Zheng Nu's mind runs blank again. In his best attempt to make this not seem any more awkward then it already is, he blurts out the first thing that comes to mind.
Zheng Nu: I am forming a team.
"Wait, what the hell did I just say?" Zheng Nu thinks to himself. "Uh, god might as well go with it".
Zheng Nu: And you fine lads look like some good partners.
While he is waiting for a reply Zheng Nu does his best to think of what to say next. Hopefully it is better than the drivel he is saying right now.
Zheng Nu (38) 73-84*-63-50-47 Decoy II, Instructor II, Maraud III, Military Administrator I, Smith II
Zhou Yu wrote:Mingli slowly nodded as the man spoke, seeming to be on quite a roll. "Yes actually. Not sure how you are about maybe helping me to spread my influence so you may hunt bandits more still. I'd love to have another village protected under your watchful eye, Master Hong. It's not so much about taking heads violently but helping me to help you protect people and in that you get more heads. I would also think the peasants would appreciate it too. Gives their unemployed men work and gives me something more to do with my life. What say you? I will of course pay you if such is required."
He pulled out some gold and held it in his hand, hoping the man would not be distracted by the shiny stuff there. "May I ask about the Qin? I've heard rumor but you seem to have experience with them. Are they bandits?" He hoped this man would help him in his endeavor instead of him having to do it another way.
Black Snake scratched his head, and stared at Mingli. "Uh, I'm not sure what you mean, really. I try and keep my eye on all the villages around here. It's what I'm here for and all." He frowned, grabbed a bowl of wine from the passing server and drained it, calling out for more.
"I was talking about bandit leader heads, good friend. I got a few now. I could give you one so you could put it up in your village. Might help keep other bandits away, you know."
He burped, and looked for more wine. "As for the Qin, I don't care much about them. They were broken, I hear, by that Xiang Yu fellow up in Chu. They had some guys down here for a while, giving people problems, but you know how it is. Government people live to take stuff. I try to avoid them all. Anyways, what do you say? Moneybags Mingli, you . . . hee hee . . . moneybags! I just thought of that! Hee hee! We need those fifteen gold taels, my friend."
Mingli was getting a bit annoyed at the man's narrow mindedness. He was definitely just a bandit hunter. If there were villages to take or towns, Mingli would have to do it himself. These guys would hopefully help him protect them.
"Would you help me protect any other villages I may acquire?" He handed over the money and really hoped this wouldn't be a constant theme between them. Killing bandits usually yielded more money than he could ever give.
"Hope you have a merry bandit hunt, Master Hong. I have no specific names but I heard there may be one army in this province that doesn't belong. Not sure who. May be just rumor." He made a mental note of this meeting and wondered how long it'd be before this guy would show up....again....and if he'd have 600 next time.
Name: Zhou Mingli, 30
Stats: 49 - 56 -60 - 74* - 90*
Skills: Artisan I, Diplomat II, Engineer I, Politician II, Poison II, Haste II
Items: Book of Shi(Jud +2), Exotic Robe(Cha +3), Jewelry(Cha +3)
Province: Wu http://simwarlords.net/forum/viewtopic. ... 24#p170024
When the youths heard the man say that he was forming a team, couldn't help but start to laugh amongst themselves. This person was trying to get them to join him, when he had no idea who they were and what they were capable of. It seemed that it was just their luck to be approached with such a proposition, although whether it was good luck or bad luck had still yet to be seen. After several moments the youth who had spoke before spoke again.
"Elder, do you realize that you just asked 3 people who you have never met or heard of and asked them to join your "team"? First of all, besides the fact that you know nothing about us, we know nothing about you. What's the purpose of this team?"
Then one of the other youths, one of the brothers present also spoke up.
"For all you know, we could be murderers and bandits out to pillage, or we could be government agents. What makes you so trusting of us?"
The remaining youth, the other brother, gave the other two a quick glance before speaking to the man.
"I must apologize for my brother and cousin. But you must admit, they have valid points. How about you take a seat with us and we can discuss this..."team" you want to form."
Li Xiaolong (16)
72-81-31-50-56
Charge II, Faze II, Jianshu III, Raid II, Smith II Followers
Tsui Quan (16) 78-67-57-59-59 Delay II, Diplomat I, Escort I, Artisan I, Intimidate I, Sortie I, Wall I
Tsui Yu (16) 57-87-50-50-64 Diplomat II, Gongshu I, Discipline I, Qiangshu I, Jianshu I
Hin Kixuan (16) 62-50-74-58-73 Challenge I, Gongshu I, Haste I, Maraud I, Smith II
Peng Xiahoudian (16) 69-53-68-51-66 Civil Admin II, Decoy II, Delay I, Intimidate I, Rupture I
Zhou Yu wrote:Mingli was getting a bit annoyed at the man's narrow mindedness. He was definitely just a bandit hunter. If there were villages to take or towns, Mingli would have to do it himself. These guys would hopefully help him protect them.
"Would you help me protect any other villages I may acquire?" He handed over the money and really hoped this wouldn't be a constant theme between them. Killing bandits usually yielded more money than he could ever give.
"Hope you have a merry bandit hunt, Master Hong. I have no specific names but I heard there may be one army in this province that doesn't belong. Not sure who. May be just rumor." He made a mental note of this meeting and wondered how long it'd be before this guy would show up....again....and if he'd have 600 next time.
Black Snake Hong laughed loudly and punched Mingli on the arm so hard that Mingli almost fell over. "Of course I'll protect you, or my name isn't Black Snake Hong, Destroyer of Bandits!"
He took the gold, cackled, and then downed another bowl of wine. "Well, thanks friend! This time next month I should have thousands following my lead! Imagine that! Me, Black Snake Hong! Hahaha!"
He strode from the tavern, chuckling to himself, and a few minutes later, his force galloped from the village.
upgraded627 wrote:"I must apologize for my brother and cousin. But you must admit, they have valid points. How about you take a seat with us and we can discuss this..."team" you want to form."
As he listened to them speak it seemed that it was going downhill even quicker than he expected. Luckily one of them was more open to Zheng Nu's ramblings. He quickly takes the offered seat and hopes that this conversation will take a turn for the better.
Zheng Nu: I am seeking to form a group who's aim is gaining insurmountable wealth. Every sane person alive is striving for this so why should we do this alone? I am not talking about making some petty store we have to look for the big catch. I don't know what it is but the larger the group the better our chance at succeeding. So whatever your background may be it will have a use.
Zheng Nu (38) 73-84*-63-50-47 Decoy II, Instructor II, Maraud III, Military Administrator I, Smith II
At the elder's words "Insurmountable wealth", all three of the youths showed a reaction. The two brothers knowingly looked towards their cousin, then turned to look back at the man and listen to the rest of what he had to say. The cousin, however, did seem more interested in what the man had to say, but still seemed wary.
"Well, wealth is something that we could be interested in. But, if you're approaching us with this proposition, I'm sure others are in it as well. Do you have a plan in mind, and what exactly would be me and my cousins' roles?"
The brother who had first shown interest leaned over closer to the elder as he stated his thoughts.
"We have a group of followers, and everyday we recruit more. Could they possibly play a role in your scheme?"
Li Xiaolong (16)
72-81-31-50-56
Charge II, Faze II, Jianshu III, Raid II, Smith II Followers
Tsui Quan (16) 78-67-57-59-59 Delay II, Diplomat I, Escort I, Artisan I, Intimidate I, Sortie I, Wall I
Tsui Yu (16) 57-87-50-50-64 Diplomat II, Gongshu I, Discipline I, Qiangshu I, Jianshu I
Hin Kixuan (16) 62-50-74-58-73 Challenge I, Gongshu I, Haste I, Maraud I, Smith II
Peng Xiahoudian (16) 69-53-68-51-66 Civil Admin II, Decoy II, Delay I, Intimidate I, Rupture I
Recieving his newly appointed army Wen Xu decided it would be best to scout out the lands of Jiujiang. During most of his years he had spent in Chu or Zhao and knew nothing of the lands to the south. Before he left though Fan Shuo informed him of the three major cities of the province and that it would be wisest to go to Shouchun as it was the wealthiest and most powerful of the cities and the one they should take first.
With a destination in mind Wen Xu placed his friend Peng Yiro in charge of preparing the men to move south.
*Arriving outside of Shouchun*
His travel had been quite uneventful, but once the city of Shouchun came within view he now understood why it was here that his friend had suggested in coming to. It was obvious this was the most fertile land in the south and looking at all the great fields Xu felt that his own farmlands were pathetic in comparrison. This did not dishearten him though as he knew soon these great farms would soon belong to him.
Making his way into town Wen Xu took his time to learn as much as he can about the lay of the town before he finally headed to where he could meet with the Governor of the city. Seeing the guards before the building Wen Xu dismounted and made his way up to the men, his spear still resting in it's place attached to the saddle of his horse. "Good evening, gentlemen. I am Wen Xu of Chen, I was wondering if I could meet with the Governor."
Wen Xu(39) ~ Bio
76-84*-38-54-40
Skills: Challenge I, Charge II, Diplomat I, Faze I, Instructor II, Politician I, Qiangshu I, Raid I
Items: Spear (Melee, Mgt+2), Horse (Spd+1)
As Wen Xu entered into the city of Shouchun, he strolled past a sea of people clad in austere tan and grays, each person seemingly attired much like the next. All eyes were upon him, for he easily stood out amongst the crowd. However, while clearly fairly poor, their robes of simple hemp, the masses all seemed rather happy in general, no displeasure over their unfortunate lot in life. As Wen Xu rode by, he noticed the ruins of what had to have been a once prosperous, noble estate, the gates now broken and the buildings behind it left as nothing more than burnt husks. A few guards stood by, ensuring no one had access. As Wen Xu dismounted and asked to speak to the 'Governor', the guards smiled amiably and replied, "There is no 'Governor', friend. Only Master Han. He oversees the productivity of the city and brings prosperity to us all. May he live ten thousand years." The guard's statement was echoed by the peasants nearby 'May he live ten thousand years'. "Please come with me. While you may not speak to Master Han, I shall show you to Deputy Master Ren." With a bow, the guard then escorted Wen Xu through the gates.
As the servant of the King of Chu was led through what once was the governor's estate, he would realize that the glorious gardens that must have flourished here years ago had been cut down,. made into more arable land. Walking through this sea of grains, Wen Xu was led past more guards and into a surprisingly luxurious building, gilded with gold, a shining star amongst the plain houses of the city, all of which had been stripped of their ornamentations. Heading through a hall of all sorts of works of art, Wen Xu was led to a side door. The guard opened the door and announced, "Wen Xu of Chen to meet with you, Deputy Master Ren. May Master Han live ten thousand years."
Sitting upon a throne of fine wood plated with gold in various spots, a young and charismatic man nodded his head to the guard and replied, "May he live ten thousand years." He raised a cup up in toast before drinking it down. In contrast to the peasants of the city, the 'Deputy Master' wore robes of iridescent red, the fine silk shimmering with every hue of that crimson shade. Beneath these fine robes, he seemed to have a rather powerful build, and it seemed likely he had a military background of some sort. Regarding Wen Xu, he smiled amiably and asked, "What can I do for you today, Wen Xu? The state of Shouchun is willing to answer all reasonable questions that you may have."
"The common people pray for rain, healthy children, and a summer that never ends. It is no matter to them if the high lords play their game of thrones, so long as they are left in peace. They never are."
Learning of the lack of a Governor, Wen Xu was a little suprised that such an important city did not have somebody of more importance leading them. However, it appeared that this man was doing quite well and also that the man either had won the love of his people or he forced them to say that every time his name was mentioned. That would certainly be one of the things he would wish to learn while here.
First, though he was brought to meet with the man's second in command who was obviously a warrior and the person he would feel more comfortable speaking too. Bowing his head before the 'Deputy Master' Wen Xu said, "Master Ren, I wish to first apologize for my intrusion but the Prime Minister of Chu has sent me here to speak with the leading government officials of Jiujiang. He wishes to first apologize for how long this has taken but as the men of Qi has gained more power and has taken control of that land he has been sending forces there instead.
"Now though he has decided to send me south to jiujiang with an army of close to nine thousand men. These men are to help you in eradicating these bandits who have been plauging your lands this past few months. Though I must ask, why have you not done anything about them?"
Wen Xu(39) ~ Bio
76-84*-38-54-40
Skills: Challenge I, Charge II, Diplomat I, Faze I, Instructor II, Politician I, Qiangshu I, Raid I
Items: Spear (Melee, Mgt+2), Horse (Spd+1)
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