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Post by Guo Jia on Jun 9, 2006 15:52:59 GMT -5
Guo Jia stood up tall as the prefect of his city, his recent acts had earned him much respect in Wei - Cao Cao had left the entire Wu front in his command. However this was well within his ability, and he had managed to keep Sun Jian's advance in check. Now however the war had taken its toll on both sides, Sun Jian's army was dwindling - and Wei had far more important matters to see to than waste its men defending from the south. Finally proposals had been drawn up for peace, with the Wei army concerned with internal strife, the city was quiet...a little to quiet. Sun Jian should be approching the city by now, a decision would need to be made soon enough - so long as the Wu army did not cross Guo Jia all would be well. The man strolled about his court, there were a lot of mixed opinions from his men, it would be best if these concerns were seen to before they became worse.
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Post by Zuo Ci on Jun 11, 2006 23:52:52 GMT -5
Guo Jia's newest advisor walked into the room and bowed low before him. Guo knew him as Qin Chun, but this man had gone by a multitude of names throughout his long, long life. Zuo Ci, his real name, waited until Guo told him to rise.
"My lord," he began, "I have something urgent to tell you." Guo motioned for him to stand.
Zuo Ci closed his eyes and thought deeply. He saw images of a mighty general standing atop a wall, cutting down yellow turbans like a scythe cutting down wheat. The regal look to that man had made Zuo Ci interested in him. That man's campaigns against the evil Dong Zhuo had provided Zuo Ci with a hope that perhaps, after so many years of chaos, that maybe he had found one worthy of Zuo Ci's gift...
"Yes...?" Guo prompted.
" I..."
Zuo Ci needed to make sure. He had followed Sun Jian back to his base of operations, and had realized that Sun Jian was plotting to remove Yuan Shu and the other powers in the south. Zuo Ci watched with delight as Sun Jian had gone in a whirlwind campaign, removing all obsticles and establishing his own kingdom of Wu. The military might of this southern general was undenable
"I have received information that Sun Jian's visit is not simply to discuss a treaty."
However, it was at that point that Zuo Ci began to have his doubts. Sun Jian's martial prowess was impressive, but once the battles were over, there was nothing left but a hollow shell of a government. Despite all of Sun Jian's noble attempts, he just couldn't seem to help the people, who were suffering from a lack of food.
"It appears that his son, Ce, is bring up an army, as is usual for a meeting of this type. However, their orders are not... honorable"
Sun Ce, however, had found a way to help the people. He helped convince his father to do what he did best. He convinced Jian to go back to war. The immediate effect was perfect. There were more jobs created... more weapons, armor, and war crafts being built, but most importantly, the population was spread out while the amount of food steadily rose. The new ships brought more fish, and the new land grabbed from the defeated Wei generals allowed the farmers to spread their crops.
"It appears that on Sun Jian's command, his son is set to lead their troops in an attack on the city."
Seeing Sun Jian in action again had helped Zuo Ci to momontarily overlook his shortcomings, but then Sun Jian made a crucial mistake. He led his troops into a terrible slaughter that caused Wu to weaken, and had forced his hand into making this truce. It wasn't just that Sun Jian had failed and lost one battle. It was a combination of his failings as a governer, and the suffering of his troops that made this failing the last straw.
"The signal, my lord..."
Zuo Ci had liked Sun Jian, but a man with as much power as he had should be able to help the people. Zuo Ci had to make a hard choice. If Sun Jian wanted to live, Zuo Ci decided that Jian had one option, which, ironically enough, had become Zuo Ci's next option. Sun Ce...
"The signal is Sun Jian, standing atop the walls, and throwing your severed head to his mens feet."
It felt like Zuo Ci had just dropped a death sentence onto Sun Jian. Guo Jia was so furious that he missed Zuo Ci's face contort in sadness. He simply wanted Sun Ce to take over for his father... He didn't want anyone to die for it.
Guo Jia exploded. "I will kill those dogs of Wu!"
Zuo silently hoped that Guo was wrong.
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Post by Guo Jia on Jun 12, 2006 2:37:29 GMT -5
This of corse was very very unerving to Guo Jia, he had considered Sun Jian of Wu at least to be a noble men - honourable enough to keep his word at least. This of corse meant that Guo Jia had accecpted Cao Cao request for troops - as if Wei and Wu were at peace there would be no need for the Wei army. Whilst a potential rebellion however would need as many troops as it could get. And it was to late....much to late to request the army to return, Sun Jian would be here soon very very soon.
"Those slimey scoundrels, they talk of peace but make plans for war! I will gut them by my own hand!"
Guo Jia looked at Qin Chun, he had recently hired this man on merit, he was beyond intelliegnt - his recommendations had been what enabled Guo Jia to beat Sun Jian in the first place. This was not a man to be ignored, but he knew as well as Guo Jia did that there was not much chance holding the city against the entire Wu army, in a rather defeated tone Guo Jia spoke to the man he knew as Qin Chun
"Qin Chun, I hope for all our sakes that you are wrong, however I have little doubt in my mind that you are right....."
Guo Jia ordered Cao Ang to ready the army, the second Wu showed any kind of agression towards Wei then they would retaliate!, Oh yes they would retaliate!, He told Cao Ang to muster as many troops from the north as he could get his hands on and them be back to the city as fast as he could
"Now all we can do is wait and see what Wu decides...."
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Post by Zuo Ci on Jun 12, 2006 13:12:44 GMT -5
"My lord, I beg permission to stay. By your grace, I would have some of my men take my family to the outskirts of the town, while I stay here and meet Sun Jian with you. In the case that he does betray us, I would like to be at your side..."
Zuo Ci had no family of course, and had no need for men. He simply wished to allay any suspcisions that Guo Jia might have. Guo was a smart man. Zuo Ci would have to be very careful if he wanted to pull this off...
"It would please me to be allowed to receive him before you, my lord. He would be unable to harm me without showing his own hand, and perhaps I can gather some information from him before you arrive. Of course, only it is my lord's wish..."
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Post by Guo Jia on Jun 12, 2006 17:16:17 GMT -5
"Of corse, you can take whatever precautions you deem appropriate, inform all other ministers that they may do the same if they wish. Have every soldier ready for their arrival, one wrong move....and they shall feel the wrath of Wei upon their soldiers."
Guo Jia was concerned, any efforts he made to hide it were not enough to conceal that. Wu would be on his doorstep any minute...why had he agreed to send most his army back to the capital!?, why had he let Sun Jian bring his army!? A friendly peace talk was quickly turning into a fatal meeting....
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Post by Zuo Ci on Jun 13, 2006 0:14:21 GMT -5
"I shall at once my lord"
With that, Zuo Ci rose, bowed low to Guo Jia, and left the courtroom. He passed unhindered, unseen, through the halls of the castle, until he finally arrived at the gates.
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Post by Sun Jian on Jun 13, 2006 2:28:55 GMT -5
Sun Jian had quickly made his way through the city, he had no time to stop and gaze upon its inhabitants Guo Jia should be expecting him! As they arrived at the steps up to the palace of the city Sun Jian idd start paying attention to his surroundings this part of the city was.....well expensive to say the very least, the palace before him looked most impressive as well. There was of corse the Wei escorts he seemed to have, more than was normal, then again Sun Jian had more troops than first agreed, both sides were to be cautious evidently. Sun Jian turned to his 750 Lighswordmen, 50 of them were to accompany him into the palace. As he stepped in his eyes still ajusting to the light he strained to make out the sight before him, scanning the palace for Guo Jia. With the man out of sight Sun Jian shouted into the echoy corridors of the palace.
"Guo Jia! I have arrived"
To his surprise Sun Jian was met with no reply...simply led on to a side chamber to wait....well this was unusual, what an earth could Guo Jia be doing to cause him to ask Sun Jian to waint?
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Post by Guo Jia on Jun 13, 2006 3:02:29 GMT -5
Once Sun Jian and his men were safely away Guo Jia came out into his main court... what to do what to do, he looked to his ministers for encouragement and found little. Sun Jian was just beyond a door in the castle, his unit beyond its doors and his army was beyond the gates. There seemed little option, Cao Ang wouldn't return from Ye for a good while yet - Guo Jia sighed at the situation he had created for himself. There was nothing else to be done really, but fetch Sun Jian and hope his intents were not for war.
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Post by Zuo Ci on Jun 13, 2006 14:47:00 GMT -5
Zuo Ci walked into the side chamber and watched as Sun Jian's men eat the food that had been prepared. Sun Jian stood out from his men, and Zuo Ci smiled as he realized that this was the first time Sun Jian had seen him.
<I have watched you for so long, and yet only now do you even get to see me. It is a shame you will never know all that I am...>
"Sun Jian, before you see Guo Jia, I believe that we need to discuss something that will be mutually benificial. If you would please leave your sword with your attendants and come with me..."
It was a not odd to request that a guest leave his weapon behind when he was meeting with a lord, but for Zuo Ci to ask him to do so simply to talk with an advisor, was. As Sun Jian rose, Zuo Ci came close to him and whispered into his ear...
"There is more going on than you know Jian, and listening to me, right now, may be the only way to come out of this on top."
Sun Jian looked as though he was about to speak... but Zuo Ci waved a hand, as if to dismiss him, and walked over to a curtain. He moved it aside, and reveiled a door which had been hidden. As Zuo Ci opened it, Jian could see that it was a small chamber, hardly large enough for four people to fit inside, and that it was completely barren, aside from a torch on one wall.
"If you would be kind enough to enter, I would speak to you away from prying ears. I assure you, you will come to no harm, and immediatly afterwords, I will take you to Guo Jia."
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Post by Sun Jian on Jun 13, 2006 16:07:16 GMT -5
Sun Jian was hesitant to give up his weapon, reasonable considering the circumstances. But this man had a slight welcoming aura about him, this made Sun Jian more willing to comply. Besides he looked at the stature of the man, the one reassuring thought in Sun Jian's mind was that he was confident he could beat this man even without a sword in his arm. Sun Jian followed the man that had presented himself, his men would not be far behind if needed as well. Should all go according to plan they would not be needed regardless.
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Post by Zuo Ci on Jun 13, 2006 23:02:37 GMT -5
Zuo Ci guided Sun Jian into the little room, and then he stepped in himself, shutting the door behind him.
"Sun Jian, I am about to tell you something very important to you, and I want to make sure you know I am honest. To that end, I wish to offer you something..."
With that, Zuo Ci put a hand to his mouth, and reached inside. To Sun Jian's horror, Zuo Ci gripped one of his teeth, and in one fluid, instantanious movement, he held the tooth, freed from his gums, in his hand. Zuo Ci smiled at Sun Jian, who met it with a look of slight uncomfert. Then, Sun Jian noticed that Zuo Ci still had all his teeth. Zuo Ci looked down at his hand, which he held palm up and open, reveiling the tooth. As Sun Jian lowered his gaze to see it, Zuo Ci closed his hand, forming a fist, and as he reopened it, the tooth was gone. In it's place was a small dagger, seemingly made of crystal with a golden pummel and handle. Before Sun Jian could say anything, Zuo Ci again closed his hand, and when he reopened it, another tooth was there, only this one looked like a tigers inciser, and it was on a necklace.
"Sun Jian, when you walk into that room with Guo Jia, I very much want you to come out alive. To do that, you will need this. If you refuse to leave your weapon behind, they will kill you and all your men immediatly. If, instead, you are able to strike a blow to Guo Jia himself first, you may be able to escape."
Having said that, Zuo Ci held out the necklace, and prepared to take Sun Jian across the side chamber and directly into the court, where Guo Jia waited.
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Post by Sun Jian on Jun 14, 2006 1:59:30 GMT -5
Who was this man?, Sun Jian had not the time to waste finding such things out, Guo Jia should be awaiting him. But to kill Guo Jia? This was out of the question, he would struggle to escape the castle guards if he did such a thing...Sun Jian help out his hand and took the dagger, and help it in his hand, eyeing the man before him the entire time.
"I will by all means defend myself, but to strike Guo Jia in his own home with little reason is something I cannot do."
Sun Jian awaited to be led into see Guo Jia, he wanted to judge the intentions of this man himself. There was far more you could learn from a man himself than from hours and hours of talk from other people. Finally they would settle this peacefully or otherwise.
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Post by Zuo Ci on Jun 14, 2006 14:11:46 GMT -5
"of course"
Zuo Ci opened the door and led Sun Jian back into the side chamber. Sun Jian's men eyed him suspciously, but Zuo Ci ignored them all. He walked, with Sun Jian in tow, to the court where Guo Jia waited. He opened the door, and as Sun Jian walked in, Zuo Ci shot a look to Guo Jia... then he closed the door and headed towards the gates.
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Post by Sun Jian on Jun 14, 2006 14:21:12 GMT -5
Sun Jian walked up towards Guo Jia, who was now seated in the main chamber - why he had not been able to see him straight away was still a mystery to Sun Jian. He had the small dagger close to his chest - would he need such a thing? Who was the man that had offered it to him? Alas Sun Jian had but moments to ask such questions. As he reached Guo Jia a servant took Sun Jian's sword - the dagger was not taken though... perhaps it would come of use. Sun Jian looked at the man who took his sword - he held it ready to be returned not far from where Sun Jian would be sitting, this was reclaimable if needed....
"Guo Jia - it is a pleasure to finally meet you, it was you of all of Wei that was finally able to draw my army to a standstill. Now perhaps our nations shall finally become allies in the conquest of our enemies."
Nothing...Guo Jia seemed very nervous, but Sun Jian couldn't yet sense any malicious intent in the man. Perhaps all would go well, Sun Jian looked at the man and awaited a reply.
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Post by Guo Jia on Jun 14, 2006 14:58:47 GMT -5
Guo Jia welcome Sun Jian with suspiscious eyes, though still was pleased to have the guest - perhaps all this worry and speculation was just paranoia, perhaps everything would be fine.
"Sun Jian it is good to finally see you face to face also I am sure a future with Wu and Wei alongside each other can be crafted into th....."
Guo Jia was cut off - a man charged into the court room staggering having clearly run a great distance of the city. He shouted at the top of his voice towards Guo Jia
MY LORD, we are betrayed!, Sun Ce and the Wu army has stormed into the city without warning!
Guo Jia stood up and glared at Sun Jian, the man whom had betrayed him. Guo Jia should have listened to his men, there was nothing to be gained from trusting the soundrels of Wu - they only offer betrayal.
"SUN JIAN, I let you into my city, I trusted you! I considered you a man of your word. MEN KILL HIM"
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