Tian Dan's Audience Hall - Chenggao

[ShamsTron]

The King thought for a few moments, but could come up with no dire orders. "There is one thing that would be useful. There is a town, Bozhang, located near the Zhao border that is in some sort of uprising. Tell your Lord to send soldiers to garrison and do whatever necessary for it to be a loyal town of Qi once again."

Wen Chong: I will take this message with great haste. Unless there is anything you want to add to that message I will bid my leave.

Unless he was wanted to stay present Wen Chong gives one final bow and leaves the audience hall.

[Galagros]

Wen Chong: I will take this message with great haste. Unless there is anything you want to add to that message I will bid my leave.

Unless he was wanted to stay present Wen Chong gives one final bow and leaves the audience hall.

"That is all,' the King said dismissively. He then began the discussion that he had been having with his relatives when the messenger arrived.

[Lin Xin]

About 25 spearmen escort a carriage bearing the emblem of "Lin" and "Yue" can be seen approaching the city. The group encamps outside the city walls while a detachment approaches the guards. With a bow, a middle-aged diplomat says, "I come representing Marquis Lin Xin of Yue, here to seek an audience with His Majesty. I carry no hidden weapons but give you permission to search me."

[Galagros]

The guards had not heard of the supposed noble that the man was representing, but they searched him anyway while a runner was sent to inform the King. In short order (assuming no hidden weapons were found), the envoy was being led into the main audience hall and announced to all assembled, few as they were. Tian Dan and some of his various relatives were having a semi-private discussion about a matter back in Qi. The King, however, quickly stopped all other matters as the guest was announced.

"What business does the Marquis of Yue have with Qi?"

[Lin Xin]

The envoy bowed low to the King of Qi. Remaining bent over, he said, "Your Majesty, in these worn-torn times, the Marquis of Yue has dedicated great effort in restoring peace in the southlands. My lord hopes to establish a friendly relationship with Qi in hopes of maintaining the hard-fought peace, especially with an aggressive force in Liang and Chu."

[Galagros]

The King frowned. "Yue is far from Qi. The two lands do not share a border, or even the border or a border. I think it unlikely that the opportunity for war would arise." Tian Dan thought for a few moments, then grinned and asked, "How many powers is the Marquis attempting to 'make peace' with?"

[Lin Xin]

"Your Majesty," the envoy replied, "the Marquis of Yue has sent diplomatic missions to various lords who may be able to influence the unnecessary infighting in Jiujiang. My lord feels the true enemy lies to the west, and with the Qin heirs still stuck in their internal struggle, the time is now to show our consolidarity and throw the mantle of tyrannical rule off the Middle Kingdom once and for all. Although our lands do not share close proximity land-wise, Marquis Lin believes we share a common goal. My lord hopes, because of your influence and leadership, you might be able to rally the anti-Qin forces and refocus us on the rebellion's ultimate vision."

[Shadow]

A score of men coming from the direction of Jiaoxi could be seen approaching the city of capital of the Tian clan. There were two dominant banners within the group; the Xun and Xiang clans. The men made their way to the entrance of the gates and halted just outside of it.
"Xun Shang, supreme commander of Xiang Kai, humbly requests an audience with his majesty King Tian Dan." The young man said simply to the present guards.

He had given a small bow and had stepped forward on his own while his men remained a few feet behind him. It seemed as if he were planning to go in alone or he was just showing he was the highest ranking officer within the group.

[RuffRydeR]

A band of maidens accoutered in red and white, surrounding a fabulous carriage, had come majestically into Chenggao, with all the pomp that could be expected of the vivacious Princess of Yin. And now, this whole group had stopped in front of the hall of the Tian clan, the King of Qi.

A maid came out of the pack, and announced,

"The Lady Xia has journeyed to Chenggao in hopes that she meet the Lord of Qi. She requests passage from you good sires, so that she might speak to him in Audience."

And with that, the lady appeared out of her carriage, forcefully stalking forward in her startling mix of fashionable attire, and military accoutrement. That slender rapier was at her hip, and the bow on the other. On her back hang those odd slashing and hacking blades she called chakrams, and behind her, on that tough leather girdle around her waist, hung her bow, as they would be when she had brought the heavy weaponry of hers, the chakrams, along.

Coming to a stop, she simply asked,

"May I enter?"

[Wokimo]

March 208
With the withdrawal of the civilian population of Donga into Qi and deployment of the armed forces in the border regions of Jibei complete, the former Prefect of Donga now felt it was time to pay a visit to the King himself. Accompanied, as ever, by the faithful T'ung Yinling and a score of guards in bronze armour and wielding halberds, Cai Xingzhe road through Chenggao towards the palace. Despite the pomp of his small guard detail and the finery of his attire, the nobleman looked somewhat deflated as he arrived at the gates to the palace compound and hailed the guards there.

"I, Cai Xingzhe, wish to have an audience with the King at his earliest convenience." he said from horseback. "If necessary my escort will wait here but my Lieutenant will be coming with me."

T'ung Xia nudged his horse forward slightly to make it clear to the guards, just who this Lieutenant was. Cai's right-hand man was no less dour looking that day either, unhappy to have been forced to move so far from their home and to be without the services of Huang Wei now.