"Did you hear the new Lord only a few days after he came he burnt down our entire fields! I know you've been out of town recently and haven't heard, supposedly all the farmers were forced to his Palace and the whole things been hush hush. Seems awful suspicious."
One old woman told a old man.
"Ai. Isn't it just another noble trying to increase the amount of money he has? He'll probably make up some excuse and get his people to manage the farms and take all our money."
"Hey you shouldn't be so casual! Without those farms we are done for!"
"Ai, I couldn't careless this Empire is going to shit, I heard the only reason we are doing reasonably good is because of some crazy young scholar! I went to the capital and everyone was talking about him. You know sweet night that recently opened, near Old Sujin's shrine? He's the pavilion master! He's young, intelligent and strong - he's exactly what this Empire needs. But those foolish ministers will surely be antsy and ruin the poor fellow! Ai, if he was here I would do anything he said without any grievance!"
"Ah! That fellow, I know him very well! My daughter visited the capital to see her husband you know, and they happened to see him doing the military exam! My daughter said he was like Dragon for his pride, A Tiger for his ferociousness, and an Immortal for his looks!"
"Ha. Don't tell me more! I can't bare it!"
...
All the people of Toko had gathered in the palace of the lord.
They chatted unrestrainedly without any shame. They openly insulted and criticized the lord, showing their unrefined yet comfortable nature.
Won walked out, his hair had been neatly tied with a golden hair piece, and his hands continuously traced the stack of papers in his hands as he searched for a specific one.
Won reached in front of everyone, as a silence pervaded.
Won yet didn't lift his head.
Finally pulling one out, he smiled.
He looked up with bright and shining eyes.
He said, "Hello citizens of Toko. I am your new Lord, my name is Won. Today I have some important details to share with you for the future growth and development of Toko."
Won's bearing shifted as his brows became sharp and his eyes focused.
He said firmly, with a certain dominance, "Yesterday I went to observe the fields and found many troublesome things. To list them out first I found Subjects of anarchy, the cursed bug having infested numerous crops. With even the very land becoming sick and polluted. Secondly dug under some parts of the farm was dens for those of the Suzaku Empire. It's safe to assume the Subjects of anarchy were planted by those of Suzaku! I have cleansed the fields, but even then it will take many months for the fields to gather enough earthly energy and recover to a secure state. The Earth Veins luckily are very powerful, this we can actually begin replanting in a few weeks. Yet the main issue is Suzaku! Suzaku has always been a problem not just to Toko, but to Ito as a whole. They have not only conquered our land, now their limitless greed seeks to devour the rest of Toko. Realistically and honestly, this would destroy Ito's Economy! Ito is known for two things it's mines and farms, many Empires in the East especially those to the North where it is coldest depend on Ito. If we were to lose the farms not only would our relationship with other Empires dwindle and die, our Empire would crumble! Even with the newly secured land and opportunities from having bonded with Ying, we still cannot be too content. Therefore I would like to begin a round of open recruitment to lead towards battle against Suzaku."
Everyone in the square looked shocked and began to discuss upon themselves.
Won continued, "It is open recruitment so I will not force anyone to join the war, but I hope in relation to replotting the farmland, you will seek assistance from my Pavilion. I am sure you have heard about Sweet Night, I am the Pavilion Master so I can assure you of the aid they provide. Also for any soldier who enlists, their family with get 100 gold."
Won opened his eyes, waiting for the response to this matter. He didn't know how people would respond, after all it wasn't like they had any reason to believe him let alone give up their lives.
The shushed voices spoke in turn, and then one man came forward.
He looked at Won deeply, he asked, "Is this for Ito? Are you really doing what you are doing for Ito?"
Won said, "It's for my own good of course, no one does things that are for their own detriment. But my intentions are indeed to aid Ito, and it's people. My intention is to battle Suzaku and conquer those tyrants!"
They turned to their left and right, and nodded.
They bowed to Won and said, "Then we shall place our trust in the Lord."
Won tilted his head, "Hm? Have you all properly thought this through? This is a matter of life and death."
The man who asked Won that question said, "We all die anyway, who knows if there is something called Immortality. Even if there is it is too far in the sky for us. At the very least we will fight for our people. It isn't death that bothers us, it's our children our family suffering in a broken and destroyed Empire. Hearing a child crying for food, seeing our own children starve. That's the worst thing. Even if our lives are lost as long as we can protect and give strength so our children and family can live happily there's nothing to lose. We trust you not only because we feel you are true, because you are the only one who is actually trying to improve the Empire. We are like stagnant water, sick and rotten, maybe for a few years we will be fine, but the Empire is never to actually improve. Yet you are willing to fight fates design. We have all heard of Ito conquering Ying, and that would never have happened without you. No we would have been chewed out and shat out! So we put our lives in your hand. My Lord Won!"
"My Lord Won!"
"My Lord Won!"
Won looked at everyone, his eyes turned in curiosity and wonder.
He laughed slightly, "Is that so. I will try not to let your expectations down!"
...
Won was looking over some documents. Akari a tall, black haired girl with it shoulder length. She walked in with a cup of tea.
Won looked up and said, "Thank you."
Akari placed the cup down and seemed to hesitate.
Won while sipping the tea said, "You obviously have something to say, so don't hold back."
Akari gulped down her fears and said, "Lord, are you sure you aren't rushing this battle? If we spend more time to collect our individuals and train them, we can do alot more. Yet you are telling us to hurry into battle."
Won said, "Suzaku isn't some puny Empire, it's about the same size of Ying. People already consider it a Quasi High grade Empire. If we go for a direct clash no matter how skilled the soldiers are, no matter how great the general is we are bound to lose. They have more allies, more strength, more resources. The battle will most likely be a battle of attrition and we will most definitely lose. Even with us having merged with Ying, that dosen't mean we have the same strength of Ying or above. Anyway even if we did it would be too wasteful to do all that. If we hurry our troops and rush into battle, the less likely what we are planning being leaked and Suzaku finding out. We will attack quick and take as much as we can, then we will retreat. Then all it comes to is diplomacy and strategy."
Won looked at Akari and said, "I know you are tempted to feel troubled about my commands, your brother is in the army am I right?"
Akari's eyes widened, she then nodded, "Yes my brother is in the army. I know I may be selfish and what you say is smart and will most probably work, but the risks still cause me to roll in fear. I know all this, but I can't help it. I try to keep a calm head, but I can't."
Won stood up and said, "Don't try to be calm. It's right to fear. Love is as such, a mind boggling occurrence. Yet do not let it beat you, tighten around you like a collar. Use it to work all the much harder. Akari you are very smart, you are very talented. I do not doubt that if you turn your fears and desire into determination you cannot accomplish anything. If you are scared about your brother, you have two options. Command him or convince him to get out, or plot and work as hard as you can for him. You have a smart head, use it!"
Akari's eyes shone, her black eyes shot a piercing glow out. She trembled slightly, as Won's very words shook her to her core.
She mumbled, "I can do this."
She looked up, her eyes radiated with passion and pride.
She loudly exclaimed, "I will serve you well Lord!"
Won looked at her and mumbled, "One has nothing to fear, but fear itself."
He picked up the tea and sipped it as he looked out the window where an orange sun softly glared.
His eyes shone in a demonic light.
...
Won sat upon a horse, he looked at the 3000 people who had gathered.
Won said, "My people remember Suzaku is the enemy who has taken too much, we have been far too complicit! Today we shall remove the ages of allowance from our annals, and we shall paint the pages with the blood of our enemies! We shall take back what is ours and show them Ito's pride!"
Everyone roared ferociously. A far cry from the armies Won led in his Trials, but it nevertheless got one's blood racing.
Won exclaimed, "To battle my people!"