Hu Dat Na King, the great Chinese emperor looked out from the imperial palace. An early spring had brought the cherry blossoms into full bloom and the courtyard of the palace was swathed in a pink blanket of petals. He inhaled the warm and sweetly scented air that wafted to his balcony and smiled. Today would be a good day.
The emperor’s reverie was interrupted as a servant entered the room, prostrated himself and began addressing the floor.
“Humble apologies, majesty,” said the servant, his voice rising from the floor, “but General Wing Wing Ha Lo has arrived from the northern provinces and wishes to speak with you.”
“It is too fine a day, Ku Ki Do. Matters of state can wait till tomorrow,” answered the emperor still smiling.
“Forgive this servant master, but the general insists it is urgent,” said the floor.
Hu Dat Na King sighed. He knew Wing Wing Ha Lo was not a man who enjoyed waiting, not even for an emperor. But since there was no finer tactician in the empire he was allowed his impudence. “Impudent, but not impotent” the emperor was known to say to his advisers whenever they complained of the general’s behavior.
“Very well, Ku Ki Do. Show him in,” said the emperor resignedly.
The servant groveled backwards out of the room as Hu Dat Na King took a seat near the open balcony door. His eyes were still on the gardens below when a storm of armor and audacity swept into his presence.
“I must object at being kept waiting!” boomed Wing Wing Ha Lo, adding a quick “Your majesty” after a raised eyebrow from the emperor. “I have grave news from the north.”
The emperor studied the man before him. The general was squat and muscular with a wild mane of hair that thrust out at all angles from beneath his helmet. One of his eyes seemed to have interests of its own as it perused the rest of the room while the other was fixed steadily on the emperor. Overall he looked more like a mad man who had found a suit of armor by the side of the road than the imperial army’s most brilliant commander.
“Please, my dear general, sit. I was just about to call for tea,” said the emperor gently. It was best not to excite the man further.
“Tea! How can you think of tea at a time like this? The Mongol leader I Chi Ba Tum is marching on our northern borders and you want to talk about tea?!”
Clearly there would be no calming the man today.
“What is it you need then, Wing Wing Ha Lo?”
“Men, your majesty. Recall General Wha Chu Doo Eng from the west and assign his men to me. I will take it from there.”
“General Wha Chu Doo Eng is overseeing an important public works project. His men are damming the Bo Tai river to create See Ling Fan lake. He cannot be troubled.”
The general’s already ruddy complexion went several shades redder. “The defense of the empire is more important than a new swimming pool,” he cried, his voice raising an octave per shade of crimson.
“Very well my dear general, I will see what can be done. For now, leave me to contemplate your request. Let us not lose our head over matters,” replied emperor Hu Dat Na King.
Wing Wing Ha Lo stopped mid-protest. He pondered that last sentence. Hu Dat Na King was a genteel man and benevolent ruler and it may have been just a turn of phrase. Then again, Wing Wing Ha Lo’s battlefield experience had taught him that all men have a point beyond which they will not be pushed. Perhaps a strategic retreat was called for. Yes. A tactically wise decision.
The general bowed deep before the ruler and strode from the room. The emperor was impressed. Try as he might he could barely hear the general grumbling as he went.
The general was right of course, and Hu Dat Na King knew it. Something would need to be done. But not today. The sun was still shining golden on the palace courtyard and Ku Ki Do had just entered with tea. Yes, today would be a fine day.
“There is another guest waiting to see you, my emperor,” said the servant as he poured the tea. “An Italian explorer. Ma Ko Po Lo I think the name was," he sniggered.
The emporer tutted. “Now, now Ku Ki Do. It is impolite to make fun of someone’s name.”
“Many apologies your majesty.”
I am Karl Fogsen. Thanks for reading.
