Chen Sheng's Audience Hall - Chen

[Lin Xin]

About 25 spearmen escort a carriage bearing the emblem of "Lin" and "Yue" can be seen approaching the city. The group encamps outside the city walls while a detachment approaches the guards. With a bow, an elderly gentlemen says, "I come representing Marquis Lin Xin of Yue, here to seek an audience with His Majesty. I carry no hidden weapons but give you permission to search me."

[ann]

About 25 spearmen escort a carriage bearing the emblem of "Lin" and "Yue" can be seen approaching the city. The group encamps outside the city walls while a detachment approaches the guards. With a bow, an elderly gentlemen says, "I come representing Marquis Lin Xin of Yue, here to seek an audience with His Majesty. I carry no hidden weapons but give you permission to search me."

The Guard Captain looks the man over and says, "Have you any name? Such is required to meet with anyone. Searches are also required, permission is not. I'm not familiar with this Lin Xin, I thought Yi Lian controled Yue."

[Xian]

Mian Jujiang was led into the administrative building where he was met by a smallish man who appeared, from his dress, manner and the ink stains on his hands, to be a clerk. When he saw the visitor he bowed and said, "I am Pan Dao, clerk to Chen Sheng, the King of Chu. We have been told that you would arrive here by Ji Song." It was clear, from the way Pan Dao said his name that Ji Song was much admired by him and, perhaps, others in Chu.

Bowing again he said, "How may I be of service to you?"

Returning the bow, the artisan gave a cordial grin when he detected the reverence with which the clerk spoke. "I see. I am glad that the venerable Master Ji's name has spread so far in the halls of Chu already. Since the great King of these lands has won over the sage, so too do I come to offer you my services. I am well schooled in the ways of the artisan and merchant, and can run a city just as efficiently as I do our caravan's business affairs. As long as Ji Song calls your earthly kingdom master, I shall as well."

[Crim]

Led by Min Fang and Li Gui, the captives from Shouchun are escorted by one thousand crack soldiers to the borders of Shouchun and Chu, entering as they did the Fortress adjoining the two provinces. Later, Min Fang requested that another contingent accompany them to the Chu capital.

The still bound Ma Tan, Lin Pin, Cui Hao and Shen Ling are brought to the Capital of Chen She in four separate cages. Min Fang and Li Gui immediately requested an audience with the King of Chu.

Min Fang spoke, "Per the agreement between the King and Chief Magistrate Xiang, we bring the fate of the captured enemy officers from the battle of Shouchun to the judgment of Minister Hu Wu or King Chen She."

[Lin Xin]

The Guard Captain looks the man over and says, "Have you any name? Such is required to meet with anyone. Searches are also required, permission is not. I'm not familiar with this Lin Xin, I thought Yi Lian controled Yue."

A little surprised at the ignorance of the Guard Captain, the elder was experienced enough to not let anything show, merely responding with, "My name is Guan Tong, a humble envoy of the Marquis of Yue."

[ann]

Xian

Pan Dao nodded and said, "My master led me to believe that Ji Song's followers would remain somewhat separate from the administration of the province? Is that not the case?" Pan Dao wished to be sure he understood the situation completely. "How are you finding Chu thusfar?"


Crim

Min Fang and Li Gui were led through the palace in Chen which Chen She had made the headquarters of the rebellion. Though the attendants and clerks and even other officers moved about the hallways they traveled without slowing or stopping, it was clear that many were curious about news from the southern campaign.

The two men were quickly ushered into the audience hall in which Chen Sheng, King of Chu, was meeting with Pan Dao, his clerk and some minor administrative officials of Chu. As they entered he looked up quickly and said, "Ah! What news do you bring of the campaign? We have had some," There was a pause before the King finished, "interesting ... reports."

Lin Xin

The Guard Captain snorted softly and said, "Has she taken yet another title now?" He nodded at one of his men and waited while the soldier moved quickly away and toward the administrative building. Turning back he said, "We shall see who, if anyone, will see you."

After a moderate wait, the soldier returned followed by a clerk who bowed and said, "I am Pan Dao, a clerk of Chen Sheng, King of Chu. I understand you have come from a vassal of Yi Lian? What is your purpose?"

[Crim]

Min Fang and Li Gui were led through the palace in Chen which Chen She had made the headquarters of the rebellion. Though the attendants and clerks and even other officers moved about the hallways they traveled without slowing or stopping, it was clear that many were curious about news from the southern campaign.

The two men were quickly ushered into the audience hall in which Chen Sheng, King of Chu, was meeting with Pan Dao, his clerk and some minor administrative officials of Chu. As they entered he looked up quickly and said, "Ah! What news do you bring of the campaign? We have had some," There was a pause before the King finished, "interesting ... reports."

Min Fang stepped forward and spoke in behalf of the contingent, "Indeed, Majesty," said Fang, "The campaign has been successful not only in so far as partly neutralizing the advances made thus far by Yi Lian but it also unveiled the plots concocted by those who dare defile the rule of His Majesty, the King Chen She."

"Chief Magistrate Xiang dispatched us to Chen to bring to His Majesty's ears the accounts of Chu's fruitful southern campaign. Magistrate Xiang regrets not being able to come here personally as he and Captain Qianzhen Na needed to deal with the uprising staged by Xiang Liang and Yi Lian in Shouchun. When we left the city, our agents reported that our forces have successfully confined Xiang Liang to his Estate in Shouchun along with the Witch-Marquis of Huainan. It should be just a matter of time before they are captured.. or killed, Your Highness."

"In any event, we are pleased to bring to Your Majesty's judgment the fate of the four accomplices of Yi Lian," Min Fang reported, "Regrettably, we are unable to present the rebellious brethren of the infidels, all twenty four thousand of the fools, as our army quickly routed them on the field of battle."

[Lin Xin]

Lin Xin

The Guard Captain snorted softly and said, "Has she taken yet another title now?" He nodded at one of his men and waited while the soldier moved quickly away and toward the administrative building. Turning back he said, "We shall see who, if anyone, will see you."

After a moderate wait, the soldier returned followed by a clerk who bowed and said, "I am Pan Dao, a clerk of Chen Sheng, King of Chu. I understand you have come from a vassal of Yi Lian? What is your purpose?"

With a smile, the diplomat replied, "Clerk Pan, it seems there may be some misunderstanding. Where did you hear that Marquis Lin Xin is a vassal of Lady Yi?" Though Tong was starting to get irritated, perhaps he could find valuable information about the source of this weird rumor. If it was Yi Lian herself making these claims, Tong was positive the Marquis of Yue would need to know.

[ann]

Crim

The King listened carefully to Min Fang's report. He said, "I was most pleased at the great success the new King of Jiujiang enjoyed at Shouchun and am pleased to hear that even when the enemy does not run in fear of him he manages to crush them utterly!" She grinned and thought to himself that the young Jun, while certainly very ambitious, had proved him correct in the promise he'd spotted in their first meeting.

His face grew serious and wary when he heard of the plotting. He said, "Yes, we have heard that Xiang Liang appears to have been the creature of that woman. Have you any idea how long the man has been planning this?"

When the King thought of the prisoners he had no mercy. He said, "Tell me, do you feel they have further information which might be useful? Hu Wu or some other might gain knowledge given some time with them. Otherwise they should be killed." His hands clenched as he said it.

Lin Xin

Pan Dao looked at the man oddly for a moment and then said, "Is this truly the purpose of your visit from such a distance? Surely you realize it is well known how that patron of Banditry, Yi Lian, has set up puppet governments throughout the lands who suffer under her, and her mercenaries, depredations? Zhi Cheng, is one such, as is Yi Tao, perhaps even a rebel, and Pang Ai is another. It is clear from her actions in giving your master Changsha that he is just another of those puppets of hers." He shrugged and said, "Was that all?"

[Crim]

The King listened carefully to Min Fang's report. He said, "I was most pleased at the great success the new King of Jiujiang enjoyed at Shouchun and am pleased to hear that even when the enemy does not run in fear of him he manages to crush them utterly!" She grinned and thought to himself that the young Jun, while certainly very ambitious, had proved him correct in the promise he'd spotted in their first meeting.

His face grew serious and wary when he heard of the plotting. He said, "Yes, we have heard that Xiang Liang appears to have been the creature of that woman. Have you any idea how long the man has been planning this?"

When the King thought of the prisoners he had no mercy. He said, "Tell me, do you feel they have further information which might be useful? Hu Wu or some other might gain knowledge given some time with them. Otherwise they should be killed." His hands clenched as he said it.

Min Fang shook his head, "No, my King. In fact, I had no idea of the uprising until the Chief Magistrate sent me a secret directive to that effect, disclosing the steps I should take in the event that the betrayal does manifest - as it did. Xiang Jun is young but he thinks and acts several decades older than his age. The King's trust in the Magistrate is well-placed. Your Majesty's eye for talent is unmistakably keen."

As he was probed about the fate of the prisoners, Fang sighed, "We haven't interrogated the fools, my King. But from what I've gathered, the captives are of little use to us alive. If I had it my way, I would kill them and save our granaries the burden of feeding four mouths everyday."