Cai Xingzhe's Audience Hall - Donga

[ann]

Donga was once a bustling place on the banks of the Qijiang, where merchants came to dock their ships and trade freely with each other and the inhabitants of the city. However, such heydays would not last forever and when the peerless armies of the Qin marched East to the conquest of the entire country, as unstoppable and irresistible as wildfire, Donga would fall on hard times indeed. Under the Qin government, represented in Donga by Shang Pang the Abductor, there were few families who had not lost members to the Great Wall or other huge and questionable projects or who had merely been taken away and never seen again.

Following the death of the First Emperor rebellion had errupted throughout China and the people, hearing of the gradual collapse of the government, had hoped that things would change for them. But for a time nothing did. It was not until a year after Qin Shi Huang’s demise that a local noble of the Cai Family rose up and liberated the city from Magistrate Shang, but when it came, the people of Donga rejoiced and set about the task of making Donga great once more.

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A Description of the Palace from the View of a Visitor
The flood-plains on which Donga is built are almost completely flat and the only point of vantage within the city is the low hill on which the city’s palace was built. From the main gates of the city, a cobbled avenue meanders slightly as it makes its way through the homes and businesses of the residents, to the central hill of this ancient settlement. The shallow slopes of the hill lent itself to building an access road, so visitors to the palace can enjoy the short ascent on horseback or in their carriage. The palace itself is encased in a protective wall, not unassailable, but difficult to attack when a garrison is available to defend it, such as the one housed at the nearby barracks.

As people enter through the majestic oak gates, they are struck with the elegant simplicity of the palace: a low set building with a veranda at the top of its steps, supported by wooden beams on which are carved prayers to protect the building from the elements. Illegal under Qin rule, such signs of religious belief were added shortly after the city was taken from the Qin. Immediately within the palace doors, a second checkpoint is manned by a cadre of Cai Xingzhe’s own men, loyal servants from before his ascension to power. Beyond this room is the audience chamber, a room that is large enough to accommodate a full session of court, and it is here that Cai Xingzhe meets with his guests. The walls of this room are covered in ornate frescoes that depict every aspect of Jibei's countryside and native wildlife and the wooden floor is highly polished, so that the light that enters through the open windows plays off it and further illuminates the room. At the far end of the intricately woven carpet that runs the length of the room, a dais rises a foot above the rest of the room. On it, a carved, wooden screen masks the passageway to the business end of the centre of Donga’s administration and a simple but comfortable chair acts as a throne for the city’s ruler.

[Radical Dreamer]

A small procession of riders and a single carriage rode under the gates of Donga. Their leader, an aged general in splendid armor and driving the wagon, looked over his shoulder at the two newest recruits and scoffed.

He was too old for this shit. Why couldn't he just retire already?

At the steps leading up to the palace, a slight figure descended from under the wide umbrella that was covering his ride. With nonchalant grace, he descended the stairs with his two senior-most retainers and bowed to the guards.

"Hua Gao, here to see the new governor."

[AaronH229]

Guo Shao and Man Lin arrive at the gates of the city they had failed to take earlier in the same month. Looking at the banners flying it above it someone had succeeded, well at least there was man in charge now who, hopefully, wasn't a Qin lapdog. Only visiting him could prove that either way. With a sigh to himself and pausing to flatten his hair and curry it into some semblance of order Shao makes his way up to the entrance to the audience hall proper. Pausing in front of the guards he looks at them expectantly and not getting an instant reply he decides to introduce himself.

"I am Guo Shao, the former Magistrate of Waizhan, I am here to see the man who now rules in this city. On a matter of...employment. i hope that he will deign to meet with me and my retainer Man Lin. I of course submit to any necessary searches."

Finishing his short introduction he removes his sword and offers it hilt first to the guards and gestures for Man Lin to do the same.

[Wokimo]

@Dreamer
The captain of the detatchment of guards that were currently on duty at the palace entrance saw at once that the visitor was no mere peasant and cracked off a crisp salute.

"Right away!" he cried and rushed off through the gates to inform the District Manager that Hua Gao was here to see him.

It wasn't long before he returned and saluted again.

"Come this way please, District Manager Cai has been expecting you, Lord Hua." the captain informed the guest and made to escort him through the gate.

One of the soldiers of lesser rank came forward to search and disarm Hua Gao as was protocol for any visitor to Haoqi's palace, but the captain shook his head and bid him return to standing guard. Clearly, Cai Xingzhe had deemed that this guest was trustworthy enough to be allowed into his presence without the usual precautions and so he was quickly lead into the presence of the cities new leader.

"Ah, if it isn't my friend Lord Hua come to pay me a visit. Do come in and have a seat." he said in a cheery tone that had been absent when last they met.

It was hard not to be cheerful in such a place as the two nobles were now occupying. The walls of the room were covered in ornate frescoes that depicted every aspect of Jibei's countryside and native wildlife and the wooden floor was highly polished, so that the light that entered through the open windows played off it and further illuminated the room. Thankfully the room had not seen the fighting that other parts of the city had during the uprising against its former Qin-appointed magistrate. Haoqi's outstretched hand indicated a spot a few feat away from his own siting place on the dais, where a low-backed but comfortable chair had been positioned.

"I thank you for your help, Lord Hua. Without it I would not be so secure in my position here as I am." he said expansively.

Behind Haoqi on the dias, two of his finest soldiers stood to attention but other than this they were quite alone and able to speak without fear of their conversations getting abroad.

@AaronH
One of the guards came forward and recieved the sword with due care and took it to the guard house on the inside of the main gates, along with any further weapon-like impliments that were found during a thorough but relatively un-intrusive search. Satisfied that the new-comers posed no threat to the new District Manager, the captain of the guards and two of his underlings escorted Guo Shao and Man Lin into the palace and eventually to the audience hall itself. Here, in a room decorated with tasteful frescoes and polished wood, they met Cai Xingzhe seated on a slightly raised dais. The nobleman indicated that the visitors should have a seat in the two low-backed but comfortable chairs which had been set a few feat away from him. In attendance were four guardsmen who stood at attention behind their ruler, prepared to defend him, but not expecting to have to.

"So you are Master Guo, the one who's rebellion I was unfortunate enough to have missed? I regret I was not in a position to be of assistance at the time, but all is well in the end. Shang Pang has been removed from this place and from the world as a whole, taking with him the blight of Qin influence in Donga." he said once his guests had seated themselves. "I am delighted to hear that one brave enough to oppose the Qin so openly as yourself has come seeking employment."

His tone was friendly and a smile was worn when it was appropriate, making his kind words all the more believable, not that his sentiment wasn't genuine in the first place.

[Radical Dreamer]

"Ah, such a thing was as simple as turning over my hand, think nothing of it," Gao said, brushing away the mountain of paperwork and time he had invested getting Cai this very city. "However, have the people here taken to you yet? I trust no Qin enclaves are still within the city?"

Not that Gao was here on business, mind you. He was simply making conversation before settling down to his true purpose. "Ah, but I take up too much of your time. You are a busy magistrate while I am simply a landless noble. I shall get to the point."

"I am wondering, my friend, if you have had time to reflect upon your offer of aid that was made in King Zhao's court. I have enough men to move into Wei and gather a village, but I thought to see if you wished to contribute...of course, you are not obligated. Really, I just want to see how you are..."

[AaronH229]

Guo Shao nods along with what was said by the man in front of him, pleased with the sentiments expressed by the man, he could not however but feel slightly bitter it wasnt just that he had failed to overthrow the Qin magistrate, he had lost his pride, and his equipment in the failed coup. Perhaps the man would be willing to replace at least some of it...

"Lord Cai, I am happy to hear that you have removed the Qin blight here in Donga and I am interested in serving a man who was succesful at removing it...I am hesitant to do so as i am now however as I lost all my equipment in my attempted revolt....perhaps you would be so good as to replace some of what I had lost while fighting against the Qin? A good sword for instance and a horse? Whatever you are willing to buy? In return for the equipment you will get myself and my retainer as your officers....I hope you are....responsive to this request..."

[Wokimo]

@Dreamer
Cai was well used to the games that his fellow nobles played when they got together: the false smiles, veiled insults and indirect approaches to questions. His smile remained a genuine one, his relief at his much improved outlook stronger than his disdain for the curly route Hua Gao had taken in asking for soldiers.

"Of course." replied Haoqi. "I remember my friends too, Hua, so I could hardly forget that I had offered you a loan of some troops to further your efforts in Wei. Since you are an old friend, I will assign eight-hundred men to you with arms and armour, to be used in whatever way you feel they would be best used in Wei. You may take command at the end of the month."

A serving girl appeared from behind a sliding door with a tea tray and some of the same light snacks that had featured during the audience in Zhao. this was placed before Hua. A second girl brought out one for the District Manager.

"With business out of the way we can relax, even if it is only for a short time. I trust you are well enough despite being 'landless'?" he inquired casually.

800 (62) Soldiers, 800 Leather Armour and 800 Pi Spears will be transfered to Hua Gao at the turn change.
((It's that or get troops with less training and zero armaments. ))

[Radical Dreamer]

Gao took the tea, but merely swished it around. "Ah, These men shall go far in pacifying Wei! I, and the King, thank you. King Zhao has me so very busy these days. I'm trying to meet with various generals under him but so far it has been tedious."

"I trust your own work here is productive? Have you spoken with Lady Lu yet?"

[Wokimo]

@Aaron
Most would not think of asking for rewards before they had performed some meritous act on their lord's behalf, but Guo had proved himself to be more than an ordinary man in his leading of the rebellion here. Success or failure, he was very bold and by no means shy about letting others know what he wanted.

"The treasury here in Donga was somewhat diminished after the unrest the accompanied our respective attempts at liberating the city and I am loathe to over tax those who have suffered for so long under an opresive regime. As such, you'll forgive me if I cannot spare great amounts of gold to purchase the best equipment right now." he sighed. "However, if you're willing to wait until such times as the finances of Donga improve, I could certainly provide you with the requested equipment. Furthermore, I am prepared to give you a loan of my own stead, Firespark, as a show of faith in the meantime. what think you of that offer?"

((Money is tight this turn, but over the next few it should improve. Bling is harder to come by on Warlords than WotD ))

@Dreamer
Haoqi's smile faltered slightly at the mention of Lu Aichi, who's forces were supposed to occupy Donga as part of his agreement with Wu Chen. To say that he disliked the Prefect would be something of an understatement. She was abrasive, unreasonable and would no doubt cause trouble for him when he suggested that he remain in command of the city. However, in light of developments in Yan, he was reluctant to risk a full-scale riot against him and his allies from Zhao.

"Not yet, although it features highly on my list of priorities, immediately behind a return to Wu Chen's court. I'm affraid I'm going to have to ask for an adjustment to our agreement in the wake of what happened last month in Yan. Did you hear about the riot in Ji?" he replied uneasily.

[antlan87]

Arriving in Donga was a decent sized party of moderately armed men led by Chen Yun. Reaching at the Palace, they dismounted before the guards. "I am Chen Yun from Gaomi. I have come here on behalf of Tian Loc to speak to Cai Xingzhe. I will submit to whatever security measures are deemed appropriate for an audience."