Jin Kai's Audience Hall - Xiangguo

[Kirin Rose]

Kirin Rose

Xushou rose from his throne and quickly made his way off the dais where it sat. The attendant brought warm tea and a small tray of rice cakes to one of the small tables situated between the entrance of the chamber and the raised dais, where the young prefect took a seat, motioning for Ridd Ler to do the same.

"Perhaps you would like to tell me about yourself, master Ridd, and your purpose in coming here?" Xiong Xushou asked, taking a small sip from his cup.

The politician quickly situated himself on the other side of the small table, facing the prefect and nodding to the attendant, giving off a charismatic wink in appreciation to the tea and rice cakes.

As the prefect spoke, the charming politician poured them both a glass of tea, always being accustom to doing so in the presence of a higher status individual. He merely put some sugar into his own tea and stirred it around till his liking. Bringing the tea to his lips, he took a small sip and sighed contently, nodding in approval of the tea before setting it back down on the table, looking back to the prefect. "Well, I came because I was summoned here by your swordmaster Xian Jue, he said you are in need of a worthy politician such as myself." He stated firmly, graciously taking another sip from his tea.

"As for myself, I am merely a student of the political practices, a damn good one at that. My skills are not just limited to that of politics though master Xushou, for you see, I have a wicked tongue, and have studied in the arts of moralization and demoralization. For you see, the mind is very easy to manipulate if you know how, and I tell you now Lord Xushou, there is no politician better than I that can boost the moral and efficiency of your warriors, or demoralize your enemies in the heat of battle." He added, giving off a soft chuckle as he rested his hands in his lap.

"Now Lord Xushou, what is it that you want from me?" He questioned, furrowing a brow in curiosity as to the reason he was actually summoned to his presence.

[Xushou]

The attendants, well accustomed to Xiong Xushou's mannerisms, were alreading bringing tea when the young prefect reached one of the small tables where the tea was to be brought. He gestured for Xiao-Niao Min to join him, though he remained standing. "So, then, you mean to move next to Handan or Julu," Xushou murmured thoughtfully. "I believe your king is an honorable man, though I have yet to meet him, and I do not wish conflict with him. However, I must decline Xia Xi's offer."

"In the north, we suffered greatly under the rule of Qin," Xiong Xushou explained. "When Wu Chen invaded the north, we suffered again. We do not wish to pledge our allegiance to any king from the south." Pausing, the young prefect sipped from his teacup as he continued to regard Xiao-Niao Min curiously.

"If your king seeks an ally in me, I will give him my hand in friendship, but I will not submit my people to his rule," Xushou went on, at length. "Wu Chen has suffered many setbacks in recent months - with the rebellion of his army at Quni, the loss of Quni itself, and the invasion of his heartland by the kings of Yin and Chu. If your king means to continue his campaign with Chen She, then I truly have little to fear from Wu Chen - save, perhaps, his armies in Jibei under Lu Ying."

"Therefore, it will take more to convince me to place the lives of my men under the command of his generals than noble titles and small sums of gold," Xiong Xushou finished with a sigh.

[bain_nick]

"Oh no no no. I'm sorry if you thought the title was meant for vassilization, no my King was just offering it as a sign of friendship. You would still be your own Lord. And with the aid, it would be just what you could send, with a well leading officer. We would not want you to no be able to defend your own lands."

[Xushou]

Kirin Rose

"My desire is for peace," Xiong Xushou explained simply. With a little shrug, he went on, "Prosperity for the people is my greatest goal, and men of warfare can only bring so much peace and prosperity to the land before men such as you or I must take over. That your talents bridge the gap between general and official is remarkable, indeed. Men so skilled in words are necessary to maintain peace with our neighbors and ensure prosperity for our people."

"Certainly, you can see that the talents you so confidently boast could be put to great and noble use here in the north," the young prefect went on. "While the threat of Wu Chen's armies is slowly being eliminated, there are and will be other threats to stability."


bain_nick

"I would not sacrifice the stability of Changshan, even if it were your master's wish," Xiong Xushou answered. "However, I need not impair the safety of my people to aid you. My concern is for the men which you wish to participate in the battle. My armies are not yet well equipped, though they are well led, and I fear they would be either a hinderance to your lord's cause or callously used as fodder for the front lines in such a conflict. Even soldiers are people, lady Xiao-Niao, and I have sworn to protect all my people."

[bain_nick]

"Your concerns for your people are well noted Master Xiong, and you would be well assured that your people would be in good hands with whoever my King would send to lead in battle, but it is your desicion, and my King understands the need to protect the people under you."

[Kirin Rose]

Kirin Rose
"My desire is for peace," Xiong Xushou explained simply. With a little shrug, he went on, "Prosperity for the people is my greatest goal, and men of warfare can only bring so much peace and prosperity to the land before men such as you or I must take over. That your talents bridge the gap between general and official is remarkable, indeed. Men so skilled in words are necessary to maintain peace with our neighbors and ensure prosperity for our people."

"Certainly, you can see that the talents you so confidently boast could be put to great and noble use here in the north," the young prefect went on. "While the threat of Wu Chen's armies is slowly being eliminated, there are and will be other threats to stability."

"What you say is true, warfare can only shape the lands so far, it is men of politics and words who truly will take on the task of making this world a peaceful and secure nation." Ridd Ler replied, smiling as he listened to the complimenting words of the prefect.

"You are too kind Lord Xushou, if you could so use a man of my talents, may I ask, what position would I be accquiring here? For I have an estate filled with my family in Changshan, and I will require certain funds to keep them a float, this is the way of the world as you know." He added, taking the last sip of his tea and smiling firmly, setting his hands back into the confines of his robes.

[tlenoi]

A big-sized man in armor approached the city hall of Xiangguo. He walked to the guard at the gate.

"Good day! I come here to meet lord Xia...er... Xiong...Xiong something. This is the letter."

He tried to read the letter as he showed it to the guards.

"I am fine if you want to search me, pal! I don't have any weapon anyway."

[Xushou]

bain_nick

"I will need to know which of Wu Chen's cities you mean to strike next," Xiong Xushou answered calmly, "and greater compensation than your king has offered. For me to risk the lives of my men, in a campaign in which only a foreign king will benefit, I must ensure their efforts will be well rewarded - and their families adequately cared for should the worst occur."


Kirin Rose

"I can offer you the position of District Justiciar, with a monthly stipend of sixty taels," Xiong Xushou replied after a brief moment's consideration. "In the coming months, both your title and salary would be adjusted, providing you were to prove as invaluable as I believe you will. In fact, the coming months will likely bring much glory to those who serve my noble cause."


tlenoi

Shang Xiao, captain of the citadel gate guards, stepped forward to greet the large man. "Welcome, sir, to Xiangguo. The lord Prefect, Xiong Xushou, will, no doubt, be pleased that you have come," the captain replied as he quickly skimmed over the letter. Meanwhile, one of the younger guards came forward to search Wei Hong for any weapons or other dangerous items he may possess. Provided none were found, the large man was lead to the audience hall, where another pair of guards took over his escort.

"Lord Prefect, I present Wei Hong, who has arrived at your invitation," the younger guard announced.

"Welcome, master Wei," Xiong Xushou said, looking over the man carefully for a moment. "May I offer you refreshments - tea or wine?"


(OOC: My apologies for my brevity, but I must away for a while.)

[bain_nick]

"My King would send you the target via letter if you were to accept the deal, as I do not know the designated target myself. For the compensation, I could probably persuade my King to send 300 gold, though I doubt I would be able to recieve any more then that. I do stress that this is not just about the current situation, but that we would be indebted to you for your aid, and will be willing to assist you in the future."

[tlenoi]

Xushou

Wei Hong bowed awkwardly to Xiong Xushou

"Ahh, my pleasure to meet you, lord Xiong! May I have some wine to douse the heat from a hot day like today?"

He stroked his hands up and down to create some cool breeze for himself.

"By the way, If you do not mind, can you tell what kind of offer I can have here? I tried to read your letter, but could not understand it much."