Blood Red Lotus


Qin dynasty, led by the famous emperor Qinshihuang Di, was one of China’s Dark Age. Shihuang Di, the fearsome emperor, created many rules for his kingdom at his throne. China was tortured under his mercy. However the dynasty grew as one renowned era from its artifact, the only building in this earth viewable from the moon, The Great Wall.

Not only bricks, or any other materials, The Great Wall was built from Bloods. Thousands of people died and buried along the Wall, whether because of over exhausted body, tortures, or many other cause. Grief, sorrow, and hatred all take part in. It was said to be the longest tomb in the world.

This story is about one of them…

Li Qin Lien, born as a daughter of a noble citizen lived in the Capital, grew up surrounded by the luxury of palace life. Disgusted by these circumstances, she fled her home in the midst of night. She may be young, but her determination took over her feelings.

Her parents remained as kind and understanding family. But in relationship with other nobles, they’re kept under pressure and outcasted of their action towards low class citizen. Qin Lien’s mother left for some donation and free foods every week, and her father treated all the same in law. He had arrested a noble’s son trying to pick up on a cabbage seller’s kids.

They’re surprised when they found out about Qin Lien’s action in the morning, but at the end they’re quite relieved when they thought she finally could find her freedom outside the palace wall. They prayed for their only daughter’s safety.

Qin Lien, after spent three nights straight on the street, finally decided to rest at a town nearby. She stopped her horse and led him, together they entered the town. She was amazed by the peace she never felt. That was the first time she ever walks beyond the palace gate. It was a quiet, small but beautiful town.

She brought a handful of golden coins in her purse, so she thought she might as well rent a room in the inn for one or two nights. A man, stood in front of the inn, greeted her.
“I’m sorry, young lady; you can’t bring your horse in.” Qin Lien was taken aback; she forgot that she was no longer living in the palace. Trying to calm her mind, she carefully chose her words.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Where can I leave him?”
The man pointed at a small stable located at the edge of the town.
“That’s where our rich resident put their horse.”
Qin Lien nodded. She bowed and quickly ran for the stable. When she got back to the inn, once again that man stopped her.
“Is there anything I need to do before entering?”
That man, asked in a good manner,” No, it’s not, but I just curious. You wore a silk dress, royally adorned, and you rode the best quality black horse. From what I see, you’re a noble. Why come to this place?” Qin Lien set her sight at her clothes. She knew it’s too attracting, but it’s the best she could find, or in another word, her worst piece of clothes. In fact, she wanted to change it as soon as she find a merchant.

“I’m afraid I can’t tell a stranger my reason.” The young man bowed, and opened the door for her. “My name is Wang Shan Long. Welcome to my family’s inn, I hope you enjoy your stay.”

-0-0-0-0-0-

Days passed, and soon they have become friends. Shan Long’s family welcomed her, and treated her as a part of their family. They ran a family inn in that town, and a very kind old family. Qin Lien was very happy when she was able to help them welcoming guests. She was happy for the ‘needed’ feelings.

Their friendship became deeper, and Qin Lien erased all plan to run further. She respected Shan Long for his manner and maturity, while Shan Long adored her for her attitude and beauty. His family secretly wished that someday they will marry each other.

Through a townspeople that went to the capital, she sent a news about her whereabouts and conditions to her parents. Her parents cried in joy hearing their daughter was in no harm. Unfortunately, the letter incidentally fell to another noble family. A son of Liu family, which has harbored feelings for her since a long time, became furious and send his army to catch Qin Lien, for a punishment of “Blood Traitor”.

The Wang family kept them safe and instructed them to run. Because there’s no evidence and nothing they could bring to the capital, they failed to caught Qin Lien and Shan Long.

Far from that town, they set a new life, unharmed. One of Shan Long’s cousin gave them a letter from Qin Lien’s mother that tell them that in order to keep her safe, they had cut the relationship between them and Qin Lien, then banished her from the family officially, with all noble family and The Emperor as the witness so she wasn’t considered as a noble anymore. At the end of the letter, traces of tears shed by her mother, haven’t completely dried, accompany a final sentence,

Although in law we’re not mother and daughter anymore, you will always be ours.

They faced many hardships in that new land, but eventually things were clearing it self and they got married. All villagers loved this couple. A hard worker husband and a gentle wife. They lived in harmony, and then one year after Qin Lien gave birth to a baby boy named Xiao Long.

They deserved it, the happy ending, but the twisted fate began. When Xiao Long reached his third birthday, Shan Long, along with other men in the country, were called for the completion of Great Wall. Before he left, he promised to come back. Qin Lien could only watch his departure and cried. She gave him half piece of a Lotus badge; the only thing remained from her status as the daughter of Li family.

He never came back. Time passed, and Xiao Long grew older. Every year on his birthday, she always told the story to her son, and showed him the half piece of Lotus badge she kept.

Xiao Long was a brilliant child. He quickly remembered anything, and learn faster than any other child at his age. Her mother died after saw him achieve the graduation mark. He was so sad. Her mother was everything he have after his father left. Wanted to grant her mother’s last wish, he departed to the Capital.

At the time every intelligent, smart, gifted and wise men from all over the country will tried to pass the National Exam at the capital. Those who successfully graduated will be granted name and position.

Xiao Long passed in his first try. His position rose quickly, fascinating many people. Of course, no one knew who he really are. Xiao Long liked those praise and admiration, but sadly all of this popularity changed him.

One day he was assigned to watch the building process of The Great Wall, one building the emperor believe will raise his name throughout the world (And he’s right, as we know ourselves now). Xiao Long felt honored. He was so proud of his title and trust from the emperor. Since his arrival to the Capital, he never pay a visit to his homeland again. He has decided to forget his origin.

It was that very day he foreseen a fight between workers. He yelled the guards to come and punish both of them. An old man paused his work and faced him. “It’s not wise to punish someone without knowing what crime they committed. Those two were having a fight upon a tiny bit of bread. We haven’t eat anything for three days. Don’t you think it’s you, the authorities’ fault?” Xiao Long felt insulted. Angrily, he shouted,”Who do you think you are, old man? Silence! How dare you lecturing me like that!” The old man, although rather lowering his voice, didn’t seem shaken at all. “They usually call me Old Man Wang, and I think that’s enough.” Xiao Long released his wrath and ordered to give him three hundred whips. It was painful, but for the workers it was a usual treat.
He didn’t stop just at that point. A few times, after that event, the old man defied his orders which he thought too cruel. Every times, he would get his subordinates whip him. No luck, he still questioning his actions. And that thought come…to end him once and for all…

“Why are you calling us here, my lord?”
“Finish that old man for me, and hang his corpse at the highest pillar so everyone will learn what will become for those who confront me.”
“K-kill him? Y-Yes, my lord, is that all?”
“No, ask him what his final wish is.” He smiled wickedly.

The execution took place at the central field, watched by thousands of frightened eyes. For them, Old Man Wang was a hero, he always do his best to make sure his friends survived till the end. And now, he’s reaching his end.

Later in Xiao Long’s office, the guardsmen reported to him. He was satisfacted, laughed pompously of his winning. He grinned.
“So his last wish is?”
“To send this back to his hometown.”
One of the guards handed him a piece of cloth, and his eyes couldn’t believe what he saw. Scare and frighten pushed his laugh. Inside, covered by the fabric, all red and bloody, was a half piece of a lotus badge.

-Fin-

A/N: What a tragic ending…By the way, it’s purely made up story, so only the setting and references that real. I got the idea from the building process of Chinese Great Wall, where many innocent lives died in faint.

Label: Short Story