Zhao Yue's Audience Hall - Shangdang

[Big Grizzy]

"Well it was very kind of you to oblige to my request," Laoxin mentioned. This statement could've been said with a dash of sarcasm, but he didn't want to put off his visitor. Instead, he wanted his guest to warm up to him a bit, though he doubted he would be signing any enlistment papers today. "But a well offered point. If I may be so bold to ask, is your home province stable? And what have you and your men done to ensure that your environment is safe?" he asked, folding his arms and awaiting a detailed response.

"My men and I have moved into the town of Kuai Lang, and are working from there to make the province safe. I have spoken with one of the prefects of the major cities to discuss the province's stability and plan to do the same with the other major leaders."

[In Ferro Veritas]

A young woman in a black and red robe, complete with a trace of white piping, meandered through the bustling city. The sky was overcast and threatened rain, cutting short her intended visit to the city's market. Instead, thoughts turned to business as the first drops fell from the heavens.

Producing a letter and offering a slight smile to a guard, the woman introduced herself.

"I am Xiao Jing, here to meet with the lord of this city as per his invitation. Could we please dispense with the necessary formalities before I catch cold in this quickly deteriorating weather?"

She looked slightly annoyed, as the trend of every self-proclaimed ruler stopping people outside in the elements continued.

[Doc Strange]

The guard captain raised his eyes, the story being a suspicious one. "Yes you may, but only after the mandatory search. After a check from the entrance patrol, you'll then be taken to Zhao Yue. Agreed?"

"I don't have a choice, do I? Yes, I consent for a mandatory search." Fu Guan then goes silent, waiting for the guards to search him for his weapons and all those kinky stuff.

[jiangbao]

Jiang Bao received the tea and said "We thank you for the tea. Actually we received a letter from Zhao Yue zi Laoxin, District Manager of Shangdang. At least that was what I think it said. You must forgive me, we are not all that well educated. We spent quite a bit of time going thru the letter before making our way here. He mentioned something about us joining his ranks. Are you, the district manager?"


OOC: Sorry for the late reply.

[Unchained Phoenix]

"My men and I have moved into the town of Kuai Lang, and are working from there to make the province safe. I have spoken with one of the prefects of the major cities to discuss the province's stability and plan to do the same with the other major leaders."

Inside, Zhao Laoxin was frowning all over the place. Here he was, facing a man that wielded no intentions of coming to his lands and helping restore tranquility to his own province. Instead, he seemed quite content on where he was going in life, and there was probably no use in persuading him to do otherwise. The scholar wasn't one to completely give up, however. "So you're working with Xiang Xushou, are you? The other two Governors aren't worth a tael," Yue said blandly, as if he had tasted something that was beginning to spoil. "Admirable. I was going to offer you the chance to become a magistrate of your very own town here in Wei and probably eventually become a city prefect, but if you're happy being a 'volunteer', then by all means go ahead. I'm just here to provide more options for one with the service and dedication that you possess."

A young woman in a black and red robe, complete with a trace of white piping, meandered through the bustling city. The sky was overcast and threatened rain, cutting short her intended visit to the city's market. Instead, thoughts turned to business as the first drops fell from the heavens.

Producing a letter and offering a slight smile to a guard, the woman introduced herself.

"I am Xiao Jing, here to meet with the lord of this city as per his invitation. Could we please dispense with the necessary formalities before I catch cold in this quickly deteriorating weather?"

She looked slightly annoyed, as the trend of every self-proclaimed ruler stopping people outside in the elements continued.

The guard captain raised a single brow. "Standard protocol does not require specific formalities, though it does mandate that all visitors be searched. Security was a problem with the previous government, so we're trying to nip all future related issues at the bud. We will fetch a female attendant to do the job if you give your consent."

"I don't have a choice, do I? Yes, I consent for a mandatory search." Fu Guan then goes silent, waiting for the guards to search him for his weapons and all those kinky stuff.

Once all malicious and suspicious items were removed, the guards bowed to the captain who in turn motioned for the men behind the bronze gates to open them up. Once this was finished, the visitor was escorted to the entrance patrol, where he was then padded down again. After the rest of the suspicious items were removed, the entrance captain cleared his throat. "You'll receive all of your belongings once you depart. We'll keep them safe, don't worry. After me," he said, motioning with his head to have his men follow him as they were all engulfed by the darkness of the Administration Building entrance. A relaxing warm feeling followed.

While the main audience chambers were being remodeled, it became necessary to take a different route than usual to see the Prefect. The captain told Xing's escort to make themselves comfortable in the lobby. The attendants murmured amongst themselves from a moment as the group turned left out of the lobby to follow glowing halls with translucent walls. These walls were actually made of a tarp material, painted elegantly with dragons and landscapes and all sorts of things. Sliding doors were hidden behind the scenery, opening at random as attendants and subordinates alike filtered in and out of glowing rooms. Eventually, the guest was taken to the west wing of the Building, where two large stone doors were sealed shut. The captain cleared his throat, and the soldiers guarding the door immediately pushed them open, bowing as the party went through. The warm sensation offered by the first floor of the building was soon replaced by a cold rush of air.

The temporary audience chambers were not nearly as welcoming as the main wing, with stone blocks making up the walls, floors, and most of the ceiling. There was a sun roof of sorts, illuminating the center of the room with golden rays. This showcased the dingy red carpet that ran from the (shutting) doors to an elevated throne chair of sorts, where a robed man was just seating himself. A handful of ministers were milling about on the opposite side of the chamber, with the escort unit retreating to the side walls, allowing Fu Guan to approach the assumed Prefect of Shangdang. "You may speak," the man said, allowing the stranger to present himself.

Jiang Bao received the tea and said "We thank you for the tea. Actually we received a letter from Zhao Yue zi Laoxin, District Manager of Shangdang. At least that was what I think it said. You must forgive me, we are not all that well educated. We spent quite a bit of time going thru the letter before making our way here. He mentioned something about us joining his ranks. Are you, the district manager?"

"Why yes I am," Zhao Yue said with a bit of a downward inflection, surveying the two with a piqued interest at the two mens' combined ignroance of worldly matters. It didn't concern him much, for he knew that everyone came from different backgrounds. Even he, the District Manager of Shangdang, came from the dirty rags of poverty, being orphaned at a young age. Yet he overcame his complications, as he believed these two could do, with time. "You must be Jiang Bao," he said with a smile, nodding to Lan Kai to notify him that his presence was recognized. "Welcome to my city. Yes, I wanted to discuss with you the prospect of employment. You call yourself one of the five Legends, do you not?" he asked. "What have you and your four accomplices achieved to make yourselves worthy of being called legends? It would be a boon to employ a man who has obtained such merit and fame."

[jiangbao]

Jiang Bao laughed recalling some crazy guy who came to challenge him and said "The 5 legends are just a fancy name created by one of my more accomplished brothers. He thought it was a nice cliche for the 5 of us having the same motives in life, that is to bring peace to the land. Most of us are politically unaligned. So far I think I am the most unworthy of the 5."

Shaking his head he continued "I have yet to really achieve anything so far. I have a small unit of men who are training in Changsha."

[Dao Xia]

Wei Yang handed over his sword and shrugged. He was a little surprised that such security measures had been put in place so early in the administration, but it was probably a wise move, all things considered. After patting his own robes momentarily, Yang looked up to the guards with a smile,

"All clean. I'll suppose you'll want further assurance though. Go ahead and perform your search."

Yang lazily lifted his arms and waited for the guards to pat him down.

[Doc Strange]

Once all malicious and suspicious items were removed, the guards bowed to the captain who in turn motioned for the men behind the bronze gates to open them up. Once this was finished, the visitor was escorted to the entrance patrol, where he was then padded down again. After the rest of the suspicious items were removed, the entrance captain cleared his throat. "You'll receive all of your belongings once you depart. We'll keep them safe, don't worry. After me," he said, motioning with his head to have his men follow him as they were all engulfed by the darkness of the Administration Building entrance. A relaxing warm feeling followed.

While the main audience chambers were being remodeled, it became necessary to take a different route than usual to see the Prefect. The captain told Xing's escort to make themselves comfortable in the lobby. The attendants murmured amongst themselves from a moment as the group turned left out of the lobby to follow glowing halls with translucent walls. These walls were actually made of a tarp material, painted elegantly with dragons and landscapes and all sorts of things. Sliding doors were hidden behind the scenery, opening at random as attendants and subordinates alike filtered in and out of glowing rooms. Eventually, the guest was taken to the west wing of the Building, where two large stone doors were sealed shut. The captain cleared his throat, and the soldiers guarding the door immediately pushed them open, bowing as the party went through. The warm sensation offered by the first floor of the building was soon replaced by a cold rush of air.

The temporary audience chambers were not nearly as welcoming as the main wing, with stone blocks making up the walls, floors, and most of the ceiling. There was a sun roof of sorts, illuminating the center of the room with golden rays. This showcased the dingy red carpet that ran from the (shutting) doors to an elevated throne chair of sorts, where a robed man was just seating himself. A handful of ministers were milling about on the opposite side of the chamber, with the escort unit retreating to the side walls, allowing Fu Guan to approach the assumed Prefect of Shangdang. "You may speak," the man said, allowing the stranger to present himself.

Fu Guan takes his breath, and then he starts to open his mouth and reply: "My name is Fu Guan, from Linjiang province. I came here after I received your letter, that comes out of nowhere. Well, to travel here is not an easy task though, but since I just lost my house, I must left Linjiang and flee from those people at Yan as far as possible. And I know that I don't have any other place to go, so I decided to come here, searching for new job and new place of living. And I take it you're Zhao Yue?"

[In Ferro Veritas]

The guard captain raised a single brow. "Standard protocol does not require specific formalities, though it does mandate that all visitors be searched. Security was a problem with the previous government, so we're trying to nip all future related issues at the bud. We will fetch a female attendant to do the job if you give your consent."

The woman laughed slightly at the guard's implication, before pulling an ornate dagger from her sleeve. She offered it to the guard begrudgingly.

"Fetch this attendant, then, and take me to see this... Zhao Yue."

[Big Grizzy]

Inside, Zhao Laoxin was frowning all over the place. Here he was, facing a man that wielded no intentions of coming to his lands and helping restore tranquility to his own province. Instead, he seemed quite content on where he was going in life, and there was probably no use in persuading him to do otherwise. The scholar wasn't one to completely give up, however. "So you're working with Xiang Xushou, are you? The other two Governors aren't worth a tael," Yue said blandly, as if he had tasted something that was beginning to spoil. "Admirable. I was going to offer you the chance to become a magistrate of your very own town here in Wei and probably eventually become a city prefect, but if you're happy being a 'volunteer', then by all means go ahead. I'm just here to provide more options for one with the service and dedication that you possess."

"I will work with Master Xiong should Master Fei foolishly invade Changshan, but not without reservations. He is an obviously intelligent man, but his anti-ambition rhetoric does not seem to match with his demeanor. I believe he is actually just as ambitious as any other. His deposing of the previous governor through less than honorable means is proof enough of that. I will most likely have to work with the other governors to make the province safe anyway, though."