Post by Xiang Yu on Jun 27, 2010 20:53:31 GMT
ROCC: Avowal of the Masses
Part One of the ROCC
Cao Cao had marched north from Luo Yang, crossing the river and passing the northern mountains that followed its beckoning call across the landmass. It was a forever going trail to the hills of the north, passing shackle and hut alike as he stormed the countryside with his army steadily moving behind him. He Bei was his destination, the rich region to the north of Zhongyuan and a steady place for him to rally a man or two. It would do for now, that he knew, but he could not help but feel for the countrymen he had left in Zhongyuan, who stood plagued by the raids of the Yellow Turban army.
He would return shortly, to bring upon them his vengeance and wrath. They would all die by his hand, and he smiled as he steadied his pace to the city of Nan Pi. Soon, yes…soon he would have more men, but until then he would bide his time, raise his army and then steadily march to Pu Yang – the stepping stone required should he ever try and take the capital of this Yellow menance that dared oppose the Han.
He had yet to taste the bitter sweet symphony of war, but the idea of challenging his men in arms was as exciting as it was daunting. He did not doubt his prowess as a tactician, oh on the contrary – he doubted whether or not his enemies would be able to offer him a challenge. Yes, today Cao Cao was arrogant, and he had every reason to feel such things with the strong army he held to his name. His men were all well trained, and the thousand men given to him by the Imperial Regent only fuelled his ambitions more. He needed just a few more troops and then his plans would be set in stone. Pu Yang would fall.
He crossed the final expanse of land as the city of Nan Pi dwarfed his vision. He saw the large gates and walls, and felt proud for a moment to see it unhinged by the destructive force of the Yellow Turbans. Maybe this city would benefit him more then he thought – he could only hope.
He arrived at the gates, declaring his intentions and paying tribute to the current prefecture of such a grand city. He was permitted entrance, for he was a minister of the Han, a Hero of chaos and a destroyer of Turban scum.
He reached at the marketplace first, where he spoke with a few traders before arranging for a platform to be assembled. He had paid guards and traders to prepare the announcement, and had handed over a 100 gold in total to the city to get things ready. All would attend his speech, even the city barracks and ministers. He wanted them to hear his plea – to see the pain of the world through a man who was a brilliant liar.
They would not know it now, but he intended to sow the seeds of war upon them, for surely they still believed in the Han, and a false tale or two always fell on the open ears of the just.
He waited a day before he made his speech, and he perched himself on the large platform in the central plaza, addressing those with a noble quilt and showering praises to the masses that had assembled before him. He smiled.
“Citizens of Nan Pi - Ministers and Soldiers, welcome.” He spoke clearly, though his eyes never the main crowd, “I am Cao Cao, ancestor to the esteemed Cao Song. Please…I bare a message.”
He settled his voice, keeping it sharp and in tune. The people needed a guide, and to them he stood as a luminous star to their pleas and aspirations. “Though the message is not one of a fruitful season. It is not to tell you that the chaos is over, or that those who we have sent to war as a united front have come home safe. No, my message is one of bitter honesty – from a minister and a tactician to that of a friend.”
He smiled as the crowd adjusted to his firm approach, and then smiled to them. They would need to see confidence, and he felt more confident now then he had ever felt before. “The Yellow Turbans amass at our very borders, plaguing Zhongyuan with their barbaric ways. They preach peace, justice and equality – and yet our cities burn, our people suffer and die.”
He paused for the last time, allowing his darkened words to settle the mood, “I come from Chen Liu, a city that is now blighted. My ancestors governed that city, protected that city – and it has been over-run with men seeking justice whilst killing the children and women of the city. They called us blasphemers of the way of peace, and declared us as evil. But is a child evil, is a woman evil…No…I think not. The Han is still strong, and together with the Imperial Regent I have amassed a solid army of one thousand four hundred. We are not large enough to face the Turbans alone, but I am one man.”
He paused as his words changed effect, he had always known that hurting the feelings of a crowd was easier than to shower them with praise or glory, for men with everything to lose would not jump at the idea of a war they felt was already won. They needed a reason,a purpose to fight and defend their country with…and Cao cao intended to give them just that.
“But I am not alone. Yuan Shao of He Bei has answered the call, Dong Zhuo has returned after being victorious against the Qiang. So many able-bodied men have answered this call to repel these Yellow Turbans, but what can we generals…do alone?”
He questioned the people, his heart souring, “What can I do for the people of Zhongyuan when no army beckons its call. When no man faces the challenges of freedom and justice. This Zhang Jiao is a fool, he preaches whilst he kills and you...the people – are at the blunt end of his vengeance against the Han. So rise against him, rise with me, and help the Han – which stands as a glowing light for this dark time to fend off the assault of these barbaric armies.”
He opened his arms in gesture, in promise, “Together we can unite zhongyuan, we can create peace once more for the citizens. But I cannot defeat the Turbans alone. I need able-bodied men, like yourselves to step forth and defend your country from the abomination that plagues it so. Think, should Zhang Jiao settle in Zhongyuan, his next target would be the richer provinces of the north – they would come here, with their armies and their devilish desires. But I can stop them. I can destroy them all! If only I had the mean to do so. So join me my fellow friends, let us help remove the blight that has caused us so much anguish and suffering – for the dawn of the Han has not yet ceased to be, and peace CAN BE ACHIEVED!”
(I was racing the clock, saxondale is on in 9 minutes so I’m sorry if I didn’t expand the speech more.)
Part One of the ROCC
Cao Cao had marched north from Luo Yang, crossing the river and passing the northern mountains that followed its beckoning call across the landmass. It was a forever going trail to the hills of the north, passing shackle and hut alike as he stormed the countryside with his army steadily moving behind him. He Bei was his destination, the rich region to the north of Zhongyuan and a steady place for him to rally a man or two. It would do for now, that he knew, but he could not help but feel for the countrymen he had left in Zhongyuan, who stood plagued by the raids of the Yellow Turban army.
He would return shortly, to bring upon them his vengeance and wrath. They would all die by his hand, and he smiled as he steadied his pace to the city of Nan Pi. Soon, yes…soon he would have more men, but until then he would bide his time, raise his army and then steadily march to Pu Yang – the stepping stone required should he ever try and take the capital of this Yellow menance that dared oppose the Han.
He had yet to taste the bitter sweet symphony of war, but the idea of challenging his men in arms was as exciting as it was daunting. He did not doubt his prowess as a tactician, oh on the contrary – he doubted whether or not his enemies would be able to offer him a challenge. Yes, today Cao Cao was arrogant, and he had every reason to feel such things with the strong army he held to his name. His men were all well trained, and the thousand men given to him by the Imperial Regent only fuelled his ambitions more. He needed just a few more troops and then his plans would be set in stone. Pu Yang would fall.
He crossed the final expanse of land as the city of Nan Pi dwarfed his vision. He saw the large gates and walls, and felt proud for a moment to see it unhinged by the destructive force of the Yellow Turbans. Maybe this city would benefit him more then he thought – he could only hope.
He arrived at the gates, declaring his intentions and paying tribute to the current prefecture of such a grand city. He was permitted entrance, for he was a minister of the Han, a Hero of chaos and a destroyer of Turban scum.
He reached at the marketplace first, where he spoke with a few traders before arranging for a platform to be assembled. He had paid guards and traders to prepare the announcement, and had handed over a 100 gold in total to the city to get things ready. All would attend his speech, even the city barracks and ministers. He wanted them to hear his plea – to see the pain of the world through a man who was a brilliant liar.
They would not know it now, but he intended to sow the seeds of war upon them, for surely they still believed in the Han, and a false tale or two always fell on the open ears of the just.
He waited a day before he made his speech, and he perched himself on the large platform in the central plaza, addressing those with a noble quilt and showering praises to the masses that had assembled before him. He smiled.
“Citizens of Nan Pi - Ministers and Soldiers, welcome.” He spoke clearly, though his eyes never the main crowd, “I am Cao Cao, ancestor to the esteemed Cao Song. Please…I bare a message.”
He settled his voice, keeping it sharp and in tune. The people needed a guide, and to them he stood as a luminous star to their pleas and aspirations. “Though the message is not one of a fruitful season. It is not to tell you that the chaos is over, or that those who we have sent to war as a united front have come home safe. No, my message is one of bitter honesty – from a minister and a tactician to that of a friend.”
He smiled as the crowd adjusted to his firm approach, and then smiled to them. They would need to see confidence, and he felt more confident now then he had ever felt before. “The Yellow Turbans amass at our very borders, plaguing Zhongyuan with their barbaric ways. They preach peace, justice and equality – and yet our cities burn, our people suffer and die.”
He paused for the last time, allowing his darkened words to settle the mood, “I come from Chen Liu, a city that is now blighted. My ancestors governed that city, protected that city – and it has been over-run with men seeking justice whilst killing the children and women of the city. They called us blasphemers of the way of peace, and declared us as evil. But is a child evil, is a woman evil…No…I think not. The Han is still strong, and together with the Imperial Regent I have amassed a solid army of one thousand four hundred. We are not large enough to face the Turbans alone, but I am one man.”
He paused as his words changed effect, he had always known that hurting the feelings of a crowd was easier than to shower them with praise or glory, for men with everything to lose would not jump at the idea of a war they felt was already won. They needed a reason,a purpose to fight and defend their country with…and Cao cao intended to give them just that.
“But I am not alone. Yuan Shao of He Bei has answered the call, Dong Zhuo has returned after being victorious against the Qiang. So many able-bodied men have answered this call to repel these Yellow Turbans, but what can we generals…do alone?”
He questioned the people, his heart souring, “What can I do for the people of Zhongyuan when no army beckons its call. When no man faces the challenges of freedom and justice. This Zhang Jiao is a fool, he preaches whilst he kills and you...the people – are at the blunt end of his vengeance against the Han. So rise against him, rise with me, and help the Han – which stands as a glowing light for this dark time to fend off the assault of these barbaric armies.”
He opened his arms in gesture, in promise, “Together we can unite zhongyuan, we can create peace once more for the citizens. But I cannot defeat the Turbans alone. I need able-bodied men, like yourselves to step forth and defend your country from the abomination that plagues it so. Think, should Zhang Jiao settle in Zhongyuan, his next target would be the richer provinces of the north – they would come here, with their armies and their devilish desires. But I can stop them. I can destroy them all! If only I had the mean to do so. So join me my fellow friends, let us help remove the blight that has caused us so much anguish and suffering – for the dawn of the Han has not yet ceased to be, and peace CAN BE ACHIEVED!”
(I was racing the clock, saxondale is on in 9 minutes so I’m sorry if I didn’t expand the speech more.)
