The Flower Banquet (Part 1) - Revision history

imported>Soranin: /* Plot summary */

2025-12-22T01:20:10Z

Plot summary

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:20, 22 December 2025
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	One morning in the Tang capital of [[Chang'an]] during the spring of 754 CE, the poet [[Li Bai]] finds himself drinking wine on a balcony beside [[Li E\|a solitary, young stranger]]. Already drunk, he breaks into ramblings about his life and the affairs of the day, beginning with the [[Flower Banquet]] that is soon to commence. This is an annual contest for the most splendorous procession of flowers, with the winning team earning innumerable prizes. As Li Bai describes it, the festival means that this is not only the best time of the year to enjoy flowers in Chang'an, but it is also the only time during the year that the Imperial City is open to commoners.		One morning in the Tang capital of [[Chang'an]] during the spring of 754 CE, the poet [[Li Bai]] finds himself drinking wine on a balcony beside [[Li E\|a solitary, young stranger]]. Already drunk, he breaks into ramblings about his life and the affairs of the day, beginning with the [[Flower Banquet]] that is soon to commence. This is an annual contest for the most splendorous procession of flowers, with the winning team earning innumerable prizes. As Li Bai describes it, the festival means that this is not only the best time of the year to enjoy flowers in Chang'an, but it is also the only time during the year that the Imperial City is open to commoners.

	Yet here the poet cannot contain his disillusionment. Having once been a member of the court literati, Li Bai caustically muses that there is nothing good to see within the palace walls, neverminding that the contest is rigged every year in favour of Right Chancellor [[Yang Guozhong]]. At his mention of Guozhong, he reminds himself of the chancellor's cousin, [[Yang Yuhuan\|Yang Guifei]], whose beauty is such that not even the most gorgeous of flowers can compare with. His memories of the Emperor's most beloved consort are every bit as unpleasant. After mockingly reciting the opening lines to a poem he wrote for her, he tells of how he had dreamed of becoming a famous ~~{{wiki\|youke\|~~adventurer}} in his youth but eventually found himself serving as an imperial scribe. Finding it humiliating to have to compose poems for Yang Guifei, he claims he deliberately ran afoul of [[Gao Lishi\|a eunuch]] so as to be dismissed. Upon leaving Chang'an, he had roamed the far corners of the land, drinking his dreams away.		Yet here the poet cannot contain his disillusionment. Having once been a member of the court literati, Li Bai caustically muses that there is nothing good to see within the palace walls, neverminding that the contest is rigged every year in favour of Right Chancellor [[Yang Guozhong]]. At his mention of Guozhong, he reminds himself of the chancellor's cousin, [[Yang Yuhuan\|Yang Guifei]], whose beauty is such that not even the most gorgeous of flowers can compare with. His memories of the Emperor's most beloved consort are every bit as unpleasant. After mockingly reciting the opening lines to a poem he wrote for her, he tells of how he had dreamed of becoming a famous adventurer in his youth but eventually found himself serving as an imperial scribe. Finding it humiliating to have to compose poems for Yang Guifei, he claims he deliberately ran afoul of [[Gao Lishi\|a eunuch]] so as to be dismissed. Upon leaving Chang'an, he had roamed the far corners of the land, drinking his dreams away.

	It is only to attend the funeral of his late friend [[Abe no Nakamaro]], who perished in a [[shipwreck]] while attempting to return to [[Japan]], that Li Bai has returned to Chang'an. Given this, he declares that this may as well be the last time he sees Chang'an. Throughout his venting, the stranger standing beside him did not appear to pay him any heed. Only when the poet suggests that they take in the resplendent scenery of the city brimming with [[peony\|peonies]] does the young man finally respond: "''One peony is worth a thousand gold, one peony can buy the favours of officials. And how many people have had their families destroyed for the sake of one peony?''"		It is only to attend the funeral of his late friend [[Abe no Nakamaro]], who perished in a [[shipwreck]] while attempting to return to [[Japan]], that Li Bai has returned to Chang'an. Given this, he declares that this may as well be the last time he sees Chang'an. Throughout his venting, the stranger standing beside him did not appear to pay him any heed. Only when the poet suggests that they take in the resplendent scenery of the city brimming with [[peony\|peonies]] does the young man finally respond: "''One peony is worth a thousand gold, one peony can buy the favours of officials. And how many people have had their families destroyed for the sake of one peony?''"

imported>VilkaIsBack at 10:35, 14 June 2025

2025-06-14T10:35:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:35, 14 June 2025
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	One morning in the Tang capital of [[Chang'an]] during the spring of 754 CE, the poet [[Li Bai]] finds himself drinking wine on a balcony beside [[Li E\|a solitary, young stranger]]. Already drunk, he breaks into ramblings about his life and the affairs of the day, beginning with the [[Flower Banquet]] that is soon to commence. This is an annual contest for the most splendorous procession of flowers, with the winning team earning innumerable prizes. As Li Bai describes it, the festival means that this is not only the best time of the year to enjoy flowers in Chang'an, but it is also the only time during the year that the Imperial City is open to commoners.		One morning in the Tang capital of [[Chang'an]] during the spring of 754 CE, the poet [[Li Bai]] finds himself drinking wine on a balcony beside [[Li E\|a solitary, young stranger]]. Already drunk, he breaks into ramblings about his life and the affairs of the day, beginning with the [[Flower Banquet]] that is soon to commence. This is an annual contest for the most splendorous procession of flowers, with the winning team earning innumerable prizes. As Li Bai describes it, the festival means that this is not only the best time of the year to enjoy flowers in Chang'an, but it is also the only time during the year that the Imperial City is open to commoners.

	Yet here the poet cannot contain his disillusionment. Having once been a member of the court literati, Li Bai caustically muses that there is nothing good to see within the palace walls, neverminding that the contest is rigged every year in favour of Right Chancellor [[Yang Guozhong]]. At his mention of Guozhong, he reminds himself of the chancellor's cousin, [[Yang Guifei]], whose beauty is such that not even the most gorgeous of flowers can compare with. His memories of the Emperor's most beloved consort are every bit as unpleasant. After mockingly reciting the opening lines to a poem he wrote for her, he tells of how he had dreamed of becoming a famous {{wiki\|youke\|adventurer}} in his youth but eventually found himself serving as an imperial scribe. Finding it humiliating to have to compose poems for Yang Guifei, he claims he deliberately ran afoul of [[Gao Lishi\|a eunuch]] so as to be dismissed. Upon leaving Chang'an, he had roamed the far corners of the land, drinking his dreams away.		Yet here the poet cannot contain his disillusionment. Having once been a member of the court literati, Li Bai caustically muses that there is nothing good to see within the palace walls, neverminding that the contest is rigged every year in favour of Right Chancellor [[Yang Guozhong]]. At his mention of Guozhong, he reminds himself of the chancellor's cousin, [[Yang Yuhuan\|Yang Guifei]], whose beauty is such that not even the most gorgeous of flowers can compare with. His memories of the Emperor's most beloved consort are every bit as unpleasant. After mockingly reciting the opening lines to a poem he wrote for her, he tells of how he had dreamed of becoming a famous {{wiki\|youke\|adventurer}} in his youth but eventually found himself serving as an imperial scribe. Finding it humiliating to have to compose poems for Yang Guifei, he claims he deliberately ran afoul of [[Gao Lishi\|a eunuch]] so as to be dismissed. Upon leaving Chang'an, he had roamed the far corners of the land, drinking his dreams away.

	It is only to attend the funeral of his late friend [[Abe no Nakamaro]], who perished in a [[shipwreck]] while attempting to return to [[Japan]], that Li Bai has returned to Chang'an. Given this, he declares that this may as well be the last time he sees Chang'an. Throughout his venting, the stranger standing beside him did not appear to pay him any heed. Only when the poet suggests that they take in the resplendent scenery of the city brimming with [[peony\|peonies]] does the young man finally respond: "''One peony is worth a thousand gold, one peony can buy the favours of officials. And how many people have had their families destroyed for the sake of one peony?''"		It is only to attend the funeral of his late friend [[Abe no Nakamaro]], who perished in a [[shipwreck]] while attempting to return to [[Japan]], that Li Bai has returned to Chang'an. Given this, he declares that this may as well be the last time he sees Chang'an. Throughout his venting, the stranger standing beside him did not appear to pay him any heed. Only when the poet suggests that they take in the resplendent scenery of the city brimming with [[peony\|peonies]] does the young man finally respond: "''One peony is worth a thousand gold, one peony can buy the favours of officials. And how many people have had their families destroyed for the sake of one peony?''"
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	Blade held to the last henchman's throat, the Assassin interrogates him for the location of his boss, in the process revealing that he was avenging their violent robbery of [[Duling village]] for its prized peonies. The terrified grunt. pleading for his life, answers honestly that his boss had already entered the palace grounds and that this is meant to be the last wagon for their cortege. But the Assassin reminds him that he and his colleagues had not spared the lives of the Duling villagers and executes him. With that, he fulfills his earlier answer to Li Bai and plucks a bloodied peony from the wagon.		Blade held to the last henchman's throat, the Assassin interrogates him for the location of his boss, in the process revealing that he was avenging their violent robbery of [[Duling village]] for its prized peonies. The terrified grunt. pleading for his life, answers honestly that his boss had already entered the palace grounds and that this is meant to be the last wagon for their cortege. But the Assassin reminds him that he and his colleagues had not spared the lives of the Duling villagers and executes him. With that, he fulfills his earlier answer to Li Bai and plucks a bloodied peony from the wagon.

			==Characters in order of appearance==
			*Li E
			*[[Li Longji\|Emperor Xuanzong of Tang]] {{Imo}}
			*Li Bai
			*Yang Guozhong {{Mo}}
			*Yang Guifei {{Mo}}
			*Abe no Nakamaro {{Mo}}

	==Behind the scenes==		==Behind the scenes==

imported>Soranin: /* Translation errors */

2023-08-21T00:57:10Z

Translation errors

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:57, 21 August 2023
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	==Behind the scenes==		==Behind the scenes==
	===Translation errors===		===Translation errors===
	In the English edition of ''Assassin's Creed: Dynasty'', published by ~~{{wiki\|~~Tokyopop}}, there are several translation errors. The most significant are:		In the English edition of ''Assassin's Creed: Dynasty'', published by [[Tokyopop]], there are several translation errors. The most significant are:
	*When Li Bai first mentions "Right Chancellor Yang Guozhong" (右相楊國忠), the line is mistranslated as "Right-hand man, Prime Minister Yang Guozhong". ''Right'' is actually part of Yang Guozhong's title as there is also the position of Left Chancellor (左相).		*When Li Bai first mentions "Right Chancellor Yang Guozhong" (右相楊國忠), the line is mistranslated as "Right-hand man, Prime Minister Yang Guozhong". ''Right'' is actually part of Yang Guozhong's title as there is also the position of Left Chancellor (左相).
	*Li E's answer to Li Bai's question as to his reason for being in Chang'an, "to pluck flowers" (折花), is mistranslated as "to destroy the flowers".		*Li E's answer to Li Bai's question as to his reason for being in Chang'an, "to pluck flowers" (折花), is mistranslated as "to destroy the flowers".

imported>Zone of Endless: removing Appearances section and template per admin request

2022-03-23T23:29:09Z

removing Appearances section and template per admin request

@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 *When Li Bai first mentions "Right Chancellor Yang Guozhong" (右相楊國忠), the line is mistranslated as "Right-hand man, Prime Minister Yang Guozhong". ''Right'' is actually part of Yang Guozhong's title as there is also the position of Left Chancellor (左相).
 *Li E's answer to Li Bai's question as to his reason for being in Chang'an, "to pluck flowers" (折花), is mistranslated as "to destroy the flowers".
 ==References==

imported>Ficboy at 20:21, 13 June 2021

2021-06-13T20:21:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:21, 13 June 2021
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	\|release_date=26 August 2020		\|release_date=26 August 2020
	\|issue=		\|issue=
	\|Previous=		\|Previous=[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty Chapter 0\|Chapter 0]]
	\|Next= [[The Flower Banquet (Part 2)]]}}		\|Next= [[The Flower Banquet (Part 2)]]}}
	'''"The Flower Banquet (Part 1)"''' (花都刺客 (其一), lit. 'Flower Capital Assassin (Part 1)') is the first chapter of the manhua ''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' written by [[Xu Xianzhe]].		'''"The Flower Banquet (Part 1)"''' (花都刺客 (其一), lit. 'Flower Capital Assassin (Part 1)') is the first chapter of the manhua ''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' written by [[Xu Xianzhe]].

imported>Darman36: /* Plot summary */

2021-06-13T14:00:18Z

Plot summary

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:00, 13 June 2021
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	Yet here the poet cannot contain his disillusionment. Having once been a member of the court literati, Li Bai caustically muses that there is nothing good to see within the palace walls, neverminding that the contest is rigged every year in favour of Right Chancellor [[Yang Guozhong]]. At his mention of Guozhong, he reminds himself of the chancellor's cousin, [[Yang Guifei]], whose beauty is such that not even the most gorgeous of flowers can compare with. His memories of the Emperor's most beloved consort are every bit as unpleasant. After mockingly reciting the opening lines to a poem he wrote for her, he tells of how he had dreamed of becoming a famous {{wiki\|youke\|adventurer}} in his youth but eventually found himself serving as an imperial scribe. Finding it humiliating to have to compose poems for Yang Guifei, he claims he deliberately ran afoul of [[Gao Lishi\|a eunuch]] so as to be dismissed. Upon leaving Chang'an, he had roamed the far corners of the land, drinking his dreams away.		Yet here the poet cannot contain his disillusionment. Having once been a member of the court literati, Li Bai caustically muses that there is nothing good to see within the palace walls, neverminding that the contest is rigged every year in favour of Right Chancellor [[Yang Guozhong]]. At his mention of Guozhong, he reminds himself of the chancellor's cousin, [[Yang Guifei]], whose beauty is such that not even the most gorgeous of flowers can compare with. His memories of the Emperor's most beloved consort are every bit as unpleasant. After mockingly reciting the opening lines to a poem he wrote for her, he tells of how he had dreamed of becoming a famous {{wiki\|youke\|adventurer}} in his youth but eventually found himself serving as an imperial scribe. Finding it humiliating to have to compose poems for Yang Guifei, he claims he deliberately ran afoul of [[Gao Lishi\|a eunuch]] so as to be dismissed. Upon leaving Chang'an, he had roamed the far corners of the land, drinking his dreams away.

	It is only to attend the funeral of his late friend [[Abe no Nakamaro]], who perished in a [[shipwreck]] while attempting to return to [[Japan]], that Li Bai has returned to Chang'an. Given this, he declares that this may as well be the last time he sees Chang'an. Throughout his venting, the stranger standing beside him did not appear to pay him any heed. Only when the poet suggests that they take in the resplendent scenery of the city brimming with [[peony\|peonies]] does the young man finally respond: "One peony is worth a thousand gold, one peony can buy the favours of officials. And how many people have had their families destroyed for the sake of one peony?"		It is only to attend the funeral of his late friend [[Abe no Nakamaro]], who perished in a [[shipwreck]] while attempting to return to [[Japan]], that Li Bai has returned to Chang'an. Given this, he declares that this may as well be the last time he sees Chang'an. Throughout his venting, the stranger standing beside him did not appear to pay him any heed. Only when the poet suggests that they take in the resplendent scenery of the city brimming with [[peony\|peonies]] does the young man finally respond: "''One peony is worth a thousand gold, one peony can buy the favours of officials. And how many people have had their families destroyed for the sake of one peony?''"

	At this, it dawns on Li Bai that this young man—in truth an [[Assassins\|Assassin]]—is akin to those [[Hidden Ones\|same individuals]] he had known as a boy in his hometown of [[Suyab]] in the [[Western Regions]]. His interest piqued, he asks the stranger for his purpose in Chang'an, but he is only given the cryptic answer of: "to pluck flowers". Perhaps misunderstanding this to mean "flirting" or "finding love", Li Bai laughs it off as "impossible" while looking away. Beside him, the stranger puts up his [[hood]] and corrects him that "[[The Creed\|nothing is true, everything is permitted]]". By the time the poet glanced back at him, he had disappeared onto the streets below.		At this, it dawns on Li Bai that this young man—in truth an [[Assassins\|Assassin]]—is akin to those [[Hidden Ones\|same individuals]] he had known as a boy in his hometown of [[Suyab]] in the [[Western Regions]]. His interest piqued, he asks the stranger for his purpose in Chang'an, but he is only given the cryptic answer of: "''to pluck flowers''". Perhaps misunderstanding this to mean "flirting" or "finding love", Li Bai laughs it off as "impossible" while looking away. Beside him, the stranger puts up his [[hood]] and corrects him that "[[The Creed\|nothing is true, everything is permitted]]". By the time the poet glanced back at him, he had disappeared onto the streets below.

	The Assassin [[blending\|blends]] in with the crowds below to stalk a fancy flower wagon being escorted by three men up ahead. The men shouts at the throngs of people to make way for the wagon, proclaiming to them that it is for [[~~Yichunkan~~\|Chancellor Yang Guozhong's procession]] and that none of them would be able to compensate for any damage dealt to it. Suddenly, the Assassin ~~prances~~ at the henchman in the rear and plunges a [[Hidden Blade]] into his neck before quickly throwing both his slain target and himself into the wagon's pile of flowers. The two henchmen in front turns around in confusion to peer at the wagon and out springs the Assassin to pierce the throat of the man to his right. Before the other could react, the Assassin had tossed him onto the flower bed in one swift motion.		The Assassin [[blending\|blends]] in with the [[Civilian\|crowds]] below to stalk a fancy flower wagon being escorted by three men up ahead. The men shouts at the throngs of people to make way for the wagon, proclaiming to them that it is for [[Shifting Spring Cage\|Chancellor Yang Guozhong's procession]] and that none of them would be able to compensate for any damage dealt to it. Suddenly, the Assassin leaps at the henchman in the rear and plunges a [[Hidden Blade]] into his neck before quickly throwing both his slain target and himself into the wagon's pile of flowers. The two henchmen in front turns around in confusion to peer at the wagon and out springs the Assassin to pierce the throat of the man to his right. Before the other could react, the Assassin had tossed him onto the flower bed in one swift motion.

	Blade held to the last henchman's throat, the Assassin interrogates him for the location of his boss, in the process revealing that he was avenging their violent robbery of [[Duling village]] for its prized peonies. The terrified grunt. pleading for his life, answers honestly that his boss had already entered the palace grounds and that this is meant to be the last wagon for their cortege. But the Assassin reminds him that he and his colleagues had not spared the lives of the Duling villagers and executes him. With that, he fulfills his earlier answer to Li Bai and plucks a bloodied peony from the wagon.		Blade held to the last henchman's throat, the Assassin interrogates him for the location of his boss, in the process revealing that he was avenging their violent robbery of [[Duling village]] for its prized peonies. The terrified grunt. pleading for his life, answers honestly that his boss had already entered the palace grounds and that this is meant to be the last wagon for their cortege. But the Assassin reminds him that he and his colleagues had not spared the lives of the Duling villagers and executes him. With that, he fulfills his earlier answer to Li Bai and plucks a bloodied peony from the wagon.

imported>Ficboy: The Silk Road is technically a location in itself that spans multiple continents.

2021-06-09T00:03:09Z

The Silk Road is technically a location in itself that spans multiple continents.

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:03, 9 June 2021
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	***[[Suyab]] {{Mo}}		***[[Suyab]] {{Mo}}
	*[[Japan]] {{Mo}}		*[[Japan]] {{Mo}}
			*[[Silk Road]]

	\|organizations=		\|organizations=

imported>Sol Pacificus at 04:30, 1 June 2021

2021-06-01T04:30:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:30, 1 June 2021
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	~~{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Assassin's Creed: Dynasty'' Chapter 1}}~~
	{{Era\|RW}}		{{Era\|RW}}
	{{Manga Chapter Infobox		{{Manga Chapter Infobox
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	\|issue=		\|issue=
	\|Previous=		\|Previous=
	\|Next= [[~~Assassin's Creed: Dynasty Chapter 2\|~~The Flower Banquet (Part 2)]]}}		\|Next= [[The Flower Banquet (Part 2)]]}}
	'''"The Flower Banquet (Part 1)"''' (花都刺客 (其一), lit. 'Flower Capital Assassin (Part 1)') is the first chapter of the manhua ''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' written by [[Xu Xianzhe]].		'''"The Flower Banquet (Part 1)"''' (花都刺客 (其一), lit. 'Flower Capital Assassin (Part 1)') is the first chapter of the manhua ''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' written by [[Xu Xianzhe]].

imported>Sol Pacificus: Sol Pacificus moved page Assassin's Creed: Dynasty Chapter 1 to The Flower Banquet (Part 1)

2021-06-01T04:30:14Z

Sol Pacificus moved page Assassin's Creed: Dynasty Chapter 1 to The Flower Banquet (Part 1)

← Older revision	Revision as of 06:30, 1 June 2021
(No difference)

imported>Sol Pacificus at 20:15, 31 May 2021

2021-05-31T20:15:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:15, 31 May 2021
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			{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Assassin's Creed: Dynasty'' Chapter 1}}
	{{Era\|RW}}		{{Era\|RW}}
	{{Manga Chapter Infobox		{{Manga Chapter Infobox

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:20, 22 December 2025
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	One morning in the Tang capital of [[Chang'an]] during the spring of 754 CE, the poet [[Li Bai]] finds himself drinking wine on a balcony beside [[Li E\|a solitary, young stranger]]. Already drunk, he breaks into ramblings about his life and the affairs of the day, beginning with the [[Flower Banquet]] that is soon to commence. This is an annual contest for the most splendorous procession of flowers, with the winning team earning innumerable prizes. As Li Bai describes it, the festival means that this is not only the best time of the year to enjoy flowers in Chang'an, but it is also the only time during the year that the Imperial City is open to commoners.		One morning in the Tang capital of [[Chang'an]] during the spring of 754 CE, the poet [[Li Bai]] finds himself drinking wine on a balcony beside [[Li E\|a solitary, young stranger]]. Already drunk, he breaks into ramblings about his life and the affairs of the day, beginning with the [[Flower Banquet]] that is soon to commence. This is an annual contest for the most splendorous procession of flowers, with the winning team earning innumerable prizes. As Li Bai describes it, the festival means that this is not only the best time of the year to enjoy flowers in Chang'an, but it is also the only time during the year that the Imperial City is open to commoners.

	Yet here the poet cannot contain his disillusionment. Having once been a member of the court literati, Li Bai caustically muses that there is nothing good to see within the palace walls, neverminding that the contest is rigged every year in favour of Right Chancellor [[Yang Guozhong]]. At his mention of Guozhong, he reminds himself of the chancellor's cousin, [[Yang Yuhuan\|Yang Guifei]], whose beauty is such that not even the most gorgeous of flowers can compare with. His memories of the Emperor's most beloved consort are every bit as unpleasant. After mockingly reciting the opening lines to a poem he wrote for her, he tells of how he had dreamed of becoming a famous ~~{{wiki\|youke\|~~adventurer}} in his youth but eventually found himself serving as an imperial scribe. Finding it humiliating to have to compose poems for Yang Guifei, he claims he deliberately ran afoul of [[Gao Lishi\|a eunuch]] so as to be dismissed. Upon leaving Chang'an, he had roamed the far corners of the land, drinking his dreams away.		Yet here the poet cannot contain his disillusionment. Having once been a member of the court literati, Li Bai caustically muses that there is nothing good to see within the palace walls, neverminding that the contest is rigged every year in favour of Right Chancellor [[Yang Guozhong]]. At his mention of Guozhong, he reminds himself of the chancellor's cousin, [[Yang Yuhuan\|Yang Guifei]], whose beauty is such that not even the most gorgeous of flowers can compare with. His memories of the Emperor's most beloved consort are every bit as unpleasant. After mockingly reciting the opening lines to a poem he wrote for her, he tells of how he had dreamed of becoming a famous adventurer in his youth but eventually found himself serving as an imperial scribe. Finding it humiliating to have to compose poems for Yang Guifei, he claims he deliberately ran afoul of [[Gao Lishi\|a eunuch]] so as to be dismissed. Upon leaving Chang'an, he had roamed the far corners of the land, drinking his dreams away.

	It is only to attend the funeral of his late friend [[Abe no Nakamaro]], who perished in a [[shipwreck]] while attempting to return to [[Japan]], that Li Bai has returned to Chang'an. Given this, he declares that this may as well be the last time he sees Chang'an. Throughout his venting, the stranger standing beside him did not appear to pay him any heed. Only when the poet suggests that they take in the resplendent scenery of the city brimming with [[peony\|peonies]] does the young man finally respond: "''One peony is worth a thousand gold, one peony can buy the favours of officials. And how many people have had their families destroyed for the sake of one peony?''"		It is only to attend the funeral of his late friend [[Abe no Nakamaro]], who perished in a [[shipwreck]] while attempting to return to [[Japan]], that Li Bai has returned to Chang'an. Given this, he declares that this may as well be the last time he sees Chang'an. Throughout his venting, the stranger standing beside him did not appear to pay him any heed. Only when the poet suggests that they take in the resplendent scenery of the city brimming with [[peony\|peonies]] does the young man finally respond: "''One peony is worth a thousand gold, one peony can buy the favours of officials. And how many people have had their families destroyed for the sake of one peony?''"

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:00, 13 June 2021
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	Yet here the poet cannot contain his disillusionment. Having once been a member of the court literati, Li Bai caustically muses that there is nothing good to see within the palace walls, neverminding that the contest is rigged every year in favour of Right Chancellor [[Yang Guozhong]]. At his mention of Guozhong, he reminds himself of the chancellor's cousin, [[Yang Guifei]], whose beauty is such that not even the most gorgeous of flowers can compare with. His memories of the Emperor's most beloved consort are every bit as unpleasant. After mockingly reciting the opening lines to a poem he wrote for her, he tells of how he had dreamed of becoming a famous {{wiki\|youke\|adventurer}} in his youth but eventually found himself serving as an imperial scribe. Finding it humiliating to have to compose poems for Yang Guifei, he claims he deliberately ran afoul of [[Gao Lishi\|a eunuch]] so as to be dismissed. Upon leaving Chang'an, he had roamed the far corners of the land, drinking his dreams away.		Yet here the poet cannot contain his disillusionment. Having once been a member of the court literati, Li Bai caustically muses that there is nothing good to see within the palace walls, neverminding that the contest is rigged every year in favour of Right Chancellor [[Yang Guozhong]]. At his mention of Guozhong, he reminds himself of the chancellor's cousin, [[Yang Guifei]], whose beauty is such that not even the most gorgeous of flowers can compare with. His memories of the Emperor's most beloved consort are every bit as unpleasant. After mockingly reciting the opening lines to a poem he wrote for her, he tells of how he had dreamed of becoming a famous {{wiki\|youke\|adventurer}} in his youth but eventually found himself serving as an imperial scribe. Finding it humiliating to have to compose poems for Yang Guifei, he claims he deliberately ran afoul of [[Gao Lishi\|a eunuch]] so as to be dismissed. Upon leaving Chang'an, he had roamed the far corners of the land, drinking his dreams away.

	It is only to attend the funeral of his late friend [[Abe no Nakamaro]], who perished in a [[shipwreck]] while attempting to return to [[Japan]], that Li Bai has returned to Chang'an. Given this, he declares that this may as well be the last time he sees Chang'an. Throughout his venting, the stranger standing beside him did not appear to pay him any heed. Only when the poet suggests that they take in the resplendent scenery of the city brimming with [[peony\|peonies]] does the young man finally respond: "One peony is worth a thousand gold, one peony can buy the favours of officials. And how many people have had their families destroyed for the sake of one peony?"		It is only to attend the funeral of his late friend [[Abe no Nakamaro]], who perished in a [[shipwreck]] while attempting to return to [[Japan]], that Li Bai has returned to Chang'an. Given this, he declares that this may as well be the last time he sees Chang'an. Throughout his venting, the stranger standing beside him did not appear to pay him any heed. Only when the poet suggests that they take in the resplendent scenery of the city brimming with [[peony\|peonies]] does the young man finally respond: "''One peony is worth a thousand gold, one peony can buy the favours of officials. And how many people have had their families destroyed for the sake of one peony?''"

	At this, it dawns on Li Bai that this young man—in truth an [[Assassins\|Assassin]]—is akin to those [[Hidden Ones\|same individuals]] he had known as a boy in his hometown of [[Suyab]] in the [[Western Regions]]. His interest piqued, he asks the stranger for his purpose in Chang'an, but he is only given the cryptic answer of: "to pluck flowers". Perhaps misunderstanding this to mean "flirting" or "finding love", Li Bai laughs it off as "impossible" while looking away. Beside him, the stranger puts up his [[hood]] and corrects him that "[[The Creed\|nothing is true, everything is permitted]]". By the time the poet glanced back at him, he had disappeared onto the streets below.		At this, it dawns on Li Bai that this young man—in truth an [[Assassins\|Assassin]]—is akin to those [[Hidden Ones\|same individuals]] he had known as a boy in his hometown of [[Suyab]] in the [[Western Regions]]. His interest piqued, he asks the stranger for his purpose in Chang'an, but he is only given the cryptic answer of: "''to pluck flowers''". Perhaps misunderstanding this to mean "flirting" or "finding love", Li Bai laughs it off as "impossible" while looking away. Beside him, the stranger puts up his [[hood]] and corrects him that "[[The Creed\|nothing is true, everything is permitted]]". By the time the poet glanced back at him, he had disappeared onto the streets below.

	The Assassin [[blending\|blends]] in with the crowds below to stalk a fancy flower wagon being escorted by three men up ahead. The men shouts at the throngs of people to make way for the wagon, proclaiming to them that it is for [[~~Yichunkan~~\|Chancellor Yang Guozhong's procession]] and that none of them would be able to compensate for any damage dealt to it. Suddenly, the Assassin ~~prances~~ at the henchman in the rear and plunges a [[Hidden Blade]] into his neck before quickly throwing both his slain target and himself into the wagon's pile of flowers. The two henchmen in front turns around in confusion to peer at the wagon and out springs the Assassin to pierce the throat of the man to his right. Before the other could react, the Assassin had tossed him onto the flower bed in one swift motion.		The Assassin [[blending\|blends]] in with the [[Civilian\|crowds]] below to stalk a fancy flower wagon being escorted by three men up ahead. The men shouts at the throngs of people to make way for the wagon, proclaiming to them that it is for [[Shifting Spring Cage\|Chancellor Yang Guozhong's procession]] and that none of them would be able to compensate for any damage dealt to it. Suddenly, the Assassin leaps at the henchman in the rear and plunges a [[Hidden Blade]] into his neck before quickly throwing both his slain target and himself into the wagon's pile of flowers. The two henchmen in front turns around in confusion to peer at the wagon and out springs the Assassin to pierce the throat of the man to his right. Before the other could react, the Assassin had tossed him onto the flower bed in one swift motion.

	Blade held to the last henchman's throat, the Assassin interrogates him for the location of his boss, in the process revealing that he was avenging their violent robbery of [[Duling village]] for its prized peonies. The terrified grunt. pleading for his life, answers honestly that his boss had already entered the palace grounds and that this is meant to be the last wagon for their cortege. But the Assassin reminds him that he and his colleagues had not spared the lives of the Duling villagers and executes him. With that, he fulfills his earlier answer to Li Bai and plucks a bloodied peony from the wagon.		Blade held to the last henchman's throat, the Assassin interrogates him for the location of his boss, in the process revealing that he was avenging their violent robbery of [[Duling village]] for its prized peonies. The terrified grunt. pleading for his life, answers honestly that his boss had already entered the palace grounds and that this is meant to be the last wagon for their cortege. But the Assassin reminds him that he and his colleagues had not spared the lives of the Duling villagers and executes him. With that, he fulfills his earlier answer to Li Bai and plucks a bloodied peony from the wagon.