Post by General Pang on Jun 14, 2006 4:06:34 GMT -5
A noble knight, appearing to be perhaps in his early thirties, from the Western provinces approaches the gate of Tian Shui Castle, his bow slung over his shoulders. As he rides closer to the fortress, he thinks he sees the gate guards getting nervous, though he is not sure if he's imagining things or if the men standing watch do not understand his intentions. So as to try not to anger or alarm the soldiers, Pang De dismounts from his steed quite a distance from the castle and walks towards the gate entrance, keeping his quiver and weapon in place. Suddenly and without warning, as Pang De is nearly within striking distance of the guards, he withdraws his bow and quiver, but rather than shoot, he takes each of them in seperate hands and gives them to the men watching over the gate
"Good sirs, I seek to enter the capital of Tian Shui. If you wish to know who I am, I was once a vassal of Han Sui from Xi Liang, but was one day wounded in battle and unable to find my liege once I healed. After a few months of travelling from place to place, I decided to try to enter into the services of your master Ma Teng, for I have heard he is a brilliant tactician and amazing warlord from my monkish general friend Shi Demou. If you would kindly allow me to speak with your lord, I would give my life to protect either one of you fine infantrymen in the future. To show that I do not harbor any ill intentions, I hand you my bow, a family heirloom and my only weapon, as well as my quiver with arrows. Should you wish to search me further, I would gladly submit myself to your probing, though I assure you that as a man of the higher gentry I, Brigadier General Pang De, would never deceitfully attempt such a disgraceful thing as an assassination or a spy mission.
As for my company of troops, they are quite a bit behind me, for I rode several li ahead of them in haste. I have instructed them not to do any harm to any man of Zen though, and to give their weapons to you as I am doing now. If you have any inquiries then I would be glad to answer them, though time is of the essence, and I feel that I must meet with Ma Teng quickly to confirm an alliance and the customary lord and subordinate pact between ruler and officer." says Pang De. As Pang De says this he looks over his shoulder, as if expecting his loyal band of comrades-in-arms to appear any second. He then glances at the two captains in front of the gate, waiting for a reply.
Meanwhile a young, somewhat inexperienced officer named Pang Hui, Pang De's son of only 16 years of age, issues orders to De's slightly rowdy archers and spearmen. Pang De's troops were a hardened group of warriors. They had served Han Sui in numerous conflicts and hated to be ordered around by a young man like Pang Hui. Somehow though Pang Hui had kept them in line thus far, but at the moment he was having trouble trying to get them to march faster. Suddenly remembering an old training drill, Pang Hui draws his faithful x-bow and shoots an arrow into the sky with incredible speed. His men, previously unattentive, immediately all shape up. About 3 arrows zoom towards the missile which had not yet begun it's descent down to Earth. Piercing it, the clump of arrows all land softly on the ground. At the same time as the shots were made, the rest of Pang De's archers had moved quickly out of the way of Hui's arrow while De's spearmen had lifted their spears and held them horizontally in order to guard against the arrow if it should fall. Pang Hui sees his men's prepared stances and laughs. Then he decides to comment.
"Well done ye servants of Han Sui. If you should all show that same vigilance in battle, we would not need fear 1,000 conflicts. Now that you are less disorganized we must quickly catch up to my father. Godspeed everybody!" says Pang Hui. With a cheer, De's troops recognize young Pang Hui's commitment and move faster. Encouraged by Hui's cunning, they would come to Tian Shui castle quicker than De though, though not before the guards at Tian Shui would respond to the noble knight...[/
"Good sirs, I seek to enter the capital of Tian Shui. If you wish to know who I am, I was once a vassal of Han Sui from Xi Liang, but was one day wounded in battle and unable to find my liege once I healed. After a few months of travelling from place to place, I decided to try to enter into the services of your master Ma Teng, for I have heard he is a brilliant tactician and amazing warlord from my monkish general friend Shi Demou. If you would kindly allow me to speak with your lord, I would give my life to protect either one of you fine infantrymen in the future. To show that I do not harbor any ill intentions, I hand you my bow, a family heirloom and my only weapon, as well as my quiver with arrows. Should you wish to search me further, I would gladly submit myself to your probing, though I assure you that as a man of the higher gentry I, Brigadier General Pang De, would never deceitfully attempt such a disgraceful thing as an assassination or a spy mission.
As for my company of troops, they are quite a bit behind me, for I rode several li ahead of them in haste. I have instructed them not to do any harm to any man of Zen though, and to give their weapons to you as I am doing now. If you have any inquiries then I would be glad to answer them, though time is of the essence, and I feel that I must meet with Ma Teng quickly to confirm an alliance and the customary lord and subordinate pact between ruler and officer." says Pang De. As Pang De says this he looks over his shoulder, as if expecting his loyal band of comrades-in-arms to appear any second. He then glances at the two captains in front of the gate, waiting for a reply.
Meanwhile a young, somewhat inexperienced officer named Pang Hui, Pang De's son of only 16 years of age, issues orders to De's slightly rowdy archers and spearmen. Pang De's troops were a hardened group of warriors. They had served Han Sui in numerous conflicts and hated to be ordered around by a young man like Pang Hui. Somehow though Pang Hui had kept them in line thus far, but at the moment he was having trouble trying to get them to march faster. Suddenly remembering an old training drill, Pang Hui draws his faithful x-bow and shoots an arrow into the sky with incredible speed. His men, previously unattentive, immediately all shape up. About 3 arrows zoom towards the missile which had not yet begun it's descent down to Earth. Piercing it, the clump of arrows all land softly on the ground. At the same time as the shots were made, the rest of Pang De's archers had moved quickly out of the way of Hui's arrow while De's spearmen had lifted their spears and held them horizontally in order to guard against the arrow if it should fall. Pang Hui sees his men's prepared stances and laughs. Then he decides to comment.
"Well done ye servants of Han Sui. If you should all show that same vigilance in battle, we would not need fear 1,000 conflicts. Now that you are less disorganized we must quickly catch up to my father. Godspeed everybody!" says Pang Hui. With a cheer, De's troops recognize young Pang Hui's commitment and move faster. Encouraged by Hui's cunning, they would come to Tian Shui castle quicker than De though, though not before the guards at Tian Shui would respond to the noble knight...[/