Personal Quest For Adventure [Rabble-Rousing]

[Ba Zeng]

rab·ble-rous·er (rabl-rouzr)
n.
A leader or speaker who stirs up the passions of the masses.

Some might say Ba Zeng was a rabble rouser. For one, to make a kingdom out of rebels, definitely has the credentials to be called a rabble rouser. Could he still pull it off even after 20 years? Truth be told, most of the original rousing was done by Lu Chen, in taverns, when everyone was drunk, willing to be manipulated, willing to let their passions take the best of them. Even without the consideration of their own families. Something some people may regret later.

This was more of a personal quest for Ba Zeng, he left Jiang Ling whilst the morning mist still lingered. He was on a single horse, clothed with normal men tunics, and a rural cloak. One a farmer might wear to keep the sun off of his body. He left without a warning, only leaving a note to Lu Meng explaining that over the next few weeks and months he'd be heading to Chang Sha for a certain, "Business Venture."

Ba Zeng wanted to explore China again, he'd been locked up in Jiang Ling for 10 years. That'd change a man drastically, truth was, Ba Zeng didn't even attend his own parent's funeral, he couldn't be any more emotionally empty. Ba Zeng actually wasn't tortured in prison, he played favorites. General Hisi was very intrigued on hearing Ba Zeng's tales and stories about leading Zen against Wei. In fact, another month or so of gaining the general's trust, and he could've convinced him to hand over Jiang Ling with no bloodshed. He spent his days resting his head safely in his own personal quarters in the palace. He had dinner with General Hisi and other advisors. Some, at first, didn't trust Ba Zeng and was reluctant to be openly discussing things with him as if they were friends.

Ba Zeng said aloud at the table one day, "Look, none of us are going anywhere anytime soon, so why not spend our glory days being friends?" Since that day, the rest of the ministers also became open to him.

General Hisi was very fascinated by Ba Zeng's triumphs and failures. He was very open with him to discuss his years in Tian Shui, fighting with the local barbarians, his past experiences with Lu Bu, how Luzien hunted down a alchemist who threatened to poison Tian Shui's water supply. Stories, endless stories. During dinner, domestic affairs weren't even discussed. The center of attention was the man who was treated as a guest of honor. Ba Zeng, whose achievements branded him as such in anyone's household. Scary stories, sad stories, tragic stories, dramatic stories, life-or-death experiences, the epic battles of Yi Yang, the Seige of Louyang, fighting alongside Zhao Yun and Zhao Han, his strategical bouts with Sima Yi. Ba Zeng had experiences to keep telling stories for a lifetime. It was his favorite past time, after all, he was still a prisoner, not allowed to leave the palace gates. All of the guards loved him, Ba Zeng even had 2 separate concubines. A man of his age still loved the pleasures of life.

Ba Zeng, though a mortal enemy of Wei, slithered his way into the circle of Jiang Ling's adminstrators. Sure, he was still a prisoner, but this man was Ba Zeng! A man who almost single handedly toppled China! Also, he did submit peacefully, though betrayed by Zhen Luo at the last moment, that remained secret. A secret Ba Zeng didn't reveal, even though images of Luzien and Ryuu's dead bodies haunted him every other night. He didn't want to lose General Hisi's trust.

When the day of the riot came, Ba Zeng's eyes opened to sounds of fighting, yelling, unrest. He went out into the hall to see General Hisi scrambling down the stairs. Ba Zeng turned to a nearby guard, and asked him to escort him out of the palace. As the guard turned to lead the way, Ba Zeng unsheathed the guard's own Dao and stabbed him in the back. He then went on to kill two more guards, through the similar deception, and then ransacked General Hisi's personal vault of gold. Years spent in this palace, he knew exactly where every thing was.

That was Ba Zeng's prison life. A very luxurious one. Of course no Wei official outside of Jiang Ling knew about it. It was a well kept secret. Why would Ba Zeng get the same treatment as Cao Pi!? If he knew about this, General Hisi would've been fed to Zhen Luo's tigers a lot sooner then he actually was.

The road to Chang Sha was a empty one. It was as lonely as it was in the palace. Travelling alone sometimes, was no fun at all. The sun began to rise, soft rays of orange bathed the earth. Chang Sha's mystical geography became apparent as the mist fled away. It was beautiful, to say the least. Forests, as far as the eye could see, mountains, rivers. A stunning sight. The trip however, was empty. Why wasn't there any merchants on the route to Jiang Ling?! Oh, duh, it belong to the Tuo Tuan alliance. What was that to stop people from trading and making money. The Tuo Tuan obviously made the wrong impression on the outlining regions. They weren't bandits, or robbers. Cao Pi, probably had his hand in the propaganda about the Tuo Tuan.

Yes, it was Cao Pi's fault, its his fault for everything. It was time for Ba Zeng to strike back. If Cao Pi's hand stretched all the way from Louyang to Chang Sha, then Ba Zeng would counter his propaganda with a little of his own. People have been on edge ever since various uprisings in China. Many commoners were so unsure about the future as they were 60 years ago when the Han crumbled.

The trip was a day's worth of riding on horseback. Ba Zeng stopped for the night 4 miles outside of Chang Sha's regional capital. He made a small fire, had a cold dinner of bread and cheese, and went to sleep. Sleeping outdoors again had sparked some of his favorite memories, and his worse. He missed his cat Adonis, who was his companion through his travels. Adonis was a devil cat, who killed 2 bandits by himself. Adonis was a great companion. But cats do not live very long, he died of old age long before Ba Zeng was even imprisoned.

At dawn Ba Zeng awoke, tired, he barely got any sleep. He had to be mindful of his surroundings. As his fire burnt out long before he actually slept, his ears once again tuned to the sound of crickets, bats, the sound of night creatures. He used this as a monotone to fall asleep. Every so often, a critter would scamper by that would force Ba Zeng to open an eye to make sure it wasn't a murderer or robber.

That wasn't the case. He mounted his trustful steed, which remained nameless, the mud brown horse was a random horse he had actually stolen from Jiang Ling's stables. Well he had to get around somehow. As he neared Chang Sha's walls he noticed the farmers out early, working their fields. Cultivating the fresh land that has been irrigated. He stopped on the side of the road, there was a farmer there nearby, he called out to him.

"Excuse me sir! Where do you sell your season's yield?"

The farmer looked up from the ground he was tending to. He walked towards Ba Zeng so they wouldn't have to call out to each other. He stopped at the side of the road, few feet from Ba Zeng.

"Well hello there wanderer," The farmer paused and rested his left elbow on his hoe. He took in a breath before he was going to explain his situation. "Yuh, I usually sell in town, in the past I used to travel to Jiang Ling to sell the crops my family doesn't eat, and Chang Sha doesn't buy. But since the rebellion, I don't dare travel the roads, those bandits-"

"What bandits?" Ba Zeng interjected.

"Uhh, well, the rebels of course. I've heard horrible stories of Wei patrols being ambushed-"

"I just traveled that route, I didn't see anybody."

"You're kidding, not even Wei patrols?"

"Soulless, in fact, there hasn't been much military crackdown has there? It seems pretty safe to me, I didn't run into anyone, I was actually wondering where people like you were! The rebellion has been over for a year. Why hasn't the people tried to trade with Jiang Ling again?"

"I-I wasn't aware, Lu Dan's officials have been telling us to stay away from the roads to Jiang Ling-"

"Who?"

"The governor of Chang Sha of course."

"Ah, of course, I'm not from around Chang Sha, I was living in Jiang Ling for a year, I made a lot of gold just selling my weaving to the people there. The families there need clothes. Don't believe me?" Ba Zeng removed from his sash one of the bags of gold he stole from General Hisi. He hadn't spent it since. He was saving it for this particular trip. The farmer's eyes widened. "You know, people there need food as well, you should hurry to sell there first before your competition does. Theres lots of money to be made! It could be your start to a mutual trading relationship with Jiang Ling! Theres nothing to lose!"

"You know you're right! Thats a good idea...." The farmer daydreamed for a second about the possible riches.

"Look, heres my own personal investment for your new venture." Ba Zeng reached for the farmer's hand, and placed within it the bag of gold he had showed off earlier. The farmer couldn't believe what a philantropist his new friend was.

"T-t-t-t-thank you sir! I will personally see to it that my family's crops are sold in Jiang Ling!"

As Ba Zeng horse started down the road towards Chang Sha he waved back, "I'll check back with you in a couple of months! Tell your friends how great Jiang Ling was! Theres plenty of money to be made for everyone!"

As he turned back to look at the oncoming Chang Sha gates he smiled. He knew establishing new trade routes with the surrounding provinces could only open up the Tuo Tuan to new opprotunities. The new business would be sure to galvanize Jiang Ling's marketplace. Ahhh, another deed done.

Ba Zeng's directed his horse into the local stable, and he stuck his horse in a stall, gave him a goodbye kiss and left. He entered the city of Chang Sha. He nodded to the guards at the gate, a form of greeting and acknowledgement. Not everyone in China knew Ba Zeng's face after all, and no one would suspect that Wei's mortal enemy would walk into their city walls.

Ba Zeng contemplated on where to start, what to do. Perhaps for now, he would head to the Inn, get a room, lay down his belongings, and just... talk with the people. Get to know them. Get to know the city. In the coming weeks, his quest to plant the seeds of unrest would continue.

For now though, he was relieved to have a new beginning living in Chang Sha. Though his real purpose never left the back of his mind.

Possible Tags: Commerce/Trading

[Ba Zeng]

A revolution (from the Latin revolutio, "a turnaround") is a significant change that usually occurs in a short period of time.

"Things that were once small that have become big, but are no less wrong, must be made small again; a revolution, or a complete circle, is needed."

Today was a great day for Ba Zeng, his spirits were high. In the sky the sun loomed at it's prime, and the people of Chang Sha basked in the warmth it gave. At the moment, the town seemed to be enjoying it self. But, regardless, the true flaw of Wei still showed. In the streets, unemployed, homeless, and starving people littered every other corner. Asking for whatever they could get their weak hands on. It was people like these who were at the breaking point, ready to embark on a life to crime to fulfill the basic needs of life, food, shelter, clothing. It shouldn't be this way. For anyone.

Recently Ba Zeng had started to make friends with many of the local people. He had went under the name Zeng Ba. Look familiar by any chance? Today he had gone out shopping for food with his new friend, Lei Lu. A blacksmith who had been, for a long time, selling weapons to the army. Ba Zeng had randomly ran into this man, but in the future he could serve a purpose.

Ba Zeng had also befriended the innkeeper, who enjoyed Ba Zeng's company. Every night since his arrival he would preach to the people in the inn. Ba Zeng didn't need to think about his money, he had enough funds from General Hisi.

Ba Zeng's reputation in town grew, and he established Zeng Ba's background to support his story.

'Zeng Ba' was a old storyteller. Who fought alongside the heroes of Zen. He escaped persecution at the hands of Zhen Luo's massive arrests of Zen soldiers, and fled south to seek salvation in Shu.

Zeng Ba portrayed Zen's generals as the embodiment of bravery and fighters for freedom. Most people here haven't forgotten about Zen. The rebel kingdom which almost breached the capital during the Seige of Louyang. Which 'Zeng Ba' described in detail. Most of the people in the inn listened in awe at the depth of his descriptions. Shen Ha had tried to destroy Zen's reputation with "The Apostate Treatise". A speech Shen Ha gave in Louyang right before the great Zen-Wei war where he described Zen as criminals and thief's. The Apostate Treatise was stored in the grand halls of Louyang's library, forever to be locked away. To be read by historians a thousand years from now. Who would gather the idea that Zen were "The Bad Guys".

Zeng Ba told a different story every night. Which outlined the beginning of the rebellion, straight to the end. Why the rebellion was held, and what it stood for. "What people should remember about Zen," Ba Zeng was saying one night, sitting on a table addressing a crowd of at least 50. "Is that they weren't the bad guys. They were the ones, who stood for freedom. Contrary to what Shen Ha told us 20 years ago. Shen Ha fights for a Empress who takes your money, and then spends it on a gold statue for her palace. Instead of what is needed. Your leaders never spent a coin on their subjects. Like all of you fine people." Ba Zeng was educating the people, on why this rebellion needed to happen. "The corrupt Empress and Emperor, think they can sit in their pool of luxuries, send their armies out to conquer new lands, tax the people dry, and then hoard more luxuries without fault."Zen was a rebellion that these people could look at as an example.

A beat.

"What say all of you?!"

A cumulation of disagreement and complaints followed as the large crowd realized that what Zeng Ba was saying... was the start of something.

"Things were never set straight were they? Even after Zen..."

Ba Zeng continued to spend time walking the marketplace with Lei Lu. Asking him what he thought of the Emperor. Little to his surprise, not much different then what the general idea was. He spoke to Ba Zeng about the issue; "A Empress who feeds her own people to her tigers, is not my Empress." Ah, a good line, Ba Zeng ought to remember that one for what was to come ahead.

Suddenly there was a commotion ahead of Ba Zeng, a stall over. Guards rushed to the scene, and a crowd formed a circle around the commotion. Yelling, there was a lot of yelling. "Please don't hurt my son!", "He is a thief!" and much more from the crowd, a general disdain for the guard developed. Ba Zeng moved his way toward the front of the crowd. What he saw was a a boy, not ready martyrdom, but had walked straight into it.

A guard pinned the young man's hand to a table the young boy, merely 12 or 13, tried to wiggle out of the guard's grip, he announced. "This boy has been caught stealing!" The response from the crowd was outrageous. A man yelled out, "His bones are showing! Do you not see him!? He is starving." Everyone begged that the boy not be harmed. Guards lined the crowd circle keeping them from interfering. The guard that had the boy's hand pinned was caught by surprise at the public response, supporting the boy.

Suddenly, Lu Dan appeared. A man dressed in elaborate robes that hid his belly. The palace was no more then a 30 second walk away through the crowds to the palace gates. High above, Lu Dan appeared at the balcony. Two guards standing at his side. These men were palace guards, wearing more elaborate armor then the ones on the streets. The crowd silenced at Lu Dan's appearance. He extended an arm towards the crowd, and then pointed to the guard who had the boy's hand pinned to a table.

"You there! Soldier of Wei! You are to follow my orders! The punishment for stealing, is cutting an arm, so that the boy may never steal again."

The crowd was shocked. Lu Dan never had cared about public discipline before. In fact, he almost never bothered to even show himself to the people. To just randomly show up, and condemn this boy. Was almost too much. The guards looked at each other unsure, as the crowd got bigger and more restless. Perhaps now, was Ba Zeng chance. No, too early. This is just the start of things. The guard, who was told to follow orders looked down at the boy who begged for his arm.

Liu Xui, appeared from the crowd, in the middle of the circle. He shook his head to the guard. "Don't do it," He said to the guard. His voice was a mere whisper to Lu Dan, who couldn't hear Liu Xui . He was drowned out by the crowd's yelling.

Liu Xui. This man was pivotal. The turning point, if Chang Sha were to ever gain its freedom from Lu Dan. The merciless governor, who no longer represented the people. You see, for Liu Xui was the captain of the guard. Ba Zeng had met this man once before, he attended one of 'Zeng Ba's' speeches after hearing stories of a revolutionary there. To Ba Zeng's surprise, Liu Xui didn't even attempt to arrest Ba Zeng. At the end of the speech, Liu Xui merely left. Liu Xui controlled the guard's moves, even the palace guards. Most of the guards listened to Liu Xui. However, his voice was 2nd only to the governor.

"I'm so sorry Liu Xui, but I must." The guard looked down to the boy, who stole only to stave off the starvation that was eating away at his muscles and body. The guard shed a tear, he raised his hand sword in hand. The yelling from the crowd escalated. Ba Zeng merely watched. In the back of his heart, he wanted to pull out a Dao and protect this boy. So too, everyone in the crowd must've. The boy yelled for his life. "Please don't! Please! I'm sorry!"

"It doesn't matter whether or not your sorry, boy. Your arm, now belongs to me. Do it! Cut off his Arm!"

In a swift motion, the guard brought down his hand. In an instant, the boy's arm was severed from his torso. The boy fell back screaming. The screaming, was ear piercing. You could feel his pain. Blood, blood spewed out of his vain onto the ground. The whole crowd let out a dreadful gasp. Some turned away, some cried, finally the crowd broke the guard line, as a few brave men went to try to help him. The guards didn't stop the crowd this time.

Ba Zeng looked back towards the balcony, Lu Dan smiled, and left. Going back inside his fortress. At that moment, a fire in Ba Zeng's heart was rekindled. He knew now, his purpose. He knew now, why he fight, remembering his endeavors against Wei. Only to be defeated by the backstabbing Empress, and the snake Cao Pi, who used her to defeat Ba Zeng.

Ba Zeng ran to the child's aid. Who didn't stop screaming. Ba Zeng started to cry. As was most of the crowd already. Some of the guards even came to the child's aid, and offered to help the child onto the table from which his arm was cut off.

"Hand him over to me! I'm a doctor!"

The group looked over to see their Zeng Ba. A storyteller from Tian Shui. He was a doctor?! Lei Lu, the blacksmith was apart of the group who helped the screaming child onto the table, looked back at 'Zeng Ba' quizzically. "No time to explain." Ba Zeng whispered to him as he ripped off Lei's tunic and tried to clog the bleeding.

Blood from the child stained Ba Zeng's robes, and cloak, which was covering the 'Zen' insignia. Tears from Ba Zeng's eyes rolled down his cheek. He tried his hardest to save this child's life, but Ba Zeng knew just from the sight of how much blood the child had lost, he was dead. Ba Zeng was breathing heavily, sweaty, employing what medical knowledge he had. He hadn't practiced any actual medical procedures for 20 years.

"He's not going to live." Ba Zeng announced solemnly. The boy's screaming blocked out the concern and yelling people were spitting out of their mouths at Ba Zeng. For a moment. He remember seeing Vash, mutilated by Cao Pi. "Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" Ba Zeng pounded the table with his fists. He couldn't save Vash... he couldn't save this boy. That was the final straw.

Ba Zeng left the table suddenly, grabbed Liu Xui's arm and walked away dragging Liu Xui with him. Fast, they walked down the street before anyone could realize that 'Zeng Ba' had left with the captain of the guard. Behind them Ba Zeng had left a dying child surrounded by onlookers. Ba Zeng wiped away the tears from his eyes.

Liu Xui complied with Zeng Ba, who he had see n giving a speech to the people at the Inn the other night. Liu Xui was distraught with anger. He's never liked Lu Dan, they've been at heads for a long time. What just happened almost pushed him over the edge.

Now Ba Zeng was about to give Liu Xui that extra push. "What the hell do you call that!? That's a Tyrant! Not a representer of the people!"

Liu Xui was in a calmer mood, yet still emotionally disturbed by what he saw. He was ashamed of himself, looking at the ground. "Zeng Ba..." Liu Xui paused, in thought. "You're Ba Zeng aren't you?" The question left Ba Zeng unprepared, yet unhindered in his resolve. He pulled away the part of his cloak concealing the "Zen" insignia. "Heh, the detail of your stories, how you described Ba Zeng. It all added up. You broke out of prison a year ago with the Tuo Tuan rebellion." Lui Xui gave a smirk.

Ba Zeng took a step back. He regained his self composure, he was no longer breaking down over the child's death. Though it left a mark on is mind. "It is indeed true, I am Ba Zeng. Prime Minister of the First Rebellion. And Prime Minister of the Second Rebellion." Lengthy introduction.

"You..." Lui Xui kneeled on one knee, it was a flattering gesture that Ba Zeng wasn't expecting. Lui Xui looked up at the revolutionary. "Your... a beacon of hope for these people. We've been waiting for you for 20 years...

Please... Tell me what I must do..."

Ba Zeng smiled down at him.

[Ba Zeng]

Palace of Jiang Ling - Midnight

Lu Bu was fast asleep when suddenly his eyes started to open and he became aware once again of his surroundings. He was lying in bed, but his awakening was natural. It was caused by the sound of footsteps. A wind breeze flooded the room... but Lu Bu's window was closed...

Intruder!

On instinct Lu Bu grabbed the Dao leaning against his nightstand, he twirled his body in the blankets, rolled off the bed, with the Dao flourishing in the general direction. The intruder, Lu Bu got a glimpse of, was completely covered in black. Lu Bu landed on his arse as he rolled out of bed. This intruder however, was unreal, dodging Lu Bu's sluggish, tired attack, the intruder threw himself backwards, his body arching in the air, landed on his hands, then propelled himself back on his feet. It was a very acrobatic move, and probably very unnecessary.

The intruder's black cape shadowed him.

Lu Bu stood up, at the same time the intruder, whom Lu Bu, at this point, thought was an assassin, unsheathed twin sais, and flourished them in a show of proficiency with the weapon. Lu Bu gave out a small war cry and charged the intruder, who was really hard to see due to his completely black attire. The intruder's face was covered with a black mask, and he wore a outfit that resembled black leather armor.

"Wait!" The intruder said in a hushed yell, as he prepared for Lu Bu's charge.

Lu Bu sluggishly thrusted his Dao at the intruder's torso. The acrobat dodged to the left, trapped Lu Bu's hand under his right armpit, and swiftly positioned his left hand, armed with a reverse gripped sai, under Lu Bu's chin.

"I'm not the one you want to be fighting, Ba Zeng sent me to give you a message. It's on your desk."

"Huh?" Lu Bu grunted in confusion.

"Chang Sha is on the verge of rebellion because of Ba Zeng, he needs you at the city to induce a Tuo Tuan occupation." The intruder responded.

"Oh." Lu Bu was half asleep.

The intruder let go of Lu Bu's arm, and the dao fell to the floor.

"I am the black courier, Kao Ba, servant, protector, and messenger of Empress Haze and Ba Zeng." Kao Ba continued, "You will probably never see me again Master Lu Bu, but if you do, please refrain from attacking me."

Kao Ba flourished his sai again, then sheathed him in the holster strapped to his legs.

"Yeah, will do," Lu Bu found his position on his bed again and promptly fell asleep.

"Hmph. You never noticed I existed when I served under Lord Zeng in Zen did you Lord Lu Bu?" Kao Ba said aloud to the numb body of Lu Bu. Kao Ba took off, throwing himself out of the open window. He landed hard on the ground. Then sprinted off into the city, getting lost in the darkness.

Lu Bu wouldn't recall the events of last night until he found the letter from Ba Zeng. It was very detailed in what he's done so far in Chang Sha. The personal stories he's told about Lu Bu during the Zen-Wei war. Now Ba Zeng called for Lu Bu's aid. He was going to answer it. Adorned in armor Lu Bu left his room, he addressed a nearby guard and handed the letter to him,

"Give this to Lu Meng when he awakens, and tell my daughter to behave while I'm gone." Lu Bu left he palace.

"Yes, Lord Lu Bu." The letters contained exact details of Ba Zeng's operations in Chang Sha. It would answer any questions Lu Meng would've had, considering Ba Zeng left without consulting him.

Lu Bu left Jiang Ling with 500 Militia and 500 Nu Shou. According to Ba Zeng, it was a day's march to Chang Sha.

There are times when it is necessary to fight against things that have become so wrong that they should no longer be.

Work for collective liberation, because everyone's liberation is tied to each other's. If we are going to be free, we all need to be free.

As the sun started to end its cycle, fleeing the sky in exchange for the moon, Ba Zeng made a valuable ally. Lui Xui. With Lui Xui the city was basically won. Now a plan needed to be formulated with both Lui Xui and the townspeople. Everything had to be completely organized. After the unjustified death of the child yesterday. The whole city was on edge. Ba Zeng had to put the death to good use before it blows off, in a months time.

Lui Xui had assembled the entire guard staff in the Inn. The Inn keeper was also under the influence of Ba Zeng, and for this night at least, it was closed, used as a staging area for the guards. Lui Xui had given the guards, a speech about what Ba Zeng was going to stage later tonight, what their assignments were, and how they were going to accomplish it. All but one of them agreed to the coup. The one was allowed to leave Chang Sha along with his family, who were still Wei loyalist. Crazy people.

Whilst Lu Dan sat in his own personal bathhouse surrounded by naked consorts, the best kind of consorts. The guard of Chang Sha were going around the city, informing people of the movement that was to be held later tonight. Every was quite POed about Lu Dan at the moment. The death of the child left a bad taste in the mouth of the civilians. Lei Lu, the blacksmith, provided pitchforks, axes, and swords to the men who wanted to join in the fight against any Wei loyalist that might oppose them.

Whilst the sun was ending it's cycle, Lui Xui and two palace guards, who were also in on the plot, approached the barracks. The barracks was where the garrison's armory was, where some of the soldiers slept and trained. Two soldiers, stationed at the entrance to the barracks questioned the guard's appearance. Lui Xui pulled a scroll from his sash.

"I have here, imperial orders from Lu Dan, the barracks is to be closed and locked until further notice. The rebels have been inactive for a year, and the soldiers deserve more time to spend with their family." Lui Xui presented the forged letter, written by Ba Zeng. The two soldiers shrugged, it had the seal of Wei on it. So that must've meant that it was from Lu Dan. In reality, it was obtained by one of the palace guards, who were in on the plot. Besides, these soldiers couldn't read, most of the Chinese population couldn't read. They went inside to inform everyone they had the day off - indefinitely. It was a weird move, but Lu Dan was unpredictable, he had just murdered a boy yesterday, perhaps this was a way of paying back?

No such chance. Lu Dan, blissfully unaware of the happenings in town stayed locked up in his palace fortress. Lui Xui and the guardsmen placed chains on the barracks entrance, and locking it away from the populace. During the riots tonight, it would be bad if the garrison were to get to their weapons and armor now, would it?

With the first phase complete, it was a matter of playing the waiting game. As the garrison returned to their families, there were now no soldiers ready to guard the city. The soldiers weren't aware that the guard had pledged their allegiance to Ba Zeng however. The Tuo Tuan had basically won the city already.

When nightfall fell, thousands of civilians took to the streets, along with many women, and children. A stage was set up for Ba Zeng and Lui Xui. Shouting, yelling, unrest descended upon Chang Sha. Soldiers, and Wei loyalist confused by the commotion, rushed to the barracks to find solace within it's structure and weapons. To no avail, they had found it locked. These men were beaten, though in a peaceful protest they wouldn't have been, but many rebel sympathizers were caught in the moment.

The mob of rebels included almost the entire population of Chang Sha. Even the farmers, who instead of retiring to their shacks out in the countryside, had come to join in the rebellion in the city. Ba Zeng stood atop a stage, preaching to the people. Pointing out the flaws of Wei, asking the people whether or not they wanted their money to go to new curtains in the Royal Palace, or to new roads, libraries, schools, maintenance. Ba Zeng stopped in the middle of his speech. There was something he needed to confess to these people.

"People, People please! Stop and listen to what I have to say, I have mildly deceived you all," The crowd got silent, looks of worry on some of their faces. "I am not 'Zeng Ba' a storyteller from Tian Shui, I am Ba Zeng! Prime Minister of Zen! The revolutionary! I have come back from the pages of history to free the people of China from the clutches of Wei!"

Instantly the people cheered, the savior had returned.

Lu Dan was awoken during his late night nap, he got up, put on some robes and walked barefoot through the empty palace. That was weird, why was the palace empty? As he walked down the steps of the grand hall two palace guards along with Lui Xui entered the hall. "Goodness what is going on outside is it a riot?"

"No sir- it is a revolution." Lui Xui addressed the governor.

"W-what?!" Lu Dan took a step backward.

"You're under arrest, governor." Lui Xui said sternly as the two palace guards went to restrain him. Lu Dan didn't struggle, yet his facial expression changed to show sudden anger.

"Absurd! By whose authority!?"

"Ba Zeng's"

Lu Dan's face turned from anger to shock. He had heard the stories about Ba Zeng. The Prime Minister of Zen. A savior of the people. Why Lu Dan's town!? Lu Dan was filled with dread, he knew this wouldn't end good.

As Lu Dan was escorted out of the palace, his knees were kicked in by Lui Xui, forcing him to his knees. Lu Dan's hands were restrained by ropes. The appearance of Lu Dan galvanized the rage of the crowd. A barrage of stones accompanied it. The crowd, thousands of them, chanting, "Zhong Jie Bing!" The "Chinese Liberation Front." The new liberators of Chang Sha.

During the ruckus, the 500 men scheduled to arrive at Chang Sha did so. Under Lu Bu they entered the city, gates wide, made so by the guard, who willingly defected. The crowd cheered at Lu Bu's appearance. To them, it was the start of something good. The Tuo Tuan freedom fighters were now in town. Lu Bu joined Ba Zeng, on the stage which was directly in front of the palace. On the steps of the palace, was a already bloodied Lu Dan, who was assaulted by a storm of rocks. Lui Xui and the two of the guards took some steps backward to avoid the rocks. Fifteen more men of the guard stormed the palace. Arresting any other ministers that might have been hiding.

The crowd got quite, in anticipation of Lu Bu speaking.

"So this is the scum?" Lu Bu announced in his rough, loud voice. It wasn't much, but it was Lu Bu, thats all he needed to say. The crowd cheered, awaiting what would happen. Lu Dan, on his knees thought the best thing he could do at the moment was beg for his life.

"Please, please! Please Lord Lu Bu, Master Ba Zeng be merciful!"

The crowd roared. Lu Bu put his hand up, signaling them to be quite, he snapped his fingers. One hundred Nu Shou appeared in front of the stage. Taking up line in ranks. It was the firing squad that would deliver Lu Dan to hell.

Lui Xui and the other two guards men left the scene for this. They weren't going to be standing behind Lu Dan anymore.

"Please! Please, no! I'm sorry! I'm Sorry!"

"It doesn't matter whether or not you're sorry, Lu Dan. Or is that how you put it. Either way, your life belongs to me, and the people." Ba Zeng recalled the death of the boy, that was what Lu Dan had said earlier.

"Any last words Lu Dan?" Lu Bu asked the condemned governor.

"Only that-" He started-

"FIRE!" Lu Bu had ordered his command. The one hundred Nu Shou fired their crossbows. Instantly the governor died. The crowd cheered so loud Lu Bu couldn't hear himself laughing. What he did was so cruel, yet he loved it.

"Oppressors don't get that luxury!" Lu Bu laughed hard to himself.

The streets of Chang Sha were lit with lanterns, there wasn't going to be any sleep tonight. The civilians cheered, partied, and basked in their new found freedom.

In the morning Lu Dan's body was put in a wooden casket, in the casket was a small note. Because the body was nailed shut in the casket, decomposition wouldn't be that bad. The casket was to be delivered to Lou Yang. Lu Dan's body, perhaps fed to Zhen Luo's tigers.

The remainder of the garrison were gathered in the streets in front of the stage. There were a lot of them. The civilians of Chang Sha, most of the fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters begged the garrison to surrender itself. This garrison had no weapons or armor, because of the locked barracks. Lu Bu looked out at all of them. Good potential warriors.

"If any of you! Still think you want to be loyal to Wei, please stand up so I may strike you down swiftly." Lu Bu strung an arrow. No one dared stood up in front of Lu Bu. The marksmen was sure not to miss.

The transition into Tuo Tuan power was smooth. The region of Chang Sha was promised to be exempt from taxes for a month or so, and promised that taxes would be considerably lower then before. Most of the civilians in Chang Sha respected Lu Meng. The former Wu strategist and officer. Unlike Cao Pi, whom people resented with a certain passion.

In the next two days, Lu Bu left Chang Sha with his 1,000 men. Whilst Ba Zeng stayed in the city.

[Zhen Luo]

Rewards

Commerce/Trading – 100 gold
General Story Telling – 300 gold
Planning/General Strategy - 10 Upgrade Points
Speaker - 300 peasants and 100 militia
Torture/Execution - + 2 fame

You get the full amount for commerce and trading, and I am giving you 300 gold for your story telling. I can't give you the +1 fame for speaker because Ba Zeng is not your main character, but you do get it for Lu Bu ordering the firing squad. Very nice, I enjoyed reading it. Oh, one more thing – the Tuo Tuan also get this:

The City of Chang Sha