offer to my post-Zhaisheng world,’ Emperor Puyin countered.
‘So I’ve heard. But that is not my concern, Your Highness. I am more worried that those who refuse to make the treacherous migration south will take up the mantle of the Yang instead.’
The twenty-five attendees at the meeting collectively inhaled sharply at the very mention of the word, Yang. Denzhen knew General Cao’s observation was accurate. It wasn’t just happening in the North, but in many districts around Kowloon.
Again, Zexu stepped in. ‘Your concerns are not without merit, General. But these projects will create new job opportunities in unexpected areas, in many unforeseen ways. Emperor Hongwu’s great Zhaisheng 600 annui-cycles may have put a few people out of work, but in the end, the people adapted and found new jobs elsewhere. Back then, public perceptions of the changes Hongwu brought ranged from hopeful to controversial. Now his efforts for the renewal of the sciences, arts, and literature are considered legendary, an era of unmatched prosperity. Right now, we are seeing a repeat of those mixed feelings that preceded Hongwu’s greatness. We just need to be patient.’
As Zexu’s encouraging words for Puyin’s Zhaisheng filled the room, the Emperor’s face brightened once more. General Cao exchanged a glance with General Qin Shi, who nodded to him with conviction. The room fell silent, signalling tentative consensus.
Grand Chancellor Zexu clasped his hands together with a sense of finality and spoke, ‘Well then, Emperor Puyin, esteemed lords, ladies, and generals, it seems we are ready to embark on this new venture with the algae farm project and quantum stores. May we proceed?’ Zexu turned and bowed to the Emperor, expecting his words to seal the discussion.
‘Brilliant, Zexu. Truly.’ The Emperor nodded in approval. ‘Denzhen, as I said, go to Kam Shan. Tong Feng and her triads have been waiting eagerly for this. We stand on the threshold of a new era for Kowloon.’
With the meeting adjourned, the meeting room gates whispered open, bathing its exiting members with lights their eyes have been deprived of in the dark meeting room. As Denzhen emerged in the stark contrast of outdoor light, blinking against the sudden brightness, he noticed Yutai sitting in the waiting room outside. He watched the parade of important figures walk past him and down the hall towards the elevator, until he finally caught sight of the general, promptly shooting up in a crisp salute. Denzhen walked over and waved him down with a casual hand gesture.
‘Yutai, everything okay? Word of Keung’s incident only reached me as the meeting was starting. I was tied up – any news?’
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General Denzhen started to walk and Yutai followed by his side. ‘Keung is in the infirmary sir; from what Cheng told me, he suffered a concussion and some broken bones, but he’s okay. Regrettably, we suffered a fatality and two others have been grounded, awaiting questioning. All three were ours.’
As Yutai’s words registered, Denzhen felt the world tilt on its axis. His steps faltered, coming to an abrupt halt in the grand corridor of Yu tower. A Kingmaker was dead. Such a disaster hadn’t befallen them in a quarter of a century, not since the District Rebellions all those annui-cycles ago. Their ranks were thin as it was, reeling from the death toll from the war. Struck silent, Denzhen stood still, paying his respects in quiet contemplation.
Breaking the silence, he found his voice again, raspy with suppressed emotion. ‘So who took down and cremated Jian? Was it Keung after all?’
Yutai looked ahead and adjusted his trench coat as they both continued walking. ‘It’s a bit complicated, but I think all four were planning on doing it when they ran into each other and got into a fight. Or that’s what I took away from the rumour, but I might be wrong.’
‘You haven’t spoken to or visited Keung yet?’
‘Uh, no sir. Not yet, but I was planning to after this. Cheng is with him right now.’
General Denzhen came to a stop in front of a lift. ‘Listen Yutai, the Emperor has requested I go visit the Lady of Kam Shan to tell her that her Zhaisheng has arrived. But after what Keung did last night, there will be consequences that I must deal with. And I cannot risk frustrating the Emperor any more than I already have.’ General Denzhen placed a hand on the side of Yutai’s arm.
‘Of course, sir. What is your command?’
‘I need you to head to district Kam Shan as soon as you can, straight to Tong Feng’s den. Let her know the farm project is a go; she’ll understand what that means. It won’t hurt to bring along someone from your team. Tong and her crew can be a bit uncouth, but you’ll be bearing them good news.’
It wasn’t uncommon for the Emperor to use Kings as messengers. They often carried orders to ambitious Lords and Ladies, acting as grand bearers of the Emperor’s words. Yet Keung and his detachment had been shafted out of normal Kingmaker duties to hunt Kowloon’s hidden terrorists, each member of Keung’s team no doubt on many Yang hit-lists now. Denzhen was aware that this had been Yutai’s new norm for a whole annui-cycle, accustomed to daily dangers. His involvement in hunting Jian would be an extraordinary accomplishment on his Kingmaker track record – something to be mentioned when he went for promotion. Denzhen knew Yutai was competent enough for any surprises in this new task.
‘Sounds easy enough…’ Yutai said, immediately regretting a half-sigh slip from his lips after seeing General Denzhen grin a knowing grin:
‘There’s one more thing.’Of course, there is. There’s always one more thing.
The General cast a cursory glance around the room without moving his head, the very embodiment of caution. His voice, as if carrying secrets too heavy to be entrusted to the open air, drew Yutai closer.
‘The Aunt needs help with something vital. I won’t be sharing more details as I don’t know the full story myself, but whatever it is, you need to see it through. That’s really why I’m asking you to do this, I don’t have time for such an assignment.’Yutai frowned as the general spoke to him in hushed tones, a sense of secrecy and urgency Denzhen rarely displayed. Yutai frowned, confusion dominating his expression.
‘But, my assignments with the Yang —’
‘— are now on hold. You don’t have to explain anything to your team, I’ll handle the paperwork.’
The general continued in an even lower voice, and the weight of Yutai’s frown deepened as he listened.‘This is a strictly unsanctioned assignment. Whatever you end up reporting afterwards, upload it as a personal assignment. I did not give you this job. Do I make myself clear?’
With a cautious nod, Yutai snapped a brisk salute before making his way towards the change rooms.
****
Back in the infirmary, Cheng sat beside Keung, watching as the young lieutenant struggled against the tight, sterile bandages wrapped around his body.
‘How’re you feeling now, brother?’ Cheng asked, his voice tempered by concern. Keung reclined on the medical bed, shifting uncomfortably beneath the thin hospital blanket.
‘I’m still okay, just as I was five minutes ago, Cheng.’ Keung snapped.
‘Sorry. I’m just worried.’
Keung slowly turned his head towards Cheng.
‘Did you know Truong?’
The name hung heavily in the room, a poignant reminder of the death that Keung had unwittingly caused.
Cheng swallowed. ‘Yes, we crossed paths a few times.’
‘He seemed like a good person. The only one who didn’t want to hurt me in that madness.’
Cheng shifted uncomfortably as he realised Keung was still reeling from guilt. ‘From what I gathered in our brief encounters, he seemed like a decent man.’
Keung scoffed, ‘Well, there you go. The first Kingmaker to die since the district rebellions twenty-five annui-cycles ago… And I’m the one who killed him. Oh, and it turns out he was a decent guy, so I can’t even console myself with the thought he was an asshole. What about the other two?’
‘Joshu and Gonjjuo, yes I know them too. All three were members of the 4th cohort under Captain Qi.’
‘Ah, Qi. Do you know what’s going to happen to Joshu and Gonjjuo?’
Cheng’s gaze wandered away, but he continued.
‘Well, it’s a bit up in the air; none of us in the tower want an execution. Two more dead Kingmakers would cause uproar. Losing one is bad enough. Whoever is sent to calm the Luen Siblings had better do a good job because honestly, their trial hinges on how angry they remain. The Yangs have been particularly nasty in their controlled territories. But also, your word would mean a lot. It is you who they attacked, after all. If your father can also keep his cool after he sees you, the worst they might get is some harsh discipline and beatings and it’s back to work. The worst may be exile.’
Keung’s eyes widened at the word ‘exile’.
‘Exile… that’s as good as a death sentence. No one survives in No Man’s Land without the Ditu’s help.’
‘Hopefully, it won’t come to that. As long as you testify that it was all just a fistfight taken too far, Truong will remain the only death.’
‘Oh, how fortunate I am!’ Keung snarked as he stared at the air conditioning vents and sensors that were mounted to the ceiling, monitoring his vitals.
Another moment of awkward silence passed, and Cheng just looked at Keung, unsure what to say.
‘Keung!’ Out of nowhere, a voice crashed into the room like a cannonball, snapping the quiet tension in half.
Cheng and Keung turned their heads towards the dividing curtain, through which Tao’s head bobbed curiously. The mischievous laughter of an accomplice simmered from behind the curtain, unmistakably the sound of Ushi’s deep voice. Cheng stood up, extending a hand to greet Tao as he emerged, when suddenly Ushi jumped through.
‘Boo! Didn’t see us coming, did you Cheng?’ As Ushi settled into the small room, holding a bundle of flowers, they both shook Cheng’s hand to greet him. The duo’s entrance was like a breath of fresh air, effectively dissipating the depressing and solemn atmosphere.
Cheng was happy seeing his young lieutenant’s lips tug into a smile for the first time since the incident at the sight of Ushi’s bouquet of fungi-flowers.
‘Of course we didn’t know you were back there; you guys aren’t the most trained elite of Kowloon for nothing,’ Keung said with a chuckle before burying his nose in the flowers. ‘These real or just knock-offs from Daiyu’s Florist?’
‘We wouldn’t cheap out on you, sir,’ Tao said, placing a gentle hand on Keung’s bandaged leg. The pair settled down on chairs around Keung’s bed, transforming the sterile room into a friendly, familiar gathering.
Ushi, with his bulky body looking too big for his chair, leaned forward. ‘So…’ he started. ‘Word on the street is that you thrashed Truong with your bare hands and then wrestled Joshu and some other guy into submission.’
Tao groaned. ‘You’re a fool, Ushi. Clearly what happened was that our sir was doing the right thing by giving Jian a proper funeral, but unbeknownst to Keung, our ranks had been infiltrated by three Yangs, and they wanted Jian’s corpse all for themselves. So, the moles run into Keung, and Keung beats the living shit out of them, managing to kill one with his bare fists. How on-point am I, sir, eh?’ Tao winked, nudging Keung gently with his elbow.
Cheng didn’t appreciate their methods of uplifting Keung, thinking their words were irresponsible. He spoke firmly. ‘Stop entertaining false rumours, and cease glorifying this travesty of a situation. One of us is dead, for crying out loud. There was no Yang mole, and there was no wrestling. Lieutenant Keung made a grave mistake, and we all have to come to terms with it if we are to sort this mess out.’
All jesting about the serious and tragic situation was shutdown. Ushi and Tao exchanged glances and nodded their head in understanding. The jovial atmosphere crumbled under the weight of his words, apologetic looks drenching the faces of Ushi and Tao.
However, Keung’s brief smile also died down, and he retreated back to his shell of despair and remorse.
Feeling a tinge of guilt, Cheng spoke up to break the silence. ‘Keung, will you tell me now what happened?’
Keung shot his eyes to Cheng, Ushi, and Tao, all three eager to hear the real story.
‘Well… it wasn’t really my greatest moment…’
‘What happened will inevitably end up in a report, Keung. We’d prefer to hear it from you instead,’ Cheng reasoned, his tone softening.
Keung sighed.
‘Yesterday, hours after we returned to the tower, I received an anonymous call from someone I assumed was another King in the tower. The caller, whoever it was…sounded so hateful, bitter and sad. I can’t remember ever being responsible for someone feeling this way.’‘What did they say?’ Cheng cut him off, his agitation palpable. ‘Give me a caller ID; I can find out who it was and deal with them accordingly.’
‘No, no, Cheng, they were right to be angry. Even if I had no choice but to kill Jian, I had options when it came to deciding what would be done with his corpse, and I chose to leave it with the people who hated him the most. My decisions weren’t beyond reproach.’
‘You talk as though obeying protocol is optional. The law states that the body of a terrorist is property of whichever district they die in,’ Ushi explained, scratching his chin. ‘Your job was done after killing Jian. There was no need to go chasing after him.’
‘Hey, Ushi. We always have an option,’ Tao countered. ‘I commend what our sir did. If saving Kowloon during a bloody war means I can’t even get a proper damn funeral, then Kowloon can get fucked. I would have done the same as Keung a million times over.’ ‘And you’d have died a million times over, Tao,’ Cheng responded. ‘Keung only survived because his adrenal pumps kicked in. Unless you’re hiding a pair of them up your ass, don’t ever think of putting yourself in a similar situation. It was incredibly dumb, and there could have been more than a single death yesterday,’ Cheng retorted, his words as cold as steel.
The tension simmered down with Tao reluctantly acknowledging Cheng’s perspective.
Keung’s expression tightened into a wince, his gaze lifting to the ceiling, as he inadvertently became a silent witness to his own actions being recounted by others.
‘Do any of you remember Lieutenant Dong and Colonel Kai?’ Cheng asked the room.
All three of them nodded. The names were familiar, taught in their history classes. Topics covering the District Rebellions highlighted the achievements of important Kingmakers. Their names were known to all in the tower.
Cheng continued. ‘They fought beside Jian in the Huang Wildlands during the civil war. Colonel Kai took a fatal bullet for Jian, while Lieutenant Dong sacrificed his entire battalion to ensure Jian’s victory. Guess who their sons were?’
Realisation dawned on everyone’s faces. Tao gasped dramatically. ‘Gonjjuo and Joshu?!’
‘Truong and Joshu, but close enough,’ Cheng revealed. ‘Gonjjuo is older, he served under Jian before his defection, long enough to develop a deep respect for him. Undying loyalty is a common trait for those who served under Jian. A loyalty transcending generations.’
‘No wonder they wanted Keung’s head,’ Ushi murmured, shaking his head in wonder. ‘Our lieutenant executed someone many have idolised as their own father…’
Keung felt as though he had become a ghost in the room, unseen yet fully exposed to his sins by others. The recounting, as if he were not even there, drenched him in cringe-worthy shame, plunging him into deeper misery. Redemption, in that moment, seemed like a distant, unreachable goal. No longer Keung the incompetent, now, Keung the murderer.
‘Where are Yutai and Shing?’ He suddenly asked over the others, changing the subject, unable to bear the thought of his actions any longer.