Fei Lak's Audience Hall - Shanggu

Freefall · Post by **Freefall** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:56 pm

The older man handed over his spear and followed is escort into the chamber. He bowed his head to the Marqius and General in a gesture of respect.

Cen Qiao: Gentlemen, I thank you for the audience. I didn't have the pleasure of meeting with you general, though I have been with Marqius Jiang for some time amongst his own forces. As far as Master Han is concerned, I know he recently left with a small force with the intetion of coming north and in fact may be here quite soon.

Turning to address the Marqius...

Cen Qiao: Lord Fei, my master wished me to pass long his admiration for General Zhao. The man who serves you is honorbound and forthwright, and represents his lord well. Jiang Sei is a warrior at heart my lord, and because of that he values men who display their honor and do not hide behind subtle ploys and veiled words. He hopes that he has a friend here in the north in teh Marqius, and though his only thought is for his province in this time, he wishes you to know that because of the actions of your man, he would assist you should you have need of him.

Post by **Phailak** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:30 pm

Lak smiles and bows.

"Master Cen, thank you for your kind words. You can assure him he has a friend in the north, I value Khan's opinion of men highly and he had but great admiration for your Lord. Though we are far from each other, the bonds we forge now may only become stronger over time."

Melfice · Post by **Melfice** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:46 pm

Phailak wrote:
Melfice wrote: Bao Min bowed deeply.

" Marquis Fei Lak. I am glad to see you. Not glad to see you on the battlefield which I might. "

Bao Min looked deeply concerned, as he didn't take a sip of his tea.

" I understand the logistics of attacking Jinyang. But what has me concerned is you, someone our people saw as peaceful, has attacked us. Has land and profits truly corrupted your judgement? And are you completely aware that we will end up fighting to the end, to which the honor and pride of our soldiers shall carry us through the day. "

Bao Min sighed.

" Yet I feared this day would come. Why shall we weaken each other so? Why shall we get ourselves blatantly exposed? There are others, lord. Other lords and kings who would do anything out of their selfish desire to turn this land, this, wonderful, land into waste. " [/list]
Lak remained emotionless.

"Lieutenant General, I do not disagree with you. You see, an opportunity was presented to me and we chose to support an ally that has done much for us until now. On the other hand, the one time I asked the Lord of Dai for support when that rebel scum dared set foot in my home province, I was turned away. Of course, I am not one to hold a grudge and did not hold that decision against Dai, but given this latest development and having to choose a side in a conflict that seemed inevitable, well, you are witnessing the results now aren't you."

The Marquis sighed.

"I don't have the luxury of time and patience Lieutenant General. You have gained my respect by coming to visit me today, but you are a bit too late. Perhaps some of the fault lies with me as well since the only communications with your Lord were unofficial letters of intent and requests, but I have been a bit busy lately. We in Yan believe that our influence should be spread as much as possible throughout the land, but it is an idealistic dream that others will of course seek to oppose. In the end, we will all have to follow the man that will have managed to exert his influence the most. I am a simple man really, I react to what fate presents me."

Bao Min finally sipped on his tea, and he looked more relaxed, and at peace.

" I know when I am defeated. Hopefully, No men shall die and Dai shall live. It is not our fault that our leader decided to make a careless mistake such as that. If anything, I shall make sure that nothing like that ever happens again. "

Bao Min switched tones, from a peaceful tone to a serious tone.

" But if you really do wish to conquer Dai, I have no choice but to join you. I will have no where else to go. "

Mikal · Post by **Mikal** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:07 pm

Khan blinked, the praise given to him by not one, but two rulers he respected, warming his heart and giving it wings.

However, knowing his place, he kept his face stoic, listening to the words...

Xiao Gau · Post by **Xiao Gau** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:46 pm

-=Noon in the city of Shanggu, and the red clad procession of Grand Merchant Shanghu enters the city.

Two men march at the front of the column, bearing the standards of Shanghu's mercantile house: The golden tael encircled by a serpentine dragon. These men each have a small common tael seared into their left cheek, the mark of Shanghu's ownership. Men-at-arms march along the sides of the grand palanquin. As always, the painted and tattoo savage, Chen Daiyu walks along beside the palanquin, heavy hammer bouncing against her back.

Arriving at the central administration building, Shanghu calls the group to a halt. A servant hurries over and unfolds a step as the porters set down the transport. From the shaded inside, Shanghu emerges, dressed impeccably in shimmering red silk, his ledger scroll tucked under his arm. As he steps onto the street, the door servant hold the ivory cane for his master, who takes it without looking.

Tapping the cane twice, he calls for Daiyu and one of his attendants to accompany him as he sets forward, beautiful traveling robes fluttering around his ankles from his brisk pace. The cane taps out an insistent rhythm, setting the tone for his mannerisms as he approaches the guards on duty. Shanghu holds his hand out to the attendant, expecting the gesture to be correctly interpreted.

Fortunately, the attendant was used to such actions and instantly placed the letter from Lui Fang in Shanghu's waiting hand. The merchant prince in turn extends the letter to the guard. When he speaks, his voice is commanding and persuasive, a subtly compulsive tone.=- "I am Shanghu. I have been invited to take audience with the Marquis Lak, by personal request. Announce me at once, for the Marquis and I have much to discuss."

Big Grizzy · Post by **Big Grizzy** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:49 pm

Phailak wrote:The Marquis nodded.

"He is right, a lot of war going on. It is to be expected I suppose. Does he have a proposal to end all this?"

Lak looked on with interest.

Wu Bei's face stayed hard. "He was under the impression that you had an alliance with Lord Yiye of Dai. It has him troubled that you would march against someone with whom you were on good terms. It also came to his attention as I was on my way out of Xiangguo that your recently acquired territory in Jibei has a large force marching towards it. Zhang Mai was dispatched to speak with the King of Yin, to see if he would be willing to pull back, but I highly doubt even he can pull that off. My purpose here is to try and stabilize the north. Even the heavy snows last month were not enough to slow your marching. My brother wishes to know what it would take for you to keep you armies at home?"

Redbird · Post by **Redbird** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:58 pm

Xiao Gau wrote:-=Noon in the city of Shanggu, and the red clad procession of Grand Merchant Shanghu enters the city.

Two men march at the front of the column, bearing the standards of Shanghu's mercantile house: The golden tael encircled by a serpentine dragon. These men each have a small common tael seared into their left cheek, the mark of Shanghu's ownership. Men-at-arms march along the sides of the grand palanquin. As always, the painted and tattoo savage, Chen Daiyu walks along beside the palanquin, heavy hammer bouncing against her back.

Arriving at the central administration building, Shanghu calls the group to a halt. A servant hurries over and unfolds a step as the porters set down the transport. From the shaded inside, Shanghu emerges, dressed impeccably in shimmering red silk, his ledger scroll tucked under his arm. As he steps onto the street, the door servant hold the ivory cane for his master, who takes it without looking.

Tapping the cane twice, he calls for Daiyu and one of his attendants to accompany him as he sets forward, beautiful traveling robes fluttering around his ankles from his brisk pace. The cane taps out an insistent rhythm, setting the tone for his mannerisms as he approaches the guards on duty. Shanghu holds his hand out to the attendant, expecting the gesture to be correctly interpreted.

Fortunately, the attendant was used to such actions and instantly placed the letter from Lui Fang in Shanghu's waiting hand. The merchant prince in turn extends the letter to the guard. When he speaks, his voice is commanding and persuasive, a subtly compulsive tone.=- "I am Shanghu. I have been invited to take audience with the Marquis Lak, by personal request. Announce me at once, for the Marquis and I have much to discuss."

Daiyu blinks as the harsh sun beats down on her, but notices everything around her and the palanquin as her master steps out and walks to the gates. She walks behind him, then stops and just stares at the guards as her master gives his orders. She hoped to herself that they didnt try to take her hammer from her...that would be a very bad idea. She cannot defend her master properly without her weapon..and one never knows when something could go wrong..good thing she can fight without it though.

Mikal · Post by **Mikal** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 12:06 am

RedBird and Xiao

The guards look over the processional with a bored eye, having seen the riches brought back by the victorious armies of Yan, and even participating with them.

"Your letter then master? And all those who enter the audience halls of the Marquis who are not bound to him by oath and Heaven must be searched and relinquish all weapons before entering, as a sign of respect for the Coalition. Do you agree sir?"

The guards look at the man's followers.

"Your men can wait outside while your business is conducted within as well. We have accomodations for such people. Quite comfortable."

Xiao Gau · Post by **Xiao Gau** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 12:37 am

-=For a moment, Shanghu seems momentarily stunned.The guard couldn't honestly be asking for the letter that was being held directly in front of his face.=- "I seem to be misunderstanding.. but.. Are you actually asking for the letter that I am holding directly in your face? Surely you must be asking for something else.. like a Yan custom of calling a tip a 'letter' or some nonsense...

Moving on.

I am to show respect to this Coalition, regardless of the fact the Coalition intends to insult me, or to the fact that I was personally invited to Shanggu by the Marquis..

What is your name soldier? I would like to convey precisely the man who question the Marquis's honor and wisdom by searching his invited guests.

Once you've processed what I've said, tell the Marquis that you've denied entrance to his guest, because you're concerned that a small, well-lettered merchant could have beaten him up with his cane and ledger. Good day, and I hope your parents have better luck next time." -=Looking thoroughly insulted, and annoyed at having wasted valuable time, Shanghu turns to leave, letting the letter drop to the guards feet.

Accented by the sharp clicking of the cane on the streets, Shanghu mutters darkly to himself as he reenters his palanquin, giving a snapped command to depart.=-

Redbird · Post by **Redbird** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 12:50 am

Xiao Gau wrote:-=For a moment, Shanghu seems momentarily stunned.The guard couldn't honestly be asking for the letter that was being held directly in front of his face.=- "I seem to be misunderstanding.. but.. Are you actually asking for the letter that I am holding directly in your face? Surely you must be asking for something else.. like a Yan custom of calling a tip a 'letter' or some nonsense...

Moving on.

I am to show respect to this Coalition, regardless of the fact the Coalition intends to insult me, or to the fact that I was personally invited to Shanggu by the Marquis..

What is your name soldier? I would like to convey precisely the man who question the Marquis's honor and wisdom by searching his invited guests.

Once you've processed what I've said, tell the Marquis that you've denied entrance to his guest, because you're concerned that a small, well-lettered merchant could have beaten him up with his cane and ledger. Good day, and I hope your parents have better luck next time." -=Looking thoroughly insulted, and annoyed at having wasted valuable time, Shanghu turns to leave, letting the letter drop to the guards feet.

Accented by the sharp clicking of the cane on the streets, Shanghu mutters darkly to himself as he reenters his palanquin, giving a snapped command to depart.=-

Daiyu just stares at the guard's idiocy and listens while her master berates him and then follows behind Shanghu as he stalks back to his palanquin. As soon as he is settled she barks out orders.

"Move it ya lazy bums. Master doesn't have all day to waste! He's wasted enough times with idiots. Move it before I give you all a reason to sit on your asses doing nothing!"