Xie nodded.
Long was about to speak when he thought he heard someone sobbing softly. He looked toward the secret passageway and saw ShaoShu just inside its doorway. The small boy was soaking wet.
“Little Mouse!” Long said, rushing over to him. “What are you doing here?”
ShaoShu sniffled, his chest heaving. “I—I came to tell Ying that Tonglong was here. They are both dead, aren’t they?”
Long put his hands on ShaoShu’s shoulders. “I am afraid so.”
The tears began to fall faster from ShaoShu’s eyes. “Ying and Hok were the first friends I ever had. I am going to miss him.”
“Me too,” Long said. “Me too.”
The Emperor came over, leaning on Wuya. “Hello, ShaoShu,” he said. “Do you know who I am?”
ShaoShu nodded. “You’re the Emperor.”
“That’s right,” the Emperor replied. “I want to thank you for everything you did for me while I was held prisoner.”
ShaoShu wiped his eyes and shrugged. “You’re welcome.”
“I just heard you say that you came here with Ying. Do you have someplace to go from here?”
ShaoShu shook his head.
“Why don’t you stay here?” the Emperor said. “The Forbidden City can be a fun place for a boy.”
ShaoShu’s eyes widened and he wiped his nose on his sleeve. “Really?”
“Really.”
Wuya knelt and handed ShaoShu a handkerchief from his sash. “Hello, Little Mouse. My name is Wuya, and I am the head of security here at the Forbidden City. My position does not allow me to marry, but I have always wanted a son. You could stay at my house. I live right across the courtyard from the Emperor. I even have an extra bedroom.”
Long saw ShaoShu’s eyes brighten. “I’ve never had my own room before,” ShaoShu said.
Wuya stood. “Then it’s settled.”
“You will like it here, ShaoShu,” Xie said from across the room. “Trust me. Now—”
Xie froze, and Long saw that he was looking out a window. “I don’t believe it!” Xie said.
Long ran to the window and looked into the gray dawn. There were large fires burning along the walls of the Forbidden City. “Signal fires?” he asked.
“Yes,” Xie replied. “My troops have arrived. Or some of them, anyway. My easternmost mounted armies could have made it here by now. We should feel the pounding of their horses’ hooves soon. If we were at ground level, we would already feel it.”
“Will they be enough to defeat Tonglong’s army?” Long asked. “I mean, his huge force working its way in our direction.”
“I do not believe we need to fear Tonglong’s army anymore,” Xie said. “What do you think, Wuya?”
Wuya shook his head. “From what I learned communicating with Tonglong’s men, he had no second in command, which makes sense if you consider how he was Ying’s second in command and went on to double-cross Ying. Tonglong would probably never trust any one person as his second, so he likely had many people performing small pieces of that role.”
“What about Commander Woo?” Long asked.
Wuya shook his head. “I was told that Commander Woo once broke his own leg while attempting to duplicate a kick he saw in a dragon scroll. He is no threat. I have been told that he is only capable of following orders, at best.”
“What about the Eastern Warlord?” Long asked. “Is he not still leading Tonglong’s main army?”
The Emperor laughed. “The Eastern Warlord is only interested in living a life of luxury. He has no interest in conquest. Tonglong forced him at gunpoint to join the coup attempt. He will always take the easy road, and that will be the road I lay out for him. He will comply.”
“What will happen to Tonglong’s army?” Long asked.
“I will begin the process of dissolving it immediately,” the Emperor said, taking charge. “I am certain the majority of the new recruits will be on their way home by the end of the week. Right now, however, we need to get the whole story.”
The Emperor turned to Wuya. “Go and collect as much information as possible. Meet me in the banquet hall for a full briefing in three hours. Bring any advisors you deem necessary, and take ShaoShu with you. He has likely gleaned useful information from his time with Tonglong, and should be quite helpful. Besides, he is now under your wing.”
“Yes, Sire!” Wuya bowed.
“Xie,” the Emperor said. “I need protection until we know the full nature of our situation. I know that you are the Western Warlord, but for now, will you serve as my personal bodyguard?”