Cao Pi
King of Wei
Emperor of China
Posts: 233
|
Post by Cao Pi on Jun 23, 2009 10:01:34 GMT -5
The Palace is situated within the central plaza of the city. Great pillars and walls adorn each side as a ramp waves through the first courtyard into the main city’s hall. Ahead of the hall is the second gate, where a barracks and a stable lean off on both sides. Beyond that is the main entrance to the palace, where guards are stationed on all sides leading into the inner throne room. There the respective governor or prefect resides, perched against the great golden throne of the cities constituency.
|
|
|
Post by Liu Bei on Jul 8, 2009 17:05:50 GMT -5
However, the palace had seen some renovations. Many new additions were made, including a long planning table to the right of the entrance, where many advisers contemplated the future. To the left was a small music playing quartet, stringed and flute instruments playing lightly throughout most of the day. The throne was not, as customary, perched a good 10 feet above the ground that all others walked on. No, this throne was only about 5 feet in the air, a respectable but personal height.
And atop it, sat Liu Bei. He had his hair pulled back, his swords resting at his sides, green bedecking the entirety of his figure in light and dark patterns. He wore no armor, instead just a simple robe. He held in his hands pieces of straw, weaving them together into shoes.
Shoes for Shu. He smiled lightly at the pun he just created in his head.
He awaited for updates from his many generals. There were ruminations of a possible invasion planned soon; some true, others false. Some called for a southern expunging of the Nanman barbarians. Other's spoke of invading Zen, taking back Han Zhong, and winning back that most important of territories. However, the final spoke of a joint invasion of Xu Chang.
Liu Bei only smiled again. He awaited for his generals to convene, and then he would break the news.
|
|
|
Post by Guan Yu on Jul 8, 2009 17:47:08 GMT -5
San Jiang, the northernmost prefecture of Nanman. A veritable jungle paradise, but only so because of its proximity to Chengdu, the glimmering jewel of Bashu. Yunchang had come today seeking his brother Xuande. He was anxious to know their next move after having lost their northern territories to a surprise invasion by the kingdom of Zen. There was talk among the attendants about moving south to crush the Nanman tribes into dust for once and all, but he thought that hardly necessary as the most important parts of Nanman were firmly under Shu's control. Meng Huo had not risen against them since his insurrection had been crushed by the lord strategist Kongming, and Yunchang did not expect him to do so again, ever. Among all the moves they could make, Yunchang was a proponent of assaulting the Zen lands up to Tian Shui. If they could overcome their foes in battle up to that point, the kingdom of Zen would be all but destroyed. And who was he to lie about his desire to reap vengeance upon them?
Yunchang gained admittance past the guards to the main hall of the palace. He found his brother weaving a pair of straw shoes while sitting upon his throne, oddly enough wearing a smile.
"Brother, I see you're weaving again. Trying to relive days past," he jokingly inquired.
|
|
|
Post by Liu Bei on Jul 8, 2009 18:13:29 GMT -5
As the straw was threaded amongst itself, Bei hear the voice of his oath brother, Guan Yu. Yuncheng had seen Liu Bei out of as many bad predicaments as anyone else, rivalled only by Zhao Yun and the other Oath Brother, Zhang Fei. These three men were his closest friends, and greatest allies.
And most dangerous tools.
Bei understood war. He was not a good fighter, instead taking the leadership role amongst his friends and allies. He could swing a sword, sure, and could hold his own, but the utter destruction that Guan Yu wrought was almost mind blowing to Liu Bei. The man murdered everyone and everything that stood in Liu Bei's way, without caution. The man sacrificed his life on an almost daily basis, and his operations in the Jing territory were renowned.
It almost pained Liu Bei to know that the man had lost some of the Jing area, without any repurcussions from Bei. Bei had been only worried about the man's safety, and he felt pangs of guilt as he remembered the thousands of devout soldiers who gave their lives on that day to ensure Guan Yu's survival.
Bei stood, finishing the sandal as he did so. It had been a minute since Guan Yu had walked in and Bei had said nothing; to anyone else, he surmised, this would seem like a slight against them, an ignoring that would indicate displeasure, no matter the smile on his face. However, for Bei and Yu, and Fei and Yun, when Bei spoke little, it meant he was close enough to the person to accept that they knew how he felt about what was going on.
Bei handed the slippers to Yu. They were massive, the sandals meant for a man of great size an strength.
"I have a pair for everyone of my generals. I have others making them for the general army. We are the straw Sandal army.
And soon we march. I will not show up in destroyed shoes."
He seemed to dodge the question. He sighed, clasping Yu on his broad, strong soldier. He gripped it lightly, indicating a great pain, and a great burden. He moved towards the throne, flopping into it, slouching in the throne. He held a hand to his face, fingers splayed against it, looking towards Yu.
He was melancholy; he didn't want these people to die... not for him. He didn't deserve their fanatacism...
he snapped out of his revelry enough to sit up. He leaned forwards, hands steepled, his chin resting on the tips.
"I was thinking back to Chang Ban. Brother Fei was amazing that day. We could've had Cao Cao though. I wish we had done something more... We could forgo all this bloodshed."
|
|
|
Post by Guan Yu on Jul 8, 2009 18:27:38 GMT -5
Yunchang took the sandals in one hand and held them at his side, he looked down as his admittedly impish oath brother placed a hand on his shoulder. He spoke of being ready to march, and soon. This was good news to Yunchang, for he could not wait for the opportunity to redeem himself in battle against the forces of Wu and take much desired revenge on the traitors that helped deliver the lands of Zi Tong and Han Zhong into the hands of Zen.
However, Yunchang could sense his brother's ill mood. He was... off, not his usual hopeful self. The smile he wore was forced, he could tell. Then he spoke of Changban Po, and their other brother's feats there. He knew it pained Xuande to see the land in this state, the bloodshed was a constant in these times of turmoil. He spoke about Changban Po as though it were his fault that Ts'ao Ts'ao survived. He knew it would do little to help his brother, but he felt the need to correct that faulty logic.
"Brother, we both know that there was nothing we could have done but run from Ts'ao Ts'ao at Changban. Had we turned 'round to face them head on, our forces would've been engulfed by his hordes. Better to live to fight another day, than to die, never to stand again. Besides, had we lost you there, our dream for a better China would have been lost as well. As for forgoing bloodshed, you need not look to yourself and Changban as the blame. Had I not felt the need to repay my debt to Ts'ao Ts'ao at Hua Rong, we could have been rid of him and the ghosts he left for us in Wei a long time ago. I blame myself for being too high strung."
He stopped, pausing to consider this next piece as well. He felt there was no reason to hold back, "And I blame my own arrogance for the loss of Jingzhou. We may have lost the province, but I learned a valuable lesson in the process. Such losses and blunders will not happen again."
|
|
|
Post by Liu Bei on Jul 8, 2009 19:02:53 GMT -5
Bei wanted to embrace the man, and tell him that there would be no reason to continue fighting, that they and Fei and Yun and all the others could retire to some mountaintop farm and live out their meager lives as tenders of the land, where they could all make sandals and be happy with what they had.
He knew it was a naive thought, and he pushed it from his mind.
"Be that as it may, I am only glad that you and our brother Fei are alive. I do not know what I would do without you two.
I want to tel you first of all, before anyone else knows. We're not fighting Zen."
Bei knew this would intrigue the man, because that left only one real enemy that they could fight; Wu. He knew the man wanted to give them a few black eyes for the battles in Jingzhou, and he knew that Yu would stop at nothing to do that.
However, the trick was on him. Wu was not their enemy either...
|
|
|
Post by Guan Yu on Jul 8, 2009 19:53:20 GMT -5
Yunchang was shocked to hear that they would not be marching out to reclaim their lands from Zen. Shocked, but also interested to know why. The first thing that jumped to his mind was Wu. If they would not be attacking Zen and meting out justice upon their heads, then Wu was the only other choice. Then again, he knew better than to let his emotions sway him; he could not deny that he desired vengeance upon Wu as well, but if anything had been learned from Jingzhou, it was that naked emotion in battle led to defeat more times than not.
Still though, he could not keep the hated visages of their enemies, the Sun clan of Jiangdong, from his mind and he instinctively blurted out a name.
"Sun Ce! If we're not going to war against Zen, then it must be those dogs of Wu that we will be slaying. Tell me brother, where shall we strike them first?"
|
|
|
Post by Liu Bei on Jul 8, 2009 23:24:07 GMT -5
Bei merely waved his hand, dismissing the notion that there would be any fighting. Perhaps it was just ruminations of an old man, looking for that last hurrah before he was to die.
Liu Bei was only 30 something.
Bei shook his head in dismissal of the entire event.
"We are not fighting Wu. Nor Zen. No. We march on Wei. We're allying with Sun Ce yet again, even after all the strife, to strike that death blow against Wei that we so need to gain a larger advantage in the south. If we can focus Wu north, we can worry about Zen and perhaps get the jump on Wu later down the road.
I am sorry it is not the enemy that you are used to, Yunchang. But it is an enemy of old, an enemy with a new face.... Cao Pi."
|
|
|
Post by Guan Yu on Jul 9, 2009 1:40:51 GMT -5
Yet again he was surprised by the turn of events. The old alliance was to be reformed, and once more they'd march against Wei with the men of Wu at their sides. He had to admit in his mind that it was a relief following Jingzhou. Wei or Wu, either one by itself was only a marginal threat; all the kingdoms were battered, and any one of the four would be hard pressed to launch an offensive on the other with any success by their lonesome. But together, perhaps this time they could finally slam the last nail in Wei's coffin, and put to rest Ts'ao Tsao's legacy.
"Ts'ao Pi you say? Ha ha, the man is no more an emperor than he is a man. I bet the lad is still wet behind the ears," he guffawed.
Yet, in the corners of his mind he knew that Ts'ao Pi was a capable young peregrine, and even though he lacked the experience of his father as a general, Yunchang knew he was more than a decent commander. He could not honestly expect Ts'ao Ts'ao to not think ahead and train the next generation of Wei rulers diligently. And in an instant Yunchang's smile faded, and that familiar face he wore before marching off to war took over his features. A hardened mug that knew the horrors of combat and was accustomed to the trials and tribulations that the times forced upon every one on a seemingly daily basis.
He saluted once, signaling that the seriousness of their situation had been realized, "When do we march my lord?"
|
|
Norion
Warrior of Shu
Posts: 144
|
Post by Norion on Jul 9, 2009 2:37:17 GMT -5
The sun was high in the sky as The Dragon of Shu rode up towards the palace. As he approached, his black stalion reared upwards, slowing it's pace to a halt. Zhao Yun dismounted, and handed the reigns to one of the stable boys. The young boy looked up at Zhao Yun in awe. It was not everyday one of the Pillars of Shu addressed you.
"Please, make sure he is well watered and fed. there's a chance I will be needed him very soon."
AThe stable boy bowed, and led the horse towards the stables outside the palace. As Zhao yun walked up the steps, he did so at a fairly quick pace. Liu Bei had requested that his generals meet, which meant Liu Bei had a plan of attack. His spear was held in his left hand, The blade behind his back. His head was held high, and as he pushed open the doors into the main chamber of the palace, he was relieved to see Guan Yu was here. He respected the man greatly, and it was he, along with Bei and Zhang Fei, that he trusted most in this camp.
He approached Liu Bei's throne, where he was standing with Guan Yu, holding... straw shoes? No matter. He twisted his hand around, and as he knelt down onto the palace ground infront of Liu Bei, the butt of his spear landed with a thud.
"Lord Liu Bei," he said, before standing and looking at the ruler of shu, "I came as quickly as possible. I apologize for my delay... Lord Liu Bei, where is it that we will send the banners of Shu?"
|
|
|
Post by Zhang Fei on Jul 9, 2009 6:50:30 GMT -5
The sun was already at his brightest? Bah! Zhang Fei was late. He had told himself that the drinking last night would put him to sleep early so he would be fresh for the morning… what a crock of shit.
Zhang Fei wasn’t one who would intentionally irritate anybody for his tardiness, let alone his Lord, his brother. Yet it was natural for him to appear behind schedule in all different situations, admittedly a weakness of his. When Fei’s eyes opened he couldn’t help but facepalm. He had known that a grand meeting was to be held in the Palace for a good few days now and he had absolutely no excuse for being absent from something that must hold great importance to warrant a meeting between… hell, it’s fine to say it: The greatest men in the land.
Zhang Fei had no doubts that he would be the last to arrive. Brother Guan and Zhao Yun were both dutiful men that seemed to be without faults, an unnatural trait that Zhang Fei himself wished that he possessed. Pulling on his armour and grabbing his spear, Zhang Fei left his abode in a hurry, hopping onto his horse as he rushed towards the Palace.
Once he had arrived outside he got off of his horse as quickly as he mounted, handing the reigns quickly to the stable boy, who had a look on his face that instantly told Zhang Fei what he knew already… he was last to arrive, damn! Fei headed up the stairs, now slowing his pace – the hope of somebody else taking that much longer than him vanishing in that instant.
Into the main chamber, Liu Bei was sitting upon his throne, something that would take getting used to on Yide’s part. Stood in front of him were the two other men that Bei relied on so heavily. Fei walked over and stood the other side of Guan Yu to the spot that Zhao Yun held.
”So sorry I am late Brother, there’s no excuse.”
Zhang Fei’s head drops and out of the corner of his eye he notices an enormous pair of straw shoes in the hand of his brother. His eyes wide open ’What massive feet!’ he thinks to himself, though doesn’t comment due to the situation of his arrival, not wanting to assume lenience from his Lord.
|
|
|
Post by Liu Bei on Jul 9, 2009 7:59:00 GMT -5
And, suddenly, all of his closest generals were here. He smiled greatly at the accumulated men. These were the strongest and bravest men in the realm. They all had their faults, but that was what made them so much stronger.
He stood, handing sandals to both the new men, each sized appropriately, giving way that Bei knew more about them than he let on. He only smiled as they showed up and asked when they were leaving, where they were leaving too, and excusing themselves of their tardiness. He waved a hand, ignoring that last question, shooing it away because it didn't matter.
"It is fine, my friends. We are not late yet. But we will have to move soon, if we are to accomplish what I most wanted to...
We are invading Xu Chang."
The hammerblow; the city was far away, and to everyone attending, sans Guan Yu, would mean some sort of trickery with passing through mountains or other cities. However, neither would be done.
"We're renewing the old alliance with Wu, against Wei. Intelligence points to Zen moving towards Wei, so the time is now to divide the country up into pieces for ourselves. We will be stronger because of this, trust this of me, my friends.
But we must make ready. Unless any of you have any objections?"
|
|
Xiang Yao
Rebel Warrior
When the rich wage war, its the poor who suffer
Posts: 39
|
Post by Xiang Yao on Jul 9, 2009 12:11:34 GMT -5
Meanwhile outside the palace gates, a man of average height stood. Xiang Yao was dressed in a formal blue robe, a golden dragon spiraling from top to bottom. His hair was done in the Samurai Topknot. He was nervous, you never knew how to act around royalty. Especially when you dont know their personality, one screw up was all it took, and at the least, he would be thrown out of the palace, at the worst..... We he didnt want to think about it to much.
Prior to arriving at the Palace, Xiang Yao and his men were, and are, camped out a few miles away from the city. He stood in front of his men, and explained what they were doing here. "Having been born in the Shu capitol, I have always felt that my ties are to this land, therefore, I think it would be strategically best for us to join the Emperor's army. I cannot see the future, so I can't tell you whats in store for us. But I do know this, No matter what the future holds for us, we will take it as we have always done: Proudly and Strongly! By tomorrow night, I will be marching under the green banner of Shu, will you join me?!" His voice went from a normal level to a shout by the end of his speech, it was not his best on, but they didnt exactly need a big morale boost at this time. It was enough, as the men cheered. He beamed. He knew that no matter where he went, they would follow, as they have always done. "Very well, I will return to you tonight, and bring the news of our immediate future." He pounded his chest with his fist, and the troops returned the gesture. He rode off on a black stallion towards the place, towards the Emperor.
Now that the stallion and his equipment (armor and weapons) were laying in a rented stable, he was not as confident as he was a moment ago. He looked at the palace doors with almost fearful eyes. Keep a calm head He told himself. All will go as planned He took a deep breath and knocked on the big gates loudly.
|
|
Norion
Warrior of Shu
Posts: 144
|
Post by Norion on Jul 9, 2009 12:35:45 GMT -5
Zhao yun nodded and smiled as he accepted the shoes. Liu Bei knew his shoe size? Zhao chuckled to himself; Liu Bei never ceased to amaze. His thoughtfulness was what made him a great leader, and his generosity was why so many people followed him. Hell, those were the two main reasons why Zhao Yun had joined Liu Bei. Unlike the other rulers, Liu Bei seemed to care. sun Ce was all business (which Zhao Yun could respect, but not admirs), Ba Zeng was to tricky for his own good, and Cao Pi-
Wait... did Liu Bei say what Zhao Yun thought he had heard? Xu Chang? They were alligning with Wu once more?
"Lord Liu Bei, I believe that is the perfect course of action. It is about time we rekindled that old alliance. When would you like us to arri-"
Zhao Yun was interrupted by a loud knock on the door. He took it upon himself to open the door. "Excuse me, Lord Liu Bei..." he said with a short bow, "I'll get it."
Zhao Yun walked briskly towards the large palace doors. As he opened them, he saw a man in a topknot and a blue formal robe. He would look the man over later; now, he looked directly into the man's eyes. Zhao Yun stood a powerful 6 foot, and this man was on the wrong side of Five-and-a-half. As he looked down at the man, his brown eyes looked into that of the mans. However, the sunlight seemed to bounce right off of Zhao Yun's armor, and into the man's eyes.
"How may I help you?"
|
|
Xiang Yao
Rebel Warrior
When the rich wage war, its the poor who suffer
Posts: 39
|
Post by Xiang Yao on Jul 9, 2009 12:46:02 GMT -5
Xiang Yao bowed respectfully to the tall man. "My name is Xiang Yao, and I wish an audience with the Shu Emperor." He looked up at the man, whose armor seemed intent on blinding him. The man was a good 6-7 inches taller than Yao, but that didn't intimidate him. He to was looking into the man's eyes, worrying more about what the bright sunlight would do to his eyes, then what the man himself would do to him.
|
|