Lin Xin's Audience Hall - Panyu

[fireshade]

Wei Quan nodded and followed Sha Zukang with the full entourage in tow.

"The Duke's illness is most concerning, Master Sha. I do hope that he recovers quickly. Have his court physicians been able to identify the illness and suggest a treatment? If not, perhaps I could be of service with my own medical skills. It would be the least I could do given the reason for my visit."

[Zhudi]

Sha Zukang led the party down the main boulevard through the town, talking as he went. "Thank you for your concern, Prefect Quan. Between the efforts of the court physician here in Yue and the Marquis' personal physician Ai Zhou, we expect the Duke should make a full recovery within the month. The circumstances surrounding his illness is quite strange though, for his symptoms did not manifest until shortly after a visit from an envoy of the other Qin." As Sha himself did not come into his position without a healthy dose of paranoia, he naturally viewed occurrences such as these under a more suspicious light.

He continued, "But the court physicians have declared that the most likely cause for said condition is just bad air, damp enclosed spaces, and unhealthy food. Taking this into account, the Marquis has ordered the airing and cleaning of the administrative complex, so all government operations has been moved to alternate areas for the time being. Since the weather today is quite mild, the Marquis holding his all of audiences in an open air pavilion located in the Ducal Gardens. If you can come this way..."

At the next intersection in the road, the party veered to the left instead of continuing ahead towards the governing complex. In front lay a large lake with a large white canopy set up along the water's northern edge. Inside could be seen a bunch of court officials with a contingent of guards patrolling the area. As everyone approached the tent, Sha announced, "Prefect Wei Quan is here for an audience with the Marquis." Turning to the Prefect, he said, "Due to the lack of space, we request that you leave most of your escorts outside of the tent." He pointed to a large grass area with tables and chairs set out adjacent to the pavillion. "They can wait there for you while you have your audience with the Marquis."

Inside the pavilion tent, Daisuke Aramaki sat behind a large wooden table. Papers were strewn out before him and his assistants were hovering around. He looked up and said, "Come in Prefect, I have heard much about you from the late Magistrate Lao Wang Zi of Yong. Although my service to the people of Yong lasted only for a few months, I still feel a little affinity for the people in that area. How fares the western provinces these days?"

[fireshade]

The soldiers themselves remained behind, while the three continued into the tent.

"I thank you for your welcome, Marquis. Those with me are Guan Ying and Zhao Han, two of my most talented men."

He gave a brief bow and indicated to each man in turn as they were introduced.

"Unfortunately, things are not fairing well for our endeavors in the west. Sai province has been a raging battlefield for several months now. Our forces cannot seem to gain a solid foothold against the enemy. Before I set out, reports were coming in that our siege could not hold much longer. Yong has sent many men to fight, but I fear that very few will be returning home."

Quan began to feel a bit distraught, realizing that the Marquis probably did not want to hear such ill news. Perhaps he should just cut to the chase... but then again, he should at least try to attend to pleasentries. Being too abrupt might harm his cause this time.

[Zhudi]

Aramaki nodded as he heard this news, a grave look on his face. He then said, “Sai had been a bloody battlefield ever since the days when I was serving there also. Many young men have lost their lives there and with the way things are going, many men will continue to lose their lives in the future. It is very unfortunate.”

One reason why Aramaki left Yong was that the political environment in the area necessitated such loss of life and men, and he was tired of it. How much more so depressing that the scene that is happening in Yong/Sai is being replayed in Yue/Changsha, with the threats from Sima Shing and others like him who wish to destroy the political and economic structures that have been built to help the people of the region.

He continued, “So Prefect Quan, what brings you here to Yue today? What matters from the Supreme Commander do you wish to discuss?”

Before the Prefect has a chance to answer, Daisuke remarked, “Perhaps I should send my assistants away if these topics are security-sensitive.” If Quan indicates that they are, the assistants are asked to leave and the guards vacate the pavilion to wait at its edges.

If necessary, we can continue through PMs.

[fireshade]

Wei Quan thought for a moment and nodded.

"Most likely, secrecy would be in vain at this point, but privacy would still be beneficial. I think it would be better to proceed with caution and limit those present."

He waited patiently as the Marquis dismissed most of the attendants except the few that might be deemed necessary. Having brought so many soldiers for the honor guard, he was sure that no scout or spy worth their salt had missed his arrival. Likewise, he knew that should things go as he wished, it would probably be difficult to depart in secret. Once the attendants had filed out, Quan continued.

"The matter that I have come to address is a letter, this letter in fact," he said, pausing to present the scroll, "sent by the Duke. He wished to confirm if the Imperial Inspector is indeed who he claims to be. Likewise, we are very much concerned by this news, and would wish to see the King, if it truly is the King, return to his rightful place."

[Zhudi]

The Marquis looked over the scroll that Quan had brought and nodded his assent. He said, "If the Duke desires that the Inspector's identity be confirmed, I shall gladly accede to his wishes." He looked over at the 500 armed soldiers that waited outside his pavilion. Daisuke continued, "I will personally escort you three individuals into the back of the governor's mansion where the Inspector is housed. Though I must insist that your escort wait here next to the pavilion."

He pointed to the large structure that neighbored the park where the pavilion was set-up. "Do not worry, we shall not have to travel far."

If Quan agrees, then Aramaki would personally lead the group into the governing complex.

[fireshade]

Wei Quan consented to the request with ease. He knew that he would be seperated from them before they ever reached their objective.

"Of course, Marquis."

[Zhudi]

Lifting up his right hand, he signaled to the assistants to return to him. He told them, "I will be taking our visitors into the administrative complex. Could you please cancel the rest of my appointments for the day?"

He then rose up from his seat and signaled for the guests to follow him. They walked along a stone paved path that led to the rear of the governor's mansion. Before them was a iron-braced wooden door, which was surrounded by six guards. Upon reaching the door, the Marquis ordered, "Please send a messenger to Sergent Mao requesting that the Imperial Inspector be brought to South conference room."

Turning to the three visitors, Daisuke said, "Prefect, this way please." He then led them through the doors, turning left at the first intersection, right at the second before going up the stairs and opening the third door on the left. Inside the room was a large rectangular table with chairs lining all of the sides. The conference rooms had no windows, but lamps had been lit to provide light for those within. The Marquis led the party to one side of the table when he then said, "My guards are now escorting the Inspector to us, it should be a few minutes."

Unless something happens, a few minutes later the door across from them was opened a twelve guards filed into the room and lined the walls opposite from the party. More guards could be seen outside of the door. Then Sergeant Mao entered, leading an individual dressed in court robes into the room. Upon seeing them, Daisuke said, "I present to you the Imperial Inspector."

[fireshade]

Wei Quan waited patiently for the Imperial Inspector to arrive. Would this man be his King, or was it some imposter designed to lure them into a trap. Quan had to find out for sure. He couldn't let anything slip by him.

And then it happened... the man stepped into the room. Wei Quan looked on intently for any detail that could prove if this was the man he served.

PM for Kym

[Kymvir Raemiz]

There was a lot wrong with the man who entered the room. He cringed a little at the light in the room, and could clearly be seen to be favoring one leg. He squinted around the room, as if having trouble seeing.

The man said nothing, glancing around as if hoping to figure out what was going on.

((PM to Wei Quan))