Resplendent Crane Mandarin of the New Promise

Kuei-jin know little of Han Hui’ s life before she took the Second Breath and almost as little about the early nights of her existence, which is just as she prefers it. Rumors abound, of course, ranging from tales of her life during the Opium Wars to her death at the hands of Communist soldiers in the 1960s (which would make her an extraordinarily young mandarin). Han Hui allows these rumors to circulate without comment, since they only add to her mystique and help confuse potential enemies. In fact, the Resplendent Crane Mandarin took the Second Breath at the end of the 19th century, in the waters off Macao’ s coast. Her teacher and mentor in CHAPTER FIVE: HONORED SHEN 81 unlife was Tang Bei, a Resplendent Crane of the Empty Throne sect. Under his tutelage, Han Hui learned the value of subtlety, since Macao’ s Kuei-jin existed under the foreign rule of the Portuguese and their accompanying Kin-jin. Han Hui learned her lessons well, but eventually became disillusioned with Tang Bei’ s conservative and cautious ways. Subtlety was important, but so was action, and the Empty Throne sect would likely wait until the Sixth Age arrived before taking decisive measures. In the early 1960s, Han Hui made her way to Guangdong and earned a place in the August Courts. There she found like-minded Kuei-jin among the Bamboo Princes, though she was wise enough to conceal her sympathies and not voice them too loudly. Instead, she offered her services to the Courts in the Middle Kingdom’ s most difficult and dangerous places. She achieved a reputation for results, which allowed the Honored Ancestors to overlook her other faults, like her disdain for convention. Her wu , the Violet Path Posse, comprised like-minded young Kuei-jin who rose in the August Courts’ esteem for their aid in restoring Macao to the Quincunx, followed by their work in Shanghai against the akuma. The Violet Path Posse traveled to San Diego at the request of the Ancestors. There they met stiff resistance from the local anarchs, forcing them to withdraw and help the Los Angeles initiative. During that campaign, Han Hui worked with other Kuei-jin progressives like Fun Toy and Monkey Trip Wu, only to discover they didn’t meet her expectations. Instead, many so-called “progressives” had no interest in modernizing the August Courts. They sought to tear them down and replace them, or else were solely interested in their private agendas. Although she continued to support her peers, Han Hui distanced herself from those she found unworthy. This probably saved Han Hui when Monkey Trip Wu lost his ancestorship in Los Angeles (detailed in Dharma Book: Thrashing Dragons). Han Hui became known for accomplishing tasks in Los Angeles and San Francisco, a quality the August Courts need at this time. She is not entirely loyal to the Fence Menders faction. Concerns exist about her willingness to ignore tradition in pursuit of her goals, especially when combined with her talent for subtle political manipulation (more subtle than most of her enemies realize). Still, she may prove the least problematic choice in the eyes of the Honored Ancestors. As an eager reformist, she understands and desires the influence she could wield as San Francisco’s ancestor. The end result of that knowledge means that means she will remove anyone who proves a threat to her ambitions. Her methods will be as subtle as possible, but no less decisive— or permanent.