This To Shall Pass...

[Mr. Phoenix]

Walking through the streets of Chang An, Xu Huang could only shake his head with disappointment. It seemed as though the world had slowly started to fall into ruin thanks in no small part to Dong Zhou. Why his liege had decided to follow that fool had been something that had been vague to Xu Huang for a long time now. Pretty much since the beginning of that first campaign by the other marshals of the land, rising up against his tyranny.

Gongming liked to believe it was because Yang Feng simply was a man of honor, and had sworn an oath to the man. Yet in his heart, he knew that to be the lie he wished it was not. The man had simply been greedy upon the out set of the war. Even now he was plundering the coffers of the misfortunate, same with those braggarts Li Jue and Gou Si. Fiends all of them.

He was happy when he heard that Dong Zhou had been killed by his foster son, Lu Bu. While he had no love for the man with the mind like a barbarian, he had even less love for Dong. Evil men such as he needed to be put down when they're evil afflicted the less fortunate. In that regard, he had been meted justice. Yet now his two top lackeys ruled the former empire of his, ruling in the name of the Han. But the Han did not rule, and these two men saw no need to truly lead, only gain wealth and status. Eventually, Xu Huang knew, a man who come and put these fools in their place. And Xu Huang would be the one holding his axe to their necks when it came that time.

The poor Emperor, may he live forever, was simply a tool, a pawn. No different than Xu Huang himself. He wondered if the child even knew who he was, or if he was so relegated to oblivion that he was not even aware of his true lack of power? It was quite possible that those two had him so brainwashed and twisted about, that he thought that ever evil decision they made in his name, was in fact his own idea? Evil men, after all, seek to impart their own evil upon others. It was up to good men, men of righteousness, that had to stand up to the filth.

But Xu Huang was one man, and with his own men under his command, he was something more. But a general with no leader, was no general at all. He was without honor, and that was almost as bad as being evil. A man lacking in honor was prone to banditry to survive. And a man who steals from those already stolen from, is a man that needs to be cut down. That was why Xu Huang plied his trade of war across the swath of empire that was claimed by the former generals of Dong Zhou. It was how he kept busy, and kept out of trouble. Having words with Li Jue or Guo Si would end with his head on a pike, and then who would look after his men? Or after the people of this land for that matter?

So Xu Huang continued his walk thinking about these things, pulling his horse behind him. Many seeing him would part ways for him, if only because they knew he was an officer under the banner of Li Jue and Guo Si. And the peasants knew that officers of that court did not take kindly to having lower class get in their way. Xu Huang actually had an officer beat, because that officer had decided to beat peasant. Simply because he could not get his wagon out of the way fast enough. It was disgraceful. How could people have fallen so far? Fallen into a mindset that place themselves above the people they were suppose to protect. For was that not the reason for a standing army?

It was a troubling prospect to be sure, and one that Xu Huang needed to quickly figure out what he was truly doing. As it stood, he knew of no other leader in this land who showed as much honor the current lack luster leaders of this force. Even if he was to leave, who would stop others from taking advantage of the weaker peoples? Was that not the reason for the Yellow Turban Rebellion in the first place? The people had become fed up with tyranny of the Han court, and rose up. Oh sure, historians would write it up as a religious sect had spread their seeds of chaos. But Xu Huang knew the truth of the matter, he knew it as easily as he knew how to breath.

So what was he to do then? For leaving was out of the picture, and he could not kill his leaders, no matter how evil they were. He had made an oath to serve them. So how then could he ever hope to improve the life of others, if he could not even improve his own? It was an enigma to himself. Hidden from his own eyes.

He did not like puzzles when they involved himself...

[Kyle]

Having found time to explore the massive city of Chang'an, Gongwei took up the opportunity. He was not involved in the defense of the city against Bian Zhang and Han Sui, unlike Huangfu Yizhen, Fu Nanrong, Zhang Boshen, and ironically enough, even Dong Zhongying. In truth, Gongwei knew very little of the city; despite having an estate in the commandery that city happened to be the capital of. The veteran Han officer decided to start with the area most familiar to him, the palace, and work his way outward on this particular venture. Unfortunately for Gongwei, the lofty abodes of government officials and other nobles were not very thrilling.

So, with a change of plans, Zhu Gongwei made his way further out into the city. As he walked along, Gongwei was busy thinking about many things. He was walking, but he was managing to not pay much attention to anything occurring around him, rendering his walk pointless. He had sought to explore, to enjoy the sights and smells of the grand metropolis; instead he found himself focusing only on the way before him. Focusing was likely not the word to use, more or less, he was wandering, his mind clouded by many thoughts -- none of them good.

The noise of the city around Gongwei would occasionally break through the resounding silence of his thoughts, echoes of the world around him, of the people that inhabited it alongside him.

"Mother! Can we go to the shop that sell that yummy turnip cakes?!"

"That's highway robbery! You can't charge that much for such cheaply made pottery!"

"Have you heard? They say that Ma Teng's army of barbarian rogues has been acting up along the border again...

Though these random breaks in his thoughts were certainly annoyances to Gongwei, they also warmed him; the beauty of life, of existence was something that one had to occasionally ponder. Life was a tribulation that never ended, and while that tribulation is overwhelming complex, it is also strikingly simple. People simply living, existing for reasons they don't even know and despite whatever terrible things may happen -- just being.

Gongwei was rarely an overly sentimental man, but this day he could not help but be swept up in thoughts of both the hardships he immediately faced, and also the larger picture, where his worries were nothing in a sea of others also wrapped up in their own existences. The once general wondered why everyone couldn't simply remove themselves for a moment, from their problems, from their perception of their tiny lives and notice everything around them. Gongwei felt that perhaps many of the hardships in life would be eliminated if everyone could simply take a step back for a moment.

As the aging man continued on, meandering wherever he legs happened to take him, the sun began to set, casting a golden glow about Chang'an. And as the sky was set ablaze in warm oranges and reds in the west offset by cool, soft pastels of blue and purple in the east, Zhu Gongwei began to feel the effects of his long journey through the city. Not really sure where exactly he was, the tiring Gongwei leaned up against the wall of the nearest building, giving most of his muscles a rest. For the first time during his exploration of Chang'an, Gongwei took the time to observe his surroundings.

Seemingly as a reward for his observance, a curious sight stumbled into view. There was a stalwart man, large and battle-hardened, leading his horse down the road. At first, Gongwei was confused as to why the other people on the road were making sure to stay out of his way, but as the man got closer, the ex-general understood. He was an officer of Li and Guo; however, the me, though imposing in stature, did not have the look of a cruel man. In fact, it would seem that this man was lost in thought, much as Gongwei had been on his walk. It was clear that this man was an anomaly; most of Li Zhiran and Guo Duo's generals were opportunistic thugs, or highly self-righteous fools. This man on the other hand, was seemingly humble, perhaps even wise.

"You're a strange one, aren't you?" The gruff, yet oddly placid, voice of Zhu Gongwei called out to the man as he made his way closer to where Gongwei was resting. "Might I ask your name, Officer? Mine is Zhu Jun, zi Gongwei, which may or may not be a name familiar to you." The older man's lips pulled upward on the right side of his face, forming a slight smirk. He wondered how the stranger would respond

[Mr. Phoenix]

It was strange, that at one moment that one could be lost in their own thoughts, and the next, ripped from the sort self pity they had erected for themselves. Such was the case when someone spoke to Xu Huang. At first he did not notice it, so lost in his own mind, he was unaware that someone had even spoken to him. Perhaps it was that, or perhaps it had just been so long since someone had wanted to talk to the man. Many threw up their hands upon talking to him, and left him in peace.

As such, he stumbled slightly when he finally realized what was happening. He slowed as he took stock of the man who shouted out at him. He was leaning up against a wall, and looked well seasoned. The man who spoke was a warrior, or used to be. Gongming could tell from the simple fact that he had that same pose that most military men did. Straight back, shoulder's straight, and eyes that had seen things that peasants would never wish to see. Xu Huang knew these things, because he himself was the same way. The only difference between the two, was that this man was older than Xu Huang, by quite a lot. Yet the odd thing was that this man was not dressed like a warrior, instead he looked more like a minister. Odd indeed.

Xu Huang stopped as he closed in with the man. Bai Hu, his horse, rested his nose against Gongming's shoulder, and the man gently patted it. He nodded his head at the gentleman before speaking. "Strange? I am unsure as to what you mean." The comment was strange, at least in Xu Huang's mind. How was he strange? He was just a man leading his horse through the tangled streets of Chang An. And while there was no one else doing that at the present moment, that was certainly not an uncommon practice.

However, when the man spoke his name, recognition dawned upon Xu Huang, and he bowed a more respectful bow than that of a nod. "Greetings, Lord Gongwei. I am Xu Huang, zi Gongming. I am surprised to see you here, this does not seem like a normal gathering spot for those of the ministry." He coughed slightly into his hand, thinking about what he just said, and quickly added. "Though of course, I do not mean to suggest you are not free to go where you like, of course."

Xu Huang did not move from his position, with his steed placed behind him. And he was tense at meeting Lord Gongwei in such a place, not that he doubted the man was seeking to make trouble for him, only that he was a veteran of many battles. As such, one did not try to present themselves to look as fools. Of course, his question before was certainly a foolish one. He was just surprised at seeing the man.

[Kyle]

"Well, strange that such a clearly steadfast warrior would be so seemingly timid, for one." Gongwei pushed himself off the wall, his face no longer displaying a smirk. "And for another, the cronies of Li Zhiran and Guo Duo are rarely so pleasant." Gongwei walked the short distance between the two of them and stopped within only about a foot or so from Gongming's person. "As to your inquiry, I am not even sure where I am, to be honest. It seems that you and I have been doing the same thing today. Well, with exception that you likely have a destination. I have been brooding all about this huge city today; this is much to brood about, after all."

Gongwei thought of continuing, but he paused as he looked about him. It occurred to him that he was not just some retired man anymore, he was an official of the Han Court once more, and he was conversing with an officer of the army. There were many that resented the government run by Li Jue and Guo Si, and then there were those who sought to exploit it. "I believe that I would enjoy conversing with you, Gongming; however, if you would not mind indulging this old man, perhaps you could take us somewhere... not in the middle of the street?"

[Mr. Phoenix]

Xu Huang was a little taken aback by Zhu Gongwei's backhanded remark. It seemed somewhat out of place of a man of the ministry. Yet not so out of place for those of a military background. "Timid? No, simply respectful. For I know you by reputation alone, Lord Gongwei. And only a fool laughs at knowledge, and rejects wisdom. I would like to believe I am not a fool. Correct?" Xu Huang drew himself up as he spoke, drawing his shoulders back and tightening his back muscles.

It was then that Gongwei made a comment about the men that followed Li Jue and Guo Si, and Xu Gongming found himself nodding his head in agreement. "I agree whole heartedly, Lord Gongwei. Those are the type of men I would not even place in charge of cleaning the latrines. Their's is a kind that simply seeks to corrupt all around them, they are useless to the extreme." It never occurred to Gongming that Zhu Gongwei could be one of the those people, seeking to find some way to use Xu Huang as a ploy to gain further favor with the two spiders that now resided in the Imperial Palace.

Xu Huang knew soon though that they would need to move off the street if they wished to continue this conversation. As such, when Gongwei suggested it, Gongming took it in stride and waved his hand for the older man to walk beside him. "I know of a place, the gentleman in charge of it is an old friend of mine."

So the two of them made a slow walk through the lower end of Chang An, where not many of Zhu Gongwei or Xu Gongming's station ever came to. As such, he was not to worried about prying eyes, or devious ears. Many of those here did not have the time to be spying on others. "So tell me, if you would, what have you been doing over the stretch of peace? I have not heard your name in a long time, and I had assumed you had retired to some place free of this madness. Though of course, I now realize that men like us are never free of this. He sad with his own smirking striking his face.

[Kyle]

Shaking his head, Gongwei responded in an almost remonstrating tone. "Reputation means little, in truth, Xu Gongming." Gongwei's tone lightened as he continued on, "But you are correct, you are no fool, even if you are a bit uptight; though, that probably isn't a bad thing." Gongwei noticed how defensive this Xu Huang apparently was; the elder man was still amazed that such a rigid man who allow himself to be member of such an unscrupulous faction.

As the young officer spoke, he further confounded Gongwei by seemingly agreeing, quite wholeheartedly, with the old general's sentiments of their fellow officers. Of course, Zhu Gongwei was just as much of an anomaly, as he too served Guo and Li. I suppose that I am not the only one with some sort of likely misguided idea keeping me here. I wonder what this Xu Gongming has keeping him in a place so unfitting of his talents.

As Xu Huang led himself and Zhu Jun further toward the walls of Chang'an, Gongwei's thoughts took up much of his attention; he was still rather unsure of what he was doing in league with Dong Zhongying's successors. At least, Gongwei thought, there is another that can, at least partially, understand my predicament. Their journey to a safe place to speak took little time, and soon the destination had been reached.

As Xu Huang spoke his piece, Gongwei fought the urge to scoff at his liberal use of the word peace. "'Peace' is hardly an appropriate word. There has been chaos in the Empire long before even I was born. The Emperor Ling, and his father before him, Huan, were egregious fools. That, coupled with the Imperial regicide committed by Liang Ji, has caused much strife to the dynasty and to its people. But I suppose you did not agree to speak with me so that I could give a Court-like history lesson to you.

"It is true that I had retired, but of no choice of my own. When that obese fool Dong Zhuo took power in Luo Yang, I was of many to speak out against him in the Court. I assume it was because of my feats against the Turbans that saved my life, for Lu Zhi also was spared for speaking out against him; however, our lives were not secure after that. Of the three of us, the Imperial Generals that led the armies against the Turbans, I stayed in court the longest. Eventually, I realized that there was little point in remaining as things were, and went into retirement. There was nothing I could do for the government at that time, and my life would have been lost in vain had I remained."

Gongwei ceased speaking, his face dark, remembering well the trials of the past -- the regrets. His brows were knit, accentuating the wrinkles around his eyes. There was much that Gongwei wished he could have changed, could have prevented; he knew that such self-pitying was folly. "As for why I've returned to serve men who are no better than the one who precedes them, the answer is fairly simple, perhaps too much so. These men, they lack the talent and power that Dong Zhongying possessed. As such, I have much more room to maneuver. I cannot allow them to ruin the government further; ergo, I have returned to service to see what I can do for our troubled dynasty."

The aging statesman's face took on a lighter, more obstinate appearance. Thinking of what he could still accomplish was enough to rid him of thoughts of the past. One must look forward. He looked away for a moment, thinking back on hat he had spoken, making sure there was nothing more to explain. "So, now that I've told you why I'm here. Perhaps you could elucidate your reasons for being here, Xu Gongming?"