Fei Lak's Audience Hall - Shanggu

[Phailak]

Xiao Gau and Red Bird

Lak waited patiently as his guest settled in the audience room. He looked around, everything seemed so busy all of a sudden. Aside from Zhao Khan which was at his post as usual, there was General Liu, Rui and someone escorting the guest.

Not adventuring a guess, he waited for the introduction and then nodded.

"Welcome Grand Merchant, your reputation is well known throughout our land and I appreciate you taking your valuable time from your business agenda to visit us here in Shanggu."

The Marquis rose to his feet.

"Some refreshment perhaps? If we are to forge a beneficial relationship, there is no need to be so formal. I believe I can arrange for whatever your palette yearns for."

[Xiao Gau]

Xiao Gau and Red Bird

Lak waited patiently as his guest settled in the audience room. He looked around, everything seemed so busy all of a sudden. Aside from Zhao Khan which was at his post as usual, there was General Liu, Rui and someone escorting the guest.

Not adventuring a guess, he waited for the introduction and then nodded.

"Welcome Grand Merchant, your reputation is well known throughout our land and I appreciate you taking your valuable time from your business agenda to visit us here in Shanggu."

The Marquis rose to his feet.

"Some refreshment perhaps? If we are to forge a beneficial relationship, there is no need to be so formal. I believe I can arrange for whatever your palette yearns for."

-=Shanghu smiles pleasantly but shakes his head.=- "No thank you, Excellency. I had a large breakfast. I find negotiating on an empty stomach makes one prone to errors of judgment." -=He smiles again at the show of personability.=- "Until such time as an accord is reached, I always feel formality is best. That way both sides have rule and direction, and neither has cause to regret words."

"If I may, Excellency, I would like to offer my best wishes for your upcoming campaigns. Word travels fast in the right circles."

-=Shanghu pauses, taking a moment to covertly gauge the attitudes of the three men before him. His charming smile never falters as he continues.=- "TO business then, Excellency, for I wish not to take up more of your valuable time."

[Phailak]

-=Shanghu smiles pleasantly but shakes his head.=- "No thank you, Excellency. I had a large breakfast. I find negotiating on an empty stomach makes one prone to errors of judgment." -=He smiles again at the show of personability.=- "Until such time as an accord is reached, I always feel formality is best. That way both sides have rule and direction, and neither has cause to regret words."

"If I may, Excellency, I would like to offer my best wishes for your upcoming campaigns. Word travels fast in the right circles."

-=Shanghu pauses, taking a moment to covertly gauge the attitudes of the three men before him. His charming smile never falters as he continues.=- "TO business then, Excellency, for I wish not to take up more of your valuable time."

Lak shrugged, returning to his seat. Why were Khan and Rui so damn close, he shot them a glare then opened his eyes wide as he took a breath.

"Very well. You seem competent at dictating terms and directing negociations. Do you have a proposal in mind then?"

[Xiao Gau]

-=Shanghu smiles pleasantly but shakes his head.=- "No thank you, Excellency. I had a large breakfast. I find negotiating on an empty stomach makes one prone to errors of judgment." -=He smiles again at the show of personability.=- "Until such time as an accord is reached, I always feel formality is best. That way both sides have rule and direction, and neither has cause to regret words."

"If I may, Excellency, I would like to offer my best wishes for your upcoming campaigns. Word travels fast in the right circles."

-=Shanghu pauses, taking a moment to covertly gauge the attitudes of the three men before him. His charming smile never falters as he continues.=- "TO business then, Excellency, for I wish not to take up more of your valuable time."

Lak shrugged, returning to his seat. Why were Khan and Rui so damn close, he shot them a glare then opened his eyes wide as he took a breath.

"Very well. You seem competent at dictating terms and directing negociations. Do you have a proposal in mind then?"

"Never dictating terms, Excellency, merely respectfully giving direction to the often chaotic world of negotiation.

Direct then: I have a vast network of scouts, informants and contacts. Searching out men and women of value is a simple matter for me, and they keep my business running smoothly. In my employ, are artisans and skilled laborers. However, we lack the full facility such as those available to a kingdom such as yours.

Your people are driven to expand and conquer. To do your job well, you need arms and armor. She may not look it, but Daiyu is a skilled metal worker, and not just the stock weapons used to field an army but works of true craftsmanship. Like the armor of your own Golden General, in fact.

Further, I am a well known scholar on a wide range of subjects, and can read and write several dialects. I can offer commentary on a wide variety of subjects, they those of lesser learning can benefit from my years of study.

Does any of this sound appealing in your attempt to unify the North under your banners?"

[Phailak]

"Never dictating terms, Excellency, merely respectfully giving direction to the often chaotic world of negotiation.

Direct then: I have a vast network of scouts, informants and contacts. Searching out men and women of value is a simple matter for me, and they keep my business running smoothly. In my employ, are artisans and skilled laborers. However, we lack the full facility such as those available to a kingdom such as yours.

Your people are driven to expand and conquer. To do your job well, you need arms and armor. She may not look it, but Daiyu is a skilled metal worker, and not just the stock weapons used to field an army but works of true craftsmanship. Like the armor of your own Golden General, in fact.

Further, I am a well known scholar on a wide range of subjects, and can read and write several dialects. I can offer commentary on a wide variety of subjects, they those of lesser learning can benefit from my years of study.

Does any of this sound appealing in your attempt to unify the North under your banners?"

Lak nodded once more.

"Of course, those are the reports my own network of agents has reported about your talents. I agree with your assessment of what you can contribute. What would it take to convince you that we are a good fit for you as well?"

The Marquis inwardly winced at what he expected the merchant to say but masked it well with a smile and an attentive gaze.

[Xiao Gau]

Lak nodded once more.

"Of course, those are the reports my own network of agents has reported about your talents. I agree with your assessment of what you can contribute. What would it take to convince you that we are a good fit for you as well?"

The Marquis inwardly winced at what he expected the merchant to say but masked it well with a smile and an attentive gaze.

"A good fit? No, Excellency, do not misunderstand me. I am not seeking permanent employment, I have a full time job already. I am a business man.

What I offer is contractual services. There are few people in the Middle Kingdom who can boast my contacts, although I am told your own connections are very well laid, Excellency.

Arms, Horses, Maps and books.. All these things I can offer your forces: for a reasonable fee, of course. I will use my resources to locate men and women of talent for you, again for a reasonable fee."-=He pauses, seeming to consider his words carefully for a few moments.=- "I also offer you additional services.. As an expansionist.. you often find yourself with unwilling captives, both officers and soldiers. I am prepared to offer a reasonable bounty on both. Why spill needless blood when you can fatten your coffers?"

[Phailak]

Lak rubbed his chin in thought.

"I can agree to those terms. I assume the fee would be discussed when the service is required? I have some officers already capable of accomplishing what you propose, but perhaps a situation will arise where your more specific talents will be needed. Do you have any more details to add or should we wait for an opportunity to hammer out the specifics?"

[Xiao Gau]

Lak rubbed his chin in thought.

"I can agree to those terms. I assume the fee would be discussed when the service is required? I have some officers already capable of accomplishing what you propose, but perhaps a situation will arise where your more specific talents will be needed. Do you have any more details to add or should we wait for an opportunity to hammer out the specifics?"

"Oh, I'm certain a holding as significant as yours would have it's own artisans. But who works your forges when the soldiers and generals march to war? What I offer is skilled service without the need to burden your own officers with menial work.

"Naturally, fees are negotiable. I neglected to mention, but I am also a skilled herbalist, and bone setter. I can tend many sicknesses of both mind and body.

I feel the need to stress the point, but be assured, my loyalties are to my profit only. Politics may generate business, but it will kill a businessman." -=The merchant smiles pleasantly again, affecting an air of nonchalant peace.=- "Was there anything else you wished to discuss Excellency? Perhaps an order to place, or such?"

[Big Grizzy]

Lak frowned.

"Well, I am a bit surprised my former mentor is so ill-informed. Perhaps it is the lack of resources in Changshan for I know he himself is very resourceful. I have no official relations with the Lord of Dai beyond a few letters exchanged and his refusal to help me when I requested it. Now, I have an ally that approaches me for some support and a well thought out plan, why should I refuse?"

Tilting his head to the side, Lak smiled a strange smile.

"Master Wu, I find it strange that my motives are questioned concerning my armies. The land is plagued with wars, everywhere warlords battle for possessions. I will not stay in Yan and wait for some foreign Warlord to come and demand tribute of our men because we cannot stand up to their armies. Perhaps you have respect for how King Tian managed his kingdom, perhaps your brother does, I don't. It is my opinion and when he took over Jibei and Prefect Cai submitted to him, he greatly increased his influence. Within a few months, do you truly believe he would not have approached me in Yan to make similar demands? Surely yourself in Changshan are feeling the grip of Yin as they consolidate their power. Do you truly believe that they will let you do as you wish in Changshan as an equal ally? They will make demands, as they should since they hold the power. Tribute perhaps, military support. I have nothing against that if that is your choice, the path one chooses, but I will not submit my influence or ambitions to another unless he can make me believe his administration is as good as mine."

The Marquis paused.

"These are only words. My actions are plain to see. I am ambitious, I am driven by the belief that I can rule in a better manner than those I see around me. There are exceptions like your brother's Lord, even my former mentor which I see as a great administrator. I also like the way Liu Jin has risen in Wei to give that province guidance. I have never seeked to go against those I believe can do good for the people. I know the path I walk will either lead me to doom as I meet a stronger army or balance as perhaps one day there will only be armies left which I respect and I can submit to them. Though my ambitions, I am not foolish enough to believe I can rule all of the land. What I do know is that to have your say in something, you need power, to have power you need influence over more than two cities."

"Your respect for Brother Kai has obviously waned significantly to insult him so. He is not misinformed so much as you forgetful. It is known that your General Ma went to speak with him under the flag of envoy. Why else would that be if not for alliance? Your attack, even if it was not against an ally, does little to help your perception by the populace as a bloodthirsty, warmongering barbarian. Kai tries very, very hard to change this perception, and yet his words are made to seem false when you, as you are wont to do, send the armies out again and again."

"As for your attempt at dismissing the power Brother Kai holds, having only two cities, look first at his position. He is a buffer between you and the King of Yin on that front. Being on good terms with both, he delays possible invasion. Being a vital front, he is assured of help from both sides if the other breaks faith. You can not afford the King having territory in Changshan, just as he can't afford you having the whole of it. This is the strength that two cities can hold. Our position also affords us the opportunity to interject ourselves into the Jibei conflict significantly."

[Phailak]

"Your respect for Brother Kai has obviously waned significantly to insult him so. He is not misinformed so much as you forgetful. It is known that your General Ma went to speak with him under the flag of envoy. Why else would that be if not for alliance? Your attack, even if it was not against an ally, does little to help your perception by the populace as a bloodthirsty, warmongering barbarian. Kai tries very, very hard to change this perception, and yet his words are made to seem false when you, as you are wont to do, send the armies out again and again."

"As for your attempt at dismissing the power Brother Kai holds, having only two cities, look first at his position. He is a buffer between you and the King of Yin on that front. Being on good terms with both, he delays possible invasion. Being a vital front, he is assured of help from both sides if the other breaks faith. You can not afford the King having territory in Changshan, just as he can't afford you having the whole of it. This is the strength that two cities can hold. Our position also affords us the opportunity to interject ourselves into the Jibei conflict significantly."

Lak sighed.

"You come into my court and accuse me of things based on heresay and perception and I am the one that lacks respect? My armies move because we react to situations instead of waiting to see which side we should join. I sent an envoy to the King of Yin to find out what should be done about King Tian invading Jibei but he failed to commit to it. He avoided my direct proposal to enter Jibei myself. We requested support from your brother, same failure to commit. We secure Lu Ying's blessing with intentions of sharing Jibei with her, she fails to arrive with her promised troops as she planned her betrayal. Same is to be said of Cai Xingzhe who not only failed to support us despite his hate for King Tian, he betrayed us by joining the King."

The Marquis shook his head.

"We have never invaded or attacked an established ruler that was doing good for the population. I have many officers that believe in our cause, so whatever perception you believe is out there about us, it is wrong. We have attracted the finest scholars, doctors, engineers as well as warriors and commanders. It has been an issue since the start, we have so many folk wanting to join us we cannot support them and you believe I am worried about perception? Do you see my concern over this, I present facts while others spread rumors and gossip. If my former tutor wishes to try and fight those phantom accusations, he is welcome to do so, but he is doomed to fail as they do not even exist except in the mind of those spreading the same lies."