Capital City

Biodata

Overview

Chang'an is the political and administrative center of Great Chu, housing the imperial palace, major Imperial Guard offices, senior officials, and foreign diplomatic missions. It is depicted as a prosperous city whose outer districts are inhabited by commoners, while its quarters also contain wealthy residences and official institutions. 94 131

Districts and Landmarks

• Taiyuan Quarter — A city quarter containing an embroidery shop involved in the kidnapping of young women and a Xinglong Realty branch. 100 131
• West Water Alley — Location of a newly built, luxurious five-courtyard residence viewed by Huang Shaojie and Xiao Qiuyue. 131
• Donghua Gate Square — Site of the Persian Envoy Group's martial-arts challenge arena. 360
• Imperial City Tower — A viewing point for Emperor Xuande, Ling Xiaotian, and senior officials during the Persian tournament; Prince Ning shields it during the Meteor Firefall incident. 360 380
• Imperial Palace — Seat of the imperial court and later the residence of Empress Xiang Qingyang and Huang Shaojie. 458
• Eastern Pacification Office — An Imperial Guard office in the capital, formerly headed by Azure Dragon and associated with the investigation into the missing-person cases. 100 113
• Northern Pacification Office — The office overseen by Huang Shaojie after his appointment as Northern Pacification Commissioner, responsible for receiving and monitoring the Persian delegation. 354 355

History

Huang Shaojie departed Suzhou for the capital on the eighteenth day of the third month. 92 Ten days after travelling with Xiao Qiuyue, he arrived in Chang'an and noted its prosperity, intending to establish himself there before settling down. 94

The city soon became the center of an escalating missing-person crisis. Young women, servant girls, and handsome young men disappeared, while local authorities appeared to suppress information and conduct inadequate investigations. Huang Shaojie reported the irregularities to Azure Dragon, leading the Eastern Pacification Office to investigate. 100 101 The case ultimately exposed He Bi's collusion with the Iron Fork Society, which had abducted women from the capital and held captives on Peach Blossom Island. 115 120 125

Huang Shaojie and Xiao Qiuyue later sought a residence in the capital and inspected a five-courtyard house in West Water Alley. 131 The Huang family subsequently relocated from Suzhou to Chang'an, where their new manor was described as luxurious and expansive. 201 210

The capital faced repeated internal threats, including Japanese espionage. Japanese agents infiltrated both the city and the Imperial Guard, while Ling Xiaotian also confirmed infiltration within the Imperial Surveillance Bureau. 159 164

Major Incidents

Persian Delegation and Arena Challenge

The Persian envoy mission led by Prince William arrived in Chang'an under the supervision of Huang Shaojie's Northern Pacification Office. 354 355 The delegation established a challenge arena at Donghua Gate Square to test Great Chu's martial strength and advance Prince William's proposed marriage to Princess Pingyang. 360 368

During the contest, Persian Great Magician Adrian cast the Forbidden Curse Magic Meteor Firefall, sending a dozen fiery meteors toward the city. Prince Ning protected the imperial city tower, while Huang Shaojie slowed and controlled the meteors to avert mass casualties. 380

Succession Crisis

As Emperor Xuande's health worsened, Prince Qi and Prince Han maneuvered against one another over the succession. Princess Pingyang accepted command of an expedition to Annan, partly to gain prestige and avoid the capital's growing power struggle. 405

Prince Ning later moved his consort and his sons' families away from the capital, anticipating chaos, and declared his intent to contest the throne. 421

Xiang Qingyang's Ascension

Following Xiang Qingyang's ascension as Empress, the capital hosted her ceremony, the issuance of new laws, a general amnesty, and the rewarding of loyal officials. Huang Shaojie was named Heavenly Strategist General and Pillar of the State Duke, while Ling Xiaotian was appointed to oversee the Imperial Guard. 458

Residents and Institutions

• Emperor Xuande — Former ruler of Great Chu who presided over court affairs and the Persian arena challenge. 360 405
• Empress Xiang Qingyang — Later ruler of Great Chu; moved into the Imperial Palace with Huang Shaojie after her ascension. 458
• Huang Shaojie — Imperial Guard commander and later Northern Pacification Commissioner; established a manor in Chang'an and played a central role in defending the city. 131 354 380
• Xiao Qiuyue — Imperial Guard commander who travelled to Chang'an with Huang Shaojie and helped investigate threats within the city. 94 131 159
• Azure Dragon — Eastern Pacification Commissioner who directed the missing-person investigation and the operation against Peach Blossom Island. 101 115 125
• Ling Xiaotian — Imperial Guard Commander who directed counter-espionage measures and was later appointed to oversee the Imperial Guard under Empress Xiang Qingyang. 164 458
• Imperial Guard — Maintains major pacification offices in the capital and investigates threats ranging from kidnappings and official corruption to foreign espionage. 100 159 354
• Imperial Surveillance Bureau — A powerful supervisory institution later revealed to have been infiltrated by Japanese spies. 164