Farmer, Soldier, Zhu

[Moo_bot 775]

FARMER, SOLDIER, ZHU

Spoiler

 

 

[!] An Oyashiman wood block print of Yong Ping's docks at dusk. (OOC: Tsuchiya Koitsu - Takeya Ferry Crossing, 1930s woodblock)

 

Ren glances over the golden glittering bay of the South Sea in Yong Ping's bustling harbor, his hands folding behind his waist and feet squared out of habit. It is calming, he thinks, from so far above the shouting back and forth between the dockhands in a mix of Li-Ren, Oyashiman, Hyeol-Yeon, and Common. The calls of merchants hawking their wares to travelers moving in excitedly bubbling throngs. He eyes over the districts, each easily dwarfing Tai Ping- first a tower in Talon's Grotto, then a district in Talon's Port. The seed from which the city of Yong Ping had grown.

 

He then turns to the empty senate hall. Grand glass windows flooding the room with light and illuminating golden specks of dust trailing through the waning beams of sunlight. Rows of seating fashioned like an auditorium to ensure every voice was heard when called to speak. Ren's brow furrows slightly at that. He had not as much to say these days. Perhaps in part spending so much time on administrative duties detached him from the sense of immediacy he once experienced. Living closer to the problem oft makes it easier to solve, he thinks. As much as taking a step back does too. 

 

The Li-Ren elf looks around the room again. A step back, he thinks. His sandals tap, echoing quietly in the hall as he moves towards his office. He seats himself at his desk, hanfu settling around him in a ripple of red silk. Neat stacks of paper and scrolls pile the workspace, bare beside an ink pot and carefully kept brush. He lifts it, and begins to scribe in tight, swooping strokes

 

---

 

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE ZHU OF THE JADE STATE

 

Friends, countrymen, comrades all. It has been my honor to serve as representative and leader to you. I feel though I have done that which I can for now, and I wish to recommend the mantle to one who can continue my work with vigor. The Senate Council has my recommendation, and concludes their votes. You shall know who to look to next for representation and guidance as a nation soon. I in the meantime will still be here for you all, albeit apart from the position of Zhu. It has been a long road from the days of Tai Ping to the Jade State of today, and I could not be more proud of the work we have all done to be here as we are today. May we continue to thrive together in this era, and for many more after.

 

No mud, no lotus.

 

Signed,

First Patriarch and former Zhu of Yong Ping, Tianrui Ren

 

 

---

 

Ren sets the brush aside, leaving the scroll to dry after stamping his seal beside that of the Jade State. Thumbing over his wedding band, he smiles a bit. Delphina always assured him he spent enough time at home whenever he expressed concerns at his absence due to duty. As true as that may be, he would enjoy being able to spend more time at home with his family again.

 

Gold is the water,

the leaves cast from Autumn trees,

the smiles shared with tea.

 

[Froschli 838]

Tianrui Ryu sits upon his desk, deep in work of government, before he is disturbed by the Minister of Justice. The Chancellor then clears his throat and raises his head, asking "Yes?" The Minister then places the writ of the Zhu upon the desk of Ryu, saying "Word has just arrived, your Excellency." Ryu then stands from his desk and moves to the council chamber with Minister Wenping at his side.

[AnimeWolf0080 1509]

Kin was sitting in the tea house when he heard the news of Zhu stepping down. He knew it was coming but it still didn't feel real. though he was happy that he was putting himself first. No mud no lotus 

[tadabug2000 4918]

Yunya of the Chen Household and Minister of Interior soon received the news as one of the families retainers came with the notice. "Ren-shu has done a fine job during his tenure, our next is sure to keep up the legacy. Come, time to prepare a retirement gift for the man."

[Maevlin 724]

Anna Mariya received word of Ren's retirement on her usual trip to Yong Ping. She had stopped on the side of the road to read the missive before continuing on to Yong Ping, retirement gift in hand, and wanting to celebrate a well earned retirement.

[chippedstars 38]

San smiles softly to herself as she reads over the notice a second time, pride settling in her chest.

 

"Good for you, go go. You deserve the rest."

 

She rolls the scroll up and sits back on her heels, sighing heavily. Maybe this would help encourage her love to take a break as well..