Mingi. Emperor of Xuya Empire. Located in the middle of a dense forest in central Asia. Weather is rough. Rain goes on for days in the spring and fall, snow is heavy in the winter, and the sun could melt your face off in the summer.

Today is July 7th. It’s hot and humid out. Most people are outside working or basking in the river just West of the main village. Bugs are out. Many women are in lighter and shorter clothes, hair pinned up with whatever they can find. Men are often shirtless and walking in wide trousers.

Mingi is in his palace. There’s trade disputes. The kingdom just north of them, Easeria Dynasty, wants horses. In exchange for cows. Horses are much more useful. They can be trained, they can carry. They die, you cook and eat them, save their manes and tail for winter clothing. Cows you just… milk and butcher.

“No. I don’t need any more cattle in my villages,” Mingi decides, swirling a glass of wine. His voice is deep, gravelly. He runs a hand through his jet black, shaggy hair. People are suggesting he takes the cows, which he finds preposterous.

“What use would another heifer be to our town?” He poses, taking a sip of the bitter alcohol. The grape liquid slides down his throat easy. Brewers are doing well lately.

The meeting is interrupted when a small woman pops in. Yu-Mi. Mingi’s… assistant. More like a lap dog. She follows him closely and does every little thing asked of her. Everyone assumes the two are courting but neither have denied or supported these allegations.