The Anarchist of Ophridia (Horsemen Origins Book 4)

Part 6

Five weeks passed with the Tingchia breaking down doors and arresting people in a maddening search for the terrorists who strung up their fellow soldiers on streetlamps. The Tingchia retaliated by hanging those who were even suspected of being connected with Lee's terrorist network.

"Why are we hiding down in here?" Zao asked. "I thought you wanted to attack the Emperor, not hide from him!"

"Patience Zao. Our attacks must be random to cause fear. If they're predictable, then the Emperor can respond. We need to draw him out," Lee explained.

"How're we going to do that?" Deng asked.

Lee placed a bowl of berries on the table. "With these," He said.

"I didn't think there were any plants down here," Zao said.

"There aren't. I found these up in the mountains. They're like the Rosary Pea on Earth. You get these into the bloodstream, and the victim is eliminated."

"Devious. How does a berry draw the Emperor out?" Jay asked.

"We move throughout the populace with poisoned blades or barbs and stick soldiers throughout the city. They'll fall over one by one and the Emperor-"

"Will hide inside of his Palace while his guard dies," Jay said. "It's a decent plan, but you need to get his attention. You need to strike somebody close to the Emperor!"

"Any suggestions on who?" Lee asked.

"What about Diang Xia, the Minister of Mining? He uses the Foremans to spy on the workers to find people for the Xiongbu," Zao explained.

"Brilliant target. Diang is supposed to be touring the mines tomorrow. We can strike while he's in public," Jay said. "Now all we need is a delivery system for the poison."

"I would suggest knives, but none of us will ever get past the guards," Lee said.

"What about acupuncture needles?" Deng asked. "We can get them right in the market."

"That's brilliant!" Jay screamed. "We get a few of the needles, dip 'em in the poison, Bob's your Uncle and we end up with a dead mining minister by nightfall!"

"Sounds like a great idea," Lee said as he took the berries and ground them with his pestle and mortar. The four men scripted their roles for the mission using crude drawings of the city streets on old receipt pads Jay used for his company.

"Is everything clear?" Lee asked. Everyone at the table nodded.

"Good. Everyone get some rest. We're going to need to be at full strength tomorrow," Lee said.

The men were restless as they tangled with the idea that they had plotted to assassinate a Minister. They tossed and turned while Lee turned to meditation when it became clear that he wouldn't sleep. Once the dawn hours came, the four men mobilized and took to the streets.

Deng sought out the acupuncture needles, Jay followed the Minister's procession while Lee and Zao searched for weak security points in the mines.

"Do you think Deng will come through? We both know he's not the brightest star," Zao said.

"I know Deng will come through. He's by far the most reliable," Lee replied. "Calm down, everything is going to plan."

"What if it doesn't? What if none of this works?" Zao asked.

"We die. Just like we would've if we'd remained captured. There is no getting out of this alive Zao," Lee said, his voice laced with ice. Zao felt his heart flutter and his hands began to shake. The gravity of the situation began to press against his chest. In the back of his mind he always believed that there would be some way in which he'd make it out alive.