Chapter Text
Hao returned home two months after the peace treaty was signed.
He ascended the steps of Zhang palace slowly, trying to get used to the feeling of returning to a home that he no longer considered to be his own.
The guards bowed their heads as he walked past and Hao couldn’t help but smile. It was so much easier to accept their deference when it wasn’t tied to responsibility.
He wondered whether that was the reason Kuanjui had always been so carefree, even as a child. Whether his smile had come so easy to him because it had been Hao that had borne the responsibility of having to be king one day. But his smile still seemed to come easy to Kuanjui now as he stood at the top of the steps, his hands on his hips.
It made Hao laugh and because he was a poised king no longer, he ran up the last couple of steps to tackle his little brother into a hug.
Their laughter rang out through the courtyard, even as rain clouds dragged across the sky above them. The first storm of autumn was brewing, but Hao was already back.
Kuanjui led him inside, the two of them walking arm in arm. Hao could feel the disapproving stares of the elders gathered to greet him, but he didn’t care. None of them would ever dare to criticise him as long as their beloved King showed him favour.
“How was the journey?” Kuanjui asked as they settled into the sofas that stood in their father’s old office. It was a sitting room now.
“Good. We managed to avoid most of the rain.”
Hao looked up at Gunwook, who had taken up post behind him. “You can sit down, Gunwook, it’s only us.”
Gunwook sighed, but obliged. It couldn’t truly be comfortable for him to sit down while he was still wearing his swords strapped to his back, but Hao wouldn’t argue with him about taking them off. He knew Gunwook wouldn’t let go of them until they were back home.
“Gunwook! Thank you for bringing him here, and protecting him from your prince during our impromptu coronation in the tent.” Kuanjui’s words were heartfelt, but slid right off Gunwook’s unimpressed demeanour.
“It is my duty.” With Hao’s blessing, Gunwook got up to stand at the window where it was truly beginning to rain now.
Kuanjui shot Hao a confused look.
Hao smiled. “He likes the rain.”
He wouldn’t waste time explaining to his little brother what a miracle it was that Gunwook was standing where he stood, in the heart of Zhang kingdom, without lifting either of his swords. He had offered for Gunwook to stay at home, for Hao to take a different guard, but Gunwook had only scoffed at him.
He seemed a little less tense every time it rained.
“How have things been here?”
“The dust has been settling. What remains is different, yet the same.” Kuanjui looked around them, to the walls that still held their father’s decorations. “Father wanted to apologise to you before his death. He made me promise to tell you.”
“I forgive him.” Hao did. There was no use holding a grudge against a dead man. He couldn’t be upset when it had led him to his fate. He smiled down at the bone ring on his hand. It had been carved from the antlers of a truly magnificent stag. “He was a better king than I was.”
“But a terrible father.”
“To me, not to you, Juijui. And you are the one who matters. The good he gave to you is what will live on, in this family and in this kingdom.”
He was surprised by how much his words seemed to affect Kuanjui. He sounded less like a reigning king and more like Hao’s beloved baby brother when he asked, “Do you really believe that?”
“I do. I believe that with all my heart.”
Kuanjui looked like he wanted to cry. He hastily wiped his eyes before he was smiling again. Hao didn’t call him out on it. It was what he was here for. He’d use this winter and the next three to help Kuanjui grow into his crown.
“But what about you?” Kuanjui asked him, already looking a lot more composed. Sadness was not something he usually held on to and that didn’t seem to have changed in the years they had been apart. “How’s life at Sung Keep?”
“Good.”
Hao could hear Gunwook snort where he stood still facing the window.
He fondly rolled his eyes. “It’s very good. I’m enjoying my new rooms.”
“The Sung upholding their end of the treaty? With all the new stipulations?”
“Without complaint.”
Hanbin really hadn’t complained when Hao had moved into his rooms. After all, Hao was gracious enough to let him stay there with him, in the best rooms the castle had to offer.
“What about the Sung prince? He treats you well?”
“Very well.” Hao ran his finger over his ring. “He once made me a promise to make me happy every day and he’s rarely failed to uphold it. These days, I’m mostly striving to do the same for him.”
Kuanjui let out an eternal sigh. “I see.”
Hao smiled, withstanding the urge to squish his cheeks. “Will you come to my wedding?”
“Am I allowed?” Kuanjui frowned. “The peace treaty clearly states that the Zhang king is banned from setting foot on Sung lands until life has returned to the barren lands and we’ve been there not too long. It’s all mud right now.”
Hao smiled. “I was thinking about having a small ceremony while I am here, to get Mother’s blessings.”
“Without your groom?”
Hao smiled. “Give it a week.”
*
Having grown up in Sung kingdom, I never feared its weather. The hot summers never fazed me and the bitter winters never made me shiver. Yet, it seems I have developed an intolerance towards the cold. No fire and no coat is able to warm me as well as a single look at your face does. That is to say, return soon, my heart.
(Absolutely disgusting! You’re not writing that!)
My Haohao, my heart, I can not bear to be parted from you for so long. Not even in the name of peace, which rules us all.
(Also, no! Hao, if you’re reading this, come back soon. He’s becoming increasingly unbearable in your absence.)
My Haohao, I dream of you.
(Don’t we all?)
Hao,
As the peace treaty demands, I am letting you go home for the winter. As my heart demands, I will follow you soon. Wait for me until then. I am thinking of you. I am dreaming of you. I am coming to see you.
(That’s more like it!)
It looks like I won’t be coming alone.
An excerpt from a letter sent by Sung Hanbin, Crown Prince of the North, to his betrothed Zhang Hao, Crown Prince of the South and Sea, written around 2.5 years A.T.G.W., edited (with authorization) by Seok Matthew, Royal Advisor of the Sung Court.
*
It took three days for the bells of Zhang palace to ring, announcing the arrival of guests. Hao barely made it to the entrance hall before the great doors opened.
“Haohao!” He was tackled in a hug so fierce it made both of them fall to the ground. Despite their rather unexpected acquaintance with the floor, Yujin grinned at him. “Did you miss me?”
“Very much,” Hao wheezed.
Gunwook pushed his hands under his armpits to pull him to his feet. It made Hao feel a little bit like a child.
“Don’t be so rash, Yujin-ah,” Gyuvin told his protected, shooting Hao an apologetic smile as he helped Yujin to his feet. “You’re not a child anymore.”
Yujin only shrugged and snuggled himself into Hao’s side. That was, until Hanbin came towards them. He unceremoniously pried Yujin from Hao’s side and pulled Hao into a bone-crushing hug.
Burying his face in the crook of Hao’s shoulder, Hanbin took a deep breath. “Better.”
Hao smiled and stroked the back of his head before he pulled far enough away to kiss him. “I’m happy to see you too.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t quite last the two weeks I promised you.”
“Ten days is already good.” Hao didn’t bother hiding the relief he felt himself. “I think that’s the longest we’ve been apart since we came back from the border.” Cheekily, he added, “Nine would have sufficed in my opinion.”
Hanbin kissed him again.
“Finally!” Matthew pushed Hanbin out of the way to get his own hug. “I’m so glad to see you, Hao! Hanbin was getting unbearably sulky in your absence!”
“Bold words coming from the one who begged me to let him come along.” Hanbin glared at his friend, taking back possession of Hao’s waist.
Matthew grinned. “What? I’ve always wanted to travel somewhere nice and Zhang kingdom has the mildest winters in all of the lands! Don’t you think I deserve a break from the cold after my stint at the Ice Islands? Huh? Don’t you?”
They chased each other around and Hao laughed at them as he opened his arms for Taerae.
“Taerae! You’re here as well?” He hugged his young friend extra tight.
“Hao! Did you know there are at least fifteen unidentified species of fern that grow on your coasts! Of course, I’ve already collected samples along the way, but do you think it’d be possible to take a daytrip there? Down to the beach?”
Hao laughed. “I’m sure that can be arranged.”
Over Taerae’s shoulder, he could see Jiwoong help Ricky off his horse. He knew Ricky could get down on his own and he knew that there was no reason for Jiwoong to hold onto him as long as he did, but Hao mentioned neither of these things as he greeted the last of his friends.
“I didn’t expect everyone to come.” Hao shook his head as he surveyed the group of them. “But I am so happy to see all of you.”
“Don’t flatter yourself, Haohao, what makes you think we’re not here to see Gunwook?”
Gunwook gave Matthew the finger.
Matthew blew him a kiss.
Taerae raised his hand. “I’m here to see Gunwook. Gunwook knows how to carve little animals out of wood and I want one.”
“Taerae is my favourite,” Gunwook said.
“I thought I was your favourite Kim?” Gyuvin complained.
“Who knows, maybe it’s Jiwoong?”
Hao melted against Hanbin’s side.
“Welcome to Zhang palace,” Kuanjui’s voice sounded from behind them.
Hao felt distinctly proud of his little brother as Kuanjui walked towards them, looking perfectly poised just like Hao had taught him.
“King Kuanjui.” Hanbin inclined his head while the rest of them bowed.
Kuanjui eyed the arm Hanbin had wrapped around Hao’s waist. Hao felt Hanbin’s grip tighten and laid a hand on his shoulder. It worked wonders to make Hanbin relax against him.
“I told you he’d come.” Hao smiled at his brother.
Kuanjui nodded. “You’re welcome.” He raised his left eyebrow. “All of you.”
There was a beat of silence. Then Yujin, who had been hiding behind Gyuvin’s back, stepped forward.
“Hello.” He smiled broadly, clearly drawing confidence from Gyuvin’s looming presence behind him. “I’m Yujin.”
Kuanjui nodded. He looked perfectly composed, but Hao could tell by the light twitch of his fingers that he was nervous.
“Do you like shooting arrows?”
Kuanjui’s brows furrowed. “I--I do?”
“Great!” Yujin beamed at him. “Haohao has taught me how to shoot at a moving target. Let’s see who can hit more! You have a shooting range, right?”
Kuanjui seemed bewildered for a moment, looking at Hao for help before he seemed to remember what he was, who he was. He was a king. More than that, he was someone that Hao had raised.
Gaining confidence from Hao’s smile, Kuanjui said, “Do you also know how to shoot two arrows at once?”
Yujin’s mouth dropped open. “No way! You know how to do that?”
Kuanjui nodded.
“That’s awesome!”
Kuanjui still looked bewildered, but a small smile tugged on the corner of his mouth.
“Not fair,” Hanbin breathed into Hao’s ear. “I steal his brother once and he hates me forever. Yujin makes him a compliment once and Kuanjui likes him right away. It’s not fair.”
Hao giggled because Hanbin’s breath was tickling his ear and his friends were here and it was never too late to make new ones.
“We can go to the shooting range after lunch,” he said aloud. “Maybe after lunch and a nap,” he corrected when he saw the way Gyuvin was lightly swaying on his feet and Jiwoong was leaning a little heavier on Ricky than expected.
He had no doubt that the soul guards had taken turns to sleep, all of them unable to relax now that their charges had left Sung Keep. Duty over sleep was an eternal fight Hao had with Gunwook almost every day.
“That sounds good.” As they tended to do, Jiwoong’s words put an end to any argument and everyone began to move in the direction they were supposed to.
For Hao, that was closer to Hanbin, who was pressed a sneaky kiss against his neck. “I missed you so much.”
*
It is often said that a soul guard’s only duty is their charge. The moment we take our oath, we lose all earthly attachments and to some degree, that is true. Those of us who wear the black are unsusceptible to any law, any order that does not come from our charge’s mouth. (Unless they want snacks after midnight!!)
Despite that, it is in the nature of any human being to form attachments to other people.
Some of us marry. Many of us have children. We love people and it is good that we do. People love us and it is good that they do. An understanding of what love is and what it allows us, forces us, moves us to do is critical to understand the way this world works.
(Well said, hyung!!)
Some may even argue that love is the one driving force we share with the gods, who make this world turn. In that way, loving deeply helps us protect our soul charge too, for we understand them and what makes their world turn.
I, for one, have never regretted falling in love. I’d argue that it has made me a better guard, and a better man.
(And a whole lot less annoying!!)
An excerpt from General Kim Jiwoong’s A Guide to Soul Guardship, published 7 years A.T.G.W., edited (without authorization) by Captain Kim Gyuvin, Second Commander of the High Royal Guard.
*
Hao had spent the first nineteen years of his life inside the walls of Zhang palace and yet he had never truly lived in it like he did now.
Two days after their arrival, he took his friends to swim in the sea that lapped at the cliff Zhang palace was built upon. He showed them how to float in the salt water. He helped Taerae collect his samples. He took Hanbin to dive into the caves below the palace like he had always dreamed of doing.
Hanbin was still terrible at it, but his will to not be parted from Hao for even a minute was stronger. Hao dove deep and returned with a pearl for him. Gunwook carved a little wooden box for it.
Weeks passed and Hao didn’t think he’d ever been happier, though he could tell his friends were growing homesick. He felt it too. He was pretty sure if he forced Matthew to eat sea food for one more day, his friend might actually turn into an octopus himself.
There was one thing left to do before they could return home, though.
As he had done almost every day for the past two and a half years, Ricky helped him dress. His elegant hand lingered on the plain, but expensive fabric. “It feels like water.”
“It’s sea silk. It’s very hard to make and almost impossible to dye, but my mother had it made for me.”
Ricky nodded. He didn’t say any more and Hao frowned. “Ricky?”
Ricky smiled as he looked up at him. “Mhm?”
“Is there something bothering you?”
Ricky hastily shook his head. His smile was a lot more sincere as he took Hao’s hand. “I’m so happy for you, Hao.”
Hao squinted at him. “And yet there is something bothering you.”
“It’s not that. It’s just--” Ricky turned red from his ears down to his neck. He reached into the sleeve of his robes.
Hao gasped when he saw what he was hiding in his palm. Carefully, he picked up the finely crafted silver band. There was a row of tiny, black diamonds embedded into the metal. The ring was beautiful and elegant and everything his friend deserved.
“Did Jiwoong give this to you?”
Ricky nodded. “He said he won’t let me laugh at him again, or make him ask a third time.”
“Congratulations!” Hao grabbed his friend’s hands, pressing the ring back into his palm and a kiss to his cheek. He only stopped cheering when he noticed that Ricky wasn’t smiling. Carefully, he asked, “Is there a reason you’re not wearing it?”
Ricky shook his head. He looked down at the ring as if he didn’t dare believe it was real and only then did Hao understand.
“Do you think the gods could love me this much?” Ricky asked as if he was afraid of the answer.
Hao’s lips pulled into a gentle smile. “I think they are not the only ones who love you.”
Ricky’s face got even redder.
Hao added, “You should wear it. It matches your butterfly.”
Ricky touched the pin on his chest. “You think so?”
“I think Jiwoong will be very happy to see you wear it.”
Ricky let out a shaky sigh. “Hao?”
“Yes, my dearest friend?”
“Are you ever so happy that it scares you?”
Hao smiled. “Almost all the time.”
They finished getting Hao dressed and once he was, Hao couldn’t help but admire himself in the mirror. The deep red of his robes complimented his skin.
Hanbin looked about ready to keel over when he saw him. Or maybe, that were his nerves. Hao laughed and took him by the hands.
Despite his obvious inability to overcome the sight of Hao, Hanbin’s voice was steady as he pulled him close. “You look beautiful.”
“You don’t look too shabby yourself.”
Hanbin puffed out his chest with pride. He was wearing modest grey Sung robes, but the make of them was much finer than usual. On his head, he wore a sapphire-studded circlet that imitated the antlers of a stag. Hao liked it a lot. Hao liked him a lot.
Hand in hand, they entered the garden inside of Zhang palace where his mother was already waiting for them. She smiled when she saw Hao, a single tear escaping her. She smiled at Hanbin too.
Hao knew that his mother saw Hanbin differently than his brother did. To Kuanjui, Hanbin was the one who had stolen his brother away, as Hanbin had put it, and Kuanjui accepted this because Hao had asked him to, but he didn’t fully understand. Not like Hao’s mother did.
Hao had liberated Zhang kingdom, and Hanbin had liberated him.
His brother was too young to understand this, but his mother wasn’t.
They kneeled in front of her and she took Hao’s hands first, using brassen paint to write blessings onto his skin. Once she was done, she took Hanbin’s hands and did the same for him. For Hanbin, she spoke aloud what she was blessing him with, so he could understand. Finally, she set down her paint brush.
“You have all my blessings.” She briefly touched Hao’s cheek. “My son.” She turned towards Hanbin, touching his cheek as well. “My other son.”
Hanbin pressed his forehead to the ground and Hao followed him after. They bowed to the heavens above and the earth below. They bowed to Hao’s mother. Lastly, they bowed to each other.
Hanbin took his hand as they rose to their feet, the antler rings on their hands aligning. The paint on their hands smeared when they intertwined their fingers, but it was supposed to. There was no separating their blessings, just like there was no separating the two of them.
*
So, I may have adopted three dogs.
It wasn’t supposed to be three, it wasn’t even supposed to be one, but as we passed by their vendor, I made that mistake of telling Hao that one of them reminded me of you. He insisted I buy it and because Yujin was with us, I couldn’t leave the other two behind. Gyuvin would have been very cross with me if I upset his soul charge and we both know how unbearable he gets when he sulks.
So, I may have added three dogs to our household. Their names are Hazelnut, Peanut and Almond. Everyone loves them like everyone loved you, so I do feel like it was a worthwhile purchase. Only Hanbin hates them because he loses Hao’s attention whenever they’re around, but that makes them only more valued members of our family in my mind.
As they are dogs, they will probably get to meet you before me, so please take care of them while all of you wait for me. I eagerly await the day we reunite.
Though, I may have to make you wait for a while longer. The peace lasts and so does my duty. I hope you can forgive me. I know you will. I forgive you too for going first. You know I do.
Make it rain when you read this, like you always do.
Until we meet again, my love,
G.W.
A private letter unsent by Captain Park Gunwook, Third Commander of the High Royal Guard, written around 3 years A.T.G.W.
*
Flowers lined the streets and hung in garlands from the roofs of the houses as they returned to Sung kingdom, riding through its capital.
“It’s March.” Hao turned all around in his saddle, knowing that it was safe. Chestnut was following Hodu, and Gunwook was not distracted. “Did I miss someone’s birthday?”
Hanbin next to him laughed. “They’re celebrating you, Haohao!”
“Whatever for?”
“Your wedding!” Yujin chimed in from behind them. Gyuvin had to grab his reins to keep him from steering his horse into a cabbage cart.
“The wedding isn’t until the summer!” Hao yelled back. It couldn’t be that news had travelled this far from Zhang kingdom, could it be? They had kept their blessings ceremony so small.
“The snow has melted so it’s close enough to summer to already start the celebrations!” Matthew called over his shoulder from where he was leading their little procession.
“Just enjoy it, Haohao,” Hanbin told him so Hao did.
He reached for the flowers overhead, brushing their petals with his fingers. He watched as Jiwoong right in front of Hanbin plucked a blue rose from one of the garlands and spurred his horse so he could give it to Ricky farther ahead. Ricky took it, the silver of his ring glinting in the sunlight. Hao had been right. Jiwoong did look very happy every time he saw it on Ricky’s finger.
He accepted a bundle of wild flowers from an elderly woman that was holding them out for him and started handing them out to his friends. Only the blue rose of the bunch he kept for Hanbin. It was the flower the Sung used to confess love, Hao had learned.
Hanbin looked more than delighted when Hao offered him the blue rose.
“Thank you, my love.”
Hao smiled, holding out his hand. Hanbin took it, holding onto it even as they rode into Sung Keep. Both the King and Queen had come out to greet them, standing hand in hand.
The moment Hao had dismounted his horse, the Queen reached for him.
“Zhang Hao.” She stroked his hair like his mother had done right before he had left. “Welcome back.”
Hao basked in the grace of her smile, in the sunlight, in the feeling of returning home. “Thank you for having me.”
*
The most valiant man I know, apart from my brother, is undoubtedly his husband. I only know what happened at the border between our two kingdoms through the stories that were told to me by the people that were there and there is no doubt in my mind that some of the details have been grossly exaggerated throughout the years, but they all retain the same core of what I assume to be the truth.
Zhang Hao saved both of our kingdoms that day.
No kingdom can prosper under the rule of a mad king and the more I watch them be together, the more I realise how quickly and unarguably their separation would have driven both of them into a state of madness.
I am glad that we were spared from this. I am glad that we can prosper. Personally, I can not describe to you how much of a joy it is to have your brother. I rarely found greater contentment than having Zhang Hao be a part of my family.
As you are the one who has allowed him to be with us, I can only thank you. Thank you for letting us have him. I can assure you that I have done my best to be the most annoying little brother to him in your absence. I rest assured that you have picked up the duty whenever the winter has taken Zhang Hao from us and brought him back to your palace.
As it is summer right now, I’m looking very much forward to your next visit. Remember that Hao promised to teach us how to properly shoot a crossbow!
An excerpt from a letter sent by Sung Yujin, Second Prince of the North, to Zhang Kuanjui, King of the South and Sea, written 10 years A.T.G.W., received by the latter along with an expensive vase to celebrate a decade of peace between Sung and Zhang kingdom.
*
Hao’s favourite place in all of Sung Keep was the Queen’s garden. In the Queen’s garden, his favourite spot was right under the tree that he had sat under during his first time in the garden. He remembered eating fruit with Yujin. He remembered Hanbin throwing a knife at him. He remembered so many summer days he had spent here since.
As it was afternoon, the heat was waning and Hao found it a lot more comfortable to be outside. He had spent the morning in the library and brought a book from there. Hao liked reading and Hanbin liked it when Hao read to him, so this is where they found themselves.
Hanbin had his head bedded on Hao’s thigh and Hao ran his fingers through his hair as he read out loud. It didn’t take very long for him to notice when Hanbin fell asleep. His cheeks were clean so Hao could kiss them. Though, he might have kissed them either way. He’d come to love Hanbin in all ways he existed.
In the end, no dirt, no sword, no crown could keep him from the man he loved.
He kissed Hanbin’s cheek again, couldn’t find it in himself to stop until Hanbin woke up and tilted his head so they could kiss properly. Hao yelped when the book was taking from his hands. As much respect as Hanbin had for the book, depositing it safely to the side, he didn’t have nearly the same respect for Hao as he climbed on top of him and pressed him into the earth, pressing their mouths together.
By the time Hanbin let off of him, Hao could barely breathe. It didn’t keep from holding onto Hanbin. The sun shone down on them, illuminating Hanbin from behind as if he was wearing a crown made of sunlight. Hao reached out and wriggled his fingers in the light, playing with it before he buried his fingers in Hanbin’s hair.
Hanbin covered his hand with his own, pressing a kiss into his palm. “What are you thinking?”
Hao hummed as if he had to think about it. “I’m thinking that I’m happy.”
The smile that overtook Hanbin’s face was as gorgeous as ever. “I’m glad to hear it, Haohao.”
“Thank you for making me happy, Hanbin-ah.”
Hanbin leaned down to kiss him, pecking him on the lips once, twice before littering the rest of his face with kisses. “I have to, my dearest husband, for you are my heart.”
Hao touched his face. There were no words to describe the feelings he had for Hanbin, so he settled for the simplest answer. “You are my heart, too.” He knew Hanbin heard everything else he wanted to say.
He laughed as Hanbin rolled off of him so they could lie next to each other, hold onto each other as they spent their youth in the shade of a tree.
Hao was not worried about wasting time. They had this life, the next and every one thereafter.
*
Every botanist, whether they be a florist, gardener or farmer must know not to underestimate the importance of mud.
One may look at a handful of earth and see its use. One may look at a bucket of water and see its use. Mixing the two leads to mud, a botanist’s favourite kind of dirt. Mud has a reputation far worse than its use. It is generous in its availability as it can be found anywhere. It might even streak the cheeks of a prince or two. Yet, it is not to be underestimated.
Really, it is formidable what can grow out of a bit of wet soil. For an easy beginner’s experiment that well illustrates its use, one might try to grow salt flowers. Having earned their name due to their unique smell, this particular breed of rosaceous plant grows from a type of seed that is native to the Thousand Islands, commonly known as salt seeds.
The first salt seeds were given to the Zhang kingdom by the King of the Thousand Islands as a thank you for the help that Zhang kingdom afforded its people in their most dire time of need. Since then, salt seeds have found their way onto every botanist’s well-stocked shelf.
The salt flowers grown from these seeds are edible stem to petal and are known to grow in any climate, no matter the weather conditions. It is the mud that gives them life, though. Nothing can grow where there is no earth and no water. Nothing can grow where these two aren’t joined into one by gentle hands.
We have to be grateful to those who kneel in the mud for us to cultivate something better.
If given enough time and sunlight, this particular mixture may even harden into something that is strong enough to build the foundation of two nations. Though, to test this theory, this humble author recommends seeking out a book that focusses on architecture rather than botany, or a history of our great Sung kingdom that sets in after the great war.
Both should lead to a satisfactory amount of answers.
An excerpt from Court Physician Kim Taerae’s Beginner’s Handbook on the Ways of Botany, published 12 years A.T.G.W., revised by Zhang Hao, King Consort of the North, Prince of the South and Sea, commonly referred to by both kingdoms as “the Sun Prince.”