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Post by Alphonse Elric on Aug 14, 2011 22:20:09 GMT -5
TO: Lan Fan FROM: Alphonse Elric Hello! Dear Lan Fan,
How have you been? It's been a while since we've been in contact, so I thought that I'd write you a letter. It's probably the most efficient way to contact anyone in another country, though I have no idea how long it takes to get across the desert. I guess it's a good thing I live in the east, huh?
Anyway, how are things in Xing? I'm sure that Ling is doing a good job as Emperor; he is protecting the smaller clans, isn't he? I know, it's really none of my business. I'm sure he's doing a great job. He cares a lot about his country and his people, and that's important. And I'm sure that you're doing an excellent job of protecting him.
Oh! Winry wants me to ask you how your automail is holding up. You got up on your feet really quickly with that, and I guess she just wants to make sure that you didn't do some horrible damage to your nerves or something. I think she just wants more automail to worry about, because Ed has one less automail limb for her to maintain.
I hope that you're okay. There's no rush to write me back; I'm not going anywhere in the near future, and there's plenty to do around here. I know you must be busy. I've got to go help Ed with something now. I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely
Alphonse Elric
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Post by lanfan on Aug 14, 2011 22:55:04 GMT -5
Greetings... [/color] Alphonse,Things have been going quite well now that myself and the young Lord have returned to Xing and settled. His Highness is doing wonderfully as Emperor. He admits to few that he is still growing used to the position, but it is in his blood. He is learning quickly, and he makes great leaps and bounds every day. I see him growing more confident, which is good, for he initially doubted himself.
He is safe and well, and by protecting the many clans, he has, in a way, helped to start breaking down some of the walls blocking communication that have been formed. Although they will never fully vanish, the future looks a bit brighter without so much constant competition.
As for my automail, it is doing quite well. Thank her for the concern, will you? It has aided me in keeping Ling safe, and that is the only thing I could possibly ask for. If I ever need an update, I know where to go. However, I hope that's not for a while...it would mean I'd need to step back from my post protecting the Emperor.
He's about to have an audience with some heads of the clans, I must go for now. I hope to hear from you in the near future. [/font] Lan Fan |
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Post by Alphonse Elric on Aug 14, 2011 23:21:02 GMT -5
TO: Lan Fan FROM: Alphonse Elric Hello! Dear Lan Fan,
I really don't understand how Ling could doubt himself; it was obvious even over here that he would be a wonderful leader, though I did once read that a true leader doesn't feel that they are fit to lead. I certainly hope that's not true in all cases, because from what I can gather, Führer Grumman has Brigadier General Mustang lined up to be his successor. Then again, I'm sure that much of the general's confidence is for show; he's one commanding officer that I can say with absolute certainty is a good man and truly cares about those below him.
That's good to hear. I'm glad that Ling's keeping true to his promise. Not that I ever doubted that he would. That means that there will be fewer feuds and assassination attempts on princes and princesses by members of other clans, doesn't it? If it does, that's certainly good news. Is the Emperor still going to have so many children in that case? I'm sorry if that comes across as too forward, I'm just curious. You can feel free to ignore any of my questions if they're too presumptuous.
Winry says that you're quite welcome. She also says that if you ever need a repair, she can probably get someone to go over to Xing, if she doesn't go herself. She understands how important your job is to you, and doesn't want you to have to leave it for any longer than you'd have to.
I'm curious, perhaps you could explain a bit more about how the clans work in Xing? I'm hoping to head over there in a while myself, and I don't want to appear ignorant of the culture. I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely
Alphonse Elric
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Post by lanfan on Aug 15, 2011 8:57:37 GMT -5
Greetings... [/color] TO: Alphonse Elric
FROM: Lan Fan [/font] Alphonse,For what sense it makes, I believe the young Lord knows he was born to lead, but Im not sure if he has fully realized it. I think that may be a reason for some of the doubt. It has been steadily fading, so I think he's realizing it. Although I did not see much of General Mustang in my time there, I met some of the people that worked under him - they all seemed dedicated to pushing him to the top. He will be a leader people can surely rely on and look up to.
With the walls between the clans slowly being broken down, that means there will indeed be less attacks on life of men and women alike. That means there will be less of a need for personal bodyguards, although Im sure the families will still elect to have such for the potential successors. And uh....as..as far as him having any number of children...I..I'm not sure..at all...thats something you'd have to ask him. I dont believe even he is sure of that yet.
Please tell Winry that I will find some way or another to get across the desert and back for maintenance. The desert is terribly unforgiving, especially for one who is not used to that sort of terrain and climate. If someone is not used to it, then it would be smartest they go accompanied by somebody who knows what they're facing - and that is not many people.
As far as the clans go, you know that Xing is a Monarchy, whose monarch holds the title of Emperor. It's composed by fifty hereditary clans all under the rule of the Emperor, who cements his (of her if a daughter inherits the title) rule by taking the daughter of each clan's chief to be his concubine and bear him an heir. This method works to ensure fealty to the Emperor by binding each clan to him by blood through their ruling families. But, like you stated, there is much tension between the princess and princesses - and they constantly wage assassination attempts against their competitors to try to lessen the playing field.
So, prior to Ling's ascension to the throne, it was a very...I think the expression is 'dog-eat-dog' world. [/font] Lan Fan |
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Post by Alphonse Elric on Aug 18, 2011 16:48:36 GMT -5
TO: Lan Fan FROM: Alphonse Elric Hello! Dear Lan Fan,
That's good. Obviously I don't know much of what Ling is like as a ruler, but from just knowing him, I'm sure that he's an excellent emperor. (Though I have to admit that I can't really picture Ling not being confident in his abilities). Führer Grumman is doing a good job, as well. I'm glad that our country is slowly becoming less corrupt, and, hopefully, Brigadier General Mustang will be the next führer. I'm certain that he'll do his best to keep peace; Ed even said that the brigadier general wanted to make Amestris a democracy.
Less attacks and attempted assassinations is always good, right? I'm sure that bodyguards will never be completely unneeded, though I suppose whether that's a good or bad thing depends on one's view of things. Oh, well, I'm sure that Ling has a while before he even needs to think about it. He is younger than my brother, after all, even if just by a little bit. It's sort of strange, in a way, to think of someone so close in age to me ruling such a massive and powerful country. But as I've said, I'm sure that Ling's doing (and will continue to do) a great job.
But the desert's harder for someone with automail. Ed had to cross part of the desert once, and he said that it was horrible for him because of his automail. Honestly, that's part of the reason that I'm going to Xing, and not him. I'm sure that no one would want you risking your safety just to cross the desert. Besides, I don't think any of us would hear the end of it from Winry if you tried that. At least promise me that you won't try to cross on your own.
Okay, thanks. But... I've always wondered: what happens if a princess secures the throne? Since the emperor would have a concubine from each clan to secure an heir... how would that work if the ruler was female? Would she have male equivalents of concubines, or would she marry someone and he would do it? Or has this never actually happened? It's fine if you don't know; as I've said, I'm just curious.
Yes, dog-eat-dog seems to fit what you're describing. Though I think that a lot of countries hold a similar mentality. It seems that a lot of people want power, and that most of them will do anything to get it. It's sort of sad, in a way, to see that happening.
Sincerely
Alphonse Elric
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Post by lanfan on Aug 18, 2011 19:11:08 GMT -5
Greetings... [/color] TO: Alphonse Elric
FROM: Lan Fan [/font] Alphonse,He is doing an excellent job, and anybody that doubts such is deaf, dumb, or blind...or even any combination of the three. He is unsure if the actions he took once or twice in the beginning were the right thing to do, but otherwise he is fine. And it is good to hear that your Fuhrer and Brigadier General Mustang are doing what is right for your country. By becoming a Democracy, would most of the authoritative leaders be passing the power back to the parliament..? Or how would the power re-distribute if Amestris became a democracy?
That reminds me, how is General Mustang coming with his Ishvalan goals with restoring peacable terms and returning their land to them? I recall that was an issue mentioned more than once before the Young Lord and I departed.
I've managed to cross the desert once with my automail, and it was hardly anything to me. It is not as hard as I've heard people say it is, for me anyway. And Winry can throw all the wrenches she wants at me, I am quite confident in my ability to avoid being hit. However, we wont have to worry about that for a while yet.
If a princess secures the throne...though it has not happened in the time that I have been alive, or even for a number of years before it, I have a feeling that she would follow what you mentioned in your last letter, or she would take a husband, and their children would compete to take the throne after. However, once again I am unsure. My grandfather told me of a time when there was a princess that became an Empress, and that was when he was younger...he would have known.
In my personal opinion, people that will relentlessly go to any extent just to have power are not fit to rule. Those that bear in mind the people around them and themselves on their quest for power are the ones fit to lead, because it shows their ideas are not revolving simply around the prospect of the power they could hold in their hands.
[/font] Lan Fan |
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Post by Alphonse Elric on Aug 21, 2011 20:52:17 GMT -5
TO: Lan Fan FROM: Alphonse Elric Hello! Dear Lan Fan,
I think they're planning on establishing a parliament, but since Amestris has been a stratocracy since its founding, so everyone involved is expecting it to take a very long time. After all, they are essentially trying to completely reverse the type of government, more or less.
The last I heard, Brigadier General Mustang's doing well with his plan. Obviously there are those who are sceptical of his motives, but many people see that he's trying to right a wrong that he committed, and there's certainly nothing wrong with that. Führer Grumman is fully supportive. Obviously the Ishvalans are more than happy for the opportunity to have their land back. I do have to admit that it's extremely strange to hear about Brigadier General Mustang and Scar working together for a common goal, when a little over a year ago, Scar would have loved to see the brigadier general dead.
Winry's still not happy, but I know that there's no point in arguing with you when you've clearly made up your mind. Just be careful, okay? And if, by some chance, you do change your mind, let me know, and Winry and I will try to get a mechanic out there to see you.
Perhaps it's just because of how close Ed and I are, but I could never imagine fighting against your family for something like that. Then again, I suppose that's what Xing's royal family has done for centuries. Thank you for answering my question, Lan Fan. I greatly appreciate it.
People who only look out for themselves aren't fit to have any level of power whatsoever. It's very clear that Ling cares deeply for his people, as does Brigadier General Mustang for his team. It's my opinion that the world would be a much better place with more people like them; people who actually care about others rather than just obtaining power. Just look at what happened when a man with no emotions save wrath had control of a powerful country like Amestris. Power for the sake of power is never a good thing.
Sincerely
Alphonse Elric
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Post by lanfan on Aug 22, 2011 10:57:18 GMT -5
Greetings... [/color] TO: Alphonse Elric
FROM: Lan Fan [/font] Alphonse,I look forward to hearing about the future of your country. It sounds as though between the efforts of Fuhrer Grumman and General Mustang, your country has started a positive path after being led by corruption for so long. I hope to see its name have better reception in your bordering countries.
It was no problem to answer your questions about Xing. In fact your curiosity was well-received. Most of the time foreigners do not pay enough mind to us to ask about our culture or government as you had. It was an unexpected, but likable change from the norm.
Power for the sake of power isnt power at all - it is just ... in a sense, bullying whomever is unfortunate enough to be under whomever holds the 'power' over their heads. Unfortunately, though, more people than not are more similar to that than being for their people or followers. It is just what the world has come to due to years of if being such. Maybe one day, starting with the changes taking place in both of our countries, it will be able to change.
[/font] Lan Fan |
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