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Post by Zhuge Liang on Nov 5, 2009 3:51:45 GMT
"Lord Liu Bei was forced to take these lands out of necessity after Cao Cao forced him to flee." Zhuge Liang as he vigorously fanned his face.
"I trust your words, noble diplomat... But I cannot trust Cao Cao's ambitions." Zhuge Liang said as the diplomat mounted his horse. His fingers ruffling the feathers of his fan. "However, I'm sure that Lord Liu Bei might have something in mind. Right now he's working very hard to restore the Han Dynasty and thus he cannot attend you."
Kongming bowed down before the Wei envoy. "Let's hope that our negotiations in the future are more fruitful."
Just as he turned away, Zhuge Liang heard a voice calling for Lord Liu Bei. Shu's Prime Minister turned towards the source of the voice only to see a man that seemed to be a savage. Yes, that was the word. Savage. Something in that man gave Kongming the impression that he could be dangerous for Shu. Even Zhuge Liang couldn't help but to distrust that man. "Wei Yan..." Kongming mumbled to himself, hiding his mouth with the feathers of his trademark fan.
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Post by Norion on Nov 5, 2009 4:30:41 GMT
Wei Yan waited, waited, and waited... although he only waited for five minutes, it felt like a lifetime. Why were the gates still closed? Maybe Liu Bei wasn't home. He cast a glance behind him towards his tribesmen, who were waiting patiently behind him in the distance. Wei Yan decided to try again.
"Um... So is Liu Bei home, or what? I'll take talkin' to someone else. Either way, my men are tired, we come in peace, and all that jazz. Can we come in please?"[/b]
Wei Yan was so confused right now. He pictured the gates opening moments after he spoke, only to be greeted by the applause of the people of Chang Sha. Apparently, that wasn't going to be the case. Maybe this was a trick, and he would have to find the way in. As Wei Yan continued to try and figure out why those gates were closed, he just sat on his horse, and spaced out.
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Post by Zhuge Liang on Nov 5, 2009 4:44:24 GMT
Kongming approached the 'Savage' and his tribe as soon the gates of the city opened . It would be foolish to anger someone who seemed to be an aggressive individual, so instead he'd keep his thoughts to himself and receive Wei Yan to Shu. Zhuge Liang cleared his throat as he spoke to the newcomer.
"Lord Liu Bei is busy attending other important matters, I'm Zhuge Liang, humble Prime Minister of Shu and I want to give you a warm welcome to you and your... " Kongming glanced at the tribesmen behind Wei Yan. He smiled. "...Friends."
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Post by Norion on Nov 5, 2009 4:53:23 GMT
As the gates open, Wei Yan's heart fluttered and he dismounted his horse. He approached the fancy man in the shiny robes, and stood at attention while the fancy man spoke. Lord Liu Bei was busy? Aw, man. Wei Yan figured this Prime Minister fellow seemed like he knew his business.
"Well, thanks Prime Minister. And they aren't my friends. They're my brothers... which is basically the same thing. Anyway, uh... where was I... oh yeah. So we want to pledge ourselves to the service of yourself and Liu Bei."[/b] he said, uncomfortable speaking to someone of such authority. However, he got his point across which is the only thing he ever aimed to do. Fancy words were just camoflauge.
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Post by Gongsun Chao on Nov 5, 2009 5:03:16 GMT
Chao woke up with a start when his bodyguard shook him.
"What is it, Ci, oh, is the Lord ready to receive me?"
The bodyguard sighed and shook his head, prompting and unhappy reaction from the young Chao.
"No, my Lord. But the famed strategist Zhuge Liang is at the gates with a tribal warrior named Wei Yan. He is supposedly quite skilled. We should go out to meet them."
Though Chao generally disliked interruptions in his sleep, even when waiting for an audience in an audience hall, this intrigued him. He'd heard about the great strategist, many people in the capital talked about him. Not all their opinions were positive, of course, but the general awe at his skill was still apparent.
Chao thought about going out and meeting the famed strategist at the gates, requesting employment there instead of waiting for this audience that was slow to come. He decided against it, however, despite his impatience, Chao knew that it would be rude to leave the audience hall after requesting an audience, and Chao could not be seen as rude by the Lord Liu himself. His charismatic appearance and reputation was too important to him.
Zhou Xu smiled silently, the young strategist looking forward to conversations he hoped to have with Zhuge Liang later in their stay at Changsha.
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Post by Zhuge Liang on Nov 5, 2009 5:18:22 GMT
"I expect great things from you, Wei Yan." Zhuge Liang said to the warrior, but the truth was different. He didn't trust Wei Yan at all. Tribals were too unpredictable and unreliable, but in times of need like these Kongming couldn't refuse the help of someone as fierce as Wei Yan. In fact, if Wei Yan proved himself, Zhuge Liang would trust him.
"Welcome to Shu. Please go ahead." Zhuge Liang said as he stepped aside to allow the entrance to Wei Yan and his troops into the city, hoping that they didn't cause any disturbances within the population of Chang Sha.
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Post by Pang Tong on Nov 5, 2009 6:38:26 GMT
(I know you've got other people to "accept" here before me, so go ahead and get those done before addressing my character, :-) )
(And also, these are always the most awkward post to start, so I'm just gonna jump right into it. No intro required.)
"Good afternoon to you, sir, is there something you require?" were the first words spoken to Pang Tong upon his return to the lands of Shu, spoken by one of the palace guards he approached. It was a good sign, Pang Tong had been absent for a long while, and it was reassuring to know that the peaceful and welcoming air of Chang Sha had not been diminished any. Liu Bei was still ruling wisely, and no hardships seemed to be falling upon his people.
"Good afternoon to you too," Pang Tong replied with a serene smile, "I would very much wish an audience with my old friend, Zhuge Liang, and of course your lord Liu Bei as well." The guard seemed a little taken aback at the mention of this man being a friend to the great Zhuge Liang, considering the fact that the man in front of him looked completely the part of a typical civilian. Pang Tong had traveled a long distance to get here, and his normally only slightly-dirty green robes were faded by the sun and covered with a fine layer of dirt from the roads.
"Might I inquire as to your name, so as to pass to message?" The guard asked, simply trying to do his duty as best he could, but Pang Tong was a fan of games, and wished to have a bit of fun.
A grin crept across one half of his face as Pang Tong bowed shortly, "I am but a humble servant of our wise lord."
And so the message was sent, a request for audience from a commoner who happened to consider himself a friend to Zhuge Liang.
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Post by Zhuge Liang on Nov 5, 2009 13:04:17 GMT
"A commoner who claims to be a close friend of mine?" Zhuge Liang asked with an expression of surprise to the guard who approached him to deliver a message. "Y-Yes Prime Minister! He kept insisting, so I supposed that I should let you know..." The guard replied to the strategist. Kongming was heading home to work on another of his inventions when the guard intercepted him. The idea of a commoner asking to meet Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei was somewhat strange.
Then Kongming's expression just changed. "Thank you for the information. I'll deal with it in a minute. Go back to your post." He ordered to the soldier with a smile in his face as he walked towards the place where this 'Commoner' was waiting. However, the Sleeping Dragon knew that it wasn't just a commoner, but a man that even Zhuge Liang considered to be superior to him in the art of military strategy. The most brilliant of men would disguise themselves as 'humble civilians' during this time of war.
Eventually, Zhuge Liang met the man in front of the Palace. He immediately recognized the man, not because of his face but because of his mannerisms and posture. "Shiyuan, old friend. I'm so glad to see you once more." Kongming said as he placed his hands on Pang Tong's shoulders, smiling. "How are you?"
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Post by Pang Tong on Nov 5, 2009 20:37:32 GMT
"I am good my friend, though I admit a little weary. I only just returned to Chang Sha not more than two hours ago, and made my way here directly." Pang Tong laughed, "It turns out traveling the country for so many months makes one very lonely."
Pang Tong sighed then, and his face grew more emotionless, "It is good to see you once more, and I apologize for not announcing my arrival, but I would like to get straight to the reason I have come back. I have seen the state of the land, and the people that live on it. Shu is the exception, but life is hard for some here as well. I've come to pledge my service to lord Liu Bei, and to work together with him and yourself to make this country into the place it should be."
"But, good Kongming," he said, his face breaking into a smile again, "I had wished to speak with you first, with the hope that our friendship would be obvious to our lord, and he might post me to a position where the two of us could have the most impact."
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Post by Liu Bei on Nov 5, 2009 23:25:29 GMT
Liu Bei walked with Liu Feng, and listened to his response. It was filled with hidden glee. Bei caught the eye of his son and recognized the fire in him. Perhaps he had wanted to go to war instead...? Liu Bei thought dumbly. Oh well, I have someone else in store. Besides, he is too young still.
Bei turned to face his son, and gave him a loving smile, looking up at him reminded Bei how much he had actually grown. Bei looked down at his robes, hoping Feng's eyes would follow. He pulled from beneath his sleeve a rolled up scroll tied with a ribbon. He handed it off to Feng. He knew that Feng would at first be discontent with his decision, but in time he would learn to appreciate what his father had done.
"Here is your mission, my son. You will do Shu a great service." Liu Bei gave his son a fatherly embrace, one he had not been able to give him in months. "I must go now, but please, do see my before you depart." He knew Feng would have only been encouraged more when he heard 'depart'.
Liu Bei turned to the two messengers and quickly gestured for them to keep walking, he knew that he sacrificed important court time to be with his son. It was well spent, Bei concluded. And simultaneously the two messengers explained that one: Gongsun Chao had been waiting for him, and two: a Wei diplomat had been discussing with Kongming. Liu Bei decided to leave the diplomat in Kongming's hands, and headed back to the hall.
He entered in a rush, and scanned the room. There were many ministers. Suddenly, he spotted the unfamiliar face. Liu Bei had heard much about the White Dragon, but never imagined his son to be asking to become a Shu officer. Bei told a servant to tell him that Bei was ready to see him, and appropriately, Bei sat cross-legged at his bed-throne, and found another full cup of tea in front of him.
He took a sip and waited for Gongsun Chao. |
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Post by Gongsun Chao on Nov 6, 2009 1:40:30 GMT
The youth jumped up happily when he was finally called, his two companions rising with him. The three of them entered Liu Bei's hall and approached the bed-throne, stopping while yet forty or so paces away from the Lord and bowing lowly. Chao stood in front of his two companions, his glistening white dragon armor reflecting the light of any lanterns in the room. He made sure to be especially respectful in his bow, placing his left hand over his right in the gesture of greetings.
"It is an honor to be granted audience with your Lordship, Lord Liu, Great Restorer of the Han Dynasty. My late father, the White Dragon of Ru Nan, spoke very highly of your deeds and virtues, and in coming here I have only seen truth in his words."
Chao paused for a few moments.
"I possess merely a fraction of the skill of my late father, but I, Gongsun Chao, son of the White Dragon, cannot sit idly by in Ru Nan whilst a pretender controls the Emperor and the Han dynasty is brought to ruin. The land has fell into chaos, who has the virtue to return it to order in a just fashion? You, my Lord, are the only one with such ability. I, therefore, wish to pledge my service, and the service of what remains of my father's men, to the cause of the restoration of the Han dynasty, the cause of your Lordship."
Chao once again bowed low, a serious yet kind expression on the young child's face as he spoke words that he knew should come from an older mouth. Chao didn't have time to grow up, he only had time to act...or at least that is what his mentor had convinced him. Again, Zhou Xu approached Liu Bei's officials with the official documentation, showing that Gongsun Chao was indeed the son of the White Dragon of Ru Nan, and was indeed here to offer his aid to the Lord Liu's cause.
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Post by Liu Bei on Nov 6, 2009 5:02:40 GMT
Liu Bei sat still whilst Chao, in a respectable manner, pleaded his case. That he was not content standing idly by whilst Cao Cao usurps the throne. Yes - it was the same Reason Liu Bei had led the rebels. Or perhaps Cao Cao was the rebel? No need for technicalities now Mike.
So young, was he mature enough to lead? Bei though to himself skeptically. When Chao was done with him plea Liu Bei smiled to himself.
Simply: "Okay." The words left his mouth, and then he took a sip of tea. The ministers looked to Bei as they awaited their lord to speak further.
"You are sieging a city, how do you go about doing it?" Liu Bei nodded politely to Chao, signaling him to answer, he was a young man, perhaps at this point in his life; addicted to woman. The ministers about them murmured in wonder at the mock-setup Liu Bei posed to Chao. What if he answered wrong? |
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Post by Gongsun Chao on Nov 6, 2009 5:16:13 GMT
The youth seemed a bit shocked at the question, he was certainly not prepared for it and quickly began to regret sleeping through half of Gan's lecture on it. Chao looked to Zhou Xu, who obviously had a satisfactory answer prepared, being the strategist that he was, but Zhou Xu didn't appear to be about to bail his Lord out on this one. Besides, if he were to, it would merely make his Lord seem weak. Chao wouldn't want it anyway.
"A siege is, as you well know, the worst possible outcome in a battle. If fought correctly, one should attack the enemy's plans before attacking the enemy's walled cities."
Yes! Chao had remembered something from a lecture. This must be from a book of some sort, maybe that one that was written by an old strategist-guy. Oh, wait, they all were. Chao paused for a moment to collect the rest of his thoughts on the subject, first going with his instinct before answering the question more fully.
"The first thing to do would be to attack the morale of your enemy. Make them realize that they cannot hold up against your forces, that they do not have the supplies to last, and make sure that you appear to have the supplies. Then the men will begin to desert and the city will fall without the use of siege engines and bulky gadgets."
Chao smiled.
"Of course, in some cases the best thing is to just negotiate your way into a city. A good speech can so demoralize an army that even the officers will be forced to doubt themselves in battle. Surely that will give you the edge."
Chao smiled confidently as he finished speaking. In his mind, he began to congratulate himself on getting out of that one. That was his skill, convincing those around him of things that weren't necessarily true.
In reality, Chao wasn't that bad of a leader, for a seven-teen year old boy, due mainly to the sheer force of his personality. He definitely lacked the experience of the older commanders, but he had studied his father's battle plans extensively. Unfortunately, his father had never sieged a city, he had fought Yellow Turbans in order to break a siege. Despite really not knowing much about sieges, the confident look on the young nobles face betrayed nothing, nor did the firm voice with which he spoke.
Zhou Xu had to try hard to stop from smirking at Chao's answer, but he did so. He thought it might be prudent to speak on his Lord's behalf, but he waited for a better opportunity.
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Post by Liu Bei on Nov 6, 2009 5:37:10 GMT
Liu Bei smiled inside when Chao was taken aback by the question. He had looked to his advisor for an answer at first, wishing for him ti bail himself out of this one. Bei was pleased to see that Chao had risen to the occasion.
There was nothing wrong with Chao's answer, it had turned out that he was a very competent general, and spoke with confidence. It was very by-the-book, which always ended up being the safest. But there was one factor Chao had left out. He had obviously never sieged a city before. What of the people? Bei thought sullenly. He would have preferred Chao's answer to include something along the lines of:
"...and then we would send a letter of evacuation to the city in preparation to blah blah blah..."
Ah well, no need to rain on the young lord's parade. Liu Bei clapped and gave a fond smile. "Well done!" The ministers followed suit and started to clap for the young man. Once it died down Liu Bei ended with:
"Gongsun Chao, you must swear fealty to me, and I will allow you to become my vassal." |
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Post by Gongsun Chao on Nov 6, 2009 5:43:34 GMT
The youth's radiant confidence remained as he bowed low before the Lord of Shu and placed his hand over his heart.
"In the name of my father, the White Dragon of Ru Nan, I swear that I shall serve your Lordship in your virtuous endeavor to restore peace to this land."
Zhou Xu and Zhang Ci similarly bowed and made the same promises. The three rose only upon the word of the Lord of Changsha. The youth had excitement on his young face, but he kept the stern appearance of a general to the best of his ability. He wished to impress the Lord Liu Bei, that was not a secret, he always wished to impress. It was time to do so.
As they spoke, the remains of his father's army arrived at the city gates bringing with it over two-thousand new soldiers armed and prepared to fight for Shu.
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