Han Dukedom

Meanwhile, in the new capital of the Han Dukedom, Xu Jian. 

The night almost ripped above the grand throne room that filled with smoked incense agar wood.

Han new Duke, Han Zhang, only ascended the throne after countering his brother who overthrown and killed his father. He was the one who decided to pull out all people, from Sichuan city which was handed over to Kun, but….

His body was straight, like a log, slightly muscular but not like a knight fighting on the front lines. He was elegant in a crimson phoenix knit dress. There wasn't the slightest scar, not even on his palms. Everyone rarely saw him take up arms. 

Pick up a book like he always do, as he paced back and forth in front of the throne. He sighted many time, to many to counting for. But sure, he gazed focussed on one man. 

The man is one of the Han royal family's frontline advisers. Fighting wasn't his forte but he was excel at setting up formations, training a troop and quite good at diplomacy. 

However, his hatred for Duke Han's favourite minister knocked him out of the Prime Minister position. 

And now he made a fatal mistake.

Duke Han threw a scroll at the man that kneeling in front of him. "Damn! You, useless!"

All the ministers and generals dared not act. They bow. They know Han Zhang, aged twenty-five, had a temper as violent as a volcano. If it erupts, anyone nearby would burn.

"How dare you slaughter the citizens of that city!" said Duke Han. His normally white face was now red as a ripe pear. He pointed Advisor Han Gu Er, his cousin. "You want to destroy Han? Yes? Look at the consequences of your actins!" 

Duke threw more parchment on him. "Read! Read everything there!"

Gu Er shuddered, his lips petrified. His eyes forgot to blink at Dukes' trade agreement termination scrolls. He hurriedly replied, "S-servant didn't order. Servant… servant withdrew all the troops and brought many men and women to capital, as ordered. Cousin, I didn't do it. It must be Liu Pang work–"

"Silence! All the Dukes condemn your actions, even the Emperor!" Duke Han's nose grew wider and reddened. "Soldiers, bear me order! Boil water in a black jug! Boil him alive!"

Gu Er fell backward. "Cousin, I am innocent!"

All Generals and Ministers fell to their knees. 

"Duke, please spare Gu Er, he is innocent."

"Duke, Gu Er serve Han for generations. He is your cousin. He has always been at the frontline when war happen. His merits are many!"

"Please pardon his actions. Kun is attempting to make Han look bad! It must be they trickery!"

Prime Minister Liu Pang came by. Younger than Duke, more handsome face approaching women. His thin body bent slightly, and his voice was always gentle. 

"Duke, please consider. Boiling Gu Er alive does not restore a trust of other Dukes, instead, it further damages your reputation. Gu Er was loyal, and helped overthrow your big Brother. What the world would says,? Heaven going to punished you, if you pay merit with punishment."

"So, you want to punish me?" ask Duke.

"Yes, but I dare not."

Duke smiled mysteriously. "You must, you must." He raised his palm. "Guards! Stop it. Gu Er, you heard. The Prime Minister begged for you. Even though you always suspected him as a spy from Sui."

Gu Er looked at Liu Pang's disdainful smile ruthlessly for a moment. He kowtowed countless times as he said, "Long live Duke, long live Duke Han!"

"That's it, that's it. Go back to where you are. I'll take you out of your post and you will become a cavalryman!" Duke Han said, then sat down on the throne.

"Duke is wise! Duke Han is wise!" The ministers and generals shouted, then calmed down when Gu Er was dragged away.

"Should we return the slaves to Qin? Hope they forgive this misunderstanding?" Duke asked the ministers and generals.

"Perhaps that is the best way," said minister.

"Possible." Liu Pang grinned sinisterly. "It's still possible, not sure. If we return the citizens to Sichuan, then Kun will use them as troops. Everything that happens will happen. Besides, Kun will soon be destroyed."

"Destroyed?" the Duke asked, looking back from his shoulder.

Several ministers and generals were silent, waiting for Prime Minister Liu Pang's answer.

"I have a plan, but… my plan depends on someone over there."

"Who's that?"

 "An old friend."

"Eh? Do we need to make contact with your friend there?" Duke excitedly asked.

 Liu Pang shook his head. "If we contact him, we'll only make him realize his mistake, and he going to revised it. Let him use his wits, greed, and pave the way for Han… Destroy Kun once and for all and returned our good name."

Liu Pang came to his senses. Many eyes were watching him. He bowed to the Duke. "That's just a suggestion. The decision rests with you Duke."

"Alright, alright, do your best. Focus on clearing Han's good name."

"Duke is wise!"

"Special meeting, is over." Eunuch shouted. "All dispersed."

Duke shot away from the throne hard, uncomfortable. He didn't enjoy sitting there.l

Stepping with the maids and bodyguards, she wore a stern face.

Duke took a deep breath. He secretly watched the reactions of the ministers and generals. Han was a Dukedom that was divided into many groups. After his father was mutilated by his Brother, Han's stability was barely there.

They were divided into factions with their own agendas. Even the person who helped him overthrow Big Brother's reign had his own agenda. But, he always trusted one man.

A man dressed in black blocked his way. He kneeled and handed over the sealed document.

Duke read the document, then grinned. Asked, "Ning? How dare they…. Can this report be trusted?"

"Sure, Duke. Our connections in Ning tell us." Said a man in black.

Duke nodded, answered. "You may go."

Just as he wish to continue his path, many minister came. They denounce Liu Pang and wary. But Duke, he trusted his advisor. One hour he kept there by minister who coarse Liu Pang.

"He must jinx you, his Excellency!"

"Maybe. But I the one who controlled him. Minister please, trust me. I will not become a puppet."

Duke returned to his room alone. He didn't even know his wife already on bed with heavy breath, wet, without cloth, and she gazed emptied on Duke. There someone sat, enjoying tea, with smiled gazed welcoming him. 

 "How come you arrived first?" Ask Duke, smiled came and his eyes full of joy. He even crossed the door, and all the windows.

 "Many roads lead here. Many rats and snakes take them. Why can't I?" He smirked. "Have you received the report, honey?"

 The Duke removed his magnificent robe, showing her breast and embraced the man from behind. "Oh my love, I can only believe in you."

"Honey, he rape me." Her wife embraced Duke. "He started without you." She smiled.

Lady Yinzi, flower of Tang, daughter of old Duke Tang knew Han Zhang was a female on her first night together, but she kept silent, even enjoyed a scandal with her lover. The man who controlled everything. 

Her love took an embrace for her excellency, and they started kissing each other. "You know, if someone find out–"

"Then I cut their tongue, and break their hands! You are my man, mine, your mine, Liu Pang. Now punish me."

The debauchery started until night. 

****