Chen Sheng's Audience Hall - Chen

[RuffRydeR]

The maid nodded, but suddenly the carriage shot forward past the rest of the escort as the entrance opened, bowling her over, before lurching to a stop again. The carriage stopped and driver shook his head.

"Ah, sorry, the Princess is being horribly impatient. I hope the King is ready to recieve her, your...uh...Lordshi-"

But he was cut off by an excited voice, giggling,

"Ooh! Mister merchant fellow! Looks like you've gone up in the world. I saw you when you last came back to Yin but I didn't get to greet you. Where's the King? Father promised to come back, but he's sick, so I came instead as he promised to and all..."

But a maid comes back to her, explaining she would not be meeting the King today. At this, she sighs, and without another word, turns her carriage back for home...

[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.

The smith bowed her head. "Please, do not worry, Lord Chen. I prefer to solve such small dilemmas quietly, and in a more personal manner. It is not a problem that a King should be concerned with -- you have much greater things that require your attentions, no doubt."

A thin small appeared again amidst a somewhat impassive face. "I have been taught well by the Master in preparing numerous brews that can restore one's vitality and ensure good chi flows. I would be happy to present some to you if you wish it, Lord Chen. While not an Elixir of Life, they are but one of the reasons Ji Song is yet gracing the world with his wisdom."

As she spoke this last part there was that resurgent hint of sadness in her eyes, as Yinzi's thoughts swirled with the longing of many days away from the man who was the center of her world.

[Freefall]

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."

The older warrior listened intently and nodded as the King spoke...

Jue: Your majesty, though I cannot speak for the Marqius Zhi...I know my lord is impressed by her and her ability to rule. If tempered with a kind heart, peace can easily be brought to the south. This is something that my lord and Marqius Zhi are striving for. There are concerns though with more incursions into our province. Jiang Sei has seen corruption first hand, both when the peple of his village came to him for protection when local officals were abusing the populace, and later with the rulers of Huiayin. Now he only seeks to stabilize the region and work towards getting those corrupt officals out of power so no more innocents need to suffer.

He bowed his head low as he continued...

Jue: He had hoped to work with you in helping to stabilize the region through peaceful negotiations and talks.

[ann]

BobPalindrome

Chen She listened carefully and then he said, "I see. But, the bandit leader Yi Lian is dead. What do you know of Jiang Sei? If I understand the situation he was not a party to her depredations and the people in Huainan like him? Is this not so?"

After a moment he said, "It is true that Yi Lian's lap dog must be brought to heal. But Lin Xin is in Yue and Changsha. It would seem that the King of Jiujiang has defeated Yi Lian and will also defeat her supporters. While, on the other hand, Liang is merely attacking the recently freed population of Huainan. An interesting .. division."

Freefall

The King nodded, he said, "Your master has dealt well with the King of Jiujiang from what I understand. And, indeed, we had heard something of his care of the victims of banditry in Huainan. What do you seek from Chu?"

Paladinrpg

The king nodded and said, "I am grateful for anything you have done or can do in the future towards maintaining the health of Ji Song. And, of course, am interested in any assistance you might provide myself."

[Numinous]

At the turn of the seasons there arrived in the capital of the state of Chu a small entourage of men from the east, bearing the burgundy standard of the Jiangcheng citystate of Wu. As they came to a halt before the guardians of the hall of the great King, a young and fresh faced official stepped out from the ring of soldiers and bowed very deeply.

"Greetings, honored servants of the great King Chen. I, Secretary Bing Xiao, come to Chu today on a peaceful and diplomatic mission of utmost importance to the Prefect Zhi Cheng and your illustrious master. If I could be granted a timely audience with him or one of his representatives -- in order that our two nations can clear up our past misunderstandings -- it would be most appreciated."

He then spread his robed arms wide. "You may search me for weapons as your customs and laws dictate; though I assure you I am but a humble clerk of the state."

[Freefall]

Freefall

The King nodded, he said, "Your master has dealt well with the King of Jiujiang from what I understand. And, indeed, we had heard something of his care of the victims of banditry in Huainan. What do you seek from Chu?"

Jue: King Chen, your name invokes respect amongst many. Your lands and armies inspire respectand your relationships show great wisdom. Marqius Jiang understands you have enemies in the south and that these enemy forces require the attention of you and you allies. However, not knowing the intentions of our neighbors to the north, and with addressing the removal on the remenants of the previous regime, Huianan cannot become embroiled in further conlfuct this time. My lord had hoped to seek your support in establishing a relationship with King Xiang of Jiujang and Duke Xiang of Liang. One that can be built on respect becuase of your influence rather then one built on ultimatiums or hidden agendas...

[Big Grizzy]

Jin Kai and his entourage approached the palace of Chen Sheng. When they reached the guard on the outside, Jin Kai spoke to the apparent senior among them. "I am Prefect Jin of Changshan. I have come to speak with the King today on a matter of some importance." When he finished speaking he presented his seal of office for inspection by the guards.

[BobPalindrome]

BobPalindromeChen She listened carefully and then he said, "I see. But, the bandit leader Yi Lian is dead. What do you know of Jiang Sei? If I understand the situation he was not a party to her depredations and the people in Huainan like him? Is this not so?"

After a moment he said, "It is true that Yi Lian's lap dog must be brought to heal. But Lin Xin is in Yue and Changsha. It would seem that the King of Jiujiang has defeated Yi Lian and will also defeat her supporters. While, on the other hand, Liang is merely attacking the recently freed population of Huainan. An interesting .. division."

For a long moment, Guo Feng gave no reaction, his face locked in a ponderous expression. At long last, he cleared his throat and spoke again, his tone as formal as ever. "Our campaign goes beyond Huainan, Your Majesty," he said, "for, as has been pointed out, we shall be moving on to Wu as well. We do not believe it would be wise to allow these provinces to remain under the influence of those of questionable character, who were allied with or employed under the bandit Yi Lian. Does not the King of Chu value Liang as a friend? Is that not why we were invited to liberate Huainan by His Majesty in a missive to my lord? There is little to be known about Jiang Sei... Far more, I would hope, is known about the Duke of Liang by both Your Majesty and the people. We have seen the failures of allowing chaos to rule the day in the South and it must be subjugated to end the strife."

He tapped the map with his right forefinger. "We are not operating separately from Shou Chun but in conjunction with King Xiang Jun to defeat the remnants of Yi Lian's forces. As I said, we ran our plan by King Xiang Jun and our plan was met with approval. Together, the forces of Shou Chun and Liang will restore order and prosperity to the South as Your Majesty rid Chu of the tyranny of Qin."

Guo Feng raised an eyebrow. "All we need is Your Majesty's blessing," he said. "Do we have it?"

[ann]

Numinous

Bing Xiao was quickly searched and ushered into the administrative building. An attendant led the secretary to a small and unadorned room where a man knelt working with various scrolls at a desk. As they entered he placed his brush on a rest and stood quickly bowing.

"I am Pan Dao, clerk of Chen She, what brings you to Chu?"


Freefall

The King listened and then said, "We have influence with both and will do what can be done to assure them that the Marquis Jiang is a different man than Yi Lian."

Bobpalindrome

The king looked thoughtful for many moments and then said, "It is true that we indicated that Liang should liberate Huainan. However, in the delay, Huainan seems to have been liberated. We would like to think of Liang as a friend of course but it is no longer clear that chaos rules in the south. Though, of course, it appears to do so in Yue and Changsha."

"Xiang Jun believes you have given him Yue and Changsha? That is most interesting."

[Numinous]

Bing Xiao was quickly searched and ushered into the administrative building. An attendant led the secretary to a small and unadorned room where a man knelt working with various scrolls at a desk. As they entered he placed his brush on a rest and stood quickly bowing.

"I am Pan Dao, clerk of Chen She, what brings you to Chu?"

The scholar bowed in return, "Forgive my intrusion into a fellow public servant's duties... though I thank you for having the time to meet with me."

He straightened up, and paused a moment in contemplation before speaking once again. "I come on behalf of Prefect Zhi Cheng and as a representative of Wu as a whole. Some time ago your King had sent a delegation to Jiangcheng bearing the most generous gift of title for the Lady upon certain conditions, which unfortunately had to be politely declined amidst the prevailing political climate of the time. Now with the passing of the Marquis Yi Lian in an unfortunate series of events and the incursions of the Liang into our allies' territory, my mistress is most concerned of the current status of our kingdom's relations... and what may be done to strengthen them."

Bing Xiao then smiled carefully. "As we are both enemies of the current Qin regime, this should naturally make us comrades. To waste resources squabbling amongst ourselves makes us no better than the brothers Ying, wouldn't you agree?"