Friends with Benefits

[Tan Zhi Han]

Tan Zhi Han marched forth with his army. Aisin Kuro led a batallion on the right, Liu Gong led two batallions on the left and rear. Han led one batallion in the center. Each man wore Liu Yan's uniform. The cavalrymen's were tasked with banners on their backs.

The path from Cheng Du was long. Han had brought carts filled with supplies: food, water, medicine, reserves. Recon from the advance troops of other commanders in Liu Yan's employment had reported the dangers of the weather, environment, and natives... Han had also traded supplies and tools in exchange for local guides to show the safest paths. Han had been a merchant once, and trade routes were usually the safest path. The troops took breaks every now and then; the troops had to be ready for battle, not exhausted.

The city of Jian Ning loomed into sight and Han had Kuro come over. Kuro boomed out Han's announcement as the forces arrayed before the gates.

"Hail, people of Jian Ning! Commander Tan Zhi Han, has come to swear his allegiance to the city of Jian Ning!"

With that introduction, Han began.

"Hail, I, Tan Zhi Han, have come to secure the people's safety against whoever should threaten them! Lord Liu Yan of Cheng Du has pledged the security of Jian Ning! We demand neither men nor supplies! I only ask for your cooperation."

With that, Han waited for a reaction before taking action.

[Emperor Feng]

[TZH..don't god-mod the Prefect..or the Guards..they wouldn't let anyone just waltz in..]


The guards halted the man before he could make his entrance further into the Palace, officials ran to the fore and pertruded to birage the man with words of insolence; that simply because he served a man of the Imperial clan did not give him the right to act in the manner he desired. "Stand back, you may serve kinsmen but are not of the same stock!" Guards formed and poised their weapons, refusing for him to make his way further into the grounds. Security was high with the recent riots and revolts caused by the Nanman, who negotiations were still in the air; yet those from the North claimed them the convicts..they were the mere victims.

Word had reached the Prefect of Jianning, who placed himself within the Palace recieving hall..a council was brought quickly to deal with the visitor, a decision had do be made before he could enter the halls. "Governor Fu, indeed that Liu Yan is of Imperial stock, he does not view himself in such a light..he has desires to take Ba Shu region..this visitor is of false pretences." One minister spoke up, turning to the council in hopes for them to view his opinion as correct. Another rose, taking the stand and nodding to the other official. "Our brother speaks with truth. Why else would Liu Yan send officers to the Nanman encampment, unless he plans for them to attack on his behalf? Then, he could swoop in taking all glory while subduing the Nanman; a hero he wishes to become through the acts of a fox!" Quickly a concensus was made, that this visitor was on an order he would use to trick the Governor with; take as a friend no doubt and order the Nanman to attack.. They would place blame upon them and then Liu Yan seen as the light through the darkness. "It shall not happen, not while I am placed upon this throne! Bring the man in, allow him to speak his reasons."

An official scuttled towards Tan Zhi Han, accompanied with a few other officials of minor importance. "The Governor Fu shall see you now." However, to what he was brought before was not an audience usually with the residing Prefect..but of a tribunal against a criminal. The council refused to move, Fu Shou placed upon a raised dais looking upon not only his council but the visitor. "Speak with haste being of Liu Yan, for we have our suspicions of your presence; enlighten us." A gesture was made to the court, a difficult task was placed before Tan Zhi Han..not only had he have to convince the Governor, but the entire council present within the hall...

[Tan Zhi Han]

(Sorry. Wasn't sure when a reply was incoming)

Han was taken aback by the sudden trial, but he proceeded along with speed. Han looked around at the ministers quickly before bowing to the prefect.

"Governor Fu, councilmen. I have announced my intent to defend this city and its inhabitants with my life. I have come a long ways, from Bei Hai, and met many lords along the way, some loyal to the Han, some false heroes, others simple warmongerers."

Han paused to breathe before beginning again.

"I stand here before you, disillusioned. Not long ago, I was tasked with the assault of this city. It's true. An army was sent before mine, and even now negotiates with the Nanman for a joint coalition. Liu Yan would have had me attack. And so I came here, under the pretense of attack. Liu Yan trusts no man, and he would not allowed my departure unless it was to attack some innocent town. If my plan had been to attack this city, I would have done so."

Han pondered his next words before speaking.

"I had originally hoped to enlist under the Emperor's service you see. But the streets of Luo Yang became a battlefield and I could not even make it within miles of the city without being chased away. And so I came to find myself in Cheng Du hoping to serve the royal family the best I could. Little did I know about the sick ambitions that this so called royal family member had... He has murdered innocent families and grows fat on their blood. I was fooled..."

Han's face showed signs of anger as he tried to control his rage.

"I was tasked with the assault of this city. I will do the opposite and more. Liu Yan may be of the same clan as the Emperor, but he holds no moral fiber in that corpse of his. I request formally that I join in the defence of the Jian Ning. I tell you now the enemy comes with thousands. Let me prove to you the extent of my honor before you pass judgment upon me. I only wish to one day be able to say that I had done the right thing when evil men ruled, and good men suffered..."

Han looked down to the ground before looking back up to the men assembled. Han was ready for anything at this point.

[Emperor Feng]

The council listened to the visitor, who seemed to be slandering the Lord he served; how convenient that his own men have been sighted within the city?.. The council looked upon this man as if he assumed them fools, the being upon the raised dais allowed a sigh to leave his lips as if not truely caring for the matter at hand; thus, gave it to the floor. One rose, bowed to the Governor and placed his eyes upon Tan gesturing as his words flew. "Such folly! You bring to the council that you wish to place your men within the city as defence, to turn your blade upon your Liege? Lies!" His gaze was now upon the Governor. "This man brings turmoil to our gates, with a ploy of old he desired our trust to then turn the blade upon us.. Liu Yan is a cunning fox and shall use any trick to gain what he desires." It was an ingenius assumption, one that was shared by the majority of the council..

"However, what if his words run true?. I place a strategem to test his worth Governor Fu, do not have him stationed within the city walls but outside the gates. The vanguard he would take to be the first to collide with the forces of Liu Yan." Another official rose to the fore, one who was not sure whether to trust the General or to cast him upon the knives. However, it was a situation they could not refuse thus forming this sly plan..but having Tan stationed outisde the city walls to test the truth behind his words. "Indeed my council have came to an agreement.." The Governor gazed on each minister as they inclined their heads to acknowledge that such a plan should be placed into motion. "..Make an encampment outisde the city walls, there you shall be the first to contact the enemy; if you speak of truth then we shall reinforce you. But, if you turn to attack, do not expect mercy upon you; volleys from the skies shall meet you." The Governor was sturn and if the order was not placed forward, then Tan would be placed under heavy attack against the forces he had control of. As the scribe placed upon a parchment of this order for the guest, there was something added upon it..a further measure from the Governor Fu; that the gates be sealed behind Tan when the encampement was made..then it would truely test the truth of his words. "Do you not see this as fair, General Tan?"

[Tan Zhi Han]

Han listened gravely. He would have gave a sigh of relief if had been in a safer place. Han had already calculated, he could possibly kill these ministers and the prefect with himself and his two generals alone, but what awaited outside? Surely the guards would tear them apart... Better to play along and at least get out of the city, then the next plan of action could be hatched. Han bowed and presented his clasped hands.

"Orders understood."

Han then looked up and looked into the prefect's eyes.

"The numbers that will come far outweight those that your or I possess alone. You know the capabilities of the Nanman far better than I. For the sake of my men, I pray you will not abandon us."

With that, Han bowed again, his generals bowed as well, and all left the halls and headed to marshall their forces outside the city. Han set up an encampment to the five hundred meters north east of the city, and began feeding his troops and informing them the plan...

Han had his sergeants and his generals assemble inside the commandery tent, with flaps closed. The sergeants began detailing the specifications of the city, it's capabilities, it's weaknesses, the state of the local garrison, etc. Han started calculating what he would have to do to earn the prefect's trust without too much bloodshed. Then it came to him. A ploy... The enemy's defeat, and the capture of their leaders... Would that place him within the prefect's circle of trust? Would it allow a large enough escort to enter the prefect's circle? Yes it would... It was at this time that the messenger party returned soaked in sweat, and caked in mud. Han had them fed and rested before hearing their report...

The alliance with the Nanman had passed. And now Yan Yan and the Nanman were coming for a two pronged attack on the city. The details of the Nanman capabilites and Yan Yan's capabilities were also passed to Han. The descriptions of Zhu Rong, Meng Huo, and this Nanman princess Huaman were of especial interest to Han... This Meng Huo would not be able to play the part. Perhaps Zhu Rong or the Princess... They seemed much more capable. But it'd have to be done intelligently...

(Ready for the battle at any time)

[Emperor Feng]

Fu Shou gave an elongated sigh as the General made another plea for him to 'not abandon them'.. There was something about this man, a good actor perhaps but he placed too much emphasise on parts that made him 'over actor'; if such was viable. "We shall not, Master Tan, if you come to peril aid shall be with you. Now, take your leave and station yourself outside the city." Another sigh escaped his lips as Tan left the vacinity and made his way to the encampment as ordered. The doors closed behind, the council turned to their Governor, the outspoken Official rose once more. "He cannot be trusted, we must take precautions if he does turn upon us." Had this Minister not been paying attention?.. Nonetheless, the Governor rose from the raised dais and descended, with a gesture the scribe made way to place the orders into position. "I shall not be fooled, bring the Nanman to us..and that tyrant Liu Yan; let us watch this Master Tan right against his liege in the name to defend the city." A coy smile appeared upon the council as Fu Shou presented a possible fox-like intelligence within the feeble body, war would be apparent..he knew this, but which way it would turn was anyones guess. All he knew, was that this Tan Zhi Han would be tested in the greatest possible way..

Men gathered within the city, Tan would be able to see the war preparations from his position outside the city gates.. Generals came to the fore and stationed themselves facing the open gate preparing themselves for any eventuality... But...

Suddenly, the patrolling guards of the city's gate moved into action, the order set and taken into motion.. The gates were pushed shut and sealed!! Fu Shou moved out from the Palace grounds, dressed in battle garb with 3 other Generals by his side..they would not place fool or kowtow this day., they had not been with the Nanman and they refused to do it for some tyrant dressed as the innocent Imperial clansmen..



Notices:

• Tan Zhi Han has been ordered to station himself outside the city walls!
  
• As Tan Zhi Han makes encampment, the City Gates behind him shut and seal!
  
• Within Fu Shou's men and Generals take formation, battle is to commence!
  

[The Battle thread & Map will be posted shortly]

[Tan Zhi Han]

(OOC post)

AWESOME! I love your rp flare. so epic. ^_^