[OBJ] Yuan Shao's Coronation

[Wen Chou]

(Yuan officers feel free to join in.)

[OBJ] - Yuan Shao's Coronation


The People's Emperor

A day of celebration. It was deemed, 'Festival of Flowers', because of the theme, bright lush flowers to celebrate the coronation of the new Emperor: Yuan Shao. The city would be alive with color. The day was hyped up from the very beginning. Ba Zeng started a campaign to have people participate in the festivals. He had Consortium scribes print pamphlets, and hired town criers to implore people to dress in their best, most colorful attire, and participate in the celebration. Unofficially, it was also a campaign to gain the hearts and minds of the people. Soft facts were dropped here and there, slandering the old Emperor's name, and even; the old Han Empire.

In weeks, the festival was the talk of the Empire. Bards, dancers, merchants, jesters, musicians, chefs, and adventurers of any stature traveled far and wide to attend the glorious celebration.

The entire Empire tingled with anxiety, the people ate it up.

In their hearts, they embraced the change, for too long the old Han had had it's share of problems - which plunged the old Empire deeper into chaos:

The Ten Attendants Rebellion.

The Yellow Turban Rebellion.

Dong Zhou's usurpation, and the subsequent chaos across the land.

And now, the new coalition to defeat more corrupt Han officials in Chang An'. The people had enough of it, the old Han was dead, it wasn't a new fact to Yuan Shao's subjects, nor anyone across China. There was only one person who promised change and safety in the land - Yuan Shao.

Yes; in the game of Imperial Intrigue - Yuan Shao had cheated.

He did not possess the consent of the Han courts, the Imperial Seal, the much coveted 'Mandate of Heaven.' But such symbols were the symbols of the old Empire. Yuan Shao's Empire was something completely new. He cared not of the Imperial Seal. The fact was - the current Emperor Xian was a mere child - a tool being manipulated by the various governors: Liu Yan, Ma Teng, Liu Biao, Cao Cao, Lu Bu. None of these men were loyal to the Imperial Court - yet they all claimed to serve and protect it. The Imperial decrees did nothing but serve the governors themselves, not the Empire.

The people were not blind, nor death, nor mute. They understood this, the word spread by mouth, they witnessed it in the battles and streets. The Han was dead - word had gotten out.

Now, what authority did anyone possess to stop Yuan Shao?

The Festival of Flowers

The day of the festival the town was alive. As the sun began to rise the streets became illuminated and the city was alive colors and smells. Inns and taverns were full, accommodating the many travelers in town for the festival. Many vendors across Ye started to prepare their best meals - most of which would be handed out, free of charge, along with exotic flowers on hand.

Wen Chou wanted to look jaw-dropping, though not a vain man, Wen Chou felt festive enough to make an effort for the night. It was time to get rid of the beard, shorten the hair, bathe, and dress festive. Whilst being in full battle garb, however. Ba Zeng had the perfect plan - like always. Two days before hand the monk - who happened to have tailoring abilities - had servants gather a hundred forget-me-nots. Light blue flowers with many legends and stories about their name, they were very popular. Then, he personally sewed the flowers onto Wen Chou's green cape. On Wen Chou's breastplate he implanted a circle of sapphire gemstones. It was after that all of this was done that Ba Zeng - assuring that he was an excellent barber - began to give Wen Chou a shave.

The people saw a new Wen Chou, but they loved him no less, just much more. Wen Chou rode down the main road on his beloved stallion, his cape sewn with forget-me-nots, and sapphire gems on his breastplate. The general wore no helmet, to let the people see his face, a clean shave, a friendly smile, shortened hair. The women loved him especially, though those thoughts scarcely crossed through Wen Chou's mind.

In fact, there was only one person in Wen Chou's mind: Yuan Shao. As Wen Chou made his way towards the palace the new Emperor came in sight. There he was, on the newly erected stage. A feeling of deep pride washed over Wen Chou.

With the festival in full swing, Yuan Shao would be given his coronation.

(Mod Note: Please do not reward until the thread is properly closed.)

[Yuan Shao]

Times had changed, and people came and went. Time dragged by as people lived their lives, day in, day out. Not many got to feel the thrill and excitement of such festivities that were being held today, all for him. he had never felt such elation, such happiness, especially when he was completely sober, the last hit taken yesterday early in the day.

He had decided to come into the coronation as pure as possible, letting his people seem him for who he was. He also did not want to risk saying or doing something out of character or unpopular in front of his subjects.

He was bedecked in ceremonial robes, his hair perfectly kept under a band that was hidden underneath outer locks of hair. He stood on the stage that was erected for the coronation, the huge open marketplace cleared of all vendors, given full days wages for the day used for the coronation. He had arrived there after the parade.

He had rode his biggest white warhorse, it's armor bedecked in gold, his name hanging from the standards on it's hind legs. The people cheered as he rode through the streets of Ye, flowers thrown, the army marching in front of him and behind him in lockstep as they made their way towards the coronation grounds.

As Shao took his place towards the front, his son, Yuan Tan, walked forwards from the attending generals; the entire stable of his officers, called back from wherever they were ordered to view his ascension.

Tan took the crown that stood on the pedestal, a ring of ornate gold and jewels. It was created specifically for Shao, and it fit perfectly. He held it, in front of the gathered crowds, a great hush over everyone.

Tan sighed, holding the crown high, and then placing it on his father's head. He went down to one knee in front of his father, as his father let the gold settle on his head, finally turning towards the crowd, and taking a step forward.

He looked over the masses. Every face was ecstatic, not many enemies amongst the crowd today. Today was a day of celebration, everyone's work set aside, and great feasts all over the city would take hold.

He raised his hands in finality, the crowd erupting in cries and applause, tears and laughter erupting simultaneously, rippling through the crowd. People fought to move forward to get a better view, but Shao lowered his hands slightly, making a patting motion, asking for quiet.

As the crowd died down, Shao took another minute to look at those gathered. Every one of his officers was in attendance, from Wen Chou to Shen Pei, to Gao Gan and Guo Huai, Chunyu Qiong and Yan Liang. Everyone. He could not have done this without them.

"My friends, my family, residents of Ye and followers of myself.

Thank you.

You're the entire reason I am here. I have no one more important to thank besides those who are here to support me, an the city of Ye for letting me lead them to victory. This coronation is as much for you as it is for me. I will lead you all to victory. The founding members of the Yuan Empire will forever be remembered in history, and your importance is unrivaled throughout China.

Once again, thank you.

I take this crown, and I snub the Han for two reasons. The first, is that it is my right as a member of the royalty of this country to question the rule. It is not of Chinese nature to go easily into submission, and that is true of everyone born of this land. I will guarantee you, today, that you will never suffer the same amount that the Han forced upon us.

Secondly, I take it to make sure that the rest of China knows that I alone know how to make this world run. I am unrivaled in ability of leadership, and you all can attest that I have lead us nowhere but to success. I am getting old, but my legacy will always live on, and we will always know success. This Ye, I promise you.

So today, do not be conservative in your festivities. It is a great day for all of us. We alone will be responsible for forging China into a new era. And we alone will bear that burden. But until tomorrow, let us feast, and let us have fun.

To you, People of Ye!"

Shao lifted his hands again, and the crowd's response was even more frenzied. He was a great public speaker, and he had done a lot recently to satisfy the people of Ye, including creating jobs with the planned renovations, as well as increased trade with the settling of the Trade Consortium and the declaration of Emperor that caused a huge trade increase, appeasement to the future lord of the land.

He looked out again, studying faces that wept with joy. These people were the reason he did everything. Or was it? One could not help but think that, perhaps, Yuan Shao was just using Ye as a stepping stone to Luo Yang and the real emperor title. Whether Ye remained his capital forever would remain to be seen.

But for now, they were happy.

[Wen Chou]

"To you, people of Ye!"

Yuan Shao - the Emperor- finished his speech. The crowd was overjoyed, elated to see their beloved leader, the honorable Yuan Shao, take the reins of the land. Wen Chou smiled, he had fought for Yuan Shao for many, many years. For all his efforts to cumulate in this fashion was bittersweet.

For Yuan Shao had successfully decided the fate of China for centuries. There would be only chaos and turmoil in the land.

But those were words of the future, tonight was a night of celebration.

(Thread closed.)

[Norion]

REWARDS:

• 250 gold to Yuan Shao
  
• 100 gold to Mikey
  
• 20 Fame to Yuan Shao, and 5 fame to Mikey