Chen Sheng's Audience Hall - Chen

[Cao Chao]

The King smiled slowly though his eyes narrowed slightly. He said, "You and your family are well known in Chu and your service here will mean a great deal to the soldiers and people of Chu."

He motioned for Xiang Liang to rise and had wine and a tray of roasted meats brought in.

"I understand you have men camped outside the city. Shall we have accomodations made ready for them in the city's garrison?"

"Of course, Your Highness," replied Xiang Liang, inclining his head politely. He rose quickly to his full height and thanked the King for his hospitality. He took a seat and ate slowly and respectfully, remembering his manners.

"The men encamped outside the walls are only a few hundred retainers of the Xiang family," he replied, after washing down some beef with wine, "I am looking to purchase an estate in this city or in one of the other holdings of the reestablished Kingdom of Chu. I can house my retainers there, unless Your Highness wishes them housed in the barracks like any other soldier."

[Xiang Zhuang]

Xia Xi

((Yeah - I thought you'd arrived just before so I was going with that))

The King nodded and said, "I suspect we understand one another well! And perhaps in future we could assist you various problems which might arrise and you could assist us as well. It is difficult when the lands we are administering are separated. I'm sure you understand. It is inevitable that various people will travel in those lands you administer and it is good to know that you support our cause!"

Zhenfeng continued to sip at his wine. "This was what I had hoped to communicate in coming here," he said, "although I also wanted to meet you for myself. Your understanding surpasses my own, as expected." He looked down at his seal that laid upon the table. "You haven't made any attempt to take these. I suppose this means you would have me continue to act under this ruse, as if I were an official of Qin? I can see the strategic value in it, although I do not know what your plans are in regard to them. If retaining them can be of some use for you, then I am happy to bear their colors, even if they make me feel nauseous at times."

[ann]

Xiangs

The King listened to Xiang Liang with care. Though he was from far humbler beginnings than his guest, he had, during his life, developed a very cautious, if not completely suspicious nature. In recent months his suspicions of others had grown dramatically. The Xiang family wished to keep their soldiers separately; they wished an armed force inside his city.

Chen She sipped wine and considered the problem. He didn't wish to offend such an important and influential ally but neither did he wish to be slaughtered in his new silk robes.

"Well, I'm sure we can decide that later. No doubt Marshall Si will have some thoughts about where best such a force could be housed, and perhaps also about where a suitable estate might be found."

Xia Xi

Chen She's mouth twisted wryly. He said, "Sometimes we must do what is distasteful to serve the greater good!"

He made no move to take the seal. It would be useful of course, and, had She been Xia Xi he would have felt nothing about using it. For She, the greater good was his own skin in one piece.

[Cao Chao]

The King listened to Xiang Liang with care. Though he was from far humbler beginnings than his guest, he had, during his life, developed a very cautious, if not completely suspicious nature. In recent months his suspicions of others had grown dramatically. The Xiang family wished to keep their soldiers separately; they wished an armed force inside his city.

Chen She sipped wine and considered the problem. He didn't wish to offend such an important and influential ally but neither did he wish to be slaughtered in his new silk robes.

"Well, I'm sure we can decide that later. No doubt Marshall Si will have some thoughts about where best such a force could be housed, and perhaps also about where a suitable estate might be found."

"If it is Marshal Si's wish for my retainers to housed like any other soldier, I will have no complaints," replied Xiang Liang with a faint smile of acceptance, "Though I will ask that at least a few dozen of them remain as guards for my household."

"Was there anything that Your Highness wished of me?" he asked quietly.

[ann]

The King smiled and said, "I am pleased that you are here, Lord Xiang. Marshall Si, I am sure, can help you with anything you need and any arrangements you need to make"

((Who all is joining? Post in Officer Info so I know who to give PH access to and then RP with Bonaparte in the PH for housing etc. Thanks!))

[Cao Chao]

The King smiled and said, "I am pleased that you are here, Lord Xiang. Marshall Si, I am sure, can help you with anything you need and any arrangements you need to make"

"As you command, Your Highness," replied Xiang Liang, bowing his head. He stood quickly and backed his way out of the audience chambers.

[Xiang Zhuang]

Chen She's mouth twisted wryly. He said, "Sometimes we must do what is distasteful to serve the greater good!"

He made no move to take the seal. It would be useful of course, and, had She been Xia Xi he would have felt nothing about using it. For She, the greater good was his own skin in one piece.

"Well then," Xi replied, finishing off his glass of wine, "Is there anything you would like to ask of me? I did not have any other intention in coming here myself other than meeting you and to reveal my actions up to now. There are further things to discuss, but I would rather not dictate the direction of our meeting too much further."

He looked over to Niu Xiong briefly, wondering why he had become so silent.

[GoGo the Monkey]

The man had stayed silent the majority of the meeting as politics was not his place. He was a soldier, atleast that is how he viewed himself and the battlefield was his place. A smile crept upon his face as the man from Yin offered his seals. The talks soon taking a rather dead route the man crossed his arms before finally speaking up.

"The seals are a kind offer and we should reward this man for his loyalty. He is one of the few whom have actually pledged themselves to my King and our cause. Shall we continue to fan the flame it will engulf the Qin just as Xianyang was engulfed and destroyed. But we should not forget those men whom helped us spread the fire." he said glancing towards the magistrate. This was the first man he had known of to actually side with his King. Many others surely hated the Qin but none had come to assist the cause. "Two fires may fight and one will be eliminated. We must make sure that we are the larger fire and do not fall victim to an upstart. The longer we delay the more time the Qin is given to grow once more. We must unite the people under a common cause..." Unsure of how his King felt about others he thought it best to push this subject into the open.

[Bise07]

A spear carrying horseman arrived at the capital of Chu and declared that he wanted to see the magistrate Xiang Jun or any representative of Chen She. He pointed the spear to the guards and shouted, "Open the gates. I am Instructor Shi of Hangu and I'm here to join the fight against the Qin!"

[Crim]

A spear carrying horseman arrived at the capital of Chu and declared that he wanted to see the magistrate Xiang Jun or any representative of Chen She. He pointed the spear to the guards and shouted, "Open the gates. I am Instructor Shi of Hangu and I'm here to join the fight against the Qin!"

Shi of Hangu was escorted into the civil offices of the Capital by six armed men. Inside, the physician could be seen conversing with the minor officials regarding his sudden transfer, as orchestrated by Minister Hu Wu, from Gu Ling to Chuma and then back in a span of two months. Incidentally, this was the time when the treasury of Chu was looted.

The conversation was interrupted as Shi Jin was brought inside. One of the guards approached Xiang Jun and reported the intent of the guest. With a calculated smile, Jun spoke, "Welcome to Chu, Lord Shi. Was your journey arduous?"

With a swift gesture of the hand, Jun ordered the servants to vacate his room. Refreshments were soon served.