"No, I will have my men prepare your quarters immediately so that you may get settled in. But don't get too comfortable, as our armies are on the march, and you may be assigned outside of Dingtao."
He was about to have a guard escort the man to his new quarters, before another thought occurred to him. "Also, if you have time, it may be worthwhile to meet with the other generals of Liang as you will be serving alongside them day and night. Fukudome has been sent to fight to Huainan, so you may not see him until that campaign is finished."
Kai nodded to the guard beside the general, who will escort the man to his new quarters.
Xiang Kai's Audience Hall - Dingtao
Moderator: Game Masters
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Shan Bao
- New Recruit
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:59 pm
- Location: Making officers swoon in Liang
A young woman approached slowly towards the guard checkpoint. Graceful in her steps, yet adorning a military uniform, she finally came within a few yards of the guards. Placing her hands within one another, she let them sink comfortably to the front of her waist. Smiling warmly, she bowed to either guard and declared herself.
"I am Shan Bao, an envoy serving no Lord or Lady of these lands." she said calmly, her voice mezmerising and warm. "Your honourable lord has requested an audience with me. I request passage through your graces, to fulfill his request." Before bowing again.
Her attire did not match her physique or appearance. She had an upright posture of a officer, but with the calmness of a housewife. She bared no signs of battle on her person. No scars, no grazes; not even a mark of dirt. Her complexion was soft, with very little makeup. Despite this, she resonated an aura of beauty. It was odd for someone of her grace to be wearing the clothing that one would assume was that of a warrior.
Her eyes were a dark hazel, to which anyone looking within them, would feel as if they were looking into her soul. Her hair was in tandem with the colour of her eyes. Her hair was bordering on shoulder-length, but was kept into place by a deep red bandana, a few bangs of hair reaching her eyebrows; whilst a shoulder-length bang of hair ran either side. It carried a look of messiness, yet oddly seemed pre-meditated. The rest of her hair was tamed into a knot on the top of her head.
She patiently waited for either one of the guards to reply.
"I am Shan Bao, an envoy serving no Lord or Lady of these lands." she said calmly, her voice mezmerising and warm. "Your honourable lord has requested an audience with me. I request passage through your graces, to fulfill his request." Before bowing again.
Her attire did not match her physique or appearance. She had an upright posture of a officer, but with the calmness of a housewife. She bared no signs of battle on her person. No scars, no grazes; not even a mark of dirt. Her complexion was soft, with very little makeup. Despite this, she resonated an aura of beauty. It was odd for someone of her grace to be wearing the clothing that one would assume was that of a warrior.
Her eyes were a dark hazel, to which anyone looking within them, would feel as if they were looking into her soul. Her hair was in tandem with the colour of her eyes. Her hair was bordering on shoulder-length, but was kept into place by a deep red bandana, a few bangs of hair reaching her eyebrows; whilst a shoulder-length bang of hair ran either side. It carried a look of messiness, yet oddly seemed pre-meditated. The rest of her hair was tamed into a knot on the top of her head.
She patiently waited for either one of the guards to reply.
One of the guards stepped forward to reply, "An audience with the Duke? Of course, follow me."
Assuming she follows, she is led through the large doors into the audience hall. After a short walk through a hallway, they find themselves at the end of a very large hall full of ministers, soldiers and the like flowing through from either end to the other. From their point of entrance, they could clearly see at the other end sitting on his throne the Duke of Liang, who was chatting with an official looking personage. The guard led the guest to a spot about twenty paces from where the man sat, who was surrounded by guards on either side. After only a moment the Duke concluded his conversation with the official and gazed upon the recent arrivals as the official left. The guard bowed before speaking, "Duke Xiang Kai, Lady Shan Bao has come seeking audience."
Kai nodded to the guard and then addressed the visitor with a smile, "I am glad you have come. To be honest, I wasn't sure if you would. Now, what did you think my letter?"
Assuming she follows, she is led through the large doors into the audience hall. After a short walk through a hallway, they find themselves at the end of a very large hall full of ministers, soldiers and the like flowing through from either end to the other. From their point of entrance, they could clearly see at the other end sitting on his throne the Duke of Liang, who was chatting with an official looking personage. The guard led the guest to a spot about twenty paces from where the man sat, who was surrounded by guards on either side. After only a moment the Duke concluded his conversation with the official and gazed upon the recent arrivals as the official left. The guard bowed before speaking, "Duke Xiang Kai, Lady Shan Bao has come seeking audience."
Kai nodded to the guard and then addressed the visitor with a smile, "I am glad you have come. To be honest, I wasn't sure if you would. Now, what did you think my letter?"
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Shan Bao
- New Recruit
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:59 pm
- Location: Making officers swoon in Liang
As Shan Bao was lead through the Audience Hall, she noticed the masses of ministers and soldiers. Although most were obviously on important errands, there were a few exhanges of bows of the head, and smiles, between her and various servants. As the guards continued heading towards the end of the Hall, she noticed the obvious Lord of the lands on a throne.
As she was signalled to stop, the Duke was just finishing the conversation with the official. They exhanged smiles and bows, before the official left. The official was not of any major importance, but played a small role in the kingdom. Yet the Duke interacted with him, in the same way that one would interact with a close friend: even bordering on sibling.
As the Duke looked upon her and the guard, the guard bowed and declared him of her presence. As the Duke nodded to the guard (who bowed and returned to his duties) he smiled upon her. She listened intensely on every word he spoke. Thus is the essential rule of Diplomacy: Always listen to the words directed at you, especially those of power. It was obvious to anyone that the Duke had power. A governor does not sit on a throne, and not one such as what the Duke sat at. It was intriquate with detail, out-staging the Hall itself.
Shan Bao bowed and returned the smile.
"Duke Xiang Kai, I am honoured to meet you." she bowed once again. "Despite the numerous letters from Lords of the Land, yours required a bit more... investigation. I came here, inquiring into your current relations with the other kingdoms, and what you would require of me if I were to serve you." She smiled before quickly lowering her head: her eyes fixed on the ground infront of her. It was a habit of hers during her tutoring. It was also mainly on the fact, that her father was not high in the social circle during her childhood. A lowerly subordinate, who was executed for retreating from impossible odds. Thus, anyone but bandits, were immediately higher than her: and deserved the upmost respect.
As she was signalled to stop, the Duke was just finishing the conversation with the official. They exhanged smiles and bows, before the official left. The official was not of any major importance, but played a small role in the kingdom. Yet the Duke interacted with him, in the same way that one would interact with a close friend: even bordering on sibling.
As the Duke looked upon her and the guard, the guard bowed and declared him of her presence. As the Duke nodded to the guard (who bowed and returned to his duties) he smiled upon her. She listened intensely on every word he spoke. Thus is the essential rule of Diplomacy: Always listen to the words directed at you, especially those of power. It was obvious to anyone that the Duke had power. A governor does not sit on a throne, and not one such as what the Duke sat at. It was intriquate with detail, out-staging the Hall itself.
Shan Bao bowed and returned the smile.
"Duke Xiang Kai, I am honoured to meet you." she bowed once again. "Despite the numerous letters from Lords of the Land, yours required a bit more... investigation. I came here, inquiring into your current relations with the other kingdoms, and what you would require of me if I were to serve you." She smiled before quickly lowering her head: her eyes fixed on the ground infront of her. It was a habit of hers during her tutoring. It was also mainly on the fact, that her father was not high in the social circle during her childhood. A lowerly subordinate, who was executed for retreating from impossible odds. Thus, anyone but bandits, were immediately higher than her: and deserved the upmost respect.
Kai sat back as he thought for a moment before answering her questions, "Well let's see. We are friendly with most other kingdoms, such as our neighbors Chu, Yin, Qi, and Liu Bang in Changyi," he said as he listed each one by counting a different finger. "Aside from those powers, we have not come into contact with any others. Though, it should be said that we do not look on the bandits to the south as friends. We have only recently sent an army to Huainan in order to pacify those lands. And with the help of our friends in Chu, who are sending men to Jiujiang to combat the bandits there, we hope to end their threat soon enough."
He breathed in deeply before he began to answer her next question, "As for what you can do, that is up to you. Though I have heard you would serve well as an envoy in keeping up our good relations with our neighbors, I would like best for you to do what you enjoy in hopes that in this manner you could serve the kingdom best. It is my opinion that if one isn't happy in what they are doing, then they will not do it well. Tell me, where do your skills lie, and is the use of those what brings you the greatest satisfaction?"
He breathed in deeply before he began to answer her next question, "As for what you can do, that is up to you. Though I have heard you would serve well as an envoy in keeping up our good relations with our neighbors, I would like best for you to do what you enjoy in hopes that in this manner you could serve the kingdom best. It is my opinion that if one isn't happy in what they are doing, then they will not do it well. Tell me, where do your skills lie, and is the use of those what brings you the greatest satisfaction?"
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Shan Bao
- New Recruit
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:59 pm
- Location: Making officers swoon in Liang
Shan Bao listened at the Duke. She smiled as he listed each kingdom, all of which, he had good relations with. An inner chuckle echoed in her mind as he used his fingers to count each one. It was a normal expression of thinking, and one that showed of good nature. He wasn't pompous or overzealous. This enlarged her smile, before he took a breath to answer her next question. She nodded at his words and his philosophy.
"I agree that someone should enjoy, and take pride in someone's craft my lord," she smiled and bowed again, "and I myself take pride and joy from my craft."
She took a quick glance around the hall and smiled, before looking back at the Duke.
"It is true that I have been trained primarily as an Envoy. That is my destiny in life. It would be false to say that it was my choice to learn such ways, but it is something that I enjoy." She held her right hand out and moved it in a sweeping fashion. "Our society, our history: the great cities of our land. They still stand, not through war or rulership. But from co-operation. Agreed, that not all are willing to co-operate, but it is the people who do that lets us stand in this hall today. I wish to ensure that conflicts do not occure, but I am just a mere woman. I cannot change history, but I can help in avoiding as much suffering as I can."
She went down on one knee, looking at the ground before continuing.
"Destinies can change, and it would be a lie to say I am purely an Envoy. I have studied in many things. War, Politics, History, Diplomacy...even Music. Though I may be an envoy, I am but a piece of fabric. A fabric, that can be crafted into a fine robe, or the cape of a warlord. I am a tool for a lord or lady, and weither I am creating alliances, or declaring wars.... Recruiting Subordinates or average men willing to fight. Whatever is required of me... I shall do to the best of my ability."
She brought her hands together in front of her and bowed her head lower.
"My enjoyment comes from furthering another one's ambitions and goals. I believe that you will become a great man, honourable Duke: and if you will allow it; I wish to aid you."
As she finished her words, she remained still and silent.
"I agree that someone should enjoy, and take pride in someone's craft my lord," she smiled and bowed again, "and I myself take pride and joy from my craft."
She took a quick glance around the hall and smiled, before looking back at the Duke.
"It is true that I have been trained primarily as an Envoy. That is my destiny in life. It would be false to say that it was my choice to learn such ways, but it is something that I enjoy." She held her right hand out and moved it in a sweeping fashion. "Our society, our history: the great cities of our land. They still stand, not through war or rulership. But from co-operation. Agreed, that not all are willing to co-operate, but it is the people who do that lets us stand in this hall today. I wish to ensure that conflicts do not occure, but I am just a mere woman. I cannot change history, but I can help in avoiding as much suffering as I can."
She went down on one knee, looking at the ground before continuing.
"Destinies can change, and it would be a lie to say I am purely an Envoy. I have studied in many things. War, Politics, History, Diplomacy...even Music. Though I may be an envoy, I am but a piece of fabric. A fabric, that can be crafted into a fine robe, or the cape of a warlord. I am a tool for a lord or lady, and weither I am creating alliances, or declaring wars.... Recruiting Subordinates or average men willing to fight. Whatever is required of me... I shall do to the best of my ability."
She brought her hands together in front of her and bowed her head lower.
"My enjoyment comes from furthering another one's ambitions and goals. I believe that you will become a great man, honourable Duke: and if you will allow it; I wish to aid you."
As she finished her words, she remained still and silent.
He smiled as she declared her intent to join Liang. "I welcome you with open arms into our force. I am glad that you have come to this decision. We have done much work to help the people of Liang and Jiaoxi, but there is still much to be done. And I believe that you will add greatly to this effort."
He was about to begin telling her about getting her quarters prepared, but stopped to return to something she said. "You say that your enjoyment comes from furthering others' ambitions and goals? I am glad that you say this, because that is the true mark of a leader, as I see it. I myself work with the objective of furthering the goals of my officers and the people of Jiaoxi and Liang. Continue with this in mind, and I believe you can accomplish great things."
Post OI here and PH access will soon follow!
He was about to begin telling her about getting her quarters prepared, but stopped to return to something she said. "You say that your enjoyment comes from furthering others' ambitions and goals? I am glad that you say this, because that is the true mark of a leader, as I see it. I myself work with the objective of furthering the goals of my officers and the people of Jiaoxi and Liang. Continue with this in mind, and I believe you can accomplish great things."
Post OI here and PH access will soon follow!
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Shan Bao
- New Recruit
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:59 pm
- Location: Making officers swoon in Liang
Shan Bao smiled at her acceptance.
"Thank you my Lord. I will complete any tasks you set before me, to the best of my abilities. I will follow your advice. Know that if you should ever need my council or assistance, I am at your command."
She bowed, stopping half way, as she realised she was new to the Dingtao.
"My Lord... what task do you require of me?"
She patiently waited for a reply.
"Thank you my Lord. I will complete any tasks you set before me, to the best of my abilities. I will follow your advice. Know that if you should ever need my council or assistance, I am at your command."
She bowed, stopping half way, as she realised she was new to the Dingtao.
"My Lord... what task do you require of me?"
She patiently waited for a reply.
"All that you need to do now is to get settled in to your new quarters that we will provide for you here in Dingtao. Beyond this, it is always wise to explore one's new surroundings, as the knowledge gained will be extremely helpful for the future, for example, in finding and recruiting talent. It might also be fruitful to try and get to know the other officers of Liang. Once you are settled in and ready for duty, come visit me and we'll get started."
A guard stepped forward from beside the Duke to escort her to her quarters.
A guard stepped forward from beside the Duke to escort her to her quarters.
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Quarashi
- Ensign
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Sun Apr 09, 2006 3:47 pm
- Location: We shall forge our way forward into the history books!
After having spent the day wandering around the city, the youngest of the brothers Xun found his way to the audience hall of Xiang Kai. Making his way before the guards that were presumably on security detail, the young man spoke. "Uh, I'm looking for my older brother Shang." He stared quietly at the guards for a few more seconds before speaking any further. "He told me to come here. My name is Ping."