The Imperial Palace

[Cao Cao]

Hsiang Yu had listened intently to the suggestions and opinions of Cao Pi, who, like Zhi, was the future contender and minister of the Wei Supreme Court. Cao Cao had intended to block the succession of heir to the eldest and had arranged for a board of ministers to evaluate the prowess of his many sons and cousins over the next few years. Whoever won the support and the hearts of the council would later act as jury to the Supreme Court, a force of bodies that would later re-design the traditions of emperor and prime minister.

It was a selective force that he had assembled, men of talent, renown and faith brought before him and organised into respective cabinets. He did not want any one man to control his army, he felt that, like he – time was too precious to allow such power upon the soul and humanity of any single warlord. It was time for a change, and he had already begun preparations to initiate that change.

That being said, it was Cao Pi that was currently the most favoured, he had served the empire the longest and had slowly risen in rank and stature. Unlike his cousin, Cao Ren, or his other son Zhi, Cao Pi had shown great amounts of interest in military and political affairs, Cao Ren was definitely up there – but as the ranks stood, Pi was the current child in the spotlight.

Hsiang thought otherwise, although he liked the boy, he felt he lacked the grace of a warlord or the compassion of a cruel-to-be-kind king. Hsiang felt that Cao Ren, the strategically important general and high Marshall was a much better candidate, but that he would for now keep to himself. Firstly he would bow his head to the young minister of Wei, and reply in a manner that was prompt and precise to his thoughts, after all – he had asked for a swift analysis of their current situation.

“My lord fights the tyrants of Li Jue and Guo Si in Chang’An and Hei Bei was only recently unified. There are many battles to be had in the future and no certain change has yet to be made. But, this is not a time for us to worry, the grain is plentiful and our supplies arrive on time. With training and patience, I think we will be able to use our own defeat at Chi Bi to our own advantage.”

He bowed his head as he finished and called for some more wine. He was not a heavy drinker by nature, but so many regional generals drank – he felt he had to show that he was the same.

“That being said.” He turned to Cao Pi as he took another sip, “If we fail to achieve our current goals then all might be lost. Our great expanse shows our neighbours and our enemies that we are still a fighting force to be reckoned with. Since Chi Bi, Shu and Wu have been inpatient, they plan and they strategise to take these very walls. But their victory has many them breed confidence, something that if we exploit – may very well be used to our advantage.”



The guards outside of the palace bowed to the young scholar and his companion. They had not known why they had come to seek their master – but the news they intended to give was unfortunately the news that they didn’t want to hear,

“Unfortunately Cao Cao is in a fierce battle at Chang’An, however – Hsiang Yu, the political figure of Wei and the national treasurer is in the Palace, maybe he can be of some assistance to you.”

A small platoon of four guards stood at the man’s fear, and were waiting to escort the pair into the palace halls should Jia Xu wish to confront the aged politician on the affairs of the state. Hsiang was also ranked high enough to bring in new recruits for the empire, and a recruit like Jia Xu would undoubtedly bring in some sort of reward for when Cao Cao did return.


(The next part that is written is assuming that Jia Xu accepts and gets escorted into the palace, if you walk away you may discard this part)

When the pair did indeed arrive, Hsiang bowed to the sights of Jia, a man who had already earned himself a name upon those of the older Wei generation. Jia had been engaged against Wei many times in the past, and they had shared, for brief moments in glory – some decisive strategies and battle-plans. Now, that very same sage stood before Hsiang Yu and Cao Pi, looking on from experienced eyes.

“You honour me with your visit, Jia Xu.” Hsiang could not think of anything else to say, and so boldly bent over in a bow, “I am Hsiang Yu, may I ask what brings you to Xu Chang?”

[Jia Xu]

He did not think that his companion could be more surprised then she was, but entering the palace had clearly surpassed her ability to cope.

"[It is a cavern here.]"

The older minister gave her a knowing smile as they were escorted to the throne room where a minister perhaps a few years the senior of Wenhe stood handling the affairs of the court. It was unfortunate that he would not be able to see the lord he had once lauded and advised, but at least the grandeur of the court itself remained.

It would have been difficult not to note the presence of the young Cao Pi, son of the King and nothing short of impossible to miss the imperious beauty of Zhen Ji as he and his companion came to rest at a respectful distance from Hsiang Yu. The minister bowed, an appreciated respect but one that put Wenhe at a disadvantage of sorts; he doubted that he could dip much lower anymore, at least not without considerable effort.

"The honor is mine Master Hsiang Yu," he replied, his aging voice still carrying a sense of strength and presence to the corners of the room. "I am humbled to stand once more in the court of the King of Wei." Beside him, his companion had taken her cue from Hsiang Yu and bowed from the waist, clasping a fist in her hand as Wenhe had taught her.

"Of course, I would not seek to waste the time of this court on an old man such as myself. I wish to return to the service of Lord Mengde. In times such as these, even those with meager talents such as myself must step forward and bear our part of the burden of state in service to the rightful administrator of this land. I believed when I was a younger man that Lord Mengde was such a man and I believe it still to this day."

Finally joining his companion in bowing, Wenhe rose and straightened himself, demonstrating the formal bearing he had carried through over four decades of service to the Imperial Court.

"Might Lord Mengde have a place for one such as I?"

[Cao Cao]

He did not expect Wenhe to speak so formally in front of the young heir of Wei. It was against the reputation the aging sage had gained over the passing years. He had remembered what his old mentor had said, a man of great wisdom and political influence: ‘Fear him’ he had said, ‘and trust him, for he is one of many’.

Looking now, he could see that the words of his mentor were indeed accurate to some degree. Wenhe was a mastermind, a man who had even challenged Cao Cao – and yet here he was, pledging his loyalty to the kingdom that was Wei. It was surprising, but in a way that could only bring a deep smile to the old man’s lips.

“You honour me Jia Xu.”

He bowed his head and clasped his right fist into the arch of his left palm, “You need not stand on ceremony before me, I dare not ask anything from a man of your stature.”

He moved over to the chair and picked up his own wooden pole, it was in its own right a spear – but he had shaven the top off and had been using it as a wooden rod as such to keep his balance supported. He was usually fine in the early spring, but the wind was blowing hard that day and his bones had ached.

“But you need not ask as if the answer is beyond you.” He smiled through red gums and yellow stained teeth, “My lord would be honoured to have you among his council. In fact, he did suspect you might come – but for the love of Christ I have forgotten what he asked me to do when you did.”

He laughed in jest, and then put a hand inside of his robes sleeve, “Ah yes, I remember.”

He pulled out a small scroll and unwrapped it, it was a simple parchment; 5 wooden planks attached by loose thread and string and then bound in a small bundle for easy transportation, “My lord has decreed that should you come, to set you up in good quarters here in the Imperial palace and ask that on the morrow, you help supervise the fortifications in motion for this city.”

He handed the scroll over, which stated, in its own perpetual way the same as Hsiang had muttered, “But tell me Jia Xu; what do you take on the situation now that you have returned?”

[Jia Xu]

Wenhe mirrored the smile of the elder minister.

“If lord Mengde has such a decree for me, I should like to see to its undertaking with proper haste, however for the sake of social pleasantries, perhaps I could answer your question through recanting the advice I once offered to lord Mengde himself at the battle of Guandu.”

His companion clasped her hands behind her back and kept her eyes low as he began to speak. She would not look at or attempt to communicate with any, though the fact that she was Xiongnu might make pleasant conversation difficult with some. For his part, Wenhe felt his eyes glaze over as his mind delved into days long gone and battles long fought, now buried beneath the freshly planted fields of Hua Bei and the Central Plains farmers.

“Yuan Benchu had assembled a vast army under his banner and correctly judged lord Mengde to be the greatest threat to his ambitions. He marched upon Mengde, who assembled an army of trusted officers and elite soldiers and met him at Guandu. The battle saw the faith that Mengde had invested in his men and officers to be well placed, yet still he could not defeat his old friend. Finally, he turned to advisors such as myself and requested advice on how to proceed. I responded thus:

‘Lord, your clear-thinking is superior to Yuan Shao. Your daring is superior to Yuan Shao. Your ways of employing men is superior to Yuan Shao. Your decisiveness is superior to Yuan Shao. The reason for your inability to conquer him despite these four superiorities is because you have been playing it safe. You must take advantage of the situation decisively, and then victory will come to you.’

Lord Mengde elected to act on my suggestion and I trust that I need not elaborate on the outcome of that battle.” Wenhe let his words hang in the air for a few beats before pressing on, his eyes sweeping the room, falling upon each person as they went. There was potential here, and so long as they had the Emperor, the kingdom of Wei would control the land. Wu and Shu would recognize the greater threat that Wei posed, given its position in the land, but ultimately their efforts would be futile.

“Since Guandu, the political climate of the land has seen the rise of other men with the ambitions to challenge lord Mengde and once again, he has proven his wisdom in drawing to his banner men of worth and value. I could prattle on about the relative strengths and weaknesses of each of the three kingdoms that have emerged, but to simply answer your question Hsiang Yu, I would reiterate the advice I gave to lord Mengde that fateful night: If we strike decisively, victory will be ours.”

When he had finished, Wenhe cleared his throat and took a moment to compose himself.

“Right now, Sun Quan seeks to challenge our control of this ancient center of power while Liu Bei struggles to find his footing in Jing. To our west are numerous cities, some true economic centers such as Chang’an, where I have heard that our lord fights now, that must be claimed in order to solidify our dominance in the land. Provided that we bring them under our banner and are able to drive Sun Quan from the Huai Nan and Yan providences, we will have little to fear.

All we need do is begin to take these steps.”

[Zhen Ji]

Zhen remained quiet in the palace she is still drinking her wine listening to the talk between Hsiang Yu and Jia Xu.


(Needs pass for war camp)

[Cao Pi]

It was strange was it not? That a man whom had left the service of Lord Cao Cao due to the fact of not imploring enough faith in himself and his skills accounting in aswell his age, come asking to once again service. But this man did numerous accomplishments while in service of his father and it would only be a pleasure to once again have him in service for the young prince hasnt seen him since the battle of Guan Du, his first battle. The young man face shifted itself into a smile as he quitely excused himself from the young maiden and servants and approached the battle hardened strategist.

There had been many tales about Jia Xu, a strategist, whom had come simply to serve and get by in the war. At that time the land was numerous with many regional lords contending for ownership of the land, since leaving the forces of his father the land has to an extent matured itself and the numerous regional lords have turned into just three; The family proud Sun Quan, The people loving Liu Bei and the true hero Cao Cao.

Interesting, for a man who had a break for sometime to see how the land would play out end up coming back to the same force that previously served. Even Cao Pi could work out this much that Jia Xu could see something in Wei that if used properly can ignite the kingdom into winning control of the land. Truth be told it was simply stated that the one controlling the central plains would be victor in the end. Wei control the central plains leading to the fact that they could control the land but numerous factors blocked that ideal... This was something that the young prince had to talk to Jia Xu about for another time.

This time it was relaxed to an extent, moving his feet and legs one in front of the other until he was at a distance that wasnt invading personal space and comfortable speaking distance. ''Master Jia Xu, It has been too long! I see you are more wise than when I last saw you?'' The implication being that his studies only increased well that was the thought anyway, placing his hands together and bowing his head in simple respect to the man.

[Jia Xu]

"Young Master Cao Pi," Wenhe replied, returning his bow. "I see that my remarks about men of talent gathering beneath the banner of your father were well made. It has been some time; I have no doubt your father has been most appreciative of your abilities."

"[Is this the lord?]" Came a voice at his side, and Wenhe turned his head ever so slightly to look back at his companion.

"No, this is his son, please try to remember what we spoke of."

She nodded and promptly closed her mouth, appraising the young man fiercely with her firey, hazel eyes. Wenhe watched her idly and then returned his attention to the young Cao.

"Forgive me, master Cao Pi, for the outburst of my adopted daughter. She insisted upon making this journey with me to pledge her loyalty and I fear that she has let her eagerness get the better of her."

The Xiongnu girl hung her head as Wenhe passively delved into the gaze of the other. Cao Pi undoubtedly had questions or at least more to say, but whether or not he would voice his thoughts was impossible to tell; he exibited the talent for poise his father had become famous for. Perhaps moving along the conversation would yield results.

"Perhaps I should let her introduce herself, seeing as she could use the practice. Come now: show me you are ready to speak to our new lord."

The girl lifted her head and nodded, her mouth began to work as though she were having difficulty forming the words to say. Wenhe had worked hard to learn her language and teach her his own in kind, but there were times, and perhaps in a situation such as this, justified times when her nervousness marred her ability to speak as quickly as she might in her own tongue.

"I... am Yisui," she began, her voice a lyrical soprano in quality. "I...seek to serve."

[Cao Zhi]

((WHAT'S THAT ABOUT THE MOST FAVOURED?!!?!?!?!?!?!? I'LL SHOW YOU LOT MOST FAVOURED.))

Cao Zhi, who had just treated himself to several pots of wine, meandered into the palace. Just arriving from Xiang Ping, the farthest sea of the massive ocean that was the Wei Empire. It had been a long, and very boring venture back to the capital, and Zhi needed something to improve his spirits - especially considering that he was doing a lot more than his stupid, idiotic, inconsiderate and above all pig-like brother Cao Pi, who was apparently "the most suited to be the next ruler of this kingdom".

"I'l-*hiccup show them *hiccup* who's the most suited."
He grumbled furiously. Arriving next to the guards who were doing their job of guarding, stopped Zhi on his way in. Cao Zhi gave them the most awkward look he could to drive them away screaming. To his surprise the plan didn't work at all, they stood there just looking at him.

"Dammit.. That was my best plan..."
Cao Zhi whispered under his voice. Just remembering that he was the son of Cao Cao, and he didn't need any approval to go in, Cao Zhi opened his mouth to speak in a very loud voice, as to attract the attention of Cao Cao.

"Uhhh *hiccup hiccup*, i have bus-business *hiccup wit-with hisangghsusudiijhu yu *hiccup* i *hiccup* need to uh murder him *hiccup*"
Just pausing for a minute and glaring at one of the guards.
"i *hiccup* also have *hiccup* a bone to pick wih you so you better let me in *hiccup* that room"
He said sharply, expecting to be let in.

[Cao Cao]

The two guards had gazed at the young prince of Wei for a few moments, listening intently to what the young man may have wanted. But what came out was neither recognisable nor comprehendible, for a poet, the man spoke in a rather derived format, slurring the first and the last words before trying to accumulate some sort of point in his sentence. It didn’t work; the two guards simply locked their spears together beyond the entrance and gazed at him, “Lord Cao Cao does not like you in the Imperial Chambers when drunk, you often result in violent behaviour, I beg that you reconsider your motive for coming here.”

They shooed the young prince away, but he returned moments later, speaking out in some odd dialect about his ‘authority’, afraid at the young man’s temperament, he was allowed in, after all – Lord Cao Cao had never punished the two guards for letting Cao Zhi in, if Cao Zhi were to make a fuss then Hsiang Yu was the man with the current power to stop it.

---

Hsiang Yu had smiled to the old sage, it was odd that such a man would return before Lord Cao Cao, a man who had all those years ago had left to travel and observe. He thought that it represented a bad omen, for why would he be needing now after the war of Chi Bi, he glanced south from among his thoughts – and for a brief moment, could smell the latten campfires of Wu, who seemed to breath down his very neck.

“And yet we lack the economic stability to perform such a reckless advance.”

He smiled as he spoke, but could not help the sigh that had parted from his lips. He was not a cynical man, but he had revised the country’s economic ladder for years and he could not find a way to finance the wars that Cao Cao’s subordinates often asked for.

“I fear that if we are to boldly advance, that it is Wei that will succumb to the downfall of the five commandments. We should steady our hand.”

He placed his hand in the air and allowed himself to relax to show that his age had affected his stability, his hand wavered, shaking gently in the cool breeze of the interior designs of the palace. His thumb shook violently, before he clenched his muscles and raised his tight fist of a hand.

“The west must fall.”

---

Cao Cao was sat atop of his horse when the army pulled open the gates of Xu Chang, the fact that he had returned with such a grand army had enforced his idea of bringing his warriors home without the need of a wooden box. It had brought back faith and belief, something that he would surely need with what he had planned next.

He had moved his mare to the royal stables and had taken the road up to the Imperial Palace, his grand army marched alongside him whilst ministers and court officials scattered here and there decreeing the arrival of the great conqueror.

The Imperial Palace was of no exception, scroll-men and tax officials came running in and out of the enlarged courtyard, bearing gifts and scrolls – he flicked his wrist in response to them, and the scurried away quietly like the rats that the populace often compared them to be. Inside the palace, a small boy ran into the Throne room, bowed his head and kow-towed promptly on the floor.

“The great Cao Cao arrives!”

He yelled his statement and then scuttled away as the golden doors to the throne were forced open, Cao Cao stood at the entrance, gazing out to his new and old companions. His hair was loosely held atop of his head whilst his cape and black lamellar armour hung loosely on muscular shoulders. His beard had been trimmed and he looked on through the masses with a weary expression.

“Greetings everyone!”

He spoke in a clear and yet powerful voice, harbouring his thoughts together as he swayed his cape to his right and walked on to the Throne, “The conquest of Chang’An was a success, but it came with a small price – we may need to rebuild part of the city.”

He smiled to himself and then gazed out at his sons, Jia Xu and of course the companion he had brought with him, “Hsiang, what is the report.”

Hsiang Yu bowed his head, relieved somewhat that his duty was for now complete, “Jia Xu and is adopted daughter seek to serve master.”

He finished his comment and then rose, tucking away the fold that was visible on his robe, he did not mind – Cao Cao had seen him in chains before, what effect would a crease have upon him now that Cao Cao trusted the elder man so much.

“Ahh, Jia Xu.” Cao said, still smiling from his prior comment, “I am happy that you have returned to me, you are an invaluable asset to any growing nation. But...”

He rose from his throne and gazed wearily at his officials, “What think all of you on the Emperor?”

[Cao Zhi]

Cao Zhi grinned ear to ear when the guards let him in, he was amazing, he was stupendous, he commanded respect. He entered the luxurious throne room, adorned with every jewel and precious metal you could think of. Zhi's vision blurred and he looked at Hsiang Yu, one of his father's advisors. When he opened his mouth to speak to the advisor person, the doors to the throne room were thrown open once again - bringing forth the God that was Cao Cao. Marching into the room with the most grace Cao Zhi had seen out of anybody, he was the most revered person in the throne room.

"Wel-Wel*hiccup* Welcome Fat*hiccup* Father."
Zijian greeted swiftly, before Cao Pi could. Cao Zhi would get his recognition. After all, where was Cao Pi when Cao Cao fled Chi Bi? Where was Cao Pi when every war council was held? Where was Cao Pi to take control over Xiang Ping? Cao Zhi had to be the heir, he simply had to.

"Ho-*hiccup*How was your *hiccup* trip?"

((PLAYING DIRTY, YEAHHHHHH))

[Jia Xu]

Perhaps the older man had misheard him? Or perhaps he was more interested in fencing over semantics; in either case, as Wenhe was about to turn back to speak to him, another of the Cao family entered in a rather slovenly fashion, followed shortly after by King Mengde himself. In the face of such majesty, Wenhe felt his posture stiffen, his mind temporarily swept to times long past and the old court in Luo Yang before Dong Zhuo turned the country upside down.

He bowed as the King of Wei entered and was pleased to see Yisui do the same. She would be feeling nervous, undoubtedly, but now was not the time to worry of such things. If she was going to join him in service to a lord, she would have to unlearn the near terror that her culture taught her to feel around her superiors. Men such as King Mengde would have no use for a servant that simple cowered in fear and awe whenever they were required to serve.

“My lord, if I may?” Wenhe spoke up, bowing a second time as he addressed his new king. “The Son of Heaven is but one man, however he is one man that commands many of the hearts and minds of this nation. In the past, your lordship has served faithfully, even sending out the call to arms that brought together the coalition against Dong Zhuo and though the coalition ultimately failed to punish the traitor due to the lack of vision of lesser men, the name of my lord was again upon the lips of all in the land, just as it had been when he was first called ‘Hero of Chaos’.

That said, while it would be easy to simply cast the Emperor aside, doing so before we have a decisive footing in the nation might not be the most prudent course of action. I believe now, just as I believed back when first I advised Zhang Xiu to seek employ with my lord, that he who has the Emperor commands the world, and therefore we should welcome this boon and put it to use; the future may allow us to reconsider our choice at a later and more favorable date.”

[Cao Pi]

And just like that the village or rather Cao Family idiot stumbled his way into the royal throne room of the mighty Wei emperor. Not intending to be mean at all but this action of disorderly conduct not just in public but the audacity to do such an action in front of their fathers best scholars, councilmen, servants, soldiers and generals. Then again this wasnt quite the first time that Zhi had performed something like this, Father had always been too soft on Zhi anyway, always thinking that his smarts would get him to succeed father but he lacked everything that Pi exceeded at it was just opportunity thats all it ever was.

Then it was like the heavens opened themselves the mighty clad and thuds of horses clashing against the strength of the ground that laid the entrance for visitors and soldiers alike towards the Wei palace. But this trumpeting and marching was different from other usual racketeering around this was something much more important this was the return of his father, Cao Cao. As much as it was there was nothing that would save his very unsober brother from his father but, as usual father being as proud as ever would even look over this issue once again.

With a respectful bow to Master Jia Xu he left his side knowing very well that they would talk again in the very near future. Cao Pi walked forwards bringing his frame past his brother the very disorderly brother and kneeled at the bottom of the steps leading up towards the throne where father was telling his accomplishments of his successful control over Chang An. ''Father, I am glad to see you return and as usual successful. How is everything?''