The scale of fire was huge.The entire place had caught fire.In that chaos, it stopped feeling like an accident and started feeling like a message.
As the inn was circle in structure,it became difficult to escape,hurting civilians.
People were screaming and running around. Some were watering the place. Sight was invisible due to smokes.
After a while,the fire was stopped,up on the destruction,the Tibetan was standing strong. He yelled,"Tell your King,this is what happens when they threaten us!"
He and his gang came down.That tattoo on their hands was the symbol of their rebel group.
No wonder the people were scared of them.They didn't fear the government — they wanted to be seen by it.That's why they were infamous for destroying governmental properties.
He walked straight towards Wang,"Hey Kiddo,what did you say your name again?"
"Xu Wang ."
"You see,I don't have a lot of respect for 'geniuses' but I like your confidence,"he said bending at eye level for Wang.
He then looked at me and said,"How much for him?"
Dannyal hastedly came forward and said,"He is not for sale.He's our...child."
What?!No way.
Because the word landed heavier than the fire had. Once said, it couldn't be taken back.
"Your wife obviously cheated on you.Cause look–he's Han chinese,"The Tibetan said with hands crossed.
I came forward,"I'm not this shit hole's wife,I'm his sister."
Dannyal turned towards me,"Who you calling shit hole?!"He added,"Ew,you're not my sister."
The fact that Dannyal could have just said no to avoid this conversation is what bothered me the most.
The Tibetan said,"Alright,STOP!"We both looked at him."It's fine,I don't want to buy him,okay?"
Dannyal said,"Yeah,fine.But what's your name,mister?"
"Tenzin Ketan.Yours?"
"Dannyal."
The people around us seemed scared.Trembling out of fear.
"Why are you guys doing all this?Look at that child!"I said pointing at a burnt child.
He replied proudly,"We have to feed ourselves as well. In this cursed world, I nor have the time OR will to care about others. Plus,these place is important enough for the government to remember its loss."My grip tightened on my sword before my mind caught up. I hated how quickly violence felt reasonable.
Wang asked,"So you are all paid for this atrocity?"
"Yes,"he then left riding on his horse with his other men.
Wang turned towards us,"You guys want to establish peace,right?Maybe joining them is the first step."
Dannyal said with a huff,"You ain't that stupid.They are clearly REBELS who killed people ."
I said,"Yes,they may know under world networks,essential for causing a revolution. "The idea felt wrong. Worse — it felt practical.
Dannyal replied,"Dude,what if we get caught with them?"
Wang said,"Maybe we get them caught.They are infamous,right? The guards would love to have them in jails "
I said,"Great idea!Let's get on horses with our stuffs."No one spoke as we followed. Every step forward felt like stepping into someone else's war.This time on something we hated.
But we had no option,right?We have no lead to get to the palace like the previous time.
We get on our horses.Went faster and caught upto them.They became surprised with suspicion seeing us.Tenzin says,"Are we going to the same destination by any chance?"
I answered ,"We hate that damn King as well. Do you mind if we join you on this great mission of yours?"
Tenzin replied,"How do we believe you?"
Dannyal came forward,"Take a test?"
"Fine but betrayers will be killed."
I said,"Surely."
We reached the silk markets by then. I don't have good experiences in markets but oh boy. It was beautiful.The contrast was almost cruel, as if the world was daring us to forget what we'd just agreed to.
Brightly colored silks hung across streets, fluttering in the wind.They were of various colors like red,orange and yellow.
Merchants were calling out prices in rhythmic, poetic tones."THIS AIN'T EXPENSIVE.YOU ARE JUST BROKE."
Artisans were demonstrating embroidery, tie-dye, or weaving techniques.They explained to me as well. But I just nodded because I didn't understand anything.
Tea houses were where deals and gossip happen simultaneously. It was like the early version of Starbucks.
Occasional street performers: lion dancers, puppet shows, acrobats were there. Smells blessed my nosses with incense, tea, spices, fresh noodles.
There were a lot of markets selling clothes,bangles and makeups.While I was taking a picture of the market,Dannyal rushed towards me.
"Look, I bought this for you!"
"What is it?Looks awesome."
"It's a yanzi.You can apply it on your lips and cheeks!"
"I don't really use makeup but if you are giving it to me,then I will keep it."I said with a smile.
"Red might look good on you though."
"Hmm,hey,let's eat something."
We went to a noodle shop. People were eating and laughing. Chef making food with heart and serving with a smile. Something you can't really see in the future. Maybe,I do kind of prefer here.
But, holy damn,dude.Those noodles were fire.I and Dannyal were finally happy getting Chinese food.The hype was worth it.
But peace never stays with us.Tenzin ordered that we will steal tax accounts in governmental transactions to cause delay in trades.This delay will cause tensions between Qianlong and British Empire. I told myself we were interfering with empires, not people — and ignored how thin that excuse sounded.
All we gotta do is sneak in, avoiding guards. I and Dannyal went infront of the boat carrying goods. We cornered two soldiers telling we needed medicine.
Then we hit them and stole their uniform. We secretly hid our faces using masks. One guard asked,"What are you doing here?"
Dannyal replied,"We have been re- stationed to the accounts room.They heard some rebels are coming for it."
"Oh,good."
I exhaled in relief.
We entered the room only to see two more guards.
I said,"There has been a change in schedules.We'll take it from here."
The way we said with confidence made them feel we were true.
We took the accounts and were going going back.The same soldier countered us again,"Hey,you two?Here?Again?"
Dannyal said,"There are some mistakes in the accounts to be fixed."
"Really?Who exactly are you taking it to then?"
"Me."Wang came walking behind the soldier.
"Sorry,kid. It's not food we are talking about."
"I know. Give me the paper."
We gave the paper to Wang.
"Hmm,look at here.After subtracting the tribute levy from the provisional silk revenue, one must reallocate the silver taels across three quarterly granary remittances. If the merchant recalculates the loss of laborers' stipends as deferred capital, the effective taxable yield paradoxically swells. Thus, on paper the coffers fill, yet the treasury ledger insists it empties."
What the heck did he just say??The guard replied,"Oh–ye–yeah." And went away.His mind must have been blown.
While running out,Dannyal exclaimed,"What were you saying!"Wang replied,"Math gibberish,mister."
We gave Tenzin the accounts. He smiled while nodding. We are now rebels from trusted advisors. No victory had ever felt this quiet. What a lore of life!
Tenzin said,"It was just the first step.There will be more steps.But I acknowledge your skills."
Dannyal whispered,"Was it moral to do it?"
"Yes,These British people are colonizers.We did the right thing by creating tension between them."I said. Not because it was right but because saying nothing felt worse.
This could have been easy but a rival rebel gang attacked us. The area was already a busy one. Plus they surrounded us from all sides.
The only way to distinguish them was their red silk robes.They had Dao,single edged Saber,easily disguisable as 'self-defense' to hide from soldiers.
They came forward peacefully,"We want no fight,give us that."
"But we want fight."Tenzin replied. That was when I realized rebellions don't come in neat sides like it did the previous time. This is going to be harder.