Wu Chen's Audience Hall - Handan

Radical Dreamer · Post by **Radical Dreamer** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:10 pm

Gao briefly nodded before turning back to the flights of insects. "Search as you would. I'm sure my guest agrees to one as well, right, Cai?"

Ashikaga · Post by **Ashikaga** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:28 pm

The guards searched Hua Gao and his vassals but waited on the response from this "Cai". They did not know whether to search him now by the man's acceptance, or forcibly by might of their numbers. The Captain turned to the man named Cai and said, "Well?"

Wokimo · Post by **Wokimo** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 2:53 pm

"Of course." he said simply and allowed the search to proceed without hinderance.

Meanwhile T'ung Xia led off the horses to find a place where they could be stabled for the duration of the meeting. It wasn't that he was not trusted by Haoqi to be there, but his presence was surplus to requirement and he could be fully informed of events later.

Ashikaga · Post by **Ashikaga** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 3:01 pm

After the search had been completed all on those wishing to enter the halloed halls of the king, the group was allow in, escorted by the captain who stopped at all the necessary checkpoints to finally see the king. The captain bowed low and announced the arrival of the guests. "Your Majesty, the Honorable King Wu Chen of Zhao, guests have arrived seeking your presence. The Honorable Hua Gao, your vassal, and his guest Lord Cai."

The guard captain stopped at Cai for he had forgotten to get the man's whole name. The Captain allowed himself out and left the guests with the King and all his soldiers. "Welcome, welcome it is an honor to see you again Hua Gao, and I see you are still in good health. And Lord Cai, I am pleased to meet you. Please, before you tell me what is on your mind, may I offer you drinks or food, after the trip here one might believe you to be a bit parched."

Of course, Wu Chen did not know how far each of the men had traveled to get here so he offered them his hospitality in the best way he could.

Radical Dreamer · Post by **Radical Dreamer** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 3:28 pm

"Ah, it is around tea time. I shall take some," Gao stated, happy at not being forced to miss his afternoon brunch. After a moment, the ditsy young man remembered to bow.

"My lord," he began, "I am pleased to present Cai Xingzhe, a noble from Jibei and influential figure in the region. He, like many other nobles throughout the region, have been in contact with the Hua family for years. I believe he has an interesting proposal to place before the court and I beg my King to consider it."

Finished with his little speak, Gao quickly sidestepped out of the way of his guest and over to the finger foods. He so loved party favors.

Ashikaga · Post by **Ashikaga** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 3:45 pm

Wu Chen was intrigued by what the man had to say, he had set his eyes onto Jibei now that Lu Ying had moved into the province. He gestured to an attendant who left, and quickly returned with a tray of tea. Cups were offered to each man and to the King. Wu Chen spoke after taking his first sip, his attentions directed at this Cai guest. "I believe I have heard of the Cai family of Jibei, perhaps you hail from the same one of which I speak. Now, what offer do you have for me today?"

The king was genuinely interested, and should it be good enough, he would shower the man with praise and gifts as was Wu Chen's custom.

Lu Ying · Post by **Lu Ying** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 5:08 pm

Lu Ying followed the messanger sent to her at Ping Yuan till they finally arrived at the gates of Wu Chens palace in Julu. From here she stopped and waited for the guards to direct her as needed.

Wokimo · Post by **Wokimo** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 5:32 pm

After waiting for the King to first drink, as was the custom, Cai Xingzhe greatfully accepted the tea which was brought and drank it down slowly, so he could savour the taste. Though warm, it did much to quench his thirst an loosen his tongue so that he could speak clearly once again. He paused a moment to compose himself after what had been a rather busy and trying few days.

"Your majesty has commanded that his armies take to the field in Jibei so that the order that exists here in the ancient kingdom of Zhao might spread to the region, a noble cause no doubt. I have little doubt that I am from the Cai family that your illustrious ear has heard of and so you must know what is expected of me by my ancestors and the people of the region." he began. "It is my duty to ensure that Jibei is returned to a state of universal order and pave the way for it to become prosperous, so I have been working for some months to expand my own influence there. The aim of such endevours was to evict the current prefect of Pingyuan, who is corrupt to his very core, and to use the place as a base from which to bring order to the region generally. However, you have intervened through Lu Ying and so I need not concern myself with Pingyuan anymore."

The words cut him but he chided himself mentally for crying over spilt milk and reminded himself that he was a Cai. Cai's had no time for sore losers.

"Instead I would pledge my help in securing the city of Donga for you, Your Highness. I am confident I can wrest the city from the prefect there this very month and I only await your blessing to proceed." he said with conviction.

Ashikaga · Post by **Ashikaga** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:30 pm

Wu Chen leaned his head back and smiled devilishly, His prominence had finally be realized, and so, he was gaining the respect he deserved in the north. These connections were exactly the kind he needed, men who came to him of their own accord, would more likely stay loyal. He nodded and stood up to looki at them, "Yes, brilliant! You have my full blessing on your endeavor, however I pose a question for you, do you take the city in my name, to allow me to directly rule over it as I do Julu, or do you seek to establish yourself as a lord in my name?"

Wu Chen stroked his beard, feeling more powerful with each passing day, he could finally bring peace to the north and overthrow the tyranny of the Qin.

Lu Ying,

The guards allowed her in without delay, taking her directly to the king. Upon seeing her he was ecstatic. He smiled and looked down to her, "Aichi has found victory once again, I pray the journey here has treated you well."

Lu Ying · Post by **Lu Ying** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:38 pm

Ashikaga wrote: Lu Ying,

The guards allowed her in without delay, taking her directly to the king. Upon seeing her he was ecstatic. He smiled and looked down to her, "Aichi has found victory once again, I pray the journey here has treated you well."

"My King!" Lu Ying exclaimed before bowing, then speaking on once done with her low bow. "I have taken Ping Yuan with little to no efforet. My army is larger now with the captives then when it marched on the city itself."

Lu Ying looked up from her bow and smiled some more before going on "I would... like to take this victory as an oppertunity to speak with you privatly, if you trust me enought to talk as such. I will not be offended if you turn down my request"