Mothers

Sisters become Mothers. Ancient China: 1905 to 1886 BCE. The first Chinese empire is established centred on Erlitou, in southern Henan. When fertile lands open up for agriculture, the growing settlement expands in both its physical extent and its political reach. The entire Yellow River basin gradually falls under Xia control. However, much of it is badly damaged, and the peoples further downriver have been savagely treated by the fallout of conflict. Pockets of Longshan warlords continue to strike fear into the populace, and there is continual migration toward the Wei River, where the carefully irrigated lands feed Erlitou's inhabitants. In response, the deposed elite begin to hitch their wagons to the new empire, and instead of fighting against it, seek to get their feet under the table and pervert it from within. The Sisterhood has moved on to its next long-term plan. Not all their members are comfortable with the changes, and gradually, a dissident feminist cabal is formed. The new group begins to encourage the education of children who can go out into the world fully trained in the arts of bureaucracy: a nascent civil service. In Erlitou, individual desire for political power supercharges the new capitalism. So powerful is the desire to do business that it begins to wreak havoc amongst the leadership of the new empire. Heads roll, and a businessman is found dictating the direction of societal change. Political leaders are swept under the carpet, losing focus until someone arrives who has been trained to understand and control the entire system. Absolute reform has inevitably led to the establishment of absolute power. As the situation worsens, only the desperate hold onto those ideals from their time leading the first Chinese state. Together, they cling to a desperate desire to correct their mistakes and an aching for absolution. The years have taken their toll; many are grandparents now, and some have died, but every one of them would have offered a prayer with all their hearts that the phrase, “It’s a girl!” would continue to be shouted in celebration.