Xiang Jun's Audience Hall - Shou Chun

[BobPalindrome]

"We are currently allied with the State of Chu," Na rebutted, pointing north towards the city of Chen. "With the pledged assistance of several local landlords and magistrates in the province, the King of Jiujiang can easily assemble a force of about sixty thousand. The army of Chu outnumbers ours two-to-one, Lord Guo. Despite His Majesty's limited holdings, you can tell that we have the strength necessary to defend Jiujiang and expand towards Huainan, Changsha or Yue if and when the circumstances allow."

Na shifted his stance and look out of the window, "If I know the King enough, His Majesty will give you that response, almost akin to a rejection, Lord Envoy. However, this is not to say that he is beyond persuasion."

"Rumor has it that Xiang Zhuang, nephew to the late rebel Xiang Liang, has taken refuge in the domains of the Duke," Qianzhen remarked, returning his gaze to the representative of Liang, "Take this Zhuang into custody and bring him before the King of Jiujiang. Present him as a token of your sincerity and I believe the King will be convinced to sign a pact of collaboration with your Liege."

Guo Feng's face contorted with genuine-looking confusion. "I am afraid that arresting Xiang Zhuang would be quite impossible," he said after a pause, "for I have never heard of any such person and can say with certainty there is no such person in the service of the Duke or under his protection." His voice took on a tone of optimism. "I am sure that, if such a person's presence was known to be in Liang, my lord would not hesitate to take him into custody and deliver him to you as you ask."

Tilting his head to one side, Guo Feng studied Qianzhen Na's features. "As for your alliance with Chu, we are aware of it. But while there surely is nothing greatly faulty with your present situation, I must maintain that strengthening that situation even further would be ideal for everyone. We are your true and honest friends and I hope His Majesty the King believes that."

[Crim]

Guo Feng's face contorted with genuine-looking confusion. "I am afraid that arresting Xiang Zhuang would be quite impossible," he said after a pause, "for I have never heard of any such person and can say with certainty there is no such person in the service of the Duke or under his protection." His voice took on a tone of optimism. "I am sure that, if such a person's presence was known to be in Liang, my lord would not hesitate to take him into custody and deliver him to you as you ask."

Tilting his head to one side, Guo Feng studied Qianzhen Na's features. "As for your alliance with Chu, we are aware of it. But while there surely is nothing greatly faulty with your present situation, I must maintain that strengthening that situation even further would be ideal for everyone. We are your true and honest friends and I hope His Majesty the King believes that."

Qianzhen returned Guo's observant gaze with one of his own, "Xiang Zhuang was once in the employ of the King of Chu. Together with his late uncle, Zhuang helped us take Shouchun during the uncontested battle for the city last year. For reasons still unknown to us, Xiang Liang later tried to destabilize the holdings of King Xiang in the province. He died later along with his consort, Yi Lian. Xiang Zhuang, however, managed to flee the region."

"I ask that you launch a massive search for the man in Liang, Lord Guo. Since your Liege's holdings in Liang are uncontested, I believe this will not be too cumbersome a request." Na suggested, "In exchange, I shall talk personally to the King and explain the merits of the collaboration you have proposed."

Na paused, collecting his thoughts. Xiang Jun holds just two cities after Liu; the Duke of Liang holds two provinces. Qianzhen found this pact suspect given the disparity in power between the two. "Have you expressed your intentions before the King of Chu?" Na inquired sincerely, "Another way to get the approval of the King of Jiujiang is to recourse the request through the King of Chu. I am certain Xiang Jun will not reject an offer endorsed by King Chen She himself."

[BobPalindrome]

Guo Feng nodded with a smile, taking another sip of his wine. "I will communicate your request to my liege and I have no doubt that he will not refuse it. Any agent of chaos who would destabilize a realm is a danger to every authority in the land, including the authority of the Duke. We shall not suffer this Xiang Zhuang to continue on as he has but we will not kill him either. I am confident there will be no problem in turning him over to you once he is found. In the future, I would ask that you not hesitate to inform us of this sort of thing as, if left to fester, it could create complications."

Tapping Chu on the map with his index finger, Guo Feng raised an eyebrow. "It was our intention to visit His Majesty King Chen She next, as you say. However, we felt it would be more appropriate to discuss it with you personally, to sound you out on it. We would not want the King of Chu to possibly hand down a decision upon you, straining relations between your lands and his or our lands and yours. It is important that Liang and Shouchun be allies in addition to Liang and Chu."

Rolling the map back up, Guo Feng set his cup down. "Unless there is anything else, perhaps we should conclude this very productive meeting. I am glad that you see the virtue of our strategy and wish you the best of luck in communicating it to His Majesty, King Xiang Jun. My next destination is Chu."

[Lin Xin]

A delegation bearing the guidon on Yue approaches the captial of Xiang Jung. Camping 3 li from the city walls, a small unit breaks off led by the envoy. Stopping in front of the guards, the representative of Yue bows and says, "I have been sent by the Duke of Yue, Lin Xin, to speak with the lord of this province, Xiang Jun. I carry no weapons and will consent to any required searches."

[Crim]

A delegation bearing the guidon on Yue approaches the captial of Xiang Jung. Camping 3 li from the city walls, a small unit breaks off led by the envoy. Stopping in front of the guards, the representative of Yue bows and says, "I have been sent by the Duke of Yue, Lin Xin, to speak with the lord of this province, Xiang Jun. I carry no weapons and will consent to any required searches."

Qianzhen Na was conveniently on his way back from a patrol of the nearby towns when the delegate from Lin Xin arrived. He gestured for the patrol force to encircle the small contingent,"Does the Duke of Yue regard Xiang Jun so lowly that he would send a nameless clerk to seek an audience from the King of Jiujiang? Or, does he simply wish war between our forces that he dare insult our King like so?"

Na unsheated his sword and as did each men from the patrol unit and the guard post. With the tip of the blade on the neck of diplomat, Na emphasized his point. "Choose your next words carefully, Envoy. Choose them wisely for they might be your last."

[Lin Xin]

Qianzhen Na was conveniently on his way back from a patrol of the nearby towns when the delegate from Lin Xin arrived. He gestured for the patrol force to encircle the small contingent,"Does the Duke of Yue regard Xiang Jun so lowly that he would send a nameless clerk to seek an audience from the King of Jiujiang? Or, does he simply wish war between our forces that he dare insult our King like so?"

Na unsheated his sword and as did each men from the patrol unit and the guard post. With the tip of the blade on the neck of diplomat, Na emphasized his point. "Choose your next words carefully, Envoy. Choose them wisely for they might be your last."

Internally, the envoy was outraged and frightened at the barbaric reaction. Requiring a second to calm and steel himself, the envoy's still quivered slightly as he replied, "I am Zhi Sha, Undersecretary to the Duke's personal assistant. I come on a mission of peace."

[Crim]

Na's eyes were intense; clearly, the most influential of Chen She's vassals in the Court of Xiang Jun was outraged by the fact that a dog of Lin Xin had managed to step into the territories of Jiujiang. At that short period of time between his threat and Zhi Sha's response, thoughts on how to best execute the Envoy consumed the mind of Qianzhen Na. If he had his way, the official would have ordered the diplomat killed right there and then.

But, Xiang Jun gave explicit orders to the contrary. Qianzhen did not understand why the King of Jiujiang tolerated this eventuality. First, Jiang Sei. Now, Lin Xin? Xiang Jun's decisions were clearly incongruent to the adverse policy of Chu to the plague that is the Qin and the decay of the old Huainan.

"Better," Na remarked, returning his blade to its sheath as he did so. "But, your land and ours will know no peace until Changsha is cleansed from the disease that is your Duke. Our mandate from Chu extends to the pacification not only of Jiujiang but also of Nanjun, Qianzhong and Zhu."

Qianzhen Na straightened himself and gave out a sheepish smile. "You will not find Peace in the southlands until you consent to this arrangement," Na clarified. "Do you still wish to see Xiang Jun despite all of these? I am no King of Jiujiang but on this particular matter, my word is as good as the King's."

[Bonaparte]

Si Yong Deng traveled to Shou Chun which was not to far from the recently captured city of Dongcheng, and though he was disappointed that he did not have a chance to duel, he was happy that the city fell with no bloodshed. Si Yong Deng wanted to see the new King of Jiujiang since he was a former colleague of his when the King served in Chu, and though never knew the king personally, Si Yong Deng felt that it would be a good idea to open a friendship with him. The warrior went to the palace gates, and requested audience.

Si Yong Deng: I am Marshall Si Yong Deng, an officer of King Chen She, and I would like to see the king if possible. Also I have a gift for him. A fine horse that his worthy for his magesty.

[Lin Xin]

Qianzhen Na straightened himself and gave out a sheepish smile. "You will not find Peace in the southlands until you consent to this arrangement," Na clarified. "Do you still wish to see Xiang Jun despite all of these? I am no King of Jiujiang but on this particular matter, my word is as good as the King's."

The envoy bowed, deciding it was better to pacify this barbarian to risk his neck before he could even speak to Xiang Jun. Shia wondered if peace was even possible if madmen like this were under the new ruler's employ. Even now, in his own thoughts, the envoy refused to acknowledge Jun's self-chosen rank of King. He doesn't even own an entire Province yet.

Still bent in his bow, Shia replied, "I have been tasked by my Duke to seek a way to bring peace to the South. I cannot turn back until I have given this task my best effort. If this can be negotiated through you, then I it would be my honor to have that discussion."

[Crim]

Si Yong Deng traveled to Shou Chun which was not to far from the recently captured city of Dongcheng, and though he was disappointed that he did not have a chance to duel, he was happy that the city fell with no bloodshed. Si Yong Deng wanted to see the new King of Jiujiang since he was a former colleague of his when the King served in Chu, and though never knew the king personally, Si Yong Deng felt that it would be a good idea to open a friendship with him. The warrior went to the palace gates, and requested audience.

Si Yong Deng: I am Marshall Si Yong Deng, an officer of King Chen She, and I would like to see the king if possible. Also I have a gift for him. A fine horse that his worthy for his magesty.

Si Dong Yeng was welcomed into Shouchun with full honors and immediately a banquet prepared by no less than the King was set in place. Inside the gathering were Xiang Jun and his Aides, Marshal Qing Bu, District Manager Wu Rui, Qianzhen Na and Mei Xuan. To the right of Xiang Jun stood the imposing figure of the King's Chief Aide, Ziu Yenza.

When Si Yong Deng was brought inside the chambers, Xiang Jun beckoned the Marshal of Chu to take a seat opposite him. With a cup in hand, Jun scanned his retainers.

"We are honored to have here today the Marshal who broke the gates of Xiangcheng with a single blow of his weapon," Jun said referring to the siege of not so long ago. "Marshal Si Dong Yeng, welcome to Shouchun."

The envoy bowed, deciding it was better to pacify this barbarian to risk his neck before he could even speak to Xiang Jun. Shia wondered if peace was even possible if madmen like this were under the new ruler's employ. Even now, in his own thoughts, the envoy refused to acknowledge Jun's self-chosen rank of King. He doesn't even own an entire Province yet.

Still bent in his bow, Shia replied, "I have been tasked by my Duke to seek a way to bring peace to the South. I cannot turn back until I have given this task my best effort. If this can be negotiated through you, then I it would be my honor to have that discussion."

Na smirked, "Leave. I will not waste another moment with you. If your Duke wishes to negotiate terms with Jiujiang, he must do so himself."

"Fail that and I'll see your liege on the battlefield, Envoy. Oh, I do hope Lin Xin reinforces Yi Tao when the garbage in Cheng De is besieged next month," Na added as ordered the patrol unit to march inside the city. "There is little use in delaying the inevitable.."