The Road to Bei Ping (Open RP)

[Gongsun Jieming]

((Open RP))
It was a cold day as a small party of soldiers rode down the long snowy road to the northern city of Bei Ping. At the head of the half-dozen riders was a man clad in armor but with a white robe obscuring most of the armor. His clothing distinguished him as the leader of the party. Four of the other riders were clad in armor as well, veteran cavalry warriors who had served under Gongsun Jieming during the battles against Dong Zhuo. The last rider, straggling behind them a bit, was a diplomat clad in elaborate green robes. He shivered a bit as they rode swiftly through the cold air.

One of the soldiers halted Jieming, and they each kept their eyes peeled around the surrounding countryside. The mountains were dangerous, and Jieming was hardly a mountain person. Jieming and his men, however, had seen such mountains before. They had been in the service of the Lord Gongsun, who they were now going to see on a totally different matter. As Jieming's eyes scanned the countryside, he turned to his diplomat and began to discuss strategy for how they would convince his Elder Cousin of what he needed to.

[Emperor Feng]

The cold had come across the mountains, but it was no excuse to halt a hunt amount the military generals of Beiping; one being was missing from the vanguard of people travelling across the terrain on alert for a possible wolf to rush across their sight. Governor of this region, Gongsun Zan, was unable to attend as he wished to remain within the Palace in order to continue with internal affairs; thus, allowing his son, Xu, to head out as the lead. Clad in armour and carrying the crest of his father upon his cloak the men rushed to find their prey. Wielding an bow and arrow to his side, the Generals laughed among themselves as they enjoyed the company of the heir. "There, one tries to escape!" From Xu's right proclaimed the kill and forced them to advance upon the now helpless wolf.

Flicking the reigns, Xu made quick to be the one to fell this beast and claim the glory of the kill; to prove to his father's comrade that he was worthy in archery. Leaving the horse in free-reign, the bow was taken into hand and the arrow pulled back; focused it was volleyed. A miss! Though, another prey was made aware of to the unit of men, a being who was heading towards the trails to Beiping; followed by a diplomat who seemed out of sorts in this region. "Men, it seems I can caught more than a simple wolf!" As the men laughed, they approached the party cautious of their reasonings; they could not be the bandits of the North, for he had secured their loyalty to his father. The man glad in armour was clearly the lead and so, with a respectful bow to the stranger, Xu was the first to speak out. "I see our hunt has stumbled upon you, prey tell, what brings you to these mountainous parts of Beiping?"

Xu was unaware of what would be his fellow clansmen, neither would he know that this man would know of him as a clansmen; yet the voice was strong and clear, also the appearance of Xu was a clear indication to his father, Gongsun Zan...

[Gongsun Jieming]

The leader of the party had not previously met Xu, but he knew very well that Gongsun Zan had a son, and he recognized Zan's features in the younger boy. He thought of the proper term for a younger cousin with a higher position, and he returned the young commander's bow politely.

"It is an honor to meet you, Respected Cousin. I am Gongsun Jieming, a weak servant of the Son of Heaven who served under your Respected Father's banner during the battles against the tyrant-traitor Dong. I come to Beiping bearing news for your Father, though I'm afraid it is not news he will be pleased to hear."

[Emperor Feng]

Xu was pleased to hear of his name, a clansmen who once served his father? Though it was strange that he no longer was part of his forces, nonetheless, the young Gongsun bowed again; this time acknowledge him as an elder relative. "Do no worry for such formalities, are we not of the same clan?" Chuckling, the generals behind him did not look so tense, after hearing that they were not roaming bandits; but part of the clan they served faithfully. News? How strange that they sent one of theirs as a messenger, furthermore, it was not what his father would not be pleased of? Xu had a bad feeling about this 'news', however, he would do the bidding and bring Jieming before his father.

"Though on a hunt, it would be my honour to escort you into Beiping; I'm sure Father would not mind to take time from internal affairs to speak with a fellow kinsmen." Nodding to Jieming, he pulled upon the horse's reigns and turned to face the direction of which they first appeared from. It was not far from where they were situated, as Xu did not like to hunt too far from the city, just incase they were ambushed and too far to call for aid.

Entering the city, it was clear that Gongsun Zan had been good to the people of Beiping and calming the bandits that were so used to pillaging the towns. The Palace was ahead, the patrolling guards did not stop to question the addition of a guest for the lead was with Zan's son; assuming that Jieming was simply another contingent of men they had met outside the city to guard him whilst hunting. Dismounting the horse, Xu turned to gesture that Jieming did the same. "Our stables shall be a nice home for your steeds, but, may I request you tell this news upon your own? If it is something that he may not wish to hear, then it would be better not to intimidate him with a large unit of men." Giggling, the young boy took a deep breath and acted as escort further into the Palace grounds, inclining his head to patrolling guards and passing officers of his father; he was a king lad..one that had potential for a true leader of the people.

"Father, our kinsmen Gongsun Jieming has come from the Capital; he wishes to speak with you." Announced Xu left the two men to speak, having the officials to clear the main hall. Jieming would be met with a heart-warmed smile, the Governor sat upon the raised dai and content at hearing a fellow clansmen wished an audience with him..

[Gongsun Jieming]

The white-clad warrior thanked Xu profusely, not ceasing his respectful tone, despite adding familiar language in order to best show his kinship with his clan. Jieming and his men rode mostly silently towards Beiping with their host, making polite conversation when addressed. If Xu was interested, Jieming would tell him the story of his service in the battles against Dong Zhuo, and explain that he only left Zan's forces in order to return to his home. Though Jieming was of the Beiping clan of Gongsun family, his father had moved to Runan Commandery when Jieming was still quite young.

Jieming wore a pleased smile throughout his entrance to Beiping, his eyes taking in the happiness of the people who were not being subjected to the insane taxes Li Jue and Guo Si had levied. The Runanese commander began to re-think his mission as they rode through the streets of Beiping. Finally, Jieming nodded respectfully to the guards as he entered Zan's palace beside Xu. Despite his familial relation to Gongsun Zan, he bowed low before the Governor.

"Elder Cousin, I am glad to see you in good health, and must compliment your government here in Beiping. Your care for the well-being of your people is evident, even in a time when many Governor shirk their duties to work on their own political positions."

He bowed his head to reinforce his point before sighing sadly.

"I am most unfortunately here to warn you, Elder Cousin, of the dangers of the Capital. I traveled there to ask for guidance in what my meager forces could do to best serve the Son of Heaven, yet I was met with a most terrible sight. General Li received me instead of the Son of Heaven, and he attempted to hand me an Imperial Decree to bring you, Elder Cousin, to justice for refusing to pay Imperial taxes."

Jieming shook his head.

"Now, as I hope you know quite well, I would never turn my back on my own clan. I would not do so, even if promised the entire Empire as a reward, for if one does not treat his family well, he cannot ever hope to attain even a meager amount of virtue. No, rather I choose to warn you. If such a decree is given to Lord Yuan or another regional Governor who lacks your virtue, they may see it as a legitimate way to expand their territory by attacking your cities."

He bows low and sighs.

"I do not wish to bring such ill tidings, Elder Cousin. I had originally come to persuade you to pay the taxes in order to avoid such precarious situations...Yet when I see the happiness of your people, I do not believe it can be the true will of the Son of Heaven to take from them. In this case, I look to you, my Elder both in knowledge and wisdom, for advice."

EDIT - (Might be best to move this to palace while we continue, since we're not on the road anymore)

[Gongsun Jieming]

((sorry for the double post, it's two completely different characters and way later))

The former rebel Liu Pi was bored as he rode towards Beiping. He had already prepared the news he would give his Lord, so all he could do on the long journey was look at the pretty scenery. As the gruff warrior looked down the road, though, he saw a figure approaching very quickly. Liu Pi whipped out his spear for combat, readying it to skewer the rider, but he pulled it back as he saw the rider was one of his own men.

"Captain Liu," screamed the rider, "It's dangerous. You need to turn back to Ru Nan, Gongsun Zan believes that an attack is imminent and our Lord requires you to rally the men from camp."

"An attack? From who?"

"Uh...Yuan Shao, the noble guy from Ye. Heard of him, Captain?"

Liu Pi bristled with anger. His face nearly turned red. During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he had skirmished with He Jin's men on a couple of occasions and lost many men in the conflict. Yuan Shao was He Jin's aide-de-camp, and so Liu Pi extended his dislike to Yuan Shao as well.

"Let's not waste time."

Liu Pi rode for Ru Nan, making a few stops along the way.