Chen Imperial Council

[Phailak]

Zhang Han took in the council with a wild interest in his eyes. They darted left and right, trying to measure up all that was going on. He did not believe for one moment that there could be a peaceful resolution to this mess that had become the land, yet he was very intrigued by the turn of events in the last year.

He walked beside his new King, to his right, repeating to himself that he was merely a Duke now. The sound of it did not sound so bitter. He kept his gaze on Ma Dieu, trying to appraise the Warlord that took down Xiang Yu. He seemed a fine warrior, perhaps a great leader of men which made Han wonder where all the strategy came from. No amount of brawn and courage could of defeated Xiang Yu's vast host...

Han had no fear for foul play, this Warlord had stepped on so many toes already, surely this was merely a way to try and appease some of his neighbors. Han did not care how well the man fought, if a coalition decided against him, he would be crushed just as Xiang Yu was.

[Oro]

Wen Luan was already in attendance, accompanied by both her second and her bodyguard respectively, Qiao Sen and Tie Niangzi. She sat calmly, sipping some alcohol from a set of ceramic cups with her officers, waiting for the meeting to start.

[Wild Wolf]

Following closely behind Wen Luan, Pojian walked with wobbly feet and her hand leaning on the wall for balance. She spent three whole minutes figuring out how to take her seat without falling, but in the end ended up going down with her butt against the floor. She decided to no longer keep fighting the powerful chair and instead remained standing beside Wen Luan, staggering and unable to keep herself straight.

[Brother Dun]

Xing Cai had been waiting around with his small escort, wondering when the proceedings would actually begin. Finally, when a messenger arrived to summon him, Xing Cai had to fight mightily to banish the ennui... He had grown quite accustomed to lazing about waiting for this thing to start....

However, the delegate of Sai was present for and accounted for before anything important truly began...

[Lurking Tyranny]

Dutifully the Prime Minister returned the bows that had been offered to him, but there was a weariness in his movements and a barely suppressed resentment in his gaze. Many of those who were in attendance today had once claimed loyalty to the Emperor and to him, yet so few kept true to their words. He had been left to perish at the hands of that brute Qing Bu and only his own military savvy and the assistance of men of true loyalty like Rou Jang had shielded him from the same gruesome fate that befell the late Emperor.

Fan Zeng was a little surprised that the King of Wei had yet to enter the main chambers, but he kept his silence. A glance was given in the direction of Ma Dieu and his cadre of generals and ministers. For the moment the venerable Prime Minister of Chu kept to silence, waiting for the many to mill in, curious who else would show their faces.

[Phailak]

Lai noted all the people he thought should be there, aside from the King of Wei being delayed, he did not really expect others.

"The Prime Minister will divulge who he believes should inherit the mantle of Heaven. If you have objections, suggestions or questions, we will address them afterward."

With that, Lai sat back down and waited patiently for the Prime Minister.

[Mardagg]

Ma Dieu stays silent, waiting for what the Prime Minsiter would reveal to the guests...

[Shen Feng]

Well, they were getting right down to business, weren't they? Feng folded his arms in front of himself, turning a curious look to the Prime Minister, wondering who he had in mind. The fact that Ma Dieu's men had just come right out and said it seemed to hint that Fan Zeng had talked to them about his choice previously.

But who could it be? They'd proven themselves enemies of the Xiang clan. Had they found another farmer, another shepherd, of the Xiangs to fill the shoes of the previous one? That hadn't worked the first time. Or were they going to go outside the family? If so, it could be anyone.

[Rue Goung]

Jang stood beside the prime minster. looking about at all the lords and envoys present. its been a long road, a road paved in blood and gore. but finely it has come to peace, hopefully this will bring them together and end this chaos. taking in a deep breath jang awaited the news.

[Lurking Tyranny]

Lai noted all the people he thought should be there, aside from the King of Wei being delayed, he did not really expect others.

"The Prime Minister will divulge who he believes should inherit the mantle of Heaven. If you have objections, suggestions or questions, we will address them afterward."

With that, Lai sat back down and waited patiently for the Prime Minister.

Once Lai had seated himself the elderly Prime Minister got to his feet and stood at the edge of the long table. His wrinkled hands rested flat on the wooden surface and he cleared his voice. Before he spoke his clever eyes darted to each of the faces present. Some here he recognized and even had some friendship with, others were almost mysteries to him. There was a disappointment evident on the bearded face of Fan Zeng when he noticed a few important figures missing.

"During my time in Wei I bent my resources to finding and securing the familial relations of the late Emperor. Xiang Yu in his arrogance did not believe any member of the house of Mi could ever rise to challenge him. We are fortunate in his mistake." The venerable Prime Minister of Chu ground his teeth together hesitating for a few moments as emotion welled up inside him. He had once had a great deal of love for Xiang Yu and he still felt the sting of the man's betrayal. In addition, he still worried of the fate of his own family.

"A successor to the late Emperor has been secured. He is a member of the house of Mi, tracing his line through the children of King Xiong Fuchu. His name is Mi Xiong Gen and upon his ascension we would grant him the title Emperor Kang of Chu." Fan Zeng stated the information rather quickly and pushed on to the equally important matters at hand. "Yet our recent troubles have shown us that Heaven's mandate, though sacred and universal, can be defied and stained by those who would risk everything for their own ambitions. We must have men who will support the Emperor, who will pledge themselves to him. Kingships will be granted and our land will be unified. We must not let our sacrifices in bringing down the Qin amount to nothing."