Cai Xingzhe's Audience Hall - Donga

[Sikozu]

Ying almost burst out laughing. Beautiful and tempestuous woman? The last time she heard something like that was in the bar at the last town, was that a night to remember.

"Lord, do not think that my purpose to cause trouble, I am merely present when it happens. My one true skill is with my bow, however, I have never been part of standing army or even trained with one. You wouldn't believe how much trouble you can get out of just by people knowing you're good with a bow."

She pondered a bit more trying to impress the Lord while not lying directly to him. She didn't want to appear weak and wasting his time.

"Other skills? I'm pretty good with a sword in addition to a bow. I've had some experience with small raiding parties challenging those from the other side to fight me one on one. Helping keep people motivated and demoralizing the other side is also I've done from time to time."

She realized that her talents weren't exactly those of the great generals, strategist and politicians. She paniced for a moment and without thinking just blurted what she was thinking.

"Maybe you could use an additional guard after the last attempt on your life?"

Realizing what she said she stood up suddenly and backed up a couple steps. What a stupid thing to say, Ying. She dropped one knew and bowed.

"My Lord I appologize, I speak of things I know nothing about"

[Kablizzy]

@ShowBlizz
A few of guards exchanged glances and then looked to their captain for orders. He nodded and seemed to relax slightly, a change which was mirrored in the demeanor of the men in his charge.

"Alright then. We'll take you to the palace and see if the Prefect is available." the captain rumbled and waved a hand signal to his men, who formed an escort around the horseman. "Sergeant close the gates now."

Xing nodded slowly, turning back to his retainers. He said something unintelligible to them both, in some sort of southern dialect, and they both nodded, adjusting their weaponry and supplies aside their mounts, spurring their horses into motion towards the city walls.

As the city gates thudded closed behind them, the escort moved off towards the centre of Qufu, presumably with Zhang Xing, Tuan Ai and Ban Ren in tow. There was little activity in the streets at this hour of night, only the occasional civilian and the odd patrol here and there but the sounds of activity within the homes still buzzed in the ears of the visitors, giving Qufu a sense of life, even after dark. However, the sounds from within the palace were stronger and harsher, almost as if there was a fight going on in the courtyard beyond the walls. The grating of steel against steel, the thudding of feet on cobbles and - from time to time - the gasp of a men exerting themselves in combat. The captain of the guard detachment here, a man with strong arms and shaggy beard, looked positively delighted to hear the sounds of combat from within.

The trio looked about, speaking softly to themselves as they were led through the rickety houses and mud huts of Rural Qufu. The level of poverty here was quite apparent; but even so, there was activity everywhere, even at this time of night. Xing looked uneasy in this city, and his bodyguards had hands on steel the entire way through the winding paths towards the palace.

"A Master Zhang Xing to see the Prefect, Captain Zhuang... tonight if possible." he added as an afterthought.
"Private Yi, go inform Lord Cai of his visitor." the bearlike captain commanded his subordinate.

The soldier disappeared within the palace gates and almost immediately the sounds of swordplay ceased. Soon the man returned and nodded to his officer.

"If you'll dismount surrender any weapons you might have in your possession now, then we'll let you in to see the Prefect and make sure your rides are fed. Acceptable?" he said firmly but without malice. "Lord Cai is a cautious man."

His retainers uneasy about handing their weaponry over, Xing shook his head solemnly, saying something in a derivation of Vietnamese.

Ren: But lord Zhang, isn't it imperative that your first meeting with him in...

Xing simply held a hand up, turning swiftly to place a hand on his friend's shoulder.

Xing: We will be fine, my friend. We traveled too far to be turned away this evening.

Xing and his compatriots dismounted at the palace, handing the reigns of their horses to the guard captain, also handing over armaments and weaponry to the burly man in front of them.

Assuming that this was acceptable to Zhang and his companions, the gates were opened and the three visitors permitted to enter the courtyard beyond, where a cadre of troops were gathered behind the Prefect. Haoqi himself was bare to the waist, a sword in his belt and a thin film of sweat glistening on his body. Not even poor lighting could hide the fact that the nobleman was not in peek physical condition for his ribs were easily visible beneath his skin and there was an absence of any real muscle bulk in his scrawny arms as well.

Xing and his guards strode through the courtyard, which was surprisingly well-lit. Drills, at this time of night? It was then that Xing looked to the front of the soldiers, spotting him. There he was. The tension was palpable; The trio of southerners strode forth, until they were but metres from the Prefect. Haoqi was breathing heavily, Xing noted. A small smirk appeared on Xing's face, and then disappeared just as rapidly as Haoqi spoke.

"I must confess I'd rather be in my study with a book in hand or with my wife, than be here enduring the ceaseless burning in my limbs that comes with sword practice. However, it is a necessary evil for so poor a swordsman as myself to put up with the endless drills and sparring, if I am to wield a blade in my own defense one day." he said jovially and regarded Zhang Xing with an unwavering gaze. After a while he added: "Sordid History, Master Zhang? You make it sound as though we stole through the night and commited all manner of misdemeanours together. Try not to put wayward ideas into the heads of my soldiers in future."

Xing's bodyguards bowed in respect at the Prefect, but Xing did not. He met Haoqi's gaze with one just as unwavering, as well as a bit of humour in the eyes. He wondered if Haoqi would even remember...

Xing: Shall we talk somewhere more comfortable? Outside in the dark is hardly the place to catch up. And after all, your men seem to be just as gullible as you were so many years ago. Don't blame me for knowing what buttons to push.

He emphasized those last words, knowing full-well what he was saying to this man. He was far more in-shape than Xing remembered... Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea, after all.

The Prefect waved to Zhang to follow on as he headed across the courtyard, through the gardens and into the palace, his instructors never far behind. In the main audience chamber, a picture of Lu's faded glory, Cai took his seat on the dais and accepted a cup of wine from a servant, who also brought the visitors some refreshment.

"How fairs Guiyang then? I hear there is a certain Lin Xin has become powerful in those parts." he asked and then drank gratefully of his cup.

Xing followed Haoqi into the gorgeous gardens, keeping every word the Prefect had said in mind. Xing said nothing until Cai sat and addressed him. His bodyguards standing nearby, Xing gritted his teeth, hissing the words at the Prefect.

Xing: Guiyang fares the same as you left it, Haoqi. After you left with your wife, Lin Xin took power and ran the city into the ground. Which reminds me... How is Lady Feng, anyway? I'm certain she'd be quite happy to see me after all this time, mm?

At that, Xing's eyes narrowed a bit more, and the corner of his mouth turned up in a rather cruel smirk. He knew precisely what the words would mean to Haoqi. Xing donned an aggressive stance, taunting the Prefect into some sort of action.

[Wokimo]

@Sikozu
"A man can lock himself in the strongest fort in the world, surround it with a deep moat, spend his waking moments enveloped in a formation of highly trained guards and still be as vulnerable as a newborn when he is asleep. I learned this to my deteriment when Fei Lak's minion tried to burn me to death in my sleep." he said in a tone that was somewhat bitter. "That said, it would be impertinant to simply accept one's vulnerability and make no effort to preserve your life. It would be folly and so I'd be happy to have someone skilled in the martial arts nearby, incase danger comes in my waking hours. I am certain I could put you to some use if battle came to Qi as well."

The Prefect stroked his moustache thoughtfully for a while and then appeared to reach a decision.

"I am trying to build a Kingdom of conscience, true, but it must be one of enlightenment as well. Would you be prepared to set aside your bow from time to time and learn about the Way and its power?" he asked.

@Kablizzy
The tension in the hall rose palpably and the hands of every guard in the room were wrapped around their sword-handles, ready to draw them at a moments notice. However, Haoqi's reaction was entirely different. He looked concerned now as he regarded this impertenant man, so different from the boy he'd once known and yet with that pervading sense of familiarity that made the Prefect of Qufu feel like he was back in Guiyang, more than a decade younger than he actually was. Was this his old friend... his borther Zhuangli? It was hard to see past this seathing, venomous exterior and see it... yet, there it was: that twinkle in his eye, even in that cruel smile. He could feel a torrent of mixed emotions welling up inside him now and slowly, unsteadily, he rose to his feet and drew his sword. The guards made to do likewise, but stayed their weapons when their Lord threw up a hand to tell them that they were not needed. He walked slowly and purposefully towards Zhang Xing and only his emotional gaze betrayed the storm that swirled beneath the stony facade that he wore now.

"Lady Feng..." he croaked. "...I suspect such a meeting would be as bittersweet as this one, Zhuangli. I must confess I don't know whether to kill you now and save myself from having to endure anymore painful memories or to kiss you."

Suddenly, Haoqi's expression broke into a tearful smile that caused the years to flee from his face and throwing away the sword, he grabbed Zhuangli's arm and pulled him into a tight embrace.

"I feared I would never see you again." he said, tears streaming down his face.

The guards relaxed slightly but could not stifle the looks of confusion that spread across their faces in the wake of this strange moment between the Prefect and his visitor. For one moment it looked as if they were bitter enemies and that Cai might behead the fellow on the spot, but now he embraced this Zhang Xing as he might his own brother.

((See my bio if you want: http://www.simwarlords.net/forum/viewto ... 632#134632. I included a basic outline of their relationship in it. Let me know if you think anything needs changed or anything needs added. ))

[Kablizzy]

Zhuànglì took note of every guard's movement, tensing his forearms in readiness. As the Prefect of Qufu rose and drew steel, Xing's heart began to race, his smile growing ever-wider, his hands facing palm-out towards his once-friend. He knew precisely what words to say, and how to say them, to invoke such a response. As the Prefect drew close, Zhuànglì's retainers stepped forward, preparing to fight bare-handed to protect their liege. Xing simply waved his hand fiercely back, ordering them away without so much as another word. as the Prefect closed the distance, and embraced him, Zhuànglì returned the favor, gripping his elder brother tightly.

Xing: It has been too long, Brother Haoqi.

Xing's smirk cascaded away, turning swiftly into an enormous grin. Tears welled up behind Zhuànglì's eyes for the first time in ages - since last he had seen Haoqi and lady Feng, in fact. He remembered the day quite clearly, the day he had heard of their marriage. He discovered the information from a mutual friend of theirs, recalling every motion vividly. All of the same emotions came welling up inside him until they could be held in no more, sobbing softly in the grasp of his old friend. Haoqi had always been the strong one, always the wiser of the two, but even know, Xing's elder brother wept. They stood for a long while, simply embracing, until the tears slowed. Xing pulled Haoqi away by the shoulders, gazing fiercely into his old friend's eyes.

Xing: I am sorry, brother, I... I'm sorry.

Zhuànglì gazed downward at that, feeling the same shame that he had carried about with him for the past decade.

[Sikozu]

Ying listened carefully and smiled. Maybe this is what was missing from her life, a chance to settle down and be part of something bigger.

I would like that very much to learn if you would teach me. Allow me to join you and I will not let any harm come to you.

[Wokimo]

@Kablizzy
"What is there to be sorry for, Zhuangli? We were young men then, full of impetuousness and vigour. We both said things that we ought not to have said to each other in the heat of the moment, but now that is all behind us." Haoqi said firmly. "I'm only sorry that I have not been able to see you and make things right in all these long years."

Cai Xingzhe simply stood for a while, pleased just to see his old friend in the flesh once more and for the first time in a long time, it felt as though everything would go his way. Fei Lak, Wu Chen, the Qin and even Jibei: all of it was temporarily erased from his mind. There was one phantom that rattled around within his skull though and its moaning was hard to ignore. He made his decision and pulled away for a moment to speak to his attendants.

"Bring food and drink to the reading room. Send for Lady Feng and Master T'ung but do not tell them why." he called and moved to lead Zhang Xing on through the palace. "Tuan Ai and Ban Ren are welcome to join us also."

Soon they sat in the old library of the former palace of the Kings of Lu, now populated with all manner of scribblings and scrolls that covered every topic that you could hope to read about in a lifetime. Torches flickered in wall-mounted brackets, casting a warm glow across the room where their light fell and deepening the shadows where it did not and in the center of the room the huge stone table sat silent and as immovable as a mountain.

"I often joke to Yinling that a man could build an Empire on such a table, it has weathered centuries of use and still looks as if it were just carved yesterday." he said with a touch of pride and pointed out the intricate carvings at the center. "See, they are still visible even after all this time. It is a metaphor for civilisation and for confucianism, I think: despite all this time under those despots from Qin, not everyone has reverted to crude barbarism. The potential for enlightenment and order amongst mankind is still an idea etched onto the heart of at least a few."

It would be a few moments yet until the requested people and sustanance arrived in the room, so they would have a time to chat yet.

((Post your OI? I can't put you in the KT without that happening. ))

@Sikozu
The Prefect seemed all the more glad for Lin Ying's decision to accept the offer of learning as well as employment. It was important that while he learned and strove to improve himself as a ruler, he also taught those under him what he knew. The State of Qi would not become a confucian one simply because its rulers had adopted it as a guide to their personal conduct. Like love, as Mengzi taught, enlightenment had to spread from the individual out to the family, then through acquaintances and outwards to all people.

"I am glad to hear it Lin Ying. When time permits I will take time out from overseeing the work at the quarry to help you in your studies. You need but come to my library and find me there anytime you wish to learn." he said encouragingly.

((Basically your hired. If you want to RP some more then we'll do it internally, ok? ))

[Kablizzy]

"What is there to be sorry for, Zhuangli? We were young men then, full of impetuousness and vigour. We both said things that we ought not to have said to each other in the heat of the moment, but now that is all behind us." Haoqi said firmly. "I'm only sorry that I have not been able to see you and make things right in all these long years."

Xing smiled weakly at his old friend. He had grown old, Haoqi had. A shiver ran up Zhuànglì's spine as he gazed at his old comrade. It was strange seeing him again, but good. Definitely good.

Zhuànglì: I almost drew steel upon you that day, Haoqi. But I would forgive you for your wrongdoings as I know you would forgive me for mine. I should have come earlier... Oh. Oh! Where are my manners!

Xing blinked rapidly, turning back towards his retainers, who stood at full attention, their arms clasped behind their backs.

Zhuànglì: May I introduce to you... Tuan Ai and Ban Ren. They are my closest comrades, and I trust them with my life. They travel where I will, and they have sworn their lives to me.

He swept an arm towards the duo, who both bowed honourably.

Cai Xingzhe simply stood for a while, pleased just to see his old friend in the flesh once more and for the first time in a long time, it felt as though everything would go his way. Fei Lak, Wu Chen, the Qin and even Jibei: all of it was temporarily erased from his mind. There was one phantom that rattled around within his skull though and its moaning was hard to ignore. He made his decision and pulled away for a moment to speak to his attendants.

"Bring food and drink to the reading room. Send for Lady Feng and Master T'ung but do not tell them why." he called and moved to lead Zhang Xing on through the palace. "Tuan Ai and Ban Ren are welcome to join us also."

Xing smiled wide, barely able to believe that he was standing here in front of his brother, and nodded, saying nothing at the mention of Lady Feng. The wound had not healed, Xing noted. Such things would always be bittersweet, he supposed. Ai and Ren uncrossed their arms, bowed once more, and followed as the duo began walking towards the back of the Audience Hall.

Soon they sat in the old library of the former palace of the Kings of Lu, now populated with all manner of scribblings and scrolls that covered every topic that you could hope to read about in a lifetime. Torches flickered in wall-mounted brackets, casting a warm glow across the room where their light fell and deepening the shadows where it did not and in the center of the room the huge stone table sat silent and as immovable as a mountain.

"I often joke to Yinling that a man could build an Empire on such a table, it has weathered centuries of use and still looks as if it were just carved yesterday." he said with a touch of pride and pointed out the intricate carvings at the center. "See, they are still visible even after all this time. It is a metaphor for civilisation and for confucianism, I think: despite all this time under those despots from Qin, not everyone has reverted to crude barbarism. The potential for enlightenment and order amongst mankind is still an idea etched onto the heart of at least a few."

It would be a few moments yet until the requested people and sustanance arrived in the room, so they would have a time to chat yet.

Xing smirked, running a finger across the tracings in the stone table. He looked up at Haoqi and his smirk faded into a more serious scowl.

Zhuànglì: You are still an idealist, Haoqi. I always liked that about you. But of these Despots, we hardly have time or energy enough to right all of the world's wrongs, mm? Those of us - You and I - Who know the truths... We can only do what we can do, don't you agree?

Xing sighed, shaking his head.

Zhuànglì: I have become jaded, brother. Forgive me. I just wish there were more time... More time for us all.

Xing gazed up at his old comrade and coughed a bit.

Zhuànglì: What is the state of Qufu, of late? I know very little of the Politics of the North.

[Wokimo]

@Blizzy
Xingzhe smilled weakly at the suggestion of steel being drawn, all too aware that Zhuangli was by far the better swordsman. It would have been the end of him if his friend had elected to react with physical violence to what happened between them.

"Hmmn, there is so much that has happened since we last met that it will be difficult to explain every facet of Northern politics and my place within them, but I will do my best." he said.

Haoqi adopted a pensive pose now, with his fingers steepled under his chin and his body leant forward. It was true that much had happened to Haoqi since his return to Pingyuan all those years ago, so he would tell only those parts that were important to Zhuangli's understanding of current affairs.

"For many years after my return to Pingyuan I studied the work of Mengzi and Kong Fuzi, but that was not all, I studied tomes of strategy and leadership as well. My father believed I was destined to become some recluse, a mountain hermit, spouting proverbs to those who happened upon my cave, but he did not understand this singular obsession with gaining greater knowledge. I love him dearly but he is soft and was prepared to accept the rule of a despot so long as he could live out his days in comfort, but I... I could not bear to submit to Qin authority. My never-ending studies were not preperation for a self-imposed exile but preperation for rebellion. I had to be as complete in my studies as possible: if I only knew the way to lead an army I would not be an effective ruler, if I knew only of civil affairs, then I could not drive out Qin dogs."

Another fleeting smile danced across his features and he sighed.

"I studied for over a decade and it seems that it was not long enough, but when the Qin princes began to squabble amongst themselves, causing a rapid decay of Qin authority, there was no choice but to stand up and be counted amongst those in opposition to their continued rule. I immediately went to work on gathering support from those loyal to my father before the time of the Qin occupation and those who were otherwise disatisfied with their lot under Qin Shi Huang. It had been my hope to secure infiltrate the magistrate's mansion with a small following and summarily execute the dog on charges of corruption, using Pingyuan as a base to go on to liberate the rest of Jibei. Alas, the place is a crossroads and was the object of many people's ambition. I will not trouble you with the details but at one time or another, armies from Zhao, Yan and Qi have all invaded Jibei and all have failed it would seem. Li Zhu of Yin looks likely to claim dominion over it in due course.

Zhao's invasion, lead by a Prefect Lu Ying, forced me to align myself with Wu Chen in order to survive and though there was peace, my relations with Prefect Lu were rather icy. However, Lu retreated when the King of Yin marched into Zhao and left me to fend for myself at a time when both Duke Fei of Yan and the King of Qi were looking to take over Jibei. As you know, my family were once servants of the Tian family of Qi and when the envoy from Yan acted haughtily when speaking to me I resolved to ally with Qi against Yan.

I lured Duke Fei into attacking Boyang by pretending my support but when Qi's armies approached I joined with them and he was forced to withdraw. Our success was shortlived though. A month later Duke Fei dispatched two armies to Jibei and forced the King and I to fight seperately and while I was successful, the King was captured at the very height of the battle at Boyang and his army disintegrated. In the end I had to release my prisoners in exchange for his life and had to withdraw from Donga soon after, taking the people with me. Duke Fei has promised to tyranize the people in retribution for my actions, so when he attacked I could not leave them.

At the King's suggestion I lead an army to recapture this place, Qufu, who's residents had rebelled against an inept leader whos whereabouts is unknown. I tried diplomacy but in the end hard steel was required, unfortunately. So now I am Prefect of a city again and looking to establish Confucian teachings as the model on which all government in Qi and hopefully beyond is based. First, however, I must expand the town of Bozhang to accomodate the refugees from Donga, for they are many and the city, as you may have noticed, is greatly overcrowded. I can only hope that peace lasts long enough for me to show the people of Qi what great things a benevolent government can achieve. I mean to emulate Gao and Shun, those great sages of old and this is the first step." he explained at length.

[Kablizzy]

Xingzhe smilled weakly at the suggestion of steel being drawn, all too aware that Zhuangli was by far the better swordsman. It would have been the end of him if his friend had elected to react with physical violence to what happened between them.

"Hmmn, there is so much that has happened since we last met that it will be difficult to explain every facet of Northern politics and my place within them, but I will do my best." he said.

Haoqi adopted a pensive pose now, with his fingers steepled under his chin and his body leant forward. It was true that much had happened to Haoqi since his return to Pingyuan all those years ago, so he would tell only those parts that were important to Zhuangli's understanding of current affairs.

"For many years after my return to Pingyuan I studied the work of Mengzi and Kong Fuzi, but that was not all, I studied tomes of strategy and leadership as well. My father believed I was destined to become some recluse, a mountain hermit, spouting proverbs to those who happened upon my cave, but he did not understand this singular obsession with gaining greater knowledge. I love him dearly but he is soft and was prepared to accept the rule of a despot so long as he could live out his days in comfort, but I... I could not bear to submit to Qin authority. My never-ending studies were not preperation for a self-imposed exile but preperation for rebellion. I had to be as complete in my studies as possible: if I only knew the way to lead an army I would not be an effective ruler, if I knew only of civil affairs, then I could not drive out Qin dogs."

Zhuànglì smirked a bit. Same Haoqi, he thought.

Xing: I had always feared the same when we were children. You were never as outgoing as father would have liked. But you seem to be doing well - You have an army, loyal followers...

Another fleeting smile danced across his features and he sighed.

"I studied for over a decade and it seems that it was not long enough, but when the Qin princes began to squabble amongst themselves, causing a rapid decay of Qin authority, there was no choice but to stand up and be counted amongst those in opposition to their continued rule. I immediately went to work on gathering support from those loyal to my father before the time of the Qin occupation and those who were otherwise disatisfied with their lot under Qin Shi Huang. It had been my hope to secure infiltrate the magistrate's mansion with a small following and summarily execute the dog on charges of corruption, using Pingyuan as a base to go on to liberate the rest of Jibei. Alas, the place is a crossroads and was the object of many people's ambition. I will not trouble you with the details but at one time or another, armies from Zhao, Yan and Qi have all invaded Jibei and all have failed it would seem. Li Zhu of Yin looks likely to claim dominion over it in due course.

Zhao's invasion, lead by a Prefect Lu Ying, forced me to align myself with Wu Chen in order to survive and though there was peace, my relations with Prefect Lu were rather icy. However, Lu retreated when the King of Yin marched into Zhao and left me to fend for myself at a time when both Duke Fei of Yan and the King of Qi were looking to take over Jibei. As you know, my family were once servants of the Tian family of Qi and when the envoy from Yan acted haughtily when speaking to me I resolved to ally with Qi against Yan.

I lured Duke Fei into attacking Boyang by pretending my support but when Qi's armies approached I joined with them and he was forced to withdraw. Our success was shortlived though. A month later Duke Fei dispatched two armies to Jibei and forced the King and I to fight seperately and while I was successful, the King was captured at the very height of the battle at Boyang and his army disintegrated. In the end I had to release my prisoners in exchange for his life and had to withdraw from Donga soon after, taking the people with me. Duke Fei has promised to tyranize the people in retribution for my actions, so when he attacked I could not leave them.

At the King's suggestion I lead an army to recapture this place, Qufu, who's residents had rebelled against an inept leader whos whereabouts is unknown. I tried diplomacy but in the end hard steel was required, unfortunately. So now I am Prefect of a city again and looking to establish Confucian teachings as the model on which all government in Qi and hopefully beyond is based. First, however, I must expand the town of Bozhang to accomodate the refugees from Donga, for they are many and the city, as you may have noticed, is greatly overcrowded. I can only hope that peace lasts long enough for me to show the people of Qi what great things a benevolent government can achieve. I mean to emulate Gao and Shun, those great sages of old and this is the first step." he explained at length.

Xing's brow furrowed as he attempted to take all of this new information in.

Xing: I knew none of this, old friend. What can we do to help? I will do anything that I can. But it seems as though we must act quickly, there doesn't seem to be much time for us to work if the area is so heavily militarized.

[Wokimo]

"You speak well, brother, times is always against a man with a plan. How peaceful it would be to become the recluse scholar that my father feared I would become; never having to worry about the next step of some grand plan, frittering away the hours in contemplation of the higher mysteries of our existence." he mused. "It would be a welcome relief to follow Laozi on into the wilderness and never return but ultimately I cannot seperate myself from the here and now, so I could never consider myself a taoist. I must strive and struggle, though it tires me to do so."

Plates of food were brought in by servants and a few jars of wine accompanied them. Cai selected morsels of food here and there, chewing them thoughtfully as he considered the path before him and how this latest hint of fortune would alter his journey along it. Zhuangli was just as eager now as he was as a boy and it was something of a boost to Haoqi's spirits. If he could, Haoqi would harness that enthusiasm for success and turn it into an engine for the change he wished to bring about in this deeply divided country.

"If you're willing, I need someone to begin preparations for the work at Bozhang. I would handle it personally but we need stone and mortar for the construction of a city and a quarry to provide such things will not excavate itself. Not to worry though, the first deliveries of materials should arrive at Bozhang soon enough. I'd be much oblidged if you could help me with this." he answered his friend's query. "It is said that when a ruler delights in the Way, he will become a true King and all the peoples of the land will turn their faces to him. Bozhang will be the embodiment of my will, a tangible display of my desire to rebuild and renew, but also of the power of my Way. When it is finished, they will know my words are not hollow."

It might have struck Zhuangli that though Haoqi spoke of "the Way", benevolence and enlightenment, there were strong undercurrents of pride and ambition in his words. Cai Xingzhe may have declared his desire to examine his past actions and rectify his ways, but he was still an ambitious man at heart. Perhaps that was for the best, for a man without drive was like a tree floating in the ocean: he might have all the potential in the world but the likelihood that he would ever reach that potential was quite limited. Prefect Cai wanted to posses the wisdom and virtue of Kongzi and Mengzi, but no self-respecting nobleman would find comparison to an ocean-going tree a welcome one.