TA-5 Twin Swallow Pincer

...Bu Fan, 'No Rebellion'. Sounds like 'No Return' too.

My ancestor sacrificed himself and made the reigning True Lung the subject of future human sacrifice. Henceforth, the True Lungs that came after him gave their lives to harness the power of this Originium.

I would not have known it was so massive if I did not see it for myself...

Yet it's no more than a tiny crystal compared to all of Yan and Yan's future.

Yan could have done much more with this object.

How much energy have we spent on suppressing the sleeping beast? With such energy, how many armies could we have raised, how many machines could we have built?

How could I tolerate such... inaction?

I am still inexperienced. I will be relying on the three of you for many things.

Yan has been peaceful and prosperous for centuries. Why is it that there are still rebellions?

Is there still land where the blessings of Yan do not touch? Or seditious subjects who will not submit to imperial rule?

I will decide myself, then, as you do not answer.

The blessings of Yan shall touch every corner, so that not a single person shall worry for food or shelter. The teachings for Yan shall reach every heart, so that not a single rebellious thought will enter the mind of a single man.

We shall vanquish the northern traitors and build the nomadic city of Baizao. Both are the foremost priority, and neither shall be delayed.

You shall summon the Six Ministries, discuss the specifics, and deliver a proposal by the end of the month.

Dismissed.

Ah, you have arrived.

...It is an honor, Your Imperial Majesty.

I've long heard of the twelve 'extraordinary talents' of Yan, credited with no small number of achievements for the empire. I've been curious for some time.

I therefore perused the Sui Regulator's archives, and found something rather interesting.

Be it reports of triumph, or suspicious activities...

No name has been mentioned more often than yours.

...

But I see your visage is not as terrifying as the rumors claim.

Why has Your Imperial Majesty summoned me?

They call you the most cunning strategist in all Yan.

How do you propose to resolve the two great obstacles we face?

The northern rebellion is hardly a major threat. The rebels may be influential in their local area, but they are powerless to expand. Nevertheless, it would be inadvisable to allow them to consolidate their position.

Fifty-thousand soldiers and six months' worth of rations will be sufficient to defeat them.

Your estimate is much more optimistic than the Ministry of War... but I have more reason to trust your judgment on this.

What about the other matter?

As for the modification of Baizao into a nomadic city... I understand the Ministry of Works has validated the engineering principles. The only issues are funding, supplies, and...

...the Tomb of Sui beneath Baizao.

Yes. You understand the problem.

It is for this that I have summoned you.

How do you intend to eliminate Sui?

...

If you are familiar with the scrolls of the Sui Regulator... you understand that 'we' were the same and one as Sui, and our fates intermingled.

Do you mean to ask how to kill 'us'?

It is only 'Sui' that Yan is concerned about, and no other being.

...

You understand, of course, the price that Yan paid for the hunt that occurred centuries ago.

The price that must be paid, if Yan is to force the issue, is seven-tenths of its armies, one-tenth of its population, and fifty years of unceasing unrest.

If that is the case, Yan will be in no position to ensure the safety of the twelve of you.

...

I am determined to cleanse Yan of this thousand-year bane. I am not afraid to pay the price—any price.

The Sui will be destroyed. The tremendous energy that was used to suppress that beast shall be reutilized to build a hundred cities and ten thousand battleships, and usher in another thousand years of prosperity for Yan.

I had hoped that there would be a place for the twelve of you in Yan's future prosperity, on account of your past deeds. It is regrettable.

...

If your decision to eliminate Sui comes from practical judgment, rather than reckless pursuit of glory...

...I may have a way.

Oh?

The twelve of us were one and same as Sui. We were destined to fade, whether It awakes or is destroyed.

But it is possible that I could... replace It.

...

How sure are you?

I will need time...

That ginkgo sapling was planted in the spring of this year.

The Ministry of Works swore an oath in this hall several days ago that the rebuilding of Baizao into a nomadic city will be complete before the tree bears fruit.

Twenty years. That is the time you have.

That is too little time.

I am not here to bargain.

Immortality has made you arrogant. Perhaps you have forgotten that mortals do not have many 'twenty years'.

Yan cannot wait, and neither can I.

You're the new Candleholder? So much time has passed, in the blink of an eye.

Has the previous Candleholder...

She retired last month, and asked me to tell you not to worry.

I will take over your communications with the Sui Regulator from now on.

Well, you'll have your hands full.

Most Candleholders have to worry about tracking down my free-roaming siblings. As for mine...

They have to sit in this office all day, handling books and scrolls. They are more like secretaries than Candleholders.

I enjoy reading and writing. This is right up my alley.

Perfect.

What's your name?

I'm Chun.

'Chun'?

'For the ancient tree that shares your name, eight thousand years is a spring and eight thousand years is an autumn...' Was the one who named you remarkably ambitious, or remarkably cautious?

Wait, you are...?

...An Elf?

Yes.

Judging from your appearance... you're an Elf of Yaan?

The bestial Yaan and its Elves are well-versed in the ways of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements. The element associated with spring is wood, and the character for 'Chun' combines both 'wood' and 'spring', representing vitality and longevity... I see.

My mother told me about it when I was young. I didn't expect anyone else to know.

Stuff like this is what history is about.

It's your first day. I won't put you to too much hard work. Just familiarize yourself with the space; you can look at any books and documents in this study.

Did you write all of these?

No, I simply collect the materials. The historians of the Imperial Historical Cabinet are the ones who actually write the books.

After all...

Is writing history a difficult task?

It's a heavy responsibility.

History books form people's perception of the past, but a few words are hardly enough to give them a complete view.

Choices must be made as to which parts to record for posterity, what sorts of lessons those who come after should learn...

It's easy to say, 'write with an impartial pen,' but it is a most profound and complex discipline.

What if there is a mistake in the history books?

Then it should be corrected.

History is inevitably warped by the position of the narrator, no matter how impartial the writer attempts to be.

I see a few more problems because I've lived longer than most and remember more than most.

Most... it's true that your kind, the proxies, are different from other long-lived. Before I joined, I heard that each of you had your own 'powers'.

Do you use your powers to correct the errors in the history books?

I heard you have a magical writing knife... do you use it to correct those errors?

It can, but this is not how it should be used.

...Huh?

Mistakes take root in people's hearts as they are passed down from one generation to another. The proper way to fight them is to form a new consensus through debate and clarification, not to simply erase it.

Erasing a wrong word from one's own writing is not a significant issue, for it only concerns oneself.

To do it to a published book would be to meddle with the memories of thousands.

As for history... setting aside the question of how much I can alter, it will not be a good thing, for myself and for Yan.

Frankly, it's already a chore to ensure that history is not altered. I hardly have the energy to alter it myself.

Hm...

Seems like there's something you would like to change with the knife yourself.

Huh?! I—

I...

Before my mother passed away, she said I may be the last of the Yaan Elves.

...

She... she wanted me to find a home.

I wandered for many years. I tried many ways to blend in, but I always failed. Yan does not want—

Yan does not want to accept you, because the Yaan Elves were depicted in the Great Hunt as... 'fickle and disloyal.'

But I know that's not true...

The bestial Yaan stood against Yan simply to survive. That cannot be denied.

The Elves, though, had only wanted to mediate the conflict, yet they became the enemy of both sides... ultimately, most were killed in battle, and their deeds lost to time.

So you wanted to alter this history?

I don't deny that I thought about it. But I'm your Candleholder now, and my work comes before all else.

I can't lend you the writing knife, nor can I allow you to use it to alter history.

I understand. I shouldn't have—

But if we can find proof that the Elves were in fact not disloyal, I will do all that I can to help you correct the erroneous records, in the proper manner.

Huh?

Things haven't been too busy lately. We could visit the area where you used to live. What do you think?

I... I've only just come. Besides, the things I said aren't necessarily true. I—

I can tell that your passion for words and history is genuine. Besides... who will believe you, if the historian does not?

Yes... yes!

This is the key to my office. You're my Candleholder now. Take good care of it.

How do you get in, if you give me the key?

Why should the master of the house need a key?

The court building has only just been completed! Why...?

Don't worry, it will not be torn down. Our Tumu Tianshis will transplant the Judicial Review Office to the nomadic plate, undamaged.

But wouldn't it have been so much cheaper to build it directly on the nomadic plate?

I hear the imperial court is putting everything behind this 'nomadic city'. I'm sure our cooperation will be very important.

Get to the point. What do you want?

My rosewood chair, ebony table, Kou-wu plates and Danyan lamps... none of them were inexpensive.

Here are the receipts from when I ordered my things. If there is any damage...

Fine, fine. You'll be reimbursed accordingly.

Yes, the prisoners have been transferred.

The previous instructions were from the Judicial Review Office, while the new ones are from the Ministry of Justice?

I understand, but am I supposed to conjure the prisoners out of thin air?

You don't care? The burdenbeast carriages are arriving in minutes?

Minister. Please excuse the poor hospitality. I did not know you were visiting.

I have never seen you in the Sky Mirror Pavilion. I take it you have important business?

There isn't much time, Miss Jie. I'll get straight to the point... there is an error in this year's archives that I would like to ask you to correct.

A mistake in the documents that I audited? Pray tell.

The documents submitted by the Ministry of Works state there were around a hundred deaths associated with the Chidao project at Danyan this year. Why did the number become three thousand?

The figure of three thousand deaths was not cited from a single document, but calculated based on documents from the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue, and local government departments.

The records are carefully sourced. I have kept a copy, should you wish to review them.

While it is not my place to question the work of the Ministry of Works, I have no idea why the three thousand deaths in Danyan's local records became just a hundred when it reached Baizao.

You must submit sufficient evidence, however, should you wish to question the documents audited by the Sky Mirror Pavilion.

Ahem... well, Danyan is not so well-staffed as Baizao, and there are only limited resources available for record-keeping.

Besides, the cold climate there causes disease and frostbite in winter. Perhaps not all of the three thousand died in the course of constructing the Chidao...

I see. You wish for me to alter the documents to make the Ministry of Works look better before the cabinet.

This is not about the cabinet. This is about Yan.

You know about all the projects being carried out across Yan. They push the nation's resources to the limit, but there is no doubt that these projects will benefit the nation and its people.

I'm not the only one who feels that such... depressing figures will weaken the people's morale.

I don't deny the benefits of these measures. Precisely because of that, the three thousand people who died to build the Chidao gave their lives for their country. It would be an insult to their memory to reduce it to a hundred.

Unless you can prove that there has been an error, any text that I have reviewed must not be altered. Anyone else who has a complaint can bring it to me directly.

The nation must be united in the monumental task of building the nomadic city. Everyone at the court is doing their best, and each faces their own challenges...

Yet the writings of the Imperial Historical Cabinet and the Sky Mirror Pavilion have been most... aggressive and deprecating. It is as though you wish for work on the nomadic city to stop immediately!

Is it the writer who has something to hide, or the reader?

How dare you...!

The imperial court has compensated the next of kin in full! Not a single coin has been withheld!

I have noted this in the documents that I approved. The care that the imperial court has shown towards those injured and killed, as well as their families, illustrates Yan's love towards its people.

Then why do you cling to a single number like this?!

I understand your concern for Yan, minister. But I worry that people will only see the glory of the accomplishments, and not the people whose sacrifices made it possible.

All I can do is to ensure that the history I see is recorded exactly as it is.

And you think you alone can decide the history of Yan?

...

History has never been decided by one person. It is the combined soundless voices of millions.

You are a learned man in a position to improve the lives of thousands upon thousands, minister. I simply leave behind some words for the people whose voices will never be heard.

Now, ask your conscience, and answer again for those people...

How many died building Danyan's Chidao this year? Was it a hundred... or three thousand?

(Mutters irritably)

The Minister of Works just stormed off in a huff... is it because of Danyan?

Is this why you have come, sister?

I can't imagine how they managed to convince you to lobby on their behalf... am I actually dreaming, while the one in the Tomb of Sui has awakened?

Are you so sarcastic to everyone these days?

...

I came to tell you that the Sui Regulator and the Ministry of Justice have approved your request to clear the Yaan Elves' name.

I...

I'm sorry. I was in a bad mood.

Apologies accepted.

That's the first good news I've heard in days. It will make Chun less gloomy, I hope.

It's not good to be fighting with the Sui Regulator, but I doubt they would be happy to see you get too friendly with your Candleholder.

I understand. But she's really taken to her work, helping me compile the histories... she clearly likes it.

I have a feeling... she didn't become a Candleholder because she wanted to, but because she was alone and didn't have a choice but to take the hand that was offered.

Well, a wrong has been righted. That's always a good thing.

Of course, I think part of their intention is to get you to compromise on changing the documents.

I simply came to discuss matters, because this matter has gotten to the three Grand Ministers and the True Lung. I'm not lobbying on anybody's behalf.

Just treat it as the guy in the Tomb of Sui throwing a tantrum.

You're the only one in the family who jokes about this.

Ling has honeyed words, and you speak with heaven's authority. I'll settle for the frivolous tongue, then.

It's true that the officials of the court are facing a dilemma in this matter.

The figure of three thousand will cast a shadow upon the nomadic city project, and the implications it may have for Yan are unknown.

Did you tolerate the falsification of records while you were still administering justice?

Falsifying records is a crime, of course. However, if the perpetrator did not do it out of selfish interest, I will consider extenuating circumstances when determining the punishment.

I'm surprised to hear that.

We each have our own specializations. I don't work in history, and you don't work in law.

Perhaps that is how matters of law work... but not in history.

I wanted to study history and language because I wanted to learn what the human mind is truly like.

The answer to my questions may lie in the intention behind words, and the truth behind history...

Not for Yan, nor for the land, not even for our family... only for my own questions—

Jie! Jie!

Chun? What are you doing here? I wasn't ready to tell you—

Tell me what?

Never mind... what's the hurry?

I went to the study to get the drafts as you asked, but I discovered signs of an intrusion!

The writing knife on the desk is gone!

...

...I see.

Do not tell anyone else. Be extremely careful.

I need you to do something for me.

The Judicial Review Office has begun to investigate everyone who was near the Sky Mirror Pavilion around the time that the writing knife was stolen.

...

Outside of our siblings, you could count the number of people who know about the existence of the knife with one hand.

Yes, it's just as I feared.

I won't stand aside and do nothing if someone tries to harm you, Jie.

I doubt someone trying to harm me would use such means.

It feels more like a warning.

...

His Imperial Majesty is an energetic ruler. He wanted every 'person' in the land to bow to him. He would recognize our family as not being of his kind.

But I do not believe he would stoop so low as to use the knife in underhanded ways.

It's not fair. If there's anyone who should be above suspicion, it would be you.

You know how hard the words 'fair and just' are to write... it's as our oldest brother says. There is little point in arguing when it's a thousand mouths against one.

I doubt he would just let this slide, if he was here.

Hehe...

I wouldn't like to see him when he's angry.

What is your plan? You won't tell Wang about it?

It's times like these that he is most useful.

...

That was what I was about to ask you... please, keep this a secret from Wang.

...

People have feared and avoided him for many years. His position has grown even more precarious under the new emperor. This is not the time to drag him into this.

Besides, I fear he will do something irrational if he finds out.

Alright, I'll listen to you.

But I hope you can be honest with me, Jie.

Are you absolutely sure that you and Wang are not plotting something?

Come on, don't interrogate me like this, sister.

...

I guess no one can lie to you successfully.

I knew it.

You understand that it's a dangerous power you wield.

I know the risks. But I'm not the only one who has to shoulder them.

Shuo, Wang, Ling and you... you've done so much for us the younger ones. I have to do my part.

Besides, I don't want these names that I put so much thought into to fade away in history.

I'm here. I'm alright.

Don't worry...

You know, I had a dream, a dream about our future.

It's a different future from the fields of white that Shu spoke of.

I saw all of you truly live as yourselves.

The vision was so real, it didn't seem like a dream. I even have a feeling...

A feeling that it's more than just a dream...

It's good to see you, Miss Nian.

Hey, Round-head. You're the one supervising the work?

What about the 'foreman'? Where's he slacking off?

You misunderstand. My master has been very busy with city design ever since he received news of Baizao's modification. He has gone an entire month without sleep at his busiest.

That slowpoke picks himself up once in a while, eh?

He calls Yan's first-ever nomadic city a project of monumental significance. Every detail of the city must be carefully considered.

Therefore, he must complete it before you have a chance to do something to his design.

What the—!

How dare he talk behind my back like this, when I always share the good stuff with him?!

Where is he? I'll bite his head off for this—

Sleeping.

He has slept for ten days now, but he is supposed to deliver the draft of the gates to the Ministry of Works today.

He told me that I am to stop the ministry's people from getting in, no matter what.

Ha! Now that's the Yi I know.

...

Is there something else?

You said Yi's sleeping...

I remember that he picked up a meteorite a few decades ago... it's still in his garden, isn't it? Where?

Miss Nian... I have my master's instructions. I am not to allow anyone into the Garden of Grotesqueries, whether it is you or anyone from the Ministry of Works.

Why are you so loyal to him? Say, wasn't it I who gave him the materials to build your body? You should obey MY orders!

Now shut up and get out of the way!

Please, Miss Nian... you make my position most difficult—

Mr. Liang, Miss Nian. The Assistant Minister requests your urgent presence at the Forbidden City.

Urgent? How much?

The Baizao project has encountered a snag...

A shipment of materials, Oriron and Originium and the like, which Baizao urgently needs, has been delayed.

It has brought construction to a grinding halt.

What the...

What are the geezers at the Ministry of Works doing?

What is going on... I demand an explanation!

The construction of Baizao is the most important thing in the land! How could this be allowed to happen?!

The Chidao around the capital is well-maintained. How could it collapse when no Catastrophe has occurred? And how could there be bandits so close to the capital?

I have to say that these incidents are highly suspicious, sir.

The sudden collapse, and the supplies that disappeared without reason, then showed up just as suddenly where they should not...

If there is indeed someone behind all this, then their objective must be to sow confusion.

Rumors have been spreading in the city. Many workers believe that Baizao picked a time of ill fortune to begin construction.

Someone is sowing confusion? Who?

Sir, the Minister of Rites requests a meeting.

What is Rites doing here at a time like this? Did they come to laugh at us?

Reporting, sir: the Minister of Rites said that although the Ministry of Works has been quite busy of late, this trouble involves more than just the Ministry of Works...

There you are, Chun.

Do you know why I have summoned you?

I suppose... it's because of the writing knife.

Yes.

How do you propose to solve this dilemma?

Perhaps, if you could... put in a few good words for her, and return it to its owner...

Ha.

...

Go on.

If the numbers are the problem, it's as simple a matter as going over her head to alter them... this should not be necessary.

How interesting. Her previous Candleholder retired after being accused of growing too close to her proxy... she has a knack for winning people over, doesn't she?

She... I mean, all the proxies have their own eccentricities. But they have never plotted against Yan—

Indeed, we can tolerate the eccentricities of others, as long as they do not seek to harm Yan.

But she...

You must understand what you are dealing with, and what her powers mean to Yan.

Try.

Try, if you think you can go over the head of the proxy. Change the numbers to what you want them to be.

Your Imperial Majesty... the Ministries of Rites and Works have completed the investigation into the lost supplies for the Baizao project.

The investigators unanimously agree that it was most likely an intentional act... and that there was someone behind it.

The supplies have arrived at Baizao. The Ministry of Works will do its best to make up for lost progress...

What are you hiding?

You suspect that there is someone behind it. You must have a suspect.

...

A well-timed declaration of war. Two, in fact.

One, telling me that she is the sole mouth of Yan, while the other demonstrating that he can easily disrupt Yan's greatest project, that the continuation of the project depends on his approval.

Will there come a day when they could make Yan's armies turn on themselves if they wanted?

This is a most serious matter, Your Majesty. If the proxies are indeed stirring trouble, the Sui Regulator should act immediately and punish them severely.

...

There is no need to be hasty.

I know the craft of calligraphy must be honed over a long period, but I have not seen the efforts bear fruit...

Still, I understand now why the Grand Preceptor wanted me to spend so much time on it.

One must be in control of oneself.

He is clever, unlike his pedantic sister. He knew to let the supplies arrive at Baizao eventually, make a show of good faith.

He wished to protest on behalf of his sister. I'll humor his brotherly love. They can record the figures as they like.

As for this writing knife...

I had considered doing something with it, but...

Never mind. Return it.

Jie...

The Sui Regulator has recovered your item.

...

Thank you.

I'm so sorry, Jie...

Why apologize? You found the thing that I lost.

That which was lost has been restored. All is well.

I was negligent in my duty.

There's something I've always wanted to ask you, Jie.

You said you didn't want to use the writing knife to alter history, not even to change clerical errors. Why have you kept the knife around?

Did you forget that you already asked this question when you were three months on the job? You complained when I didn't allow you to use the writing knife to correct errors.

I-Is that so? I don't really remember...

Have you forgotten about your original aspiration, now that the erroneous descriptions of Yaan Elves have been addressed?

No, I just...

It's true that one should not pursue what lies in the past. But just as you and I have demonstrated, it does not mean that we should ignore the errors of the past, never mind trying to whitewash them.

I have kept the knife so that people will remember that wrongs can always be righted.

...I understand.

Nothing could be changed... tearing the pages out, writing over the words, they all do nothing because the page is instantly restored to its original state... how could this be?

How could this be?

This is her power.

She was not so difficult a hundred years ago, when it was proposed that she should leave the Imperial Historical Cabinet and refrain from writing the histories directly.

She did not complain, and indeed transferred to the Sky Mirror Pavilion of her own accord to work on reviews. She also reduced the number of courses she taught at the Academy, mostly working in an advisory capacity, similar to how Jun operates.

But her photographic memory, enthusiasm for history, and her immortality, were too much of a temptation to historians.

It became their habit to seek the approval of the one who is never wrong, and she is happy to take on the work, reviewing documents and histories...

Today, nothing that passes through her hands can be altered without her approval.

...

As for the writing knife that occupies so much of your mind... it was once an ordinary tool, when Jie first picked it up.

After spending centuries by Jie's side, it became capable of altering text without having to carve out bamboo.

Two centuries later, the writing knife accidentally erased a page from the veritable records of a True Lung.

Few, if any, ever perused those pages, and all who knew the subject were gone. And so, when a careless historian's hand slipped, no one could recall what the page held anymore.

One reason was that no copies were made of the veritable records. But it is also true that Jie's powers are growing.

If the Sui Regulator, or Jie herself, chooses to erase a word, a sentence, or perhaps a memory from under heaven with it... it is well within the realm of possibility.

The knife represents only a fragment of Jie's powers. How fast are her own powers growing?

The deeper Yan's history grows, the harder it will become to rein her in, for she is one with history.

In another century or ten, as she continues to immerse herself in history, she will become more powerful, more terrible, even than the bestial Sui Itself.

If that's all, I will return to the Sky Mirror Pavilion.

Very well. Be careful.

Wang...?

Are you alright?

I'm fine.

Wang, did you...?

...

It happened a century ago. I still remember the conflict that occurred because of the writing knife.

What is it that you want me to see, this time?

I don't need you to tell me.

So you did not interfere in my power struggle against the True Lung.