Ying Fusu's Audience Hall - Nanzheng

[Cao Chao]

Bowing deeply, Guang then spoke as his eyes remained lowered to the floor. "Master Chunyu Yue, I come here today as a humble servant of the true heir to the First Emperor and Qin Dynasty." Straightening his posture, he then allowed his eyes to meet the form of the Master of Purification.

"I have nearly finalized the conquest of Changsha in the name of the King of Qin, however, I have found that the eastern and northern borders of the province are now occupied by aggressive, anti-Qin criminals. They have shown their disdain for my forces because of my loyalty to the Qin and I fear that war in Changsha is on the horizon. Therefore, I would humbly request for the authorization to be granted the title of Marquis of Changsha, to better combat these insurrectionists." Bowing his head once again, he awaited a response from Chunyu Yue...

Chunyu Yue squirmed uncomfortably at the man's servility. "Why so serious?" he asked, quirking his eyebrow, trying not to laugh at the man's silly antics. "Though the formality of court is important, there is really no need for you to be so servile and fawning. This is not Luoyang, we have no wish for sycophants and flatterers, those doomed to the Eighth Bolgia of the Eighth Circle of Hell. You come not as a supplicant, but as a worthy vassal who wishes to support the rightful heir to the throne."

The Master of Purification paused. "Unfortunately, as to the granting of titles of nobility, I cannot make that decision. I must send a messenger to Xianyang to confer with His Highness, the King of Qin. If you would like, I can arrange housing for you within the city to await the King's decision."

[Nanjun Tiger]

"My apologies, for I did not wish to over-flatter the Court. I am not accustomed to the Court's procedures, but I shall remember so in the future." Raising his eyes, he turned to Mingyuan, then back to Yue. "Yes, we would be honored to stay in the city while we await word. Also, could we also ask for instructions from His Highness on how he would prefer us to proceed in Changsha?"

[Cao Chao]

"My apologies, for I did not wish to over-flatter the Court. I am not accustomed to the Court's procedures, but I shall remember so in the future." Raising his eyes, he turned to Mingyuan, then back to Yue. "Yes, we would be honored to stay in the city while we await word. Also, could we also ask for instructions from His Highness on how he would prefer us to proceed in Changsha?"

The new officer of Taishi Guang caught the look and quickly whispered into his liege's ear. "The formality of the court must have changed now that the eunuch, Zhao Gao, and the minister, Li Si, aren't running it anymore."

"Of course, Sir Taishi," replied Chunyu Yue with a smile, now that that was straightened out. "I will pass along your wish for instructions from His Highness, though it is likely that they will come instead from the Supreme Commander." Chunyu Yue quickly made out a set of orders, which he gave to one of the court attendants. Swiftly, quarters were prepared for Taishi Guang and his subordinates.

[Nanjun Tiger]

Riding with his cavalry entourage east to the broken city of Xianyang, Guang stared in disbelief at the derelict ruins of the once great capital of the Qin. When he and his men reached the main gate, he dismounted and saluted the guards on duty. Reaching into the traveling pouch on his belt, he produced a missive given to him in Nanzheng and handed it to the guards.

"Please grant me entrance to speak with the King..."

Sir Taishi,

I have received a response from the King. His Highness wishes your presence in Xianyang, as he rebuilds the city from the conflagration that burned it to the ground.

Signed,
Chunyu Yue
-Master of Purification

[Kymvir Raemiz]

Riding with his cavalry entourage east to the broken city of Xianyang, Guang stared in disbelief at the derelict ruins of the once great capital of the Qin. When he and his men reached the main gate, he dismounted and saluted the guards on duty. Reaching into the traveling pouch on his belt, he produced a missive given to him in Nanzheng and handed it to the guards.

"Please grant me entrance to speak with the King..."

Sir Taishi,

I have received a response from the King. His Highness wishes your presence in Xianyang, as he rebuilds the city from the conflagration that burned it to the ground.

Signed,
Chunyu Yue
-Master of Purification

The letter worked quickly to get Taishi Guang into the city - or what was left of it - and into the heart of the town. While signs of construction was everywhere, the city itself was still a terrible mess, with entire blocks still entirely untouched by the crews working in the city. Squatters sat amongst the rubble, staring disconsolently at Taishi as he and his men rode past.

In the middle of the city, not far from the once mighty primary palace of the Qin Emperor, was one building that had clearly received a lot of early repairs. Though the shell was still marked by fire, the walls had been shored up, the entrances reinforced, and guards surrounded it. An attendant at the gate takes Taishi's letter, reads it once over and then inclines his head.

"Master Taishi, you may, of course, enter. Your men will need to stay outside."

[Cao Chao]

"Master Taishi, you may, of course, enter. Your men will need to stay outside."

"My lord, it is best if you enter alone," stated Liao Mingyuan, bowing his head. "I and the others will await your presence out here . . ."

---

On another day, a scholarly individual arrived in the ruined city of Xianyang. Weak in body and cursing the various bruises covering his posterior, Hua Jianyang stepped down from the carriage. Blinking his eyes at the signs of construction all around him, the scholar nodded his head with approval.

Slowly, he approached the audience chambers. He bowed his head and spoke. "My name is Hua Jianyang, a scholar with much skill in administration and city planning. I wish for a meeting with His Highness, the King, if possible."

[Nanjun Tiger]

"Aye," Guang replied nodding his head, "please watch over the men while I'm gone, Mingyuan." He was a bit apprehensive about entering alone, but he also realized that it was the only way. He shouldn't fear for his life here; The King had summoned him for a reason, and it certainly wasn't to take his head.

Giving a sigh, he then stepped forward and made his way into the ruined palace, looking for a minister or attendant to show him the way to Fusu...

[Charlemagne]

Now that the late season was setting in, the old scholar returned to deliver what he ahd promised. As he made his way to the gates, he was unsure of what the minister would think of his tome. Hopefully, it would lead to more work, though the old man had recently been absorbed into his own memoirs, and couldn't really afford to take on may jobs.

Nodding to the guards when he arrived, he smiled brightly, but clung tight to his package. "I have come to speak to Minister Meng Yi, if he is available."

[ann]

Now that the late season was setting in, the old scholar returned to deliver what he ahd promised. As he made his way to the gates, he was unsure of what the minister would think of his tome. Hopefully, it would lead to more work, though the old man had recently been absorbed into his own memoirs, and couldn't really afford to take on may jobs.

Nodding to the guards when he arrived, he smiled brightly, but clung tight to his package. "I have come to speak to Minister Meng Yi, if he is available."

The guard nodded and sent a message inside. Turning to the scholar he said, 'I have sent to see whether the Minister can see you. He has been ... ill recently.'

After a brief wait a young clerk came and bowed to the scholar saying "Oh, are you the scholar Li?"

[Zhudi]

Sometime after the disastrous battle...

Aramaki bowed and left the camp. He had his assistant signal a message using his torches, which was mirrored by matching torches across several hills in the region.

Riding his horse, he then rode in the direction of Xiangyang.

By the time that he had arrived at Xianyang, it was morning . He had made a promise to return to King Fusu, when he had left him six days prior. The circumstances of his arrival again was not what he had expected. His army had been defeated in battle and his negotiations in the release of the prisoners had been an abysmal failure. But that part was now out of his hands; he had made an agreement with the Brotherhood that if he failed, then it was their turn to do it their way.

Approaching the guard, he yelled out, "Good morning to you. I am Daisuke Aramaki and I have returned to report back to the King. If the King is too busy to meet with me, can you please give him this sealed letter instead."

Sealed letter in incoming PM