The Grand Harvest [Task] [Closed]

[Guan Yu]

[

"Goodnight, God bless."

[/font][/right][/b]

”So why don't you all sit down
listen to the tale i'm about to tell
hell, we don't gotta trade our shoes
and you ain't gotta walk no thousand miles.”

[/i][/font][/right]

I. Together

Having been positioned within the defensive settlement of Xinye, Liu Bei held responsibiliy of defending the northern entrance into Liu Biao's lands.. there was one massive problem however - the lands were lacking. The populance was below any he had managed before, though at first it seemed less than a chore, it would not suffice when push came to shove. Liu Bei couldn't rely upon Liu Biao, the man was old and would no doubt be deceased within the next decade or two; he was vastly becoming old, pacifist and deluded. Cao Cao's armies already outnumbered many of the warlords and therefore counter-measures needed to be installed. Liu Bei had already felt the bitter tongue of Cao Cao; having been in the same garden as him. As the peach gardens blossomed so did both of the heroes ambitions. The scoundrel drove Liu Bei into refuge but fortunatly the imperial uncle escaped, unharmed.

It wasn't something new that had sprung upon Liu Bei, he had put a lot of thought into it. They needed to maximise everything to survive within ten years or less no doubt a victor would have arisen from the north and no doubt their hungry eyes would turn to the untouched south. If Liu Biao wasn't going to install defences, then Liu Bei was going to. He summoned his most important advisors, it wasn't a debate, there was nothing to discuss. There was nothing else they could do. If they sat around and waited they'd stand no chance.

Every working man, woman and child was to be assigned to their speciality. Men were going to be working in the fields, building, prepare armaments, fishing and so forth. Children would be assisting planting seeds, rounding up food and other smaller jobs. Women would be sewing, mothering children and teaching the next generation. Liu Bei looked to the future, Xinye wouldn't stand on its two legs against a descent from Cao's calvary. They needed to expand and flourish as quickly as possible whilst remaining as self-sufficent as possible.

"All of our military forces are to assist the renovations of this city."

Liu Bei announced to his advisors. The soldiers would be trading in their blades for tools of the trade. The manual labour would toughen them up and prepare them for the upcoming wars. He was certain he wouldn't be attacked, safeguarded within the lands of Liu Biao he would seize the chance to promote growth. Barely having settled into the lands for a month; he was fixed upon his ambitions - assigning even his most valiant and bravest generals to work.

Liu Bei dismissed his audience to inform the citizens of the changes; he too would take up the task of a working man. For Liu Bei this was a simple conundrum of political thought. Xuande believed that profit for one person was profit for everybody, if the fisherman caught more fish than usually; he'd feed more people. If the carpenter was better fed his effiency would increase and thus more structures would be completed, with more structures the population would be able to increase and expand. The triangle continued over and over. Together as one, they would advanced.

Xuande's advisors cried in the town center, summoning every man, child and woman to the town center where Liu Bei would make an appearance. A small crowd appeared which grew and grew minute after minute. Whether to curiousity or mere respect to their prefect. Within an hour more than half the population had been gathered, grouped together within the center of Xinye; awaiting Liu Bei. He didn't keep them waiting, he was humble and caring man and hear appeared, wandering down the steps of the small town hall in which his quarters where before stopping pon an elevated speaking platform, usually used by the town crier to inform the town of news, new laws or other important information.

"People of Xinye, men, women and children. Many of you have followed me since my very first steps."

He smiled, bowing his head and raising his hands and clasping them thanking them all.

"Though it seems we've made it through the cave; the war isn't over. I fear for our civillization and the liberty of our country. Though we have been blessed with the peace of Xinye, we've also been cursed to have been born in this chaos."

He sobbed a little, before composing himself a little more carrying on, capturing the audience through his warm-heart oratory. The people were close to silent and appeared to be listening to every word.

"Our liberty comes at a price, my friends. We cannot enjoy a true age of peace until the last of the tyrants are put down... Cao Cao has driven us from our homes and now clashes with the monster Lu Bu and the power hungry Yuan Shao. If we do not prepare ourselves for war; we will be consumed like we were before."

He sobbed again, having been driven from Xiao Pei and had to retreat to the safety of Xinye was humiliating enough. Liu Bei had to enforce discipline through care. He spoke personally, though a minority of the people had followed him. Everyone knew suffering, Liu Bei was a character everyone could relate to, he was the epitome of virtue. Everything he said and thought was just mindwashingly convincing.

"I ask that we all take up arms, to fight this common enemy who threatens our very way of living. Though not through violence. We must work! All and everyone of us, as a community. Through unity and trust we shall grow."

He shouted, reaching his pitch raising his fist, clasping air within and dragging it down to his chest; pounding upon his heart firmly.

"Raise your voices, my people! O together Xinye will flourish once more!"

The crowd rippled with a roar, Liu Bei wept a little bit at the support. Even after everything he had put these people through. Even after all his attempts he couldn't avoid war; suffering seemed to follow him like his own shadow.

"Promise me your co-operation and i'll promise you a new land. A land of hope, a land of freedom.. a land of peace!"

He announced finally before descending into the crowd and shaking the hands of men, women and children. Sinking to their level, for their level was all he could be. He had been born in a working class family and no matter how far he went, he'd die a simple man.[/font]

[Guan Yu]

[

"Goodnight, God bless."

[/font][/right][/b]

”So why don't you all sit down
Listen to the tale i'm about to tell
Hell, we don't gotta trade our shoes
And you ain't gotta walk no thousand miles.”

[/i][/font][/right]

II. The Seed of Life

A leader leads by example, not by rule. His hands clawed at the dirt before he planted another seed. No how tedious the work became; he couldn't wipe a smile off his fact. The unit yof his people, his hands reached down to the ground again before placing another seed and dusting the earth over it. Several more fields were being created. Liu Bei stretched himself out, handing his seeds to a young boy beside him and patting his youthful head before wandering over to the riverband, twice as many fishing ships were present than before the reforms.

"My lord, our town will be the envy of all governors in no time!"

Announced a man from behind him, Liu Bei didn't recall the voice and thus he spun around, welcoming the man. A tall man, in robes with a satin ribbon wrapped around his waist with a simple dao attached. They exchanged names and spoke for the while, before the man joined Liu Bei beside the riverbank, where he cleaned his hand of the soil.

"Xinye may not seem much currently, but here is where we make our mark.. "

He answered the man who had a puzzled expression over the production uproar, the other man nodded. He was Hu Lia, of Shou Chun. He had fled recently from Yuan Shu to Wan before making the short commute to Xinye at the hearing of Xuande's appearance there.

"I have never witnessed such obedience.. how do you do it?"

"Obedience? The people do not obede; they work alongside me. I do not higher myself above them. I, serve the people and they serve me."

He finished drying his hands waving kindly to a passing fisherman before strolling; still with the man trailing behind. The soft wind whistled through the thin grass as they two figures followed the thin country road onto the main route and back through the city gates. Already man of the structures were being improved upon, old buildings were being recycled for their materials to create new ones whilst the increase in collecting materials allowed for grander designs. Liu Bei promoted innovation, architects, designers, inventors. Men of culture could only lead to more attraction to population.

"My lord, why do you not spread the word of your settlement in the southlands? Once people know of the imperial uncles presence they will flock to you."

Liu Bei pondered the thought for a moment before stroking his face and turning to the man.

"I do not signify myself with propaganda, it is the tool of the wicked. However if you believe people will acknowledge a simple shoe weaver as myself; go forth and I will reward you handsomely."

He patted the man on the back, clasping his hands and bowing before heading over to a small construction site to assist several young builders.



One week later

Liu Bei was in his private quarters, attending to finacial matters. All this expansion was going to cost money and therefore he needed to ensure he could cope. He intended to sell unnecessary crops, fish and materials on to neighbouring cities to make profit. He stroked his face, before a guard sprinted inside the private swords before bowing low upon on knee and proclaiming.

"My lord, a small peasent force has been reported heading this way but has been attacked.. by bandits"

Liu Bei knocked his wine off his desk before pushing his chair back in a violent manner. His face turned beyond serious as he raised the man up.

"Explain yourself!"

He demanded to the man, who seemed a little shocked. The guard went on to explain how the crier who had been sent by Liu Bei had led several hundred peasents out of the city, however along the road they were attacked visciously by bandits. Liu Bei wept before sending the man to summon a volunteer unit, understanding his men were tired already - but he couldn't allow innocents to die. He cursed himself for allowing the man to leave.

He rapidly equipped his armour, placing both his swords into a sheath either side of his waste; mounting his hexed steed before meeting several hundred riders outside the gates
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[Guan Yu]

[

"Goodnight, God bless."

[/font][/right][/b]

”So why don't you all sit down
Listen to the tale i'm about to tell
Hell, we don't gotta trade our shoes
And you ain't gotta walk no thousand miles.”

[/i][/font][/right]

III. Reprisal

"Someone! Help us, Please!"

Cried a woman, holding a baby in her shaking arms. The child was a newborn, barely half a year old. She looked malnourished, dirty and uncared for. Liu Bei's faced turned stern as they passed the people. His heart ached for revenge, he pressed on. Several bandits could been seen approaching from a dust cloud up ahead, the people stumbled and cried in chaos, begging the riders for help.

"Fly swiftly, seek refuge in Xinye. You are safe now."

He announced to the several survivors who had managed to escape the attack ran for their lives. Liu Bei growled in anger, gripping his swords fiercer than he had before. The bandits had taken captives and left the dead and their corpses to rot along the road. Liu Bei gagged at the disgrace. His horse bucked up and sprinted harder now towards the cloud of dust. As the last of the refugees escaped, Liu Bei rallied his riders to him.

"Spare no remorse for those who would murder innocents! Onward!"

He triumped, pounding down the slope towards the league of bandits at the bottom who slandered them and shouted abuse at them. Spitting at the ground, they outnumbered Liu Bei's forces but no fear did Liu Bei showed. This was his duty, his task granted by something stronger than fate. The inhumane hooves pounded against the hard ground, ripping up the grass. The steed, shook its head, snorting saliva and puffing out a huge gust of are. They all braced for impact, Liu Bei was the first to strike.

His blade condemned the seeker, it rushed from up above striking down upon the shoulder blade of the receiver; ripping his from his horse and trampling beneath. A pole-arm was swung to the left of Liu Bei which was defended by his left handed blade parried before another striked him from the right, he ducked; controlling his horse as the jousts came from left and right. Under pressure Liu Bei struggled to hold his horse under firm control. The animal cried in fear; but Liu Bei held the reigns firmly and reassured the mount. An archer launched an arrow, which hit one of the pursuers in the back and his dropped from his horse, who in turn ran off in fear. Liu Bei now relieved of one hand thrusted back at the pole-arm wielder; plunging his sword towards him slicing his hand before smashing again. Their blades connected before Liu Bei kicked the man, the force was strong enough to send him and horse down. The man toppled and was crushed beneath the weight of the horse who tripped at the momentum and lack of control.

Liu Bei steered his mount around, placing his swords away and picking up the pole-arm of the defeated enemy. By now the momentarily. The skirmish was in full thrust, dust and hysteria all around them. Though scared, he fought on. His palms shook and shivered, the banners of his city were falling one by one. Friend and foe exchanging blows against eachother. He grunted, hungering for revenge of these innocents. His hands wrapped around the pole-arm before his horse accelerated, lifting upon its hind legs before pelting towards the battle. Liu Bei lent to his left, spinning his pole-arm in momentum before lunging towards a rider and striking him in the back, leaving the pole-arm fixed into the back of the fallen warrior. The warrior cried out in pain before falling down and bleeding to death. Before Liu Bei could celebrate his kill a man striked his horse, with a spear sending it to the floor and Liu Bei tumbling with it onto the floor.

Ugh....

The hunter stalker his prey and charged towards Liu Bei with the same blade that had brought down his horse. Xuande opened his eyes to the sound of a charging scream. The blade missed him by inches, slicing off several inches of his hair before squirting blood from the horse where Liu Bei had landed. Using the blood which squirted in the mans face Liu Bei gripped the blade of his opponent before using his unused hand to pull out and blade. From there he ran him through with it, right into the lower chest before kicking him down and running him through once more to finish him off.

The fighting was relentless, cries and clashes rang from every corner. Liu Bei panted in exhaustion, blocking an incoming blow from a rider before falling to his knees. An archer noticed him and drew his most cherished arrow, he drew back the string and took aim.

"Liu Xuande!"

Announced a voice in front of him, before several freshly energized horses rode into the small battlefield, the archer hesitated and launched his arrow; which flew off in an incorrect direction, before the man and his bow were dropped. The man who had sent himself off to recruit more people of Liu Xuande's cause had returned. Liu Bei was happy to see him, a smile creased over his face as he picked himself up.

"My friend! Imaculate timing!"

He said with hope restored to his heart, now on the turn of the tide Liu Bei spun his blades - left and right ripping into the side of a horse and then one more before taking a rider down with his throat severely severed. The enemy begun to retreat.

"Chase them down!"

Liu Bei announced, punching a man from his horse before mounting the un-trained beast and charging after the few who tried to escape. No doubt they'd be heading towards their camp where the captives would be. Liu Bei would not rest until his own actions were justified through the freedom of the suffering. [/font]

[Guan Yu]

[

"Goodnight, God bless."

[/font][/right][/b]

”So why don't you all sit down
Listen to the tale i'm about to tell
Hell, we don't gotta trade our shoes
And you ain't gotta walk no thousand miles.”

[/i][/font][/right]

IV. Deceit

By now the journey had taken the toll upon Liu Xuande, his anger had dimmed a little and was just about to turn back, head the way him come - tucking his tail between his legs. His men followed behind him, most of them injured and tired though something in him refused to give up. The young governor halted, the unit halted also behind him; questioning his swift brake. He sniffed a little, remaining completely silent; before the rider who had led the reinforcements to his aid appeared once more.

"My lord.. you have stopped?"

Liu Bei remained silent, reluctant to have move. Oh how foolish he had been, these weren't refuges; it was a set up all along. This bastard who pretended to be his friend was leading him dead into a trap.

"Is something wrong?"

The man who had been so kind before, so convincing hesitated; he looked around back and forth at the ridings, with a drop of sweat rolling down his face. Holding his hand firmly upon his blade.

"Who sent you?"

Liu Bei interrogated, his eyes burning with rage. His men dying at the hands of a ruse of this man.

"This is an outrage my lord!"

The man replied, begging the man to reconsider his thoughts; gripping his hands into the last remaining grains of his trust.

"I said, who sent you?!"

He begged and pleaded with the man. Liu Bei gripped at his swords and before the man could even answer him Liu Bei slashed at the mans throat, removing his head in a single movement. The scholars head dropped to the floor, and with it the emblem of Cao appeared upon the necklace that was once worn around his neck followed. Liu Bei cursed. He had been right, but so right that he felt wrong. How could he fall so easily into the hands of a cruel slaves of Mengde?

"Cao, you bastard!"

He denounced the man; for falling so low in this ploy. If he wanted to take Liu Bei he could at least be brave about it. The men upon horses behind him remained shocked, rarely had they seen Liu Bei re-act in such a way. Liu Bei turned around to face them, a cunning ploy but revenge would follow.. swiftly. No doubt the enemy forces could be just around the corner. Liu Bei took no second chances, gripping the medallion; he ripped it from the traitors chest. Before signalling to his men to make an extreme retreat immediately.

Three hours later


"Send this immediately to Liu Biao and inform him of the events today, emphasis the need to strengthen the defences against Cao."

Liu Bei ordered a messenger to take the emblem that had been removed from the body of the traitor. Before the man left Liu Bei also placed a secret letter for Lord Liu Biao within a jar of wine; it was about his sons and his indecision but written in prose. The wine was labelled; for his Excellency under specific orders of Liu Bei; beneath the lid the letter was concealed within the lid where a little piece of string dangled giving away its location.

Two sons, one throne.
Two birds, one stone.
A virtuous lord must make a decision;
one that will be the pinnacle of his wisdom.
Will he choose the elder, Liu Qi?
or will he choose Liu Cong, the youth?
O, grand hero of the riverlands.
Who will it be?"

Liu Bei signed the letter himself and knew without a doubt Liu Biao would find it and no doubt so would his wife. A little unstability was stability. Lady Cai and her vigilant general Cai Mao would no doubt be provoked by the actions of Liu Bei; the choice depended upon Liu Biao, would he fight in his old age against the rule of his wife and defy her decision or would he submit? Liu Bei tested it. Liu Bei bowed finally; dismissing his messenger; guarded by several guards to deliver the letter.

"Liu Biao, if you do not make a move; you force me to. Please head my advice."

Liu Bei muttered, staring out into the blue sky sighing heavily.


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[Mikey]

Wonderful read Colby. Appropriate for the grandness of the task.

Rewards

Xin Ye:

• At the start of the next diplomacy phase, Xin Ye's population will increase by 100%.
  
• Xin Ye's income is permanently increased by 25 Gold.
  

Liu Bei:

• + 100 Reputation Points
  
• + 300 Gold anonymously donated to Liu Bei.
  
• Trained men and leaders from Xin Ye step up to help Liu Bei in his efforts. (+ 1 free Engineer entourage unit.)