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Post by Wen Chou on Jun 27, 2010 7:13:47 GMT
Wen Chou had desperately needed to talk to Yuan Shao. Though the two had been close many years ago, sharing their thoughts openly among each other - lately it hasn't been the same. Every time Wen Chou had tried to talk with his lord there were many obstacles - the opium being the primary one. No lord can be in the right mind when under a substances' influence. Wen Chou was worried also by the other members in the Yuan Empire.
Guo Tu chief among them, he had placed himself too close to the Emperor, and sudddenly he was announced Prime Minister. A rank that had superiority over the Marquess of He Bei. Wen Chou did not like that, he felt the control slipping through his fingers. He needed to talk with Yuan Shao, get things sorted out like right-minded men- and maybe renew their friendship.
Others had started to worry Wen Chou as well. His brother-in-arms Yan Liang had also grown more separate, and aligned himself with that bandit Chunyu Qiong, of Nan Pi. Qiong had proven his loyalty and diligence, but was prone to underhanded tactics, and had recently taken raids throughout the Han.
It was more than imperative that Wen Chou saw Yuan Shao today, it was the perfect time, just after the Emperor's coronation. The morning after actually. The feeling was still informal among the palace, yet Wen Chou had to schedule a meeting with a man he used to trust with his life.
The guards at the entrance bowed to Wen Chou, who looked nothing less that a knight in shining armor. Wen Chou's personal seamstress had sewn a new batch of forget-me-nots onto Wen Chou's deep green cape. And the sapphires on his breastplate were cleaned and polished, and shone with a palpable brightness.
A guard stopped Wen Chou at the top of the steps, the grand hall was just ahead - and the throne room after that. Where Yuan Shao would be waiting.
Wen Chou saluted the guard, and was about to proceed when the guard blocked his way,
"My lord, I am terribly sorry... but I have been informed to deny you entry to the palace this day..." The guard looked feeble, his face stricken with fear of what to come next. To save himself he quickly pointed to someone out of Wen Chou's eye-site. Most likely the man responsible.
Wen Chou turned, his cape billowing behind him. The Marquess' face instantly turned to a scowl. |
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Post by Gryffin on Jun 27, 2010 7:54:49 GMT
Wen Chou's scowl was met with a toothy grin from Guo Tu as he entered the former's line of sight. The newly-appointed Prime Minister stood before this hero of the Yuan empire clad in shimmering robes of the finest Sichuan silk, leering face ensconced between an embroidered collar and a larger, fancier hat.
"I'm sorry, General, but our beloved Emperor is indisposed." Guo's voice, though genteel-sounding, dripped with hidden venom. "Perhaps you should come back another time."
Guo Tu sneered at Wen Chou. Really, Yuan Shao was quite aware of Wen Chou's appointment and had given no word to forbid him entrance. Really, the only reason Guo Tu was even interfering was jealousy towards Wen's success as of late. Really, Guo Tu remembered the threats, both spoken and unspoken, that Wen Chou had leveled at him in the past. Guo Tu did not consider himself petty, but he understood that his well-being was bound to Wen Chou's influence with Yuan Shao, and if there was one thing Guo Tu valued more than his rank, it was his survival.
Really, Guo might have be letting his appointment as Prime Minister go to his head. Really, letting Wen Chou meet with Yuan Shao probably wouldn't result in Guo's position being threatened.
Really, Guo Tu had no intention of letting Wen Chou by.
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Post by Wen Chou on Jun 27, 2010 8:28:31 GMT
"Prime... Minister..." Wen Chou camly said, with just more than a hint of distaste.
The Marquess eyed Guo Tu from top to bottom, he had certainly fit into his new position quite nicely. A new attire, and a fancy minister hat, amongst other add-ons. It seemed like the snake was branching out, treading the waters, and testing his power.
Wen Chou did not like this game, his meeting with Yuan Shao was important. He pulled a piece of parchment from his sash, unraveled it and handed the document to Guo Tu.
"I've scheduled an appointment with the Imperial Highness, are you going to keep me from my meeting...?"
The Marquess already knew the answer, he just wanted to hear the snake hiss. |
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Post by Gryffin on Jun 27, 2010 8:43:23 GMT
Guo Tu leaned forward and squinted, as if he actually meant to check the document for authenticity. As his beady eyes scanned the parchment, Guo almost had to stifle a smile. Schedule or not, Guo Tu had established himself as the gatekeeper of Yuan Shao's throne room. He straightened up and shook his head.
"I'm afraid that, schedule or not, the Emperor is not in a fitting state to see you right now." Guo smiled sickly at Wen Chou. "And might I suggest, Marquis, that you remember your place."
Guo placed added emphasis on the rank as he spoke it. In days gone by, Guo Tu and Wen Chou had striven to outdo each other, each hoping to outrank (and by proxy, overpower) the other. Now Wen Chou had to cope with the fact that, despite his impressive military achievements, they paled in comparison to Guo's overwhelming success in currying Yuan Shao's favor in the council room. Now the hierarchy was clear. Guo Tu held all the cards, and judging from the smug smirk at the corner of his mouth, he knew it.
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Post by Wen Chou on Jun 27, 2010 9:05:47 GMT
Ba Zeng had taught Wen Chou how to control his anger, but in the face of Guo Tu, Wen Chou could not help but boil. To have such a schemer in place as the Prime Minister, would only mean trouble. If Wen Chou knew anything about Guo Tu it was that the man was a completely self-serving individual. The man was totally inept for the position of Prime Minister. The fact that he was given the rank was primarily only due to his standing with Yuan Shao.
A sickening friendship, Gup Tu was a manipulator. Why couldn't Yuan Shao see that?
Wen Chou sighed deeply, he took back the parchment from Guo Tu in a snatching motion. "I understand that it is unfortunate for you, Prime Minister, that I didn't die in Bei Ping, but so long as I am alive I will always be a friend of the Emperors'. I am sure that I will improve our Emperor's mood by just showing up at his chambers. Wouldn't you agree Prime Minister?"
If the Marquess was too straight forward Guo Tu may have just possessed the balls to detain him for defying his orders. It was a slim chance but what did Wen Chou have to lose? Guo Tu was obviously scheming another plot for his personal gain. |
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Post by Gryffin on Jun 28, 2010 19:45:46 GMT
(Well, seeing the popular opinion of the poll means Guo Tu can only do one thing*)
Guo Tu narrowed his eyes and frowned contemptuously.
"Why would I wish for the demise of one of kingdom's most illustrious generals? You needn't be so paranoid, Marquis. I am not denying you entrance out of some personal spite." Guo Tu kept a straight face as he spoke lie after bold-faced lie. "But friendship or no, no one is to be permitted into the Emperor's chambers at this time. This is no mere provincial government anymore, Wen Chou. Personal connections can only get you so far." If you don't know how to use them, anyway. Guo added to himself.
"Good day to you, sir."
*(Blatantly ignore it)
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Post by Wen Chou on Jul 2, 2010 2:33:43 GMT
Paranoid, the spite was palpable as it emanated from Wen Chou. But the Marquis had to back down, as the guards around who saw the ensuing situation formed a line in front of the threshold. Wen Chou couldn't push his way through now, and even though he was told so, he knew that Yuan Shao was in there, awaiting his entrance. And no doubt Guo Tu would enter acting rather dumbfounded and assert the fact that Wen Chou never arrived for his meeting.
Wen Chou sighed, he had received word that his wife was nearing her due date. Soon Wen Chou would be a father, and that was he was going to leave today after the meeting with Emperor Yuan Shao. Wen Chou tried to conjure a response, but his frustration caught his tongue, perhaps for the better.
The Marquis turned, leaving in a fit. A carriage awaited him to offer Wen Chou transportation to his forest estate. As he climbed in he knew Guo Tu would eventually get what he deserved.
Oh yes, Wen Chou loved the idea of driving a blade into that snake's heart. |
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Post by Gryffin on Jul 2, 2010 6:51:26 GMT
Guo Tu stifled a grin as Wen Chou finally backed down and exited. He had feared the man when they were ranked as equals, but times had changed. Wen Chou understood the situation quite clearly; after ascertaining that Wen had finally left the premises, Guo Tu entered Yuan Shao's audience hall.
He would inform the emperor of Wen Chou's tardiness in a confused, quizzical manner. He would suggest, in his subtle way, that Wen Chou had become more irresponsible as of late as a result of his increased rank. He would insinuate that, though the man was a hero of the people and had been reliable in the past, it would be prudent to keep him at arms' length from now on.
Guo Tu had grown used to this game. This was his domain now. If Yuan Shao was the head of the body that was the kingdom, Guo Tu was now most certainly the neck.
He was the gatekeeper and his influence would only continue to spread.
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