16 _ The Conspiracies Begin.

Ai Tsu , Daifu of the Tsunging Middle Kingdom opened the doors leading to Jung Yu's study room . Gaining entrance , he made the usual sign of respect. The old man sitting on a chair reading a scroll by the candlelight, rolled up the scroll before looking at this man that had intruded on his privacy. He was the Head Minister in charge of this Kingdom and ran it fairly well.

"What is it Ai?" He asked this man who was grinning widely at him. Personally, he abhorred slippery and deceitful characters such as Ai. They had a golden tongue that could make one believe that white is black and black is white.

"The Crowned Prince of the Kanerria Dynasty has disappeared."

Jung Yu could not believe his ears at this unexpected news.. "What?!"

"It is indeed true . I just got back word from my man in the Courts and it has been confirmed that the Prince is gone and his coronation has been annulled."

Jung Yu rose to his feet using his cane to steady himself. Walking to a nearby shelf, he Took out a Map detailing the itinerary of all the Kingdoms and smiled. "At long last. With these pace of events , Kanerria will be in chaos . They have no Prince , meaning they have no future. And when we strike, It shall be the Tsunging Middle Kingdom that shall be feared for it's prowess."

"If we are to make an attack , it should be now. It is heard that other kingdoms seek to also conquer Li Huang's Empire."

Jung Yu laughed coarsely as he patted the young man on the back. "All in due time Ai...All in due time ."

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"So what action should we proceed with Master?" The Personal advisor to the Gou Aho who governed the Gotchu Kingdom ."Word has gotten around of chasm in the Emperor's Dynasty. The Escape of Prince Lu Huang is making them crumble."

"Shut up and let me think!" Gou Aho growled as he paced around in his chambers. This was a chance to get power . Real power.

If he killed Li Huang, the Emperor, he would rule in his stead and become the most powerful man in all the Five Great Kingdoms. It would be the beginning of a new era.

His era.

"Tell my Warriors to prepare for War." Gou Aho said confidently as he took up his Sword and looked at his reflection on the blade. " Although we wait for now , We shall be the ones who conquer the Kanerria dynasty!"

"Of course , Master." The advisor bowed low and left his presence.

Soon it will be the time of the Gotchu Kingdom to reign supreme, Gou laughed as his voice rang through the walls of his ornate residence.

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Kyomi looked up at the cerulean sky with birds moving about freely , soaring nigh into the blue vault above. She had a dazzling golden eyes , deep rich full hair and full lips that were the color of ripe blossoms in the spring. Dowager Kyomi Kagawa was the head of the Vermilion Empire.

Albeit not directly.

Her husband, Rakhi Kagawa had died after the strife between his Empire and that of the Gotchu Kingdom. He was said to return home after his victory , but upon waking the next day , he was discovered to be dead by poisoning.

The horrid act was presumed to be done by spies for the Gotchu hidden within their City. Because of this , a cold war ensued between these two Kingdoms.

But still a few people believed that the Dowager Kyomi Kagawa had a hand in their ruler's death because it was well known that She was Ambitious and would go to any lengths to remain in power.

After her husband's death , Her daughter, Keiko Kagawa was made to wed the Shogun of a distant Shogunate to form an alliance between the two. Her son Shinji Kagawa , took over his father's place and he was not particular a bright bulb. Kyomi was sick to the death of that boy , wishing he could be more like his sister who had more strategic brains in her little finger than he did in the whole of his head.

Good enough , He could not make any decision without his mother's consent. So while on the exterior it seemed like a man was ruling the kingdom , it was actually a woman behind it all.

Kyomi took a few sips of her tea and set the cup down. Standing beside her was her loyal and dutiful Servant Girl, Xiaoli that accompanied her wherever she went.

They had a mutual trust on the fact that they were both useful to each other. She had seen Kyomi slip some unknown substance into her Lord's Wine and the next day he was discovered dead . Xiaoli had to think fast . If she confronted the Court with the truth they might not believe or as deceitful as Kyomi was , The now pretentious Dowager could turn the whole case against her. She then approached Kyomi and both came to an agreement , Xiaoli would never divulge the Dowager's misdeeds and in return she would become the Dowager's right hand.

Kyomi threw her China down to the floor angrily and stormed into the palace. Her Son was in a chamber discussing in low tones with their Mlitary Commander , The Great general Da Cheng.

"We have 250,000 men in the regiment of infantry , 180,000 as Calvary and 150,000 archers that are standing ready." Cheng told the Prince who nodded.

"We need the best men because this is the Kanerria Dynasty we are dealing with. They have the most advanced weaponry in all the Five Great Kingdoms and ..."

Kyomi cleared her throat to announce her presence. The General excused himself to mother and child stared at each other.

"Mother..." Shinji began

"What were you speaking to the General of?"Kyomi asked her son , her voice sharp.

"Battle plans ...Strategies...Nothing to worry about Mother." He answered evasively.

"And would you tell me which Kingdom you plan to wage war on?! The Fuyo Empire , The Gotchu Kingdom that poisoned your dear sweet father? "

'I intend to attack the Kanerria Dynasty and overthrow Li Huang So that glory will once again be restored to this Kingdom."

"Overthrow the Emperor!" Kyomi shook her head. "Oh you fool! With only quarter of their army they could level this entire place."

"That is why I want to strike now!" Shinji Slammed his fist on the round table. "Have you not heard? Kanerria is in chaos. The Emperor's Son has fled the Empire and Emperor is at a loss. Other Kingdoms are preparing to attack. Jung Yu is already making strategies while Gou Aho has already prepared his army...

"And that is why we will not do anything. " Kyomi said firmly. "Never be the one to throw the first strike lest you be the one to take the blow. This Kingdom has a Trading Contract with the Kanerria and if this Coup fails we shall gain the short straw. "

"Little wonder why you do not wish to fight. Opening your legs like a mere Oiran {Courtesan} for that bastard Li Huang when Father was away..." Shinji only stopped by the stinging pain that he felt on the side of his face.

"How dare you speak to your Mother in such disrespect!!!!" Kyomi said slapping her son again. "If not I had done what I did , Li Huang would have taken over the Vermilion Empire and turned it into a prefecture of his Dynasty . We would have been left with nothing!!!"

"I apologise Mother." Shinji bowed his head in remorseful penitence.

"Good boy." Kyomi smiled evily . "Li Huang is not weak yet. Starting a War now will not fall in our favour. Let the remaining three Great Kingdoms begin their assailation first.Moreover, It will be quite easier overthrowing them. Our time will come and once more we shall rise to glory!"

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"Akan my Love , What are you thinking of?" A young woman asked the man beside her as she stroked his chest lovingly.

The man was Akan Haru, the Daimyo of Calenthe , the last of the Five Great Kingdoms. The woman lying next to him was Ting. She was one of his numerous mistresses and his favorite one at that. The pair were lying bare on the bed in his chambers.

"Nothing important , My dear." He replied as his hands idly rubbed between her thighs and began their journey upwards.

Ting let out of soft moan at his action but continued. "If it is not important then tell me." She still insisted.

"You are truly stubborn." Akan grinned. "I was thinking about The Emperor."

"Why?" Ting sat up , removing his hand from her chest and looked at him in curiosity.

"Well , his Son has disappeared. His Empire is in turmoil and I am sure those greedy snakes are aching to get a hold of it." The Daimyo hissed.

"You mean , the other leaders of the Five Great Kingdoms?"

"Yes . Gou Aho, that fool must be planning for an attack already , Not taking into consequence that Li Huang is the strongest of all of us . That sneaky old Cheat Jung Yu will also challenge Gou to posses the Emperorship. While Kyomi will carefully bide her time , so that when those two cancel themselves out, she will be available to take over the Empery. For a woman , she has wits."

"So what will you do Akan?" Ting asked in interest while he moved his tongue over her full breasts devouring her taste .

"Let us wait until then ." Akan replied and added. "But before that time comes ..." He pulled her roughly to himself as she pressed her arms against his. Their lips connected and she sat over him , making him groan out in pleasurable release as she bit into his chest to muffle her lustful cries.