POV: SHANG-CO MANAGER OF THE FREE FLOWER TAVERN
LOCATION: THE CRANNIES
TIME: EARLY EVENING-MIDNIGHT OF THE FINAL HARVEST FESTIVAL
After the prince's proclamation you help the ant master to set up a podium so that the lord of the crannies can give a speech. To your utmost surprise the prince did not only direct the work but also personally joined hands in setting up the large podium whenever you were short of hands. He soon walked up to you and Xu Chu and ask
"Is everything for the all the contest ready?"
"The contestants are ready, I saw to it myself." You reply
"The official are ready, the ant master saw to it. As for the materials, my sister took care of it personally so you can best believe it is the most complete out of all of us."
"Really now?" His asks with his tone being skeptical
"Can you please remind me the events we arranged for?"
You know he is testing your knowledge but you did not mind this in the slightest because one he is fond of doing that and two it helps you prepare.
Without saying another word, you pull out a bamboo slip from your sleeves and begin to read
"We have arranged for your beginning speech, a militia parade, a wrestling contest, a talent competition, a comedy competition, a rice bun eating competition, the new rice tasting and your closing speech."
"In addition to that, we have also made sure that beer and fruit wine are available to everyone within the age category you specified." Xu Chu adds
"We have also seen to it that the attractions you ordered for the children are set up to perfection"
"And what about the rice for the rice tasting?"
"We finished cooking them this morning my prince." You reply with utmost confidence.
"They are currently in storage and I can guarantee you that everyone will receive at least a bowl full."
"That is good." He says nodding
"Very good"
"With all due respect my prince, while I understand the importance of the festival to the crannies, is it really necessary to spend so much on a one day festival?" You ask
"Let's just say that if the palace had such a tradition, without the accompaning back stapping politics, I would not be here as often as I am." He replies candidly
With that out of way (not like you really needed to know anyway), and the podium finally set, the prince steps on to it in a very regal manner and begins to speak.
"Men, brothers, I know you all happily ascribe the good harvest you got this year to my lax tax policy but I am here to tell you that that is a lie." He cries
"Why should you thank me for your crops? Did I lift a finger in farming it or do I control the rain? All I did was to secure your land so that no one born of a woman can try to steal from you or intimidate you...."
"And that is why we are so grateful to you your highness." A voice cries from the crowd
"If it had not been for you we would still be slaving away for a lord who only knows how steal and intimidate us."
"It is because of you that we have enough to eat." Another voice cries
"It because of you that we can sleep in peace ànd it is definitely because of you that we are having this festival after so many years"
"PRINCE LIU XIE, PRINCE LIU XIE." Someone begins to chant
"PRINCE LIU XIE, PRINCE LIU XIE " Others begins joining in
This continues untill it becomes a full blown chant that took you and the prince some time to calm down.
"Alright, alright, I will accept that I had a good role to play." The prince admits
"But I want you to enjoy this festival not because I gave it to you but because you did your part to earn it. That is why we have prepared wine and snacks for you all, various competitions and various attraction for your children to win fabulous prices. So I encourage you all to go out there and enjoy yourselves because we will sound the horn when the first of the competitions are about to start. The festival of the final harvest is here brothers and sisters let us enjoy it "
This sparks up a round of cheers and applause as everyone quickly leaves the podium to enjoy the sights and attractions.
"Well that could have gone much better." The prince laments
"Do you jest my prince?" You ask in all seriousness
"That was the most beautiful speech I have ever heard"
"A speech that nobody agrees with me?" He counters
"You were trying to protray yourself as a man to people who sees you as a god." You explain
"That will never work no matter how you put it"
"Whether he is a man or a god, you people should decide that some other day." Xu Chu says bluntly
"Right now the only thing you children should worry about is how to win some prizes and how not to eat too much so the prince can give his closing speech. To that end please get off my podium."
"Wait, you are driving us out off the podium?" You ask in complete surprise
"This man here is your lord and prince (you point to the prince) and I am a co-organizer of this event. You can not just kick us out."
"How old are you again?" He counters sarcastically then his voice turned gentle
"I had some of my best memories in this festival during my childhood. I will not deny you that right simply because you both are wiser than your years."
He then gently pushed you both off the podium.
"Go enjoy yourselves." He orders
"And remember I signed you both up for the bun eating contest so try to be sober for it"
Xu Chu turns back with finality and both of you end up staring at his back.
"Well that was unexpected." You say
"Not entirely." The prince respond
You turn to look at him clearly
"You expected this?"
"Of course not but I can not say it was unexpected." His tone becomes sly
"Come with me."
He takes you to a private conner and makes you stand guard while he changes from his regal yellow garment to a simple blue cloth and undo his top knot. To look at him now you would easily mistake him for one of the visiting merchants then the imperial prince.
"You prepared for this?" You ask
"Like I said, wasn't entirely unexpected"
"So what now?"
He places a hand on your shoulder and says "Now my friend we win some prizes and we stuff our stomachs."