Yin Provincial Roleplay

[Cao Chao]

Rui nodded pensively. "I, too, had thought of offering my services to Liu Ji of Han," he recalled. "But, as you said, he has been lethargic and inactive for such a long time that I am forced to consider that either he is unwilling to challenge Xiang Yu, or wishes, more cunningly, to lure the Hegemon King into lowering his guard," he mused before shrugging. "But this is all conjecture, of course. His reasons for silence may be as simple as self-indulgence in his new title, or wallowing in self-pity."

"If such a man, a hegemon if you will, were to appear," he then said. "One who could truly unite the people of the Middle Kingdom...I would wholeheartedly serve him," he spoke honestly. "I would do my utmost to bring my oath brother and the rest of the Yi clan to that person's side."

"Once he was only second to the Hegemonic King in terms of meritorious service to Chu," replied Zhang Liang with a sigh, remembering what had happened during that fateful Hongment banquet. "Once he was promised the position of King of Qin by Emperor Yi for his conquest of Guanzhong . . . but now he is lucky to be the King of a minor frontier province.

"Such a man would be quite a find . . . quite a find indeed," answered Zifang, shaking his head. Clasping his hands together, he bade Bai Rui farewell. "It is time that I continue my journey . . . and time for you to continue on your's as well. May we have the fortune of meeting again . . . perhaps when the times are no longer so terrible and trying. Keep in mind though, the sufferings of the citizenry. They may wish for all this chaos and warfare to end . . . but they will rue the costs necessary for such an end to come as swiftly as they may hope."

[Marquis Black]

Rui nodded pensively. "I, too, had thought of offering my services to Liu Ji of Han," he recalled. "But, as you said, he has been lethargic and inactive for such a long time that I am forced to consider that either he is unwilling to challenge Xiang Yu, or wishes, more cunningly, to lure the Hegemon King into lowering his guard," he mused before shrugging. "But this is all conjecture, of course. His reasons for silence may be as simple as self-indulgence in his new title, or wallowing in self-pity."

"If such a man, a hegemon if you will, were to appear," he then said. "One who could truly unite the people of the Middle Kingdom...I would wholeheartedly serve him," he spoke honestly. "I would do my utmost to bring my oath brother and the rest of the Yi clan to that person's side."

"Once he was only second to the Hegemonic King in terms of meritorious service to Chu," replied Zhang Liang with a sigh, remembering what had happened during that fateful Hongment banquet. "Once he was promised the position of King of Qin by Emperor Yi for his conquest of Guanzhong . . . but now he is lucky to be the King of a minor frontier province.

"Such a man would be quite a find . . . quite a find indeed," answered Zifang, shaking his head. Clasping his hands together, he bade Bai Rui farewell. "It is time that I continue my journey . . . and time for you to continue on your's as well. May we have the fortune of meeting again . . . perhaps when the times are no longer so terrible and trying. Keep in mind though, the sufferings of the citizenry. They may wish for all this chaos and warfare to end . . . but they will rue the costs necessary for such an end to come as swiftly as they may hope."

Rui saluted Zifang with a smile. "I shall keep that in mind, Zhang-daren," he promised as he bowed. "But I will remind you as well, that sometimes a little cruelty now can prevent much misery in the future. Please, keep that in mind in the future, and when we next meet, we can compare results."

He straightened up and made a final wave of his command flag. The column at the foot of the hill began doing marching drills again. "May your travels take you where your destiny awaits, Master Zhang."

" I have come to speak to Bai Ruicong, is he perhaps available to speak with, tell him Zhang Liao is here to speak with him, he sent me this letter inviting me to meet him here." Zhang Tzu shows whoever he is greeted by the letter, if they wish to see it.

Not long after Zhang Liang had gone, Rui had his maneuverings interrupted once more, this time as he was riding amongst the column. A messenger had ridden up to him and informed him of the arrival of the man called Zhang Liao, and he had ordered the man guided to him, as he could ill afford to stop his mobilization for a meeting. It would have to happen on the move.

Once Liao had been brought to him, Rui clasped his hands in salute as he rode down the road. "My pardons for having our meeting this way, Zhang-daren," he apologized. "Unfortunately, I am pressingly needed in Zhao, where my masters await my arrival. Having come here, I presume you have some questions for me regarding possible employment in the Yi Clan?" he asked.

[Zhang]

Not long after Zhang Liang had gone, Rui had his maneuverings interrupted once more, this time as he was riding amongst the column. A messenger had ridden up to him and informed him of the arrival of the man called Zhang Liao, and he had ordered the man guided to him, as he could ill afford to stop his mobilization for a meeting. It would have to happen on the move.

Once Liao had been brought to him, Rui clasped his hands in salute as he rode down the road. "My pardons for having our meeting this way, Zhang-daren," he apologized. "Unfortunately, I am pressingly needed in Zhao, where my masters await my arrival. Having come here, I presume you have some questions for me regarding possible employment in the Yi Clan?" he asked.

"Yes, I have a few questions for you, but I myself am headed to Zhao as well, so perhaps some of my questions may be answered by the head of the Yi clan directly. But I will pose a few to you, why have you aligned yourself with the Yi clan and if I were to join up as well, what kind of compensation could I expect to receive?"

[Marquis Black]

Not long after Zhang Liang had gone, Rui had his maneuverings interrupted once more, this time as he was riding amongst the column. A messenger had ridden up to him and informed him of the arrival of the man called Zhang Liao, and he had ordered the man guided to him, as he could ill afford to stop his mobilization for a meeting. It would have to happen on the move.

Once Liao had been brought to him, Rui clasped his hands in salute as he rode down the road. "My pardons for having our meeting this way, Zhang-daren," he apologized. "Unfortunately, I am pressingly needed in Zhao, where my masters await my arrival. Having come here, I presume you have some questions for me regarding possible employment in the Yi Clan?" he asked.

"Yes, I have a few questions for you, but I myself am headed to Zhao as well, so perhaps some of my questions may be answered by the head of the Yi clan directly. But I will pose a few to you, why have you aligned yourself with the Yi clan and if I were to join up as well, what kind of compensation could I expect to receive?"

Rui smiled as he guided his horse onwards into Zhao, his expression calm and relaxed a he enjoyed the ride.

"Why did I align with the Yi Clan?" he asked, amused, before falling silent as he actually thought that question through. "I suppose it was because the young master, Yi Jianwu, was so genuine in his beliefs," he answered the man with a shrug and a smile. "I now count Jianwu as a dear friend of mine, and his goal is one I would wish to see fulfilled."

He then gave Zhang Liao a shrewd smile. "As for compensation, I can only say that at the moment, the only compensation one can acquire for service in the Yi clan is the knowledge of having fulfilled your duty to your clan," he told him, carefully inspecting the man's reaction for any signs of disappointment. While greed was an easy sin to abate, Rui preferred it if the people serving his masters weren't so easy to corrupt. "That may change with time, however, as the influence and power of the Yi clan fluctuates."