Post by Sun Ce on Jul 4, 2006 0:40:29 GMT -5
*Night struck the barren skies and drifting waters of Lu Jiang and the large body of water between it and Jiang Xia, known as Chi Bi, as the Royal Convoy approached the gates of Lu Jiang. Sun Ce sat in a carriage pulled by two shining white horses, his brother Sun Quan aside of him, his bodyguard Zhi Liang on his horse not three paces behind him. The carriage was lined in a purple and gold cloth, covered by a white tarp. It was surrounded by horsemen and archers. Every soldier, every person in the convoy, be it Sun Ce, Quan, or the lowest ranking archer, wore the same outfit.*
*A white ornament covered the hair, which was put up in a ponytail in most situations. A chestplate of ancient Chinese armor decorated with dragons at each side, and at the belt buckle, in a color of pearl white. The pauldrons, and the armored skirt, curved outward, into a gold trim. Sun Ce's was unique simply because from his pauldrons befell a pearl white cape, held in place by a chain across Ce's neck. From the bottom of the cape, a tiger lay, sprawled all the way to the top.*
*As the audience, numbering in the hundreds of thousands of those who lived in Lu Jiang, meet the carriage and the convoy with a thunderous applause, Sun Ce continued to ride past the crowd, separated in two by the main road, to the podium at the center of the city. The governor of the city, Saerin Zei, was the Prime Minister and was in charge of defense against Shu. There was none more in tact with the kingdom then Saerin Zei, who showed his cunning before any else, and had secretly proven himself a worthy official at every turn.*
*The Royal Carriage halted a few steps from the podium, on a risen courtyard slightly above the crowd. Sun Ce kicked his leg over, lifting himself to fall from the carriage. His boots hit the ground with a thud, as he walked up the steps and took his place at the podium, Sun Quan at his left and Zhi Liang at his right. Behind him, the moonlight reflected off Chi Bi, behind the city's naval base. Sun Ce rose his head, shifting his eyes across his audience, his regents, his servants, his people.*
"News has reached this grand city of Lord Sun's death, correct? I have spoken too much of such an ill issue, and I hope to put it in the past. I have not come here to bring up my father's name, but to speak of the future. For how can Wu survive it's harsh past without a better future? To begin it's grand campaign into glory, a new leader must be named. The right is mine to claim, but I could not take up throne without the consult of my most trusted council: my people.
"To ensure tranquility within the lands of Wu, I swear an oath. An oath to defense of Lu Jiang above all else. This city shall rise above all else, second only to the Bronze City of Mo Ling. I shall see to the city's crop, and the city;s garrison myself, with monthly checks to be sure it's income is as productive as possible. Lu Jiang's location is superb for defense, but defense is futile if the inside of the city is weak.
"As for the growing threat of the rising naval powers of Shu, I shall see to it myself that the waters of Chi Bi remain calm, even with so many war ships sailing it's waters. Should war break out, and the waters be filled with waves, then I shall see to it that I take the battlefield and ensure the war remains outside Lu Jiang. This is my oath, and I shall falter to death before I falter to failure."
*The entire city broke into noise, cheering intensely. Sun Ce turned, mounting his carriage with the guard filing around it as normal, with Sun Quan at his side and Zhi Liang not far behind. As the left the city, Sun Ce turned to his brother, a smirk on his face.*
"Let it never be said that Lu Jiang did not support the rise of Sun Bofu."
*A white ornament covered the hair, which was put up in a ponytail in most situations. A chestplate of ancient Chinese armor decorated with dragons at each side, and at the belt buckle, in a color of pearl white. The pauldrons, and the armored skirt, curved outward, into a gold trim. Sun Ce's was unique simply because from his pauldrons befell a pearl white cape, held in place by a chain across Ce's neck. From the bottom of the cape, a tiger lay, sprawled all the way to the top.*
*As the audience, numbering in the hundreds of thousands of those who lived in Lu Jiang, meet the carriage and the convoy with a thunderous applause, Sun Ce continued to ride past the crowd, separated in two by the main road, to the podium at the center of the city. The governor of the city, Saerin Zei, was the Prime Minister and was in charge of defense against Shu. There was none more in tact with the kingdom then Saerin Zei, who showed his cunning before any else, and had secretly proven himself a worthy official at every turn.*
*The Royal Carriage halted a few steps from the podium, on a risen courtyard slightly above the crowd. Sun Ce kicked his leg over, lifting himself to fall from the carriage. His boots hit the ground with a thud, as he walked up the steps and took his place at the podium, Sun Quan at his left and Zhi Liang at his right. Behind him, the moonlight reflected off Chi Bi, behind the city's naval base. Sun Ce rose his head, shifting his eyes across his audience, his regents, his servants, his people.*
"News has reached this grand city of Lord Sun's death, correct? I have spoken too much of such an ill issue, and I hope to put it in the past. I have not come here to bring up my father's name, but to speak of the future. For how can Wu survive it's harsh past without a better future? To begin it's grand campaign into glory, a new leader must be named. The right is mine to claim, but I could not take up throne without the consult of my most trusted council: my people.
"To ensure tranquility within the lands of Wu, I swear an oath. An oath to defense of Lu Jiang above all else. This city shall rise above all else, second only to the Bronze City of Mo Ling. I shall see to the city's crop, and the city;s garrison myself, with monthly checks to be sure it's income is as productive as possible. Lu Jiang's location is superb for defense, but defense is futile if the inside of the city is weak.
"As for the growing threat of the rising naval powers of Shu, I shall see to it myself that the waters of Chi Bi remain calm, even with so many war ships sailing it's waters. Should war break out, and the waters be filled with waves, then I shall see to it that I take the battlefield and ensure the war remains outside Lu Jiang. This is my oath, and I shall falter to death before I falter to failure."
*The entire city broke into noise, cheering intensely. Sun Ce turned, mounting his carriage with the guard filing around it as normal, with Sun Quan at his side and Zhi Liang not far behind. As the left the city, Sun Ce turned to his brother, a smirk on his face.*
"Let it never be said that Lu Jiang did not support the rise of Sun Bofu."