Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins
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The Chinese Assassins were the Chinese branch of Assassins, one of the few branches to have existed for more than a thousand years.
Primarily focusing on dealing with several Chinese Emperors aided by the Templars, the Chinese Assassins have often been in difficult positions, as the Chinese Templars held the most power in China on numerous occasions.
In 1524 the Chinese Assassins were almost completely routed, with the remaining Assassins fleeing China altogether, seeking support from other branches in the Assassin Order.
History
Assassination of Qin Shi Huang
During the 3rd century BC, Qin Shi Huang, supported by the Templars,[1] unified China under his banner and became the first Emperor, starting the Qin Dynasty.
However, in 210 BC, Wei Yu killed the tyrant Emperor with a spear, making Wei Yu one of the most renowned members of the Order.[2]
Yongle's purge
By the 15th century, the Chinese Assassins were led by the teacher Fang Xiaoru. In 1402, the Imperial throne was usurped by Yongle, supported by the Templars. Under Yongle's rule, thousands of Assassins were round up and executed, including Fang Xiaoru. However, a young female Assassin named Li Tong and an Assassin apprentice were able to escape the purge with an Apple of Eden. This caused Li to devote herself to protect the Apple and keep it out of Yongle's hands.[3]
In 1424, while Yongle was trying to suppress a rebellion near the Gobi Desert, Li Tong slipped into Yongle's tent and killed the Emperor.[3]
Fall of the Brotherhood
In 1521, after the death of Emperor Zhengde and while the administration was preoccupied with looking for an heir, the Assassins infiltrated the imperial palace to rescue the imperial concubines from the Emperor. In the process, they recruited a young concubine named Shao Jun into the Brotherhood, though a lot of concubines had to be left behind.[1]
In 1524, the new emperor Emperor Jiajing, again aided by the Templars, nearly destroyed the Assassin Order in China, determined to eliminate all groups who opposed him.[1] The remaining Assassins traveled West in groups, with Shao Jun and her mentor heading for Italy. In Venice they were intercepted by Jiajing's men, and her mentor was killed. Eventually continuing on to Florence, Shao Jun met Ezio Auditore da Firenze, the retired leader of the Italian Assassins and a former Mentor in the Assassin Order. Despite her desire to learn from him, Ezio, then 65-years old, did not want to help Jun at first. After discovering the fate of the Chinese Assassins, Ezio decided to supported her, eventually fighting off more of Jiajing's assailants in Ezio's home. With Ezio's knowledge and a secret box only be used in times of help, Shao Jun started making her way back to China, determined to rebuild the Order's presence there.[4]
Origins and appearance
Having existed for hundreds of years before Christ, the Assassins' robes did not always meet normal Assassin customs. On many occasions, Assassins wore ordinary Chinese clothing, making them hardly recognizable as Assassins.[2][3]
It was only during the height of the Renaissance period in Europe that the Chinese Assassins ordinarily wore hoods; despite this, Assassins did not necessarily wear white, as Shao Jun wore black Assassin robes.[4]