Post by Ma Chao on Jul 24, 2008 22:09:41 GMT -5
Ma Chao arrived at Xi Liang after a long journey from the banquet at Luo Yang. It was a decent time, at best, but almost turned into a blood bath as the wine flowed freely and people started to beat on Dong Zhuo's face. Chao himself was about to smack the Fat Man and almost stabbed Cao Cao. That is what happened when an over abundance of alcohol was available to aggressive warrior types!
Ma Chao was no longer intoxicated, but the words of Dong Zhuo kept ringing in his head as if he was. He even saw the former emperor's doughy face when he looked to the left, scanning the open plains for raiders. In his mind, Twinkie the Kid was fighting for survival, hanging from Zhuo's mouth, but he tried hard to push it out!
The people of Xi Liang were relieved that their lord was back. Recent attacks from Qiang barbarians had stirred them up again and they did not feel safe without Ma Chao. After all, he had put down some 7 large scale assaults against the city and supply convoys. Every time, the Qiang would return for more but would not flee; standing their ground until the end. It made Ma Chao envy their resilience but pity their foolishness. The young leader's elite cavalry could not be defeated, but the enemy kept trying.
"My lord!" a young maiden yelled to Mengqi. She winked and looked to her left where a beautiful twin sister was standing. Ma Chao looked to the heavens and thanked the gods for his position of power. Hell, twas good to be the king!
The elite cavalry moved through the gates, that opened upon their arrival, and headed toward the barracks while Chao moved to the palace. There, he would begin planning his next move.
He climbed the stairs of his palace and was met halfway by his loyal officer, Yan Xing. The two had grown close after the many battles against the Qiang, so Xing was promoted to a high ranking general and served as Mengqi's personal guard.
"It seems word travels faster than even your steeds, Mengqi" Xing said, bowing when coming face to face with his lord.
The officer was speaking of Cao Cao appearance at the banquet and obviously the people were taken to him as word spread rapidly across the land.
"I have heard that Cao Mengde has returned from his travels abroad."
Ma Chao paced a little, on a landing halfway up the stairs to the palace. He was thinking of what to do next as so many thoughts were swirling about. Finally, he blurted out what Dong Zhuo had said and it seemed to confirm their suspicions all along.
"He has and I saw him with my own eyes. I could have killed him there and then, but the repercussions were too much and i could not risk the people of Xi Liang to the wrath of an alliance against us" Chao stated, stopping and looking right at Yan Xing.
"That fat toad spoke to me in private. He told me that Cao Mengde was responsible for my father's demise."
Mengqi clenched his fists, thinking of the last time he saw Ma Teng. It was months ago and even though the two were not seeing eye to eye recently, they were still family. The reason for Ma Chao ruling was due to Ma Teng's absence, though deep down the young lord knew he could surpass his elder.
Ma Teng was a loyal follower of the Han, but his son was not. Many arguments had erupted over the empire's decline and who would be the next leader to take control. It seemed Chao's father was called forth for talks of an alliance, with one of the other regional lords, and has not returned since. Teng had left while his son was away destroying the Qiang armies and did not tell Xing or Chao where he was going.
Ma Chao started to walk up the remaining stairs and moved toward the palace. Two guards immediately opened the doors when he approached and bowed as he walked by.
Inside, attendants bowed and greeted their leader after his long journey. They had much to report on recent activities to the west as well as news from the southeast. It seemed the Qiang were possibly interested in a ceasefire and one of the warriors from the banquet, Wei Yan, had taken control of Chang An.
"My lord", one man said as Ma Chao sat upon his throne. Yan Xing took his position to the right of his lord and listened in on the reports being presented.
"It seems Wei Yan, the brute who has been gaining much fame, has won over the people of Chang An and now controls it."
Ma Chao scoffed at the comment. Who did this barbarian think he was, leading the people of Chang An? It was an ancient and most important city, not only to the people of China but that of Ma Chao himself. Wei Yan may not know it, but his eviction would come rather quick.
"The Qiang King has agreed to let an envoy into their capital for peace talks" another attendant stated, almost begging in his voice to choose him over the others. Someone would have to go and most likely they would die, so it was interesting that the man wanted to do it.
"Very well, we shall send word to them that the time has come for peace. I have other things in mind and i can not be hampered down by those weaklings" Ma Chao said, waving his hand as if to tell his politicians to make it happen.
Yan Xing nodded, it was about time to end the bloodshed between their neighbors. In fact, he had stated such a plan over a year ago when Ma Chao was busy slaying every enemy army to spread his name as the ultimate warrior.
"A good choice Mengqi, let us see where this goes and we may have an ally on our side."
Ma Chao had not even considered such a thought and he was glad someone rational was serving him. He needed aid from others, especially when in kill mode.
Ma Chao was no longer intoxicated, but the words of Dong Zhuo kept ringing in his head as if he was. He even saw the former emperor's doughy face when he looked to the left, scanning the open plains for raiders. In his mind, Twinkie the Kid was fighting for survival, hanging from Zhuo's mouth, but he tried hard to push it out!
The people of Xi Liang were relieved that their lord was back. Recent attacks from Qiang barbarians had stirred them up again and they did not feel safe without Ma Chao. After all, he had put down some 7 large scale assaults against the city and supply convoys. Every time, the Qiang would return for more but would not flee; standing their ground until the end. It made Ma Chao envy their resilience but pity their foolishness. The young leader's elite cavalry could not be defeated, but the enemy kept trying.
"My lord!" a young maiden yelled to Mengqi. She winked and looked to her left where a beautiful twin sister was standing. Ma Chao looked to the heavens and thanked the gods for his position of power. Hell, twas good to be the king!
The elite cavalry moved through the gates, that opened upon their arrival, and headed toward the barracks while Chao moved to the palace. There, he would begin planning his next move.
He climbed the stairs of his palace and was met halfway by his loyal officer, Yan Xing. The two had grown close after the many battles against the Qiang, so Xing was promoted to a high ranking general and served as Mengqi's personal guard.
"It seems word travels faster than even your steeds, Mengqi" Xing said, bowing when coming face to face with his lord.
The officer was speaking of Cao Cao appearance at the banquet and obviously the people were taken to him as word spread rapidly across the land.
"I have heard that Cao Mengde has returned from his travels abroad."
Ma Chao paced a little, on a landing halfway up the stairs to the palace. He was thinking of what to do next as so many thoughts were swirling about. Finally, he blurted out what Dong Zhuo had said and it seemed to confirm their suspicions all along.
"He has and I saw him with my own eyes. I could have killed him there and then, but the repercussions were too much and i could not risk the people of Xi Liang to the wrath of an alliance against us" Chao stated, stopping and looking right at Yan Xing.
"That fat toad spoke to me in private. He told me that Cao Mengde was responsible for my father's demise."
Mengqi clenched his fists, thinking of the last time he saw Ma Teng. It was months ago and even though the two were not seeing eye to eye recently, they were still family. The reason for Ma Chao ruling was due to Ma Teng's absence, though deep down the young lord knew he could surpass his elder.
Ma Teng was a loyal follower of the Han, but his son was not. Many arguments had erupted over the empire's decline and who would be the next leader to take control. It seemed Chao's father was called forth for talks of an alliance, with one of the other regional lords, and has not returned since. Teng had left while his son was away destroying the Qiang armies and did not tell Xing or Chao where he was going.
Ma Chao started to walk up the remaining stairs and moved toward the palace. Two guards immediately opened the doors when he approached and bowed as he walked by.
Inside, attendants bowed and greeted their leader after his long journey. They had much to report on recent activities to the west as well as news from the southeast. It seemed the Qiang were possibly interested in a ceasefire and one of the warriors from the banquet, Wei Yan, had taken control of Chang An.
"My lord", one man said as Ma Chao sat upon his throne. Yan Xing took his position to the right of his lord and listened in on the reports being presented.
"It seems Wei Yan, the brute who has been gaining much fame, has won over the people of Chang An and now controls it."
Ma Chao scoffed at the comment. Who did this barbarian think he was, leading the people of Chang An? It was an ancient and most important city, not only to the people of China but that of Ma Chao himself. Wei Yan may not know it, but his eviction would come rather quick.
"The Qiang King has agreed to let an envoy into their capital for peace talks" another attendant stated, almost begging in his voice to choose him over the others. Someone would have to go and most likely they would die, so it was interesting that the man wanted to do it.
"Very well, we shall send word to them that the time has come for peace. I have other things in mind and i can not be hampered down by those weaklings" Ma Chao said, waving his hand as if to tell his politicians to make it happen.
Yan Xing nodded, it was about time to end the bloodshed between their neighbors. In fact, he had stated such a plan over a year ago when Ma Chao was busy slaying every enemy army to spread his name as the ultimate warrior.
"A good choice Mengqi, let us see where this goes and we may have an ally on our side."
Ma Chao had not even considered such a thought and he was glad someone rational was serving him. He needed aid from others, especially when in kill mode.