Liang Provincial Roleplay

[Jin Shi]

Ma Su let Liao Jian continue to carry the conversation once they sat down. Ma Su looked around, trying to sense if there were anyone listening in. "If they are so guarded, I will be guarded as well." He nudged Liao Jian, whispering "Vendor analogy, and be on watch." Liao Jian nodded in return and said to their host

"Master Chan, when you visit to a shop, do you not wish to see the vendor's wares first? You should know what you are going to get before you pay for something, correct?" Liao Jian looked around the room a brief moment, and said "This is a pleasant space you have, Master. Looking at your own robes, do you not think you deserve a larger space, however? Do all of Lord Tang Yo's high ranking advisers have such limited spaces?" Though the room did not seem truly small, Jian hoped to plant more ideas of greed in Chan's mind.

Jian had been on edge for much of the time before, being surrounded by larger men than himself. Now that he felt in control, he projected that feeling, a calm and pleasant demeanor flowing out of him. When the wine came, Jian poured the wine for the three of them, and made sure Chan Zhong got the largest portion as he listened to Zhong's responses. Ma Su found sitting on these little pillows to be degrading, but he was more concerned with the potential of being watched, and the potential information Zhong held.

[Cao Chao]

One chilly mid-morning, a carriage made its way through the streets of the city of Suiyang, coming to a rest outside the governmental complex. Baocen Peng emerged from the carriage, a wooden cane in hand, and walked towards the gate while his attendant saw to the horses.

"I am Baocen Peng, minister of Chu, here to meet with Magistrate Zun on official business," he announced to the guards on duty. He held out his cane, in case one of the guards thought to inspect it for a blade, and waited for them to admit him inside.

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!?!" screamed the governor when he heard that Baocen Peng, a minister from Chu was at the door, "A Chu minister is at the main gates!?! What the hell do those Chu bastages want!?! I mean, what in tarnation do they want??? I've been bribing them left and right . . . and yet they still bug me, bug me, and bug me. UGH! Can't they just leave me in peace!?!"

The aide coughed lightly and regarded the governor with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever," replied Zun Xu with a scowl, ending his tantrum and wiping the tears that welled at the corner of his eyes, "Bring him into the main reception hall. And get the standard package ready . . . just in case. Fricking . . . damn . . . so much money down the drain . . . just to pay off those sons of bitches."

"Ahh, Minister Baocen, I am Zun Xu, the Governor of Suiyang," said the governor after the Chu envoy had been brought into his receiving chambers. "Welcome to my city. What can I do for you . . . and the Hegemonic King?"

[Shen Feng]

"Such a title could only be claimed with the King and the Emperor's blessings." Tang Yo said cautiously, as he considered the words being uttered by the man before him. The ruler of Dingtao considered each flattery with a grain of salt, suspicious that the man speaking to him was trying to get him to lower his defenses. Was Xiang Yu planning on deposing him? He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"I have many fine pieces, young ambassador, from fine horses to portraits, to vases and jewels. They are gifts of appreciation that come from such an illustrious position." He hesitated a moment and then got to his feet. He walked past Shen Feng, though not without making a wide detour, keeping his distance. He spoke whispered words to an attendant, something out belaying orders and their horses. Then turned back to Feng and smiled. "Follow me and I will show you one of my galleries. I have bronze and laquerware vessels there that may suit your cultural leanings." He walked up to the double doors and instructed them to be opened. The soldier who led Shen Feng inside opened both doors open wide, then the governor proceeded out and down the hall, flanked by his armed men. The two men with crossbows remained in the audience chamber, but they indicated rather pointedly that Shen Feng should follow their master.

Tang Yo went down the halls, pointing out a few more notable items. A silk tapestry with a phoenix motif, a suit of etched bronze armor, and a book bound by two silver sheets. He then opened the door to a gallery where a heft collection of various vases and vessels were displayed on small platforms. A few were bronze with intricate carvings, but most were more colorful laquerware in shades of blue, yellow, white, crimson, and even one or two that seemed to shine like emeralds.

"With their blessings, yes, but that would be the whole point of working with us, wouldn't it? The loyal and stalwart are rewarded." Again, Feng made sure to state it was working 'with' the Chu, not 'for' the Chu, a point which the Fǔyǐn had picked up on before.

Feng did nothing to disrupt the wide path that Tang Yo took around him as they exited the room, but he was pleased to find that the Fǔyǐn had indeed taken him to view more works of art. The man had previously been scared to even let him into his room, but now he was being given a tour. Feng made sure during said tour to keep some distance between himself and Tang Yo, not wanting to startle the antsy man. And, of course, he fawned over all the displays. In truth, this didn't require much acting from him. He was of common birth and had not been in the Chu court for a long time, all things considered. Lavish displays like this were still new to him. He wondered idly just how much the people of Dingtao had to be taxed to fund these extravagances.

As the tour concluded, Feng smiled widely and bowed again before his host. "I thank you, gracious Fǔyǐn, for taking time out of your busy schedule to hear me out. Are there any messages that you wish for me to relay to the Hegemonic King of Western Chu on your behalf?" When they had departed the room, Feng had noticed that Ma Su was no longer in the waiting room. What was he up to? Had he been arrested, or was he talking to someone else? Remembering the way Su had tried to intimidate the chubby man, Feng suspected he might be trying to ply him further. It would be best to stall the Fǔyǐn until Su was done, so that he didn't ask too many questions. Did Ma Su even realize how volatile this man was?

(I imagine the tour would have taken a little bit of time, and Jin Shi was slower to respond than me, so maybe give him a couple of updates before getting back to me?)

[Taishi Ci]

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!?!" screamed the governor when he heard that Baocen Peng, a minister from Chu was at the door, "A Chu minister is at the main gates!?! What the hell do those Chu bastages want!?! I mean, what in tarnation do they want??? I've been bribing them left and right . . . and yet they still bug me, bug me, and bug me. UGH! Can't they just leave me in peace!?!"

The aide coughed lightly and regarded the governor with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever," replied Zun Xu with a scowl, ending his tantrum and wiping the tears that welled at the corner of his eyes, "Bring him into the main reception hall. And get the standard package ready . . . just in case. Fricking . . . damn . . . so much money down the drain . . . just to pay off those sons of bitches."

"Ahh, Minister Baocen, I am Zun Xu, the Governor of Suiyang," said the governor after the Chu envoy had been brought into his receiving chambers. "Welcome to my city. What can I do for you . . . and the Hegemonic King?"

Baocen bowed to the governor after he had been led inside. "Greetings, Governor Zun. I have come here on behalf of the King to make an inspection of your city and see that everything is in order. I've heard some reports of trouble in Liang province... even in such places as Dingtao. But I trust that there are no such issues in Suiyang, yes? The key to proper security is the upkeep of the garrison, so I would be pleased to report to the King the good condition of your own garrison."

[Cao Chao]

Baocen bowed to the governor after he had been led inside. "Greetings, Governor Zun. I have come here on behalf of the King to make an inspection of your city and see that everything is in order. I've heard some reports of trouble in Liang province... even in such places as Dingtao. But I trust that there are no such issues in Suiyang, yes? The key to proper security is the upkeep of the garrison, so I would be pleased to report to the King the good condition of your own garrison."

"Hahaha," laughed the governor, slowly beginning to sweat. "There's no trouble here in Suiyang. None whatsoever." Dabbing his handkerchief at the beads of sweat, he smiled weakly. "Minister Baocen . . . I'm sure if you take a look around the city here . . . not that that's necessary . . . that you will find that there is no trouble here . . ."

At a snap of Governor Zun's finger, an attendant appeared with a large serving tray. On the tray was a large cloth bag. Gesturing towards the bag, the Governor continued. "To thank you for your concern for my city, I have here a small bit of remuneration," stated the Governor with a sly smile, "If you could just report back to the Hegemonic King that there is absolutely no cause for concern here in Suiyang . . . the money will be your's. What do you say, Minister Baocen?"

[Taishi Ci]

Baocen stroked his beard as he considered the bag being offered to him. "I am glad to hear that there is no trouble. However, the King of Chu was hoping for me to make a detailed report, or I would not have been sent. Could you perhaps be a little more detailed on the state of the city? It would help to more fully set the King's mind at ease. And perhaps I could make an inspection of the garrison before returning..."

[Cao Chao]

Baocen stroked his beard as he considered the bag being offered to him. "I am glad to hear that there is no trouble. However, the King of Chu was hoping for me to make a detailed report, or I would not have been sent. Could you perhaps be a little more detailed on the state of the city? It would help to more fully set the King's mind at ease. And perhaps I could make an inspection of the garrison before returning..."

"I'm sure someone as capable as you are will be able to make a report without hearing any details or specifics from me or even to hold an inspection of the city's garrison," replied the governor, as he snapped his fingers again. Another attendant appeared with another serving tray and another bag of gold.

[Taishi Ci]

"Hmm, very well. I suppose you are more familiar with the state of Suiyang than anyone. I'll be sure to inform the King of Chu of your hospitality."

Baocen walked over to one of the bags and lifted it slightly from the tray to gauge the weight. "My strength is not quite what it once was... Could you help an old man return these bags to his carriage?"

[Cao Chao]

"Hmm, very well. I suppose you are more familiar with the state of Suiyang than anyone. I'll be sure to inform the King of Chu of your hospitality."

Baocen walked over to one of the bags and lifted it slightly from the tray to gauge the weight. "My strength is not quite what it once was... Could you help an old man return these bags to his carriage?"

"Why of course," replied the governor. Gesturing for the attendants to help carry the bags of gold, the governor escorted Baocen Peng to his carriage. Clasping his hands together, the governor bowed to the Chu Minister. "I pray that you will make a good report about how loyal I am and how pacified and untroubled Suiyang is."

100 gold is given to Baocen Peng as a bribe.

[Taishi Ci]

Baocen returned the bow before climbing back up into the carriage. "I assure you, Governor Xun, the King will be very pleased with my report. Farewell." And with that, his carriage was off and he departed the city.