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Post by Zhu Jun on Jun 9, 2010 23:29:05 GMT
For the North, the risks of pillagers and spontaneous attacks from the mountainous tribes were become more and more often; with the gradual collapse of the Empire, they felt no reason to hold of on the atrocities to the townsfolk..who were easy pickings of late. Wuwei had become a fortification against the tribes of the Qiang, the Govenor having deep ties within the hierarchy..from growing up with them, to fighting alongside them and then bearing children from a Qiang wife. They could not attack their own, the atrocities faded into an obselete state; allowing order to flourish under the ruler of Ma Teng..uniting the region; townspeople and tribes, creating trade amongst them. It took some time to establish, but it was soring into the Heavens and the Govenor knew that other cities within the region were suffering similar fates that once ravished Wuwei. Loyal to this land, Teng knew it could not last any longer, they suffered too much to simply be abused in another direction. Thus, the Govenor personally travelled from Wuwei to the city of Anding in order to gain their allegiance to annex the authority into his jurisdiction. Following by 2000 of his own men, Teng stood as the mountains of the North; the piercing gaze upon the city guards..yet all knew of this man within the Liang region, of a compassionate heart that gave justice in every occasion; of fair judgement, they would be defended even when he passed into the Nether Realm.
"Guards of Anding, inform the elders of my arrival; I seek an audience with them. I am Ma Teng, Govenor of Wuwei. I bow before all city folk in order to gain their hearts and to unite Xiliang as one..not only to prosper but to offer the security from the Qiang, who continue to pillage the people of this city." The Govenor was prepared to persuade them into bow to him, he knew that they could not possibly take any more from the Qiang..and he was the only one to place the shield of security on them. "I do not wish to bring the harshness to a city already suffering from hardships, thus, I am here to speak.. Under my jurisdiction, you shall not feel the atrocities of the Qiang anymore, for my clansmen are of the same blood of the Qiang; they shall not attack their own." The Govenor's tone was of truth, it had a strong concern fro the people that was within the city, for he knew of first hand what the Qiang did when they took to raiding; and desired no one to be the victims... Awaiting answers, the men that followed Teng placed their weapons low; proving that they were not here to fight..but to simply annex the city into Teng's jurisdiction through peaceful means...
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Post by Zhuge Liang on Jun 10, 2010 18:15:57 GMT
It had been true of Ma Teng to speak so courteously to the fellow plebeians of Anding, for their city burned to the north and their stock-piles had all but been disposed of after having repelled another savage assault from the Qiang. It had taken three years to recover from their previous encounters with the tribesmen, and with the death of Song Hisan, the truce that had been forged died – and the tribes came yet again to pillage, burn and rape.
He did not blame the Qiang for their nomadic lifestyle, but as Sima Hong stood from atop his city walls he could not help but sigh in grief at the thought of submission. His father had ruled these lands, he had protected them – and with his demise the chaos had spurred on even more, and the city now wept with the death wrought upon them by those of the north.
It was a sad occasion, but it was one that Sima Hong could no longer justify. He needed to see this man, this iron fist of the north.
“My city suffers, and yet my heart cannot let go of my heritage.”
He opened the city gates, travelling down to the base before saddling his horse. He had raised the mare ever since it was born. It seemed fitting that the two of them would end in this dark ghetto of a city.
“I am not an evil man Ma Teng.” He rode forth to greet the armies that had come to save them, with his sword placed steadily in his hand, “I have seen what the Qiang do to their victims. I have seen their savage barbaric ways, and yet I am pained with indecision, with retribution.”
He halted his horse as he drew close to Ma Teng, his head slumped between a set of rigid and broken shoulders, “I seek the safety of my people, but I do not seek your aide. My father would shame for all of an eternity. You are an enemy of my father, and for that you are my enemy. But I do not hold the will of heaven against you; these walls shall belong to you soon.”
He smiled feebly at the ruler before him, his own hand stayed by fear alone. He could not win this encounter.
“MY people are scared, they are weak and feeble. Guide them, and remember me in the afterlife.”
He spurred on his horse then, galloping first hand with his sword raised, his eyes glistened with water, and for the first time in his life Sima Hong felt relieved to say goodbye, to be free of burden and of pain. He galloped to his death…
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Post by Zhu Jun on Jun 10, 2010 21:33:11 GMT
Looking up to the walls, the Govenor listened all to the man had to say..he spoke of tragedy that had been forced onto the city by those he called clansmen and it pained him to even admit that all stories were true. Such a being with an honourable heart, it would be a true loss to this land but his words, they spoke of the desperation that Anding had come to feel. As the gates opened, Teng felt that perhaps he had changed had a change of heart and would retire into his forces and watch the city grow without the threat of the Qiang. Sima's words turned into an emotional sacrifice, being he was the sacrifice to put up some fight in the name of his father and the ancestors that ruled this city. It took him by surprise when suddenly, Sima Hong was rushing towards him with sword poised; the tears visible. The Govenor could not speak a word, nor did he wish to place harm on the man but, in this situation one had to be cut down. The men around him made for the defensive, but Teng would not allow it..it was not a fair match. Thus, the Govenor poised the spear ready for the attack and rushed froward to clash with Sima. His eyes too watered to fell such a man before him, within asking forgiveness to the ancestors that were blessed with such a son; the spear ready to drive into the chest of the opponent.
Teng's men lowered their weapons, with the order not to move they watched as the two came to pass; all knew who would be the one to fall first. With a breath the weapons would make contact, Teng to defend then thrust at Sima; hoping to give one quick blow that would mean his life was taken in an instant..no pain for him to feel, as he had already suffered enough.
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Post by Zhuge Liang on Jun 10, 2010 21:59:16 GMT
The spear collided with the tip of the sword point, pushing it back and away, so that it fell uselessly to the blood stained gravel beneath him. It had all happened oh so very quickly, he had blinked and within that single moment of pain and doubt he had felt the impact of Ma Teng’s spear. It had missed its target, as the bladed spear was forced south by the armour of the governor. But It was of no matter now – the blow had landed and his life would ebb away, who cared if he would suffer a little before his goodbye.
He gazed down through bloodshot eyes at the spear imbedded within him. It had missed his vital organs and lungs, but he could feel the blood swell, and with each raised palpitation of his heart he could feel the blood rush out of him.
He felt dizzy, cold but at peace. His face spoke of horrors, as his brain tried so desperately to comprehend death, and then – the cold chill shot through him, and he gasped as the blood slowly trickled from his lips.
He smiled, though inside he felt nothing but the beat of his heart decrease.
“Protect……them.” He spoke slowly, his voice a whisper on the hot air. “Help…..them.”
He closed his eyes to desperately settle his breathing, and then gasped as he choked on more blood and guts, “My people…..will prosper beneath your……benevolent rule.”
And he slid to his death.
The city had watched the events transpire from the protection of their padded walls, and as a unison they screamed their painful sorrows at the death of their governor, friend and protector. An Ding had lost something today, but all knew that by tomorrow, something would be gained.
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Post by Zhu Jun on Jun 10, 2010 23:08:25 GMT
As the spear scrapped the armour to find flesh, it became embedded and the eyes of Teng watered more to see the blood taint the ground; the men of his unit lowered their heads in respect to the now fallen Govenor.. Spear retrieved, the heart gave Sima enough time for words that touched all that heard it. Even those of the city came to be witness to this scene, as their leader faded into the Nether Realm, to join the ancestors.. The Govenor knew they would be proud of him not giving in so easily, knowing that it was at loss but yet charged forward. A tear was shed by Teng as the body became lifeless and he knew some would do the same within the city. "Take his body into the city, he shall be given a noble's burial and the ceremonial costs shall not be placed upon the family; one shall attend the grave personally each season."
The Govenor's men took hold of Sima's body and followed him into the city, sadness was felt but the city now within good hands; promising to honour the family that ruled here, not to allow any choas befall it. "People of Anding, honour your fallen Magistrate, for I shall do the same. You shall all feel the security from the Qiang, no longer shall they ravish the land; I shall not allow anything to happen to you." His words ran true, the people dispersed and the preparations for Sima's funeral began as the Govenor took his residence within the Palace.. A day of celebration should be made once the Province of Xiliang came into his grasp, yet, the loss of Sima Hong was one death he would never forget...
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Post by Zhuge Liang on Jun 10, 2010 23:43:27 GMT
There was no avoiding death, no embracing its clutches – in the end, men were born into a world of conflict and hesitation, they were born into a dark uninviting world filled with failure and desolation – and after the perils wrought upon them by fate, they would slip from their standing places on earth, slip like the world around them would, where empires rose and fell – where even nature battered its wrath upon men and women alike.
Today was no different. The people of Anding had lost their governor, and in that realisation they had gained another. They did not resent their new lord though, in fact they honoured him, they cheered and wept – showing only an explosive mixture of happiness and sorrow through their many eyes.
They had grown old in this city, they had felt the savage reality of the Qiang and through the linage of the Sima family they had endured relentlessly, but now they would not endure pain, they would be free from their ties of war and conflict. They would be…free.
“My lord Ma Teng.”
A man of later years stepped forward through the celebration, his eyes wet with sadness, “We are very grateful to you my lord.”
His fellow citizens all bowed with him, a colossal image as each man, woman and child dropped to their knees. Even Ma Teng, who had endured the wars of the north, could not feel the pain the city had felt, “My sons died by the Qiang, our children taken and forced into slavery – we are a small community of misfortune, and yet you shine upon us like a beacon.”
The man wept bitterly in his pauses, gasping for air however, he pursued, his face a strain, “I am the elder of the village, and on behalf of the people I thank you for taking us into your custody.”
The town was quiet, as each citizen plead for protection and for guidance.
The city of An Ding has submitted to Ma Teng’s army
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