Ying Fusu's Audience Hall - Nanzheng

[Imaginos]

*grumbly grumbly*

Yan Guang bowed and nodded to the guard. He returned to where Shi Jian was standing, glanced at him, then returned to his horse. Danli cast a withering look at the guard and snapped his attention away, mounting his horse in a huff and riding away from his comrades towards the city gate. Only Mei Si was left standing there, facing the guard with her blank eyes. She nodded, saying nothing, slowly pacing back to her horse and following her comrades out of the city.

[Charlemagne]

"Of the men that are more admired amongst the supporters of His Imperial Majesty, the King of Qin, is Lü Buwei, foster father of the First Emperor and Chancellor of the Qin," answered Chunyu Yue. "If you recall there was a work that was produced during his tenure as Chancellor and Regent. You may have heard of it . . . Mr. Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals, an encyclopedic compendium of the early philosophical systems that was the result of the combined works of thousands famous scholars from all over the Middle Kingdom."

"If you venerable master would have recalled from the gossip of the time," continued the official, "The King was exiled to the northern frontier under the guidance of the Supreme Commander, because of his opposition to Li Si's totalitarian policies. As such, within the domain of the Kingdom of Qin, scholarly learning of all types and forms have been encouraged. I am sure that your efforts would be welcomed and applauded."

Gesturing for a messenger, Chunyu Yue quickly wrote several lines of characters. Folding it, he sent the messenger on his way. "I have sent a message to the Chancellor, Meng Yi, of your wish to scribe some texts for us. Please wait here, you shall speak with the Chancellor when he is free. I'm sure he'll be more than happy to commission some works."

If Li Ning was insulted by the question, he did not seem to display such. He simply nodded to the man, and gave him and understanding look. "I have long admired the Chancellor's work, and just the oppurtunity to speak to him would be an honor."

Resettling himself and smoothing his robes, the old man looked grateful to the minister. "I am in your debt already Lord Chunyu. For both your time, and your recommendation."

[Cao Chao]

Each meeting had been the same as before - she would give the formal greeting, but the powerful and prominent commander of the Qin had always greeted her the same - warmly and if she were one of his own children. He was one of the two men she would ever be subordinate to, her two uncles by adoption that she would always willingly follow - a respect that she had not given an elder since the days where her mother was still alive. She had felt with him much like her friend Laoxin had felt with her biological father - like she mattered in the world, and that the life that she had experienced was not the only thing in store for her. She had found a little peace within herself because of him, and the chances that she had been given was a great blessing, especially to be cared for by the renowned Supreme Commander.

Feeling color rush to her pale cheeks as she received the kiss atop her forehead, Lin smiled as she nodded her head. "I have been very well, Uncle - the grace of the Heavens have kept me healthy in the time that we were apart. The journey was long and the rainstorms were rough, but I have made it - I had business to take care of in Wei, and I had to come find you after I heard the news of your move." Coming back to him and returning the embrace, she knew he would be a little grim at the issue - it was not a very good one, and she could imagine how much stress he had been feeling as of late. "But I have missed you. Have you been well? And how does His Highness fare, and your brother, as well?"

"The scared, little girl adopted by Wang Ben in Wei is now a beautiful young lady," said Meng Tian with a ear to ear smile of happiness, as he looked with amazement and cheery delight at Qiao Lin's maturation. "Wang Ben rests easily in death knowing that his charge has grown up and ready to take on the world."

"Rainstorms?" he stated disquietly, as he carefully made the young lady open up her mouth to stare at her tongue. "I hope you haven't caught any ills or chills in your journey."

"Brother Yi is doing well," he replied, as they spoke of more important matters. His brow furrowing, he continued. "He's been weighed down interminably by the all the administrative he has to do. The vast majority of the officials followed the traitorous scum, Li Si and Zhao Gao, to Henan. He has to do so much . . . and with so little . . . "

"His Highness is doing well," he stated cryptically, shaking his head at some of the recent antics of the still immature young man (though quickly maturing young man), especially that misguided and idiotic duel with Wei Rong.

If Li Ning was insulted by the question, he did not seem to display such. He simply nodded to the man, and gave him and understanding look. "I have long admired the Chancellor's work, and just the oppurtunity to speak to him would be an honor."

Resettling himself and smoothing his robes, the old man looked grateful to the minister. "I am in your debt already Lord Chunyu. For both your time, and your recommendation."

"Very well, Sir," said the Master of Purification rising from his seat. "An attendant will serve you a noonday meal and attend to your needs if you have any. It may take a few hours before the Chancellor is able to wrench himself from the affairs of state, though I'm sure he'd be pleased to greet a learned scholar like yourself."

[Charlemagne]

"Very well, Sir," said the Master of Purification rising from his seat. "An attendant will serve you a noonday meal and attend to your needs if you have any. It may take a few hours before the Chancellor is able to wrench himself from the affairs of state, though I'm sure he'd be pleased to greet a learned scholar like yourself."

The old man nodded respectfully and showed infinite patience while he waited. He said nothing but "thank you" to those who served him his meal, and he made a point not to disturb anyone while he waited for his meeting.

Han was not too terribly far from his home in Nanyang, and he found the area to be generally familiar. Though he was not quite accustomed to palaces, he tried not to look too intimidated during his stay at Ying Fusu's estate.

[Taishi Ci]

(This is now taking place in July, since nothing important has happened yet.)

"Why have you traveled here from Sai, Village Headman Li?" inquired the guard captain, Quan Shao, with curiosity. "Why do you wish for a meeting with a representative of His Majesty, the King of Qin?"

"There are reports coming in of an army marching into Sai from Henan, under the banner of the rebel Huhai. I'm here to ask about His Majesty's plans regarding troop movements himself. I have an idea I'd like to suggest to him that he may find appealing."

[Adranis]

"The scared, little girl adopted by Wang Ben in Wei is now a beautiful young lady," said Meng Tian with a ear to ear smile of happiness, as he looked with amazement and cheery delight at Qiao Lin's maturation. "Wang Ben rests easily in death knowing that his charge has grown up and ready to take on the world."

"Rainstorms?" he stated disquietly, as he carefully made the young lady open up her mouth to stare at her tongue. "I hope you haven't caught any ills or chills in your journey."

"Brother Yi is doing well," he replied, as they spoke of more important matters. His brow furrowing, he continued. "He's been weighed down interminably by the all the administrative he has to do. The vast majority of the officials followed the traitorous scum, Li Si and Zhao Gao, to Henan. He has to do so much . . . and with so little . . . "

"His Highness is doing well," he stated cryptically, shaking his head at some of the recent antics of the still immature young man (though quickly maturing young man), especially that misguided and idiotic duel with Wei Rong.

"Oh Uncle, I was never scared," she said in amusement, shaking her head at his words. She was appreciative of his love for her, eternally grateful - and the fact that she had finally found somewhere she belonged was a pay-off of all the years of her hardship and agony. Exhaling a deep breath as she reflected on her deceased adopted father, Lin bowed her head in a respectful and solemn manner. "His strength is channeled through me, I feel his guard all around me from the Heavens. And I am glad that you are all proud of me and what I have become."

Made to open her mouth as Meng Tian worriedly observed her tongue and throat, she waited until he was finished before replying in assurance, "None at all, lest I would not have come - you as well as those around you could not afford to be ill. And I could not bear to place worry on your hands had I even been ill and arrived regardless of my condition. The mere effect that the rain has had on me is simply the soaking wetness that nature intended."

Nodding, she stifled a small yawn as she once again glanced around the recieving room and then picked up the cup of tea she had been sipping at beforehand. Taking another drink of the wam liquid, she said, "I am glad for Uncle Yi's fortune, but I hope that you both do not forget to rest yourselves." Shaking her head, the young woman frowned at the mention of the traitors, placing a gentle hand over her uncle's own. "May the grace of the Heavens continue to be with our King. Have no fear, Uncle. With faith and due time, the tables will turn to your favor - I am certain that the rebels will fall."

She motioned for her uncle to follow her back to where she had been settled before. Resting her hands in her lap even as she held the cup within them, her brows were raised in curiousity. "There is much I have to tell you. But first, I have heard rumors through the various townsfolk that there has been much commotion in the northeast - what say you to the foolishness of their fighting?"

[Cao Chao]

"There are reports coming in of an army marching into Sai from Henan, under the banner of the rebel Huhai. I'm here to ask about His Majesty's plans regarding troop movements himself. I have an idea I'd like to suggest to him that he may find appealing."

(OOC: *slaps TC around a bit with a large trout* Bad.)

"Hmmph," responded the guard captain shaking his head, "We already have known this information for some time and we have our agents in Luoyang. I'm sure your intentions are well-meaning, but I must question though, what ideas can a village headman offer His Majesty?"

Nodding, she stifled a small yawn as she once again glanced around the recieving room and then picked up the cup of tea she had been sipping at beforehand. Taking another drink of the warm liquid, she said, "I am glad for Uncle Yi's fortune, but I hope that you both do not forget to rest yourselves." Shaking her head, the young woman frowned at the mention of the traitors, placing a gentle hand over her uncle's own. "May the grace of the Heavens continue to be with our King. Have no fear, Uncle. With faith and due time, the tables will turn to your favor - I am certain that the rebels will fall."

She motioned for her uncle to follow her back to where she had been settled before. Resting her hands in her lap even as she held the cup within them, her brows were raised in curiosity. "There is much I have to tell you. But first, I have heard rumors through the various townsfolk that there has been much commotion in the northeast - what say you to the foolishness of their fighting?"

Meng Tian frowned, unsure if it was right to call a goat a horse. Meng Yi was having far too many sleepless nights dealing with all the administrative duties of the Kingdom of Qin. It was his misfortune to be such a talented, irreplaceable individual wedded so to interminable duties and responsibilities.

"You refer to the on-goings in Yan?" he inquired with a quirked eyebrow. "Or was there something else?"

[ann]

"Very well, Sir," said the Master of Purification rising from his seat. "An attendant will serve you a noonday meal and attend to your needs if you have any. It may take a few hours before the Chancellor is able to wrench himself from the affairs of state, though I'm sure he'd be pleased to greet a learned scholar like yourself."

The old man nodded respectfully and showed infinite patience while he waited. He said nothing but "thank you" to those who served him his meal, and he made a point not to disturb anyone while he waited for his meeting.

Han was not too terribly far from his home in Nanyang, and he found the area to be generally familiar. Though he was not quite accustomed to palaces, he tried not to look too intimidated during his stay at Ying Fusu's estate.

((Oh I didn't notice the message about this sorry for the delay!))

Eventually, long after the meal was done, a attendant came and said, "The Chancellor is available now. I shall escort you if that is agreeable?"

((assuming it is))

The attendant led the way through the palace and out a doorway to a small garden. It was very simple, but especially pleasant. Surrounded by the palace walls but only accessible from two small doorways it was very private and quiet. There was a small maple tree and several flowering bushes. A small pond was in the center and near it knelt an older man who appeared to be meditating.

The man turned at the sound of their approach and rose slowly. He said, "I am Meng Yi, and I understand that you are a scribe? I am pleased that you have come to see us. You will understand that circumstances have caused the loss of many scrolls which I sorely miss."

After he spoke he nodded to the attendant who left and then motioned to a mat near the one from which he had arrison. "I find it very soothing, Lord Li, to spend time in the garden at this time of the day." As he spoke he knelt again.

[Charlemagne]

((Oh I didn't notice the message about this sorry for the delay!))

Eventually, long after the meal was done, a attendant came and said, "The Chancellor is available now. I shall escort you if that is agreeable?"

((assuming it is))

The attendant led the way through the palace and out a doorway to a small garden. It was very simple, but especially pleasant. Surrounded by the palace walls but only accessible from two small doorways it was very private and quiet. There was a small maple tree and several flowering bushes. A small pond was in the center and near it knelt an older man who appeared to be meditating.

The man turned at the sound of their approach and rose slowly. He said, "I am Meng Yi, and I understand that you are a scribe? I am pleased that you have come to see us. You will understand that circumstances have caused the loss of many scrolls which I sorely miss."

After he spoke he nodded to the attendant who left and then motioned to a mat near the one from which he had arrison. "I find it very soothing, Lord Li, to spend time in the garden at this time of the day." As he spoke he knelt again.

((No sweat. I was hating on Cao Chao for it anyway.))

Ning bowed his head and lowered himself to his knees beside Meng Yi. Taking in a deep breath himself, the old man nodded. "I am inclined to agree with you, Minister. My days remaining upon the earth are not many, but I would have gladly put off my business until tomorrow, had I known I would be interrupting you."

The summer sun was warm on Li Ning's skin, and the garden was peaceful enough. Lingering for a long moment in silence, Li Ning finally smiled and opened his eyes. "I would be glad to revisit when the rain clouds have gathered overhead, if you would prefer it, my lord."

CC's Edit: I hates you too!

[Adranis]

Meng Tian frowned, unsure if it was right to call a goat a horse. Meng Yi was having far too many sleepless nights dealing with all the administrative duties of the Kingdom of Qin. It was his misfortune to be such a talented, irreplaceable individual wedded so to interminable duties and responsibilities.

"You refer to the on-goings in Yan?" he inquired with a quirked eyebrow. "Or was there something else?"

She nodded, continuing to shake her head. "I've heard of the abundance of forces there, fighting for the land in their foolish aggression and ambition..." The young woman frowned as well, seeing the same look on her Uncle's face. The world was so complicated, and the land was torn apart - it would only get worse as the months went on. "Perhaps it was too bold for me to make a prediction for the future...but nonetheless I wish to believe the best for you - reasoning..."

Qiao Lin just stopped there, choosing not to elaborate on something she did not really know about anymore. Events were happening quickly, and she was simply a bystander that had no part in it. After taking another long sip of tea, she asked quietly, her voice full of concern, "Is there anything that I can do to help you, Uncle? I know I cannot match others, but..." She chuckled. "After my visit to my hometown, I am at a crossroads."