Fei Lak's Audience Hall - Shanggu

[Xushou]

Again, Xiong Xushou made only the slightest of bows as he continued, "My lord Prefect, you have honored me with your words. Rare is it to find a man so willing to be honest about his intentions and designs, and you have earned my respect for this quality."

"Now that this matter has become clear, I find that I must take my line of questioning elsewhere," Xushou went on, nodding his head thoughtfully. "Then, my first question for you will be a simple one, my lord. You have told me your ambitions, and I have seen a measure of how you intend to accomplish them. Now, and forgive me if I seem forward, lord Prefect, you must tell me what end do you seek?"

Xiong Xushou paused long enough to take a breath. He had certainly expected these overtures, and he knew quite well what was at stake. "Many lords will claim to fight for righteousness, for the people, for glory. What do you seek unification for, lord Prefect? Certainly what was accomplished by our most August Emperor was a rare feat. Is trying to repeat the Qin truly so important when our people lived for many generations and thousands of years divided into neighboring kingdoms before Qin?"

[Ashikaga]

Lak seemed disappointed but nodded.

"I understand such needs for freedom and respect it. Seeing as you have only a small force for now, the only work I can offer is in Yan, gathering the villages in my name. I believe this would stop your army from growing, but I'd pay you 50 gold for each that you claim. You should not have a hard time, a simple visit should be enough. Once that is completed, we will probably show interest in another location which would find a lot more work for your force. Another option is not to move your army and start building and training it soon, not sure how well equipped they will be but once you participate in a battle with us you'll get your share of the spoils. This for now is all I can offer unless my reportson your army are wrong. Of course, I would much prefer having you as a commander... what would you say if my offer was for a certain time only, to be revised afterwards? Let us say 6 months?"

The Prefect waited to see if any of his suggestions were negociable, Dieu was insisted on securing this man's talents.

Lu nodded in understanding again. He knew how the lord of this city felt. He was unsure what the prefect meant in his final words. Looking perplexed, Lu asked, "Which offer, my lord, would you offer for a six month period? Capturing your villages or serving you as an officer?"

(Sorry for the short reply, I am taking an online test, using my few minute break.)

[Phailak]

Lu nodded in understanding again. He knew how the lord of this city felt. He was unsure what the prefect meant in his final words. Looking perplexed, Lu asked, "Which offer, my lord, would you offer for a six month period? Capturing your villages or serving you as an officer?"

(Sorry for the short reply, I am taking an online test, using my few minute break.)

Lak frowned in concentration.

"There are not that many villages available in Yan, if your army grows enough, you might be able to accomplish that in about four months. The offer was to work as an officer under my command for those six months. You see this way we both get a trial of what you can do and what I can accomplish, you get paid and at the end of it, if you wish, you are as free as you are not except with a bit more money and a new ally to your name. I'll add to that, if you find a better offer elsewhere, you are free to go so long as you advise me one month in advance. Of course the only difference being the signing bonus, since well you will not be committing yourself to us, but there will still be one should you decide to stay in 6 months. You do as you please with your soldiers, we can accept them i nour ranks or you may disband them, you'll have to start your group over once you leave."

Lak waited expectantly, sharing a look of hope with Dieu

OOC: In regards to your troops, I think the rules stipulate that you have to give me the troops even if you join for 6 months, but you would know that better than me! The NPC I think you can keep though not sure what use he would be without being able to perform PA actions?

Again, Xiong Xushou made only the slightest of bows as he continued, "My lord Prefect, you have honored me with your words. Rare is it to find a man so willing to be honest about his intentions and designs, and you have earned my respect for this quality."

"Now that this matter has become clear, I find that I must take my line of questioning elsewhere," Xushou went on, nodding his head thoughtfully. "Then, my first question for you will be a simple one, my lord. You have told me your ambitions, and I have seen a measure of how you intend to accomplish them. Now, and forgive me if I seem forward, lord Prefect, you must tell me what end do you seek?"

Xiong Xushou paused long enough to take a breath. He had certainly expected these overtures, and he knew quite well what was at stake. "Many lords will claim to fight for righteousness, for the people, for glory. What do you seek unification for, lord Prefect? Certainly what was accomplished by our most August Emperor was a rare feat. Is trying to repeat the Qin truly so important when our people lived for many generations and thousands of years divided into neighboring kingdoms before Qin?"

Lak seemed perpexled by the question, only because he thought the answer obvious.

"Before my friends approached me with this grand idea of purging the corruption we all witnessed in the land, I was an avid traveller and have seen with my own eyes the degradation that is occuring. My end is simple, I wish to spread my ideals and enforce them as much as possible. If I can guide the whole of the land, I will bear that responsability proudly. If through my own failures, I can only help Yan, I will do so. If by utter mishap I am resigned to travel once again, what else can I do. From what I have heard, there is no unity left. New Warlods are springing up left and right, rebellions, wars, assassinations, this is the new reality we live in. The race for supremacy has already started in my opinion, I believe in my own ideas and strength more so than anything I have seen offered thus far, so why not impose my will. Add to that I have a strong core of loyal men that have talents far more important than mine, willing to look to me as an assembler of sorts. I will not be a passenger on this chaotic ride we embark, if I can, I will make a difference. Now I know, once again, these are mere words for a man I barely know. You have the right ot believe I am being a foolish spoiled nobleman that thinks he is above everything else."

Lak was slipping away again into his own speech, he reigned himself back in.

"As for unity being so important, I believe you have a point. Perhaps, as we forge this ideal dream of ours, we will meet and deal with kingdoms that aspire to greatness too and even have their people prosper. At that point, we are not so foolish to impose ourselves in conquest on them. We will try to learn from them and perhaps impart some of our own knowledge. Yet, from what I have seen of my own eyes thus far, in my opinion, unity is needed. Because I have the means to have my opinions enforced, I do so. Only I truly know that my intentions are noble and good, that no amount of words or threats will convince others of that. What I can do though is once I am in power, I can prove those noble ideals, just as I have done in Yan and will keep on doing until either I am stopped or our goal is accomplished. I am not delusional, I know that tomorrow I can lose a major battle that will have unimaginable set backs or that I may die in two years from a stray arrow, but I cannot live my life with such thoughts. We have forged a path and we intend to take it. In summary, I guess you could say I seek unification so that I may guarantee our land will be a prosperous one. I would not believe that of anyone else but myself, because I cannot hide my motives from myself, the challenge comes to proving it to others."

Lak displayed his most charming smile, not to deceive his guest in any way but as if to prove he lay naked before him for him to read.

[Li Dao Wen]

Liang Feng listened intently to his leader's dealings, grunting every so often at the 'kind' interactions between the men. He silently stood behind the visitor, just to remind that he was around in case trouble would be roused.

But judging by the look of things, everything seemed quite pleasant. Nonetheless his focus never wavered. Like a stone statue he simply watched as their conversations rung in his ear, his halberd lightly held in his left hand.

[Xushou]

Lak displayed his most charming smile, not to deceive his guest in any way but as if to prove he lay naked before him for him to read.

For a long moment, Xiong Xushou stood still and considered the prefect's speech. His eyes swept over those gathered in the hall before him, save for those he brought with him. At length, the young man made another very slight bow and replied, "I will need time to consider your offer, lord Prefect. I shall return to Quzhou and take counsel; a messenger shall return with my reply. If, in the meantime, you would kindly send a messenger of your own, with the settled details of your offer in writing, I am certain that would aid in speeding my decision."

He made a small gesture with his left hand, which his men took note of as they stood and each saluted Prefect Fei and his gathered officers. "If there is nothing further for this day, I shall take my leave and return to Changshan for now," Xushou finished, adding a final bow to his words, just as slight as the former had been.

[Phailak]

Fei Lak bowed in return.

"I will do so and send the messenger in hopes we can work together in the future."

OOC: PM will be sent tonight when I have more time to formalize it

[Xushou]

Xiong Xushou bowed a final time and turned to leave, trailed by his two guards. When his carriage had left the city, the camp in the southwest began to quickly pack up. By midday, the small hundred man army had returned across the border to Changshan.

((OOC: No prob. Thanks.))

[Luo Xiao]

A lone rider made his way to the entrance of the government building, dressed in a fine suit of leather armor laced with green silk. Surveying the guards as he dismounted, he removed a bandolier of throwing knives from across his chest and lastly his sword, which he handed to the nearest guard hilt first.

"I'll be wanting that back. Trust me, it's in your best interests to keep it safe."

Dusting himself from his long ride across the land, the young warrior shifted the bandanna on his head to a more comfortable position and addressed the gate guard.

"Lord Fei and I have business. Please inform him or one of his staff that Luo Xiao has arrived."[/u]

[Phailak]

The guards looked the man over, took the offered weapons and called for Liang Feng. A short time later, two guards returned to escort the man to Fei Lak.

As he marched through the double doors, he would notice a man in his early thirties with dark black hair and dark brown eyes. He was dressed simply for a Prefect, but there was no mistaking Fei Lak. The man did not wait for an introduction.

"Master Luo Xiao, an honor to meet you. Please join me for some drinks, wine?"

Lak thought he could see a frown on Liang Feng's face as he made his way to the side of the hall where they could sit to discuss their business.

[Ashikaga]

Lak frowned in concentration.

"There are not that many villages available in Yan, if your army grows enough, you might be able to accomplish that in about four months. The offer was to work as an officer under my command for those six months. You see this way we both get a trial of what you can do and what I can accomplish, you get paid and at the end of it, if you wish, you are as free as you are not except with a bit more money and a new ally to your name. I'll add to that, if you find a better offer elsewhere, you are free to go so long as you advise me one month in advance. Of course the only difference being the signing bonus, since well you will not be committing yourself to us, but there will still be one should you decide to stay in 6 months. You do as you please with your soldiers, we can accept them i nour ranks or you may disband them, you'll have to start your group over once you leave."

Lak waited expectantly, sharing a look of hope with Dieu

OOC: In regards to your troops, I think the rules stipulate that you have to give me the troops even if you join for 6 months, but you would know that better than me! The NPC I think you can keep though not sure what use he would be without being able to perform PA actions?

OOC: My PA disappears after two turns if you do not hire them. My follower nominally follows me into your kingdom, and should I decide to leave, he would likely follow me out. Otherwise, he is mine to rp and such.

Lu Anguo sat deep in thought, could he commit himself to this, right at the start of his army? It seemed like it could potentially be a stable life, free flowing wine, and possible bonuses occasionally. Lu was not a man on divided loyalty and when the ruler said he was free to find other offers, he was offended slightly even though he knew the gesture to be noble. Jiu Tuan sat silent as well until he leaned over and whispered into Lu's ear. Lu nodded and kept thinking.

Finally, he made a momentous decision. "My lord, I am not a common mercenary who would switch sides the moment a better offer arose. If you pay me to do a service for you, then I will not stop until it has been completed. My partner here has offered a deal, which I find acceptable which would secure me as a permanent member of your army until I notice a change in your demeanor, should you become an unfit ruler. I resigned once for such a reason and it is not below me to do so again. All i ask is that you agree to a few terms. Don't think me rude, I just wish to be comfortable in my decision. I need 70 gold, 50 for myself, and twenty additional for my second, Jiu Tuan, and my soldiers. I must put forth this offer for I lack funds to construct the weapon I will need to use in your battles. I do hope you do not think me presumptuous for making such an offer."

Lu bowed in respect for the lord. He was not a man of formalities, but he felt that this sign of respect could not hurt.