Chen Sheng's Audience Hall - Chen

[Xiang Zhuang]

The envoy thanked the messenger, and then went back to Yin.

[Xiang Zhuang]

A few days after the return of the envoy, a carriage, escorted by a contingent of around 100, came toward the city of Chen. They bore the flags of Xia Xi. As they came closer, the majority of the group set up camp further away from the city, while the carriage, with a few guards, came toward the city. As they came to the gates, an aide came from inside of the carriage and came forward to the guards at the edge of the city. "Good day," the aide said. "The King of Yin has come here personally in the hopes of speaking with the King of Chu. We ask that his majesty be informed of our arrival, and that an audience be scheduled."

Inside of the carriage, the King of Yin spoke calmly with another attendant that was there. He was not a fan of travel, but he thought it was important that he came to speak with the king personally. That his envoy did not return with any message made him wonder if, perhaps, something was wrong. Coming personally could help to assuage any concerns that Chu might have of him. He knew his daughter did not like to be left in Yin while he was away, but he had insisted upon it, since he didn't see what bringing her here could help to contribute, and since he had no fear that the King of Chu would bring Xia Xi to any harm.

[ann]

The eyes of the guards at the city widened. They had, of course, been advised of an armed band travelling through Chu from the north and of the fact that those troops were from Yin. However, they had not expected the Xia to arrive himself. They gripped their weapons more tightly. A guard captain sent for Pan Dao, the King's clerk, who arrived quickly and who looked, at the news, rather flustered.

He spoke to the attendant and said, "I'm afraid the King of Chu is on a tour of the province today. He is examining the fortifactions and defense arrangements his officers have made in the event .. well, as a precaution, an obvious sort of precaution."

After a moment he said, "Perhaps one of his officers would do?"

[Xiang Zhuang]

The eyes of the guards at the city widened. They had, of course, been advised of an armed band travelling through Chu from the north and of the fact that those troops were from Yin. However, they had not expected the Xia to arrive himself. They gripped their weapons more tightly. A guard captain sent for Pan Dao, the King's clerk, who arrived quickly and who looked, at the news, rather flustered.

He spoke to the attendant and said, "I'm afraid the King of Chu is on a tour of the province today. He is examining the fortifactions and defense arrangements his officers have made in the event .. well, as a precaution, an obvious sort of precaution."

After a moment he said, "Perhaps one of his officers would do?"

"We could speak with whoever," the attendant replied, "but my king's purpose here is to speak with the King of Chu. Since we were not expected, it is unlikely that anybody can fill the role of his majesty in this discussion. Perhaps we will return in a day or two. But please, let him know that the king wishes to see him."

With this, the attendant took his leave of the man and, with the carriage, started on their journey back to Yin.

[paladinrpg]

On a crisp winter's day, there appeared upon the threshold of the audience hall the figure of a lone woman. Clad in raiments of a simple monk the color of the fading twilight, the relatively middle-aged traveler approached the imposing place with a calm and neutral demeanor. Her short raven-colored bangs shadowed her face, and a pair of steely eyes spoke of both great strength and great sorrow. Strapped to the darkly-clothed traveler's back was a rare one-piece sword in its scabbard, sharpened to an impeccable edge within, along with a southern-style large dagger in her waist. The faint smell of the ashes of the forge also seemed to attend the visitor's passing.

When the unknown lady reached the steps proper, she stopped and looked around without speaking, studying the strength of the soldiers standing watch. She then bowed very low and humbly. "Greetings, guardians of the temple of Chu," spoke she in a vaguely motherly tone, caring and stern. "Please let the great King Chen know that Yu Yinzi of the Twilight, servant of the great sage Ji Song, wishes a word with him this day -- specifically on matters of provincial security that are of mutual concern."

[ann]

The guards, who had great respect for the woman's master and who had heard of her, though never seen her, bowed and one said, "Of course. Pan Dao will come to accompany you to the King's audience hall."

And, after an attendant was sent scurrying off to find Pan Dao. That man returned rather quickly and, smiling, bowed to Yu Yinzi. He said, "It is a pleasure to meet you. If you will come with me I will take you to my master."

He waited to see that she followed and then led the way through the corridors to Chen Sheng's hall. Inside, he announced Yu Yinzi and bowed to the King. Chen She was kneeling on a low dais at the far end of the room. Next to him a table held a jug and a small cup. With him was Zhuang Jia, and one or two other officers. As Yu Yinzi was announced the King looked up and smiled.

"Ah, you are the follower of Prefect Ji Song! I have great respect for the wisdom of Prefect Ji. Please, join us." He motioned to an attendant who moved to spread a soft mat in front of the dais and brought a low table to place next to it. Another brought a tray of tea.

"What brings you to Chen? Is there trouble in Longhuan?"

[paladinrpg]

The Iron Butterfly followed her hosts with a quiet dignity and grace... no doubt the reason why Ji Song had relied upon her dedication for his protection. Once she arrived at the King's chamber, the woman put her hands together in a sign of respect and bowed her head. "It is an honor to finally meet with you, Lord Chen. I would gladly accept your offer of hospitality," began Yinzi, as she carefully kneeled at the low table where the tea was being served. "I hope I am not interrupting any important council... though I needed to speak with you directly as soon as was possible."

Once the mastersmith had become settled, she continued: "I've come to voice my concerns about the safety of Chu, most especially in regards to a recent raid by the warlord Jin Zhao of Xinzheng that I felt compelled to stymie & contain. There is also the lesser organized force in Liuzi led by the warrior Xi Jiao. But I would like to know your majesty's opinion of the situation before proceeding with further actions of a military nature... do you feel these magistrates are threats, or potential allies of your regime?"

[ann]

The King of Chu listened carefully as Yu Yinzi spoke of these other armies who had entered Chu. When she had spoken he said, "We were unsure what threat they posed. With war in the North and the South it seemed prudent to wait and see whether they made any move of friendship toward us. As they had not made any overtly hostile move toward holdings in which we had officers or troops."

He looked around at his officers briefly and said, "But perhaps it is time to deal with this issue in a more direct fashion. Have you any contact with them? Have you developed any feeling for whether or not they are allies or not?"

[BobPalindrome]

Guo Feng arrived before the audience hall of the King of Chu, accompanied by attendants dressed in the fine crimson robes he wore himself. He alone wore a four-cornered hat and carried himself with the grace and seriousness of a true bureaucrat. He strode before the guards of Chen She and addressed them in a flat, matter-of-fact tone.

"Please inform His Majesty the King that Guo Kongxiu, Chief of Officials under His Grace Xiang Kai, Duke of Liang, requests an audience with him," he said. "We have much to discuss in regards to the future of the land. You may search me and my attendants, although I swear to the Heavens that we have neither weapons nor ill will."

[Freefall]

An envoy from the Kingdom of Huianan made his way to the court of King Chen She Unlike previous diplomats they have receieved, this one bore the sigil of dark blue and grey with a sea bird imposed over the multicolored field. Approaching the recieving area the envoy addressed the commander in charge...

Envoy: I am Jue Wu of the Haihu, diploamt of Jiang Sei. I am here on belhalf of the newly elected Marqius of Huianan to speak with the King should he be available. I will submit to any search that is required...

With that the envoy bowed his head to those he addresed and allowed for any search to take place.