Ying Fusu's Audience Hall - Nanzheng

[fireshade]

"A man of Yan!?!" responded Quan Shao with surprise, tensing as his hand dropped to his sheathed sword, as he regarded the man with increased suspicion. "The men of Yan have no love for Qin. At least two assassination attempts were made by your compatriots . . . Jing Ke was sent by Prince Dan of Yan and Gao Jianli was a man of Yan. How and why should we trust you?"

Wei Quan sighed.

"I was afraid of that," he said with his head cast down.

"But not every person from that region is an assassin, else I would have said I were from some favorable location instead. However, I cannot change the location of my birth, nor the home where my father raised me. All I can do is lend my aid to someone of greater worth once the bonds of kinship no longer hold me in place...."

[ann]

Liao Qian clasped a fist into his hand and bowed respectfully to the man knelt at the writing table. If only slightly, the look in Meng Yi's eyes reflected that of the guards he had met, and the city in which he had looked upon. The stocky magistrate gave a slight smile at the man's direct approach to matters, and nodded his head at the man's question.

"Men who flock to the banner of cowardice are no better than the dogs they serve. I would not put myself as a coward, and as such, will not offer my allegiance to the bastard usurper who sits on the throne that should belong to his brother. Though my knowledge of capital politics is as bright as that of any other man, I can see clearly that the King of Qin is the man who should have my allegiance, and his Father's legacy firmly placed back in his hand,"

Meng Yi nodded thoughtfully as he motioned quickly to the servant who waited silently in the corner. "Tell me, I know of your township but not in as much detail as I might like, how large a force have you at your command?"

As he finished speaking the servant returned with a tray. Cups were placed before the two men and a steaming pot of tea was set between them.

[ZhangCo]

Qian knelt at the opposite side of the table as Meng Yi, and poured two cups of tea, making care to hand one to the Prime Minister before taking his own. The magistrate preferred wine, though not in the amounts that would cloud his judgement too much. However, he realised that tea was a dignified drink, and he clasped the cup in his hands, letting the warmth run through his cold fingers before he answered the question.

"I issued a first call to arms a few days ago, and five hundred men immediately came to the call. I expect the number to rise when needed, for the townsfolk are hardy and realistic, and the vast majority echo my own thoughts in the glory of the King of Qin. The problem that many of them will not know the basic actions of war is something I will be striving to change in upcoming weeks. Though, I am expecting the knowledge that our cause is the same as that of you here, especially considering the exploits of the troops you command that performed so admirably in securing the north, will drive the townsfolk to exceptional standards."

[Cao Chao]

Wei Quan sighed.

"I was afraid of that," he said with his head cast down.

"But not every person from that region is an assassin, else I would have said I were from some favorable location instead. However, I cannot change the location of my birth, nor the home where my father raised me. All I can do is lend my aid to someone of greater worth once the bonds of kinship no longer hold me in place...."

The Guard Captain humphed gruffly before gesturing for the guards at his command to search the man carefully. After all was said and done, Wei Quan was escorted into the presence of Meng Tian flanked by a pair of battlefield commanders. Meng Tian was silently regarding the topographical of the lands west of the passes, the traditional lands of the Qin. Hearing the chamberlain announce the guest, Meng Tian raised his head and waited for the man to speak.

[TGYKnow]

A man of great stature and also great ego, Wei Rong had been raised by his father to eventually be a warrior of the Qin. In fact, the young man was so full of himself that he had given himself a nickname: the Crimson Killer to be exact. The problem was, Wei had never had the motivation to serve the Emperor. In fact, he didn't really like the man who had just died. But a man he did respect was Meng Tian and since said general had put his faith in Ying Fusu, and since Wei didn't really have an opinion on the man, Wei had decided that now would be the time that he would serve the Qin. Hopefully, he would serve under Meng Tian.

A resident of Yangping, Wei had prepared his horse for the ride to Nanzheng. Donning his crimson helm and his halberd which he had so cleverly named the crimson blade, Wei jumped on his horse and rode off towards Nanzheng. Some time later he arrived at the gates of the city. After dismounting, he stood in awe of the city, and specifically the waving banners of the Qin. Shaking himself out of his daze, he strutted over towards the guards, took off his helmet and prostrated himself. He then stood and gave another sharp bow.

"I am the Crimson Killer, Wei Rong of Yangping, and I have come to pledge my complete and utter devotion to the new Emperor, and his general Meng Tian. May I be granted an audience with General Meng?"

[fireshade]

The Guard Captain humphed gruffly before gesturing for the guards at his command to search the man carefully. After all was said and done, Wei Quan was escorted into the presence of Meng Tian flanked by a pair of battlefield commanders. Meng Tian was silently regarding the topographical of the lands west of the passes, the traditional lands of the Qin. Hearing the chamberlain announce the guest, Meng Tian raised his head and waited for the man to speak.

Wei Quan slowly took a few steps forward to address the man before him.

"Greetings, noble sir... I have come here to see if the King might have a use for someone of my talents. Those being in the nature of city planning and development primarily."

He inwardly cringed a little bit, realizing that much of the eloquence that he had practiced on his way here had gone out the window during his earlier conversation and that he really should work on retrieving it.

[Cao Chao]

A man of great stature and also great ego, Wei Rong had been raised by his father to eventually be a warrior of the Qin. In fact, the young man was so full of himself that he had given himself a nickname: the Crimson Killer to be exact. The problem was, Wei had never had the motivation to serve the Emperor. In fact, he didn't really like the man who had just died. But a man he did respect was Meng Tian and since said general had put his faith in Ying Fusu, and since Wei didn't really have an opinion on the man, Wei had decided that now would be the time that he would serve the Qin. Hopefully, he would serve under Meng Tian.

A resident of Yangping, Wei had prepared his horse for the ride to Nanzheng. Donning his crimson helm and his halberd which he had so cleverly named the crimson blade, Wei jumped on his horse and rode off towards Nanzheng. Some time later he arrived at the gates of the city. After dismounting, he stood in awe of the city, and specifically the waving banners of the Qin. Shaking himself out of his daze, he strutted over towards the guards, took off his helmet and prostrated himself. He then stood and gave another sharp bow.

"I am the Crimson Killer, Wei Rong of Yangping, and I have come to pledge my complete and utter devotion to the new Emperor, and his general Meng Tian. May I be granted an audience with General Meng?"

"You mean the King," responded the guard captain. "The Crown Prince did not see it fitting to ascend through the Dragon Throne of Emperor whilst he only controls but a small portion of what was once a great empire, instead choosing to be the King of Qin. The King believes that until he rebuilds and restores Xianyang and regains the lands ruled by the First Emperor, he will not take the title Emperor."

"Supreme Commander Meng Tian is available for audiences," continued the guard captain, carefully eyeing the man up and down. "Though what services do you offer? Are you a warrior? Or a general?"

Wei Quan slowly took a few steps forward to address the man before him.

"Greetings, noble sir... I have come here to see if the King might have a use for someone of my talents. Those being in the nature of city planning and development primarily."

He inwardly cringed a little bit, realizing that much of the eloquence that he had practiced on his way here had gone out the window during his earlier conversation and that he really should work on retrieving it.

"We will surely need your talents when the armies loyal to the King march north to Xianyang," answered the general after a few moments of consideration. "The restoration and rebuilding of what had been the capital of Qin for nay 150 years will be a massive undertaking."

He paused briefly, turning his head towards the diorama before him. "You are a man of Yan. Is there a particular reason that you wish to serve the King of Qin? The land is now in chaos and the royal family of your home state will inevitably rise to attempt to reclaim their throne and domains. Why Qin? Why not serve your homeland?"

[TGYKnow]

"You mean the King," responded the guard captain. "The Crown Prince did not see it fitting to ascend through the Dragon Throne of Emperor whilst he only controls but a small portion of what was once a great empire, instead choosing to be the King of Qin. The King believes that until he rebuilds and restores Xianyang and regains the lands ruled by the First Emperor, he will not take the title Emperor."

"Supreme Commander Meng Tian is available for audiences," continued the guard captain, carefully eyeing the man up and down. "Though what services do you offer? Are you a warrior? Or a general?"

Wei Rong was slightly embarrassed that he had mistakingly said the wrong title for Ying Fusu. Trying not to show that he was blushing, he flashed a sharp smile at the guard.

"Ah, I apologize, I am not a politician so I do not keep up with titles. In my eyes, the King of Qin is the true Emperor, and I would like to help him rebuild Xianyang and ascend the throne. To answer your question though, I am primarily a warrior, but I can, if need be serve as a general as well. If you spend enough time with me you will quickly realize that I am a man of many talents. Now here is my blade, I'd like to see General Meng"

Wei bowed again, he was satisfied with his response to the guard and hoped to avoid further conversation with this man of little importance.

[Cao Chao]

Wei Rong was slightly embarrassed that he had mistakingly said the wrong title for Ying Fusu. Trying not to show that he was blushing, he flashed a sharp smile at the guard.

"Ah, I apologize, I am not a politician so I do not keep up with titles. In my eyes, the King of Qin is the true Emperor, and I would like to help him rebuild Xianyang and ascend the throne. To answer your question though, I am primarily a warrior, but I can, if need be serve as a general as well. If you spend enough time with me you will quickly realize that I am a man of many talents. Now here is my blade, I'd like to see General Meng"

Wei bowed again, he was satisfied with his response to the guard and hoped to avoid further conversation with this man of little importance.

"Uh-huh," was the short response. Quan Shao quickly supervised the search of Wei Rong. When his halberd and helm had been taken into custody with promises of returning after all was done, a group of four guards escorted the warrior into the citadel. After a series of twists and turns, the group arrived before the parade grounds where several hundred soldiers trained. On a wooden raised dais, the famed general of Qin, Meng Tian, stood quietly observing the proceedings.

One of the guards informed the veteran commander of the visitor's arrivals. Nodding his head, Meng Tian descended quickly from the dais in one bound. Although shorter than the giant of man, Meng Tian still stood tall at seven and a half spans tall. He looked impressive in his armor, a set gifted to his grandfather by the great Qin general Bai Qi, the Marquis of Martial Peace. His hand resting on the pommel of his sheathed sword, he calmly regarded the warrior before him. "I am Meng Tian."

[TGYKnow]

"Uh-huh," was the short response. Quan Shao quickly supervised the search of Wei Rong. When his halberd and helm had been taken into custody with promises of returning after all was done, a group of four guards escorted the warrior into the citadel. After a series of twists and turns, the group arrived before the parade grounds where several hundred soldiers trained. On a wooden raised dais, the famed general of Qin, Meng Tian, stood quietly observing the proceedings.

One of the guards informed the veteran commander of the visitor's arrivals. Nodding his head, Meng Tian descended quickly from the dais in one bound. Although shorter than the giant of man, Meng Tian still stood tall at seven and a half spans tall. He looked impressive in his armor, a set gifted to his grandfather by the great Qin general Bai Qi, the Marquis of Martial Peace. His hand resting on the pommel of his sheathed sword, he calmly regarded the warrior before him. "I am Meng Tian."

As he was led through the parade grounds, Wei was amazed and became excited as he saw the soldiers training. War was not something he feared, it was his dream, his ultimate goal. How lucky was he to be born into a period of unrest. As Meng Tian introduced himself, Wei prostrated himself once again, and did not rise until the General spoke. As Wei rose, a serious look appeared on his face, gone was the awkward smile he had shown to the guard at the gate.

"General Meng, it is an extreme honor to meet you. I, uh, have trained since I was a small boy in hopes of someday serving under the banner of the Qin."

Wei stopped for a second. He wasn't sure what to say, and he had never been the best speaker growing up. He had hoped to show some sort of display of his might, but looking around, he couldn't really think of any way to show his strength. With the same serious look on his face, he started stumbling through his words again.

"Um, and ever since I heard of your exploits under the late Emperor, and your, ahh, loyalty to the King of Qin, I have wanted to serve under your leadership. I was hoping to show off my strength and martial ability to you, but I can't think of any way to do so. So, without any, um, proof of my ability, I must humbly ask that you accept me into your ranks, and I will prove my worth in time."