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Post by Li Wang on Jul 19, 2011 20:18:03 GMT
It was a relatively clear day in the city of Jian Ye. There were clouds in the sky, but sparse enough that for the most part you could feel the 27 degrees of heat being radiated by the sun. Even with the humidity that comes with being near the mighty Chang Jiang, it was merely a warm day rather than being overbearingly hot.
Around this time of year, fish becomes a major source of trade for Jian Ye and the surrounding regions. Entire schools of fish are ensnared in nets prepared on the river, and shoals more are brought up the river by various craft unloading the bounties of deep sea fishing. If you lived on the docks, the stench of fish would saturate the air and everything you own, which might finally be scrubbed out just in time for next year's influx of fish. If you lived in one of the nicer areas of Jian Ye, however, even a nice breeze like the one that was currently blowing wouldn't bring the stench into your home, allowing the mouth watering aroma's of cooked fish to permeate the air instead.
Much like my home... Li Xingji found herself thinking as she walked down the docks. The merchant queen found the stench unbearable, but alas she was forced to tolerate the odor, for the overseer of one of her warehouses had reported that every single fish had been stolen from said warehouse. Not only would she be forced to fully refund the fees incurred by the merchants who stored their fish in her warehouse, but she'd also have to pay the full market value for every pound of every variety of fish that had been stolen. Not enough to make a dent in the Li empire's profits, but it would certainly be a nightmare to deal with the amount of paperwork that would be involved.
If I get a hold of the bastards who did this...
The frown on Xingji's face was the only thing that marred her otherwise exquisite beauty. A face that looked like it was sent directly from the heavens, silken hair that flowed down her back, a petite figure that her peach-orange dress perfectly complimented... her beauty was rumored to be comparable to even the mythical Qiao sisters, brides of Sun Ce and Zhou Yu.
But while they're in their forties, I'm still in my early twenties and at the peak of my beauty. I'm prettier, more attractive... and most certainly deadlier.
A small smile found it's way to her lips with this thought; it was not only her business sense that had earned her her empire, but also her deviousness.
"Ah! Madame Li!"
Xingji shook herself from her reverie as the overseer of the warehouse spotted and hailed her, gamely ignoring the smirk that was present on Xingji's face.
"Bao. Were we meeting under different circumstances, it'd be nice to see you."
"Agreed, madame... Considering the scale of the theft, we can only assume the guards on duty allowed the scheme to take place. We currently have one of them in custody here if you'd like to interrogate him.
Xingji smiled as she was led into the warehouse... empty now except for the man tied to a chair in the center of the space. There were a couple of soldiers near him, but they were playing cards over the remains of a meal of fish.
"I sent a report to the guards as well. These soldiers were lent to us when we found this lout trying to take ship upriver. They'll stay until we're ready to turn him over to the guard.
A plethora of different theories were making their rounds through Xingji's mind as she tried to puzzle out who stole her fish, but soon an idea pushed itself to the fore, which Xingji immediately shared.
I think I know just the man to take care of this, Bao. I'll be back tonight.
A grin crept it's way onto Xingji's face as she moved towards the exit, one that would instantly identify her as Li Wang's sister had any of the men present known the man. Her mood was much better now, something that anybody with a high enough perception stat who'd been watching her would notice.
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Post by Lu Dun on Jul 21, 2011 6:43:23 GMT
Lu Dun was at the docks, just passing the time by throwing rocks into the river and see how many times they skip before they sink, so far his record was 18, but with each toss his arm was getting tired.
After he threw one more rock he decided to take a break from it and take a look at the dock's shops. He grabbed his halberd and started to walk off.
He examined the fish that the sailors have caught and decided that there was none for him. After that he took a look at some of the ships and wondered what it would be like to go out into the world on one of them. He is probably the only southerner that hasn't gone sailing.
He caught himself daydreaming about it and quickly snapped out of it. He then realized he was thirsty and went into the nearest bar he could find, he suddenly realized that he father was right to compare his drinking to the mighty Zhang Fei, but unlike Fei, Dun had control of his drinkng, both sober and drunk.
He asked the bartender for 1 bottle of their finest wine. As soon as he got it he paid and took off. He took a swig and closed the bottle. He then started to follow the dock but after awhile he ran into two people having a discussing.
He walked up to them, " Well hello there ", he said as he grinned, he noticed that one of the two was a women, he turned to her and said, "Hello Madame, my name is Lu Dun, son of Marching general of Wu Lu Fei. My I ask what you are doing out on a day like this. he said as he bowed respectfully.
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Post by Li Wang on Jul 23, 2011 1:16:19 GMT
Well if it isn't the young master Lu. Xingji's tone was genial, but her face betrayed the shock she'd experienced when the boy identified himself as the son of Lu Fei.
How does such a man issue forth from the loins of one like him?
Xingji was quick to regain her composure, however, and beckoned him along as she started back up the docks.
How's your father these days, Dun? I've heard no news from either of you since the pair of you and Xian went to Gui Ying... While Xingji truly did wish for news of Xian, she could not help a hint of flirtation enter into her tone as well as her body language; after all, Dun was pretty... large, and not too bad looking.
How old are you now, Dun?
EDIT: Spacing
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Post by Lu Dun on Jul 24, 2011 7:15:09 GMT
Dun stood back up and he listened to her speak, she asked about his father. My father's health is better than ever, just a little stress in a plan that he has. He tells me it will help Wu's market. Dun looked at her eyes and realized how piercing they were. The reason you don't hear much news about my father is cause he is private, and I try to stay out of the spotlight.
Dun picked up that she was lightly flirting with him, it wasn't her body language it was how she was looking at him. He heard her ask about his age. 17 years young my lady, I am still getting stronger and quicker. He said as he noticed a couple of kids playing with their wood swords behind Xingji
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Post by Li Wang on Jul 24, 2011 19:24:17 GMT
My father's health is better than ever, just a little stress in a plan that he has. He tells me it will help Wu's market.
Xingji laughed jovially as he said this, feeling sorry for the poor man with his stress but unable to see how his plan might stress him out more than any other officer of Wu.
Doesn't every officer in these times feel the stress of trying to protect and improve our nation? I know my brother does, and I'm certain a young man such as your self suffers the stress of trying to make a name for yourself amongst the warriors of Wu. But I digress; please, forgive me my rambling. Her voice had started out comradely, joking, but at the end she'd reverted back to flirty, even giving a soft giggle as she averted her eyes.
The reason you don't hear much news about my father is cause he is private, and I try to stay out of the spotlight.
Oh! Please do forgive me, I haven't properly introduced myself. I'm Li Xingji, sister of Li Wang, who is Prefect of Gui Ying and General of the Right of Wu. I did not mean to pry, I only wish for tidings of my nephew, Xian. She had blushed quite deeply when he'd gotten so cold, realizing he knew absolutely nothing about her. She'd have reacted much the same under the circumstances. She hoped Dun did not find her stupid now; for some reason, she craved this man's good oppinion, though she was too good an actress to let that be too obvious; all Dun would see was a young woman who'd just been so hasty to flirt with a handsome young man that she forgot to even tell him her name. What a disaster.
17 years young my lady, I am still getting stronger and quicker.
Xingji could not help but giggle when he called her "my lady"; it had been years since anybody called her that, as most of her business contacts called her Madame Li. She would have been stuck on that, but the second part of Dun's sentence made her actually laugh.
Well, stronger and quicker is definitely... good. Maybe when you're 18 you can let me know just how strong and quick you are. Definitely suggestive, but Xingji's tone did not betray it, and hopefully Dun did not notice the quick once over she'd given him while she was laughing.
By now, the pair had reached the end of the docks, and were preparing to enter the market district. Within, they'd discover a bustiling market, with stall owners and shopkeepers hawking their wares to everybody passing by. Here merchants and urchins would be pressed up against each other and it would not be an unusual occurence as status did not garuntee you success in navigating the currents of Jian Ye's market.
Oh dear... I do hope we can make it through this. It wasn't nearly so busy when I came through... Xingji's voice conveyed the despair she felt at the prospect of making it through the market in good time and without getting too dirty, but with any luck perhaps Dun had a good way through...
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Post by Lu Dun on Jul 25, 2011 2:18:58 GMT
Dun listened to her introduce herself, It is a pleasure to meet you Li Xingji, I know your nephew Li Xian, he is in Gui Ying himself. Dun said as he walked with her he started to check her out.
He listened to her hint about his strength and his quickness and smiled. Well Lady Li I will become 18 in a few nights, until then though I am still not quit a man yet. He followed her until they reached the Market district. He saw how crowd and chaotic it was.
Oh dear... I do hope we can make it through this. It wasn't nearly so busy when I came through...
Dun realized that he needed to use his size to get across, He stood right before the market district and yelled at the top of his voice, MOVE ASIDE FOR MADAME LI!! as soon as he said her name the spread across to leave them alot of room to walk down the district. After you, he said and held his arm out.
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Post by Li Wang on Jul 25, 2011 17:55:20 GMT
Xingji giggled yet again when the young Dun offered her his arm; one would have thought the twenty two year old was a mere teenager as she took it.
Well, master Dun, it would seem that at least one of us has picked up quite the reputation for the market to part like fish before us. Lead on! She laughed goodnaturedly as they set off, enjoying Dun's company whilst also thinking:
I could get used to having him around.
She was not quiet while they walked, however.
Master Dun, you said my nephew was in Gui Ying? How fares he? Is he doing alright? Is he running the place while my brother marches with the army? Xingji's questions were quick on the heels of each other, but not quite worried. She knew Xian would be healthy, at least. She waited for his answer, then proceeded on to another line of questioning.
You turn 18 in a few days? I just turned 22 about a month ago. What do you plan to do with your life, Master Dun? Have you given it any thought? I run my own... I mean my brother's business ventures, though I mean to allow Xian to manage them as soon as he is 15.
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Post by Lu Dun on Jul 26, 2011 7:38:29 GMT
Dun laughed at her questions, do you ask so many questions at the same time, all of the time, Dun had to think over these questions
Well I plan to become on of the best fighters in all of Wu, then I take my reputation from that and I will run my own bar, I will still serve Wu in anyway possible, but mostly I want to own a bar is for the all of the wine, he said as he just grinned at the thought of the bar
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Post by Li Wang on Jul 27, 2011 18:52:12 GMT
"Do you ask so many questions at the same time, all of the time?"
"Only when I meet someone who's worth asking." Xingji chuckled as they walked. By now, she had decided that she would attempt to keep him around, if at the very least as an interesting walking companion. Possibly as something more. She'd yet to decide.
"Well I plan to become one of the best fighters in all of Wu, then I take my reputation from that and I will run my own bar, I will still serve Wu in anyway possible, but mostly I want to own a bar is for the all of the wine."
"Best fighter in Wu, you say? That's quite the ambition, but I suppose I should have guessed that from your size and build. I have no doubt that you're capable of achieving that, but what have you done so far towards accomplishing that?" Xingji's words may have been harsh, but her tone was soft, hopefully enough to convey her friendly intentions.
Of course, even should he become angry, all I require is for him to agree to meet me again.
This particular thought brought a quick grin to her face, which she quickly attempted to cover up with a fit of giggles.
Oh forgive me, Dun, I was merely remembering the time when my brother and I nearly gave that shopkeeper a heart attack when we told him I would be in charge of reading the books. Some men just don't like the thought of a woman above them. Xingji smiled coyly, hoping Dun took the hint in the second part of the story.
He'll be a perfect fit.
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Post by Lu Dun on Aug 3, 2011 5:29:44 GMT
(OOC: he'll be a perfect fit, BOW CHICKA BOW WOW)
Dun just laughed, no need to apologize oh I have something for you, sorry that I forgot about it. he said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a letter.
This is from your nephew, Li Xian, I have not opened it, He said as he handed her the letter
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Post by Li Wang on Aug 3, 2011 8:20:13 GMT
"As I can see." Xingji replied dryly as she delicately plucked the letter from Dun's fingers.
"I assume it's important for you to travel this far to bring it to me; I'll open it when we arrive at my home. But before we get there, I'd like an answer to my previous question, young man; how do you plan on going about becoming the best warrior in Wu?
Xingji was annoyed now; just about every time she'd asked Dun a serious question, he'd chosen to answer a more trivial one that'd been asked along with. Well, now he'd have no insignificant question to hide behind. She would either pry an answer out of him, or he'd be abandoned outside her home. It made no difference to Li Xingji, the beautiful merchant queen of Jian Ye.
"I suggest you think your answer through, too." Xingji's tone was softer now, but no apology was forthcoming. If the man (I suppose he is old enough to be called a man.) expected one, he could go fuck himself for all Xingji cared, it'd certainly ruin any chance he may or may not have had at ever fucking her.
(edit: emphasis in the last sentence)
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Post by Lu Dun on Aug 3, 2011 8:47:08 GMT
Dun thought long and hard about how to, My original was to capture Zhang Liao, but alas Lord Sun Quan killed him. My 2nd plan is to fight on the front lines with the lowly soldiers so they can see my dominance and spread my name all through Wu, then I shall lead Wu's armies into Lou Yang and have Lord Sun Quan become emperor of all China. He said as he stopped.
He could tell Li Xingji was getting annoyed and was in deep thought of something, I can tell you have some plans stored, so please tell me what they are. he said as he looked at her
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Post by Li Wang on Aug 3, 2011 16:09:09 GMT
Xingji kept her composure this time, though she wanted to giggle at the thought of a mere 17-year old capturing Zhang Liao. The man may have been aging, but there was no way he'd ever lose to one so inexperienced, no matter his strength. Instead, she opted to give some advice, now that he'd actually answered her question. Her demeanor visibly softened now, all traces of annoyance vanishing from her expression.
"Well, Dun, if that is your plan, you should be with the army at He Fei. Why don't you join when our lord Quan comes back? I'm sure my brother would be willing to take you on as a lieutenant, provided you can show him ample leadership ability; at the moment, he is forced to rely rather heavily on a barbarian from Shu. How about it? She let her voice lower a little, seductiveness just slightly entering her tone, probably so subtly he wouldn't consciously realize it. Still, if his loins were anything to judge by, he seemed to want to see Xingji again, so she'd gladly allow him to do so... provided he did something for her first.
My plans? Xingji asked as they neared the end of the market. A few more minutes of walking would bring them into one of the wealthier residential districts, where the estate she shared with her brother was located.
Well, I suppose that's fair enough seeing as I just asked for yours. I do not wish to disclose them here, however, so if you wish to hear them, you'll have to accompany me all the way home, master Dun. She smiled up at him, and for the first time consciously realized she was still holding his arm.
My what big muscles he has...
Dun, how does it come to pass that a man like you hasn't joined the army yet? Each of the three lords has been known to allow men as young as 16 to join the army, and unless I miss my guess I'm sure you could have passed for 16 when you were 13. That's almost 5 years that you've been doing... what, exactly?
Xingji could not help but wonder at the man's motives for staying away from the war for so long when he seemed so keen to be out there fighting it, especially now that he was almost two years past the date he could have enlisted or even been commissioned an officer. It just didn't add up.
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Post by Lu Dun on Aug 4, 2011 5:56:38 GMT
Dun was surprised that question came up. The reason why is cause I am trying to make sure my father does nothing stupid, I was even going to ask Lord Li Wang if I can join him in the next battle when he gets back to Gui Ying.
He let her finish and he began to answer the rest, Yes I have some catching up, but that shall change with time, he said as he laughed.
They had been walking for awhile, So Xingji when are we going to arrive at your place, we have only been walking down the market for how long now, He said as he flashed a smile
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Post by Li Wang on Aug 4, 2011 17:32:03 GMT
Xingji was satisfied by this answer, and was also convinced that he could help her with what she had in mind. Until they reached her home, however, she would have to wait to ask him. Speaking of which, they were actually only a couple of minutes away now. Just a turn at the next corner and two houses down.
"Yes, your father has been known to be overly ambitious sometimes... thankfully you're there to keep him safe. I suppose he'll need a new bodyguard while you're away though! Xingji's voice was thoughtful, definitely noticeable when she laughed softer than usual.
She couldn't help but genuinely smile back when he smiled down at her, however, temporarily bringing her back to the present; she couldn't help but like this young man. She laughed as she said: "Don't worry Dun we're almost there! We just need to take a right down there and we'll be there. Third estate on the left, come on!" She laughed as she broke into a light run, saving only a shred of dignity by remembering to hold her dress down as she ran. The neighborhood would see one of the most successful women in the city losing her mind for a good looking man. Dun would likely see the beginning of a beautiful friendship. What Xingji saw, however, was a beautiful business opportunity... in addition to a beautiful friendship.
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