Wu Chen's Audience Hall - Handan

[Ashikaga]

Edited my old post to include all the people I forgot!

[Zhang Kui]

"I will have to consider your words and your offer," Zhang Kui answered readily enough. He had known from the moment he realized the king was trying to buy his service that he would delay his answer. There was a legitimate reason for it. "It is no small thing you ask, King of Zhao, and I have never forced such a decision on my men. They follow me without hesitation, but many will question my judgement if I hastily agreed to serve you."

"If your offer is final, I will return to Changshan to discuss the matter amongst my men," Xuanlong offered in return. "You will have my reply within a month's time."

[Ashikaga]

The King perked up at the mention of Changshan. Then he remembered some of the reports telling him that a certain Zhang Kui had taken hold of several villages in Changshan. Wu Chen became quite excited and said to the man, "Consider my offer well, for Changshan is a potential next target. Your soldiers and your villages could be absorbed into my kingdom in the coming months and for every village you bring into my fold I will pay you 50 gold, on top of your signing bonus. Should you aid me in taking a city when I do move into the province, another bonus will be yours depending on the size, arms, and performance of the force you bring."

Wu Chen smiled, "Joining me has a great many benefits heretofore unrealized for both of us. Again I say to you, consider this offer well. I deem it to be the best possible one you could receive."

[Kuai Wei]

Kuai Wei!

The captain was slightly shocked by the man's response. He was unsure of the custom in Jibei, but in Zhao, you do not allow a nameless wonderer into the halls of kings. It was possible he could be a known criminal or officer from another army. Any number of things, but something as simple as a name was very important. Especially in accepting guest for the king.

Not wishing to insult the man the captain said, "Custom, simply custom."

With that, the captain began to escort the man to the king. When he was in the presence of the king he announced his guest, "My king, a certain Kuai Wei has arrived to see you."

Wu Chen nodded and gestured for the man to approach and say his peace.

Kuai Wei gave a simple look to the guard, then said his simple response, "You must forgive me. I believe words - names, in this case - speak louder than actions, so a name is only as notable as the man it was given to. I believe your king has heard little or no mention of my name, so I'd deemed my name worthless here in Zhao."

Continuing to avoid starting a debate with the guard, Wei walked along until he found himself before Wu Chen, king of Zhao. "Good evening, lord Wu Chen." Kuai said, bowing for the duration of his sentence, then lifting himself up. "As your guard has said, I am Kuai Wei. I've ventured from Jibei to speak with you about a certain..." Kuai paused, the name he'd heard forgotten. "I'm sorry, but I cannot remember the name of person who's moved into Jibei recently. They're fighting to claim a city as we speak - It's quite hard to not hear the clash of swords and battlecries in Jibei. Anyways, I've come to ask you to withdraw your forces - I've taken interest in claiming a city or two, but apparently there'll be none to take when you're done. So, as I stand here in your audience hall, I ask of you to remove your men and generals from Jibei. Of course, why should you listen to me? Well, I've recently taken two villages and a town, but if you allow me to expand I'll greatly be in your debt and you'll have my gratitude. If you will not take your men from Jibei, then I beg of you to halt your conquest, allow me to control Jibei. "

[Wokimo]

Wokimo!

Wu Chen raised an eyebrow at both men. He was intrigued by what Hua Gao had said and totally confused by Cai. He shook his head and looked over to Cai, "No, you misinterpret me. I was suggesting you rule the city directly under my supervision (my city), however in light of this new news than I am to reconsider. I will offer you a bonus of 200 gold for the city if you should take it, and then relinquish it to Prefect Lu, then come to Zhao and prepare for you role as a governor in my kingdom. After some time I would put you in charge of a city outside of Zhao. What say you?"

(Do My KTs!)

Haoqi raised his hand to his forehead and bowed his head three times in appology to the King for his mistake but seemed otherwise non-plused. The offer was a good one and as profitable an offer as he was likely to recieve under the circumstances.

"Then it is agreed. Once the city is secured, I will relinquish it into the capable hands of Prefect Lu and come to join your court in Zhao. So long as Jibei is well governed in my absence I would have no regrets in leaving it behind." he answered truthfully and began to think how he could help the one who had arranged this meeting on his behalf.

What favour would Hua Gao ask in return for such a service? How steep a price would he require? After all, they were not exactly close friends, just acquaintances from days gone by. However, haoqi was enormously greatful for Hua's support, which had saved him from the obscurity that Lu Ying would have forced him to live in, had he not found influence in Wu Chen's court.

[Ashikaga]

Wu Chen was overjoyed. He considered the possibilities, the tanks he would get from his Aichi, the addition of Donga would make her vastly more powerful and save her armies the trouble of taking it themselves. If this man could truly win the favor and love of the people of a province, then he could truly prove useful to Wu Chen. "Lord Cai, this act of loyalty truly proves to me your willingness to serve. Should the city be taken with greatly favorable results, your bonus shall increase, especially if you can bring anyone who might join you there back to Zhao. After your arrival here, I shall promote you to the esteemed rank of Chief of Officials and send you into Changshan with my forces. There you will begin to win the favor of the people and try to gain as much influence as you can. Once you have done this, you will test the governors of both remaining cities in Changshan and tell me which one you believe you could be most successful against in seizing their city. When this has been done, you will be my governor in Changshan."

Wu Chen smiled more broadly, he could see the cheers he would receive as the people of Changshan submitted to his rule.

Kuai Wei!

The king let out a friendly chuckle. The man before him was bold, albeit foolish, but bold all the same. He could only wonder where this man learned diplomacy, for his line of reasoning was not the strongest. Taking a few moments to choose his words, Wu Chen replied, "Unfortunately, I cannot withdraw my forces from Jibei. Prefect Lu Ying has been given charge of the province by myself. All territory there is hers. However, if you would like to submit yourself to her and remain governing your towns, you are free to do so. The wisest thing to do would be to simply join her in her quest and so not open the floor to you being forcibly made to submit to her rule. Or you may sell your possessions to her and join me in Zhao, where I can place you in charge of a city, once I conquer outside of this province."

Wu Chen knew he had not told the man what he wanted to hear but it was the best he could do.

[Radical Dreamer]

One again, Hua Gao coughed in order to get attention.

"My King, if I may once again speak in the court," he began, "I have already contacted certain mercenaries in both Wei and Changshan that are willing to work for the Hua family. I believe that within two months the city of Zhou Guo could be in my possession if conditions permit. If you could allow your armies to take the city of Xiangguo with Xingzhe as your proxy minister there, direct the lady Lu to subdue Yan, and leave Dai to myself and lead your own armies into Wei that the entirety of the north would be yours within a single year."

"My generals are asking that we take our army into the field next month at the very least. The soldiers, while new conscripts, are brimming with energy that is squandered sitting in Handan. I ask for permission to move into Chanshang with my force and capture a village to act as a staging point for my move on Zhou Guo. I am aware that my numbers are far less than the 8,000 you have requested I gather, but this opportunity has only recently revealed itself to me and I feel I must try and take it..if my King would permit it."

[Ashikaga]

Wu Chen turned his attention to Hua Gao, the ever loyal vassal. Wu Chen was indebted to him for bringing him into contact with Cai, but he could not allow for the move into Changshan, Wei maybe, but not Changshan. The chance of a war between the newly established Huo Gao and the new lord in Dai was too great, and Wu Chen could not afford a protracted war in the north.

"Lord Huo Gao, I will soon move with such a force than there would be no needs for you to move into Dai, I would like you to instead take your operations into Wei. From Wei, you could help me in gathering troops for the inevitable clash with the Qin. Also, when you become newly established, I fear that the new lord in Dai will attempt to make war with you, and I cannot imagine the major rearrangement of forces in order to properly wage a campaign in the north against an organized opponent. Also, as for Yan, I have established a cordial relationship with themnd talk of breaking that will not be entertained in this court. You may have not known, so you are forgiven." Wu Chen finished, he spoke with authority, indicating that what he had said about Yan was final.

[Radical Dreamer]

Gao nearly frowned, but kept it to himself. "Very well, my King. I was not aware that Yan had even become stable enough for diplomatic talks, let alone that you had an agreement with them. Please, forgive me."

"As to Changshan, the mercenary forces that could align themselves with me are quite large, each several thousand men strong. With enough support from the court's treasury, we could simply wipe Dai off the map. However, if my lord wishes to be cautious, might I enquire if the city of Jinyang in northern Wei would be suitable? I must beg forgiveness for daring to suggest otherwise, but I feel with an utmost certainty that any ruler in Dai must be suppress or checked immediately. To have a strong force at our backs invites disaster."

[Kuai Wei]

Kuai Wei!

The king let out a friendly chuckle. The man before him was bold, albeit foolish, but bold all the same. He could only wonder where this man learned diplomacy, for his line of reasoning was not the strongest. Taking a few moments to choose his words, Wu Chen replied, "Unfortunately, I cannot withdraw my forces from Jibei. Prefect Lu Ying has been given charge of the province by myself. All territory there is hers. However, if you would like to submit yourself to her and remain governing your towns, you are free to do so. The wisest thing to do would be to simply join her in her quest and so not open the floor to you being forcibly made to submit to her rule. Or you may sell your possessions to her and join me in Zhao, where I can place you in charge of a city, once I conquer outside of this province."

Wu Chen knew he had not told the man what he wanted to hear but it was the best he could do.

Wei thought for a moment, deciding what would be best. As a barbarian - for the most part, at least - Kuai would only submit to the will of another through pure force, so an offer to join another was out of the question unless he was of exceptional talent. Wei lowered his head in shame, well aware that he was not of nobility or any position of true power that would gain the attention and influence over the man before him. "This woman, Lu Ying... you believe she would wrestle me into submission? Perhaps that is the most likely outcome, but I am not one to back down from a fight, nor do I fear death if I am threatened with such. Your warning, perhaps a friendly warning, does not affect me despite what truths it may hold..." Wei stopped, realizing that he would need to resolve the issues of Jibei with the woman named Lu Ying. Wei spoke again, "Lord Wu Chen, I only ask that you take this tribute as a sign of my gratitude for the understanding and kindness that you have presented." Kuai reached to his hip and removed a pouch that was tied to his waist. "This is an offering of peace, so please accept it."

Kuai Wei offers 100 taels to Wu Chen.