Lin Xin wrote:Xin nods, satisfied at the man's acute observations. Gesturing towards some seats while a servant entered with tea and some light food, he says, "Come, take a seat and get more comfortable."
The Marquis took a seat himself and pour Zan and himself a cup of tea before saying, "Now, you know why I asked you to come. Someone who has both leadership and administrative skills is a rarity. The people of this land will prosper under your oversight and protection. As I spread my influence and become responsible for the safety and protection of more people, I will need officers such as you to assist me.
"But I'm sure you have a few questions for me before you can decide if my cause is worthy of your talent," Xin concluded before taking a sip of his tea.
Ni Zan took a cup of tea and sipped from it, and selected a small cake before replying.
I would first ask, Lord, how is it that you have even heard of me? I am modestly well known in Di, but that is far away. I made a small name in the armies of the Qin, but that was years ago, and my service never brought me anywhere near Yue. I have been wondering this ever since I recieved your letter...
Ni Zan munched his cake, and helped himself to more tea.
Ni Zan (50) 80-36-60-92*-65 Item: Book of Shu (+3 Jud.)
Politician II, Cover, Entrench II, Diplomat, Civil Administrator II, Military Administrator, and Volley II
Lin Xin wrote:"That is a very good question and basis for assessing someone," said Xin as he leaned back into his chair. "Currently, I am friendly with all my neighbors to the north in Jiujiang and Wu. We are of like mind in our goal to establish a peaceful region in the south. To the west, however, resides one ruler of questionable character. Fortunately, my allies and I have formed a coalition to stabilize Changsha and bring prosperity to its people."
"After we can successfully provide a stable and secure home for our people in the south, then who knows," he continued with a slight shrug. "Perhaps someone will emerge who may be worthy to take up the Mandate of Heaven and restore peace to all of the Middle Kingdom. If there is such a person, he will have my whole-hearted supported. Until then, my friends and I will work to prevent the chaos gripping the rest of this land from spreading south."
"I see," Shing Kong replied simply. The answer seemed to satisfy him enough, but he wasn't quite done yet.
"One more thing, if you do not mind. This might be rude, but what can I expect in return for my services? Rank is always a concern these days."
"Just because we do not know how something works does not mean it is the will of the Gods." Shing Kong as of July 208 - 81-97*-33-50-65
Challenge I, Charge II, Faze I, Qiangshu II, Raid II 1/4, Rupture I, Smith I
357yangzhou wrote:Yǒuzhù raised a slight smile at the edges of his mouth, but it was the look in his eyes that signaled his true feeling, of hope, at hearing the words. He spoke frankly in his next sentance, "Colonel, you have but to ask the servant his opinion of his lord, to get a gauge of that lord. I think that I may have come to the right man, by what you have said."
Yǒuzhù bowed once again to the Colonel saying, "If this goes well, I'm sure we will be having more conversations," and bided his time while the Marquis was informed of his presence.
Liao's eyes flash at hearing Yǒuzhù's words. With a smile he nods his head to the guards at either side of the doorway so that then, in one fluid motion, the elite guards open the door in perfect unison. Extending his hand in the direction they are to walk, Liao says with a smile, "Right this way. The Marquis, as you will find, is wise beyond his years, though he is humble enough to heed sound advice when approached." That said he leads the way and, after bowing respectfully, announces in a commanding tone, "Lord Lin, the Heavens have been generous enough to bring to you a man of considerable talents and influence. His family name is that of Zú, and his given is Yǒuzhù. He has brought with him a force of fierce warriors as well."
Having finished the introduction, Liao then steps aside by assuming his usual place to the right of the Marquis, thus allowing them to properly get to know one another.
The guards snap to attention as the man approaches. Shift Commander Wen appears shortly and momentarily stood in awe as Gao wove his words that rhymed. "Who speaks in rhymes?" Wen thought to himself until he remembered the man had identified himself as a Sage. Those silly sages.
"Welcome to Panyu Master Sage of the Songshan Mountains," he said, bowing respectfully. "We will gladly escort you to see the Marquis once we have conducted a search for hidden weapons."
After quickly and efficiently patting the sage down, an administrator led him to Xin's public office. It was a decent sized room that help only a handful of assistants and administrators and several guards posted along the wall. The Marquis, himself, was sitting behind his desk, which is centered along the back wall, facing the main entrance into the room.
Xin looks up and smiles at the entering Gao. "Welcome to Panyu Master Sage. Would you like some tea and dessert? How can I help you today?"
By the time that Fun Gao entered the room, the green circles that lined his field of vision had disappeared. With great clarity he saw the Marquis himself sitting against the back wall, his skin showing less than the usual luminosity that one would expect from a glowing ball of hot plasma. Cocking his head to one side, he muttered quietly: I was expecting something a little more bright from the 'the light that shines down from heaven.' Tsk, tsk...
Speaking with a loud voice: I am Fun Gao, the Sage of Songshan Mountain. I was sitting still for many hours on top of the tallest peak, deep in my daily meditation, oblivious to all the distractions that plague the human mind. The clouds opened up and a vision appeared to me. I saw 'the light that shines down from heaven' bathe the whole of China, before descending upon the earth. Upon its arrival, darkness was banished from every corner of the land, the people illuminated from their ignorance and fear. But at the same time, many people cowered before the intensity of that light; they could not seem to let go of their own darkness so they plunged themselves back deeper into it. Fires began to rage across the land; the flames of anger, intolerance, and war burned freely, as those who rejected the light seek sought to replace it with a poor imitation of their own. As the vision ended and I descended the mountain, news reached me concerning a certain Lin Xin of Yue, an individual who is said to be a beacon in these dark times, shining his light to the peoples of China.
Tilting his head to one side: There are no such things as coincidences, all events occur for a reason. What are you all about, Lin Xin of Yue? What kind of light are you shining?
Xin sat back leisurely as he raised his cup of tea to his lips before responding. "I have representatives throughout China Master Ni. In fact, rumors of you had reached my ears several years ago but I did not have the resources or capacity to contact you...which is just as well because I don't think you were ready to reenter service at that time."
"Thankfully, times change," he continued, a slight smile played upon his lips. "And judgin by the several visits you have already made, I'm not the only one that has noticed."
"I don't mind at all," Xin said as he stood up and walked to his desk. Looking over some scrolls, he continued, "If you two were to enter into my services today, I would appoint you, Master Shing, a Colonel in the military and Master Gan will take the post of District Manager of Renze. Those ranks, of course, come with 50 taels of gold each month and the kingdom will pay for any associated household costs."
Looking up with a smile, Xin asked, "Is that acceptable to you both?"
Upon hearing the boom that is Han Liao, Xin smiled slightly before looking up at Yǒuzhù. Standing, he steps around his desk and bows to the officer. "Welcome to Yue Master Zú. I am Lin Xin, Marquis of Yue, and I hope your travels went well. Please take a seat and get more comfortable while tea is served."
Xin looked at the sage with amusement, though his features did not betray that fact. Wearing an expression of seriousness, the Marquis seems to be pondering the wiseman's statement with intense focus. After a moment, he looks up and says, "Master Fun, your vision seems to indicate this new light represents a new dynasty that will emerge to replace the dying Qin. However, as with all things, even this new empire must eventually come to an end, though that end may be a long ways away."
Standing up, he paced around his desk while continuing to speak. "Unfortunately, I have no knowledge of me being associated with a beacon or light. Please tell me, Master Fun, where did you hear this rumor?"
Lin Xin (32 M) 82-25-61-77-51 Civil Admin II, Diplomat I, Discipline II, Military Admin II, Politician I, Volley I, Wall I
Location: Linjiang
Wife: Lee Ling Da (30 F) 75-52-62-70-52 Artisan II, Faze I, Haste I, Military Administrator I, Sortie I
Sister: Lin Jia (29 F) 30-72-61-64-72 Challenge I, Diplomat I, Doctor I, Engineer I, Faze I, Instructor I
Shing Kong smiled in turn. "It is. However, I promised to meet with everyone who wrote to me. I cannot promise my services now. Once I had made all my travels, I will decide who is best suited to fill my needs.
If we do not meet again, then let me take this chance to thank you for your hospitality Marquis. You'd sought me out and invited me into your grand city despite my humble origin. Again, thank you."
He turned to Gan Lu who nodded in turn. Kong turned back to the Marquis. "We have asked all we needed to know. If that is all, I believe we will be going to a tavern or inn around here to settle for a couple of days, before going off to make our next appointment. Do you recommend any Marquis?"
"Just because we do not know how something works does not mean it is the will of the Gods." Shing Kong as of July 208 - 81-97*-33-50-65
Challenge I, Charge II, Faze I, Qiangshu II, Raid II 1/4, Rupture I, Smith I
Marzy wrote:Shing Kong smiled in turn. "It is. However, I promised to meet with everyone who wrote to me. I cannot promise my services now. Once I had made all my travels, I will decide who is best suited to fill my needs.
If we do not meet again, then let me take this chance to thank you for your hospitality Marquis. You'd sought me out and invited me into your grand city despite my humble origin. Again, thank you."
He turned to Gan Lu who nodded in turn. Kong turned back to the Marquis. "We have asked all we needed to know. If that is all, I believe we will be going to a tavern or inn around here to settle for a couple of days, before going off to make our next appointment. Do you recommend any Marquis?"
Xin nodded at the two men. "It is good that you feel the devotion to meet everyone, for that shows the uprightness of your character. And it just so happens that I do have a recommendation for your lodgings. You are welcome to stay in my guest house for as long as you wish. Would you like someone to show you around the city?"
Lin Xin (32 M) 82-25-61-77-51 Civil Admin II, Diplomat I, Discipline II, Military Admin II, Politician I, Volley I, Wall I
Location: Linjiang
Wife: Lee Ling Da (30 F) 75-52-62-70-52 Artisan II, Faze I, Haste I, Military Administrator I, Sortie I
Sister: Lin Jia (29 F) 30-72-61-64-72 Challenge I, Diplomat I, Doctor I, Engineer I, Faze I, Instructor I
The sage of Songshan Mountain looked closely at Lin Xin. His voice intoned as though a higher power was speaking through him: The world under heaven, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of union, tends to divide. This has been so since antiquity.
His voice returned to normal: Such has been the way since the beginning, I do not doubt that this cycle shall be continued until the end of time.
Tilting his head to one side while keeping his eyes on Lin: The exact words...
A sealed bamboo scroll wrote:Lin Xin's sense of honor and his dedication to the welfare of his people hearkens back to an age where a ruler's first duty is to his people and not his own personal power. His actions inspire others to emulate him, serving as a beacon in these dark times, shining his light to the peoples of China.
were written in a letter to me by Daisuke Aramaki, a former colleague of mine in Feng Wei's kingdom. He implored me to come see for myself the good that you are doing here. Combined with the vision that I have received, it was surly a sign from the powers above. I had see for myself what 'the light that shines down from heaven' truly is."
Looking straight ahead: Was I misinformed? Were the things said in the letter mere exaggerations?
Fun Gao wrote:The sage of Songshan Mountain looked closely at Lin Xin. His voice intoned as though a higher power was speaking through him: The world under heaven, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of union, tends to divide. This has been so since antiquity.
His voice returned to normal: Such has been the way since the beginning, I do not doubt that this cycle shall be continued until the end of time.
Tilting his head to one side while keeping his eyes on Lin: The exact words...
A sealed bamboo scroll wrote:Lin Xin's sense of honor and his dedication to the welfare of his people hearkens back to an age where a ruler's first duty is to his people and not his own personal power. His actions inspire others emulate him, serving as a beacon in these dark times, shining his light to the peoples of China.
were written in a letter to me by Daisuke Aramaki, a former colleague of mine in Feng Wei's kingdom. He implored me to come see for myself the good that you are doing here. Combined with the vision that I have received, it was surly a sign from the powers above. I had see for myself what 'the light that shines down from heaven' truly is."
Looking straight ahead: Was I misinformed? Were the things said in the letter mere exaggerations?
Xin smiles as the sage mentions the Prefect of Panyu. Gesturing towards some, the Marquis says, "Please, be seated and get more comfortable. Prefect Daisuke is a good man and it honors me to hear those are his words."
Taking a seat himself if the sage chooses to sit...or remaining standing if the sage doesn't, Xin continues, "I will leave it to others to pass judgement upon my actions in this world. Aramaki is correct in that I am dedicated to the people that serve me, whom I serve in return. Some may see that narrow minded or lacking ambition. I say there is no greater ambition than the prosperity and security of the people."
Lin Xin (32 M) 82-25-61-77-51 Civil Admin II, Diplomat I, Discipline II, Military Admin II, Politician I, Volley I, Wall I
Location: Linjiang
Wife: Lee Ling Da (30 F) 75-52-62-70-52 Artisan II, Faze I, Haste I, Military Administrator I, Sortie I
Sister: Lin Jia (29 F) 30-72-61-64-72 Challenge I, Diplomat I, Doctor I, Engineer I, Faze I, Instructor I
