After Ozai ascended to the throne, he imdiately began suppressing Iroh's influence within the military.
He forced generals to choose their allegiance, then promoted his own people while striking at Iroh's.
As for particularly stubborn individuals, Ozai could only help them "sacrifice for the nation," just as Zuko had heard in the eting hall, by sending those troops out as human bait.
Faced with such blatant oppression, people naturally would not remain idle, and thus the rebel army was born.
For example, another Firebending master of the Fire Nation, the forr Admiral Jeong Jeong, had also beco a mber of the rebel army.
After its formation, the rebel army not only consisted of Iroh's supporters, but also included many who were dissatisfied with Ozai's thods.
They operated in various places; although not large in scale, they were troubleso.
And for him, Iroh's disciple, to deal with an organization so closely tied to Iroh, Ozai's intentions were obvious.
Ozai clearly wanted to use this operation to create conflict between him and Iroh's faction, thereby completely binding him to his side.
Whether one called him cunning or shrewd, the fact remained that Ozai was not as easy to deal with as he had imagined.
Before he could even plan how to handle Ozai, the other party had already presented him with such a major challenge.
So the question was, how could he break this deadlock?
Kahn instinctively wanted to consult Iroh, but then rembered that he could not yet enter the Spirit World and naturally had no way to et him.
But then he realized that he might have relied too much on Iroh over the years.
Whether now or in the future, Iroh could not always provide him with help.
It was better to get rid of this dangerous mindset early.
After admonishing himself, Kahn carefully analyzed the current situation and felt that his position was still favorable.
Because this mission was to be carried out by him and Azula together, Ozai likely wanted Azula to gain experience while simultaneously monitoring his actions, killing two birds with one stone.
And this was his advantage.
No matter how ticulous Ozai's thinking was, he would never have imagined that, in a sense, his most trusted daughter, Azula, had long deviated from his intended path and even stood on the opposite side.
You thought I was the one who was turned?
Wrong, it was Azula.
As long as Azula stood by him and cooperated, the entire situation would have plenty of room for maneuver.
Thinking of this, Kahn imdiately set off to find Azula.
"You want my help?"
"Is it for you or for Iroh?"
"Perhaps you can offer so conditions that might sway ; I might be interested."
Upon hearing Kahn's request, Azula was noncommittal, leaning back in her lounge chair and speaking with a hint of playfulness.
Of course, she would not refuse Kahn if he ca to her for help.
But if Kahn was helping Iroh, then that was worth discussing properly.
In fact, if it weren't for Kahn asking, she wouldn't even bother to listen further.
Kahn understood Azula's personality, and this ti he was naturally prepared.
"You said before, didn't you, that you want to beco the Fire Lord?"
"Well, I think this incident is a very good starting point."
Kahn spoke confidently:
"If that is the goal, then obviously we must have a force of our own."
"You an Iroh's people?"
"You think they'll pledge allegiance to ?"
"Are you dreaming?"
Azula scoffed, dismissing him with disdain.
"Why would it be impossible?"
Kahn said earnestly:
"As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"Right now, both we and they share a common enemy—Ozai."
"On that basis, there is a possibility."
"Besides, aren't I here?"
At this, Kahn chuckled:
"You know my relationship with Uncle Iroh."
"Uncle Iroh's forces are my forces, and my forces are your forces."
"If you truly want to beco Fire Lord in the future, I will absolutely support you, alright?"
Sorry, Zuko, compared to the future, the current situation matters more.
"Is there any other choice besides supporting ?"
"That hardly counts as a condition."
Though she said this, Azula's tone clearly softened.
"But fine, rember what you said."
"So, how do you want to help?"
With Azula convinced, Kahn's plan was largely complete.
As for the remaining part, he needed to check another place.
So Kahn smiled:
"It's not decided yet, because there might be other surprises."
—
That day, Kahn arrived at the marketplace early in the morning, blending perfectly into the bustling crowd as he wandered aimlessly.
As he walked, he idly fiddled with a lotus tile in his hand, appearing sowhat inexplicable.
His purpose this ti was to find the mysterious organization Iroh had told him about.
However, Iroh had not told him how to contact this organization.
He had only said that when Kahn encountered difficulties, he should stroll around the marketplace, and there might be a surprise.
As for what that surprise would be, he had no idea.
However, he did not place his hopes on this mysterious organization, whose na he didn't even know.
He was rely trying his luck.
If he could receive so substantial help, that would naturally be even better.
As the capital of the Fire Nation, its marketplace was remarkably prosperous.
In the market, one could not only buy local specialties from across the Fire Nation, but also goods from other nations were readily available.
All kinds of items dazzled the eye, making it difficult to take everything in at once.
Even if he couldn't find that organization, simply coming to look around, broaden his horizons, and relax would not be a loss.
Kahn thought to himself.
Every ti he passed a teahouse, Kahn deliberately stopped to observe the people drinking tea and playing gas inside.
These were places Iroh often frequented, so there might be clues.
"Is this guest here to play a ga?"
As Kahn passed another teahouse, a waiter suddenly called out to him.
It was a lean man with an ordinary appearance and a warm, talkative deanor, much like a typical, capable server.
Kahn instinctively declined:
"No, I don't play gas."
The waiter smiled:
"Then why are you holding a tile as you walk?"
"But if you don't play and are interested, you can co into our humble shop and order a pot of tea."
"We can teach you so basic rules of the ga."
"How does that sound, guest?"
Kahn looked at the enthusiastic waiter in front of him, then at the lotus tile in his hand.
"Alright."
The waiter then led him to an empty seat in the teahouse, served him tea, and indeed began teaching him the rules of the ga called Pai Sho.
Kahn could only listen attentively, but the more he listened, the sleepier he beca.
Perhaps he simply wasn't suited for gas, or at least he didn't find them interesting at the mont.
After a while, another waiter ca to inform him that a private room in the back had beco available, asking if he would like to change seats.
Finally!
Kahn's spirits imdiately lifted, and he nodded:
"Of course!"
User Comments
0 comments from readers