Chen Sheng's Audience Hall - Chen

[GoGo the Monkey]

The mans ears peaked as the magistrate spoke of his last visit here. His eyes shifting down upon the table and he held his head low. As the man finally finished he lifted it showing a faint smile. "You do not feel betrayed by such an action?" he questioned as his eyes connected with that of the magistrates. "Had you happened to take the city before my king I still would have came. Perhaps another was told but I was not informed of this arrangement." Placing both palms upon the table he pushed himself upward and stepped over to the map. "You have an adequate army I assume. The rumors that have been circulating about Governor Yi are an annoyance. He is the first that must be taught a lesson. Like our great king many have risen up to power. The Kingdom of Chu is surrounded by potential threats. Tell me...Magistrate. Are you also skilled diplomatically?"

[In Ferro Veritas]

The magistrate chuckled slightly at the general's implication.

"No, General, I do not feel betrayed. Such a feeling would only serve to create friction between myself and King Chen's forces. I would have to be mad to fight you, and madder still to think I can thwart you. And, in all honesty, I was never in a position to take either city by force.

"As I imagine you are aware, General, a protracted battle to capture a city would only result in destruction of some aspect of that city -- or all of them. If I were to turn over a city to King Chen as a show of good will, I'd prefer to do it without the myriad corpses scattered across the farmlands of it. My intention was to stage a relatively bloodless coup, which I wasn't prepared for when you too Xiangcheng.

"My skills lie with organization, manipulation, and oversight. I suppose I have a talent with words as well. If you have some sort of task in mind that would allow me to prove my worth, I would certainly be willing to consider it."

Leaning back into the chair, the magistrate awaited the general's response.

[Xiang Zhuang]

XZ

The guard looked to one another for a brief moment before looking back to the man before them. The larger of the two men nodding in approval as the small stepped forward. "General Niu Xiong has informed us to be expect a guest on his behalf." The mans eyes shifting upon the piece of paper held before him he soon spun upon his heels. The larger of the two pulling aside another guard and whispering into his ear. With a gesture of his hand he signaled for the man to move through the gates. The smaller man leading the magistrate while the larger trailed behind. The noise that filled the halls and the many people a now common sight. After some time walking about the group finally arrived at a door guarded by pairs of men. The man who had been pulled aside at the gate soon appearing from behind the group. Not far behind trailed the general whom had come in military attire. "Magistrate Xia Xi..or is it Governor? I apologize for the late welcome...I have been busy." he said aloud as he approached the man.

Xia Xi followed the appropriate people to reach a destination, although it did not seem to be the one he had desired. He was somewhat nervous with this armored man, and him broadcasting his name about as such. Perhaps the Chu armies were more trustful than the ordinary, unwashed peasants that they truly are. Xi looked at this official with a bit of suspicion, then said, "I am he. My rank I bear is Prefect, although this is irrelevant in coming here. I would ask who you are, and how you know me, if this is acceptable."

[GoGo the Monkey]

[ooc: Sorry, I got busy.]

IFV

"Another one." Xiong said aloud as he turned to the man. "At least i'll give you credit for attempting a bloodless battle. Though that does not alter my opinion of you in a large manner. Of course you shouldn't have to worry about my opinion as I'm merely a soldier." Letting out a small chuckle the man took his seat once more. "I have no task for you as it is not my place to assign you such a thing. That is the job of the king and his top officials. Though it seems as if lately men simply think they can do as they please." Placing both his arms upon the table the man pushed himself forward over the table. "Tell me Magistrate..what pay do you expect and rank? I do not doubt you'll be assigned to a governor post. So you do not have to worry about that..."

_____________________

XZ

"I am General Niu Xiong, I apologize for my lack of formalities. I only know of you by word. Of course I could be wrong and you could be that town magistrate." the man spoke ignoring the mans words. Looking over to the guards he raised a brow and signaled for them to open the doors. Stepping through the doors he signaled for the man to follow. Once he had done so the doors were shut and Xiong looked towards the throne. "The man to the north I have spoken of...King Chen She." he uttered with a bow. It was apparent to the man by now that he had screwed up. This is why he stuck to the battlefield and not such diplomatic matters.

[Xiang Zhuang]

Xia Xi was further annoyed that he was brought into the king without being told he was actually being brought in to see the king. He quickly dropped to his knees and bowed from where he was. He wasn't sure if he should speak or not, so he remained where he was for the time being.

[In Ferro Veritas]

"Another one." Xiong said aloud as he turned to the man. "At least i'll give you credit for attempting a bloodless battle. Though that does not alter my opinion of you in a large manner. Of course you shouldn't have to worry about my opinion as I'm merely a soldier." Letting out a small chuckle the man took his seat once more. "I have no task for you as it is not my place to assign you such a thing. That is the job of the king and his top officials. Though it seems as if lately men simply think they can do as they please." Placing both his arms upon the table the man pushed himself forward over the table. "Tell me Magistrate..what pay do you expect and rank? I do not doubt you'll be assigned to a governor post. So you do not have to worry about that..."

"Obviously," the Magistrate replied, "I desire to be Prefect. In addition to King Chen paying my various household costs, I hope to receive seventy taels per season. A fair sum for a man of my talents, I think.

"But equally important to what I receive for my service, amongst the various honors, is the type of people I will be working alongside. Not just King Chen's subordinates, but those outside his authority. What can you tell me of his neighbors, both the Qin governors and the autonomous squabbling prefects? Merely governing a city is not enough for me; I intend to ensure that, even if the cities are not held by King Chen, the cities adjacent to mine are friendly and willing to partake in honest trade. Would there be a problem with the approaching of neighboring cities for trade boons and such?"

[Kymvir Raemiz]

Response to In Ferro Veritas:

The guest did not please General Niu Xiong in any way. The sole reason he had taken the audience was for any information about the mans last visit. Now that the magistrate had given him the information he wanted the audience lost all meaning. Lifting himself from his desk once more then man placed his palms upon the table.

"You ask for much in return of your service. Are you aware that you are not the first man to come asking for high pay and rank? I do not know if its merely you politicians or the luck of my King as of lately. I cannot garuntee you anything set in stone as I am merely a soldier.But you seem to be a rather ambitious person and of more value than the others. I suppose I could throw in a few good words. As a matter of fact let me go have a guard call upon someone higher than myself..."

Pulling back the man walked around the table and exited out the room despite any of the mans words. As he shut the door behind him he looked to the guards and let out a heavy sigh. Pulling the captain closer he whispered into his ear.

Moments later, four guards and the Captain burst into the room, their weapons drawn and began advancing on Zhou Zheng.

((Send tactics to me, In Ferro Veritas))

[Kymvir Raemiz]

Zhou Zheng rose as the men entered, and then, seeing their number, simply bowed his head.

It was over shortly, his body transfixed by simultaenous thrusts from the guards, and his blood spilled across Niu Xiong's floor. Zhou groaned once, and then slumped to the floor, dead.

The guards, following orders, quickly struck off his head and boxed it so it could be presented to Niu Xiong, which was done in short order.

Zhou Zheng, Magistrate of Xinzheng, has been slain.

[GoGo the Monkey]

The lack of yelps or cries from within his office took a toll on the man. Half of him was somewhat afraid the man was one of great strength. The other half was frightened yet saddened and confused. Had he just killed what could have been a great man to the cause of Chu? His rather rash and sudden actions had probably caused more damage to the Kingdom of Chu. Slowly his fist clenched balled together as he grew impatient during those few seconds. As the guards left his office and one presented him the box he could not bear to look inside it. Instead the man walked into his office signaling for the men to follow. His eyes shifting around the room he took notice of the lack of struggle. "A noble man...far more noble than I." he uttered quietly to himself. It was all within a matter of minutes he found himself at his desk writing a letter.....

[ann]

Xia Xi was further annoyed that he was brought into the king without being told he was actually being brought in to see the king. He quickly dropped to his knees and bowed from where he was. He wasn't sure if he should speak or not, so he remained where he was for the time being.

((Sorry!))

Chen She was impressed by Xia Xi's behavior - it was very gratifying to be treated as a King. Often he felt that those around him didn't really do so. Pan Dao did of course, but, since the betrayal of Wu Chen - who hadn't been the first betrayer - Chen She felt the plotting swirling around him. General Niu was a fighter of course, and it showed.

"Of course General! Please, both of you join me for some refreshment." Ordinarily, old She would have waggled his eyebrows and called for wine but the behavior of his visitor from the North had been uplifting so he merely nodded to a servant and knelt at a low table, motioning for his guests to join him."