Jibei Provincial Roleplay

[Cao Chao]

"I speak for myself," he said, "but as the head of the military in Jiaodong. I have only offered my help; I cannot guarantee anything from Lord Shi. I believe he would listen to whatever counsel I might have for him, though."

He nodded to the man. "And despite what you say," he said, his lips forming into a frown, "I am as much a master of my own destiny as any other man. I have pledged loyalty to a cause; one of my own choosing. There is no greater form of freedom than this."

Looking back to Han Guang, he added, "I do not know what I could do to convince you of my sincerity. Your man is wary, and perhaps rightfully so. I do not know that I am asking that much, though."

"No man is truly the master of their own destinies . . ." replied the man cryptically. Bowing his head, he retreated to allow Han Guang the opportunity to continue his conversation with Fang Ai, satisfied that he had been able to speak his piece.

[Chen Ping]

A guard recognized the signature, and after sending a runner in advance, escorted the trio toward the city administration complex. When they arrived, the structure seemed to be under repair. A messenger came out from the inside--the runner from before--and informed the guard that the General was at the stable just to the east of the complex, and would meet them there. From there, the group traveled over that direction, where a group of soldiers seemed to be in training.

The head of the force, a larger man who sat upon a horse wearing full battle regalia, soon turned to the incoming group. He dismounted, and leaving his horse with a lieutenant, walked over. "I am General Fang," he said as he walked. He stopped a distance away, giving a slight salute, and said, "You are Cao Cao, then? I was surprised to hear that you were here; I did not expect a visit so soon. If you want, we can stable your horses here and speak inside. Until that construction finishes, I've commandeered this stable for my own private use."

Cao politely shook his head at the offer to speak inside. Outside was fine.

"I cannot help but be impressed by a man who readily extends a helping hand to a bandit. Your invitation was more than enough to persuade me to quickly journey here, and I think I will accept your offer of employment, whatever it may be exactly. During these past few years, it has been very hard to find a decent job to make a living, but I feel that perhaps my luck will change with Lord Shi Tong. It also may please you to know that you will not be offering a job to some mere brute. In addition to my martial abilities, I have attained a deep knowledge of commerce and taxation, oddly enough. I assure you that I can steal from the peasants legally just as well I can raid."

He bowed to the general, then continued.

"In return, I want a deserving compensation for my services. I also ask for some plot of land in the city to open a smithy, which I feel is one of the only other honest ways I can earn gold. If these are met, then I shall pledge my axe and my utmost loyalty to Shi Tong."

[Xiang Zhuang]

Cao politely shook his head at the offer to speak inside. Outside was fine.

"I cannot help but be impressed by a man who readily extends a helping hand to a bandit. Your invitation was more than enough to persuade me to quickly journey here, and I think I will accept your offer of employment, whatever it may be exactly. During these past few years, it has been very hard to find a decent job to make a living, but I feel that perhaps my luck will change with Lord Shi Tong. It also may please you to know that you will not be offering a job to some mere brute. In addition to my martial abilities, I have attained a deep knowledge of commerce and taxation, oddly enough. I assure you that I can steal from the peasants legally just as well I can raid."

He bowed to the general, then continued.

"In return, I want a deserving compensation for my services. I also ask for some plot of land in the city to open a smithy, which I feel is one of the only other honest ways I can earn gold. If these are met, then I shall pledge my axe and my utmost loyalty to Shi Tong."

Aishi was quite surprised at how readily he pledged himself. "If I had thought you a mere brute," he said, "I would not have solicited you. It seems you have thought this through." He looked over at the stable, then said, "I believe we could easily find land for you. Anything you produced on your own you would have full control over determining prices and so on. As for other compensation, that would be a matter best brought up to the Prefect himself. I do not have the authority to decide such things."

He looked away in thought for a moment, but then broke into a smile. "You should meet the Prefect," he said. "I believe you would get along well with him. I am willing to accept your service if you are willing to join right here and now, though."

[Wolfsheart]

Xiang Zhuang

Watching the two men, Guang frowned slightly. Luan Bu was correct, they did need to act more cautiously. But then, so was Fang Ai. His strength, and ability had failed him once, might it not do so again? As Luan Bu backed down he nodded not to either of them, but to both at the same time. "Well, I cannot say that I couldn't use some assistance. Do you have some plan perhaps? Or has this all been just to gauge my mind? Let me assure you I plan to fight."

[Xiang Zhuang]

Xiang Zhuang

Watching the two men, Guang frowned slightly. Luan Bu was correct, they did need to act more cautiously. But then, so was Fang Ai. His strength, and ability had failed him once, might it not do so again? As Luan Bu backed down he nodded not to either of them, but to both at the same time. "Well, I cannot say that I couldn't use some assistance. Do you have some plan perhaps? Or has this all been just to gauge my mind? Let me assure you I plan to fight."

"Our plan is to simply grow," he replied, "and to feel out and see who else might be useful in the eventual fight against Chu. What are your thoughts from here? Pingyuan would certainly be a stepping stone to power, but I wonder if you have any definite future plans."

[Wolfsheart]

"Waizhan" he said without hesitation. "Waizhan, and a few smaller villages. With them I will begin making preperations to siege Boyang and have enough strength to secure my independance." For the first time in their meeting the gruff general smiled at Fang Ai. "I know not how long it will take the supporters of Xiang Yu to come and remove me from power once more, but this time I plan to make them pay dearly if they do. So grow I will, but first I need my victory at Pingyuan."

[Shi Tong]

@ Jablis & Fi Sheng

(OOC: Looks like no one else is showing up, so I'll go ahead and get started)

After a short waiting period, the sounds of footsteps could be heard coming from the entrance that Fi Sheng and Liao Zun came from. Not long after, the arrival of a small contingent of guards who proceeded to take positions along the outside of the veranda area. Then, with two guards at his side, the Prefect of Jiaodong, Shi Tong made his arrival at the banquet himself. Carrying with him his customary feather fan, Shi Tong took the position at the head of the seating arrangement, and motioned for the two men who had come to meet with him to sit down as well. Assuming they did so, Shi Tong would also take a seat, beginning to fan himself while the two guards that were at his side now took position directly behind him. Shi Tong, however, paid little attention to the guards interactions themselves, but focused himself on his visitors, smiling and offering them a customary salute.

"Greetings, friends. I am pleased to see that you have made the trek to Donga. I have been told that one of you is Liao Zun and the other is Fi Sheng, both Village Heads in this province. Well then, I extend my salutations to both of the village heads in the province and hope to see good tidings come from our first meeting. Before I begin, do either of you have any questions for me? I would be more than happy to answer what I can."

[Jablis]

Liao Zun, barely able to contain himself began "What are your plans for the people of Jibei? Slave labor for your war machine? Forgive my forward speaking but I've seen it all before. The rich get rich while the poor break their backs making the rich richer." Zun, while upset with the situation, had no ill will for the politician in front of him...at least not until he had reason to.

[Shi Tong]

Liao Zun, barely able to contain himself began "What are your plans for the people of Jibei? Slave labor for your war machine? Forgive my forward speaking but I've seen it all before. The rich get rich while the poor break their backs making the rich richer." Zun, while upset with the situation, had no ill will for the politician in front of him...at least not until he had reason to.

Shi Tong did not show any visible signs of emotion when Liao Zun launched a flurry of questions. Contend with waving his fan, when the man was finished, Shi Tong gave a slight smile and spoke.

"Jiaodong currently is undergoing a revitalization under my administration. The marketplaces are in a swirl of activity as of late and as I am told the harvests are said to be of a great crop come the summer time. I plan on utilizing the territory that this administration occupies in Jibei in the same manner. And as for slave labor for a war machine, I am pleased to say that any man you walk up to in Donga that wears the military uniform of this administration has done so of his own free will. Give an unwilling peasant a weapon and send him to the battlefield and you have just wasted both a peasant and his weapon. Give a trained soldier a weapon and send him to the battlefield and he'll bring you a victory."

Giving off a small chuckle, Shi Tong continued.

"And as for the rich get richer off of the backs of the poor, sad as I am to admit this, but I have nary a gold coin in my pocket, and more than likely would have to beg my treasury department to even get a single gold piece for my own personal use, having so much of it being used for the betterment of the administration and its holdings."

[Jablis]

Shi Tong did not show any visible signs of emotion when Liao Zun launched a flurry of questions. Contend with waving his fan, when the man was finished, Shi Tong gave a slight smile and spoke.

"Jiaodong currently is undergoing a revitalization under my administration. The marketplaces are in a swirl of activity as of late and as I am told the harvests are said to be of a great crop come the summer time. I plan on utilizing the territory that this administration occupies in Jibei in the same manner. And as for slave labor for a war machine, I am pleased to say that any man you walk up to in Donga that wears the military uniform of this administration has done so of his own free will. Give an unwilling peasant a weapon and send him to the battlefield and you have just wasted both a peasant and his weapon. Give a trained soldier a weapon and send him to the battlefield and he'll bring you a victory."

Giving off a small chuckle, Shi Tong continued.

"And as for the rich get richer off of the backs of the poor, sad as I am to admit this, but I have nary a gold coin in my pocket, and more than likely would have to beg my treasury department to even get a single gold piece for my own personal use, having so much of it being used for the betterment of the administration and its holdings."

"That's a fair enough answer. Why have you asked us here? And are there supposed to be other guests as well, or are the extra place settings just in the name of symmetry?" Zun asked, noting the table's set up.