Zhao Yue's Audience Hall - Shangdang

[ann]

In a place where the rosaries kiss the sky and twilight extends beyond the morning hour, the winds have begun to change. No longer do the locals fear the destructive gales of an absent peace, but instead a soothing and seasonal breeze hugs each and every corner in the city of Shangdang, the source of the latest hubbub in Wei. It is in this place that civility has been restored after the unstable rule of one Meng Yun. His replacement, Zhao Yue, knew that his predecessor was not corrupt, but by underlining his speech with an eloquence not yet witnessed in the country, he was able to secure a small base of followers to achieve the unachievable for this sole orphan of Di. Yes, a man who had resorted to eating grass and moldy bread wound up guaranteeing the allegiance of hundreds, even though his background was left untouched by royalty save his friendship with the now exterminated Qiao family of Wei. This fact alone made the hermit's story a brilliant one.

In the heart of Shangdang was a multi-storied building made of stone, built long ago by the first governor of the city. Giant banners draped over the protective walls and gates of this establishment, reading phrases such as, 'Stable Age' and 'New Hope'. A new concept to the northern city; guards now roamed the streets as a sort of constant patrol, with generals taking to the streets every hour to ensure that this authoritative transition went smoothly. The locals made friends with many of these guards, offering them to come inside their shops and partake in some drinks and chit-chat. The population density in terms of guards was increased the nearer one would get to this main building, taking up various positions such as gate control, watch tower duty, and of course the many other roles to make sure every square inch of this important area was safe for the personnel and anyone who might have decided to visit. The guard count was bound to be more spread out in the months to come, but for now everyone wanted to prevent any potential riots or rebellions from happening. Prevention was key in this particular situation.

What lied inside this building was left to be explored by the visitor, but before they were able to do that they would first have to approach the guards at the high iron gates surrounding the courtyard, willow trees towering over the posts and allowing beautiful shadows to dance across the ground. Past these fortified gates they would have to deal with another set of guards, the archway garrison, but before that a strict routine would have to be followed. It was the way of the world now, and Governor Zhao Yue knew that he had to be precarious in order to get ahead.

[Nash]

A sizeable detachment of men, over a thousand strong, approached Shangdang. They arranged a camp on the outskirts of the city and together with a half-score of guardsmen, two of the chief officers went into the city. One was a large burly lumberer with a makeshift hatchet and the other was an older man, wearing what seemed to be the remnants of a Qin general's uniform. He walked with the assistance of a stick, due to a severe limp. As they came upon the guards of the administrative sections of the city they began displaying a letter.

Xun Ruishi,

The job is done. Come to Shangdang with this note so the guards don't freak out.

Zhao Yue zi Laoxin
District Manager of Shangdang

Xun Ruishi: I am the general mentioned in the opening salutation...I am here to see Lord Zhao.

[Seewichai]

Murong Ba nodded his head and waved Heaven's Fall at the guard captain who told him the route. Murong Ba walked into the streets and followed the directions given. Finally reached a official looking building which the signboard hanging on the top states 'Shang Dang Administration Office'.

Muttering to himself, "Must be here..." Murong Ba stepped up the stairs and announce himself to the guards. "I am Murong Ba, here on the invitation of Zhao Yue."

[Unchained Phoenix]

Xun Ruishi: I am the general mentioned in the opening salutation...I am here to see Lord Zhao.

The wall guards were quite startled by the show of force by Xun Ruishi, but they didn't say a thing as they noticed that the men had come in peace. One of the captains followed Ruishi and his subordinates with his eyes as they traversed the city gate, and then returned to his business. The city of Shangdang overall looked quite kept, for Meng Yun was surely an organized men. However, the general feel of the northern city was much different than before, now that a highly intelligent man held the reins. Everything felt more professional and polished, yet more tranquil than before. Charming, it was. At the iron gates, the guards looked over the tone in an overtone of disinterest, nodding and stamping the letter with the seal of Shangdang, signaling for the men inside to open up the gates. After this was done, Xun Ruishi and his party was taken to the entrance guards, who noted the men and immediately allowed them to pass.

The entire first floor of the complex was dedicated to audiences, what with all of the suites for exalted officials located higher up in the building. The walls were like a maze, painted with dragons and symbols and all sorts of things, though sliding doors were hidden throughout where men and women alike conducted their daily business. Eventually, they were taken to the opposite side of the floor where they were motioned to remove their shoes, the doors then sliding open to reveal a large room with plenty of decor. The room was painted a golden hue, with small statues and intricately crafted antiques dotting the perimeter. Opposite the red rug in the center of the room was a raised platform equipped with two steps. Behind this platform was a draped tapestry that had a poem woven in, speaking of a new spring and the joys that are brought with it. The focus was not on this literature, however; it was on the man sitting crosslegged on his own floor mat on this platform.

"Could this be General Xun?" the young man asked, smiling as he motioned to the attendants to gently slide the door shut. From the outside, the silhouette of the chocolate-eyed man was seen motioning the visitors to feel free to sit as smaller figures brought around a long tray with full pitchers of tea and empty cups to fill. "A day I have long awaited. How fare your men on this day?" he asked coolly, nodding his head as a sort of respectful bow to his guests.

[Unchained Phoenix]

Murong Ba nodded his head and waved Heaven's Fall at the guard captain who told him the route. Murong Ba walked into the streets and followed the directions given. Finally reached a official looking building which the signboard hanging on the top states 'Shang Dang Administration Office'.

Muttering to himself, "Must be here..." Murong Ba stepped up the stairs and announce himself to the guards. "I am Murong Ba, here on the invitation of Zhao Yue."

The guards at the iron gates looked at the man dubiously, most likely because of his grumbling beforehand. However, it was not their place to judge as the guard captain stepped forward and cleared his throat. "Very good. However, before we can allow you to pass, you must submit to a mandatory search for harmful objects. Security was a large issue back in Governor Meng's days, so as a measure of caution, Governor Zhao has told us to search any man who comes through just in case. Do you give your consent?" he inquired.

[Seewichai]

Murong Ba listened to the guard captain and raised his eybrows. "Sure, but please take care of my spear. It is the only precious thing that gives me a sense of identity to my unknown family background." With that Murong Ba handed his weapon to the guard captain. "If you need further search, you may do so."

[Unchained Phoenix]

Murong Ba listened to the guard captain and raised his eybrows. "Sure, but please take care of my spear. It is the only precious thing that gives me a sense of identity to my unknown family background." With that Murong Ba handed his weapon to the guard captain. "If you need further search, you may do so."

The captain smirked some. "Do not worry; we take care of everything that isn't ours. But yes, an official search will need to be conducted," he said unenthusiastically, motioning with his head to have his men do their work. Once all suspicious and malicious items were removed, they stepped back into line and the guard captain motioned with his hand to have the men at the Administration Building open the iron gates. As the gates slowly opened, the captain said: "You can retrieve your spear upon your exit; this is the only entrance to the courtyard, so come back here when you're finished," he said, then allowing for Ba to pass as he wished. After crossing a small bridge over a small stream, the visitor would eventually be confronted by the entrance guards. They patted down Murong Ba again and after making sure everything that could be considered harmful was removed, they escorted him inside.

The entire first floor of the complex was dedicated to audiences, what with all of the suites for exalted officials located higher up in the building. The walls were like a maze, painted with dragons and symbols and all sorts of things, though sliding doors were hidden throughout where men and women alike conducted their daily business. Eventually, Ba wasw taken to the opposite side of the floor where he was motioned to remove his shoes, the doors then sliding open to reveal a large room with plenty of decor. The room was painted a golden hue, with small statues and intricately crafted antiques dotting the perimeter. Opposite the red rug in the center of the room was a raised platform equipped with two steps. Behind this platform was a draped tapestry that had a poem woven in, speaking of a new spring and the joys that are brought with it. The focus was not on this literature, however; it was on the man sitting crosslegged on his own floor mat on this platform.

"A visitor?" the man asked, nodding his head to give him permission to seat himself on the placemat in the center of the room. When tea was served, he spoke again. "Welcome to Shangdang; you appear to be an outsider. What brings you to Wei on this day?" the assumed Governor of Shangdang asked.

[Seewichai]

Murong Ba looked at the decors of the home of his host. Thinking to himself, "Well... the late Prefect Yang Ban of Nanjun City's home decor is similiar... but his was the cold ambience while this.... was more lively." Eyeing the man sitting on the floor and after hearing an invitation to sit down, Murong Ba sat crosslegged on the mat. Replying to his questions, "Well you must be.... Zhao Yue from the letter I received from I believe... I am here because of your letter."

Looking around the room again, "Well I must say, the security here is rather tight and before coming into your presence... I was projecting myself standing stiffly in a big hall with you sitting afar on a big majestic looking throne. But this... makes people feel comfortable and at ease from formalities..."

[Unchained Phoenix]

Murong Ba looked at the decors of the home of his host. Thinking to himself, "Well... the late Prefect Yang Ban of Nanjun City's home decor is similiar... but his was the cold ambience while this.... was more lively." Eyeing the man sitting on the floor and after hearing an invitation to sit down, Murong Ba sat crosslegged on the mat. Replying to his questions, "Well you must be.... Zhao Yue from the letter I received from I believe... I am here because of your letter."

Looking around the room again, "Well I must say, the security here is rather tight and before coming into your presence... I was projecting myself standing stiffly in a big hall with you sitting afar on a big majestic looking throne. But this... makes people feel comfortable and at ease from formalities..."

Zhao Yue smiled thinly. "Giant halls made of cold stone and decorative thrones are reserved for men of rank and nobility. I am but a mere Governor who has inherited the meager assets of my predecessor and made it my own. Yet your compliments are gratifying, Sir Murong," he said calmly, folding his hands in his lap and sitting with a perfectly straight back. He had a very long time to practice his posture, a very long time indeed. "It thrills me that you were motivated enough to come all the way out here, though. What questions do you have for me regarding my organization or Wei? I am an open book, at least in the sense."

[Nash]

"Could this be General Xun?" the young man asked, smiling as he motioned to the attendants to gently slide the door shut. From the outside, the silhouette of the chocolate-eyed man was seen motioning the visitors to feel free to sit as smaller figures brought around a long tray with full pitchers of tea and empty cups to fill. "A day I have long awaited. How fare you men on this day?" he asked coolly, nodding his head as a sort of respectful bow to his guests.

Xun Ruishi's limp worsened the longer the walk, he noted each corner they took cautiously and at the final entrance frowned.

Xun: Certainly a defensible arrangement, but is it good for administration?

His captain, Chao Shi, simply shrugged, not understanding the point behind the rhetorical question as he kicked his shoes off. The older commander, however, calmly stood before the doorway as one of his lower subordinates removed his shoes, careful not to agitate his wounded leg. As they entred and caught sight of the man whom they assumed was Zhao Yue, neither of them having met him yet, they were a mix of surprise and solemnity.

Xun: Truthfully...the change in weather as October draws over us has agitated my leg. You seem to be faring well, though, Lord Zhao.

For all he knew he was talking to a mere courtier, but he was beyond the point of caring. He handed his sword to his captain and took one of the seats offered to him. Other than Chao Shi, who remained silent and standing near his commander, the rest of the escort remained outside the room.

Xun: Your letter reached me before the news of your victory over Governor Meng. You must have wasted no time in sending it?