“Yellow Sky”: Crisis for the Han Dynasty sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne

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“Your Majesty,” Mister Huo continued, “though it may be that Mister Li Ying was guilty of defying a decree, evidence will be needed to substantiate motive, as he has continually argued that he did what he did for the good of Your Majesty, not as an act of treasonous defiance. Now-”
“The matter,” another official interrupted, “is not the arrest of Li Ying, but the actions of a small number of students and scholars based at noted educational establishments. A petition defying the will of the Emperor has-”
“Protesting against the decision to arrest Mister Li on the grounds of the specific nature of the case,” Chen Fan interjected. “Defiance and protestation are two different things, confused only when a matter is improperly judged.”
“Two hundred have signed this ‘protestation’,” the Excellency of Works said sombrely. “The decision to arrest Mister Li for defying a general pardon was made with imperial authorisation… to protest against the decision is to openly defy the divine judgement of His Majesty.”
The cynical officials remained silent, while the officials that had chosen to agree with the Emperor murmured agreeably.
“We must be strong in the face of this threat,” the Emperor declared. “We want it known that all men who are loyal must rise to face this threat… these officials and ‘students’ that would openly plot treason against us.”
“Your Majesty, consider carefully what has been said,” Chen Fan pleaded. “Mister Li Ying is a man of the highest moral standards and the strongest character. He would never do anything that opposed the court.”
“He would never do anything that opposed a court that ‘met with the highest of Confucian standards’, and ours, I understand, does not!” Emperor Huan retorted.
Chen Fan kowtowed as he replied, “Your Majesty, I only wish to refrain from doing anything that might harm good men needlessly! Li Ying has committed no crime before; might it be that more evidence of guilt needs to be gathered…?”
“We have seen and heard enough,” Emperor Huan declared. “Commander-in-Chief, you will obey our will.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty,” Chen Fan said with pre-emptive regret.
“Known associates of Li Ying, a Mister Du Mi and a Mister Chen Xiang, are, like their friend, dubbed traitors to the realm, and will be arrested immediately, along with any who are known to be close collaborators,” the Excellency of Works announced; the courtiers barely stifled gasps. “Further warrants will be issued for those who added their names to this defiance of my will.”
Ayah! Your Majesty, this will lead to hundreds of arrests!” Mister Huo exclaimed. “This edict demands the arrest of hundreds of students that have done no proven wrong, the children of families that have served Your Majesty loyally!”
“Your Majesty, if the army moves against the students in this way, we will be incurring the wrath of the intellectual class,” Chen Fan protested.
“An ‘intellectual class’ that favours anarchy over order is no class of intellectuals, but a rebel force, partisans that seek our demise by force,” Emperor Huan retorted. “Do not continue to oppose us on this matter, Commander-in-Chief.”
“I only seek care in our approach, Your Majesty,” Chen Fan continued. “By all means, we should ascertain the truth of the accusations, but-”
“Dallying risks a successful revolt,” Emperor Huan interrupted furiously. “Would you have us destroyed for ‘due process’ that has already been followed…? …Is it now foolish to arrest a criminal only when his intended crimes are fully enacted, and hence fully proven…? …You are hereby dismissed from your post, Chen Fan… we will find a man that loves us, since you, quite obviously, do not. Leave immediately.”

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