Xiang Kai's Audience Hall - Dingtao

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:52 pm

The soldier on duty was taken completely off guard by Dong Ke. He didn't expect anyone to be visiting the young Xun Shang, especially the same envoy that had been there a month previously on business with Xiang Kai. Many believed that Shang was planning something big, perhaps, it was against Xiang Kai or a means to bring a rise to his clan; he seemed to have somewhat free reign on his plan for the meantime.

The guard took a breath and escorted the man to a small office where only two men were in. There was a young man behind a rather empty looking desk and another older looking man by a window. "This is Lord Dong Ke of Changyi," he merely said as he bowed and left the envoy in the hands of the the pair.

"Please, sit, Lord Dong Ke. I am most gracious and content that you have arrived at my behest." The young man said respectfully and politely to Dong Ke. The man by the window never moved or said anything, he just stood looking out as if he were waiting for someone or something to happen. "I am Xun Shang," the young man finished. "Tell me how may we come to an agreement with Lord Liu?"

BobPalindrome · Post by **BobPalindrome** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:26 pm

A man dressed in fine robes and a fanciful four-cornered hat, denoting his status as an academic, walked into capital of the state of Liang, moving slowly. It was the midst of winter and a cold wind was blowing in from the Great River, carried down from the vast eastern ocean. The man, whose name was Guo Feng and styled Kongxiu, held a cloak of animal fur tight against his body. With gritted teeth, he slouched steadily to the gates of the audience hall of Lord Xiang Kai, the Marquis of Liang.

Approaching the guards, Guo Kongxiu bowed deep and spoke with a soft but clear voice. "This one is Guo Kongxiu, and I have come from Shangwan in the state of Chu at the request of the Marquis. You may search me if you like, although I carry no weapon. I am a man of peace."

Naxr · Post by **Naxr** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:01 pm

"Come Guo Kongxiu," a guard asked as he turned around to face the audience hall. He walked inside. Assuming the visitor follows, he is led through the doors and they soon find themselves standing at the end of a large hall, at the end of which sat a man on a throne atop a dais. Guards stood ready at both his sides. The guard from the entrance led Kongxiu up to a point about twenty feet from the man on the dais before stopping. He bowed before he announced, "My lord, Marquis Xiang Kai, Guo Kongxiu of Shangwan is here to speak with you."

The man on the throne sat nodding to the guard. "Thank you for bringing him to me." He turned to the visitor. "I am glad you have come. I trust your journey here was without any difficulties?"

Charlemagne · Post by **Charlemagne** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:33 pm

Shadow wrote:The soldier on duty was taken completely off guard by Dong Ke. He didn't expect anyone to be visiting the young Xun Shang, especially the same envoy that had been there a month previously on business with Xiang Kai. Many believed that Shang was planning something big, perhaps, it was against Xiang Kai or a means to bring a rise to his clan; he seemed to have somewhat free reign on his plan for the meantime.

The guard took a breath and escorted the man to a small office where only two men were in. There was a young man behind a rather empty looking desk and another older looking man by a window. "This is Lord Dong Ke of Changyi," he merely said as he bowed and left the envoy in the hands of the the pair.

"Please, sit, Lord Dong Ke. I am most gracious and content that you have arrived at my behest." The young man said respectfully and politely to Dong Ke. The man by the window never moved or said anything, he just stood looking out as if he were waiting for someone or something to happen. "I am Xun Shang," the young man finished. "Tell me how may we come to an agreement with Lord Liu?"

The lieutenant took his seat, and nodded to the other man. "I was glad to return," he began, even if he wasn't. Liu Bang's insistance on his return was really an inconvenience. He was supposed to be overseeing Feng at this moment. But he supposed his being here was better than Liu Bang's being here.

Ke's eyes lit up at the final question, and he looked somewhat confused. "I'm sorry? I thought Xiang Kai made his position towards my lord very clear the last time I was here. Has something changed?"

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 1:13 am

"Ah, yes." Shang said as he recalled what he was told about the audience the previous month. Dong Ke didn't look like a fool and seemed to show it almost outright. "Well, I've called you here to try to avert possibility of war with Lord Liu. As I stated in my letter, Xiang Kai was a bit over the boundaries of his own power when he chose to cut off talks with Lord Liu. We are civilized men and would rather not resort to war at every given opportunity," he said as tried to rationalize with the man.

"Truth be told, this Yi Lian is more on my mind. We encountered a force sent by the wench upon our entry into Jiaoxi. It seemed small, but still a matter that remained in my thoughts. There is no telling if she will renew her plans for Jiaoxi, and I'd rather we have the support of the other major power in the province on our side than as an enemy."

"I want to know what Lord Liu intends to do or is planning at the moment. Also, I wish to know what is his relationship with those who border Jiaoxi, such as the King of Qi, those false bastards of Jiaodong, and the wench herself. I do hope I'm not asking a lot of you, Lord Dong."

BobPalindrome · Post by **BobPalindrome** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:08 am

Naxr wrote:"Come Guo Kongxiu," a guard asked as he turned around to face the audience hall. He walked inside. Assuming the visitor follows, he is led through the doors and they soon find themselves standing at the end of a large hall, at the end of which sat a man on a throne atop a dais. Guards stood ready at both his sides. The guard from the entrance led Kongxiu up to a point about twenty feet from the man on the dais before stopping. He bowed before he announced, "My lord, Marquis Xiang Kai, Guo Kongxiu of Shangwan is here to speak with you."

The man on the throne sat nodding to the guard. "Thank you for bringing him to me." He turned to the visitor. "I am glad you have come. I trust your journey here was without any difficulties?"

Dropping to his knees, Guo Kongxiu leaned forward and pressed his forehead and palms against the floor. He raised his upper body back up but firmly maintained his eyes at the ground. His nervousness was apparent, although it seemed more to do with the presence of a mighty lord than the opulent environs.

"No, I had no trouble," Guo Kongxiu said. "My lord has done much to pacify what was once a lawless region. While war continues to plague much of the Middle Kingdom, at least here, my lord has consolidated his kingdom quietly and efficiently. You have built a strong foundation, my lord, and it is widely whispered upon it there may be built an empire to rival the Qin."

Hesitating, Guo Kongxiu continued with the anxiety apparent in his voice. "Although I am but a mere philosopher who contributes nothing to society, I must ask, however, what your ambitions are. Are you content with Liang as Lord Tian Dan is with Qi or do you have aspirations to unite the entire land and restore order and peace? If it is the latter, how far are you prepared to go?"

Bashful at questioning someone of such higher station, Guo Kongxiu rested his chin on his chest. "I apologize for being so disrespectful, but I must also inquire as to how you manage your kingdom. There are those who ascribe to the philosophy of the Qin, ruling through sheer obedience and fear, while many now give credence to the Great Teacher and cherish virtue and noble action over mere nobility."

Naxr · Post by **Naxr** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:38 pm

Kai thought for a moment before answering, "I often ask myself these same questions, but have been unable to come to a good conclusion so far. I will attempt to answer them for you now, though I cannot guaranteed that you will be satisfied. You guess of my aspirations, to unite the entire land, to restore order and peace? That is certainly a desire of mine, and I hope it would be the same for every other person in our land. Though, I cannot say if that man should be me, he who unites all that is. But this is what I work towards, to establish public order throughout. And I believe I have done so in Liang, and am close in doing so in Jiaoxi as well. As for how I manage my kingdom, I would like to say through justice and virtue," he laughed.

"But I may not be the most objective source for what you ask. You would do much better to ask the people of Liang and Jiaoxi how they are treated. But I will say that I do attempt to rule fairly, with a mind towards the well-being of the people."

He paused for a moment, attempting to recollect if he had missed anything. Satisfied that he had answered everything, he said, "I think that's about it. I hope I answered your questions directly enough?"

BobPalindrome · Post by **BobPalindrome** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:26 pm

Guo Kongxiu exhaled a sigh of relief, his questioning having met with success rather than open dismissal. He pressed his hands together and bowed forward, the long loose sleeves of his robe brushing the floor. "You have answered my questions more than adequately. While it should be a primary interest for all men to analyze their lives and their motivations, it is good that you have given thought already to what I asked."

He tilted his head to one side. "Which is related to what you say about uniting the land. The truth is that there are many lords who are desperate to lay hold to their tiny corner of the fragmented empire. There are men like Tian Dan, who are satisfied with the creature comforts their position affords them and are indifferent to the greater good. These are the worst kind of rulers, for they are reliant upon the prestige afford them by their status. They have done nothing to earn their power and they do nothing with it other than to satisfy themselves."

He supplicated again, this time raising his voice and speaking in lofty tones. "My lord, I urge you to continue your expansion and your consolidation with the aim of bringing down the Qin and establishing a new empire founded on justice and virtue. I will not... I cannot serve a lord who would do any less. I must put it to you now... Will you put my small talents toward an ambitious project, or shall I venture elsewhere?"

Naxr · Post by **Naxr** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:15 am

He held his tongue as Kongxiu denounced the King of Qi, Tian Dan. Though they had an amicable relationship, Kai did indeed share some of the sentiments that Kongxiu was expressing at this moment towards Tian Dan. As the man finished, Kai responded, "Yes, I will continue to endeavor to do as you say. And I welcome you by my side so that we can accomplish these goals together," he finished with a smile.

Post your OI here and receive access!

BobPalindrome · Post by **BobPalindrome** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 6:47 pm

Guo Kongxiu's lips tightened into a smile... almost. He was clearly happy that Xiang Kai had responded positively to his words and was willing to embrace someone who advised rebellion and unification. It had been a gamble for Guo Kongxiu to speak so openly and candidly about such ambitions, but he was not intent wasting his time serving a lord merely for a salary and perks. He had to know if his efforts would go toward a meaningful goal.

"Thank you, my lord. It pleases me greatly to hear you make this promise, although truly the ones who should be most elated at this are the people of the land." Guo Kongxiu bowed and saluted. "In the meantime, we must improve the lot of the people currently in your territory to show we are sincere in making their lives better."

He rose himself up, keeping his head lowered. "As I have entered into your service, I shall get myself settled in to my quarters quickly so I may tend to the affairs of state."