Historical Figure (Hemp)

Lane's topic: "...take an obviously famous historical figure (one that everyone has , or should have, heard of) and write a historical fiction piece that stars that character, good or bad."

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“Time to Post Something and Move On”

“Daddy, I’d like you meet Byron,” Zhang said to her father.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sun,” Byron said as he stuck his hand out to his girlfriend’s father. Mr. Sun’s hands remained at his sides as he said nothing; his hands only moved when he pulled the tobacco pipe from his mouth to blow smoke. After minutes of silence, Byron began to shift his weight from one foot to the other. Eventually, he broke down and asked, “So how is everything, sir?”

The old man continued to say nothing and stared into Byron’s eyes. Finally, the old man leaned forward and whispered in a raspy voice, “In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you can attain is to conceal them.”

Byron’s eyes slowly shifted to Zhang, but she simply looked back smiling.

“Daddy, don’t be like this again. Be nice,” Zhang jokingly pleaded with the smirk still on her face. “Why don’t we sit down over here and drink some tea.”

Zhang sat down on the love seat opposite a recliner and looked at Byron as she patted the cushion next to her. Byron began to walk in her direction, but Mr. Sun quickly slipped past him to nab the spot on the couch next to his daughter.

The bearded old man kissed his daughter’s cheek and then looked over at Byron to say, “Though we have heard of stupid haste in war, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.”

Byron sighed and sat in the recliner opposite his girlfriend. Byron waited for Mr. Sun to speak, but no words came from the old man; Mr. Sun simply waited. Again Byron broke down and decided to speak.

“So, Zhang said that you retired from the army, but are now a painter. How is the art world treating you?”

“Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity. If a secret piece of news is divulged to a spy before the time is ripe, he must be put to death,” the old man said as he laughed and smoke flowed from his mouth.

“Look, I’m just trying to make conversation. You don’t need to make any accusations,” Byron said cutting off the old man’s laughter. Feeling the tension, Zhang cut into the conversation with:

“Daddy, why don’t you tell Byron about your time in the army? His little brother is thinking of joining up, but isn’t sure yet.”

Mr. Sun looked directly into Byron’s eyes and spoke, “Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.”

“Yah, I’ll be sure to tell him that right away,” Byron said as he rolled his eyes. Zhang kicked his ankle gently after he finished his comment.

“I need to use the bathroom. I’ll be right back,” Zhang said as she stood up and left the room.

“Now that Zhang is gone, I just wanna say that I’m sorry if we got off on the wrong foot. I am not sure what happened here,” Byron said to the old man.

“We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors,” Mr. Sun responded.

“Well, I have nothing but good intentions for your daughter. I love her and I want you and me to get along.”

“In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you can attain is to conceal them,” Mr. Sun said.

“Would it be so hard to get a straight answer, from you?” Byron said as his tone tightened.

“All warfare is based on deception.”

“You are one crazy old man, you know that. I read your book, but I never realized how seriously you took this stuff.”

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear.”

“I’m not afraid of you. I just can’t win,” Byron said he stood up.

“The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat,” the old man said as he remained perfectly calm.

“How are you boys getting along?” Zhang said with a smile as she reentered the living room.

“That’s it. Zhang, I am not going to put up with this crap. I’ll call you later Zhang,” Byron said as he stormed out of the house. Zhang chased after him, but could not catch Byron until he had already shut the door of his car. She slammed the door as she reentered the house and looked at her father puffing away on his pipe.

“I hope you are happy. I really liked this one and you had to do it again,” Zhang said as she waited for a reply. When none came, she asked instead,” Do you have anything to say for yourself?” Mr. Sun looked up and said:

“Only after trials, do we finally know the truth about friends, foes, and ourselves.”

“I love you too, daddy.”