#guangwu

[whats-in-a-sentence]

Formerly Han emperors had moved troublesome landowners to Chang'an so they could keep an eye on them, but Guangwu instead moved the capital to Luoyang (Figure 6.4), where the landowners were strongest and the magnates could monitor the court.*

*Historians often call this period 202 BCE - 9 CE the Western Han, because the capital was at Chang'an in the west, and the period 25-220 CE the Eastern Han, because the capital was at Luoyang in the east. Others prefer to speak of Former and Later Han.

"Why the West Rules – For Now: The patterns of history and what they reveal about the future" - Ian Morris

[barbariankingdom]

In 57 AD, a Japanese envoy from a state known as "Na" arrived in China. In response, Emperor Guangwu of China ordered the creation of this gold seal to be taken back to Japan, thus officially recognizing it as a country and not just a geographical region. The seal was discovered in 1784 off the southern coast of Japan, confirming the historical account. The inscription on the seal identifies the King of Na as a vassal of the Han Emperor. Different materials were used for seals to indicate social hierarchy—bronze for citizens, silver for lords, gold for kings, and jade for the Emperor. Although Na might have been just one of several political entities in Japan during that time, it is unique in having textual evidence to support its existence.

[renewedmotionforjudgment]

Inspired by my recent conversation with @dangermousie about the 3 MLs in Lost You Forever (now that I've started watching). But in general, the idea of the "I can fix you" trope and the "murderous ML soft for one FL" trope.

Disclaimer: this is just what works for me, personally. Everyone has different tastes, and I place no moralities on what people chose to consume or read as media. Like I doubt every fan of the horror genre wants to be chased by an axe murderer.

Anyways, those who follow me knows that I love a devoted ML, and somehow that tends to overlap with watching dramas with plots that can be construed as "I can fix him." But thinking about the plots that worked for me and didn't work for me -- the "i can fix him" plots really have to have a corollary "murderous ML soft for one FL." If the FL is doing the "fixing," then the ML really needs to be wiling to give all it up for the FL.

(classic: in singing all along, Guangwu emperor going "i don't need my empire, I just need Ying Lihua." Although ironically signing all along has a pretty balanced OTP dynamic overall.)

In contrast -- I've been recently rewatching the virtuous queen of Han -- and frankly it's not a bad watch and they have sanitized Han Wudi A LOT and created some AU ending that somehow passed censorship. But what never got be rabid about the OTP was that at no point do you ever feel that the ML (which tbf, is Han Wudi) is willing to give up his empire for Wei Zifu. Is that historically accurate? maybe. Does it scratch the itch in my id? absolutely not.

Also, there has been dramas that really flipped the script that are tragic -- goodbye my princess and the King's woman are 2 on the top of my head. Those were interesting because you do get the sense that maybe ultimately, the MLs were willing to give it all for the FL, but the realization came way too late.

(also, sorry to any anon who asks me drama suggestions with equally devoted OTPs. My suggestions are few and far in between because it's not just where my tastes lie.)

[247reader]

Day 11: Yin Lihua!

Yin Lihua was born during the troubled end of China's Western Han Dynasty. She met her future husband, Liu Xiu, a farmer and distant relative of the royal house, when both were young; he supposedly remarked after their first meeting that "If I were to be an offical, I want to be Mayor of the Capital; if I were to marry, I want to marry Yin Lihua."

Soon after their marriage, her husband joined the rebellion against the usurper Wang Mang; he would be separated from Lihua for years, only reuiniting with her after he had declared himself Emperor... and after he had made a second, political marriage to a powerful general's niece, who had born him a son. Despite this, he still wanted to name Lihua his empress - it was she who refused, as she and her husband had no children together. She became Consort Yin, while Lady Guo took the throne of empress.

This, however, put the three in an awkward situation. Yin Lihua and Emperor Guangwu were, despite everything, still very much in love, and over the ensuing years had not one but five sons. This was a situation that some women would, historically, solve with murder, but Lihua instead seems to have tried to keep the peace - a situation the (understandably) frustrated Empress Guo made increasingly difficult.

In 41 AD, the Emperor deposed Empress Guo in favor of Yin Lihua, though he continued to treat her family with great favor and gave her the unique title of Princess Dowager by promoting her son. Lihua was a modest, circumspect empress, determined to promote harmony and not to over-promote her family. Her son Liu Zhuang succeeded his father as Emperor Ming; he would begin the Eastern Han Dynasty's golden age.

[bookofjin]

Accounts of Qiuci and Yutian (LS54)

The state of 龜茲, Middle Chinese *Khjuw-dzi, Standard Chinese Qiūcí, now Kucha, was located on the northern side of the Tarim basin.

The state of 于闐, Middle Chinese *Hju-den, Standard Chinese Yútián, now Hotan or Khotan, was located on the south-western of the Tarim basin.

Beside their central locations on the Silk Road, both kindoms were centers for Buddhist learning and served a key role in that religion's spread into China.

Pictures ambassadors taken from Song copy of the Portraits of Periodical Offering of Liang (Beiti and Qiuci), Tang The Gathering of Kings (c. 650 AD) (Beiti, Qiuci, and Yutian), and the Southern Tang Entrance of the Foreign Visitors of Emperor Yuan of Liang (mid 10th century)(Beiti, Qiuci, and Yutian)

(Scans taken from Wikipedia)

The various Rong of the North-west, during the Han period, Zhang Qian first went out on the tracks of the Western Region, Gan Ying then approached the Western Sea. Sometimes they dispatched attendant sons, sometimes they offered displays of tribute. At that time, though they were destitute in troops, they were extremely martial, and they were only just overcome and vanquished. Compared to previous eras, their plundering was far reaching. In the time of Wei, three regions were [like] legs of a tripod, with daily matters of opposing halberds, When the Jin clan pacified Wu and afterwards, and they for a little while obtained a little tranquillity and rest, they merely set up the office of Wuji. The various states likewise were not yet retainers and followers. Continuing on with the Central States' destruction and disorder, Hu people rose up one after the other. The Western Region was separated and blocked from Jiangdong and difficult translations were not exchanged. Lü Guang's expedition to Quici was more like barbarians invading barbarians, and no idea of the Central States. Since that point, the various states have divided and united, been victorious or defeated, strong or weak, and it is difficult to obtain a thorough record. Bright gems and blue feathers were only familiar in the rear palaces, Pushao and Longwen [horses] rarely entered the outer offices. At Liang accepting the mandate, they who served the correct calendar and were in the court's palaces and courtyard, were the states of Chouchi, Dangchang, Gaochang, Dengzhi, Henan, Quici, Yutian and Hua. Now [I] patch together their manners and customs, and as an Account of the North-western Rong as follows:

…

The state of Hua is a branch of Jushi. Han's 1st Year of Yongjian [126 AD], Bahua accompanied Ban Yong to strike the northern villains and had merit. Yong elevated Bahua to Marquis Friendly to Han of the Rear Section. From Wei, Jin, and onwards, they did not communicate with the Central States.

…

The state of Baiti, the King's family name is Zhi and his personal name Shijiyi. His ancestors perhaps were Hu from a branch of the Xiongnu. When Han's Guan Ying fought with Xiongnu, he beheaded one Baiti cavalryman. Now it is east of the state of Hua. The distance to Hua is six day's travel, furthest west is Persia [Bosi波斯]. The land produces millet, wheat, and melons. The food is roughly similar to Hua.

…

Qiuci is an old state of the Western Regions. In the time of Guangwu of Later Han [r- 25 – 57 AD], their King was named Hong. He was killed by the King of Shache, Xian, who wiped out his family. Xian sent his son Zeluo to be King of Qiuci. The people of the state also killed Zeluo. The Xiongnu installed a notable man from Quici, Shendu, as King, and because of this they belonged to the Xiongnu. However Qiuci in the Han period was regularly a great state, the capital was called Yan City.

When Emperor Wen of Wei begun his reign [r. 220 - 226], they dispatched envoys with tribute to present. Middle of Jin's Taikang era [280 -289], they dispatched sons to enter [court] in attendance.

7th Year of Taiyuan [382 AD], the ruler of Qin, Fu Jian, dispatched general Lü Guang to invade the Western Region. He arrived at Qiuci. The King of Qiuci, Bochun, loaded up the treasure, set out and ran. Guang entered his city. The city has three layers. The outer walls are comparable to the walls of Chang'an. The rooms and buildings are huge and magnificent. For decoration they use gemstones, gold, and jade. Guang installed Bochun's younger brother Zhen as King, and then returned home. Since then they have been cut off from the Central States and not communicated.

…

The state of Yutian belongs to the Western Regions. At the end of Later Han's Jianwu era Jianwu [25 – 56 AD], King Yu was routed by the King of Shache, Xian. He moved him to be King of Ligui, and used his younger brother Junde as King of Yutian. He was violent and cruel, and the hundred families were troubled by him. Middle of Yongping [58 – 75 AD], a man of their kind, Dumo, killed Junde. A nobleman, Xiumoba also killed Dumo, and installed himself as King. Ba died, and his older brother's son Guangde was installed. He afterwards struck and captured the King of Shache, Xian, to return home, and killed him, and thereupon he made a strong state. The various small states of the north-west all yield and follow.

In their land there are many rivers and rainstorms, sand and rock. The air is warm and suitable for rice, wheat, and rose apple [putao 蒲桃]. There is a river which produces jade, it is called the Yu He [“Jade river”, 玉河]. People of the state are good at casting copper vessels. Their government seat is called Xishan City, it has roofed houses, markets, and wells. The fruit and vegetables are comparable to the Central States. They are particularly reverent of Buddhism. The building where the King dwells has cinnabar drawings applied to it. The King's headgear is a golden head-wrap, similar to the present Hu-style hat. He sits side by side with his wife when welcoming guests. Within their state, the married women all braid their hair and wear fur trousers. Their people are respectful. When they see each other, they kneel, and when they kneel, one knee touches the ground. For writing they use wood for brush and slips, and jade for stamps. When the people of the state obtain a letter, they wear it on their head, and then afterwards open up the slips. In the time of Emperor Wen of Wei, King Shanxi presented famous horses.

[dongzhou3kingdoms]

Does the ROTK novel or any figure during the Three Kingdoms ever mention Liu Xiu・Emperor Guangwu of Han - The founder of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

I am only aware that Cao Cao definitely praises Guangwu of Han at one point in the historical records but I am curious if there were more people talking or discussing him as the novel seems to have more of emphasis on Liu Bang or Emperor Gaozu of Han. For that matter, why put the emphasis more on Liu Bang as opposed to Liu Xiu?

In the novel it mentions him at the start and in a poem, Zhou Yu use of advice he got to persuade Lu Su to go to Sun Quan, Cui Zhouping to Liu Bei, Liu Bei memorial on ascending to the throne, Cheng Pu explaining the seal, Xun Yu on advising Cao Cao not to attack Xu. There are others in the historical records My guess would be the founder of the Han is more of a fitting subject, the man who started the centuries long dynasty, then the one who is the restorer and a continuation of said dynasty.

[itsmarjudgelove]

In 57 AD, a Japanese envoy from a state known as “Na” arrived in China. In response, Emperor Guangwu of China ordered the creation of this gold seal to be taken back to Japan, thus officially recognizing it as a country and not just a geographical region. The seal was discovered in 1784 off the southern coast of Japan, confirming the historical account. The inscription on the seal identifies the King of Na as a vassal of the Han Emperor. Different materials were used for seals to indicate social hierarchy—bronze for citizens, silver for lords, gold for kings, and jade for the Emperor. Although Na might have been just one of several political entities in Japan during that time, it is unique in having textual evidence to support its existence.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 8.5 (before 1860)

AD 25 – Guangwu claims the throne as Emperor of China, restoring the Han dynasty after the collapse of the short-lived Xin dynasty. 70 – Fires resulting from the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem are extinguished. 642 – Battle of Maserfield: Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Northumbria. 910 – The last major Danish army to raid England for nearly a century is defeated at the Battle of Tettenhall by the allied forces of Mercia and Wessex, led by King Edward the Elder and Æthelred, Lord of the Mercians. 939 – The Battle of Alhandic is fought between Ramiro II of León and Abd-ar-Rahman III at Zamora in the context of the Spanish Reconquista. The battle resulted in a victory for the Emirate of Córdoba. 1068 – Byzantine–Norman wars: Italo-Normans begin a nearly-three-year siege of Bari. 1100 – Henry I is crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey. 1278 – Spanish Reconquista: the forces of the Kingdom of Castile initiate the ultimately futile Siege of Algeciras against the Emirate of Granada. 1305 – First Scottish War of Independence: Sir John Stewart of Menteith, the pro-English Sheriff of Dumbarton, successfully manages to capture Sir William Wallace of Scotland, leading to Wallace's subsequent execution by hanging, evisceration, drawing and quartering, and beheading 18 days later. 1388 – The Battle of Otterburn, a border skirmish between the Scottish and the English in Northern England, is fought near Otterburn. 1460 – The Kingdom of Scotland captures Roxburgh, one of the last English strongholds in Scotland, following a siege. 1506 – The Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeats the Crimean Khanate in the Battle of Kletsk. 1583 – Sir Humphrey Gilbert establishes the first English colony in North America, at what is now St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. 1600 – The Gowrie Conspiracy against King James VI of Scotland (later to become King James I of England) takes place. 1620 – The Mayflower departs from Southampton, England, carrying would-be settlers, on its first attempt to reach North America; it is forced to dock in Dartmouth when its companion ship, the Speedwell, springs a leak. 1689 – Beaver Wars: Fifteen hundred Iroquois attack Lachine in New France. 1716 – Austro-Turkish War (1716–1718): One-fifth of a Turkish army and the Grand Vizier are killed in the Battle of Petrovaradin. 1735 – Freedom of the press: New York Weekly Journal writer John Peter Zenger is acquitted of seditious libel against the royal governor of New York, on the basis that what he had published was true. 1772 – First Partition of Poland: The representatives of Austria, Prussia, and Russia sign three bilateral conventions condemning the ‘anarchy’ of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and imputing to the three powers ‘ancient and legitimate rights’ to the territories of the Commonwealth. The conventions allow each of the three great powers to annex a part of the Commonwealth, which they proceed to do over the course of the following two months. 1763 – Pontiac's War: Battle of Bushy Run: British forces led by Henry Bouquet defeat Chief Pontiac's Indians at Bushy Run. 1781 – The Battle of Dogger Bank takes place. 1796 – The Battle of Castiglione in Napoleon's first Italian campaigns of the French Revolutionary Wars. 1816 – The British Admiralty dismisses Francis Ronalds's new invention of the first working electric telegraph as "wholly unnecessary", preferring to continue using the semaphore. 1824 – Greek War of Independence: Konstantinos Kanaris leads a Greek fleet to victory against Ottoman and Egyptian naval forces in the Battle of Samos. 1858 – Cyrus West Field and others complete the first transatlantic telegraph cable after several unsuccessful attempts. It will operate for less than a month.

[evilkitten3]

#i dont go here and have no idea what this means but its funny#<-prev me too#save

@ospreyonthemoon @thealchemistal (also @rotary-phonecall; sorry missed you but in my defense you reblogged it as i was typing all this lol)

it's funnier in context, so i'll explain!

in volume 64 of the naruto manga (pages 68-69, at least in the japanese version), naruto confronts two of the series main antagonists, madara and obito. i'm not very good at taking pictures, but i couldn't find the pages online, so i did my best. the scene in question:

transcript:

madara: ...your specialty, the shadow clone? even if it's a forbidden high class ninjutsu, you're just multiplying the same incompetent person, so... naruto: i ain't incompetent!! kakashi: cut it out, naruto...! there's no point in shadow clones that'll just divide your chakra even more than this! even if it can be used as a distraction, it won't be a decisive blow... if you fall... we'll lose this war! madara: in the end, just a motley crew... (note: the actual translation of the phrase he uses isn't exactly "motley crew", but that's the official english translation and i can't think of a better one that would still make sense for naruto to not understand) naruto: huh!? m... motley crew...!? madara: sure enough, incompetent. obito: he's saying that even if you increase the number of heads, it's meaningless if they're all empty. you and i are, in the end, both powerless shinobi. you also... no, everyone someday... will end up like me.

(relevant part ends here; i can transcribe the rest if anyone wants but for now this is fine)

the term madara uses stems from the chinese term 烏合 (wūhé), meaning "to gather together without discipline, like a murder of crows", and the earliest source i could find is from the dongguan hanji, a text from the han period of china. specifically, this was said by a staff official of the warlord gongsun shu, who was belittling liu xiu (later known as emperor guangwu, so you can guess how that particular dispute went). the thing is. most of the dongguan hanji is lost (i think they've managed to restore some of it, but the original text had 143 volumes, and we have under 30 afaik), and it's also from a fuckass long time ago (it was written by a bunch of people over a couple hundred years, starting in 72 ce, but the final revision was made in 220 ce, so it's. old. old as balls), so naruto not understanding wtf he's talking about is understandable bc naruto is not exactly what you would call booksmart.

madara is a character who died like sixty years ago (muramachi/azuchi-momoyama fusion period to meiji/taishou/shouwa fusion period speedrun, i guess?) and then got better and then died again a little under twenty years ago, and while you might think this is his third life he's actually still dead here and will be for the next ohhhh three hours or so, give or take.

meanwhile obito, back when he was a happy cheerful kid who hadn't realized everything sucks forever and he should start killing people about it yet, used to be really good at helping out the elderly (he met madara when madara was an old man on magic treeman life support which makes obito pretty much the only human character in the whole story who's actually seen madara as an old man bc when he got brought back as basically-a-zombie-but-with-ninja-magic the guy who did it played around with the technique a little to bring him back at his prime.

basically, imagine if your great great granddad popped out of the dirt to fight you in the desert, then called you an incompetent idiot while using a phrase from a book you've never heard of and you had no clue what he was talking about until your most mentally ill uncle opts to translate for you.

the scene was and is phenomenal, and it was actually a lot more popular in the japanese fandom than the english one from what i could tell, but it spawned a bunch of fanart and comics concerning obito and/or madara teaching/making fun of naruto and the others.

(for anyone wondering: here is my favorite, which happens to also be the comic that inspired my original post way up there. it's in japanese, but the basic idea should be fairly clear and it's funny even if you can't read it imo)

it would've been really funny if madara had just kept using words naruto didn't know and obito kept pausing to explain them to him, with the words getting more and more obscure each time and naruto starting to just automatically look to obito for help all while obito wonders if one or both of them is messing with him but they're genuinely dead serious

[izdatazn]

S.U.I.T.S - Terran's Hidden War

TERRAN 13 - H.A.R.V.E.Y

I didn't take advantage of the remaining days to rest, as I immediately left when Daisuke informed us that he had revived him using a different method. Kumiko and her team stayed behind at the facility, while Asuka gathered her team to follow Raquel's new trail in Malaysia. Meanwhile, I decided to head straight to London to meet up with a SUIT's Agent and her team.

As Viktor continued driving towards our destination, I received an incoming call from Kumiko and the others. Suddenly, Sho appeared on the screen.

He exclaimed excitedly, "I'm back from the dead!" Sho laughed confidently. "If the poison couldn't kill me, nothing can!" Nanako playfully slapped his head as they bantered back and forth.

"His friend is also alive," Kumiko interjected, pushing them away.

"It's good to know," I replied calmly.

"Hey, Kobayashi!!" Sho called out loudly. "Is this where you guys mysteriously disappeared to instead of hanging out with me? I thought you guys didn't like me." He chuckled teasingly, but I chose to ignore him.

"What do you mean by 'one of us'?" Nanako angrily shouted. "You nearly died!" Their argument continued as they bickered among themselves.

"I'll see you soon, Sho," I said.

"Don't keep me waiting for too long, Kobayashi!" he shouted.

The transmission feed disappeared and another one came up. I joined the meeting with Daisuke, Kokoro, and Asuka. Miyoung and Isabel also joined me.

Asuka began, "I will be arriving in Malaysia shortly with my team. I will be joined by another team stationed in Kuala Lumpur."

Daisuke started speaking next, "Master Shiro has taken action and promoted hundreds of officers to agents, including your team members. With more agents, it means there will be more reconnaissance effort to find The King of Spades."

"Isn't that reckless?" I asked.

"Master Shiro handpicked hundreds of officers that he believes are suitable to become agents," Daisuke answered. "He's usually not wrong. You will meet the newly promoted agent Tuyen Pham again in London."

"What about the Obitus Clarus poison?" I asked.

"The database doesn't have any information about the Obitus Clarus poison because it didn't originate from Earth," Kokoro added. "According to Shiro, The Zyger Brothers produced the poison eons ago and they are considered the worst criminals in the Milky Way Galaxy. They are much older than Master Shiro as well. Although they have mysteriously disappeared, they remain a top priority alongside the Ace of Spades."

"So we don't have an exact location on where The Zyger Brothers are?" I asked.

"Not at this moment," Daisuke answered. "Our current priority is to find Raquel Gustov, the rest of the Clubs group, and locate where Obitus Clarus is being produced. This space poison is dangerous, as it killed two healers during the extraction process. If mishandled in the production line or used recklessly, humanity will have no defense against it.”

Despite meeting with Tuyen Pham as soon as possible, we were guided to multiple locations of Raquel’s whereabouts, including the Obitus Clarus but came out empty handed again. It is Monday, April 30th 2079. We just entered the shores of the United Kingdom’s territory. We hid our vehicle and decided to use another transportation to arrive in London. This time we didn’t stop for anything.

Tuyen Pham was born in 25 AD in Vietnam, a country that was initially under Chinese dominance. She was influenced by the Tru’ng Sisters in 40 AD when they led a rebellion against the Chinese and successfully revolted against Han Governor Su Ding. Tuyen found peace under Queen Trưng Trắc until Emperor Guangwu of Han sent his army to quell the revolt. Tuyen escaped to the south after The Tru’ng Sisters ended their lives and Han China regained their territory. In 45 AD, Tuyen was captured and sentenced to death after being imprisoned.

After some time, we finally managed to meet up with Tuyen Pham near Big Ben. Our team was scattered, with Miyoung perched on top of Big Ben while Isabel and Viktor positioned themselves at the end of the bridge. Tuyen's team had secured the waterfronts near the bridge, creating a protective barrier around us during our meeting.

"How was the trip?" Tuyen asked. "I heard what happened."

"The trip went well, and my friend is also doing fine," I replied. "I heard that you came across a lead?"

"Yes, it was a lead we found a couple of days ago," Tuyen answered. "The King of Spades and the Seven of Clubs were gathering at a pub. I can give you their last known location, but not their most recent one."

"What did you learn from this gathering?" I inquired. "What is the King of Spades doing on Earth?"

"They were discussing plans to ramp up production and take down key assets," Tuyen responded.

"What do you mean by 'key assets'?" I questioned.

Miyoung chimed in, saying, "The Orbital Defense Platforms are considered key assets. The Illusion Defense Shields are also key assets. Even private corporations hold significant importance as key assets. If our enemies manage to dismantle these major components, they will gain an advantage over us."

"Exactly," Tuyen added. "They have been actively sabotaging smaller SUITs assets worldwide, making it difficult for agents to keep up."

"That's why several hundred officers have been promoted to agents in order to counteract Club's sabotage efforts," Isabel explained.

"They won't stop, and things will likely worsen as time goes on," I stated.

"I'll provide you with directions to where the King of Spades and Seven of Clubs met, but first I need to find another lead on something else," Tuyen assured us.

Tuyen's location led us to a place outside of London, a quieter and less crowded area where we found the pub they had arranged to meet. Isabel used her skills to determine our current whereabouts. While locating the King of Spades proved challenging, we were able to track the movements of the Seven of Clubs within a few minutes.

"The King of Spades is skilled at avoiding detection. I couldn't gather any further information," Isabel admitted. "However, I will be able to find out where the Seven of Clubs is located in a couple of days.”

A brief silence enveloped us as I took a moment to process what she had said. "Do you sense that?" I paused again, waiting for her response. "How quickly can you activate the shields?"

"How large do you need them?" Isabel inquired.

I responded with determination, "Covering the entire city."

It took several minutes for Isabel to set up the shields, creating an intense atmosphere filled with anxiety for me. Suddenly, I heard ticking sounds and movement from behind me. We turned our attention towards it and saw a figure standing in the middle of the road wearing formal attire and a top hat. It tapped its cane against the ground rhythmically. What aroused suspicion was that this figure appeared to be an android dressed in human clothing.

“Is that machine wearing a mustache?" I whispered incredulously.

"You are absolutely correct, my distinguished gentleman," the figure spoke, gracefully bowing before us. "Allow me to introduce myself as HARVEY." Miyoung aimed her gun at HARVEY, showing no signs of lowering it. "Please do not be alarmed by my unexpected presence," it calmly stated. Suddenly, IT materialized in front of her. "Madam, isn't it considered impolite to point a gun at a stranger?" IT casually tapped her shoulder with its cane. In an instant, Miyoung was forcefully thrown into multiple walls by some unseen force. HARVEY swiftly shifted and with a swift motion slapped Viktor with its cane, sending him hurtling into several walls as well. My eyes widened as I witnessed everything unfold so rapidly.

"My name is HARVEY," it reiterated.

"I couldn't care less," Isabel replied defiantly.

Isabel launched an attack at the machine, but HARVEY skillfully evaded each strike. He declared, "My name is HARVEY - (H)ydraulic (A)ndroid (R)eliable for (V)iolence and m(E)thodical Butcher(Y)." HARVEY emerged victorious from the clash, delivering a swift blow to Isabel's knee with its metal can and following it up with a clean kick to her face. She was sent flying backwards into the wall.

Suddenly, Viktor appeared before HARVEY, taking Isabel's place in the confrontation. He shouted, "Wilma, Let's Get Serious!" Metal materialized and covered his hand and arm while extending from his feet up to his thighs. Slamming his foot into the ground caused a wooden wall to rise up as he fused it with his unprotected body, creating a thick armor for protection.

"Kimchi, Guide me. 25%," Viktor commanded. Miyoung then appeared above them as both of them unleashed an immense amount of energy while summoning their spirit animals. Isabel joined Viktor in the fight as I felt a gust of wind picking up around me.

"Pozole, Diversify My Range," Isabel exclaimed. She gathered water from the air using her left arm while ice formed on her mechanical arm.

From above, Miyoung fired a dozen precise bullets at the android, but HARVEY effortlessly evaded each one while simultaneously blocking Viktor's and Isabel's attacks.

"What a predicament I find myself in," HARVEY spoke. "Is that an Xeanides Occular Tech? Quite primitive for Earth." With a swift kick, HARVEY sent Isabel flying and used his cane to slam Viktor into the ground, temporarily incapacitating him. HARVEY glanced at Miyoung. "I don't believe you require that Occular tech, my lady."

In the alleyway below, I heard a scream and quickly joined the ongoing fight against the machine. As it leaped away from Viktor's grasp, I relentlessly attacked alongside Isabel.

"What have you done?!" I shouted.

"I simply disabled her Occular tech. A mere virus to disrupt her movements," he replied casually.

HARVEY struck me with his cane and tapped my shoulder in one swift motion. The impact sent me hurtling backward until crashing into a nearby wall. Miyoung swiftly joined forces with Isabel in close combat.

"I don't need my oculars to end you!" Miyoung shouted defiantly as she engaged in hand-to-hand combat with her pistol at close range. Shortly after, Viktor also entered into the fray.

"Allow me to disable your Zipraria tech as well, dear lady," HARVYE taunted. "It astounds me how inferior Earth technology is despite attempts at reverse engineering superior models." Disappointment colored his words.

HARVEY forcefully threw Viktor and Miyoung aside, clashing with Isabel's water whip and ice spear. I joined the fight as well. HARVEY repeatedly jabbed at Isabel before shattering her ice spear and tearing off her mechanical arm. It then slapped her with her own arm and kicked her away, tossing the arm aside to continue fighting all three of us.

"It's an even fight," HARVEY remarked as it connected its cane with me, pushing me into another wall. Viktor struggled against HARVEY but ultimately lost in their strength match. "Sir, you must do better than that," taunted HARVEY as it pushed him away and swung its cane, shattering Viktor's Earth chest armor. It pointed its cane at him and shot a bolt of electricity that tightly wrapped around him.

"As you can see," spoke HARVEY confidently. "I predicted the outcome from the very beginning. You will be assassinated by me." Miyoung and Isabel surrounded it, but were easily dispatched by HARVEY using his cane. "The Queen of Spades gave me a mission, and I obliged," declared HARVEY while holding them down and glancing at me menacingly. "The Queen of Spades will have a nice trophy on her wall.”

I found myself standing in the middle of the alley, feeling utterly hopeless. My team had been easily defeated by some sort of machine. Suddenly, I heard voices echoing around me; multiple whispers filled the air. Blood seeped out from my eyes, and I instinctively touched it with my thumb as I listened to the eerie voice.

Kobayashi touched his elbow and spread his hand open.

"Blood Art: Jealously Is My Sin, Hageshiioji," he exclaimed.

His left sword materialized in his hand, accompanied by a transparent dragon that appeared on his left shoulder. The dragon spoke. "You called me forth and I have answered your call. The other dragon is useless; I will assist you in finishing this fight." Flames burst from Kobayashi's sword, but instead of the typical red flames, they changed to an intense crimson color while his hair remained bright red.

"The prediction algorithm didn't account for this," HARVEY stated. "Regardless, you will be defeated just like the others."

HARVEY raised its cane and aimed it at me as a threat. In response, I raised my right arm while Kobayashi firmly held onto its mechanical arm before letting it go. To our surprise, HARVEY's cane split into multiple pieces right after being released.

"Oh my! You've disabled both my arm and cane! Sir, that's quite disrespectful of you," HARVEY remarked sarcastically without receiving any response from Kobayashi.

HARVEY took a step forward but suddenly crumbled into fragmented pieces before reaching us.

"Was that disrespectful?" questioned Kobayashi as he stepped closer to where HARVEY's head once stood underfoot. He pressed his feet onto what remained of it with added pressure until it shattered completely.

"There won't be a next time," declared Kobayashi confidently, destroying the HARVEY’S mechanical head.

Viktor managed to break free from his restraints, with the help of Isabel and Miyoung. As they assisted him in getting back on his feet, Miyoung's ocular was finally freed from the virus that had infected it. At the same time, Isabel reattached her mechanical arm.

"This isn't Kobayashi," Miyoung stated. Viktor leaned against the stone wall behind him and noticed that a thin layer of protective coating had formed on his exposed skin. "My ocular isn't functioning at full capacity," Miyoung mentioned, turning to Isabel.

"My arm is shattered, so I can't control it properly," Isabel replied. "And you, Viktor?"

"I've reached my limit too," Viktor admitted. He then turned to Miyoung and asked about her state.

"Same here," she confirmed.

"We need to finish this quickly but we have to be careful," Isabel whispered cautiously. "We don't know what we're dealing with." She shifted topics and took a step forward. "Kobayashi? Are you there?" she called out.

"Who is this Kobayashi?" mocked the controlled Kobayashi.

Kobayashi suddenly appeared beneath Isabel, causing Viktor to react and push her away. However, he ended up being on the receiving end of Kobayashi's attack. The impact was so powerful that it created a crater beneath them. At the same time, Miyoung materialized behind Viktor, aiming her pistol at his shoulder. She hesitated for a moment, but Kobayashi wasted no time and kicked her into the wall before pushing Viktor backward.

"Kobayashi!" Viktor shouted desperately. "Are you there?"

Kobayashi kicked him into the wall once more and followed it up with a strong punch to his armored body. Another crater formed beneath them as the wall shattered behind Viktor, sending him flying away. Isabel reappeared behind him and they engaged in intense combat for several minutes.

"Kobayashi, wake up!" Isabel shouted at the top of her lungs as she ensnared him with her water whip. However, Kobayashi swiftly evaporated the water and managed to break free from her grasp. They continued their intense battle for a few more seconds until Kobayashi gained the upper hand. He grabbed Isabel by the neck and forcefully slammed her into the ground, using his shoe to keep her pinned down.

"Second Metal: Rolling Thunder," Viktor announced as he appeared in the middle of the road and began spinning towards Kobayashi like a steamroller. Kobayashi raised his other arm with an open palm, successfully catching Viktor at full force. The resulting shockwave was so powerful that it shattered windows from a distance and created multiple layers of craters beneath them.

"Second Sound: Silent Whispers," another voice called out before a bullet pierced through Kobayashi's left shoulder.

Isabel reached out and gripped onto Kobayashi's ankle, causing ice to rapidly spread from his ankle up to his waist. Despite this, Kobayashi tightened his grip on Viktor and lifted him up before slamming him into Isabel. He then promptly melted away the ice on his lower body. Miyoung suddenly appeared behind him, pointing her pistol directly at his head without hesitation this time. She took a shot at him, but Kobayashi swiftly shifted to his left as the bullet grazed his cheek. I glanced over at Miyoung slowly.

Kobayashi spoke confidently, "Too slow."

"You wish," Miyoung retorted as she fired another shot that curved back around and pierced through Kobayashi's ear this time. Undeterred, she took yet another shot at him. However, he managed to push her weapon into the ground while delivering a powerful elbow strike to her face. Staggering backwards from the impact, Miyoung struggled to regain stability while Kobayashi relentlessly pursued her, swinging his sword downwards.

Shiro suddenly appeared in front of Miyoung, skillfully intercepting the powerful strike of his sword. He swiftly pulled Kobayashi closer and gently touched his scar with his left thumb. In an instant, Miyoung collapsed onto the ground as Kobayashi's eye and hair returned to their natural state. His spirit animal and the crimson flames that surrounded him vanished from sight. Shiro tapped Kobayashi's forehead, causing him to fall backward.

"Master Shiro," Miyoung gasped.

"What a chaotic situation," Shiro sighed. "Are you all alright?" Viktor crawled away, managed to stand up, and assisted Isabel in getting back on her feet. Shiro then lent a hand to help Miyoung up. "I didn't anticipate this happening so soon.”

  It is Sunday, May 13th, 2079, a few weeks after the incident involving the HARVEY model. Viktor, Isabel, Miyoung and I decided to take some time off from our mission and seek rest at a nearby hotel in London.

When I regained consciousness, they informed me that I had not been myself. Apparently, something had taken control of my body. They were correct in their assessment and I shared my own experience with them. I recalled feeling desperate to assist my team and hearing a sinister voice beckoning me to utilize its power. Succumbing to temptation, I responded to the call. Subsequently, everything went black and I found myself awakening in the medical wing of the facility. This was not the only incident that came to mind upon regaining consciousness.

"What is it, HARVEY?” I asked.

We all gathered in the meeting room, accompanied by Master Shiro and the usual individuals. Asuka joined us via hologram.

"HARVEY, also known as (H)ydraulic (A)ndroid (R)eliable for *(V)iolence and m(E)thodical Butcher(Y), is a Xeanides Assassination Cyborg Model III. It possesses the ability to simulate and devise strategies to overcome its targets."

"If we are going to encounter more of these creatures," Miyoung remarked, "then I need an upgraded version of my ocular technology to prevent it from disabling me with malware viruses again."

"Seunghoon will assist you with that," Daisuke replied.

"Then I also require his help in upgrading my bionic arm," Isabel added. "Not only can it easily dismantle my arm, but it can also introduce malware."

"We are currently working on that," Daisuke added. He changed the subject. "Not only did Raquel bring alien poison to Earth, but she also brought a Xeanides Assassin Robot. We don't know how many there are, but within a week we received reports that other Agent teams were attacked by HARVEY models. Luckily for them, they were model IIs.”

"The Xeanides Model III is the latest prototype or at least a hundred years old, yet still efficient considering its age," Shiro interjected. "We should assume the worst and consider that Raquel brought more than just alien poison and HARVEYs."

"What about the scar?" I asked, pointing at it.

Kokoro spoke up. "I had a team seal a spell on your scar. You won't be able to activate it or hear any voices from now on."

"I hope so," I replied.

"Earth's Hidden War is just the beginning," Shiro asserted. "Raquel and the remaining Clubs must be stopped from achieving their ulterior motive."

[tom5201314]

Biden is (always) well, a great honor. The general's bravery is the head of the whole army, and his talent is also the hero of the world. You abandoned the (mediocre) small sparrow (out of the state of Qi in time) and admired the (virtuous) lofty ambition (and went to the King of Liang). At the beginning, (you) complied with the opportunity, (changed the door), met the wise monarch Liang Wudi, (only) established merits, achievements, to be named lonely, (once out) there are princes to ride (decorated) cars, with male soldiers, orders - square, and how magnificent and prominent! How could he suddenly become a traitor who fled to a foreign nation? His legs trembled when he heard the sound of arrows; he knelt down to worship before the ruler of the Northern Wei Dynasty.

(I consider) when you left the Liang Dynasty and went to the Northern Wei Dynasty, there was no other reason, but it was because you were inconsiderate in your heart, incited by rumors outside, and (for a while) unrepentant (did not know right from wrong) and lost your reason in your actions, and you came to this (situation) today (rebelling against the Liang Dynasty and falling to the Wei Dynasty). The wise Liang Court (can) forgive (past) SINS, and the emphasis is on you to make new achievements, to appoint (talents) widely without regard for faults, to treat the people of the world with sincerity, so that all those who are wavering can remove doubts and settle down, you are well aware, I do not need to elaborate on it. Zhu Yu had participated in the murder of Liu Yan, brother of Emperor Guangwu of Han, and Zhang Xiu had killed Cao Cao's son Cao Ang with a sword. Liu Xiu, Emperor Guangwu of Han, was not jealous of Zhu Yu, and Cao Cao, king of Wei, treated him as he had done before. Besides, you are not guilty of Zhu and Zhang, and your achievements are more important than those of modern times! To go astray and know the return, this is the ancient wise men approved of, and to correct the fault when it is not very serious, this is the ancient classics praised (behavior). Emperor Wudi of Liang abolished the law of Gaen, and even people as guilty as the big fish who swallowed the boat could escape the net. Think about it in your heart. There's nothing left to say. At present, all the distinguished officials of the (Liang) Dynasty have been appointed and rewarded in an orderly manner; (Civilian officials) with purple ribbons on their waists, carrying gold seals on their bodies, participating in the planning of military and national plans; Generals raise their chariots and flags to defend the frontier, and the court kills horses and drinks blood to make oaths, so that the title can be passed on to future generations. Is it not sad that you alone have a thick skin and live in the service of foreign rulers?

With the South Yan king Murong Chao's strong horizontal, (finally) body death field; With the strength of the later Qin emperor Yao Hong, he was also captured alive in Chang 'an. Therefore understand the way, the rain and dew, distributed everywhere, (only) do not nurture the foreign race. The Northern Wei has occupied the center for many years, the accumulation of crimes has been full, and it is reasonable to say that it will destroy itself. What's more, the false dynasty's evil and cunning, killing each other, the country's divisions are divided, the tribal leaders are suspicious of each other, and (they) are about to be bound from (their) official residence to the capital and beheaded. And you, General, swim like a fish in a pot of boiling water, and build your nest like a swallow in the fluttering curtain, are you not too silly?

Late spring March, in the south of the grass and trees have grown up, a variety of flowers compete to open, a group of Huang Yingying flutter flutter. Every time you climb the city wall, touch the bowstring, look at the flags and drums of the old army, and recall the past life in Liang, how sad! This is why Lian Po (who went to the State of Wei when he died) still wanted to be the general of Zhao, and why Wu Qi (who was a general of the State of Wei during the Warring States Period) looked at the West River and cried, both because of feelings (towards the motherland). Are you alone in not feeling it? I hope you can make a good plan early, and turn away from the dark.

Today's leaders are extremely enlightened, the world is peaceful and happy, and (some) offer white jade rings from the West, (some) pay tribute and wooden arrows from the east. Yelang and Dianchi, the two countries in the remote southwest, changed with the customs of the Han people. Only the Northern Wei Dynasty in the north was ambitious, and acted obstinately and untamed between the Huangsha border jams in an attempt to survive! Xiao Hong, the king of Linchuan who commanded the whole army, was a close relative of Emperor Wu of Liang. He took on the military responsibility of the northern expedition and went to the north to appease the people and fight a

[aggrobot]

I like Han Guangwudi.

Everything about him radiates good boi energy.

[bookofjin]

People in the time of Wang Mang

[HHS012]

Lu Fang, courtesy name Junqi, was a native of Sanshui in Anding, he lived within the Left Valley. In the time of Wang Mang, Under Heaven everyone thought of Han's virtue, and Fang made use of that to himself falsely claim to be Emperor Wu's great-grandson Liu Wenbo. His great-grandmother was the elder sister of the Xiongnu's Luli Hunxie King who had become the empress of Emperor Wu and born three children. When the chaos of Jiang Chong happened and the Heir-Apparent was executed, the Empress was implicated and died. Her middle son Ciqing absconded to Changling, the younger son Huiqing escaped to the Left Valley. General Huo installed Ciqing and welcomed Huiqing, but Huiqing did not set out and following that lived in the Left Valley. He begot a son, Sunqing, and Sunqing begot Wenbo. He often used this speech to confuse and deceive in the Anding area. At the end of Wang Mang, he therefore raised troops together with the Qiang and Hu from Sanshui's dependant states.

[HHS017]

Jia Fu, courtesy name Junwen, was a native of Guanjun in Nanyang. As young he was fond of studying, and was familiar with the Hallowed Documents. He served Li Sheng of Wuyin. Li Sheng was amazed with him, and spoke to people of his school, saying:

Jia Jun's looks and countenance and his aura of aspirations are this, and with his diligence in studying, he is the vessel of a general or chancellor.

At the end of Wang Mang, he joined the county staff. While receiving salt in Hedong, he happened to come across bandits and thieves. His colleagues, more than ten people, all let go of and scattered their salt, Fu alone carried through with returning to the county. Within the county they extolled his trustworthiness.

[HHS019]

Geng Yan, courtesy name Zhaofu, was a native of Maoling in Fufeng. His ancestor in the time of Emperor Wu as Two Thousand Shi official moved from Julu to there. His father Kuang, courtesy name Xiayou, due to his clarity became a Gentleman. He and Wang Mang's junior cousin Ji studied the Old Master together under the Former Master of Anqiu. Later he became the Joint Leader of Shuodiao.

Ji Kang's Biographies of Sagely Worthies and Exalted Gentlemen says: The sage of Anqiu's courtesy name was Zhongdu, and he was a native of Changling in Jingzhao. As young he held on to the norms of the Old Master. He was tranquil and unblemished and did not seek to advance in officialdom. He was titled as the Elder of Anqiu. Emperor Cheng heard of him and wished to see him. The sage refused it and was not willing to see him, and he became a wizard and physician among the people.

Wang Mang changed Shanggu commandery to Shuodiao, and Warden to Joint Leader.

Yan as young was fond of studying and practised his father's legacy. He often saw the commandery commandant test cavalrymen, erecting banners and drums, and practising galloping and shooting. Because of that he became fond of the affairs of generals and commanders.

The Book of Yuan Shansong says: Yan as young studied the Poetry and the Rites. He was clear, sharp, and had opportune plans.

The Ceremonies of Han Officials says: The end of the year is the time for the commandery tests. They explain military matters and direct the troops. Following that they use barricade hunts to examine their talents and strengths.

[HHS015]

Deng Chen, courtesy name Weiqing, was native of Xinye in Nanyang. His family had for generations been Two Thousand Shi officials.

The Eastern Watchtower Records says: Chen's great-grandfather Long was Inspector of Yang province. His grandfather Xun was Inspector of Jiaozhi.

His father Hong was Chief Commandant of Yuzhang. Chen at first married Guangwu's sister Yuan. At the end of Wang Mang, Guangwu once went to Wan together with his older brother Bosheng and Chen. They chatted and talked with Cai Shaogong, a native of Rang, and others. Shaogong was quite studied in charts and prophecies, and told them Liu Xiu would be Son of Heaven. Someone said:

Is it the Teacher of State, His Excellency Liu Xiu?

Guangwu jokingly said:

How do [you] know it is not this abject person?

Everyone seated there great laughed, Chen in his heart alone was delighted.

The Eastern Watchtower Records says: Chen and the Sovereign set out in the carriage together. They came upon an envoy but did not go down from the chariot. The envoy was angry, and quite a bit added to their humiliation and abuse. The Sovereign claimed to be a clerk from Jiangxia, Chen altered his name to Hou Jiacheng. The envoy considered them liars, brought them to the precinct, and wished to punish them. The steward of Xinye, Pan Shu, made a request, and they were released.

…

Lai Xi, courtesy name Junshu, was a native of Xinye in Nanyang. Six generations earlier, his ancestor Han had great merit. In the era of Emperor Wu, he Brilliantly Blessed Grandee he assisted the General of Towering ships, Yang Pu, and struck and routed Nanyue and Chaoxian. His father Chong in the time of Emperor Ai became Remonstrating Grandee. He married Guangwu's grand-aunt, and they begot Xi. Guangwu was very close and respectful to him. They several times went to Chang'an together.

[HHS016]

Deng Yu, courtesy name Zhonghua, was a native of Xinye in Nanyang. Aged thirteen, he was able to recite poetry and received teachings in Chang'an. At the time Guangwu had also travelled to study at the imperial capital. Though Yu by age was a child, when he saw Guangwu, he knew he was not an ordinary person, and thereupon they became closely attached to each other. After several years he returned home to his family.

[HHS010]

Guangwu's August Empress Guo, taboo Shengtong, was a native of Gao in Zhending. They were a distinguished family in the commandery. Her father Chang relinquished fields, residences and riches yielding several millions and given to his brother of a different mother. The people of the state found him him right-principled, and he served as Board of Merit for the commandery. He took as wife the daughter of King Gong of Zhending, who was titled Mistress Guo. She have birth to the Empress and a son, Kuang. Chang passed early. Mistress Guo, though a daughter of a royal family, was yet fond of decorum, moderation and frugality. She had the potency of maternal right-mindedness.

[HHS011]

Liu Penzi was a native of Shi in Taishan, he was a descendant of King Jing of Chengyang, Zhang. His grandfather's father Xian in the time of Emperor Yuan was ennobled as Marquis of Shi, and his father Meng inherited. When Wang Mang usurped the throne, the state was abolished, and following that they were natives of Shi.

[HHS012]

Liu Yong was a native of Suiyang in Liang commandery, and an eight generation descendant of King Xiao of Liang. The state was transmitted until his father Li. Middle of Yuanshi [3rd Year, 3 AD], Li was communicating with Emperor Ping's maternal family, the Wei clan, and was executed by Wang Mang.

[HHS022]

Liu Long, courtesy name Yuanbo, belonged to the linage house of the Marquis of Anzhong in Nanyang. During Wang Mang's administration, Long's father Li and the Marquis of Anzhong, Chong, rose up with troops to execute Mang. The affair leaked. Long, since he was aged not yet seven sui, obtained a pardon. Reaching adulthood, he studied in Chang'an.

[howieabel]

Nokonoshima (能古島) , or ‘The Love-antique’, by Howie Abel

In Hakata bay is perched a fledgling island desperate for glimpses of foreign lands but she is sheltered like a diamond within her guardian’s hands.

Few men know, and fewer care about the treasure buried there for most it is not worth the fare nor could care less what I will share, but some will know of what I speak not of kings or khans or tsars or sheikhs or Brits or French or Turks or Greeks, but only of a love-antique.

Nokonoshima is its name but Shikanoshima is the bay’s great fame for there two farmers found one golden seal that Guangwu himself once claimed. Invasions often too passed by Nokonoshima’s doleful eyes from fabled Jingu’s three year wars to Kubla Khan and Mongol hordes Yet, though few and far between, not all waged war on the unseen: Some learnt much from foreign men and went back home to teach again that history would be but blood and sin if not for Xavier, Kukai, and Tenjin.

The sea seethed with rage, how it rained and poured while the wind whipped up a monstrous tempest! One man alone would be a pawn on nature’s chessboard but under our umbrella we were Emperor and Empress!

Do you remember the marigolds strewn across that promised-land, the sunflowers bowing down to nature’s wrath, and the golden sand of the beach we walked along hand in hand with pieces of umbrellas rent asunder by battering gales; of drenched animals, bands of goats trapped in pens while mocked by the song of fleeing birds relishing in the storm, watched in envy by bloated rabbits gallantly withstanding the grand onslaught of water. Yet this was what they knew, how they lived: the flora and the fauna were adapted to this environment, and we were the foreigners, though welcomed by all, and not least at the temple where statues capturing expressions from former ages upon their chiseled surfaces greeted us at the top of stones stairs: hints of mythology hidden from tourists like us, and too the history contained in old kilns which gave an industry, a lifestream to this island, to its youth, its culture, its people, and these kilns which once carried the fire of civilisation, were now a solemn antique… Well, what once wrought art now becomes it, and the history of all becomes part of our little story.

But it wasn’t there alone we walked: In Dazaifu we saw bustling shrines and quiet zen temples reclaimed by nature whose wise spirit outgrew all signs of old foolish legislature.

We munched on fruit and exotic sweet along mountain path and mountain street where we talked for hours, and never have I seen such beauty since, in the streams, the waterfalls, the wild flowers, and all those creatures of the wilderness, most of all you, for you know the words I spoke then are as true as they are now, and will be true long after the beat of my heart is quelled and surrounded with the memories of those it touched and felled collected piece by piece into love’s mythology.

But you spoke of other mythologies, heroes past but never present, of feats greater than can be produced by all our world’s technologies, of fallen empires, Rome and Greece, tales of men who dared enough to dissent, to oppose the Gods, and never to repent, and how we love and praise such fools as these, and how no great man ever existed who thought himself wrong enough to give apologies, And how no great man can live now, for we are lost and lonely and scrambling for meaning, in dying institutions, in manufactured expectations, in any semblance of pleasure, no matter how false or narrow, because we are weaned on lies and falsehoods where words have betrayed their etymologies. We walked aimlessly along the ruins of Fukuoka castle as you spoke and I pondered whether in past realms, like those of the pharaoh, his priests and scribes, his craftsmen, and all his common folk, the sands of time could change but what the sand concealed remained: Vox clamantis in deserto.

One day we caught a train with no regard for destination and proudly disembarked at a random railway station and explored our new surroundings with the curiosity of children, every nook and cranny, every field, and every building. Another day we went to Nagasaki’s peace procession we walked behind a marching band despite the sun’s oppression and watched from a hotel Nagasaki’s setting sun, on the church that we had entered, on the war that we had won. Returning then to Saga under cover of the night whose quiet music was a blessing to you who held me tight, where nought is made for one except the prison of your mind and when you search for love you never know what you will find. When you travel half the world to reach your destination your existence feels as fleeting as a train sat in a station, every moment must be savoured, every tear and every smile, all passengers leave the platform through the same one-way turnstile.

Birthdays pass, Christmas comes and goes, And a New Year, more discarded resolutions, perhaps it even snows, Time flies and only Valentines, winters faithful anodyne Lasts until Easter, where reviving nature distracts us from our woes Until Summer lust takes over when love scatters like dust In the autumn wind and sticks only to what soon rusts.

And perhaps a book or two we will exchange Some message filled with painful words and platitudes But they are just the husks of conscious change that obscure the seed from the kernel that remains and leaves love estranged in heartless habitudes weaved around a web of memories that can no longer be renewed.

To age belongs old reveries But youth needs new creation If you seek more than love-antiques name the train and station.

http://howieabel.org/index.php/poetry/homo-sum-a-collection-of-poems-on-the-human-condition-2016/ilaria/

[vizuart]

Qiu Ying - The Emperor Guangwu Fording a River (Ming dynasty, c. 1534–42)