The city of Xiangguo is a touch of the Central Plains deposited in the north. From atop the citadel in the city's center, the dark banners of Xiong Xushou are raised, bringing further emphasis to the scorched stone and burnt rock that are the remnants of the great battle that took place there. Petitioners to the citadel are met at the gates by at least three guards, and asked to give their name, the reason for their visit, their weapons, and their consent to a search of their person. Within, the citadel was decorated in a rather somber manner, with dark tapestries and paintings hung from the walls. Throughout the citadel, more guards were stationed at regular intervals.
The audience hall itself was more sparsely decorated than the rest of the citadel. Petitioners were provided with a pair of simple, wooden tables, each completed with a set of equally simple, wooden chairs. A plain throne sat atop a raised dais beyond the tables, carved from dark stone and covered by a few cushions.
Jin Kai's Audience Hall - Xiangguo
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ann
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Jin Kai's Audience Hall - Xiangguo
Last edited by ann on Fri Aug 22, 2008 3:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
(OOC: Sorry if this ends up not making a whole lot of sense, XX, but that's what happens when you keep me up past midnight! 
)
Zhang Kui travelled alone within the walls of Xiangguo, having left his army to establish an encampment near the city. With the disarray from the bloody battle, few gawked quite as openly, as they usually did, at the Xiongnu rider slowly making his way through the city streets. When he had arrived at the palace gates, Xuanlong dismounted and led his horse by the reigns to the guards stationed there.
"I come at the request of the new master of this city," Zhang Kui said. "He is expecting my arrival, and news of my efforts on his behalf." He extended his hand, revealing a parchment bearing Xiong Xushou's seal for the guards to inspect.
"I have left my weapons in the encampment, also as lord Xiong requested," Xuanlong muttered. He did not mind so much answering to the man, but there were times when he still longed to lead his men back to the northern wilderness. None would allow an armed man into the halls of their lord, especially in the dark times that had befallen the land, but Zhang Kui had agreed to serve Xiong Xushou. If he would not be trusted by the man, their relationship would be a short one.
)Zhang Kui travelled alone within the walls of Xiangguo, having left his army to establish an encampment near the city. With the disarray from the bloody battle, few gawked quite as openly, as they usually did, at the Xiongnu rider slowly making his way through the city streets. When he had arrived at the palace gates, Xuanlong dismounted and led his horse by the reigns to the guards stationed there.
"I come at the request of the new master of this city," Zhang Kui said. "He is expecting my arrival, and news of my efforts on his behalf." He extended his hand, revealing a parchment bearing Xiong Xushou's seal for the guards to inspect.
"I have left my weapons in the encampment, also as lord Xiong requested," Xuanlong muttered. He did not mind so much answering to the man, but there were times when he still longed to lead his men back to the northern wilderness. None would allow an armed man into the halls of their lord, especially in the dark times that had befallen the land, but Zhang Kui had agreed to serve Xiong Xushou. If he would not be trusted by the man, their relationship would be a short one.
Three guards were stationed at the outer gates to the palace grounds. The oldest in appearance of the three was the one to take Zhang Kui's letter and give it a thorough inspection. Oddly, the younger two appeared to be twins. When the captain of the guards was thoroughly satisfied that the parchment was authentic, he replied, "Master Zhang, our lord does await you, indeed. I shall take you to him personally, after a search of your person."
Assuming Zhang Kui consented to the search and was honest in his claim of being unarmed, the captain turned back to his men and ordered, "Zhan Shi, Zhan Yuan, let none pass until I return!" Once the younger men had acknowledged the captain's orders, he led Zhang Kui through the gates into the palace grounds.
Once inside the palace, the captain led the visitor down a lengthy hall, never straying from his direct path toward the large doors at the end of the hall. When he arrived at those doors, two more guards awaited them.
"Zhang Kui has come to meet with our lord as requested," the captain informed the two men. They shared a glance at one another and then turned to look at the barbarian with thinly veiled disgust.
"Very well, captain Shang," one of the two men replied. "Right this way, master Zhang." He turned and pushed open the doors to the audience hall. Stepping through the doorway, the guard took six steps into the room and halted. With a deep and very formal bow, he announced, "Lord Prefect, I present Zhang Kui."
Xiong Xushou looked up from a parchment he had been reading to regard the Xiongnu warrior curiously. That not-quite-friendly smile appeared on the young man's lips, and he gave Zhang Kui a slight nod. After a flick of Xiong Xushou's sleeve, the guard returned to his post just outside the door. Three more guards stood very near the man who had recently taken Xiangguo by force of arms, and each watched Zhang Kui very closely.
"Master Zhang, it brings me great joy to see that you have returned," Xiong Xushou greeted. "Will you, then, be joining my endeavor to return stability to these lands? Word has already reached my ears of your success in the villages."
Assuming Zhang Kui consented to the search and was honest in his claim of being unarmed, the captain turned back to his men and ordered, "Zhan Shi, Zhan Yuan, let none pass until I return!" Once the younger men had acknowledged the captain's orders, he led Zhang Kui through the gates into the palace grounds.
Once inside the palace, the captain led the visitor down a lengthy hall, never straying from his direct path toward the large doors at the end of the hall. When he arrived at those doors, two more guards awaited them.
"Zhang Kui has come to meet with our lord as requested," the captain informed the two men. They shared a glance at one another and then turned to look at the barbarian with thinly veiled disgust.
"Very well, captain Shang," one of the two men replied. "Right this way, master Zhang." He turned and pushed open the doors to the audience hall. Stepping through the doorway, the guard took six steps into the room and halted. With a deep and very formal bow, he announced, "Lord Prefect, I present Zhang Kui."
Xiong Xushou looked up from a parchment he had been reading to regard the Xiongnu warrior curiously. That not-quite-friendly smile appeared on the young man's lips, and he gave Zhang Kui a slight nod. After a flick of Xiong Xushou's sleeve, the guard returned to his post just outside the door. Three more guards stood very near the man who had recently taken Xiangguo by force of arms, and each watched Zhang Kui very closely.
"Master Zhang, it brings me great joy to see that you have returned," Xiong Xushou greeted. "Will you, then, be joining my endeavor to return stability to these lands? Word has already reached my ears of your success in the villages."
"My men are yours to command, lord Prefect," Zhang Kui said with a quiet sigh. He had been his own man for many, many years; his men had answered to none but him for all that time. Now, he was prepared to follow another. "The Black Dragon and his army will carve your ambitions into reality, or else we shall die trying!"
(OOC: Sorry for the brevity, gotta run to work for a bit.)
(OOC: Sorry for the brevity, gotta run to work for a bit.)
"Very well," replied Xiong Xushou, rising to his feet. He stepped down from the raised dais upon which his throne sat, surrounded by his guards who still eyed the Xiongnu warrior without the slightest bit of trust. "Then I hereby grant you the rank of General of Xiangguo. You and your men will be the leaders of my armies. I am placing a great deal of trust and responsibility in you, General Zhang; I know you will not fail me."
((OOC: Since you already posted in the OI, PH access will be granted shortly!))
((OOC: Since you already posted in the OI, PH access will be granted shortly!))
Zhang Kui made an awkward bow toward the younger man. He was going to have to get used to the formality of the people, and it was not going to be easy. Still, that did not mean he was going to hold his tongue and not speak his mind. Straightening, the proud Xiongnu warrior replied firmly:
"I will inform my men of our agreement, Xiong Xushou. You could not have found a greater fighting force in all the lands. We will not fail."
His little speech completed, Xuanlong made a final awkward bow and turned to be escorted back out the citadel's gates and to his encampment outside the city walls.
"I will inform my men of our agreement, Xiong Xushou. You could not have found a greater fighting force in all the lands. We will not fail."
His little speech completed, Xuanlong made a final awkward bow and turned to be escorted back out the citadel's gates and to his encampment outside the city walls.
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Big Grizzy
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Three men approached the citadel on foot. The leader of the three approached the guard chief with a smile. "Hail there guardsmen. I am Jin Kai, administrator of Kuailang, and these are my brothers Wu Bei and Zhang Mai. We have come to discuss matters of state with Master Xiong. We carry no weapons, but will consent to the necessary searches."
Shang Xiao stepped forward and rendered a respectful salute to the three men. "Very well, master Jin," he replied, signalling the two younger guards. The three guards stepped forward, each searching one of the three petitioners. When they were satisfied that the men, indeed, carried no weapons or other instruments that could harm their lord, the captain said, "If you will accompany me, I will take you to the lord Prefect."
Jin Kai and his men were led by Captain Shang into the palace grounds and into a long hall. At the end of the hall, he announced to two more guards stationed there, "Jin Kai, administrator of Kuailang, and his brothers, Wu Bei and Zhang Mai, request an audience with the lord Prefect to discuss matters of state."
"Very well, captain Shang," one of the two guards replied. "Right this way, masters." He turned and pushed open the doors to the audience hall and led the men within. Six paces into the room, he stopped and rendered a very formal bow. "Lord Prefect, I present Jin Kai, administrator of Kuailang, and Wu Bei and Zhang Mai, his brothers."
Xiong Xushou had been quietly discussing something with the eldest-looking of the three guards who stood very near his throne when the announcement was made. His gaze turned toward the three men in question, and he signalled the guard to return to his post.
"Master Jin Kai of Kuailang," the young prefect greeted with a slight smile, "it is an honor to finally make your acquaintance. News of your deeds has preceded you across the province. I welcome you and your brothers to my humble halls. Please, be seated if you wish."
"Tell me, what is it that you wish to discuss with me?" Xushou asked curiously, shifting in his seat as he eagerly awaited the men's response.
Jin Kai and his men were led by Captain Shang into the palace grounds and into a long hall. At the end of the hall, he announced to two more guards stationed there, "Jin Kai, administrator of Kuailang, and his brothers, Wu Bei and Zhang Mai, request an audience with the lord Prefect to discuss matters of state."
"Very well, captain Shang," one of the two guards replied. "Right this way, masters." He turned and pushed open the doors to the audience hall and led the men within. Six paces into the room, he stopped and rendered a very formal bow. "Lord Prefect, I present Jin Kai, administrator of Kuailang, and Wu Bei and Zhang Mai, his brothers."
Xiong Xushou had been quietly discussing something with the eldest-looking of the three guards who stood very near his throne when the announcement was made. His gaze turned toward the three men in question, and he signalled the guard to return to his post.
"Master Jin Kai of Kuailang," the young prefect greeted with a slight smile, "it is an honor to finally make your acquaintance. News of your deeds has preceded you across the province. I welcome you and your brothers to my humble halls. Please, be seated if you wish."
"Tell me, what is it that you wish to discuss with me?" Xushou asked curiously, shifting in his seat as he eagerly awaited the men's response.
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Big Grizzy
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Jin Kai looked the young man before him up and down, taking mental notes on his wild-looking appearance that seemed to try to hide his sharp eyes. He took a step forward, separating himself from his brothers. With a deep bow he began speaking.
"I have come to speak about Changshan. You see, my brothers and I are not men of the province and have little knowledge of its political maneuverings. We left after taking into service some men of ill repute in Yan. Wishing to change their fates, it was decided we would leave Yan and their ruff ways behind."
"This move has apparently signaled to many persons in power that of am a man of some talent, though I am not sure why. The various governors all seem to have their own agendas, and if I may be so bold, I have come to ask you yours. Unseating a longstanding governor is usually not a sign of one with no further plans."
"I have come to speak about Changshan. You see, my brothers and I are not men of the province and have little knowledge of its political maneuverings. We left after taking into service some men of ill repute in Yan. Wishing to change their fates, it was decided we would leave Yan and their ruff ways behind."
"This move has apparently signaled to many persons in power that of am a man of some talent, though I am not sure why. The various governors all seem to have their own agendas, and if I may be so bold, I have come to ask you yours. Unseating a longstanding governor is usually not a sign of one with no further plans."
"The prefect of Xiangguo was concerned only with his own power. The people of Changshan face threats from the barbaric lord of Yan, Fei Lak, as well as the potential of invasion from Wu Chen, the self-proclaimed king of Zhao who is little more than a bandit rebelling against the rebel king of Chu," Xiong Xushou readily explained, giving a little shrug as if the information was common knowledge. "What the people need is someone who is willing to place their needs above his own need for glory and stature. I seek stability for Changshan - freedom from the oppressors in Yan and Zhao."
"Many claim a similar goal, hoping to convince worthy men to serve their unworthy causes," the young prefect went on. "Whether my cause is deemed worthy or not, I am, at least, honest about it. I seek stability - what some would call peace - for the people of Changshan. If my intentions were otherwise, likely, I would have sent word to you and the other men of power and influence within the province, seeking to entice you to a cause that amounts to little more than glory for an overlord."
"If my name is remembered in the great histories of our people, then, so be it," Xiong Xushou sighed, "but this is not my aim. Do you wish for peace, master Jin? Do you seek to protect the people who have flocked to your banners from the horrors of war and needless bloodshed? The lord of Yan seeks only to grow in power; the so-called king of Zhao seeks only to unite the land in his name. I am different in that I seek not power nor glory. If the land is united under my banner, then it will not be the result of my lust for such things but out of a desire for the peace and prosperity of our people."
"Many claim a similar goal, hoping to convince worthy men to serve their unworthy causes," the young prefect went on. "Whether my cause is deemed worthy or not, I am, at least, honest about it. I seek stability - what some would call peace - for the people of Changshan. If my intentions were otherwise, likely, I would have sent word to you and the other men of power and influence within the province, seeking to entice you to a cause that amounts to little more than glory for an overlord."
"If my name is remembered in the great histories of our people, then, so be it," Xiong Xushou sighed, "but this is not my aim. Do you wish for peace, master Jin? Do you seek to protect the people who have flocked to your banners from the horrors of war and needless bloodshed? The lord of Yan seeks only to grow in power; the so-called king of Zhao seeks only to unite the land in his name. I am different in that I seek not power nor glory. If the land is united under my banner, then it will not be the result of my lust for such things but out of a desire for the peace and prosperity of our people."