Jiang Sei's Audience Hall - Huainan

[Gohu]

Po Hu accepts the drink. "I will have wine please." The tall man sits down on his seat and looked at his host. "Miss Yi, you said in your letter that you are inviting me here to talk about the strategy of war. What would you like to talk about?"

[Seewichai]

"Oh?" Yi Lian smiled. "Martial arts is something I did not learn. Though my father didn't restrict me from learning the books, he did think that women should not be toying with swords and spears. I was upset at first, but once, when I took that up without him knowing while growing up, I nearly hurt myself." She shook her head.

"Tell me about yourself besides your ability with the sword?"

Jing Yun drank the tea before answering, "My family and forefathers used to serve the Yan state during the Warring Period. We were not some top notch politicians nor some capable generals. However, we were skilled in covert missions... until the first Qin Emperor ordered the destruction on my clan. I believe I am the last of my family." Jing Yun smiled and took another drink of his tea.

[Kimche]

Po Hu accepts the drink. "I will have wine please." The tall man sits down on his seat and looked at his host. "Miss Yi, you said in your letter that you are inviting me here to talk about the strategy of war. What would you like to talk about?"

Yi Lian looked at the visitor as the servant went away to take care of the wine. She thought about the question and then posed it at the visitor, "Master Po, I understand that you are a man who has the knowledge on the battlefield. If I may ask, what type of strategies do you pride yourself on?"

Jing Yun drank the tea before answering, "My family and forefathers used to serve the Yan state during the Warring Period. We were not some top notch politicians nor some capable generals. However, we were skilled in covert missions... until the first Qin Emperor ordered the destruction on my clan. I believe I am the last of my family." Jing Yun smiled and took another drink of his tea.

A sad look appeared on Yi Lian's face. She looked to Jing Yun and said, "I'm sorry to hear that. Qin didn't do too much good for any of us. You say you are skilled in covert operations, what type of ... operations?"

[Seewichai]

Jing Yun lowered his head but not in shame, "Well, my late father is my mentor. However, my training was not fully complete. I would guage that my current covert skills is about 20% left, to become full fledge operative. However, I won't be daunted by any missions thrown at me." Jing Yun added, "I have the intention to carry on my studies and training to improve my worth and skills. I was planning to serve a master and train myself at the same time."

Jing Yun drink some of the tea to wet his lips before continuing, "Currently I have the knowledge on sword wielding, ministering poison, carry out sabotaging, conducting reconnaissance and intel gathering." Jing Yun smiled. "Oh, Lady Yi, pardon if I divert the topic for a bit. Do you happen to know Xia Xi, the king of Yin province?"

[Kimche]

Jing Yun lowered his head but not in shame, "Well, my late father is my mentor. However, my training was not fully complete. I would guage that my current covert skills is about 20% left, to become full fledge operative. However, I won't be daunted by any missions thrown at me." Jing Yun added, "I have the intention to carry on my studies and training to improve my worth and skills. I was planning to serve a master and train myself at the same time."

Jing Yun drink some of the tea to wet his lips before continuing, "Currently I have the knowledge on sword wielding, ministering poison, carry out sabotaging, conducting reconnaissance and intel gathering." Jing Yun smiled. "Oh, Lady Yi, pardon if I divert the topic for a bit. Do you happen to know Xia Xi, the king of Yin province?"

Yi Lian shook her head, she answered, "No, I have not met the King of Yin Province, Xia Xi. I had not heard that he proclaimed himself the King of Yin. Why do you ask?"

[Seewichai]

Jing Yun spoke in a straightforward manner, "Firstly my lady, me and my family have been residing on the lands of Huainan province. Therefore in terms of priority, your well being is my concern. You have rule your lands well and I hope to see you continue doing so, admist potential enemies around you." Jing Yun paused awhile before continuing, "Xia Xi a former district manager had successfully owned the entire province of Yin and therefore proclaimed himself King of Yin. What I know is that, Xia Xi had a number of capable officers to run his province and a young warrior-liked daughter to led his troops. What I heard is his armies grew and he could be a potential ally since only a province that is between yours and his. I also happened to just visited them before coming here."

Jing Yun twiddled his thumbs, "In terms of personality and compassion... probably Xia Xi isn't the best in that field but... he is definitely around there. After speaking to him, my admiration to him grew. I had proposed a suggestion to him on forging a permanent iron clad alliance between yourself and him. In this time of chaos, having a staunch friend at your side is better than nothing. By sealing an alliance with Xia Xi the King of Yin, the safety of the Northwest of your domain is assured. In time of needs, both sides are guaranteed reinforcement from each sides and even colloboration of greater plans." Jing Yun shrugged. "Xia Xi had expressed interest in meeting up with you for a formal meeting after hearing what I said. However.... he is wary of the King of Chu's resentment of him having another alliance with someone else or yourself."

Jing Yun smiled, "Well... both Lady Yi Lian and King Xia Xi are my favourite leaders. I only wish to see both of you rule till the end of time therefore, I love to assist in anyway I could to make that happen."

Jing Yun finished what he have to say and await for Yi Lian's reply.

[Kimche]

Yi Lian's eyebrows raised, "Oh?" She paused. "However, he and the King of Chu recently had a joint invasion of the King of Zhao. They seem a lot friendlier than you're making it out to be. King Chen of Chu is someone who is openly hostile to me, so I have no doubt of that. But you say that King Xia is wary of the King of Chu?"

[Seewichai]

Jing Yun nodded his head, "Yes my lady, perhaps I am wrong but the expression shown by Xia Xi when he said he wished to meet up with you is genuine. However after he spoke of that, he became rather uptight saying something that he do not wish to offend the King of Chu. I was rather curious at that time why he would say that. But now hearing what you say about the King of Chu's disposition towards my Lady.... Now I understand."

Jing Yun tapped his fingers on his knuckles, "I like to speculate that Xia Xi feels restrained by the treaty he got with the King of Chu, sooner or later their relations will be strained further. Of course, with careful planning and plotting... the King of Chu can be mislead to think badly of the King of Yin. Perhaps he will take the first step against the King of Yin and you can be the fisherman waiting to collect the harvest from what is left of the King of Chu. I would still think the alliance between Yin and Huainan would be the perfect match in this time of chaos."

Jing Yun smiled and bowed, "My apologies for giving unsolicited suggestions in your presence, my lady."

[JCH]

The year of 209 passed quite rapidly. This past month, Bao Deng had been counting the days very carefully according to the lunar phase. When the new month came with no other word, Bao Deng traveled to Yiling. Once he arrived, he presented himself.

Bao Deng: I am Bao Deng, of Jiancheng. I have a message for Lady Shen Ling.

[Nash]

A messenger from the Qi capital arrived at the capital of Yi Lian, bearing a communique. It was a rather simple message.

Lady Li,

You are hereby summoned, personally, to the city of Bashang by order of Supreme Commander Zhang Han. Attendance is imperative, tribute and reports are not necessary, timliness is of utmost importance.

~Zhang Han, Supreme Commander of the Qin Imperial Army