Surviving as a Prince of Britannia

Author’s Note : This is an optional interlude told from the viewpoint of Gao Hai, the Taijian—Head Eunuch of the Luoyang Palace and de facto regent of the Chinese Federation. It takes place after the peace treaty between Britannia and the SPQR, brokered by the Chinese Federation in Luoyang in Chapter 2.

You may skip this interlude and proceed to Chapter 23 if you prefer to follow the main story.

Luoyang, capital of the Chinese Federation—the center of the world.

My official residence.

“Ahem.”

“I trust you slept well, Honored Taijian?”

Heh

Some things never change.

Ever since I brokered peace between Daqin* and the Western Barbarians,* the streets of Luoyang had been filled with placards and protests day after day.

“Down with the geldings who traded Luzon and Indonesia away for Sakuradite!”

“When are you going to get prices under control?!”

Judging by the surprisingly decent calligraphy, university students seemed to be at the center of it.

But a movement this organized always had someone behind it.

The great aristocratic houses of Luoyang could be ruled out.

If the policy of strengthening the trunk and weakening the branches* collapsed, their privileges would collapse with it.

That left one of three likely culprits: the Fox of Manchuria, the Pirate King of the Eastern Barbarians*, or the Craftswoman of Tianzhu*.

I hardly needed to see the evidence.

“They have gone so far as to paste placards outside your own residence!”

“Today, we will catch them and teach them a lesson once and for all!”

“Leave them be. They, too, are people of Zhonghua.”

“...Pardon?”

“Didn't you hear me?"

"The people will curse their ruler whether anyone sees them or not. And if their arrows are aimed at this childless old eunuch instead,

what harm is there in that?"

"It means fewer of them are aimed at Her Majesty. Is that not a good thing?”

At my words, my adjutant sighed.

“If only the other High Eunuchs were more like you...”

“Ahem. A fly must have buzzed past my ear just now. I heard nothing.”

“...My apologies.”

“By the way, how much ‘sincerity’ arrived today?”

This was Zhonghua, after all.

If one wished to gain the favor of those above, one needed to show a little ‘sincerity.’

I simply did not use it to fill my own stomach.

“Yes, first there is a luxury watch crafted by the artisans of Helvetika* in Daqin...”

I picked it up and fastened it around my subordinate’s wrist.

“Your old watch was looking rather worn. Replace it with this.”

“H-How could I possibly accept such a thing?”

"Honored Taijian, you still wear the very watch you were granted when you first became a eunuch...!”

“I am supported by the state, while all of you have no one but me to rely upon."

"If I cannot even see that my own people are properly cared for, what sort of master would I be?”

My adjutant bowed, eyes glistening with tears.

The expensive gifts went to my adjutants. Food and assorted goods were sent to the orphanages I sponsored.

Then I made my way to the imperial palace.

Outside the Empress’s private chambers—

“Honored Taijian, the Duzhijian* is already in audience with Her Majesty.”

“Is that so? Then I shall wait here.”

A short while later, the fat—

No. The generously proportioned Duzhijian emerged, grumbling under his breath.

“If she is only a puppet, she should simply do as she is told. Why does she ask so many questions...?”

Bang

“Ghk! H-Honored Taijian! Th-that is not what I meant—”

I seized him by the throat and slammed him into the wall.

“Listen carefully, you swine."

"I have turned a blind eye to however much the nine of you stuff into your own bellies, because even parasites like you are preferable to the princes who would tear down the very heavens of the Jiang Dynasty."

“But even my patience has limits.”

“I have already removed three High Eunuchs from office. Shall I make you the fourth?”

“Ghk... I-I understand... please...”

Thud

I released him.

He fled, shaking like a pig all the way down the corridor.

Her Majesty, Jiang Lihua, needed to come of age as soon as possible.

The princes were bad enough, but the commander of the Imperial Guard, the Governor of Henan, and even the Imperial Physician all hailed from Luoyang’s great aristocratic houses.

If I tried to purge the other High Eunuchs all at once, I would be the first to die.

“You may enter now.”

The palace maid spoke in a trembling voice.

Inside the imperial bedchamber—

“Sniff...”

Her Majesty was still sniffling from her tears.

“Your Majesty.”

“I gave that pig a severe reprimand. He will not dare behave so insolently again.”

“R-really?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. However...”

“Ah! Forgive me, Taijian. You told me that a sovereign must never lose her dignity before her ministers.”

“Ahem! Very well, then. What brings you here?”

I almost smiled.

I shall overlook that apology today.

“Your Majesty, I have come to propose a use for the timber we obtained unexpectedly.”

“Timber?”

“Yes. The timber we received as payment for reconciling our two friends in the north.”

“Ah...! That!”

Her Majesty’s eyes lit up.

“The northern wind has grown cold of late, so I thought it wise to strengthen the roof.”

“The northern wind... the roof...”

“Whenever the north wind blows fiercely, all under Heaven falls into disorder.

“How could the roots and branches quarrel with one another?"

"If the roots live, then the branches may live as well. But if the roots die, the branches will perish no matter how desperately they struggle.”

Her Majesty considered my words for a moment, then nodded.

“I understand! Do as you think best, Taijian!”

“Your boundless grace overwhelms me.”

“Is there anything else?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. A friend in the east is soon to hold a banquet, and I intend to attend.”

“A banquet in the east... Ah! I understand. Travel safely!”

“Your grace is immeasurable.”

I bowed deeply.

The Sakuradite mining region of Xibaili* would be given to the Khan of Outer Mongolia as his share of the spoils, securing the loyalty of the direct Borjigin line.

And soon, the conference in Area 11 to redistribute Sakuradite would begin.

Fusang—once called Japan—had long since fallen under the rule of the Western Barbarians. Now its' soil would host negotiations over the future of Zhonghua.

What sort of wind would blow there, I wondered?

As I quietly left the imperial chambers, I murmured to myself,

“The northern wind is cold yet...”

Glossary

Taijian: the Chinese Federation’s senior official for foreign affairs and national security.

Duzhijian: the Chinese Federation’s senior official responsible for construction.

Eastern Barbarians: the Chinese Federation’s term for Korean peninsula, Cheongu in this world

Tianzhu: the Chinese Federation’s term for India

Daqin: the Chinese Federation’s term for SPQR.

Western Barbarians: the Chinese Federation’s term for Britannia.

“Strengthening the trunk and weakening the branches”: a doctrine of centralization.

Helvetika: the SPQR region corresponding to Switzerland in our world.

Xibaili: Siberia.