Tian Dan's Audience Hall - Chenggao

[Galagros]

Shadow:

The commander of the guards ordered his men to attention and spoke with some respect to the Supreme Commander. When Xun Shang was done speaking he sent a runner into the city to alert the King of his presence. "I am sure that an audience will be granted, Commander. How many do you wish to have accompanying you?"


RuffRydeR:

The guardsmen were obviously alarmed at the sight of a woman armed as such. A runner was sent into the city to tell the King of the arrival of the Lady. "Lady I ..." the guard speaking paused, "You will not need to be armed so to meet with the King. Will you consent to leave your weapons here or with your escort?"


Wokimo:

The most senior guardsman, a Captian by appearance, became more alert when the man named himself. "Yes, the King left orders for you to be shown to him directly, should you arrive." He turned to form an escort from the guardsmen and added, "your officer may also enter." The Captain, along with Cai Xingzhe, Lieutenant Xia, and an escort of twelve soldiers followed the most direct path through the city and to the audience hall, where the King was hearing the pleas of several merchants. When he saw Cai Xingzhe enter the room he ended the audience quickly and welcomed the new arrival.

"I am sorry that you were forced to make the trip here, but my armies need time to recuperate from the loss of Jibei," he said to Xingzhe. "At least Fei Lak will not be bothering us any further, for the time being..."



[Sorry that it took so long to reply to some of these, but I was unaware that there were new posts in the AH until today.]

[RuffRydeR]

The guardsmen were obviously alarmed at the sight of a woman armed as such. A runner was sent into the city to tell the King of the arrival of the Lady. "Lady I ..." the guard speaking paused, "You will not need to be armed so to meet with the King. Will you consent to leave your weapons here or with your escort?"

"Is this the King's request? If so, then the Princess cannot deny such a gentle greeting..."

She took off the chakrams from her back, and the girdle that held the sword at her waist. But when it came to her bow, she fiddled with it awkwardly, shifting in her breastplate slightly.

"May I keep my bow? It's a noble family heirloom, and I feel uncomfortable going anywhere completely unarmed...or unaccompanied for that matter. It makes me nervous...I don't exactly remember a time recently where I haven't had a weapon of any sort with me, so I'd probably keep worrying about feeling so...bare. I'd also like to have two of my maidens come along. Or if not that, then my driver, Gibei. Everyone knows a woman, especially a respectable noblewoman of any rank, may not be alone with a whole man with whom she has no relation..."

[Wokimo]

@Galiwag
"In fact it will be the Marquis who is being bothered but we can discuss that in due course, I'm sure. It is most gratifying to see you alive, Your Highness. When those curs from Yan started spread word that you'd been captured I feared the worst, but I hear they decided to ransom you instead of kill you." Cai said with little joy.

The former Prefect of Donga was pleased to see that his list of allies was not diminished, as it might have been had Tian Dan perished at Fei Lak's hands, even if it wasn't immediately obvious from his general demeanour. Of course, Cai Xingzhe was still blissfully unaware that the man he called King had given his worst enemy a proclamation that cut all ties between Donga's ex-ruler and the Lord of Qi Province, otherwise he might not have elected to accept Tian's invitation. After all, there were plenty of others whom he could turn to for shelter if needs be.

"My men have completed their withdrawal into Qi, along with a handful of officers from the Donga administration. Unfortunately, I could not retain the services of Huang Wei, who has returned to his home on the Yellow River." he reported and looked all the more dejected for it.

[Galagros]

RuffRydeR:

The guard was tired of bickering with a strange woman already and consented to the bow. "Very well, two of your maidens and your driver may accompany you, but they may not be armed. There can be no arguing on that point."


Wokimo:

"Yes, surely it is Fei Lak who will suffer the worst to come. It is a good thing that he is being threatened from his western flank, for it left him no time or reason to copy and circulate that ridiculous letter that he forced me to write. It would not do to make you an enemy." He paused shortly, but quickly continued speaking, hoping that that would be an end to a conversation he did not wish to have. "I am sorry that you lost your general, but surely talented men will flock to your banner once you rise to prominence again."

"What is the state of your army? If it isn't ruined in the extreme then there may be an opportunity for the both of us..."

[Shadow]

"Just one shall proceed with me." Shang replied to the guard.
He was referring to Jun Min who accompanied him as a full time bodyguard now. He wondered if his sword would be taken as he began to formula his thoughts. Shang enjoyed his visits to Qi as it gave him the chance to see his family and home along the way.

[Wokimo]

@Galagros
Haoqi appeared to do some quick mental arithmetic before coming to an approximation of his numerical strength.

"I have nine legions under my command, armour and weapons for most of them as well. Morale is low after our close victory over Han Xiu and subsequent retreat, so my men aren't fit to fight on their own, but if mixed with soldiers who are in high spirits they should be battle-worthy." Haoqi spoke matter of factly, as though he hadn't heard the king's comment about documents, but began to wonder exactly what was meant. "Forgive me if I have misunderstood, but I take it that you wish to counter-attack in the coming month. I think we may well have some rather... how shall I put this... unexpected allies, if this is the case."

T'ung Yinling watched the King's reaction carefully after his master's last comment and wondered whether Tian Dan would be pleased to know of the deal that had been struck up between Cai and a former enemy of the King's. Of course, it would be to Tian's advantage to accept the help offered in the retaking of Donga, but Yinling couldn't decide whether the man on the throne was a fool or not. He'd been a fool to be caught, but a wise man indeed to succour Cai Xingzhe when the Prefect was forced from his home. His reaction would have far reaching consequences.

((I've taken legions to refer to a thousand soldiers in this case. ))

[Galagros]

Shadow:

"Very well," the guard said before leading the two men into the hall. The King was with some of his various relations when the Supreme Commander was announced.

"Welcome, Commander," said the King. "Your Lord has done well for himself since we last spoke..."


Wokimo:

"That, actually, is not what I had in mind. I understand that you have an attachment to Donga, but I have no power left in Jibei ... and unless fortuitous events favor me, I won't for some time to come. There is, however, a post--not unlike your previous--in Qi that is currently occupied by a most unfit individual." Tian Dan let that sink in before delivering anymore ideas. "Qi is a strong province; my armies are already partially revitalized after our defeat. From here, plans can be hatched and begun. There is a weak spot in Qi, however, that I would like you to fill."

[Wokimo]

Cai Xingzhe baulked at the idea of not returning to his native Jibei and taking up a permanent residence in Qi province instead. His ambition had been to claim all of his home province for the Cai family and then set about reforming the government there. It was once Haoqi's intention to unite Jibei and then, as a mother suckles her child, nurture the people and the land, so that it would become a prosperous region once more. However, such ambitions had faded continually over the months into little more than pleasant dreams and now it seemed that Tian Dan wished to put a final nail in the coffin of his vassal's plans for Jibei.

"I... if it is for fear of defeat at Fei Lak's hands that you do not wish to attempt a recapture of Donga, then I promise you have nothing to fear, Your Highness. Though she severed our ties once, Prefect Lu is willing to combine with us against the common foe of the Marquis of Yan." he explained. "I would go as far as to say that victory is certain. Are you certain that you wish to pass this favourable opportunity by?"

Cai was no fool. He knew that his re-entry of Donga would be chiefly of benefit to himself and not the King, but he couldn't bare to let go of his dream yet, despite how futile he knew his pleading might prove.

[Galagros]

"It would only serve to weaken my if I split my forces and moved back in Jibei, and I will not do that," said Tian Dan. "Think on my offer and return to me with an answer. Think realistically and I think you will find my plan a good one."

[RuffRydeR]

The guard was tired of bickering with a strange woman already and consented to the bow. "Very well, two of your maidens and your driver may accompany you, but they may not be armed. There can be no arguing on that point."

"Alright then. I do thank you for your kindness."

She saw to it that her assistants were also unarmed and then stood with them, speaking,

'Alright, I think we're ready to meet his Highness. Which way?"