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Peace
According to the Book of Records, despite all the tragedies that took place during the Night of Di Du’s bloodbath, it really did only last one night.
On the morning of the second day, Di Lin’s order had appeared on every notice board in the Capital.
“Haven’t you had enough fun yet? Get your ass back before noon! -Di Lin, March 27th.”
Many of the historians were often also expert linguists, and they all believed there were a lot of historical inaccuracies in regard to that order. First, it was the lack of a clearly defined subject. Who was “you” supposed to be in the sentence? And how can you get your “ass” back? Second, morning was also a very vague statement. When does “morning” start? Does he mean today’s noon or tomorrow’s noon, or some other date next year? Also, what does he mean with “fun”?
Either way, they were in overall agreement that the erroneous and counterproductive poster was the irrefutable proof that Di Lin did not take his childhood education seriously. He had to have skipped classes on a daily basis when he was young. In other words, if Di Lin had taken his childhood education more seriously, and had learned the proper morality and ethics, he probably wouldn’t have become the ice-cold killer that he was. So the final conclusion was that the teaching of Civil Morality had to take place when one was still young…
Still, as it turned out, before twelve o’clock midday, the vast majority of the Far Eastern Army had already reported back to camp. They knew all too well that their commanding officer was not someone you could argue semantics with. When the clock had hit one in the afternoon, all the regiments had gathered and made the head count.
Guard Captain Cobra led the forces personally and patrolled the streets. Whenever he saw any Far Eastern Army soldiers still out there having “fun”, regardless what their reasons were, (Didn’t see the notice boards, misread the message, didn’t understand the order or simply lost track of the time.) he would hang them on the spot.
After two o’clock, Stirling’s Imperial Guards also joined the peacekeeping force. Together they caught a band of robbers trying to take advantage of the chaos.
The order of the city was mostly re-established in the same afternoon.
Many people never understood how a famous general like Di Lin could openly allow his men robbing and killing innocent civilians. There were many on-going theories, but the young historian – Tang Chuan’s theory was most believable:
“Di Lin simply had no choice. He commanded his army with an iron-fist. If he didn’t provide them some occasional release, like looting or other opportunities to get rich, his men would have rebelled a long time ago! His army had always been the most spirited, most capable, and most loyal (Well, in this case they were only loyal to Di Lin, not to House ZiChuan) of all House ZiChuan’s armed forces. It was the ever victorious Army!
The only downside was, the cost to create such an army, and it was simply too expensive… more expensive than the House could afford.
……
After the rebellion was crushed, ZiChuan Shen Xing’s first task was to award the officers accordingly based on their respective merits in war. The result however, was a series of questionable personnel changes.
Former Chief of Staff – Luo Ming Hai was promoted to the Supreme Commander. When ZiChuan Xiu first heard of the news, he whispered to ZiChuan Ning: “It was probably a better idea to bring back the Buddha statue from the Temple and make it the Supreme Commander instead, either way you won’t hear a thing from them, ever. At the very least, the Buddha’s smile is more pleasant to look at than Luo Ming Hai’s stupid face.”
Former Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard – Stirling was promoted to Acting Central Army Commander. He would be responsible for reorganizing and restructuring the Central Army.
That was the only personnel change which everyone approved. Stirling had earned his promotion. Everyone expected him to fully take charge of the Central Army, and not just being the Acting Commander in the near future.
Next up was the one personnel change everyone had problems with. After the order was re-established, countless accusations of Di Lin openly encourage his subordinates killing innocent civilian had flown into the Ministry of Supervision. Di Lin, as the newly appointed Inspector General was forced to settle several thousand cases against him every day for a week. It made his finger arthritis even worse.
It was however, not without upside. His hideous handwriting since childhood had seen great progress over the course of the week, to the point it could even be considered as art. Though, of course, it was limited to a few words: “Case Dismissed – Di Lin.”
Knowing the blood feud between Di Lin and Luo Ming Hua, that particular personnel change made everyone question ZiChuan Shen Xing’s true motive: Was he trying to pit his subordinates against each other on purpose, so they could keep each other in check and make it easier for him to control them? Or… then again when you saw his senile appearance, he really did not look much like a master politician. Could it perhaps be an honest mistake?!
Either way, during Luo Ming Hai’s inauguration ceremony, Di Lin who was supposed to make an appearance as the next Inspector General was absent, while during Di Lin’s inauguration ceremony, Luo Ming Hai had showed, albeit with inextinguishable flame of hatred burning in his eyes. Everyone had thought it was short of a miracle that he didn’t try to kill him there and then.
Ministry of Supervision was responsible for overseeing all administrative offices. Its usual relationship with the High Command could be boiled down as: One day of healthy discussion, one day of arguing, one day of shouting, one day of fighting, and three days of peace. Now however, everyone had expected it would turn in to a weeklong fighting, nonstop. Most of the staffs working at the High Command and the Ministry of Supervision had already prepared themselves for the possibilities of potential health hazards; some even went as far as to make a serious investment in life insurance coverage.
As per Luo Ming Hai’s request, due to the overwhelming workload concerning civil restorations after the rebellion, and the lack of capable and experienced staff, ZiChuan Shen Xing had approved the reinstatement of the former Chief of Civil Affairs – Ge Shan, allowing her to atone for her mistakes.
The former Deputy Chief of Civil Affairs – ZiChuan Xiu however, had let his little merits during the rebellion overcome his common sense. Given his questionable loyalty and lack of insight, he was found guilty on the charges of insubordination and showing sympathy for the rebels. (What merits do you think you have anyway? Other than spending your night drinking away with the Central Army Rebels? Do you really think you could have killed Lei Xun on your own? How dare you anger the Headmaster? Your crimes cannot be forgiven!) However, since both the Inspector General – Di Lin and the Acting Central Army Commander – Stirling spoke on his behalf, the great benevolent Headmaster had decided to overlook this once. ZiChuan Xiu shall be removed from the active duty and reassigned to the Army Reserve, effect immediately. Everyone knew being in the Army Reserve meant you had less power than a dog on active duty.
Sadly, it also meant that ZiChuan Xiu had to say goodbye to his extravagant office, the expensive furniture and that gorgeous female secretary with the mini-skirt. What pained him the most was – the question of whether his beautiful secretary was in fact a virgin or not would forever remain a mystery…
……
Following his demotion, on an afternoon and in ZiChuan Ning’s house:
Bai Chuan: “What the hell?! Why are we being reassigned to the Army Reserve as well?”
Luo Jie: “This makes no sense. We didn’t ask to pardon the rebels!”
Chang Chuan: “Sir, can you ask around for us? Is this a mistake? I heard Sir Stirling is now in charge of restructuring the Army. Can you perhaps get him to pull some strings for us?”
ZiChuan Xiu pondered: “But… asking for personal favour is an expensive business. Neither my integrity or personal honor would stand for such act…”
Bai Chuan: “F*ck off! It is not like you had any integrity or honor in the first place!”
Luo Jie: “Consider the fact that we have served you truthfully for so many years. Please, Sir…”
Chang Chuan: “Please, Sir. We can even pay you for it!”
ZiChuan Xiu: “Now you are putting me in a difficult situation! It is not about the money you see, even if you were to put a brief case full of cash in front of me right now…”
Before he could finish his sentence, the trio had already put every last cent they had saved up over the years onto the table.
“I mean even if Bai Chuan was willing to kiss me right now and not slap me right after…”
Just now, ZiChuan Ning appeared at the doorstep, and ZiChuan Xiu immediately added: “I wouldn’t have taken advantage of the situation, of course! My integrity wouldn’t allow for such underhanded act! Those who would take advantage of a damsel in distress are the ones I hate the most! Anyways, I will take your money and see if I can pull some strings! But no promises, I heard there is a reform going on aimed at combating corruption…”
The trio expressed their sincere gratitude.
“It is all right, Sir. As long as you are willing to help, we are grateful regardless of the outcome!”
“Sir, we will be eternally grateful!”
“Sir, thank you!”
……
Later that night, ZiChuan Xiu was having dinner with Stirling at a local restaurant.
“Xiu, regarding your reinstatement, I will talk to the Headmaster in a couple of days when he is in a better mood.”
“I don’t care. I don’t mind being in the Reserve. I like the quiet life.”
“Right, Xiu. What is going on with your officers? Why did they all volunteer to be assigned to the Army Reserve? When I made the personal changes, I really thought it was such a waste of talents.”
“Oh, long story. Luo Jie’s haemorrhoid was acting up again, Chang Chuan was having a midlife crisis and Bai Chuan was having her period.”
“That is really unfortunate. They are all very capable officers, especially the girl, Bai Chuan! She was very brave. I wanted to make her the new Red Banner Master in the newly restructured Central Army, but since they made the request themselves… I guess I have no choice.”
“I know right. They are one of a kind. We played cards together for so long, even though they lost every time, they still haven’t figured out that I was a cheat. Where else am I supposed to find idiots like that? If they really had left, I would probably die of boredom… Besides, I don’t really want to take Ning’s money.”
…….
The truth was, despite being Civil Servants, both Luo Ming Hai and Ge Shan were quite capable in their own rights. They had proven to be extremely effective and efficient in organizing the series of restoration efforts needed in the aftermath of the calamity. (Like providing aid to victim’s families, cleaning up the streets, rebuilding the houses, offering care to those in need.) In conjunction with the great contribution Stirling had provided to Di Du’s security, within merely three days, Di Du had managed to revive from the ashes of the catastrophe befalling it. The order was restored, the city had begun to heal, and the lives of the civilian continued where it left off.
Just when the city of Di Du celebrated the end of the disastrous days, on Imperial Calendar, Year 779, April 1st, the news everyone thought was the April fool’s day prank, struck everyone like a lightning bolt:
“Far Eastern Army Commander – Ge Ying Xing had fallen.”
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