Tales from Jin Liao

The Most Diligent Farmer in Jin Liao

Apparently these peaches are quite popular in China.

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The young king was a very capable ruler. He came from a land of nomadic people and they moved around often. He thought that it was time to settle down and expand his territory.

Upon the death of his father he pulled out his army from the war and for three years consolidated his strength.

After three years he launched an attack against the Great Qi and was able to conquer the land. This territory was vast and the land was suitable for farming. This was one of the primary reasons for the invasion. With a fertile land they could become self-sufficient. His people would no longer rely on the goods they get from raiding other tribes.

The king occupied the Great Qi and renamed it Jin Liao. Thus he became the first emperor of Jin Liao.

He was a very capable sovereign. With his wit and cunning he was able to integrate his citizens to the citizens of the Great Qi. There were very few rebellion that occurred. When it happened, he was able to squash it down.

Everything was going well in the empire for the succeeding months.

But the Emperor's personal maids noticed one problem.

After the Great Qi had fallen a certain plot of land had become hard and dry. A plot of dry land usually does not cause any problem. The problem lies with its location. This plot was found inside the palace, at the Emperor's pavilion in particular. The servants had done everything they could but nothing was working. The land was barren.

Zi Yan, one of the emperor's maids, voiced out her opinion. "Your highness," she bowed low. "If news about this reaches out of the palace the people might revolt against your reign. A plot that cannot be cultivated inside the palace might be interpreted by your opponents differently. They might use it to proclaim that Your Majesty has lost The Mandate of Heaven."

Zi Liu chastised her sister, "You should not speak of grim hearsay. It will distress His Majesty's Qi."

The emperor signaled his maids to be quiet. He made up his mind. The best way to accomplish something is to do it yourself, he thought.

He left his throne room and went to his pavilion. He ordered that he must not be bothered unless there was an emergency. He did not care about meals and such. No one shall enter unless summoned. Anyone who disobeys the emperor's direct order shall be beheaded.

He sat on a chair that was situated near the window. From his perch he could see the dry plot of land. He just sat there watching and thinking until the sun came down and the moon came up.

In the quietness of the night he saw something magical happen. On that dry land he saw a long haired beauty laying on the grown. The figure was wearing white silk robes and her skin emitted a faint glow.

A ghost! A ghost was cursing the palace. That was why the land was barren.

The emperor rose from the chair and jumped from the window. His sword was drawn out. It glinted against the moonlight. He proceeded near the ghost and was about to whack its neck when a force pushed him away. He stumbled on the ground and his sword was thrown two arm widths away from him.

The ghost slowly sat up.

Lo and behold the beautiful ghost spoke softly. "I will not be conquered."

The emperor quickly sat up and retrieved his sword. He pointed it at the ghost. "Identify your self, ghost!"

"I am no ghost," the long-haired being spoke.