Guǎn Huáng was never the most intelligent man. Even as a boy, he had hardly been bright and he would of likely of never had a future if not for that powerful arm. Even then, if not for the wars of rebellion, Guǎn Huáng would of likely risen to be little more than a blacksmith. A drunken, yet, loving blacksmith who could of simply stayed at home and loved his wife and kids... rather than becoming a miserable old shit whose wife had died of disease and whose daughter he barely knew. A daughter who had ended up married to the limp dicked son of a bitch who had burnt down Chenliu and offered him a position within his armies... A bastard who would likely pays thousands of coins to see the man before him dead.
"I'll make ya a deal." Guǎn Huáng growled with a hint of a grin upon his face. "Ya think Xiang Yu is mad at ya, do ya?" he questioned. "Well, ya are likely nice and right about that. The man is a damn butcher and a rebel who has done nothin' but kill everyone whose stood against him. Ain't ya heard those rumors? He's right and proper against Fan Zeng. Ya mark my words, that old man will be dead and it will be the first roots of rebellion. Ya standing with that cock suckin' bitch ain't gonna do nothing but see ya drug down into a grave. Either fighting for him as his minion or fighting against him once he betrays ya. The man is a &*$&' butcher who saw two hundred bloody thousand good men killed. Do ya hear me? Two hundred bloody thousand men killed just because he could! Men who had surrendered to him after bein' properly beat on the battlefield.. killed em cause they stood against him. Yeah, yeah right. The people don't give a right and proper shit who rules as long as you don't go pissin' on em. He's pissed all over us people, to."
"When ya finally grow the pair of balls to see the truth and maybe fight for your supposed people? Maybe then I can stand beside ya. Maybe after ya prove ya have the balls to do what's right, I'll stand with ya. Until then though, you're just another lap dog of that butcher in my eyes. And, cause of that, you're still my enemy and that's why you're standing there as my prisoner and not as my guest." he growled. "Hell.. ya've won your life though. I won't go and touch a single hair upon that darlin' head of yours as long as I get my gold. But, until I see that sparkling pile of treasure, ya ain't leaving. You're staying with me and I'll keep a right and proper eye on ya." Guǎn Huáng laughingly commented as he rose. "Chain him up and bring him to my tent. Bring a stake and hammer it ta the ground. Make sure that collar is nice and tight and is on that chain. Ten men in my tent and only my general staff and them allowed in. Get doin' it... and Su? Ya better know how to write with that left hand. If I don't see ma gold, your life may just go back to bein' on the line."
Liang Provincial Roleplay
Moderator: Game Masters
Re: Liang Provincial Roleplay
Ma Su looked at Guan Huang with a look of sympathy. Little did Huang know that Ma Su had been at Julu, and had watched the aftermath that Huang so bitterly condemned. It was at this moment that Su's devotion to the empire cracked.
It wasn't like he hadn't heard people talk about Julu and called it brazen, harsh, unnecessary, pure murder before, but Su realized that he was in the exact position of those he had executed that day. The important part though was that he was being offered a chance to escape, granted because of money, but even then, it wasn't really about money, so Su thought. In his mind at least, the money was just a way for Huang to say he had won, which he had, but that he would release Su after giving him something as ephemeral as money, knowing that Su would hunt him down later, was something Su found to be so bizarre. He had fully expected to die, every battle he had been in had been kill or be killed, and this was a radical departure from that norm. He was still half-expecting to be butchered, but he now doubted that.
He coughed a few times, very lightly chuckling as Guan Huang denied his offer. He shook his head slowly and sighed, a few bandits started gathering up their ropes and chains as Huang ordered Su bound up again, but Su would tiredly wave them off, trying to get a few words in first.
"I'll be able to write better if I don't have to be in that contraption again. It's a good thing for both of us I'm ambidextrous."
He chuckled as he took a piece of paper and a half bent quill from one of the awaiting bandits and scribbled out a note.
"Send that out, and it'll be here within three days."
He handed the paper and quill to the bandit, and waited to be chained up and carried away.
----------------------------
Ma Dieu and Ma Su's money bags
Ma Su's group of ransom holders proceeded along the road from Dingtao to the encampment in the nearby hills, melancholy expressions on their faces.
"Why did he have to get himself captured! What a foolish thing he did, charging in like that! And now we have to pay to get his ass out of there."
"It was stupid, he let his pride get in the way. Or maybe he had a death wish or something."
"I heard he put up a relatively good fight though. Not sure what he was expecting to prove though, that Guan Huang has a chest the size of an ox cart."
They approached the encampment, and in the far distance spotted another flag, which looked like Ma Dieu's. However, there was only one rider who rode on, a large man on a large horse, which proceeded to charge into the camp without pause.
"Must be another thrill seeker or something."
The convoy kept moving and approached the hill Ma Su had first scouted Guan Huang's camp from, and pitched camp there. They watched as the rest of the bandits in the camp encircled the man as he rode to the center of the encampment.
"Should we still go?"
"...Yeah, I guess."
A few of the riders from Ma Su's convoy went down the hill with Ma Su's flag in hand, and rode along to the edge of the camp, which had receded as many bandits had gone inwards following the rider.
It wasn't like he hadn't heard people talk about Julu and called it brazen, harsh, unnecessary, pure murder before, but Su realized that he was in the exact position of those he had executed that day. The important part though was that he was being offered a chance to escape, granted because of money, but even then, it wasn't really about money, so Su thought. In his mind at least, the money was just a way for Huang to say he had won, which he had, but that he would release Su after giving him something as ephemeral as money, knowing that Su would hunt him down later, was something Su found to be so bizarre. He had fully expected to die, every battle he had been in had been kill or be killed, and this was a radical departure from that norm. He was still half-expecting to be butchered, but he now doubted that.
He coughed a few times, very lightly chuckling as Guan Huang denied his offer. He shook his head slowly and sighed, a few bandits started gathering up their ropes and chains as Huang ordered Su bound up again, but Su would tiredly wave them off, trying to get a few words in first.
"I'll be able to write better if I don't have to be in that contraption again. It's a good thing for both of us I'm ambidextrous."
He chuckled as he took a piece of paper and a half bent quill from one of the awaiting bandits and scribbled out a note.
"Send that out, and it'll be here within three days."
He handed the paper and quill to the bandit, and waited to be chained up and carried away.
----------------------------
Ma Dieu and Ma Su's money bags
Ma Su's group of ransom holders proceeded along the road from Dingtao to the encampment in the nearby hills, melancholy expressions on their faces.
"Why did he have to get himself captured! What a foolish thing he did, charging in like that! And now we have to pay to get his ass out of there."
"It was stupid, he let his pride get in the way. Or maybe he had a death wish or something."
"I heard he put up a relatively good fight though. Not sure what he was expecting to prove though, that Guan Huang has a chest the size of an ox cart."
They approached the encampment, and in the far distance spotted another flag, which looked like Ma Dieu's. However, there was only one rider who rode on, a large man on a large horse, which proceeded to charge into the camp without pause.
"Must be another thrill seeker or something."
The convoy kept moving and approached the hill Ma Su had first scouted Guan Huang's camp from, and pitched camp there. They watched as the rest of the bandits in the camp encircled the man as he rode to the center of the encampment.
"Should we still go?"
"...Yeah, I guess."
A few of the riders from Ma Su's convoy went down the hill with Ma Su's flag in hand, and rode along to the edge of the camp, which had receded as many bandits had gone inwards following the rider.
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ann
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Re: Liang Provincial Roleplay
In the tent Guan Huang heard the commotion outside. He immediately had Ma Su bound again and ordered Niu Zuan to guard Ma Su and prevent his escape - or rescue. The guards remained to assist in this. Guan Huang then ordered his men, Tie Chu, Bi Xie, and Fei Quqi, to accompany him outside. The bandit leader armed himself first and then followed his officers out of the tent. They were immediately appraised of the situation - the large stranger shouting and the group of men arriving. Guan Huang ordered a unit of soldiers to take control of the ransom group while Tie Chu, Bi Xie, Fei Quqi and the men around the man calling for Guan Huang.
Xian Long Rui is effectively surrounded by soldiers and the above officers. The convoy is quickly arrested as apparent confederates of the strange man. They are held near where they were arrested before entering the central part of the camp. Ma Su is tied up in the tent with guards and Niu Zuan. He may offer tactics. Xian Long Rui may offer tactics. Guan Huang is standing somewhat distant from Xian Long Rui with his other officers - Tie Chu, Bi Xie, and Fei Quqi - between himself and the stranger. He may offer tactics.
To me!
Xian Long Rui is effectively surrounded by soldiers and the above officers. The convoy is quickly arrested as apparent confederates of the strange man. They are held near where they were arrested before entering the central part of the camp. Ma Su is tied up in the tent with guards and Niu Zuan. He may offer tactics. Xian Long Rui may offer tactics. Guan Huang is standing somewhat distant from Xian Long Rui with his other officers - Tie Chu, Bi Xie, and Fei Quqi - between himself and the stranger. He may offer tactics.
To me!
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ann
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Re: Liang Provincial Roleplay
In the tent, Ma Su was anxious to know what was happening outside. He attempted to stand and move towards the exit. This was immediately prevented by the guards. Seeing his way blocked he said, "I just want to see what's going on. Why don't you just come with me?" The guards do not move but look at Niu Zuan. Niu is not the sharpest mind around but is smarter than Ma Su and has good judgment. Consequently he shakes his head and has a guard assist Ma Su to a seated position across the tent from the exit. The guards show renewed vigilance.
On the hill the representatives from Ma Su's convoy are stopped before entering the camp. They are told to stop and that they must remove all weapons and turn them over. They are surrounded.
In the camp the big man waves in the general direction of the edge of camp, towards where the group of men is surrounded, and says, "I've come with Ma Su's ransom, as they have. They're with me." Then grunted towards the rotund old man, raising his weapon over his head in readiness for any hostile movements. "And, I have a proposition for you from General Ma Dieu of Jiaoxi. Will you hear it?"
More tactics!
On the hill the representatives from Ma Su's convoy are stopped before entering the camp. They are told to stop and that they must remove all weapons and turn them over. They are surrounded.
In the camp the big man waves in the general direction of the edge of camp, towards where the group of men is surrounded, and says, "I've come with Ma Su's ransom, as they have. They're with me." Then grunted towards the rotund old man, raising his weapon over his head in readiness for any hostile movements. "And, I have a proposition for you from General Ma Dieu of Jiaoxi. Will you hear it?"
More tactics!
Re: Liang Provincial Roleplay
Guǎn Huáng scowled at the fool who dared ride into his tent. How dare this man charge into his camp armed, how dare him dare to challenge Guǎn Huáng! He was the lord of this camp and these was his brothers. These was his brothers and he stood before them all as their elected commander. Who was he to come riding in and demand any right to see him? What right did this Ma Dieu have to interfere with this exchange? With his lips set in a scowl, Guǎn Huáng fingered that crossbow. His finger running along that loaded bolt as he cautiously gazed upon that man, judging both him and the distant hills for the rumbling of an army. "Quqi, keep your men ready. Bi Xie, go and secure the camp's borders and insure the scouts are still alive!" Guǎn Huáng ordered as he set his gaze upon that pompous fool.
"Who is this Ma Dieu to involve himself in the business of the Axe Gang? What proposition does he have for us and why are you here to escort my gold?" Guǎn Huáng questioned, his gaze intense.
"Who is this Ma Dieu to involve himself in the business of the Axe Gang? What proposition does he have for us and why are you here to escort my gold?" Guǎn Huáng questioned, his gaze intense.
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Li Dao Wen
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Re: Liang Provincial Roleplay
Xun Jiang stared back at the older man as if he was the abyss of death come for him, but didn't say a word for awhile. He simply kept his gaze transfixed upon the Monster of Changsha. His lips mirrored the scowl he had with a smirk of his own. After a good while his gaze softened a little, though it was nonetheless serious. "I mean to do business with you here, do not be so uptight Guan Huang. No traps, no betrayals. I am also here to escort this gold because there are other bandits around these parts who may more or less try to reduce this gold to nothing. You wouldn't want to receive a lower amount of gold would you?"
He lowered his weapon slightly towards the direction of the ground. If the older, wiser man was truly experienced enough he would know that this meant he didn't come to tussle. For now. "A thousand talents of gold for the release of Ma Su. They have half, I have half right here. If they don't have it, that's their problem." On the side of his horse is a heavy bag which he took and cut away, then dropped into the ground. It hit the grass with a huge thud; with the tip of his halberd he cut up the bag and out came pouring the gold. "Also, I come to offer you a command. To answer your question, Ma Dieu is the commander of Jiaoxi, but he is hard pressed right now and is in need of talented men and women to see this month through. Danger is all around us, and it promises to be deadly for all, but the Axe Gang surely is up for this challenge. The offer is a generalship, with an immediate payment of half a thousand pieces of gold, with additional pay for every month given."
He grew quiet for a moment as he discerned his other thoughts. "Ma Dieu is a general of Chu, that part I find distasteful. As a former Dog of Qin it is extremely distasteful. But you do know that all these men are trying to cut ties with the Hegemon King, do you not? I simply seek my path to victory over him by knowing whom I can actually... Trust. We were friends in childhood, and remain so now. One word from me and you'll have the best of everything he has to offer. What say you, Monster of Changsha?"
He lowered his weapon slightly towards the direction of the ground. If the older, wiser man was truly experienced enough he would know that this meant he didn't come to tussle. For now. "A thousand talents of gold for the release of Ma Su. They have half, I have half right here. If they don't have it, that's their problem." On the side of his horse is a heavy bag which he took and cut away, then dropped into the ground. It hit the grass with a huge thud; with the tip of his halberd he cut up the bag and out came pouring the gold. "Also, I come to offer you a command. To answer your question, Ma Dieu is the commander of Jiaoxi, but he is hard pressed right now and is in need of talented men and women to see this month through. Danger is all around us, and it promises to be deadly for all, but the Axe Gang surely is up for this challenge. The offer is a generalship, with an immediate payment of half a thousand pieces of gold, with additional pay for every month given."
He grew quiet for a moment as he discerned his other thoughts. "Ma Dieu is a general of Chu, that part I find distasteful. As a former Dog of Qin it is extremely distasteful. But you do know that all these men are trying to cut ties with the Hegemon King, do you not? I simply seek my path to victory over him by knowing whom I can actually... Trust. We were friends in childhood, and remain so now. One word from me and you'll have the best of everything he has to offer. What say you, Monster of Changsha?"
Re: Liang Provincial Roleplay
Ma Su listened from his seat as the area outside grew quiet. A man with a voice he did not know claimed to come from Ma Dieu's camp carrying half the ransom and asking Guan Huang to serve at Ma Dieu's court. This only increased Ma Su's curiosity, but he could not go to see what was happening with all these bandits in the way. His broken arm still in a sling, his wounds half-heartedly patched up by the bandits earlier, he was still in a good amount of pain, and thinking to himself about this man. It must have been someone from the mercenary group Ma Dieu had hired, no regular officer would speak of him like that.
If the envoy was able to convince Guan Huang to join, then Ma Su would not have to worry about him in the future. If he refused, it just gave Ma Su another chance to convince Huang to join him, or to fight him in the not so distant future. It would be interesting to see what happened...
----
The men at the edge of the camp had surrendered their weapons and said to the bandits "We're just here to drop off the ransom, nothing more. Our friends on the hill have our portion of the ransom, that guy should have the rest." they pointed at the man speaking to Guan Huang.
If the envoy was able to convince Guan Huang to join, then Ma Su would not have to worry about him in the future. If he refused, it just gave Ma Su another chance to convince Huang to join him, or to fight him in the not so distant future. It would be interesting to see what happened...
----
The men at the edge of the camp had surrendered their weapons and said to the bandits "We're just here to drop off the ransom, nothing more. Our friends on the hill have our portion of the ransom, that guy should have the rest." they pointed at the man speaking to Guan Huang.
Re: Liang Provincial Roleplay
Guǎn Huáng scowled and for a moment, he considered ending it all. To simply silence that fool by calling for his men to strike him down. Yet, Guǎn Huáng stilled his anger as he watched his soldiers work. Fei Quqi's men had busied themselves with the Black Ogre of Chu and the escorts of Ma Su's ransom while by the moment Bi Xie prepared the camp's outer limits, staking both patrols and looks outs as he saw soldiers risen from their rest and alerted to the possible trouble. Yet, Guǎn Huáng tore his attention away from his shoulders and the preparations for trouble. Rather than worry over the fate of his brothers, Guǎn Huáng turned his attention to that proud peacock of a man. By many standards, Guǎn Huáng was a tall and broad man of thick neck and shoulder. A man with a barrel of a waist and massive legs. He was a man powerfully built, yet, he held a rustic edge. Despite their similar builds, Guǎn Huáng and Xian Long Rui could never be compared within Guǎn Huáng's eyes.
Xian Long Rui was a peacock within Guǎn Huáng's eyes. A man who seemed far to accustomed to the trappings of wealth and finery than the common man's plight. A man not to be trusted and to be held at arm's length. It was a judgment Guǎn Huáng could only hope would prove wise as he fingered that crossbow and felt the tense bolt. Only, for him to fire. The bronze tipped bolt slammed into the ground by his own feet, leaving the crossbow to go lax as he swung it across his shoulder and bent. His eyes never trailing from his opponent as he grasped at that bolt and returned it to his waist. "I would be a fool not to distrust you or any of this business." Guǎn Huáng proclaimed as he folded his bared arms across his armored chest. "Yet, I will welcome you as my guest into my camp." Guǎn Huáng growled before turning his attention to his eldest friend and companion. "Chu, fetch us some food and drink." the bandit continued only for a bald headed man with a trimmed and elegant beard to nod. Without so much as another word, the man disappeared into the press of the Axe Gang. "Yet, Ogre," Guǎn Huáng growled as his man departed, "I have a question for you. Why does your lord separate himself from the State of Chu?" the old bandit questioned as his gaze narrowed.
"Does Ma Su and your lord seek to... press some claim upon the land and make a new dynasty, together?" Guǎn Huáng questioned.
Xian Long Rui was a peacock within Guǎn Huáng's eyes. A man who seemed far to accustomed to the trappings of wealth and finery than the common man's plight. A man not to be trusted and to be held at arm's length. It was a judgment Guǎn Huáng could only hope would prove wise as he fingered that crossbow and felt the tense bolt. Only, for him to fire. The bronze tipped bolt slammed into the ground by his own feet, leaving the crossbow to go lax as he swung it across his shoulder and bent. His eyes never trailing from his opponent as he grasped at that bolt and returned it to his waist. "I would be a fool not to distrust you or any of this business." Guǎn Huáng proclaimed as he folded his bared arms across his armored chest. "Yet, I will welcome you as my guest into my camp." Guǎn Huáng growled before turning his attention to his eldest friend and companion. "Chu, fetch us some food and drink." the bandit continued only for a bald headed man with a trimmed and elegant beard to nod. Without so much as another word, the man disappeared into the press of the Axe Gang. "Yet, Ogre," Guǎn Huáng growled as his man departed, "I have a question for you. Why does your lord separate himself from the State of Chu?" the old bandit questioned as his gaze narrowed.
"Does Ma Su and your lord seek to... press some claim upon the land and make a new dynasty, together?" Guǎn Huáng questioned.
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Li Dao Wen
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Re: Liang Provincial Roleplay
For someone much younger than Guan Huang, Xian Long Rui carried himself with both the pomp which Guan hated, and a seriousness which had more bearing with experience than actual behavior. Yet for all of Guan's insights, Xun Jiang was not a man who grew up with wealth and power. It was only by the strength of his hand and by the force of his arm that he had been able to afford his cocksure attitude and his fine weaponry.
He removed the smirk from his face as he dismounted from his horse, then turned back to face his 'host', the height difference becoming more obvious now that he had his feet firmly planted to the ground. He was extremely tall, almost gargantuan, even when compared to the already huge Guan Huang, and everyone else seemed like little dolls when squared against his side. "A dynasty?" The Black Ogre repeated the words with a hint of incredulity; even if he and the general have long known each other, who's to say that he indeed planned or did not plan to build something so lasting and yet so fragile? All he has ever known about Ma Dieu was that he is a man with many faces, but all of these pale before the cunning one which he always trusted to come out victorious in every battle. "I do not know if he intends to become a king, or if he wishes to simply wage war all around the land. But this I know of him: He was born to be a leader of men, and the dogs of Chu would never be able to hold him down from the conquests he can -and will make. No, not forever. Ma Dieu and Xiang Yu will never co-exist, for their gifts for war mirror each other's. That said, Ma Dieu is no Xiang Yu, not someone who would bury two hundred thousand men beneath the earth on a whim..."
He paused as he gritted his teeth and clenched his fist at the thought of Julu, and all the other things he had seen Xiang do. Clouds of thought kept on rolling into him, and he struggled to keep his tongue's words at a minimum. Even if he wasn't the smartest person around, he would probably be able to name at least a hundred reasons why Ma Dieu would never be Xiang Yu. He believed that it would never be so. There was a strong hint of conviction in his voice, firm and steady, when he found the right words to say. "...he may or may not become king in the future, I don't care either way. He can become not only a great king, a warrior king, but a good king, one who will treat his people with tolerance and justice. And he can destroy this... hegemony which knows only to enrich itself on the fears of the common folk."
He approached Guan Huang slowly yet steadily, his halberd still pointed downwards, his other hand holding the reins of his horse. He stopped his advance about five paces away from the Monster of Changsha, standing tall amidst his 'brothers' and friends. Looking the older man square in the eyes once they were face to face, Xun Jiang closed them momentarily and smiled placidly before rekindling his brutal confidence in his friend. "If a new dynasty is in order, then I say, so be it. Ma Dieu will take care of the people after all of this is over, that I am sure of. But as for the possible reasons why he wants to break from Chu? I leave that task up to him and his desires. I for one simply want Xiang Yu dead, and Chu destroyed. That is why I follow him."
Everyone in the land seeks to use Xiang Yu for their own ends, he was more than sure that this perceptive barrel of an old man would know that.
He removed the smirk from his face as he dismounted from his horse, then turned back to face his 'host', the height difference becoming more obvious now that he had his feet firmly planted to the ground. He was extremely tall, almost gargantuan, even when compared to the already huge Guan Huang, and everyone else seemed like little dolls when squared against his side. "A dynasty?" The Black Ogre repeated the words with a hint of incredulity; even if he and the general have long known each other, who's to say that he indeed planned or did not plan to build something so lasting and yet so fragile? All he has ever known about Ma Dieu was that he is a man with many faces, but all of these pale before the cunning one which he always trusted to come out victorious in every battle. "I do not know if he intends to become a king, or if he wishes to simply wage war all around the land. But this I know of him: He was born to be a leader of men, and the dogs of Chu would never be able to hold him down from the conquests he can -and will make. No, not forever. Ma Dieu and Xiang Yu will never co-exist, for their gifts for war mirror each other's. That said, Ma Dieu is no Xiang Yu, not someone who would bury two hundred thousand men beneath the earth on a whim..."
He paused as he gritted his teeth and clenched his fist at the thought of Julu, and all the other things he had seen Xiang do. Clouds of thought kept on rolling into him, and he struggled to keep his tongue's words at a minimum. Even if he wasn't the smartest person around, he would probably be able to name at least a hundred reasons why Ma Dieu would never be Xiang Yu. He believed that it would never be so. There was a strong hint of conviction in his voice, firm and steady, when he found the right words to say. "...he may or may not become king in the future, I don't care either way. He can become not only a great king, a warrior king, but a good king, one who will treat his people with tolerance and justice. And he can destroy this... hegemony which knows only to enrich itself on the fears of the common folk."
He approached Guan Huang slowly yet steadily, his halberd still pointed downwards, his other hand holding the reins of his horse. He stopped his advance about five paces away from the Monster of Changsha, standing tall amidst his 'brothers' and friends. Looking the older man square in the eyes once they were face to face, Xun Jiang closed them momentarily and smiled placidly before rekindling his brutal confidence in his friend. "If a new dynasty is in order, then I say, so be it. Ma Dieu will take care of the people after all of this is over, that I am sure of. But as for the possible reasons why he wants to break from Chu? I leave that task up to him and his desires. I for one simply want Xiang Yu dead, and Chu destroyed. That is why I follow him."
Everyone in the land seeks to use Xiang Yu for their own ends, he was more than sure that this perceptive barrel of an old man would know that.
Re: Liang Provincial Roleplay
Guǎn Huáng was silent as he watched that tall man approach. Yet, fear did not turn his tongue into lead. Fear had not taken his heart nor wit. Guǎn Huáng stood silent out of respect, his lips set in a firm scowl as he listened to the man recount his tale. As he described Ma Dieu to him and revealed a description of the man from a childhood friend. It was a tale that was met with a stoic face. However, those who knew him well could see that building anger. The slight shift of his feet to have a solid stance, the gentle cock of his neck that left cartilage to gently pop, the faint grinding of his jaw. All was a sign to those who knew him well. A sign Tie Chu all to welly seen as he returned with eight men in tow. Four of the men carried a small and rectangular table of plain wood while each of the other four soldiers carried a single barrel. Yet, within Tie Chu's hands, was a wooden platter. Upon that platter laid four bottles of nong tian style huangjiu, a fermented yellow wine, and a bowl filled with some type of roasted meat. The table was quickly positioned outside of his grand camp and four barrels settled around it, with a barrel at each edge of the rectangular table. While the bowl of meat and the wine was quickly laid out by Tie Chu before he moved to stand at Guǎn Huáng's side.
Yet, once everything was in order, Guǎn Huáng once more spoke. His dark eyes settled upon his foe as he brought a hand up and waved it at that simple, but, courteous display. "You will join me for dinner, Xian Long Rui. You will join me after you hear my own proposition to you." the bandit began. "Ma Su is my prisoner and he will remain my prisoner. My men attacked his city and he was a coward who refused to sally forth his enemy. Rather than protect his own city, he called upon a foreign lord to defend it. He called upon Hin Wu to protect his lands while his armies gathered in Chenliu. Only for his armies to retreat before even the first skirmish. He abandoned the city of Chenliu when he proclaimed that the people was his own. He abandoned the city and allowed it to be burned to ashes without so much as raising a finger. Perhaps, just perhaps, he is not a coward. He had the bravery to stand against me and fight me and I can respect that. If he did not fight against the limp dicked bastard who has supposedly married my daughter, I may of even considered fighting underneath his banner. Yet, your lord has no right to interfere with this. What Ma Su has done is no fault of your lord and is Ma Su's debt alone to carry. Yet, if your lord wishes to willingly take upon himself this debt, I will not argue. My brothers are desperate to leave and I have little love to stay."
"You, however, have two options." Guǎn Huáng growled. "Either you may return to your brother alive or you may return to him dead. I am preparing to leave Liang as we speak, yet, we will not allow Ma Su to escape until we are firmly out of his territory. Once we have reached the north, we will release him and those who escorted his gold. Only once we have left will he be released and only then. Should you attempt to take him now, you will be killed." Guǎn Huáng commented as his gaze rose to meet the giant's own. "Mark my words, boy. Even if you can best me in personal combat, you will not escape this camp alive. Unsaddle the gold for counting and prepare to leave with my guarantee that Ma Su will be released. Otherwise, you may accompany us to the border and join his escort. Yet, if you desire to join us and Ma Su, you will be no longer be my guest but my prisoner. Your weapons and armor will be stripped from you and put into storage until it is time to allow your release. You have my word that if you accept this, no harm will come to you, boy."
Yet, once everything was in order, Guǎn Huáng once more spoke. His dark eyes settled upon his foe as he brought a hand up and waved it at that simple, but, courteous display. "You will join me for dinner, Xian Long Rui. You will join me after you hear my own proposition to you." the bandit began. "Ma Su is my prisoner and he will remain my prisoner. My men attacked his city and he was a coward who refused to sally forth his enemy. Rather than protect his own city, he called upon a foreign lord to defend it. He called upon Hin Wu to protect his lands while his armies gathered in Chenliu. Only for his armies to retreat before even the first skirmish. He abandoned the city of Chenliu when he proclaimed that the people was his own. He abandoned the city and allowed it to be burned to ashes without so much as raising a finger. Perhaps, just perhaps, he is not a coward. He had the bravery to stand against me and fight me and I can respect that. If he did not fight against the limp dicked bastard who has supposedly married my daughter, I may of even considered fighting underneath his banner. Yet, your lord has no right to interfere with this. What Ma Su has done is no fault of your lord and is Ma Su's debt alone to carry. Yet, if your lord wishes to willingly take upon himself this debt, I will not argue. My brothers are desperate to leave and I have little love to stay."
"You, however, have two options." Guǎn Huáng growled. "Either you may return to your brother alive or you may return to him dead. I am preparing to leave Liang as we speak, yet, we will not allow Ma Su to escape until we are firmly out of his territory. Once we have reached the north, we will release him and those who escorted his gold. Only once we have left will he be released and only then. Should you attempt to take him now, you will be killed." Guǎn Huáng commented as his gaze rose to meet the giant's own. "Mark my words, boy. Even if you can best me in personal combat, you will not escape this camp alive. Unsaddle the gold for counting and prepare to leave with my guarantee that Ma Su will be released. Otherwise, you may accompany us to the border and join his escort. Yet, if you desire to join us and Ma Su, you will be no longer be my guest but my prisoner. Your weapons and armor will be stripped from you and put into storage until it is time to allow your release. You have my word that if you accept this, no harm will come to you, boy."