Liu Jin's Audience Hall - Shou Yang

SituJinrong · Post by **SituJinrong** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:06 am

Liu Jin had already turned his back and ignoring the ramblings that went on, returned to his planning cell, having no time to waste on a headstrong little girl. No doubt she is rather attractive physically, but such temper and manners...... A terrible waste, alas inner beauty triumps over a pretty face.

"Someone summon Li-Jen to the planning cell, I have matters of state to discuss with him."

RuffRydeR · Post by **RuffRydeR** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:25 am

She turned to her maid, and shrugged,

"If I go in there...I would have to come out a married woman. Is the peace of the north worth breaking my Father's heart?"

"Milady, let's go. This isn't neutral ground. These men are worse barbarians than those your regent say are in Yin. You've been lied to. And dear princess, don't ask about your Father's heart. You'd probably break yours too."

She sighed, "Write another note to Lord Fei. He's a civilized man, is he not? At least, Lord Jin says so. We'll find a neutral place yet. Whatever did my good friends see in that man. He is as coldhearted as they come... Still...it is his right as king. To demand I marry someone just so I can try to talk about a peace that may not even be certain? It's insane..."

And she heads back to her carriage, despairing of ever meeting the Duke. Maybe she should give up all this worrying, and just resign herself to bloodshed in the North. She did try her hardest. Oh what she would give to be a man right now.

"Princess, what are we to do?"

"Go home. And pray. That's all we can do."

A bit broken, she enters her carriage once again. Happily, the size of the procession muffles her sobs...

Post by **Phailak** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:37 am

SituJinrong wrote: Fei Lak:
"I am afraid the princess is pretty lofty and insists on dictating her terms to me as a neutral umpire and host of your talks with her. I therefore feel that I cannot discharge my duties as a neutral fully, my dear Marquis. I am sorry but it will be best you find another party to conduct the talks for you. One who is more tolerant of a headstrong (OOC: and impossible to exist) duchess come princess Xia"

Jin bowed apologetically. "Allow me to fetch your bodyguard general Rui...... I will send a small detachment along with your entourage to ensure smooth passage (via lands within my control) on your return to Yan. A thousand apologies for my failed duties as a host."

Lak spread his hands in confusion but then smiled sadly.

"I have already imposed too much on you your Majesty, I hope you understand this was in the interest of saving lives. If I may be so bold, what was it that the Princess requested that breached the terms? Whatever it was, is there no way for you to balance it out, even if it meant the presence of your men?"

Lak was anxious to meet the Princess but already his men were uneasy of his absence. Despite their great numbers in Jibei, he heard enough of the Yin Regent King to know their would be huge losses on both sides.

SituJinrong · Post by **SituJinrong** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:05 pm

Fei Lak:

"She insisted to bring along another maid, someone whose background I have not been able to research. I was requested to host this meeting and I want to make sure there is no chance of bodily harm for either you or the princess. Therefore I expect to be respected for my security arrangements, if either of the negotiating parties refuses to partake in those arrangements, then I am afraid I cannot discharge my responsibilities fully. I will refuse to host that negotiation in that case.

Anyway, I wish you best of luck in finding another neutral platform to conduct the negotiations."

Post by **Phailak** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:13 pm

SituJinrong wrote:Fei Lak:

"She insisted to bring along another maid, someone whose background I have not been able to research. I was requested to host this meeting and I want to make sure there is no chance of bodily harm for either you or the princess. Therefore I expect to be respected for my security arrangements, if either of the negotiating parties refuses to partake in those arrangements, then I am afraid I cannot discharge my responsibilities fully. I will refuse to host that negotiation in that case.

Anyway, I wish you best of luck in finding another neutral platform to conduct the negotiations."

Lak nods.

"That is unfortunate indeed, thank you for your efforts your Majesty, I am sorry for having imposed ourselves on you. It is not a total loss as we have finally met in person. Hopefully after all this business with Yin is done, we can meet under better circumstances."

Fei Lak bowed and waited to be dismissed.

SituJinrong · Post by **SituJinrong** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:18 pm

"I too hope to meet you again. Now, I believe you have better hurry to meet that princess, you have a major negotiation to conduct." Jin saw the marquis to the door after exchanging futher pleasnatries.

Ni Zan · Post by **Ni Zan** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 10:14 am

One morning a letter addressed to King Liu is delivered to the guards outside his audience hall:

My lord Liu,

Recently, a copy of the proclamation written by the Bright Star of Jibei has come into my hands: perhaps you yourself have seen it. Having read it, I have realized that I too have strayed from the Way. I admire any man who could write such and honest and yet inspiring missive as his, and the fact that he has written it gives me hope that not all in China thrive on anarchy alone. While I am no sage, perhaps the words he has written will attract the learned, and I feel that my place is now by his side, in the hope that together with him and those others who his words may attract, we may find our way back to the wisdom of the ancients.

Having become a part of your kingdom inadvertently when the former lord of Dai decided not to fight for what was his, I feel no strong attachment to Wei. I have no complaint of my treatment here; you have given me some responsibility, and the pay any officer would expect. I hope you have no complaint of the way in which is dischaged my duties in the short time I served you, but in any case, I leave your service now, and go to join the Bright Star in Qufu, where he lives in exile.

Ni Zan

Ni Zan has left the service of Liu Jin

tanis · Post by **tanis** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 6:40 pm

Diao Tai approaches the guards at the palace in Shou Yang.

"Hello, is lord Lui Jin available? If so, I would like to speak with him."

Diao Tai slowly draws his sword and offers the hilt end to one of the guards.

"Of course I will succumb to any search Lord Lui Jin believes necessary."

SituJinrong · Post by **SituJinrong** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 6:47 pm

"I am sorry sir, for this security search is necessary, there was an attempt on our leader's before. If you will be so kind as to let me know your name and the purpose of your visit, I will pass the work along to the king that he has a guest."

After the customary pad down where offensive items are removed, the sergeant at the gates motioned to another 2 guards, "Escort this gentleman to the Audience Hall, and pass along his name to the duty officer. He wanted to see the king for some reasons......"

tanis · Post by **tanis** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 7:02 pm

Diao Tai shifts uneasily after the guard mentions the attempt on Lui Jins life.

"I am Diao Tai. I was born in this very city. I have come to offer my services to the King. If he is busy I can always return another day?"