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On the roof of the Imperial Palace were a series of chambers, each residing in their own little octagonal construction. The one furthest to the North of the Palace was used for The Grand Council of the Majestic Empire, a body made up of the Dragon-Emperor himself and the 15 different High Lords from across his Empire. They meet once a month, more often if there was something Tielin believed demanded more immediate attention. Today they had just finished receiving their security update from one of the military commanders who was now backing out of the room his head bowed.
The day was part a social occasion where tea was drunk, nice food eaten and the most important nobles exchanged gossip about their Province. It was also though part serious business as each High Lord was expected to give a report on the goings on in their areas. There was nothing much of concern to Tielin, a few bandits in the mountains that the army would deal with, a landslide in another that Tielin would send the military engineers to inspect and a judge who was retiring in another that would be replaced in due course. It was after the reports that people were more free to give their opinions or concerns to Tielin who had in previous meetings given his nobles free reign to speak their minds.
"Your Imperial Majesty" High Lord Zhu Da of Huācodiàn (https://independentorder.net/index.php?topic=2151.msg20739#msg20739) spoke from his seat. At one point Zhu could have been Dragon-Emperor himself however the omens indicated that he would not represent the power and prestige of the position in his rule. He had naturally disagreed with the judgement but the Dragon-Priestess knew more about the taking of omens than he could ever hope to and so he had naturally bowed to her wisdom and pledged his loyalty to whoever she had picked without question. He had though since the Dragon-Emperor's appointment, nearly 9 months ago, been disappointed. The Lijiangians of the past judged their Dragon-Emperors on a number of criteria, increasing the wealth of the nation, it was clear Tielin was making strides there and Zhu could respect that. The Dragon-Emperor was expected to preside over a strong military force, Tielin was no soldier but had recognised a weakness in the Lijiangian military, Zhu though was angry that nothing had been done to get rid of those weaknesses and if anything the performance against the Seleucid military had been an embarrassment. Then there was the spiritual need of the Empire. They were fortunate to have a young Dragon-Priestess but as of yet she had no heir to inherit her religious throne, Tielin had seemingly done nothing in that regard, nor had he increased the Imperial Family. To all in Lijiang the Imperial Family were not just the Dragon-Emperor, the Dragon-Empress and their children. A successful Dragon-Emperor was expected to have many wives, a horde of children and a lodge full of beautiful women. The virility of the Dragon-Emperor was an omen for the future of the Empire. Zhu let all his concerns flow. "In the nine months you have been Dragon-Emperor neither Her Imperial Majesty the Dragon-Empress or Queen Dandan are with child, you have one concubine still without child. People are concerned that perhaps this may be a very short lived Dynasty, the last thing we need is people thinking we're about to enter mourning again."
Tielin nodded, he knew from gossip around the Golden Enclave people were concerned. Had Tielin been around in centuries past no doubt he'd have been a top diplomat managing the Empire's affairs and negotiating leaving the Emperor free to be the personification of power. He was lacking in that notion of power projection. "You are right I suspect" Tielin sighed, "My vision has been on making the Empire stronger and I believe that I have done that. Sadly not in a way our subjects may recognise. We're a nation in some ways caught in a time warp. We're making strides internationally but now need to also ensure our people see strides made traditionally. I think its time for me to tour the Empire. Prince Chun will soon spend some time with a peasant family to show he is learning about our people, shortly after that I shall establish him in his own Province and his own household. I assure you Zhu things will be done to ensure this dynasty doesn't fade." He wasn't sure he could ever imagine the horde of children he knew Zhu and those of a similar mind set would demand but he would perhaps have to bite the bullet.
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At the western side of the Golden Enclave there was a a small waterway, it was odd as in the right light it appeared more green than blue and the sight of golden fish darting through its maze of underwater plants was a stark contrast. Next to this sight sat a squat stone block with a brightly painted wooden building on top. It had lied largely disused for the last few decades, its wooden beams gathering dust and its paint gently beginning to peel. Since becoming Dragon-Empress though the place had been a hive of activity first they had scrubbed the moss from the stone walls revealing the aging grey once more. Next they had sanded the whole of the building and begun the process of repainting it so that now it was once more looking as good as new. It had been Dragon Empress Jing's (https://independentorder.net/index.php?topic=2151.msg19150#msg19150) idea. The Golden Enclave was a magnificent place to live, "a city within the city" was how many described it but the gatehouse in the East of the Enclave was like a portal through time. Once you set foot through it then it was as though you had been transported back some 200 years or so. The way people dressed, the formality, the traditions, it was all a throw back to the Empires past. Jing was determined that this would be protected, treasured and preserved but she also had a dream that her children, and her subjects, would stride boldly through Mundus and for that little things would need to be modernised. A large crowd had gathered outside the old building to see today's proceedings, many of them clutching small golden coloured tickets in their hand all distributed through the school in the Enclave.
This was Jing's day but as always her husband and children were keen to support her. Black armoured men pushed a line through the crowd and the Imperial Family made their way towards the building. The two youngest children Princess Wenjun and Prince Daoming were at the front and seemed excited for the occasion. Their elder brother Prince Chun meanwhile walked in step with his father and seemed more reserved. Jing had been here since sunrise making sure all the preparations were in order and Queen Dandan had been helping her. A yellow ribbon stood as a barrier across the door and as the rest of the family approached she produced a large pair of scissors from behind her. "If the Dragon-Emperor would do us the honour." She handed the scissors towards Tielin who held a hand up to stop her.
"This was all your idea" he spoke loud enough for the crowd to hear. "The Golden Enclave has always been where the Dragon-Empress rules and everything here belongs to you. I am just a eager spectator." He stood to one side as Jing beamed proudly.
"Everyone!" she called over the crowd who hearing an Imperial address them fell silent. "For centuries the idea of theatre, entertainment and music in Lijiang has been brought to us by our skilled theatre performers. They will always have a special place in our nation and our hearts. We must though turn those skills they posses to a more global market and share with the world our proud cultural arts. That means modernisation, not of the dances, the songs, the plays, but of the medium. We shall embrace the cinema and as we know where the Imperial Family lead the nation follows. I am therefore honoured to welcome you all to the Enclave's Cinema." She cut the ribbon with her scissors and the crowd cheered. She walked up the steps arm and arm with her Sister-Wife Dandan once reaching the top of the stairs she turned. "Today we shall show four films, those who have a ticket for the first present yourself." An orderly line of fifty or so children accompanied by an adult began forming an orderly line as the Imperials made their way inside.
7 year old Prince Daoming gave a small squeal of delight as he walked inside. The wooden panel walls showed images of dragons from the nations folklore dancing and a giant video screen sat at one end. Rows of neatly spaced comfortable looking armchairs filled the room and upon each one was sat a box containing a drink and some strange snacks in a large paper bag. Daoming took up the seat his mother pointed him too and picked up one of the white bobbly lumps from the bag. "What is it" the Prince asked as her sniffed the strange food.
"Stop doing that your not a dog" his sister Wenjun chastised him as she knocked it from his hand but this earned a disapproving look from her mother who was annoyed that the nice new marble floor now had litter on it.
"It is called Popped Corn, I'm told that places like Ui Cenneslaig and East Moreland it is all the rage to eat it while you watch something at the cinema. It's quiet nice." She took a few pieces in her hand and popped them in her mouth. The family took their seats and noisely the cinema began to fill up, all but the chair next to him. Once the room was full save that seat a pair of figures appeared at the door and Jing rose to go and speak to them. Tielin recognised one as Shai, the Matron of the Lodge, the small Palace where the Dragon-Emperors concubines lived. In centuries gone by it was told hundreds had lived there now just one. Tielin did not recognise the girl next to her dressed in black but watched as Shai bowed to his wife and then left leaving the girl in the care of Jing. It was only as she came close that Tielin recognised her from pictures in the media.
"Husband this is Yijun. Yijun this is His Imperial Majesty the Dragon-Emperor." Immediately Tielin was impressed. She was a tall girl for a Lijingian easily standing above Jing and equal in height to himself. She was dressed in a long simple black gown and a red ribbon was tied in her long black hair which cascaded down her perfectly postured back. Her skin was pale and her facial features radiated elegance. With a well practiced motion Yijun went onto her knees before the Dragon Emperor before gracefully bending at the waist until her forehead touched the ground prostrate before her Emperor.
"I am honoured to be in His Imperial Majesties sight" the young girl said with a voice almost melodic.
"Yijun will be joining us for the day." Jing announced as Tielin helped the girl up. "Please be seated." Yijun was directed to the empty chair. The young girl was being examined constantly with sideways glances by Jing who sat the other side of her husband. Yijun had been one of the young girls whose families had sent them to the Enclave in hopes of impressing enough to become either a wife or concubine of the Dragon-Emperor. Out of the 18 girls who had arrived on Yijun had impressed Jing enough to be considered. The lights dimmed and the announcer told the audience of largely children what was about to be shown.
"While we in Lijiang respect and honour dragons the creature plays an important part in other cultures to. The Nords while not knowing true Dragons show reverence for them and they feature in many of their fictional tales." The beginning of "How To Train Your Dragon" began to play and for the vast majority in attendance it was a unique experience to see this kind of show. For the next two hours the audience laughed and giggled at the story but in the final moments when the hero seemed to be killed at the moment of victory several jumped in horror. Instinctively Yijun gripped the arm of Tielin and immediately pulled herself close before immediately realising what she had done. She expected some kind of rebuke but instead in the darkness she just saw Tielin smile at her and take a comforting hold of her hand telling her it was OK. Jing meanwhile had noticed too and ever mindful of the watchful eyes of their subjects whispered to Tielin to stop touching her. While it was likely the girl would end up in some way part of the Imperial family that had not yet been determined and until then she was just a minor noble. Tielin understood and slow released his grip of Yijun's hand but immediately missed the softness of it and wished to once more take hold of her. It was strange to him, he had only ever experienced similar thoughts when he first meet Jing. He was a lucky man, at the opposite side of the Imperial Family sat Queen Dandan, a pretty young woman but who was submissive and meek. Tielin found her awkward and didn't think she was really ready to be a Queen yet alone the Mother of a Prince. Meanwhile back at the Lodge he had Lady Jihai, a concubine whom he had yet to actually lie with. Despite making regular visits for impression sake he had promised that he would not force her to sleep with him and so dutifully they both slept in her suite, Tielin on the couch and Jihai in her own bed but that was a lie that could only last so long as she would be expected to be with child soon. Yijun though was beautiful and seemed more confident than Dandan, perhaps if only he'd meet her before taking the young Queen in marriage. The future was now up to his wife Jing, she would determine the fate of Yijun but already Tielin was hoping for the best.