Xiang Jun's Audience Hall - Shou Chun

[Crim]

A man in his thirties arrived at Shouchun, introducing himself as Tian Guo. He had been summoned to the city by the King of Jiujiang, Xiang Jun. After several weeks of mulling over the proposal of the liege of the province, Guo deemed it the most worthwhile proposition among the many he received. With his personal effects, Guo stepped into the city.

"I'm Tian Guo and I'm here to serve Xiang Jun," he said.

The guards quickly welcome Tian Guo and leads him before Xiang Jun. The King was clearly pleased at the arrival of the commander.

"Thank you for accepting my invitation, Master Tian. What skills do you bring to Shouchun?"

Tian Guo joins!

CXG:

Zhang Shen was brought before Xiang Jun without performing a search on his person. On the way to the King's chambers, the guards accorded Shen the respect only given to Jun's original four officers - those who accompanied the young sovereign from Chu to Shouchun.

"Ah, Marshal, I've heard that you have finally decided to integrate your forces to mine. That is pleasing news, indeed," Jun said. "Allow me to express my gratitude by calling you, Marquis Zhang henceforth."

kaikai

Qing Mei was not searched since Jun left explicit instructions to the guards never to molest in any form women who wish to have an audience. Xiang Jun was quick to welcome Qing Mei and personally ushered her into his chambers.

"Welcome to Shouchun, Lady Qing," he said. "Thank you for accepting my invitation. Please, take a seat. Was your journey difficult?"

Qing Mei joins!

[matt91486]

Tuo Bei headed south from Qi with a large battalion of his personal army and two of his loyal officers, Fang Xin and Song Bie, in tow. His other followers were administering the villages under Tuo's control in his absence. He arrived at the city gates and spoke to the guards. "I am Tuo Bei - here at the request of Lord Xiang. I believe he is expecting me."

[Crim]

Tuo Bei headed south from Qi with a large battalion of his personal army and two of his loyal officers, Fang Xin and Song Bie, in tow. His other followers were administering the villages under Tuo's control in his absence. He arrived at the city gates and spoke to the guards. "I am Tuo Bei - here at the request of Lord Xiang. I believe he is expecting me."

Immediately, the guard captain assembled ten men to accompany Tuo Bei into the inner district of the city, particularly to the King's study. Once inside, Qianzhen Na and Li Gui welcome the visitor from Qi and his loyal officers, offering them refreshments as they await the arrival of the young king of Jiujiang.

"Ah, Master Tuo Bei, you have come at last," Xiang Jun said as he entered the room. "I have a dire need for someone with so expansive connections and networks like yours. The officer base of Jiujiang have been spread so thinly after the four cities of the province were finally brought under my rule. It is my hope that you are able to help me address this predicament, especially given my intentions to move forward as soon as the army is ready."

[matt91486]

Immediately, the guard captain assembled ten men to accompany Tuo Bei into the inner district of the city, particularly to the King's study. Once inside, Qianzhen Na and Li Gui welcome the visitor from Qi and his loyal officers, offering them refreshments as they await the arrival of the young king of Jiujiang.

"Ah, Master Tuo Bei, you have come at last," Xiang Jun said as he entered the room. "I have a dire need for someone with so expansive connections and networks like yours. The officer base of Jiujiang have been spread so thinly after the four cities of the province were finally brought under my rule. It is my hope that you are able to help me address this predicament, especially given my intentions to move forward as soon as the army is ready."

Bei nodded. "Lord Xiang, I am willing to enter your service. However, I do have one issue. As you know, I govern two villages in Qi, and those territories provide me rentier income so as to maintain my officer corps. I would not be able to withstand challenges to my territory in Qi should I move to Jiujiang. Do you have any methods of remedying this conundrum for me? In addition to my own abilities, I have a skilled retinue of followers that I am also willing to put at your disposal, but I must expect appropriate responsibility and compensation."

[Crim]

Bei nodded. "Lord Xiang, I am willing to enter your service. However, I do have one issue. As you know, I govern two villages in Qi, and those territories provide me rentier income so as to maintain my officer corps. I would not be able to withstand challenges to my territory in Qi should I move to Jiujiang. Do you have any methods of remedying this conundrum for me? In addition to my own abilities, I have a skilled retinue of followers that I am also willing to put at your disposal, but I must expect appropriate responsibility and compensation."

"Yes, I have planned for that conundrum, Master Tuo," Jun quickly answered. "Should you serve me, I will cede in your favor two villages in Jiujiang which shall provide you with the same amount of income as your holdings in Qi. With the help of the men you will help me recruit, these villages will later be improved to townships - holdings that will give you not only gold but a base from which to recruit your own soldiers."

"In addition, you will have the title of Magistrate which will enable you to award appropriate ranks to the men in your retinue. Serve me well and a Marquisdom will soon be bestowed unto you," Jun further explained. "What are the abilities of your followers, Master Tuo?"

[matt91486]

"Yes, I have planned for that conundrum, Master Tuo," Jun quickly answered. "Should you serve me, I will cede in your favor two villages in Jiujiang which shall provide you with the same amount of income as your holdings in Qi. With the help of the men you will help me recruit, these villages will later be improved to townships - holdings that will give you not only gold but a base from which to recruit your own soldiers."

"In addition, you will have the title of Magistrate which will enable you to award appropriate ranks to the men in your retinue. Serve me well and a Marquisdom will soon be bestowed unto you," Jun further explained. "What are the abilities of your followers, Master Tuo?"

Bei nodded happily. "That is a most acceptable resolution, Lord Xiang." He paused to determine how to best describe his allies. "To be honest, my allies are together adept at all of the services required for governance. Some are skilled in battle, some in administration, and some in negotiation. Each of the five in my retinue has personal strengths and weaknesses, of course, but together they provide me with all the support I need and desire to run my villages properly."

[Crim]

Xiang Jun nodded, visibly pleased at Tuo's explanation. "Now, that is a promising group of vassals, Magistrate Tuo. I am really honored to have your assistance and the benefit of your instruction during these trying times." The King ordered a servant to bring out a map of Jiujiang, on which the villages, towns and cities of the province were depicted. He cast a steady look at the new Magistrate. "Of the fourteen villages in the province, eight are under my direct supervision. I shall cede two in your favor which shall provide you a monthly income of about a hundred taels, Magistrate. You need not encumber yourself or any of your followers to oversee these holdings. I have already assigned reasonably competent men to so simple a task."

"By directly serving me, you will also be allowed fifty gold taels monthly, Magistrate. Your followers who shall serve me will be paid a hundred gold taels for their journey from Qi to Jiujiang and they will be given a regular allowance of fifty taels a month. I hope you find these arrangements satisfactory, Magistrate."

Tuo Bei joins!

[Liu Drew]

With heavy April rains pelting his back, a scruffy looking traveller trudged through the gates of ShouChun, soaking wet and adorned in several layers of mud. His tattered robes sopping left small drops of their own with every step taken by this seemingly down trodden visitor. Long drapes of tangled hair hung before the young man's face hiding much of his visage though onlookers would find no apparent disposition towards the rotten weather that had followed him here.

Finding himself before what he judged to be the main palace, or government building, he really didn't care what it was called, Liao Zhi spoke curtly in a tone so low it was hardly audible over the rain.

"I'm Liao Zhi. Tell me, is there work in this area? I seem to be running low on gold..."he broke off for a moment before collecting himself "I can do most any job needed, if you could just point me to one who needs a capable worker" he bowed solemnly, a terrible looking mess who seemed to be at rock bottom

[Crim]

With heavy April rains pelting his back, a scruffy looking traveller trudged through the gates of ShouChun, soaking wet and adorned in several layers of mud. His tattered robes sopping left small drops of their own with every step taken by this seemingly down trodden visitor. Long drapes of tangled hair hung before the young man's face hiding much of his visage though onlookers would find no apparent disposition towards the rotten weather that had followed him here.

Finding himself before what he judged to be the main palace, or government building, he really didn't care what it was called, Liao Zhi spoke curtly in a tone so low it was hardly audible over the rain.

"I'm Liao Zhi. Tell me, is there work in this area? I seem to be running low on gold..."he broke off for a moment before collecting himself "I can do most any job needed, if you could just point me to one who needs a capable worker" he bowed solemnly, a terrible looking mess who seemed to be at rock bottom

The young man was immediately escorted by ten honor escorts into the chambers of Qianzhen Na, Minister to the King, Xiang Jun. When the official was informed of the man's intentions, Na ordered him to be brought inside and soon, refreshments were served.

"There is a place for one such as yourself in Jiujiang, young man," Na explained, "But, before anything else, please enlighten us as to your skills and talents. Are you a fighter, a general or perhaps, a diplomat?"

[Liu Drew]

Zhi followed the honor guards without question though e was wondering how the lord of this manor would react to the muck and rain he was dripping over their halls with every step. Apparently it was no concern to the guards but he couldn't seem to let it go. Still a little worried Liao Zhi found himself in a new room being addressed by a man who must have been one of the local bureaucrats.

Gazing back at his host through his tangled mess of hair Zhi bowed quickly before replying, his voice was low and sounded a little confused as he spoke " Me? Well I've been a fighter most of my life though I have some small experience leading men into battle alongside me I suppose though I don't think I would fare out too well as a diplomat" his face turned a little red with embrassment as he was not one to acknowledge or admit his faults on most occasions

"But I could give it a shot if needbe, I really just need to make some gold so I can continue to survive on my travels. It seems charity is a rare thing once I left my home on the northern frontiers"