"A THOUSAND BLESSINGS AND MANY THOUSAND more be poured upon thee, thou who art the reigning Son of Heaven," began Famin Jie along with other honorifics addressed to the young ruler of the Middle Kingdom.
"The loyal subjects of this court have told me you deliver a message of divine importance, one that would determine the fate of my empire and its entire people. Take great care with the words that would roll from your mouth for the time that slips away moment by moment is precious and I have not the pleasure of engaging in meaningless conversation," said the emperor with utmost seriousness. Famin Jie bowed once more and began to speak the message.
"Your Imperial Majesty, what I am to tell you is not of my own thought, but was entrusted to me by that which is infinitely higher. A time of
