Bai Zhan's Audience Hall

[gravenimages]

The young ruler leaned forward first out of puzzlement and then curiosity, but realized his actions and composed himself before the man broke his meditation, although he did seem to hold his breath.

Bai Zhan betrayed a bit of relief as the man made his decision, although whether he was relieved that his offer was accepted, or relieved that the audience would soon be at a close, who was to say...?

He nodded his acceptance and forced a smile. "Excellent, you are most welcome. I will see that you are given suitable accomodations."

Post in OI for pie and PH access
*pie sold separately[/b]

[Gong Gong]

The south, a place of enchanting beauty... or so people thought. To those born within the northern aristrocracy this region was filled with uncivilised barbarians who new nothing of law and order, all they could do was dribble at thier meager education and fight... Where were the scholars? The wise thinkers who gave birth to the ancient philosophies? Clearly not in the realms of the south, all from the north, where the most important courts were situated. However, already hearing that a politician from the North had taken employment with the ill-dressed Bai Zhan, it only gave intrigue to why such a man would throw his own dignity to bow to such a barbarian. Nonetheless, a man must act polite if he ever wishes a 'favour' from those who have power, friends in all places made a politician have many advantages. This one, of course, had no desire of helping the man Bai Zhan, neither did he intend to spend anymore time than he needed. Of course, such was the attitude of the noble, especially one whose age gave him a prosperous life through political affairs; thus giving him the means of travelling to the south in quite an elaborate carriage.

As it came to a halt outside the main complex's gates, the being inside shuddered at the image; how could anyone feel comfortable wearing the tattered clothing they did. Taking a deep breath, the door was opened by a servant and Gong revealed himself to this bunch of, what he believed to be, 'barbarians'. His robes were of a of a fine black silk, adorned with golen embroidery and the traditional political scholars headress, though far embelished than other politicians. Laoshan's walk was of pride and gave him the persona of the typical Northern aristocrate, not to mention that his robes could have been from Imperial lineage. The eyes of the wise politician tried hard not to look down at the guards, finally forcing a smile to them as an authoritarian voice escaped his mouth; clearly a man who gave orders, without them being disobeyed. "Your liege sent me a messenger, in the politeness of politics I have arrived to converse with him. Please, make this as quick as possible, the journey from the North was quite taxing." Turning to his servant, who quickly scuttled back to the carriage, Gong could not understand the reasons why he came...he could simply revoke the statement of ever recieving a messenger and the entire world would believe him, over a man such as Bai Zhan. A man who should not be toiled with, though showed infinite professionalism and an aura of imperial mannerisms...

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Mustering all of his courtly graces, the barbarian guard captain responds with a grunt and a wave of his hand indicating that the man should enter.

Inside, a small hallway leads to a comfortable sitting room, large enough to sit a hundred with ease. A small dias in the back of the room holds two tables set on either side of a large wooden chair, draped in blue silk. As Laoshan is escorted into the Audience Chambers he might notice that much effort has been put into creating an island of Chinese appearance in this place. It is generally clean and aesthetically pleasing, but the overall effect is still a backwater province trying to emulate better surroundings.

Ouhaun Bai Zhan rises from the chair as Laoshan enters, offering a bow of respect for the elder visitor. The young ruler's courtly garb is made of fine silk, though generally unadorned save for the garish mantle of the barbarian chieftan.

A servant exits the room after leaving behind a bowl of fresh fruits and a goblet of wine on a small table next to the seat he was escorted to. "Please, sit" says Bai Zhan, "Your journey from the north must have been very taxing. Even my messenger showed weary, though he would never admit it, and travelling is his purpose. If you wish we may continue this after you rest a bit. I've prepared the guest chambers for you just in case. I realize they're not what you're used to but they are among the best accomodations in this part of the land."

[Gong Gong]

As the politician was escorted through the hall it was clear the current liege attempted to converge this place into something that would resemble the Imperial courts, pitiful yet respectable. If only these people could present themselves within the manner of the courts, their lives would not be so talked down, however, they made this land more diverse...even though their taste was far from that of Gong's. With the proud strides into the audience chamber, the wise politician gazed upon the lord that he was invited to speak with...Combining official clothing with the rags of the barbarians? Who could think such a contamination could be thought of? Nonetheless, there was a purpose to this visit and Gong did not wish it to be a wasted journey when he could have remained in the North. Giving only a slight smirk to Bai Zhan, Laoshan stood with the typical arrogance of an aging politician who not only demanded but expected the highest form of respect. Thankfully this barbarian Lord atleast knew the ettiquete, perhaps having some form of light among the dark weeds.

"Indeed it was extremely taxing" The authoritarian voice boomed from the politicians mouth as he nodded in agreement that any accomodation of the South would never compare to the manors of the North. As a politician, one must put a politeness of face over the true opinions, to gain what they desired. In order to place himself in favour, Gong bowed in a friendly manner, not the respectful way that was expected for a Ruler; but, of course, Laoshan had his limits. "I do not believe we should waste each other's time Lord Ouhuan, for extremely individuals as ourselves, such can be detrimental to our paths. Now, what did such a man of the South wish for a politician of the North?" A question needed not an answer, yet Laoshan wished to hear this man's explanations; showing to even the most uneducated fool that this was a hard shell to break to even think of bowing to a Southern Lord..though..a plan was gradually emerging from the midst, if he could take hold Ouhuan's political affairs...thus enabling him to gain more land, meaning more political influence and power he would have among these people; the Northern politician that conquered the South under his own policies?..An ambitious project, but a plan that could gain him much repute in the North, in the history documentations that would be past down each generation...interesting, suddenly Gong began to listen to Ouhuan, properly...

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A faraway look crosses the young ruler's face momentarily. "I did always enjoy Changshan in summer. It's been quite awhile." He flashes a genuine smile. "But, to business then."

Uncharacteristic of a ruler, he begins to pace the room slowly as he lets out a sigh. "Where should I start? perhaps a bit of context if you will indulge me. I am originailly from Changshan province, and spent time in the service of the brotherhood of Yong before a sojourn south to investigate rumors of a massing barbarian horde. Not believing them, I expected the journey to be naught but a sabbatical.

The southerners were being united by a powerful and charismatic chieftain, Ouhuan Wu. Drought had caused their swamp-rice crop to fail several years in a row, leading to famine, and they saw the rich lands to the north as their only chance. They had planned, as is their custom, to pillage, loot, and rape across the south until driven back, and to live off of their spoils for a time. I am not without some skill in the area of persuasion, and ocver several months I convinced Wu that it would be more beneficial to occupy intact cities rather than plunder and burn them. We attacked Linjiang, where Sima Sheng's rule was weak. Our victory there was largely bloodless, save for a chance arrow that left Wu with a lingering gut wound. He held on for days, conferring onto me the title of Chieftain and seeing me wed to his oldest daughter before passing.

From that time I have done the best I have been able to do for my people, both southerner and Chinese. I have made treaties and allies where possible, used force when necessary, prudent, or timely, and provided for the safety of my lands.

So, what would I ask for a politican of the North? What would he ask for himself? Had he the desire to administer the affairs of a city, or perhaps a province in time, these I have. If he was moved to make improvements and civilize the South, I have many strong backs, able assistants, and gold to fund these projects. If he wished a position of trusted advisor to a ruler who will listen to, gravely consider, and act on the advice of such a one, this can be, as well. So, Lord Gong, this is what I would have for you."

[Gong Gong]

The story was not of Gong's care, for he needed not the explanation of how this man slept his wat to the title of Liege by taking the former ruler's daughter into marriage. Though, of course, politely placed on a mask to seem that his every word enthralled the politician; oh the brilliances of aging politicians that knew how to adapt for their own good. Smirking as the story came to an end, Gong took interest in the fact that he mentioned a possible chance of being the main political influence over a number of cities...or even, a province. This made the burning desire within Gong's heart burst into wanting to hear more, the dreams of becoming a politically powerful man could come to fruition, and, in the South! Sighing as Ouhuan finally finished the small speech, Laoshan did not take his eyes off the man as he paced back and forth confessing why he wished Gong to serve him. "Quite something Lord Ouhuan that you would wish a Northern politician to place their influence upon the South; however, I am not surprised, for this regions does have it's rumours and legacies of barbarianism." Smirking again the politician slowly moved towards Ouhuan, observing both his attire and mannerisms; not being comparable to the arrogance of Laoshan. "If one wants me to be an advisor to you, it must be that you have no other ministers that aid you? Or, do you believe me to be of the highest quality?" Only to humour himself, Gong would see how Ouhuan would deal with such a question; also, it would enable himself to find out who would he need to keep under his thumb, to find out who would have to be forced to bow to Gong..of course, not allowing Ouhuan to see this as a threat; for he had no intentions of ruling the realm of military, but of politics...

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Ceasing in his pacing steps, the young ruler faces his guest and meets the man's gaze. "I do have two very trusted advisors. Bahn Tu, advisor to Ouhuan Wu and some sort of holy man amongst the southerners, has proven his worth time and again under my rule as well as Chieftan Wu's. Vahn Trung Huu excels not only in combat but the strategic organization of arms and invasions. Would your advice be equal in merit to that of either man?"

The Ouhuan gives an unrulerlike shrug. "Frankly, I don't know. I can't measure merit with only the weight of rumor. I surely hope that it is. I have found that a combination of the warrior traditions of the southerners and our civilization and technology make a strong foundation on which to build and increase our territory. If such a combination is beneficial to defense and expansion, why not in more intellectual matters? To find the balance between a man of such insight as Bahn Tu, and a man of your reputed brilliance, could be to find true wisdom. Such is my hope."

[Gong Gong]

Insight as Bahn Tu? This man would seem the thorn within Gong's thigh. To even think he had a comparison, Ouhuan surely would be mistaken. Continuing to listen Laoshan gained the idea that these two men would be placed higher than he, with more experience in political affairs than those two curs combined! No, this would not suffice, he had not spent his life studying and hard lived life to spend the rest of his life serving underneath two youths who had no idea what they were doing. The anger that grew within would be clear to Ouhuan, the thought of being ordered around by beings other than a Liege infuriated the politican; such would not happen amongst the Northerners. "So you wish for me to work below these youths?" Not being able to halt the grunt of anger that ended the sentence, the politician moved backwards from the ruler; this was becoming a wasted journey...clearly the Southerners had no idea what they were doing, bowing to youths for advice, they knew nothing of the sort; the only youths who were reputable spent their days within caves as hermits focusing on studying the classic texts day and night...just as he did. But these? Pah!

"So inform me, if you have such fine advisors... Why do you wish for me to serve you?" This question would be the last standing this Ouhuan Bai Zhan had to gain any form of interest from Gong. Indeed arrogant believing himself the most significant being within political affairs, though having the quality of being a perfectionist when given a job, he still could not remain to stand youths being his obstacle. Young Rulers, they had no thought to what would be best for them, wisdom would always conquer the immature minds of the young...

[gravenimages]

Bai Zhan takes a deep breath, nodding as he steps backward to slump into his chair. He rubs his brow for a moment, and then supports his head with fingers on his temple as he looks to Laoshan. “In all the niceties, the diplomatic speeches, I fear I may have misspoken somewhere, and I beg you forgive me now as I speak plainly. Clearly I have given the impression that you would be of a lower rank than others in the kingdom besides me; I assure you this is not the case. In such a large holding, the spheres over which you would be given influence would not overlap with those of others. My commander Vahn would continue to oversee the military. Bahn Tu would continue as my advisor in matters of southern culture, as well as his current role in administrating Yuan. And you… Sir… “

The young man sighs. “You’ve seen the conditions here, and I’m sure you’ve at least guessed at some of the holes in my administration. There are days I feel like I’m guessing in some areas. As ruler here, each day I find myself at a task to which I may not be suited. I’ve had warriors seeing to the affairs of towns, and functionaries teaching the southerners to be soldiers, because each man seemed most suited to this task. I continue to expand aggressively because success tends to gloss over such faults. Here in the capitol, I am holding everything together with aught more than memories of the north, experience from my short time as administrator in Yong, and sheer will. I hope that you would see our progress and consider the potential for future success. Success which, in turn, will result in increased need amongst the people. I fear that one day what I have to give may not be enough. It would be… A blessing, for myself and my people, to have a man with genuine experience in such matters to oversee them.”

[Gong Gong]

The smirk that was upon the politician's face had now extended into a smile, one that could not be trusted but yet a possible good sign for Ouhuan and his desires to have a being under his servitude that actually knew the world of politics; that being Gong of course. Stepping forward Laoshan was not going to make the decision known until he found out what Ouhuan was like, scraping the personality from his limbs in order to sustain any form of information that would benefit the politician in the future. "To think a Liege attempting to survive has a Warlord without any form of politicians to uphold the decrees, policies and civil affairs.. Tell me Lord Ouhuan, what form of Ruler do you see yourself as?" Finally interested in what Ouhuan had to say for himself, Gong began to plot his own path with being in the servitude of this man; the main political influence was very appealing, this way he could bend this kingdom to his ideas without any true objection..though that named advisor would have to be manipulated aswell, the laborious tasks that were ahead...