The Capital's Palace

[Páng Tǒng]

Four days after he had left, Shiyuan arrived back in Cheng Du. Sporting a new Axe, he was searched by the guards, who tried to take the axe from him. Snarling at them, he spoke:

Its for Xuande, would you dare take your lords own weapon?

Walking ahead, he moved to the throne. Stopping 50 feet, as his position suggested, he bored the axe.

Lord Bei... I've got a present for you. Ol' Bo Ru took many an arrow for you, just to get this to you. What a nice guy, honestly he was... I mean, he had things on his mind! Mainly Guan Shao's halberd, but still, he was a very pleasant guy.

[Liu Bei]

((I forgot I made my npc bo ru XD, so you killed Bo Ruan. ))

Xuande laughs at the vigor within Pang's voice, noting the general's sarcasm, and rather comical relief to the Shu lord. For this, he announces a proclamation.

"You will come with us to Jiang Xia, and then report to Ba after this, you will hold a prefecture there. As for the Axe, I do not favor it as most would, please, except this gift in my stead, as it may fit your more, even if just a trinket. Good job, lord Pang."

[Zhang Song]

Song entered the palace, his clothes reeked of the brothel, so he decided to remain futher than usual from the throne, he got on his knees once he was 150 feet away from the throne and bowed to his lord, looking up at him

"My Lord, i convinced the owner of the brothel to pay his women more, as you requested of me, i believe the women of that establishment will have no more complaints about their pay"

[Liu Bei]

Liu Bei looked at the man, his mind swirling around, looking for this woman he explained. He shrugged it off, he'd seen a thousand people in this past week, he can barely remember them the day after it... Well, in truth Xuande had a memory worth thousands, as he remembered traits of people, this woman was rather cowardly, like a lost kitten, he remembered her as he went on through his mind. He spoke to his vassal after realizing who she was.

"It is good thing you have done so, now, Jiang Ling is where you are needed, prepare for Jiang Xia and draft troops. Well done, as always Zhang Song."

[Zhang Song]

Zhang Song bowed to his lord and rose to his feet, turning and leaving the palace, mounting his steed and ordering all his soldiers to gather, 750 troops got behind their commander and they all left the city for Jiang Ling

(btw, do i add the rewards or does someone else?)

[Liu Bei]

Yeah, add them up yourself, plus the gold.

[Páng Tǒng]

Pang Tong looked at the axe

It'll make a good knife...

He handed it to Guan Shao, and the two left, to go make preperations for their departure to Jiang Xia...

(DId I get rewards?)

[Liu Bei]

Liu Bei stands up admist his court, he yells out to his men, the captivating look upon his eyes yet again, just like when he announced his decision on the west, Liu Zhang. His voice was very powerful, seeking the ends of his palace, and that of his city.

"Today, today is the day that the Dragon peers upon this world, and takes back what rightfully is his! Today I take back the oldest capital, the promise land! Today, we burn our blades into the flesh of Wu, in the name of Shu, in the name of the Han, and in the name of the people! It is the will of the people, they've come to me and asked for aid, asking for help against their savage, bandit rulers! Today we teach a pirate to stay off of our lands! Prepare the armies, Jiang Xia is OURS!"

"Send a messenger to Jiang Ling, send a messenger to Ba! Send a messenger to Jian Ye if you so see it! We will be there for blood, a battle!"

Liu Bei marches off, collecting his armor and putting it on, while several minister surround him, many rejoicing, as they'd all hoped this would happen for the past months. If fact, the entire kingdom did, finally now their lord would see past alliances and the respect for those there before him. Revenge would be served, upon a most vile and cold dish. He takes up his horse and half of his armies leave for Jiang Ling, and then Jiang Xia..

[Liu Bei]

The armies of Liu Bei return after taking Jiang Xia. The people cheer on their lord for liberating the city from the clutches of Wu..

Liu Bei sets off a day later to outside of the city toward Chai Sang. He orders a large for to be built with all of his infantry and many people from the city aiding him.. (personal task)

[Zhang Ren]

~*Night of fortune*~

The sun was just about to set, the final seconds of the beautiful pink glow that traveled across the land. Clouds tried to cover it, but to no avail. The clouds would part and allow the large rays pierce any darkness that attempted to cover the sky. However, that light was fading as night was now. A soft howl of a dog was heard in the distance marking that night had arrived. In what seemed like a second, the stars had appeared and the sky had turned to a navy blue. A full moon shone over the mountains and lit the earth below in a magnificent glow.

The guards were getting restless, occasional yawns came from the men that stood at the huge doors of Chang Sha palace. They had their spear in one hand as they lent against the stone wall. Hoping the their lord Yuan-te would not see their lazyness. They would die for him, but right now, they believed that no one would truly try and enter. They were wrong....

Two knocks came from outside on the fairly big doors. The guards looked at each other and nodded, as they walked towards the handles of the doors and pulled. The motioned for the man to step forth. The man slowly but yet firmly walked foward.

The man was dressed in silver armour, his helemt had a graceful mane of sliver hair that ran down to his shoulders. The man's face was fairly young, maybe reaching the age of 25. His facial hair went down from the side of his head to his chin, joining up. he had a sharp face, his eyes that could penetrate the furthest distance. He was fairly well built, he had supple shoulders that were able to drag the armour along. Strapped to his back was a fairly long broad sword, though in a sheath, the sword seemed to glow as the light from the moon above reached it and penetrated the sheath. The weapon's name was Full Moon, a sleak blade that had claimed many a neck.

The man was none other than Zhang Ren, former officer of Liu Zhang. This man was once known as the most famous officer of Liu Zhang, until Liu Zhang seemed to ignore all advice and sometimes even refused to use him in the army. This was definetly the work of one of his jealous advisors. The men under him craved to have the same levels of fame that Zhang Ren recieved. Zhang Ren, reluctantly, decided to leave.

This man had studied war since he was a child, he much rather preferred defense to offense. He had some calling to it. He knew all forms of defense from troop formations to the use of the enviroment around. He had also studied swordplay as soon as he could lift a blade with two hands. He was born to be in war matters.

Zhang Ren walked foward, he gazed at the exquisite structure of the palace. Truly a sight for sore eyes. it was much different to the land of Liu Zhang. In Liu Zhang's palace, men were in hurries. Advisors were being ordered around like lap dogs, whereas here, Liu Bei treated them as his family. Zhang Ren finally stopped before the throne and lowered himself to one knee.

"Lord Liu Yuan-Te. My name is Zhang Ren. I was previously known as the most capable officer under the Liu Zhang banner, but he refused to use my abilities after his advisors plotted against me. I left and now am here before you. pray you accept me, I have studied defensive warfare since I was a child and I am a master of swordplay. My name has spread throughout the lands of Shu and surely I would be a fine aid for your forces......"

[Liu Bei]

((Assuming that "before the thrown" is 100 paces away, as instructed in the first post. Nice post by the way, I for one can't write for crap right now, so here goes..))

Liu Bei had admired the courage this man had pulled, drawn up from the lands when battle had raged on. How the undying loyalty of such an individual was employed in such a meek master. What if that lord, that central order was of grand repute such as Liu Bei? Then power itself would seek no bounds as the Kingdom of Shu turned a new age this day. Not only had Fa Zheng joined from the beaten armies, but also Zhang Song and now Zhang Ren, three of the grandest men that could be offered. Liu Bei coughed slightly, his eyes closing as he tilted his head down, then looking up quickly with stern eyes. His voice was just like his eyes, yet it lightened up as he went on..

"..You, Zhang Ren have caused the death of many of my people, many of the sons of Shu. Yet now you seek to join it.. While some turn away, I tell you here and now that even if the people are changing, the generals are not. We both know what has happened and we both know that we were simply fighting for what at the time we had believed in, for you Liu Zhang, and for me the Han. Perhaps today, the day that we meet with one goal is the day that a reckoning will strike upon our enemy's lands. Perhaps it is the day of reckoning in Lou Yang, in Lu Jiang and in Ye.. But then again, perhaps not."

"If you seek my aid, my life's journey and my blades then you are for this Kingdom, and you are for the Han."

[Zhang Ren]

~*Degeneration Han*~

Zhang Ren listened to the words of the famous Liu Bei. The man that let his people escape the clutches of Cao Cao before he himself could escape. The man who prefers peaceful means than war, the man who treats all with such respect, but he who also would uphold every aspect of law. Zhang ren truly respected this individual, Zhang Ren was expecting some form of torture or execution for the many deaths that the ploys of Zhang ren caused, instead, he was forgiven and met with a welcome smile.

However, there was one thing that Zhang Ren did not agree with. That thing was the Han, he hated every aspect of the dynasty. The leaders were all selfish,ignorant tyrants. None cared for the people, they only cared about their personal well-being and how their riches were progressing. It disgusted Zhang ren, the three very letters made Zhang clench his fist in anger.

He stayed kneeling 100 paces before Yuan-Te, he then decided to take a chance. On his first minute of duty under Liu bei, he would advise a new plot for his faithful ruler. Would he be punished though?

"Hmm......I beg your forgivness my Lord but allow me to lay my proposition before you. How you react is completley up to you, but at least take into account my idea. The Han has degenerated since the Yellow Scarve uprising. Then, with the scoundrel Dong Zhuo taking control, it truly collapsed. In my personal opinion, My Lord, the Han should stay that way. In it's place......however......would be a new dynasty. A dynasty that would be created by the kingdom of Shu. Lord Liu, I ask that, instead of you trying to restore the Han, create your own dynasty. I am sure your many advisors would agree and your people would be happy. However, this is just the opinion of a mere general and you may pay no heed to it if it is your decision....."

[General Pang]

Two men, usually seen on horses and with ornamental armour befitting their regiment, as well as composite bows from the North, enter the palace in mere leather garb and helmets, carrying nothing but fine gifts and messages. Before they had left, they had taken the items carried by a third envoy, whom the guards of the Shu Empire had not permitted to go into Shu palace. As they entered the great house of the First Sovereign of Shu, they made sure to keep their distance from the emperor's chair, a hundred paces according to local customs. They also waited for the other guest in the royal throneroom to speak before one of them, one who happened to be wearing the more ornate helmet and thus was in all likelihood of higher rank, piped up.

"Great lord of the Southwest, we come with gold coins from the Northwest road, fine silks and other gifts. But we also bear a message for you written by our master Pang De of Zen and approved by Ba Zeng. Our master wishes that you are well, but more importantly responds favorably to your offer for an alliance created between the kingdoms of Shu and Zen. In addition though, our master asks one thing: that the kingdom of Zen be able to lend support in your noble fight against Wei or Wu in exchange for help versus Wei when Zen needs it. If your lordship could be so gracious as to agree to an agreement whereby we mutually support each other in our fights then my comrades and our master would be honored," says the soldier.

[Liu Bei]

((Took me a while to get time to post, sorry.))

Liu Bei sees the two figure enter his courts, his home. They bear small little things, yet notable flags from the faction to the north, the faction that was supported by Ma Teng, yet not supported by Xuande. Though everyone would get a chance, the Cao's had already had theirs and so had Sun. He blankly looked above to the fading sky, clouds moving to block his view. The words of Zhang Ren soared throughout his mind, escaping in his movements and gestures. Finally as the general spoke of a new born kingdom, one that Xuande was not ready for, the court began to speak upon its own, gasping with revaluations and anger. The King looked back down toward the man, now seeing two others just to his side. His words were quick with the genearl, yet were casually put with the guests.

"General, I am not ready to bear such weights.. If your to hold this against me, you may leave Shu. Know that I am building a Kingdom in the end and that I am but a man behind a figure head. I will give you time to reconsider your enrollment in my forces, please inform me of your decision in the morning.."

"Ah, guests of Zen. It is an honor to see that ones such as yourselves have come upon talks of peace and if anything alliance. Though, I am not one to talk of anything more than peace. Harmony will be upon our borders, and nothing more. You will live at peace and I will live at peace. The west will not be one nation, but two separate republics who have come to an agreement. That the east is going to hell."

[Zhang Ren]

~Trust can be misplaced~

Zhang Ren was shot down with shame. He had too quickly jumped to a proposition and had paid for it. He was lucky that members of Zen had arrived. Zhang Ren may have recieved more of a firm response if their presence did not grace the palace. But what now, it was obvious to Zhang ren that Liu Bei did not truly trust the man. As with his former loyalty to Liu Zhang, Yuan-te was unsure of what to do with Zhang Ren.

"My apologies my Lord. I pray that I can gain your trust in the form of a achievement......"

With that, he rose to a stand, bowed to his Lord and slowly head towards the exit of the palace. Many things were on his mind, the main thing was earning the trust of the Lord of Shu......He had no intentions of leaving Shu yet.......