Jackal Among Snakes

“What reason have I given you to suspect me of attacking people allied to you?” Governor Zen looked at each of them, eyes narrowed.

“None at all. It’s why we have to ask—because we can’t reasonably deduce who you are.” Argrave looked at Zen, stone-faced. “But what we can deduce is that you have sway in the armies here. Elsewise, you’d never have been able to contact us.”

“I don’t see why I’d mitigate that influence by having commanders killed,” Governor Zen shook his head.

“You should stop dodging the question,” Durran chided him. “Straight answers are best.”

“I did answer you. I apologize if I wasn’t clear enough—I’ll endeavor to change that in the future.” Governor Zen dipped his head.

“You knew the name Grand Commandant Sun,” Argrave confronted him. “That’s been shared in a very small circle of people. The commanders are the only ones that can’t be accounted for. You brought your grandson, here, who’s a Gold Scribe at the Grand Imperial Bank—a key person for our plans, if you knew them. That information could only reasonably be gathered from torture of the captured commanders.”

Governor Zen smiled as he drank from his cup, then set it down smiling at Argrave. “Listen… I really like you people. You’re precisely the sort of change the Great Chu needs to see. You have the capacity to enforce; my family has the capacity to allow you a relatively peaceful usurpation. I can tell from our interactions that we would work together incredibly well. We can do this. We can win, together. But we need to discuss how that’s going to look. To begin with, I’d like to suggest this; a marriage between Orion and Ji Li.” He looked at Orion. “You aren’t dissatisfied with my daughter, are you, Prince Orion?”

“I cannot say I’ve given it much tho—”

“Orion,” Argrave cut in, glancing at him. Orion straightened his back, giving a curt and understanding nod. With the diversion ended, Argrave looked back at Zen. “Are you refusing to answer our question?”

“What question?” Zen tilted his head.

Argrave stared at him in silence. Then, he chuckled and took another drink of the clear rice wine Governor Zen had provided. He set it down and dictated, “So, you captured some of the commanders of the Great Chu we were working with and tortured information out of them. I can’t exactly extend them the same umbrella of protection I would to one of our commanders—I barely knew them. But it does cast a certain light on you. Just as this conversation does, it indicates your nature.”

“Torturing commanders…” Governor Zen rubbed the moustache crowning his goatee. “Sounds like something the imperial court would do. Me? All I am is a man that’s had many children and a few successful businesses. Then, I sent these many children and many businesses across the Great Chu, building scale, building prestige, building wealth… point being, I can be a vehicle for complete and total usurpation of the throne.

“You want the Grand Imperial Bank, served on a platter? My grandson can oblige, if he’s taken care of. You want information, even control, on the canals? Together, my two sons manage traffic on the whole east and west of the Great Chu. You want armies? Zen Da has never lost a battle. But better yet, he takes care of his men using my funds, and they all love him for it without question. The imperial harem—my daughter’s been in control of it for decades by this point. And with the Zen family backing you, that control can be gifted to you like a bird in its cage.”

Quietude settled like a heavy smoke in the room. “Orion,” Argrave looked at his brother again. “You were saying earlier?”

Orion came to attention, and started to speak to Governor Zen about his granddaughters. Argrave merely used it as a break from the conversation to speak to Elenore through their connection.

he half-complained to her through their connection. “If you ever catch him saying ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ I’d be surprised. What is Anneliese

Elenore replied. “He’s incredibly calm, and he truly believes everything that he’s saying. I’m having Stain scour his mansion in disguise. He’s

to discuss his standards in a romantic partner—something which he’d likely never considered until this moment. “Zen’s family must know where he’s gone. He must’ve taken some measures to prepare in case this meeting went poorly. And from what I hear, angering his family would

sophist, through and through, and he’s a quick wit enough

responded back, and

suppose I’ve never considered taking multiple wives,” Orion confessed, looking at Zen ponderously. “The idea was once taboo to me. But ever since I was freed of my religion, I suppose it is not so.” His brother’s face contorted in serious consideration, and then brightened as he reached enlightenment. “At the same time, if I were to take multiple wives, I would expect them to take multiple husbands. It would make the agreement more just. And practically speaking, it would allow for

as joke when Argrave knew they were wholly serious. The emperor’s daughter remained as stoic and silent as ever, though cast glances to

been taken

in the first opportunity, asking, “I am curious to hear why you neglected to invite Sophia to this

at her, uncomfortable with

Zen looked between them as the laughter died. “I’m sure she is a

adult, though.” Anneliese stared at

about to raise his cup to his lips to stall for an answer, but Argrave seized the bottle and started pouring it into Zen’s cup so he could not. The governor stumbled for the first time, saying, “Uhh… well, perhaps there’s

mirrored Anneliese’s faux-confusion as he poured incredibly

source of information… really quite terrible, confusing such a

Zen stared at Argrave as he poured the bottle slowly. “Are you alright,

the rest normally, then set the bottle

pressed—once again, Argrave grew incredibly uncomfortable at the notion, but he restrained

Governor Zen’s head spun, and it sunk in what Anneliese was doing—not only did Zen have a source of information, he thought it was incredibly trustworthy. He’d never considered the notion of a marriage in light of Sophia’s age—not even a

Bo hasn’t, father,” Zen

and hasn’t yet married. He manages the… well, the drainage systems in two

there. It means he hasn’t factored us into the long-term… which suggests he doesn’t intend for a long-term. I think that’s the best clue we’re to get, alongside what small information we pried from him about

him. “Let me ask again, governor—you won’t consider the emperor as an option in all of this? The notion of putting him back on the throne

comfortable topics. He said quickly, “We might use the emperor for initial momentum. But after we’ve wringed him dry, he should perish unfortunately or fall into the sidelines, having divested the vast majority of his authority to you.

rather specific goals, afterward,” Argrave continued. “Goals regarding the sky tower, the

The Qircassian Coalition needs to be beaten, if they have their grip in this country. I assume that was a tacit

Orion if he’s willing to marry, even if