Yu Dynasty Yingdala (4338-4636)

[Wu Han]

EMPEROR SHOCKED AS HE WITNESSES OFFICIAL DIE FROM BRAIN ANEURYSM
13 December, 4380


TIAN'AN, Han Province: The Imperial Household Agency has announced that an official to the Imperial Court, Mr. Duan Ying, has died of a ruptured brain aneurysm during a meeting in the Inner Court of the Imperial Palace. A man of advanced age, sources say the official suddenly collapsed leading many to initially believe he had fainted due to the pressure of standing at attention for over an hour. After being whisked to the Palace Doctor, Mr. Duan was confirmed dead at 11:02 AM.

Due to the high profile nature of the death Mr. Duan's personal physician, Dr. Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, held a press conference following the autopsy explaining Mr. Duan's genetic predisposition to developing a brain aneurysm, as well as a recent and concerning MRI scan which seemed to indicate the growth of a non-ruptured aneurysm as early as last month.

Sources within the Imperial Palace have said that the Emperor was greatly disturbed by the sudden death of his official and has announced his intention to mourn privately for the next week.

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This article was linked to the following "A Battle Unseen" post:

Hall of Imposing Virtue, Inner Court, Imperial Palace, Tian'an, Han Province, Indrala
9:35 AM, 13 December 4380

The sound of ruffling fabric filled the marble-laden Hall of Imposing Virtue as robed Imperial Court officials shuffled into position. Despite the Jiaozhi Miracle pushing Indrala into the furthest reaches of technological development, modern electronics as well as western-style business suits and haircuts were strictly forbidden. Officials settled into their predetermined positions on the right and left of the chamber.

Though one would never say it out-loud, many of the officials often privately reflected on the futility of these meetings; it's not as though the Emperor has any political power. Nonetheless, his position as the Son of Heaven, the direct link between heaven and earth, commanded their complete veneration. After a moment, Emperor Yijun silently entered the hall taking his seat upon the throne. Upon his entrance, the officials dropped to the floor almost as one and shouted: "May the Emperor live and reign for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand of ten thousand years!"

The officials had been gathered that morning to discuss the various university proposals the Emperor had put forward early in the spring. The Imperial Palace had been working diligently to secure funding for these new institutions from private organizations and individuals, so as to demonstrate the Emperor's dedication to education. All the officials deferentially stared at the floor while speaking to the Emperor. However, as the Chief Secretary of the Imperial Household Agency spoke, the sudden stumbling of an official into the centre of the hall directly in front of the Emperor caught everyone's attention.

Sweating and visibly nervous, the official spoke, gripping the silk panels of his robe. "Your Imperial Majesty," he stuttered. Two other officials rushed to grab him out of humiliation, but with a subtle, yet graceful motion of his wrist, the Emperor dismissed them. "Your Imperial Majesty, Heaven has selected you to reign over all Under Heaven and carried by the earth. Of this, there is no doubt."

"These truths told, the actions undertaken with regard to the Imperial Household conflict with your holy intent," the Official said, gathering more courage. "Although Your Imperial Majesty has promulgated an edict confirming the Crown Prince's marriage, and though this marriage has occurred, this subject dares not follow your imperial order. How can this be rectified?"

The officials in the Hall of Imposing Virtue could not believe their ears; an official of the Imperial Court being completely and directly insubordinate to the Son of Heaven. Ever the philosopher, the Emperor began to attempt an answer to the Official's question before he was disrupted by a sliver of light flashing across the ornate ceiling, a reflection from the Official's drawn dagger.

"Protect the Emperor!" shouted the Imperial Guards in unison, drawing their swords and surrounding the Son of Heaven. Additional guards tiled the doors, equipped with assault rifles -- the security of the holiest man in Indrala necessitated the use of some modern technology.

"Your Imperial Majesty. Unwilling to acknowledge your profound directives, I am a treasonous pig. But I must speak my mind; I fear that evil spirits are surrounding this sacred space, and that the Crown Prince, in his failings, has been possessed by this such spirits," said the Official.

"Silence!" shouted the Emperor, startling the other gathered officials. However, having already committed grave sins against the Son of Heaven, the Official had nothing to lose by continuing.

"Not prepared to watch the decline of this prosperous era, nor live with myself after having expressed such treasonous thoughts, there is only one action left to take," he said, raising his dagger to the air, "I must--"

The official was cut short by a bullet to the back of his head. The crack of the rifle startled not just those near to the Official, but if anyone had dared to look directly at the Emperor, they would have noticed the sheer expression of horror and shock across his ordinarily stoic and emotionless face.

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Originally posted by Wu Han on 20 April 2018.