I wanted to do something different between Tournament and Game mechanic posts, so I decided to post my old fan fiction about Great Emperor Shang Lee.
Original lore of Shang lee Is written by Daniel Coleman and can be read here:
https://www.warsaken.com/the-great-emperor-of-the-khanshu-shang-lee/
I have been playing with an idea that all Warsaken leaders have a "quirk" or a hobby, if you want to use that term, that defines what they are like.
I explored this idea bit with the Commander Wilfred Louis short story by suggesting he has a habit of asking same questions ( as he's bit cautious as intel officer, checks for spies).
I am sure my Idea for Lee's quirk is pretty apparent in this one, I hope you enjoy the story. I might write more leaders later if I get to the mood ^^.
The Dinner
A short Warsaken fan story by War never changes, Based on Lore by Daniel Coleman and Brandon Adams.
The kitchen was nothing like one would expect from the word, being made from finest jade and finely carved stone, it was almost like a sacret monument to the Kanshu culture. The utensils were also unusual, various knives and pans forming neat rows were to be expected of a culinary temple such as this, however the myriad of herb bushels, plants and the tools to process them, were not something you would expect to find in a traditional kitchen.
The elderly man laboring in the said kitchen, donned the finest robes of the shades of green and black, while moving with smoothness and purpose of a lifetime spend honing their craft and body. He made no wasted movement, calmly processing the herbs he would soon use to season his creation.
His visitor, however, was far from Calm.
He was terrified.
Not from fear, but out of respect.
Every fiber of Pei Hong's being, his very soul, did not want to offend this great man, no, a god to him, by accident.
The Chef was Called Shang lee. The true leader and founder of Kanshu faith. Their savior and their Emperor.
Their future.
To Pei Hong, this man was everything.
When his parents were begging on streets, he unknowingly lifted them from poverty.
When their lands were nothing but wasteland, he brought beauty and life to them.
When world was ravaged by fear and uncertaintly, he brought peace and purpose.
When he wanted revenge, Shang Lee's teachings had given him the the tools to pursue it and the wisdom to not to.
He was now alone with this man. It was a great honor, one that only few people had ever received, one that he felt he didn't earn.
The Emperor turned slowly and with a purpose, then walked next to Pei Hong who had first row view to the Emperors kitchen from his seat, then looked at him with eyes full of wisdom and compassion as he calmly spoke.
”Being tense harms not only your body but also your soul, be calm, you are safe in my house”
”But Your majesty I do not want to off..” Shang Lee cut him off with a gentle hand gesture.
”Please, there are only friends in my house, in here Call me Shang, I insist”
”Yes your ma... Shang”
” Good. Sit. Relax, the food is almost ready” To Pei it felt like the emperor was floating as he smoothly made his way back to the kitchen.
The entire time he cooked, Emperor showed his back to Pei, a show of trust that was unbelievable to the younger man.
How could this pillar of their culture trust him ? He was just a nobody from the border guard, far undeserving such faith.
Such trust nearly bought him to tears.
While Pei Hong was being flustered by his situation, Shang soon finished his preparations and brought him a dish of perfectly stewed vegetables and thinly cut fish neatly placed on a tray to him, along with a crystal clear glass of spring water from his garden.
The scent was as divine as the placement of the dishes was pleasing to the eyes. True art, Pei thought.
Sheng then smoothly straightened his robes and sat down to the floor as he motioned Pei towards the dishes.
” I tried something new, I would very much like to know your opinion. Come, eat”
” Thank you.... this looks most appetizing”.
As Pei Hong had spend most of his life defending the borders and had seen his share of battles, restraint and discipline were not new things for him. But today, here at this table, he could not hold back, for just after just one bite, he started to gulf down the dinner like a starving animal, earlier fears of offending the emperor completely lost to him.
This was by far, the best dinner he had ever had in his entire life.
Emperor nodded approvingly as the man ate.
”I take it suits you tastes, Pei Hong ? ”
”This ” munch munch ” I have never eaten something this good, every bite makes my body tingle, like a small bolt of lightning just entered, I am so full of energy it almost feels like I could take on an army”.
Shang smiled bemusedly as he stroke his well groomed white beard.
”I heard you had trouble healing from your wounds from the last battle, so I made something special that would help you recover. What you feel now is a proof of it working”.
The man he respected more than anything in this world, was worried about him. It all overwhelmed Pei Hong, and he begun to cry.
Shang soothed his sorrows like a gentle grandparent gently placing his hand over his shoulder.
” I know what you did Pei. We all wish you to be healthy, we all respect you.”
Once Pei calmed down and finished his dinner, The Emperor took him to a small walk around his herb garden, a scenic little spot unique to this altitude. As they walked they discussed about maters of the world. Shang was curious about border situation and the state of his people, while Pei Hong opened his hearth to him, telling his worries and dreams to him, hiding nothing.
As his visit closed to an end, he wanted to know something only the emperor could answer.
”I am beyond grateful to your kindness Emperor Lee. But I need to know why you made the dinner yourself ? Any number of your disciples would be honored to prepare a meal and to serve it on your command.”
He hesitated for a moment.
”As a someone with deep respect towards you, it was overwhelming to see you doing all this yourself. I wanted to help you myself, though I know nothing of cooking and feared I'd offend you”.
” Tell me Pei” The emperor Calmly questioned ” You have been trough hard times, what do you think about a man who does nothing when their family starves?”
Confused Pei blinked few times before answering : ”Even when we were poor, my parents did their hardest to find ways to feed us, so to me, a man who can't feed his family is worthless.”
Shang then smiled knowingly and nodded ” There is a truth in what you say, though life is not always as simple.”
”If a man unable to feed his family is worthless, what would an Emperor unable to feed a single man be ?”
Fearing he finally stepped his boundaries, Pei hastily flailed his hands as he jumped to say ” Your Majesty, it is impossible for you to feed entire nation, I would never even sug..”
Shang raised his hand to stop Pei and laughed a bit.
”Emperors family is the nation, as it's head it is my responsibility to feed my people and heal their sorrows. Just as today I made you a meal to show you, that you are respected, I also reminded myself about that responsibility.” He then gently stroked his beard as he looked at Pei.
”A man who wishes to lead his nation, has to be ready to serve everyone who is part of it. This is a lesson I hope you will also take to your hearth young Pei Hong.”
As The Emperor escorted Pei Hong to the elevator leading down to the city, Pei Hong's determination became renewed.
He knew that he would be willing to die so that no harm came to this great man and this day would become a story he would spread far and wide, so that one day, everyone would see that the true path to forward, the only path forward, would be to follow the way of the Kanshu.
Emperor Shang Lee's way.