Ying Fusu's Audience Hall - Nanzheng

Post by **ann** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:00 pm

The wind blows sharply over the walls of Nanzheng, whistling in from the frontier to the west. The city is grim, much like the officers, soldiers, and refugees that had arrived there just a few months prior from the North.

Nanzheng seems to be a stark, loveless place, and the people that move about the streets always seem to be hurrying from one place to another. Soldiers move aroung with purpose, and there seems to be a smithy churning out weapons every few streets.

At the gates, and over the main citadel flutter the banners of the Qin Emperor, Ying Fusu, and the guards at the gate were the finery of the Imperial guards, if they do look a little tattered when inspected more closely.

fireshade · Post by **fireshade** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:54 pm

In the midst of May, one man made his way into Nanzheng, mixing into the ordered masses making their way from one location to the next. For him, the goal was the citadel at the heart of the city, and hopefully, the man at the heart of it. He made his way slowly through the city, only really stopping once he reached the gates to the main hall.

"Greetings," he said, announcing himself to any guards and servants present. "I am Wei Quan, a man of modest talents, who has been drawn here by word that the True Emperor of Qin has made this city his home. It appears that such a thing is true, unless my eyes deceive me."

Cao Chao · Post by **Cao Chao** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:12 pm

"It is true Master Wei," responded the guard captain, a grizzled veteran named Quan Shao who had served under Meng Tian and his father, Meng Wu. "Although the Crown Prince has deemed it right to take up the title assumed by the First Emperor, choosing instead to rule as the King of Qin, a sign of his great humility."

"Sir Wei," began Quan Shao in inquiry, "From what province do you hail? Why do you search for the true claimant to the Dragon Throne?"

fireshade · Post by **fireshade** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:36 pm

Cao Chao wrote:"It is true Master Wei," responded the guard captain, a grizzled veteran named Quan Shao who had served under Meng Tian and his father, Meng Wu. "Although the Crown Prince has deemed it right to take up the title assumed by the First Emperor, choosing instead to rule as the King of Qin, a sign of his great humility."

"Sir Wei," began Quan Shao in inquiry, "From what province do you hail? Why do you search for the true claimant to the Dragon Throne?"

Wei Quan nodded with understanding.

"That is even more a sign of his worth. But as for myself, I am from Ji in the Yan region. I came here.. well, for one, there was too much talk of barbarians at home for my taste... However, my main reason was to learn if there were any chance that a such a great man might have a use for one such as I."

ZhangCo · Post by **ZhangCo** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:42 am

Arriving as the sun reached it's peak, Liao Qian grunted as he looked around at the less-than-welcoming city of Nanzheng. Be it not for the tired banners that hung from the main citadel, he would have wished to stay away from such a bleak, grim place. His assured, strong step took him to the gates and the Imperial guards. He noticed in them a battle-scarred determination that reflected the story of which their own lord carried upon his shoulders. Inclining his head respectfully to whom he guessed was the captain in charge, he spoke his part with a gruff tone, making sure to give them the respect they deserved, though it was not his normal way to speak so.

"Greetings, gentlemen. I go by the name of Liao Qian, and I have served as the Magistrate of the fair town of Anzhong for many a season now. I have made the journey here to meet with he who should have the glory of the Dragon Throne. If he is not busy, I would be grateful for the honour to meet with him,"

Cao Chao · Post by **Cao Chao** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:20 am

fireshade wrote:Wei Quan nodded with understanding.

"That is even more a sign of his worth. But as for myself, I am from Ji in the Yan region. I came here.. well, for one, there was too much talk of barbarians at home for my taste... However, my main reason was to learn if there were any chance that a such a great man might have a use for one such as I."

"A man of Yan!?!" responded Quan Shao with surprise, tensing as his hand dropped to his sheathed sword, as he regarded the man with increased suspicion. "The men of Yan have no love for Qin. At least two assassination attempts were made by your compatriots . . . Jing Ke was sent by Prince Dan of Yan and Gao Jianli was a man of Yan. How and why should we trust you?"

ZhangCo wrote:Arriving as the sun reached it's peak, Liao Qian grunted as he looked around at the less-than-welcoming city of Nanzheng. Be it not for the tired banners that hung from the main citadel, he would have wished to stay away from such a bleak, grim place. His assured, strong step took him to the gates and the Imperial guards. He noticed in them a battle-scarred determination that reflected the story of which their own lord carried upon his shoulders. Inclining his head respectfully to whom he guessed was the captain in charge, he spoke his part with a gruff tone, making sure to give them the respect they deserved, though it was not his normal way to speak so.

"Greetings, gentlemen. I go by the name of Liao Qian, and I have served as the Magistrate of the fair town of Anzhong for many a season now. I have made the journey here to meet with he who should have the glory of the Dragon Throne. If he is not busy, I would be grateful for the honour to meet with him,"

"Anzhong?" answered Quan Shao, scratching his head quietly, trying to remember where that town was located. He had served under generals of the Meng family for decades with postings all over the Qin frontier. He turned to a young guard who was more familiar with the topography. "Captain, Anzhong is a town in this region."

"Oh . . ." he answered with a shrug. "Uh . . ."

He paused, unsure of whether the King was available for meetings. "Magistrate Liao, I do not know if His Highness, the King, is available for meetings. I do know that His Excellency, the Prime Minister Meng Yi, is attending to the business of the court. What say you?"

ZhangCo · Post by **ZhangCo** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:35 am

Qian paused a moment, then nodded his head at the offer. The name Meng Yi was familiar to him, as was that of the man's brother, Tian. "Yes, I understand. It would be acceptable to me to meet with the Prime Minister,"

Cao Chao · Post by **Cao Chao** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:46 am

After thoroughly searching Liao Qian's person for weapons and confiscating any found with promises of returning when he was finished with his audience, the magistrate of Anzhong was led into the citadel. He was escorted by four guards, two in front and two behind, who led the man to a rather expansive chambers where the Prime Minister dealt with the business of the Royal Court. Numerous armed guards stood at attention, seemingly surrounding the chamber.

A chamberlain announced Liao Qian's presence as the Magistrate of Anzhong.

Post by **ann** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:52 am

ZhangCo wrote:Qian paused a moment, then nodded his head at the offer. The name Meng Yi was familiar to him, as was that of the man's brother, Tian. "Yes, I understand. It would be acceptable to me to meet with the Prime Minister,"

Meng Yi knelt in front of a writing table apparently enthralled by the writing brush he held before his eyes. In fact, he was remembering his former master and all his years of dedicated service. He wondered, briefly, whether it was bitterness he felt over what had happened or anger or sadness. The events following the Emperor's death had taken so much attention that he'd not yet, he decided, come to terms with his grief.

Coming to himself he saw that he was staring at the brush, it was a useful thing and had been a gift from Tian. A small sound from the corridor signalled the arrival of someone. Meng Yi placed the brush carefully in front of him and said, "You may enter."

A servant entered and with a low bow introduced Liao Qian the magistrate of Anzhong. As the magistrate entered, Meng Yi nodded to himself. He had always prided himself on his knowledge of the land and, though his present home was somewhat distant from his former home he was familiar with Anzhong.

He looked at the magistrate and said, "Yes, I am familiar with your township. No doubt you've come to indicate your support for the King of Qin?"

ZhangCo · Post by **ZhangCo** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:06 am

Liao Qian clasped a fist into his hand and bowed respectfully to the man knelt at the writing table. If only slightly, the look in Meng Yi's eyes reflected that of the guards he had met, and the city in which he had looked upon. The stocky magistrate gave a slight smile at the man's direct approach to matters, and nodded his head at the man's question.

"Men who flock to the banner of cowardice are no better than the dogs they serve. I would not put myself as a coward, and as such, will not offer my allegiance to the bastard usurper who sits on the throne that should belong to his brother. Though my knowledge of capital politics is as bright as that of any other man, I can see clearly that the King of Qin is the man who should have my allegiance, and his Father's legacy firmly placed back in his hand,"