Chen Sheng's Audience Hall - Chen

[GoGo the Monkey]

A bit startled by the guests before him the young guard fumbled his spear, taking a quick bow and exclaiming. "..y-yes sir!" before darting off in the opposite direction. The armies of Chu had once more begun recruiting new men for the coming campaigns and it showed. One of the more seasoned guards merely shifted a brow upward as he stood there quietly. As quickly as the young man left he returned. Taking another quick bow before the man he went to speak once more before a sudden interruption. "Supreme Commander Niu is waiting within his office, please follow me." replied the seasoned guards as he shot a glance to the young man. Waving his arm the seasoned guard signaled for the head to follow as the younger guard merely stepped aside, still bowing. "Please, do not mind the young whelp Master Pan Rui..." he spoke aloud.

...

The group, like others, was brought through out the halls. Merchants, peasants and other figures still filled them occasionally causing much commotion. But soon enough the noise faded and only guards were to be seen throughout the halls patrolling. "Supreme Commander Niu is not a fan of large groups around him or his office. He has been pushing for the grounds to be closed. A threat to our security.." the guard spoke out randomly.

It was not long after that they came upon the office of Niu Xiong. Guards standing outside the door, one moved to open it. The seasoned guard signaling for the group to enter as the approached. Inside Xiong sat firmly, ready to conduct this order of business.

"Welcome to Chen, capital of Chu." he greeted the man as his group. "Take a seat if you wish. I was almost afraid you had been caught up in the turmoils of the north..." He lied, attempting to show concern. "I assume you are here regarding my offer. Do you have any set stipulations?" he questioned, pushing right to business.

[yoshi]

Pan Rui took the seat he was offered.

Pan Rui: Stipulations? Nah. I'm a pretty simple man, you know. A decent meal, some good drink, some gold to go with them both and a chance to gut some Qin and I'm pretty happy. I guess my boys could use weapons and armor, but we can sort out stuff like that later. I have'em away from the city of course... I figured it might make your garrison nervous if I walked up to the gates with an army in tow. Make'em jumpy. I find usually jumpy people with weapons end up causing nasty accidents.

[Eisenherz]

"Speaking for my Lady Jin Zhen," Fen started, "I concur with Lord Pan. Were she here, I'm sure she would agree wholeheartedly."

Meanwhile, at the mercenary camp, outside the city, an angry woman screamed, "damn that Pan Rui, we better get some really cool swag! I want lots of money and a really nice house with tons of muscley topless servants to massage my feet and... and..."

She paused a moment, before asking, "um, Tong, why am I tied up and dangling from a tree? Is this one of your kinky games or something?"

"Just protecting the lady," Qiu Tong replied in a deadpan tone.

[GoGo the Monkey]

The man could not help but let out a chuckle. His eyes shifting between the men of the group he examined them before nodding. "Well then, you are lucky. I am making plans to launch an invasion against the Qin soon enough. Though I admit, there are so many options. It is like I must choose between three delicious meals. Should I savor the taste or swallow it whole?" he questioned himself.

"As for your combined men, they are welcome to join as well. I am sure we have more than enough adequate funds to pay for your entire force. Nor do I believe we will have a problem arming your men and officers.." he continued with a smile upon his face. "..The Qin has not be forgotten. Nor have I overlooked this war of succession between them. Though I admit I did not expect one side to take advantage so easily. Regardless, I believe we can still turn the tides..."

"Tell your ranking officers and men they are welcome in Chen. As well as those of Lady Jin Zhen, of course. I shall deal with the arrangements that follow. Surely King Chen She will not mind. Is there possibly any questions or concerns?"

Yoshi & Co. join Chu along with Eisenherz & Co., unless of course something comes up. PH access coming after I bother Ann...

[yoshi]

Pan Rui: Nah. I'll go round the boys up and we can get'em organized for whatever you decide to do. I always like a good fight. 'Course it'll be an honor serving His Majesty too and all...

[Eisenherz]

Lu Fen gave a nod of his head and said, "we're glad to be part of your cause. The Lady will be most pleased to hear we'll be cooperating from here on out. Unless there's anything further you wish to say, perhaps we should return and tell her the good news."

Still hanging from the tree, Zhen hissed, "you know, when I get down from here, I'm going to turn you into a eunuch."

The older and much larger man tried not to express his discomfort at the thought, especially since he knew she just may do it.

[ann]

Freefall

The king listed and then shook his head briefly saying, "We in Chu were concerned with Yi Lian's unchecked power. There is chaos in the land and the people suffer everywhere under the threat of bandits and the attacks of raiding mercenaries. Yi Lian seemed to gather these forces and to profit from them. It was our hope that Zhi Cheng, who seemed much more circumspect, could somehow check Yi Lian's expansion."

The king sighed and said, "This is no longer necessary though we wish Prefect Zhi well and hope she will use her influence to spread peace in the south."

"As for Liang, no doubt they intended to fight the Bandit Marquis but stayed overlong in an effort to ensure that Chu's forces would take the lead."

BobPalindrome

The King listened to the proposal of Guo Feng with some surprise. After a moment he said, "You seek permission? Have your forces not already moved on Huainan? And, allow me to ask, how come you to offer Changsha and Yue to Xiang Jun?"

Paladinrpg

The King nodded and said, "Excellent tea? That would be most welcome, have you some secret?"

After a thoughtful look he said, "If I may ask, what unfinished business is this? Can Chu provide assistance?"

Chen Sheng looked at the map in some confusion.

[BobPalindrome]

BobPalindrome

The King listened to the proposal of Guo Feng with some surprise. After a moment he said, "You seek permission? Have your forces not already moved on Huainan? And, allow me to ask, how come you to offer Changsha and Yue to Xiang Jun?"

It was true; the forces of Liang had attacked Huainan and it would seem rather odd to be seeking approval for it now. Guo Feng cleared his throat for a moment and then settled his hands coolly into his lap. "It is as you say. The truth is that my lord wished to strike while the iron was hot as we recognized the threat of the vile snake Yi Lian, who has employed thugs and scum in her terrorizing the people of Huainan. It was told to me that Your Majesty too believed that that province was in dire need of rescue -- as are Jiujiang and Changsha. There were no formal consultations as we did not anticipate a prolonged, grand campaign. As things have become more... complicated, it was decided by my lord to seek counsel with Shou Chun and Chu. I hope Your Majesty will forgive this oversight and understand that we simply did not wish Yi Lian's crimes to go unpunished."

Motioning at Yue and Changsha on the map, Guo Feng continued. "We offered these two provinces to Shou Chun as a sign of good faith, to indicate that Liang is not merely out to conquer out of avarice and that we do not wish to infringe upon our friendship with our allies. It would be no good for us to ask Shou Chun for aid as our neighbors for our own purposes with them receiving nothing in return. So it was proposed we divide these provinces between us, so that both our lands may prosper following the hardships on the horizon."

Guo Feng raised a solitary finger. "As I said, Your Majesty, it was but a proposal conceived by the strategists in Liang. It is quite fair, for both Liang and Shou Chun profit from their sacrifices while at the same time the people of the South are saved from the horrors of Yi Lian. However, if Your Majesty would wish to give his own wise counsel upon the matter, that is precisely why I am here."

[RuffRydeR]

A stunning group of women were in Chen on a certain March day. Accoutered in red and white, armoured and armed, maidens all, and dazzling to boot. They were mounted on chestnut brown steeds, and flanked an elaborate carriage pulled by snow white ponies, driven by the only man in the whole group. The windows were veiled with pink curtains, and the whole convoy came to a stop at the Audience Hall of the King of Chu.

A maiden rode out, and in a rather loud voice, announced the arrival of Yin's famed daughter and erstwhile heir to the throne of Zhao.

"Servants of the Greatest Lord in the Land of Chu, the Lady Xia comes to honour a promise made by her Father, the King of Zhao, made so at the King of Chu's bidding. We ask that we may pass to speak with the Master of all Chu."

[GoGo the Monkey]

The guards at the gate were slightly shocked by the sudden appearance of the Princess of Yin. They had not been notified to expect this and some still recalled when her father last visited. Nobody truly knew the position between the two states any longer. A messenger soon dispatched he was quickly intercepted by the Supreme Commander. It was this man that had visited Zhao not too long ago. He had not recieved any notification from the acting Regent, thus curiosity filled him. Personally the man made his way to the front gate upon his steed. As the doors opened he studied the carriage and its escort.

"Allow them entrance, our guests should not be kept waiting.." he ordered aloud suddenly. Turning to a nearby guard he whispered into his ear. Soon the man ran in the opposite direction. Looking back once more upon the escort Xiong spoke. "Tell your princess her audience will be with me, the King is currently not available. I hope she does not mind..."