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Post by Xun Yu on Jun 10, 2011 2:07:40 GMT
Hearing all the talking in the next room (where Xun Yu was working), Xun Jia took a peek inside the other room, hearing the men talking about civil affairs, but then looked at his father, Xun Yu, who was hard at work.
"Father," he said. "what are those men talking about?"
Xun Yu then looked at his son whom asked the question. He then started to wrestle through the papers, pretending not to hear him.
"Father...?" he asked again, but Xun Yu kept ignoring him.
Xun Yu then rested his hand on the table, and all that writing he was doing, has been ceased. He then got up.
"Jia, please stay here." he said. "I must get orders from our lord."
Moments later, after leaving his post and to the palace for further orders, Xun Yu greeted the guards.
"I wish to see our King, for my further orders." he said to the guards.
They then saluted him, and let him in the palace.
Xun Yu then saw and bowed to Cao Cao.
"My King," he said. "excuse my delay. I had many things to catch up on with my duties."
((OOC: :/ Trying to catch up))
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Post by Sam on Jun 10, 2011 9:18:25 GMT
Observing the setting sun Cao smiled as he remarked to Ai Rui, "Warriors are famous is times of chaos, but only because of that chaos. You need not feel bad about not living up to the martial ability of your kin. For it is those behind the scenes of wars, the able ministers who are entrusted with the heart and soul of the country, or the subtle tacticians and strategists who manipulate those wars. Dare I say the future is brighter for those who stray from the path of the warrior? Perhaps, but there is still much glory and renown to be won fighting for your country, but by no means is it the only way."
Cao listened to Ai Rui's responses with a certain intrigue, he was young but he was far ahead with things that some would not consider his business at such an age. "Men can do all in their power, laying the foundations for tomorrow, yet who is to say that others do not think differently. It is hard to influence the minds of other men when you are gone. But I can try."
Cao shared a quick look with Ai Rui before averting his eyes to the landscape once more as he stated prophetically as if speaking to himself, "Who's to say that those who stand alongside you today will not be the ones that undo the balance you have put in place?" Cao was referring to a specific man but he did not feel as though Ai Rui was ready enough to discuss such matters. He was young and had a whole life ahead of him, perhaps this could be one of the men he depended on when he was long set down and the day came.
Exiting that realm of thought Cao returned to the present, met with a question of Xiahou Yuan's sons, Cao replied, "They have seen better days of course and are still young like yourself, growing up without their father. They all have talent worthy of their great father, and they are desire justice for their father's early demise, and would see Old Huang pay with his life and Liu Bei brought to justice. Loyal and true, to both nation and father."
Cao was interrupted by the approach of his long time friend and advisor, "Ah, Wenruo. I'm glad to see you have made it, there is no need to let official duties bog you down, you must relax. You are just in time if you desire a good meal."
Cao gestured to Xun Yu and Ai Rui respectively, Observing the setting sun Cao smiled as he remarked to Ai Rui, "Wenruo, this is Ai Rui, styled Baohulang, he has just entered my employ. Rui, this is Xun Yu, styled Wenruo a trusted minister of many years of service."
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Ai Rui The Guardian Wolf
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"Virtues, might, nor power win wars; it is the people who decide the ultimate outcome."
Posts: 126
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Post by Ai Rui The Guardian Wolf on Jun 10, 2011 9:44:36 GMT
Ai Rui listened intently to Mengde's words. It was only one of many ways to learn, listening. "You speak truly, and I seek no glory. I fear I do not fair well in the spotlight. No, but I may not be as capable as Uncle believed. The only promise I've shown is protecting Luo Yang as my father before me. It has been a waste, for all my efforts the dangers merely increase; for Luo Yang and the land as a whole. I wonder will unity even solve this."
Ai Rui noticed his king's tone as he spoke now. "You speak well and true. It is in finding true loyalty from those who serve you that you live beyond your years. Give them high rank and they'll preserve your dreams. But, most of those are gone for you now? Because the way you speak would imply that you fear these events will befall you." He immediately fell silent and realized just what he'd done. "I apologize, my lord. I have overstepped my boundaries and let slip my tongue. I beg your forgiveness for my impertinence."
Baohulang bowed his head at the new of Miaocai's sons. "My lord, send them to me should they need council. I have been through the waters they now tread and would not leave them to drown in their sorrow and hatred. They are a kin of sort to myself, I could never abandon them. Though, they may possess no desire to see me." He thought back on the many conflicts he'd had with Miaocai's sons. They were good people, but Baohulang had always been an intruder to their lives. But should they need an ear, he'd listen and well.
Ai Rui bowed low as Cao Cao introduced him to Xun Yu. "Greetings Lord Xun Yu. As Lord Cao Cao said, I am Ai Rui, the Guardian Wolf; son of Ai Jin, the Guardian Dragon. I look forward to learning from you and Lord Cao Cao. I am certain there is much for you each to teach me."
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Post by Sam on Jun 10, 2011 13:46:15 GMT
The King shook his head to Ai Rui now, "That is not the path I would have you tread, there is more to our country than one Luoyang and its millions. If you conceal yourself within those walls, what will you do when the whole world crashes down around it? You must think of that which would lead to endangerment of Luoyang's security."
"I implore my officers to share their thoughts, think not of it as offence. High rank does not always seal loyalty, sometimes it does more harm, the extent of one's ambition can be dangerous."
"But I digress, let us return to the hall and the banquet, Wenruo come have a rest." Cao Cao led them in as he returned to the forefront of the hall. He bid Xun Yu sit in Cao Ren's reserved place, "He's late, I'll have to hope for his report on the morrow. Please sit Wenruo."
Cao returned to his seat where he said to the guards, "No more addmittance to the palace tonight. If General Ren is to return bid him rest until morning."
Cao wanted to enjoy himself now, he had already drained much wine, time for more and the rest of his dinner.
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Post by Xun Yu on Jun 10, 2011 14:19:10 GMT
Xun Yu then bowed to Cao Cao hearing him remembering his style name. "A pleasure to see you too, Lord Mengde." he said.
Hearing that Cao has someone to introduced, Xun turned around and bowed to Ai Rui. "Well met, Ai Rui. I hope we will gradually get along with eachother."
Xun then bowed to what he heard about him sitting. "It would be a pleasure, my lord." he said, as he sat down.
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Ai Rui The Guardian Wolf
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"Virtues, might, nor power win wars; it is the people who decide the ultimate outcome."
Posts: 126
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Post by Ai Rui The Guardian Wolf on Jun 10, 2011 20:09:38 GMT
Ai Rui sighed upon hearing Cao Cao's response. "Indeed," he began as a troubled look returned to his face. "Recent events have educated me on such."
Baohulang chuckled as he was told to speak his mind. "You may regret saying that before this all ends." It had been a time since he'd been told to speak his mind, but that was something Baohulang was good at. Perhaps that was Miaocai's impression, but he lacked tact and sometimes forgot his station.
As they returned to the hall, the other members present seemed to have never even noticed the men had left, much less that they had returned with another. Ai Rui sat in the seat he had occupied before and began on his meal, grateful for the boon of tea his lord had granted him. He had just realized how hungry he had been now. Within moments his plate was was cleared and his tea drained. He looked up at Cao Cao and then Xun Yu in wonder; what impressions had he beset upon these two?
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Post by Xun Yu on Jun 12, 2011 6:12:13 GMT
Xun Yu looked at Ai Rui with tired eyes and a bit of awe. He never seen a person who ate so much and drank so fast before. The work he was doing started to get to him, as he began to struggle to stay awake. Nevertheless, he manage to stay up inorder to enjoy himself here in the palace near his lord. "Ai Rui, tell me about yourself, where did you originated from? I don't think I've remember seeing you that much. I mean, I might had, but probably not really came close to speak to you personally.".
Xun then tried his best to stand up to face Ai Rui but struggled a bit due to his near-fatigue state. He then remembered to ask something from his King. "By the way, Lord Mengde, what needs to be done around the city? I need to find out where I need to start re-strengthening my skills. May not be the best time, but... Xun took a sip of his tea. "... I feel like I haven't really been trying my hardest."
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Post by Sam on Jun 12, 2011 13:16:58 GMT
Cao had his feet up on his throne liberally wearing down an apple, when he was spoke to by Xun Yu, in response he said softly, tired himself, "It's natural to be tired Wenruo, we're old men compared to most of those that will walk the streets and countryside these days."
"Our best days are behind us no doubt, but..."
Cao paused for a moment holding up a hand spoke quickly, "Excuse me a moment.", then standing up he turned to the left of his throne and hurled up into a small bin, all the drink and food had perhaps not been the best choice.
Looking down into the bin Cao sighed, he had emptied his innards onto a batch of edicts, "Well I'm not going to be able to read them in the morning now."
Turning back aroudn and returning to his apple smiling as if nothing had happened he continued, "...I do have a task for you, but it will be best suited for tomorrow and not when I've been drinking all night. I'll summon you to court tomorrow to give you the order."
Cao turned on his seat and shouted, "Someone, pen, paper, quick." An attendant rushed forward after collecting a piece of parchment, an inkstone and pen. He laid them before the King.
Cao picked up the quill and was about to start writing when he said, "It's no good, I can't do it like this, you do it." He passed the quill to the attendant who was on his way to returning to the back. "Write this..."
"Summon Wenruo to court tomorrow to accept orders once Zhang Liao returns."
The attendant wrote as Cao dictated, and sealed the note in a roll and took it away to give to the King on the morrow.
It was obviously a note to himself as he didn't count on himself remembering it for a half hour nevermind the whole night.
"Be ready for summons tomorrow I have a specific thing to trust you with but I won't know the details myself until this drink has wore off. Everythings a bit foggy." Cao smiled as he sat back.
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Ai Rui The Guardian Wolf
Full Member
"Virtues, might, nor power win wars; it is the people who decide the ultimate outcome."
Posts: 126
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Post by Ai Rui The Guardian Wolf on Jun 12, 2011 22:07:10 GMT
Ai Rui turned toward Xun Yu and began to try an think of a response. "There is little to say. I have been wasting years attempting to protect Luo Yang as my father did before the war began. I was short-sighted and ignorant; and for it I let down a man I respect and love despite his passing."
"And of you Lord Xun Yu? I fear I know little of the men of the times as I've behaved rather like a recluse in more recent times."
Baohulang listened intently to Mengde and Wenruo as they conversed. He flinched as Mengde hurled. He jumped from his chair and hurried toward the man. But Mengde behaved as if he was entirely unaffected by what had just occurred. "My lord! Are you certain you are okay?" Baohulang wasn't about to sit down until he was sure the king of Wei was fine.
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Post by Sam on Jun 13, 2011 22:03:48 GMT
In response to Ai Rui's concern Cao smiled and patted the young man's shoulder, "Don't worry about that Rui, that was not my first, nor will it be my last. I'm fine." Cao resumed drinking, but he starting eating smaller portions as the night wore on.
((There is very little to be done with this scenario now. If you wish to make a post of departure later in the night by all means do so and start role playing in whatever way you like.))
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Post by Cao Ren on Jun 14, 2011 6:28:09 GMT
The moon shone brightly above the great walls of the Wei capital at Xuchang. In the south, still far away, one could see torches which would shed light on the blue flags which had the family names of "Cao" and "Yu" written on it. After a long journey, always interrupted by smaller incidents, the defeated Wei soldiers from Jing Province would arrive at Xuchang.
About two miles from the city away, Cao Ren, the leader of the small unit, stopped. "It's time", he said, gazing at the city far away. Just as it has been stipulated at Wancheng, Yu Jin ordered his men to set up a camp. "Faster men! We have wasted enough time already!" Yu Jin shouted. The men started to work faster. Yu Jin then went to Cao Ren silently. Cao Ren did not move. "I... I wanted to thank you again General before you go", Yu Jin said after a short time. "In my eyes, you have redeemed yourself, General", Cao Ren answered as the cold wind started to blow even harder in his face. "You know what to do. Should I not return, take the men and go back to Wancheng. We can not afford to lose the city as well", he continued after a short silence. Yu Jin bowed and went back, inspecting the building of the camp. Cao Ren turned around. "Men!" he shouted, waving with his hands in order to gain their attention. "Men. I am not a man of great words, I have never been and never will. But still, I would like to thank you. Thank you for the hard fight you put up against Guan Yu and the ravages of Shu. It was not your fault that we have been beaten, it's Wu's. Still, not everyone might see it that way. I hereby order you to obey General Yu Jin's orders as I am going to leave. Th...thank you for being such a great team. I have always enjoyed fighting with you." The general almost had tears in his eyes. He bowed in front of his soldiers, mounted his horse and rode towards the city. The soldiers watched him as he slowly seemed to disappear in the night.
It took some time until Cao Ren finally reached the gates. "General Cao Ren here! I come at the request of or great King!" he shouted to the walls. After a short time, the gates opened and Cao Ren was allowed to enter. The wind did not stop and he had difficulties reaching the palace. There, he met the guards. "I am General Cao Ren of the defeated forces of Jing Province. I came at the request of our King Lord Cao Cao. I know it's late at night, but may I speak to him?" he asked the guards.
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Post by Sam on Jun 14, 2011 16:16:09 GMT
((Treat this as a new day, a day after the banquet and the same day as my meetings with Wenyuan and SSX)) The guards didn't waste anytime they unbolted the gates to the palace grounds and admitted the general, "We shall send word to the lord that you have arrived." One guard broke off in a jog up to the palace to announce Cao Ren to the King, it was only around 23:00, the King was normally still awake. * * * The King was sitting in the candle light brooding over his meeting with Sun Shang Xiang. He couldn't help in retrospect have suspicions, she never gave a reason why she wished to help him, she kept on side tracking the conversation rather than getting to the underlining point. He wondered what it actually was, her problem that is. She spoke against both Shu and Wu, yet by her words, she still also was partial to both. For all he knew, the KIng could be walking right into an elaborate ploy, but who knew bar the princess? Only time would tell if his suspicions. In the meantime he had to get the truth out of her and regret later, for this kind of opportunity is not common. His thoughts and preparation for sleep were interrupted when an attendant walked in and bowed at the entrance to his bedroom, "What is it?" Asked Cao, speaking carefree. "The gate guards have just admitted General Cao Ren, he has returned and requests an audience with Your Highness." "Ah, I shall go and meet him."Cao got up and putting on an overcoat wandered out of his residence which laid on the right side of the palace. Wandering out onto the balcony overlooking the palace grounds he saw Cao Ren making his way forward. Walking to his right Cao Cao came out to a high section of the stairs to the Imperial court and hailed the general as he drew close, "Late is the hour, in which you choose to produce yourself general. I expected your arrival yesterday at noon."
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Post by Cao Ren on Jun 14, 2011 16:44:56 GMT
Cao Ren felt as he was struck by lightning as he saw his cousin and lord Cao Cao walking towards him. As he came closer, Cao Ren fell on his knees. His face was desperate. He lowered his head until it almost reached the dirty ground and spreaded his arms. "My King..." he said with his deep, quiet voice. "Please appologize my tardiness. News of our defeat at Xiangyang and Xinye reached the area around Wancheng faster than we had imagined. Some... extraordinary men thought they could use the circumstances to stage a rebellion. We were able to nip it in the bud, but it took some time." Cao Ren did not dare to look up. He started to breathe heavily, after all he was about to justify his loss in front of the man who had put so much trust into him. "My King... I can guess why you have called me to the capital. There is no excuse for my utter failure in Jing. I am ready to accept every kind of punishment you want to make use of. But I beg you my lord, do it only to me. My men have done their best in this situation. " He sobbed and a tear fell on the ground. Not because he feared punishment. It was the shame about his loss that hit him so hard. "Should you consider capital punishment, my King... then please hand my men over to General Yu Jin. If it wasn't for him, you would have had to mourn the death of even more men for your cause." Cao Ren then silenced. He was aware that this could be the last day for him to live. But if it was, then it was just right. He had failed in his task and lost much ground against Shu. Cao Ren did not move a muscle and waited for his lord's judgement.
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Post by Sam on Jun 14, 2011 17:06:03 GMT
Cao Cao said as he stood over his cousin and general, "It is not you who was at fault cousin," Cao exhaled as he finished, "Victory and defeat are natural occurances for a general, do not linger in such a state."
He raised Ren to his feet as he said regretfully, "It is I who failed you. I overestimated Sun Quan and Lu Meng, I trusted them too well in being able to deal with Lord Guan, little did I expect that they would be so worthless."
"I did not look to the possibilty of Wu's failure for I was sure they were to succeed."
Cao put his hand on Ren's shoulder as he said, "This is but a small setback, but you have also earned more merit. You held Guan at bay with less than half his men and dealt him a wound, no longer is he invincible in the eyes of the world. We'll avenge our humiliations at Hanzhong and Jing in due time."
"That is why I have placed Wancheng in your hands. Please do not feel anymore sorrow, for it is nothing that cannot be repaired, land can be retaken, troops replaced. But I would have been inconsolable if I had lost two of my most dearest vassals, friends and kindred." Cao thought of Xiahou Yuan once again, if he had also lost Cao Ren in botched military decision, he wouldn't have been able to go on.
Cao smiled as he slid he moved to Ren's side his arm behind him to lead him to the King's residence. "I'm glad you're well cousin."
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Post by Xun Yu on Jun 16, 2011 2:34:29 GMT
((So it's gonna be tomorrow? Alright.) +++ Xun Yu approached the gate, remembering that he had to get his orders from his lord, yet he didn't felt right today. He had been remembering what nearly happened to him that one night, where he almost lost his life. He tried his best not to remember this, but he kept looking at his daggers, which he pulled one to inspect it. Wiping the blade, he sheathed it back inside of his robes and approached the gates. He saluted in respect. "I wish to see our king." he said. " It's something important about my duties."After he said that, he took a hard glare at a spot on his robes. He thought ' I wonder how that got there.'. He then wiped it off a bit, but carefully.
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