The Sorceress' Revolt -
Ko Eiji's Story
Author: Toriumi Jinzō
Translator: Ainikki the Archivist
Part Seven: Commander of the Army
Two men entered the back alley of Daxiangguo Temple. The main street outside the temple traversed the busiest shopping district in Bianliang, but the alley was quiet at this time of day. One of the men was noble. The man guiding him appeared to be a retainer of some kind.
“I believe this is the place,” the retainer said. “Do you have any memory of it?” He bowed and bit back an honorific. His noble charge must have been extremely highly ranked.
“I used to come and play here when I was a child,” the noble said.
The noble was Emperor Renzong. It was true that he had come to this place often in his youth, always in secret. It wasn’t unusual in Chinese history for emperors to spend time in the city with their people without revealing their identity.
Imperial Guards shifted their stance just outside the alley. They were trying to be inconspicuous. The emperor would prefer to be here without an escort, but the city was no longer completely safe for him. Even Emperor Renzong’s official appearances had decreased of late. The imperial dictatorship that had existed since the time of Emperor Taizu of Tang was beginning to crumble.
No one had told the truth to Emperor Renzong about the rebellion, of course, and he had no reason to suspect that anything was greatly amiss. The situation in the provinces was reported to the Imperial Court, and from there, the emperor or his civil ministers issued instructions. Emperor Renzong trusted the people who worked for him and rarely pried into their affairs. Border disputes and rebellions were of no concern to people basking in the prosperity of the capital.
Emperor Renzong would soon be entering his fourth decade of life, though he didn’t feel his age in the slightest. That morning, one of his inspectors had told him about the flowers blooming in the Daxiangguo Temple garden. The inspector had hinted that it had been a long time since his last visit to the temple—and it had indeed been some years. Emperor Renzong took these hints from the inspector as an invitation and had gone to the temple that day.
It was now early evening. Few worshipers were in the temple now. Every once in a while, a person would pass by the alley on their way back to the main street so that they could visit Bianliang’s night market.
Having spent most of the day outside his stifling palace chambers, Emperor Renzong was in a good mood. He glanced around the familiar alley with a slight smile on his lips.
Then he froze, staring at a shadow. The shadow of a man wearing a bamboo hat eating a steamed bun. There was a staff at his feet.
“Egg Monk?!” Emperor Renzong exclaimed aloud.
The monk removed his hat and knelt down with his staff in his lap. “You remembered me, Your Imperial Majesty? I am honored.”
The emperor’s smile grew wider. “Yes—it’s definitely you.”
Tanshi had been sitting in this same alley more than twenty years before when the fourteen-year-old emperor had run to him for help against a group of ruffians. At the time of their meeting, Tanshi hadn’t had any idea who he was. The boy hadn’t told Tanshi his name, and when the boy had asked for Tanshi’s, he’d introduced himself as Egg Monk.
“Egg Monk? But you don’t look like a monk,” the boy emperor had said.
“You see my shaved head? A lot of monks are like that.”
The boy had pointed to a shaved part of his head and said, “Everyone has that now! It’s just the style.”
The boy had asked for a steamed bun and had eaten it, saying it was delicious.
“May we meet again in better circumstances, young master,” Tanshi had said, bowing his head.
“We will, if fate allows,” the boy had answered. “I’ll try to come here again when I can.”
The emperor turned his smile on his retainer. “Did you plan for this, then?”
“I am not certain what you mean,” the retainer said, bowing deeply.
“Please don’t torment the poor man,” Tanshi said—for it was Tanshi. “I came here on my own.”
The emperor sat down across from Tanshi. “Was it really your own will that led you here, or was it fate?”
Tanshi lowered his head. “I sincerely apologize for my rudeness at the time of our first meeting. I should have given you my name. It is Tanshi.”
“I should be the one to thank you. I’ll thank you again for helping me.”
“As you will.”
“Did you become a real monk after I met you, Tanshi? Why change your name?”
“Egg Monk was the false name. And it wasn’t very false. ‘Tanshi’ means ‘bird egg child.’”
“You were so lazy with your fake name!” the emperor said, chuckling under his breath.
There was a short pause. The emperor kept smiling, and Tanshi smiled back.
“Would you like a steamed bun?” Tanshi asked.
“I would. Thank you.”
Tanshi passed a fresh steamed bun into the emperor’s hands. He ate it quickly and with great relish, just like he had when he’d been a boy. Any passerby would struggle to think that he was Emperor Renzong as he licked bean paste off his fingers.
“Delicious. Just like I remembered,” Emperor Renzong said. “You are… somewhat changed. The hat hides your face. Are you traveling incognito?”
“I could ask the same,” Tanshi said, “but I am here because I hoped to speak to you. I come bearing a warning. And perhaps some advice.”
“What is the warning?”
“His Imperial Majesty has qualities to rival those of the Emperors Yao and Shun, but in the future he will be unable to escape the calamity of Emperors Jie and Qin.”
The emperor’s expression became stern. History described Emperors Yao and Shun as wise rulers beloved by their people. Emperors Jie and Qin were known as tyrannical and evil.
“And what is your advice?” Emperor Renzong asked.
“Zhao Yuanhao has rebelled in Western Xia and sorcerers have started a revolt in Beizhou. Your people are in dire straits. I sincerely ask that you choose a general, defeat the nation’s enemies and restore peace.”
“I have,” Emperor Renzong said. “I have already ordered Fan Yong to kill Zhao Yuanhao and Ryū En’i of Jizhou to pacify the sorcerers.1 How can you say such a thing?”
The emperor’s retainer knelt down beside him and said, “Your Imperial Majesty, there is no lie in what Tanshi has told you. Fan Yong is old and has wasted military funds without any accomplishments. Ryū En’i’s army has been completely wiped out by the sorcerers.”
“I have not heard such a report from Xia Song.”
“Emergency documents have been arriving at the capital, but Xia Song has hidden them from you. That is why you have heard no reports.”
The emperor’s face changed color. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Your Imperial Majesty, first you must punish Xia Song,” Tanshi said.
“Hmm…”
“For the sake of all the people, I beg of you.”
Emperor Renzong rubbed his forehead, frustrated. He was on the knife edge of falling into a rage. “Egg Monk—no, Tanshi—you have spoken well. I will demote Xia Song to the status of commoner. Who would you recommend to fill his place?”
Once the situation was understood, the decision to oust Xia Song was made quickly. Emperor Renzong was naïve, but no fool.
“There is no one better than Bao Zheng, who was previously appointed governor of Bianliang. During his time in office the land was as clear as water.”
“Summon Bao Zheng to the Imperial Palace immediately,” Emperor Renzong ordered his retainer. “Now, who is best suited to suppress the sorcerers in Hebei?”
Tanshi bowed his head. “I regret what I must say. Ou Soku was my disciple for a time, and I do not believe he started a rebellion out of a desire for conflict. He was angry at the corrupt government and wanted to stand up for a righteous cause. I believe that only Bungen Haku can stop him now. He is a respectable general, and most wise.”2
“The sins of Xia Song are my sins, and I must atone for them by governing well. However, Bungen Haku is eighty years old and cannot accomplish such an important task. He wanted to retire and I would like to respect his wishes.”
Tanshi shook his head. “Even now, his energy exceeds that of a young man, his intelligence exceeds that of most others, and he is a strong and experienced soldier.” He looked up. “Once again, I hope you will kindly adopt this proposal.”
Tanshi and the emperor’s retainer prostrated themselves.
“I beg you, listen to this monk,” the retainer said.
“I shall take the proposal under advisement,” Emperor Renzong said. “This happened because of my shortcomings. Tanshi, please forgive me.”
Tanshi bowed.
“I have spent too long shut up inside the palace. I am not aware of how things truly are in the world around me. I have learned that I should speak with my people more.”
“I believe that showing courage in defense of others is humanity’s path to a better future,” Tanshi said.
“Yes. I was once attacked in the street as a boy. It was you who showed courage then, Tanshi. Your words are something that all those in power should keep in mind.”
The emperor rose to his feet in good spirits. “The bun was delicious. Let’s meet again.”
“Will you forgive me for being rude to you again when next we meet?” Tanshi asked.
“Assume nothing about the future,” the emperor said. “Fate will bring us together again, or not. But I hope it will.” He looked up at the night sky. “Today was a good day.”
The emperor left, escorted by Imperial Guards.
Ryū Gen had introduced Tanshi to the emperor’s retainer. He and his salt smugglers had connections at the highest levels of government. Tanshi had leveraged those connections because he didn’t want Ou Soku to die for the sake of justice. Ryū Gen also liked Ou Soku and understood his motives, if not his methods.
Tanshi headed toward the darkened Donghua Gate.3 He was glad that his errand had met with success and decided to go drinking.
Gazing at the glow of the streetlights in the city, Tanshi grimaced at his bitter memories. He’d been defeated by Sei Koko’s Way of the Dragon Slayer, though the technique hadn’t killed him. The finial on his staff had flashed blue, allowing him to sense where the technique would land. He had jumped and rolled to avoid it, then hidden when the technique had ended.
My pewter staff saved me again… how many times is that now?
En Kō had intervened to give Tanshi the warning through the staff, though of course Tanshi didn’t know that. He believed that one of the principles behind the Way of Divine Thunder and Lightning had saved him. The idea that he was being manipulated by someone or something else never crossed his mind.
Tanshi had lost a battle, but he’d also survived it. He had to believe that there was a way to defeat Sei Koko and her corrupted, heretical Daoism. After the fight, he’d retreated to Yunmeng Mountain and continued to train. He could summon two thunderbolts at once now in places of his choosing. Both his control and his power had increased. He thought he was strong enough to defeat Sei Koko now.
He felt responsible for Ou Soku’s defection to Sei Koko’s side. Tanshi had refused to teach him Daoism, after all. Sei Koko was Ou Soku’s only logical remaining option if he wanted to learn magic. Tanshi had tried to impress upon Ou Soku that Sei Koko was a ruthless and cunning snake, but Ou Soku had wanted power more than anything. Tanshi had to save him before Sei Koko managed to kill him.
Ko Eiji was another concern. Tanshi knew that Sei Koko didn’t care about her in the least. She had murdered Ko Eiji’s family in cold blood. She must have been worried that if Ko Eiji still had her relatives to support her, she wouldn’t be as easy to manipulate and control. Setting fire to her house and destroying all she owned—all she was—made it that much easier for Sei Koko to make her believe that she’d been reincarnated. She satisfied the young woman’s vanity and pride by drowning her in wealth. Sei Koko had managed to get Ko Eiji to cooperate willingly with her plan—all at the cost of her family’s lives.
But if Ko Eiji made one wrong step, Sei Koko wouldn’t hesitate to kill the poor girl.
Ryū Gen had written Tanshi to tell him about hot air balloons and how he thought Sei Koko managed to steal Ko Biji’s body and fly away. Sei Koko had undoubtedly caused the fire that killed Ko Eiji’s parents in the same way.
How many victims did Sei Koko have, all because she kept chasing the goal of reincarnating Empress Wu Zetian?
“I hope you wake up, Ko Eiji,” Tanshi said softly. “Before it’s too late for you.”
Tanshi ducked through the door of a popular tavern with a frown. He had a feeling that he was being followed.
***
The next day, Emperor Renzong summoned Xia Song to the morning council and indulged in his fury.
“You wicked minister. You were entrusted with military authority, but you have deceived me and damaged the country. Your crimes cannot be forgiven. You were meant to help the weak and advocate for the people, but instead you abused your authority and committed crimes. You should be executed, but in my infinite mercy, I have instead stripped you of your post and demoted you to the status of a commoner.”
Xia Song trembled, his face pale. He crouched down low and left the morning council without a word.
Shortly after that, Emperor Renzong summoned Bao Zheng and Bungen Haku. Both men rushed to the capital to meet with him.
“I have appointed you the city’s governor,” Emperor Renzong said to Bao Zheng. “And I have made you the commander of our armies,” he said to Bungen Haku. “You are to put down the rebellion in Beizhou. The mastermind is Ou Soku, but a group of evil sorcerers is fomenting further unrest. I have heard that Ou Soku had aimed to pass the civil service examination, but gave up when he found out that the exam itself was conducted in a corrupt fashion. He has now risen up in despair at the corruption he has observed in government. I have also heard that he is deeply impressed by your character and regards you as his spiritual mentor.”
Bungen Haku and Bao Zheng accepted their new roles with humble bows.
“Very good. Now, let me hear your plan for the campaign,” Emperor Renzong said to Bungen Haku.
“We must assume that the sorcerers are the main threat. That’s tricky, since sorcery can take many forms. It would be best to deploy a large army—at least a hundred thousand men and horses. I would like to appoint Cao Wei as my deputy general.”4
“Cao Wei… you mean the son of Cao Bin?”5
“The same, Your Imperial Majesty.”
“Indeed; a most reliable man.” Emperor Renzong was aware of Cao Wei’s long and successful military service. “You may have him, of course.”
Cao Wei was already in the capital, so summoning him was a simple matter.
Bungen Haku and Cao Wei went to the barracks to muster troops for the coming campaign. Just before they were set to march out of the city, Bao Zheng offered the generals a simple meal and a toast for good luck.
“I believe you will be successful in the coming battles,” Bao Zheng said. “But I have heard that the leader of the sorcerers, Sei Koko, is a woman of many skills and powers. Be cautious, especially of her.”
“Thank you for your advice,” Bungen Haku said.
Bungen Haku and Cao Wei led a hundred thousand cavalry troops across the Yellow River and reached the border of Hebei Province. They made camp in Jizhou.
1 范雍 Fan Yong (981-1046 CE) was a Song Dynasty general and a prolific writer of historical texts. The slightly slanderous remarks made here are likely inaccurate. He died in 1046 CE; in the story, it is almost the end of the year 1047 CE. ↩
2 田斌 文彥博 Bungen Haku (Wen Yanbo) (23 October 1006 – 16 June 1097 CE) was a scholar-official of the Song Dynasty who served four emperors over more than five decades. He was a grand councilor and a primary advisor during Emperor Renzong’s reign. He would have been about forty-three years old in 1047, not eighty years old as the text suggests. ↩
3 东华门 As the eastern gate of the Forbidden City, Donghua was used by the crown prince to enter and exit the Imperial Palace. Emperor Renzong seems to have come from that direction. ↩
4 曹偉 Cao Wei (973-1030 CE), courtesy name Baochen, was a famous general in the Northern Song Dynasty and the second son of Cao Bin. Over the course of an illustrious thirty-year military career, he was never defeated in battle. At the time of this story, he would have been dead for eighteen years. The original novel _The Three Sui Quash the Demons' Revolt_ makes the same historical mistake by including the character. ↩
5 曹彬 Cao Bin (931–999 CE) was a military general in imperial China. He distinguished himself from other generals of his time for disciplining his troops from pillaging the area, and was promoted as a result. ↩
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