Chapter 21 Sword Play

Lady Basira insisted that Hegwin should give her instruction in “fencing;” he did not refuse, though he delayed for some days. He preferred Corinna; still, he liked Basira greatly, so difficult was it, in fact, not to like her.A certain morning the first lesson began, mainly because of Basira's boasting and her assurances that she knew that art by no means badly, and that no common person could stand before her. “An old soldier taught me,” said she; “there is no lack of these among us; it is known too that there are no swordsmen superior to ours. It is a question if even you, gentlemen, would not find your equals.”“Of what are you talking?” asked Zastar.“We have no equals in the whole world.”“I should wish it to come out that even I am your equal. I do not expect it, but I should like it.”“If it were firing from pistols, I too would make a trial,” said Lady Mak

Last Updated : 2021-08-13

Chapter 22 The Battle

I Let us leave for now those love birds and return to the situation at had. Prince Yamato laughed when he saw that Yoritomo raised a flag. The prince moved closer to the fence.Yoritomo, proud, moved forward. “This is going no where.”“True,” the prince replied. “What is your offer?”“The final battle.”“You know that you will loose.”“I know.”“Always the proud fool.”Yoritomo turned and left. II Minamoto Yoritomo was at a stand still, all options looked the same. Good or bad- they all looked the same. He had a choice of evils, he had to choose and now. He won’t have support of the other lords for long. There is no other way.“Charge!” he shouts.The infantry was in the first row to charge. They were near the massive iron gat

Last Updated : 2021-08-14

Chapter 23: The Boy

Let’s see in detail about the boy that solved the Fujiwara problem.In Bianliang the Eastern Capital, in Kaifeng Prefecture previously called Xuanwu District, there lived a young scamp named Gao. A second son, he was quite useless. He cared only for jousting with spear and staff, and was an excellent football player. People in the capital were fond of making quips. They dubbed him Gao Qiu, or “Gao the Ball.” Later, when he prospered, he changed “Qiu” to another character with the same sound but with a less inelegant meaning.In addition to his skill with weapons, Gao Qiu could play musical instruments and sing and dance. He also learned a bit about poetry and versifying. But when it came to virtue and proper behavior, he didn't know a thing. He spent his time gadding about the city and its environs. Thanks to him, the son of Master Wang, an iron−shop owner, dissipated a considerable sum of money in theaters, gambling dens and brothel

Last Updated : 2021-08-14

Chapter 24 Service

Let us talk rather of Gao Qiu. After he went into the service of Prince Duan he lived and dined in the palace and accompanied the prince every day, never taking so much as a step from his side. Before two months had elapsed, Emperor Zhe Zong died without leaving an heir. All the high civil and military officials conferred and made Prince Duan the emperor. He was known as Emperor Hui Zong and bore the title of High Priest of Jade Purity and Taoist Sovereign of Provident Truth.Hui Zong assumed the throne and all went well. One day he said to Gao Qiu: “I'd like to raise you in rank, but you'll have to perform some meritorious deed on the border first. I'll have the Council of Military Affairs put you down as available for imperial appointment.” Less than half a year later, he was able to make Gao Qiu a marshal commanding the Imperial Guards.Gao Qiu selected an auspicious day and hour to assume office. All the officers of the Mighty Imperial Guards, both infa

Last Updated : 2021-08-14

Chapter 25 The Feast

ICorporal Zhang promised to do as he was bid. He had his dinner, got things ready, and left for the temple.That night mother and son packed their bedding and clothing, their silks and silver, and placed them in containers to be carried on a shoulder−pole. They also filled two saddle−bags with fodder for the horse.At the fifth watch before dawn Wang Jin summoned Corporal Li and said: “Take these silver coins to the temple. You and Corporal Zhang buy and cook the three kinds of sacrificial meat, and wait for me. I'll join you just as soon as I've bought some sacrificial paper ingots and candles.”Corporal Li took the silver and departed for the temple. Wang Jin got the horse ready, loaded on the saddle−bags, tied them firmly in place, led the animal outside the rear gate and helped his mother mount. All the heavier household belongings they left behind. Wang Jin locked the front and rear gates, raised the carrying−pole

Last Updated : 2021-08-14

Chapter 26 The Final Problem

Prince Yamato waited for the rest of the group to arrive. With the current line of events, something ancient has awakened. Everyone of them knew this. but they hoped that it won’t come to this. And, like in everything, it came to that. Fate had another card to play and he was sure of that. There was no mistake, that card is the rest of the group.He need to wait. Currently, the hardest part. There was no other way. Yoritomo, Fuhito and Kazuma will soon appear.The first one to enter Fuhito, after him entered Kazuma and after a fewmoments Yoritomo.Yamato silently moved to the upper end of the table.Silence“You heard about, the thing," Yamato started. The rest of the world doesn’t know.”"That is a good thing,” Fuhito, said.“For now, "Yoritomo said, "for now.""It won't last long," Kazuma murmured."Sooner or later, the news will spread. It's only a matter of time."“Tru

Last Updated : 2021-08-14

All Chapters of Midwinter Town: A Novella: Chapter 21 - Chapter 26

Chapter 21 Sword Play

Chapter 22 The Battle

Chapter 23: The Boy

Chapter 24 Service

Chapter 25 The Feast

Chapter 26 The Final Problem