Work Text:
"World Map", taken from The Essential Planetary Atlas, Sato Publishing, 207 A.G.
Yínyuè 7, Year of Agni 5084
Zhēngyuè 22, Year of Azulon 73
Revered Father,
I write to you from an Earth Kingdom temple, just twenty leagues south of Chalang City. It is peaceful here. The snowmelt has begun, and the jasmine flowers are blooming all around. Sun dances on the lake, and there is a family of turtleducks nesting here, just like the ones at home. I believe you would find it quite restful. I enclose a watercolor of the complex, done by Lu Ten. His studies are progressing quite well.
Give me command of the 18th and 26th corps and I can reach the walls of Ba Sing Se by the time Spring turns to Autumn.
I have been inspecting the frontlines, and the Earth Kingdom defenses north of the Western Lake are weak. They put far too much faith in their mountain ramparts and the line of the Chalang River. Their best battalions have been sent south, to the Serpent’s Pass or Omashu, and their generals are complacent. We have made no great attacks in the north since your glorious victory at Hu Xin nearly three decades ago, and I do not believe that the Council of Five would suspect it. It is in the nature of the element of Earth to stand firm and steady, to wait out the storm. A sudden stroke will take them by surprise, and cast them off their guard. Once over the Chalang, there is no obstacle between us and the walls of the great city. It is said by the sages “The spirits send us chances; we spurn them at our peril.” This is one such chance. I require only enough troops to force a breach and exploit it properly.
I have spoken to Admiral Xu, and he believes that he can maintain order in Huashi and Dongshi with only local forces and his sailors—the native resistance has been thoroughly broken since last year. If you see wisdom in this course, transfer those two corps and any other troops you believe we can spare, and I swear I will deliver victory to you.
I hope all is well in the Hari Bulkan. It is been far too long since I have sat by the Chrysanthemum Gate and drank tea with you and Ozai. Ancestors smile upon you and our family.
Respectfully Yours,
General Iroh
First Marshal of the Army and Navy
Crown Prince of the Fire Nation
Dragon of the West
This letter has been dated to early February, 93 A.G. – Editor
Chényuè 13, Year of Agni 5084
Sānyuè 25, Year of Azulon 73
Revered Father,
I write with news of victory. Fire has blossomed in the fields of Halan, and it has smote the Earth. Our attack was sudden and swift as smoke from a brazier. We crossed the Chalang River under cover of night in three places. By the time the enemy understood what we intended, our cavalry was halfway across the province, and we had cut the main road east to Ba Sing Se. The Earth Kingdom armies were caught out of position, and burned where they stood.
I wish to commend especially Lieutenant-Major Zho of the Naka Tao Brigade—his men held the fords at Cha-Hsun for two hours unaided against superior numbers, and gave us time to bring the majority of 7th corps’ infantry across the river without serious losses. If it pleases you, I hope that his family may be given some token of your esteem, in recognition of their loss.
As I write, we continue to advance. General Song, the enemy commander, has not been seen since the day of our attack. I know not whether he is dead or fled. He was a fool, and his folly has cost his King dearly. Nearly 20,000 prisoners have been taken, and nine generals and commanders of the First and Second Rank. With this letter I send to you the banners of five Earth Kingdom divisions. I look forward to when I can return home at last and see them hanging from the rafters of the War Room.
Earth Kingdom troops continue to hold out in Chalang City and several other forts. That is the strength of their element, their fortitude. They will not surrender, nor will they die easily. I have left General Chajin and 26th corps to reduce them at leisure, while I continue the advance. The enemy is in total disarray, and our cavalry columns are probing towards Ba Sing Se. I look forward to writing you when we arrive.
Lu Ten has been bloodied, and performed quite admirably. We must all pretend not to care too much, lest he think we condescend to him, but I am very proud. Give my regards to Ozai and the children.
Respectfully Yours,
General Iroh
First Marshal of the Army and Navy
Crown Prince of the Fire Nation
Dragon of the West
This letter has been dated to March, 93 A.G. – Editor
Wǔyuè 10, Year of Agni 5086
liùyuè 17, Year of Azulon 75
Revered Father,
The Walls of Ba Sing Se are broken.
After six hundred days, I sometimes feared I would never write those words, but we have at last pierced the last defense of the Earth Kingdom. Your banners now fly from Ludong Tower, and Fire Nation troops have gained possession of the eastern gates. Losses have been far heavier than I had hoped, but one cannot light a fire without burning kindling.
I have visited the captured battlements, and they truly are even more wondrous feats of construction than I had believed. Truly, I much prefer the view from above than the one I’ve enjoyed from below for the last two years! If the city is as magnificent as its walls, it must truly be a sight to behold. From the parapet of the Ludong Tower I can glimpse the domes of the Earth King’s palace. I look forward to when I may deliver to you a more comprehensive report.
General Jiang Fu of the Earth Kingdom commanded the division opposing us. He made a hard fight of it, and I must confess that I believe we would still be staring up at him if not for the successful divisionary assaults that drew up many of his men to the south and east. The new blasting jelly sent from the Royal Engineering Corps must be credited as well, for it performed exactly as War Minister Qin promised. He should be commended, and I must advise that every army and fleet in the Fire Nation be equipped with it. Together, they allowed us to affect a breach in the outer wall and sweep through before General Jiang Fu could react. I am pleased to report that he made an honorable surrender, and has been sent under escort to Zhengfu. When the war is over, we will need capable men of the Earth Kingdom to help us rule our new people and provinces, and I have hope that he may be persuaded to assist in that endeavor. But I get ahead of myself!
With the outer wall secure, I am moving rapidly to launch an assault on the Inner City itself. I do not believe Ba Sing Se can hold for much longer. We shall soon control the city’s food sources, and their morale must be near the breaking point. By the end of the year, I hope to have the Earth King bowing in chains before you.
Thank you, father, for the faith you have put in me. Agni preserve and protect us all.
Respectfully Yours,
General Iroh
First Marshal of the Army and Navy
Crown Prince of the Fire Nation
Dragon of the West
This letter has been dated to April, 95 A.G. – Editor
Wǔyuè 19, Year of Agni 5086
liùyuè 26, Year of Azulon 75
Revered Father,
I write bearing grave news
A blossom of the royal family has fallen, and a frost lies upon the tree
I must regretfully report that we have withdrawn
My son
Lu Ten is
The fortunes of the spirits have
Father,
I have failed you. I am sorry.
Iroh
This letter has been dated to April, 95 A.G. – Editor
Chǒuyuè 23, Year of Agni 5088
làyuè 18, Year of Ozai 2
Your Royal Majesty, Fire Lord Ozai,
Greetings and salutations, from this, your most humble servant. I write to report my activities since we last spoke, and to ensure that you are informed of the progress we have been making since my departure from the Fire Nation.
In consultation with your honored brother General Iroh, I have searched the environs of both the Southern and Western Air Temples for any sign of the Avatar. There was little to be found, but we took careful notes of the inscriptions and ruins left behind when your honored grandfather Fire Lord Sozin defeated the Air Nomads. Under my supervision, the crew carried out an excavation of several structures, and we recovered a number of artifacts that may prove to be interest to Your Majesty. I am enclosing that along with this letter, in hopes that they may be of some small use.
As of now, we sail south, on our way to the Eastern Air Temple, though I am told we will likely not reach it until the new year. I apologize for my lack of progress, but I wish to assure Your Majesty that I intend to continue this search until I prove successful, no matter the costs or challenges.
We took soundings of the sandbars and channels of the Hudayao Islands last month, and were able to make several corrections to the Fire Navy navigation charts. I have passed these on to Commander Shyu of the Southern Raiders in hope that they may be helpful in the war effort.
Your honored brother General Iroh has been gracious enough to continue my fire-bending training. While I am sure that I have yet to reach an acceptable level, I believe that I am improving.
I will write again when I have more news.
I will not fail you Your Majesty.
Obediently Yours,
Prince Zuko
This letter has been dated to December, 97 A.G. – Editor
Xūyuè 6, Year of Agni 5090
Jiǔyuè 14, Year of Ozai 4
Your Royal Majesty, Fire Lord Ozai,
It is my great pleasure to report to you that I have found the Avatar. As you suspected, he is alive, and hiding from us. No more. I tracked him to a small Water Tribe village in the South Pole, where we fought. He is but a small child, and not yet trained to his full potential. I bested him with ease, and would have captured him, but for the actions of the Water Tribe peasants who attacked us and allowed him to escape. We have, of course, leveled their village.
One thousand pardons for allowing him to escape my grasp, but I swear it will not be for long. We have his trail now, and my ship is in hot pursuit. It will not be long before I capture him, and bring him before you in chains.
It may please you to know that I bested a Commander of the Fire Navy in a test of firebending, when he challenged my right to the pursuit. My skills continue to improve, and I knew that you would not want your orders gainsaid by a mere commander.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to redeem myself. I will not fail you, Your Majesty.
Obediently Yours,
Prince Zuko
This letter has been dated to October, 99 A.G. – Editor
Mǎoyuè 9, Year of Agni 5091
Èryuè 19, Year of Ozai 5
Dearest Father,
I found Zuko and Iroh lounging about in an Earth Kingdom spa just outside of Yu Dao. Rather typical of my dear uncle, to betray his allegiance and then spend a month wallowing in pointless pleasures instead of doing anything useful. I would have taken them into custody, but for the incompetence of some of my men, who allowed them to escape. They will not get far. I have issued orders for their arrest to every colony and military command, and they fled with only the clothes on their back.
I intend to pursue them overland, and will be leaving the Royal Procession at Zhengfu. With your permission, my lord father, I plan on carrying out a little inspection of the frontline defenses while I am here in the Earth Kingdom. As the unfortunate events at the North Pole demonstrated, too many of your commanders are untrustworthy idiots and bumblers. I hope that I may provide them some—incentive, let us say, to behave themselves better.
I depart tomorrow at first light. Our last report had the traitors travelling south, through the Beiou Mountains, in the direction of Omashu. Or should I say—New Ozai City? Word reached us last night of your glorious victory. My congratulations father. If Iroh thinks he may find succor there he will be sorely disappointed.
I will write again when I am able, or when I have success to report. Please inform me if you have any more specific orders. As always father, I live only to serve.
Faithfully Yours,
Princess Azula
Crown Princess of the Fire Nation
Wielder of the Blue Flame
This letter has been dated to early March, 100 A.G. – Editor
Sìyuè 8, Year of Agni 5091
Sānyuè 11, Year of Ozai 5
Dearest Father,
War Minister Qin is an idiot. His attempt to pierce the walls of Ba Sing Se failed miserably, as you foresaw. I have disciplined him. Still, his drill is not a bad piece of engineering. In more capable hands, it may prove to be some use.
In more interesting news, I have confirmed that the Avatar has reached Ba Sing Se. Without his intervention, even Qin may have achieved some measure of victory in his assault. The little airbender now cowers within the palace with the Earth King. I believe there may be some opportunities here, my lord father, and I intend to pursue them ruthlessly.
I regret to inform you that our spies have lost all sight of Zuko. There was a rumor about a Fire Nation bandit spreading chaos in Ke Na province six weeks ago, but I have been unable to confirm it. If it is true, then we have little to fear from him. Perhaps it is a fitting end for my dear brother, that he spend the rest of his life as a bandit and thief. An honorable existence indeed. Of Iroh, there has been no sign in months. Perhaps the old man simply starved to death without his creature comforts.
It may be some time before I write again. I have a plan to gain more information about what the Avatar and the Earth King are up to, and I will be travelling sub rosa for the immediate future. I hope and believe I will have better news to report when next we speak.
Faithfully Yours,
Princess Azula
Crown Princess of the Fire Nation
Wielder of the Blue Flame
This letter has been dated to late May, 100 A.G. – Editor
Wèiyuè 3, Year of Agni 5091
liùyuè 7, Year of Ozai 5
Dearest Father,
Ba Sing Se has fallen.
Iroh has been captured.
Oh, and the Avatar is dead.
It’s been a rather good month, don’t you think?
My companions and I were able to infiltrate the city disguised as Earth Kingdom soldiers. Once there, we discovered the situation was even more ripe for exploitation than I’d imagined. The Earth King was feuding with his Grand Secretaries, the common people were ignorant, and the military was is disarray. Honestly, it is beyond me how dear Uncle Iroh failed to capture this place a few years ago. Perhaps he was a traitor even then?
Once inside, I was able to take advantage of the feud between the Earth King and the Dai Li to suborn them and gain access to the inner palace. Rather foolish of him to publicly insult his guards and then fail to replace them, don’t you think? It was a matter of mere days then to secure control, take possession of the government, and open the gates. Soldiers of the 15th, 9th, and 33rd division now occupy the inner ring of Ba Sing Se, and your banners fly from the palace towers. Resistance continues to smolder in some of the outer districts, but it will be expunged soon enough.
I am sorry to report that the Earth King himself slipped through our fingers, but I am not too concerned. He is a fool and a buffoon, and little threat to us. I have the Council of Five, the Grand Secretaries, and the Ministers of the Outer Court in chains, and will ship them to Caldera City for your amusement as soon as possible.
You cannot imagine how surprised I was to stumble upon our long-lost family members, huddling in the Inner Ring of the city. Perhaps all roads do lead to Ba Sing Se. Iroh was running a tea shop, which I imagine must have been the old fool’s idea of nirvana. I regret to inform you that I had to end that little dream of his. Unsurprisingly, he tried to help the Avatar when the little airbender boy tried to stop us, and was swiftly captured.
Zuko, on the other hand, surprised me. When given the chance to redeem himself, he fought alongside our forces against the Earthbenders. Even I was impressed by his prowess. With a blast of pure lightning, he struck down the Avatar. He assures me that there is no way the child could have survived.
I have informed him that he may return with me to Caldera City, and I recommend he be reinstated into the Royal Family. It seems that your lesson taught him well, my lord father.
There is one more matter to report. Enemy renegades are plotting a treacherous attack upon your person. The details are sensitive, and I do not wish to commit them to paper. I will speak to you on this matter when I return.
I am pleased by beyond measure to be the bearer of this wonderful news, father. Long live the Fire Nation! Long live the Fire Lord!
Faithfully Yours,
Princess Azula
Crown Princess of the Fire Nation
Wielder of the Blue Flame
This letter has been dated to mid-June, 100 A.G. – Editor
Yǒuyuè 19, Year of Agni 5091
Bāyuè 11, Year of Ozai 5
Dear Father,
We are fine and having a very good time at Ember Island. We have been enjoying the seashore and the beautiful weather. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to visit. We won several games of volleyball, bringing glory and honor to the House of Huǒ. Zuko found a seashell that looks like a dragon.
How are you? We hope that you are enjoying your Cabinet meeting. We hope to see you again soon.
Respectfully Yours,
Princess Azula and Prince Zuko
This letter has been dated to early August, 100 A.G.
Shēnyuè 3, Year of Agni 5091
Qīyuè 6, Year of Ozai 5
Your Royal Majesty,
I am leaving
Sir, I must explain my actions
To the one who styles himself Fire Lord
Three years ago we stood across from each other and
There comes a time when a man must
My uncle once told me
Father,
I am leaving. Goodbye.
Zuko
This unsent letter believed to date to mid-August, 100 A.G. – Editor
Zǐyuè 14, Year of Agni 5091
Dōngyuè 9, Year of Ozai 5
My Lord Phoenix King,
Thank you again for the trust you have placed in me. I will keep order and peace in the Fire Nation while you cleanse the world of corruption and filth. If the Avatar and his friends or my treacherous brother attempts to strike at us while you are away, they shall find no welcome here.
I am continuing to root out traitors and incompetents wherever they may hide. We can’t trust anyone my lord father. They all want to see us fail. They’re watching me they’re watching from the walls I will hunt them down and crush them, and when you return you will find nothing that displeases you.
I saw mother yesterday she
It is an honor to stand by your side as you remake the world in your image. This is the dream of Sozin, the dream of Azulon, the dream of all our forefathers. I have no doubt that you will achieve victory, and that a new and better world will emerge from the ashes of your glorious annihilation. The Fire Nation will stand triumphant over the entire earth, as it was always meant to be. Others may doubt or question you sire, but I never will. Remember that always. You can count on me.
My coronation as Fire Lord is tomorrow. It will be perfect in every way.
Yours in Loyal Service,
Princess Azula
Crown Princess of the Fire Nation
Wielder of the Blue Flame
This letter has been dated to late November, 100 A.G. – Editor
Xūyuè 2, Year of Agni 5114
Jiǔyuè 16, Year of Zuko 23
October 9, 123 A.G.
Hey dad,
Boarding school is awful and I hate it and I’m bored and it’s terrible and I’m bored. Have I mentioned that I’m bored? I’M BORED. I already know Fire Nation history and math is dumb and I don’t see why I need to learn the Earth and Water scripts when I’ll always have scribes to translate any foreign correspondence. I like the firebending classes but I already know as much as the instructors and you were a better teacher anyways. Embroidery is ok, I guess. I’m knitting a hat.
I know I’m supposed to learn how to interact with regular people but this is the Royal Fire Academy for Girls! Nobody here is normal! And half the girls just want to be my friend because I’m gonna be Fire Lord someday, if I don’t run away and join the circus. I might! Just you watch!
Can’t I go travelling? You always said that spending time incognito in the Earth Kingdom is what taught you about the “real world” so why can’t I do that? It’d be a lot more fun than this! And Aunt Toph says that nobody really learns anything in school anyways so what’s the point? I bet Uncle Iroh needs some help at the Jasmine Dragon and I’d learn a lot by living in Ba Sing Se.
THIS IS THE WORST.
Ok, ok, it’s not that bad, don’t send the army to arrest the headmistress or anything. I’m just bored. It’s always the same routine, the same classes, the same lessons. Court was a lot more interesting. I miss when Uncle Aang would sometimes just show up in the middle of my lessons and kidnap us for a day of penguin-surfing. Now that’s something the Academy doesn’t teach! It’s probably a lot more useful than etiquette or playing Tsungi horn anyways.
Yes, I am doing all my lessons, even when they’re stupid and dumb, so don’t worry about that. And I’ve made a few friends, even if a lot of the girls are so annoying. Lord Jeong’s daughter is here, and she’s been really nice about helping me get settled in. (Don’t tell her dad I said that, he’s too smug already). And there’s this kid named Dalja Ro from Orchard Island who’s really cool. They’re on a navy scholarship and they’ve been helping me with navigation. I can never get the stupid star charts to line up right! We’re gonna go sailing next week, when we have some time off.
I can’t wait until term ends and I can come home. Are you sure I can’t just go on adventures in the Earth Kingdom? Please?
Give my best to grandma and Iroh and Aunt Kiyi. Give mama a long stare and then roll your eyes and sigh really loudly. 🖤 🖤 🖤
Love,
Izumi
Sources:
The Collected Correspondence of Fire Nation Commanders During the Hundred Year War (Volume X: 90-100 A.G.), 3rd edition, Caldera University Press, edited by Scholars Li Rao, Chaejin, Sangyi, and Yinzin, published 397 A.G.
The Edicts, Letters, & Proclamations of Fire Lord Zuko (Volume I: 100-110 A.G.), 5th edition, Caldera University Press, edited by Scholars Zai Le and Mushi, published 552 A.G.
The Edited Correspondence of the Fire Nation Royal Family (Volumes VII, VIII, and IX), New Royal Archives, edited by Scroll Keeper Tai Yo, published 409 A.G.
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the Fire Lords (Volume XVI: Ozai—Zuko), 2nd edition, New Royal Archives, edited by Scholars Lu Tao, Gung, and Royal Secretary Imishi, published 588 A.G.
“The Private Papers of General Iroh”, Box 8, Folder 3, MS 94, White Lotus Collection, Ba Sing Se University (RBSS, UES), filed by Professor Kung Min, accessed 654 A.G.
“The Collected Papers of Private Secretary Wang Li”, Box 5, Section 2, Folder 3, MS 14, Lord Kishida Early Modern Collection, Ti Xian University (FN), filed by Scholar-Archivist Ming, accessed 652 A.G.
The Last Fire Lord: Princess Azula in Her Own Words, by Professor Sulo, Hanlin Academy Press, published 612 A.G.