un : dappled peals of the parted seas (voice) - addressed to the network at large

[beitangmoran]

[There is one promise Moran has been keen on keeping, and that is the one he made to Hyang-tai. Once his own curse was taken care of with a banquet to the families affected, he's been using Xunxian's his money to feed some of the beggars and madmen that are mostly ostracized from the village and hovering on its outskirts.

He's been ruminating about making this address - mostly, because Xunxian's words reminded him that the house of Beitang isn't innocent of such things as he is about to accuse, but at least, he likes to think they've made amends, not that it excuses what they did. But mostly, he feels, they need answers, and given the characters of those who control this village, provocation is more likely to get a reaction than being nice.

That is why the message is addressed to the network at large. His fellow travellers will probably understand they are not the primary recipients of it, and all he needs is for the locals to hear it, and then see the reactions.]

I have heard that this village is governed by wise and generous people. That they provide for and keep their people safe. Kind words really, but they do not seem to reflect any sorts of reality.

Tell me, what exactly have the Hok-Shinn Clan done to help their own? There are people begging for food in the streets. Have they not stores of grain and food that they hoard instead of sharing it? Their own people are attacked by spirits and creatures. Have they not weapons and courage enough to defend their own? Instead, they turn to outsiders, people uninvolved, and bid them risk their own lives and safety for what should be their responsibilities.

And now people are being held against their will and brutalized in the streets, and not only do they do nothing, they encourage it and take part in it? Is that how one leads their people in these parts? Hoarding riches for their own pockets, and spilling other people's blood?

Disgraceful. They are not worthy to be called leaders of men.

Comments

un: absterge

[downswing]

They do not lead, but herd.

[beitangmoran]

Aptly put, Master Lan. And I think we know what they buy with other people's lives.

[downswing]

Time.

[beitangmoran]

But not for everyone.

[downswing]

Tyrants do not lead by virtue and example.

[beitangmoran]

It seems for once we are of one mind about something. An occasion to celebrate!

[downswing]

[downswing]

[downswing]

Unnecessary.

[beitangmoran]

The occasions to rejoice are few and far between, Master Lan. Do not pass up an opportunity to revel.

un: owl lady

[traaaaaash]

isn't that how people lead other people everywhere?

[beitangmoran]

It very much is not.

The last time there was risk of famine in Huangdao, our Emperor opened the court's food stores and gave the grain to the people.

[traaaaaash]

An Emperor who does things for his people? Now that's a new one.

[beitangmoran]

Not when you have a good Emperor, it's not.

It was hard enough for me to raise him to be that way, so I would have been disappointed if the results had been any different.

[traaaaaash]

Huh.

Ours just kinda showed up one day and started sorting everyone into covens.

[beitangmoran]

He... showed up?

[traaaaaash]

Yeah. He took power about fifty years ago. No idea what he was up to before then.

un: man's greatest treasure / voice

[reparo]

[Go off, king.]

Exactly - I wouldn't call them leaders. Leaders should do more than just be wealthier than the others, or more threatening.

[We should all just stab Caesar.]

[beitangmoran]

['Prince', technically, but he'll take it.]

I think the term we are looking for is 'profiteers'.

[reparo]

That's infinitely more polite that what I'm thinking.

[beitangmoran]

Really now? That sounds pretty apt to me...

Of course, I might have a few more choice words to say to them if they ever dare to venture out of their comfortable homes.

1/2

[reparo]

I guarded one such home against theft, to be honest.

private;

[reparo]

I have to admit that by the end of the job, I felt like robbing the man blind - and he would've deserved it.

private;

[beitangmoran]

Well, we have robbed a bank before. If it becomes necessary, I'm pretty sure those storehouses won't be much to pillage.

private;

[reparo]

[LONG PAUSE.]

You've robbed a bank?!