Won was in a carriage, by his side was Lulu and Ozaris.
Ozaris held a file and said, "Master the Emperor bestowed upon you the territory of Toko. It is known for it's farms that yields almost all of the crops that Empire consumes, with the farms in other territories having more problems one way or another. Secondly the crops from our farms are what are used as trade with other nations, thus this territory is incredibly important for the foundation of Ito. The problem is that it borders closely with another Empire which attack ever year at the beginning of summer. Over the last 100 years of the original land, this foreign Empire has seized 30% of the total land. There are also veins of Iron and various other important metals, but they have mostly dried up and it is incredibly hard to find them. There is although a recently discovered Mineral mine, and many valuable and precious gems have been recently found inside it."
Won scratched his nose and nodded, "Hm. That's fine. It's good enough of a foundation for me to build up on. After you handle all the relevant matters, return to the capital. This is a pivotal time after all, remember to do as I said in the negotiations."
Ozaris bowed, "Yes your majesty!"
Won asked, "Have you received the information about the Sangia Empire?"
Ozaris shook his head and said, "No master. The Sangia is a High tier Empire, the information that we can collect is hard to find and hard to receive. Of course we've collected more than enough information, but much of it is the effort of the counter intelligence agencies of the Empire. A lot of it is false information made to divert our attention, thus to filter through then would be a somewhat hard feat. Yet do not worry master I shall definitely bring the information by the end of the month."
Won nodded as he sighed, "To think Panyang would beg Sangia to help them. Really so bothersome."
Ozaris asked, "Master than rain... It was that wasn't it?"
Won nodded, his fists clenching.
Won said, "The Empire of Sangia, has one thing that sets them apart from others. A divine treasure. The wand of YingLong."
Ozaris said, "With it in one is a Rain God.
Won explained, "Said to be carved from the horn of YingLong, carved by venerable flames and divine lightning. The insides wrapped in YingLong's tendons. It possesses great power far outstretching something a mortal should have. I'm sure everyone knows the legends spoke with hushed tones, in fear they may spurn droughts, floods and sickness."
Won said, "It's a divine object, but in the end in the hands of a mortal it's not much of anything really. It's simply bothersome, rather than actually challenging. Hehe. Much of life is not hard, it's simply bothersome don't you think Ozaris?"
Ozaris nodded, "Any person can be a genius or a great martial artist, yet the effort and time needed is bothersome."
Won sighed, "Not everyone can be talented as to master a subject on the first take. Thus life is tiring, boring and dull. Yet that fault in ourselves that's what makes it exciting. Challenging our weakness, curbing our basic natures in return for a journey. It's a tedious, yet trilling, a saddening yet jovial time."
Won clapped his hands, "Well let's stop that. Ozaris have you gotten the servants for my palace?"
Ozaris nodded, "Yes master. I have selected about twenty servants for various occupations. They all are talented and have relatively reliable. Three cooks. Four maids. Three guards. Ten attendant's for you."
Won nodded.
Ozaris handed a file to Won, which he took and read through it.
Won asked, "All the attendants are women?"
Ozaris nodded, "Yes master. They all have excellent talents in various fields. They are well taught, and are have received better results than many scholars. They are the most competent and worthy individuals to become your attendants."
Won nodded, "Make sure to keep and eye on them and those around them."
Won then looked at the file again.
He mumbled, "Hina, Akari, Yui, Himari, Aoi, Fei, Aiko, Akako, Sasaki, Kiyomi. Hm..."
...
(The word palace I use dosent mean the palace as in a single building. If you know Chinese, Korean and Japanese palaces, you know with many parts intermixed, that's what I'm talking about. Just saying to avoid any confusion.)
Won stood in front in front of his palace. In front of him were Nineteen people. 14 women and five men.
Ozaris frowned and asked angrily, "Where is Miss Kiyomi! I am sure I informed you all of our arrival, and that you must greet the master!"
One girl shook and said, "She said she had a personal issue... So she couldn't come today."
Ozaris yelled, "Is that any of my concern! I told you..."
Won held his hand up, he said emotionlessly, "Enough. She has a personal issue, let her handle it. Come show me around my palace."
...
Won was led around the palace, towards the kitchen, the music hall, and various other places. His mind exhausted from the various issues and mundane things.
Eventually he laid down on his bed, snuggling his head in the comfy and soft pillow.
He then heard a series of Knockings from his door, dragging his exhausted body over, he opened the door.
A thin girl with light brown hair, and black eyes appeared in front of him. She was a head shorter than Won, and she was rather pretty. Nothing to brag about, yet pleasing to the eye. Comforting and easeful.
Won asked, "Who...?"
The hurriedly bowed, she said with a nervous voice, "Master, this one's name is Kiyomi. I have come to apologize for my absence this morning I hope you will forgive me."
Won said, "Kiyomi... Ah right. Well did you take care of your personal issue?"
Kiyomi bit her lip, and tightened her balled fists, "No master. I could take care of it."
Won eyed her, he then clicked his tongue, "Hm. Well do your best. If you need you may be excused, but try not to do it too often. Well then goodnight."
Won then retreated.
Kiyomi stood outside his door for sometime, her eyes staring in place of Won's door.
She bit her lips tightly and bowed. Walking away.
...
The Sun rose brightly and a yolk color filled the world.
Won laid on his bed, his eyes staring emptily at the ceiling.
"What to do. What to do. What is the fastest way to conquer the Empire."
Won scratched his head.
Various ways and thoughts ran through Won's mind, each blinking in and out.
...
Won was overlooking a large field. His eyes scanned closely upon everything.
A frown appeared on his face.
He descended from the tower he stood upon, as his feet touched the ground a fire in the shape of a Lotus blossomed.
The Fire leaked underneath the soil, like worms it swam around and pierced.
The farmers who were busy in the field were shocked as the entire field combusted in one single glorious flourishing of fire.
Won amplified his voice with Qi, "Farmers are to come to Zhou Palace! Report to me all of your crops and any one with access to them. These crops are all infested with subjects of anarchy, and are not to be touched until I completely heal the land."
Subjects of Anarchy, legend says when Nu Wa created Humanity from the mud of the mother river, Humanities first mission was to kill and feast upon Nu Wa's body as instructed by the Heavenly God. And so Humanity betrayed it's mother. The resentment and rage within Nu Wa was so great that it caused from her blood and saliva for worms of chaos to create endless misery for humans. If they merely touched a Human, that Human would become insane and vile, ruining not only himself but those around him. Many say the Great Emperor's who went mad with power were infected by this. Humans worked tirelessly to slay all of them, but they bred too much.
Of course whether this origin story was real or not was another matter.
Won looked upon the razed fields, his eyes dilating in an intense pressure.
"Ito is more in more trouble than I expected. Before I can begin slowly breaking Ito down, I must first secure my power. Plenty of minsters and even the Prime Minister is out for my neck."
Won's fists tightened as red flames bubbled upon him. His eyes glowed a mysterious color and a darkness grew from his feet outstretched towards the horizon.
"Let us fight!"