Chen Wei's Audience Hall - Huyang

[sima cabe]

"I've been able to get a couple people to help me. But i'm hoping for more to join me."

[Clown]

The guards nodded and moved out of the man's way. Chang Liu met him and led him to the training grounds where his brother was waiting. Upon seeing the younger boy, the man stopped his training and hurried over.

Chen Wei: Si! By the heavens! How are you!?

After a short embrace, Wei led his brother inside.

Chen Wei: Are you here to stay? How is mother?

Chen Si broke his brother's embrace and punched him in the arm. "Mother has been worried sick. She hears talk of rebellion in the region, and people claiming you are the new city governor. I had to beg her just to be allowed to come check on you. By the way, what's for dinner?"

The younger brother looked around and picked up one of the sparring weapons. "And yes, I'm here to stay. But you really should send word to mother."

[Jack Flack]

Sima Cabe

Wei nodded knowingly. He to had found it difficult to bring men to his banner in Huyang, and wondered if Nanyang was simply lacking in talented men, or if they had gone abroad.

Chen Wei: I sympathize. It seems with so many lords around the kingdom, that able men are in demand, and it would appear that we are in no position to offer them better than the richer lords. What is there to be done?


Clown

Chen Wei chuckled at his younger brother, and rubbed his arm where the boy had punched him. Si had gotten stronger in the time since Wei left home. A credit to their family, for sure.

Chen Wei: You always were a momma's boy, Si. But hopefully your training in father's blacksmithing shop will prove most useful to me. Put the weapon down and let's see what the cooks are preparing. We have much to catch up on.

Chen Si joins.

[sima cabe]

Liu Tzu smiled, "I would say try looking harder."

[RuffRydeR]

Within days of the fall of Huyang, a rather royal entourage came riding into the city. They had the markings of Yin, and were trimmed in crimson, velvet and gold, drawing stares from the inhabitants.

The group made a bee line for the Audience Hall, and once there, it was announced by an attendant riding in front,

"Lady Xia of Yin wishes to meet the Lord Chen of Nanyang. Shall we be allowed to pass?"

[Jack Flack]

Liu Tzu smiled, "I would say try looking harder."

The warrior chuckled a bit at this, and then nodded his head strongly. The man made it sound so simple.

Chen Wei: True. True. But searching so diligently requires manpower in the first place. That, or lots of letter writing, which I am neither good at, nor do I enjoy. I am not so ambitious as to stalk men of talent just so that they can be subservient. Every man must make his own destiny, and not have it forced on him.

Within days of the fall of Huyang, a rather royal entourage came riding into the city. They had the markings of Yin, and were trimmed in crimson, velvet and gold, drawing stares from the inhabitants.

The group made a bee line for the Audience Hall, and once there, it was announced by an attendant riding in front,

"Lady Xia of Yin wishes to meet the Lord Chen of Nanyang. Shall we be allowed to pass?"

The guards looked at each other, and then their leader whispered something low to his subordinate. The man quickly enterred the hall and disappeared. The guard captain stepped forward to address the attendant, and bowed.

Guard Captain: My apologies, friends. But no person is allowed admittance without first speaking to Minister Chang. We have summoned him, and he shall be arriving momentarily. We beg your patience.

He had just finished explaining, when Chang Liu appeared outside the door of the palace. He bowed to the attendant, and then stood upright and assessed the group behind him. He seemed to be stalling, as if the lord of the city were not in.

Chang Liu: The District Manager of Huyang, Lord Chen, is eager to welcome his guests to his home. He considers the Lady Xia a friend, and wishes her to know the full extent of his hospitality.

Though he went no further than that, and he stood up on his toes and looked among those gathered to see if he could spot the Lady Xia.

[RuffRydeR]

Chang Liu: The District Manager of Huyang, Lord Chen, is eager to welcome his guests to his home. He considers the Lady Xia a friend, and wishes her to know the full extent of his hospitality.

Though he went no further than that, and he stood up on his toes and looked among those gathered to see if he could spot the Lady Xia.

With a nod, the attendant goes back to the carriage, and opens the door, letting the dazzling lady out in that mix of ceremonial armour and regal dress. She nodded gently to the maid, and walks inside, followed by a smalll train of her maidens, as the rest headed off to take a break in the closest restaurant...

Meanwhile, Liangyu walks up to the Minister Chang, and smiled, before asking sharply,

"So, where is Master Chen?"

At her feet were two very familiar tiger cubs, running around her boots, tickling her by clawing at the tough leather...

[Jack Flack]

The minister saw the woman approach, and the smirked nervously, before stepping back to put his body against the door. It seemed like he was intentionally blocking her passage.

Chang Liu: Yes. Umm...the Magistrate is ummm...inside of course, but I uh...

Looking around worriedly, the man scrambled to think of an excuse. Finding none, he blushed with shame. As the woman pressed, he stammered again.

Chang Liu: You see, my lady...well...it's like this...

Before he could continue, there was a knock on the door behind him. His eyes seemed to light up immediately. He cleared his throat and began to pull the door open.

Chang Liu: Ahh. Absolutely my lady, Lord Chen awaits. Please follow me.

Pushing the door open, Chang Liu revealed a long corridor, littered with rose and apple blossom petals. Standing to the side, he motioned the Liangyu to enter, and waited there as she proceeded. The walk was not long, only a turn or two before she reached the audience chamber. Standing there with his usual stupid grin was Chen Wei. As Princess Xia and the cubs enterred, he bowed deeply.

Chen Wei: My apologies Lady Xia. They were quicker in rehearsal. And the guard who was supposed to scout ahead for your arrival will be sorry that you had to wait.

The man went to one knee, and rubbed his fingers together, beckoning the cubs over to where he was. When the one bounded over, Wei pushed it onto it's back and rubbed its belly, while the kitten attempted to kick and bite at his hands. Ignoring the small animal, Wei looked up to his guest.

Chen Wei: You look wonderful, Princess. I hope you feel as well. The trip was not too arduous, I trust?

[RuffRydeR]

Pushing the door open, Chang Liu revealed a long corridor, littered with rose and apple blossom petals. Standing to the side, he motioned the Liangyu to enter, and waited there as she proceeded. The walk was not long, only a turn or two before she reached the audience chamber. Standing there with his usual stupid grin was Chen Wei. As Princess Xia and the cubs enterred, he bowed deeply.

Chen Wei: My apologies Lady Xia. They were quicker in rehearsal. And the guard who was supposed to scout ahead for your arrival will be sorry that you had to wait.

The man went to one knee, and rubbed his fingers together, beckoning the cubs over to where he was. When the one bounded over, Wei pushed it onto it's back and rubbed its belly, while the kitten attempted to kick and bite at his hands. Ignoring the small animal, Wei looked up to his guest.

Chen Wei: You look wonderful, Princess. I hope you feel as well. The trip was not too arduous, I trust?

"My...your hall is so wonderful. Maybe I should have Father decorate his the same way. It wouldn't be too hard...but it smells nice!"

Liangyu giggled as she urged the other kitten onward to go meet Chen again, before moving forward herself, saying,

"I doubt I'd be looking as wonderful if the trip was arduous. But it wasn't, and so I'm in here...in your city. It's nice to know Nanyang is in good hands..."

[Jack Flack]

"My...your hall is so wonderful. Maybe I should have Father decorate his the same way. It wouldn't be too hard...but it smells nice!"

Liangyu giggled as she urged the other kitten onward to go meet Chen again, before moving forward herself, saying,

"I doubt I'd be looking as wonderful if the trip was arduous. But it wasn't, and so I'm in here...in your city. It's nice to know Nanyang is in good hands..."

The man only smiled at the compliment to his hall, but from behind Liangyu there was an audible sigh of relief from Chang Liu, as though his well-being depended on her pleasure. Wei looked up at the man, and he bowed and excused himself. Turning his attention back to his guest, Wei stood and looked unsure of how to react to her final statement.

Chen Wei: I'm neither a politician nor diplomat, Lady Xia. I'm not sure that a prolonged position here in Nanyang is what's best for the people. But I will do what I can while I'm able. Not to mention, all this responsibility keeps me from being able to pay you visits. It's encouraging to know that you would take the time to visit me.

Ordering a servant to fetch some fresh venison for the kittens, Wei looked back to his guest.

Chen Wei: Hungry?