To Devour A Dynasty
Prologue
Up in the mountains, past the sands that threaten to overcome the plains, live creatures more foreboding than the Shang Dynasty’s army in full flight; but even them with their malevolence are nothing compared with human nature.
‘Chou-chou, naughty girl,’ says Mama, her long black hair blowing in the breeze. ‘Come inside!’
Chou-chou is my nickname, but my real name is Chouyuan. My name means nothing, unlike the other girl in the village who’s named after a cabbage. I sometimes want to nibble her ears to see what they taste like.
‘Just a small bit more time.’ I give her a toothy smile. ‘Prease!’
Mama shakes her head, but it’s not the no you can’t shake, it’s the okay you win shake, and she disappears inside. I follow a cicada as it hops between our millet c
