The Czar (Liu Bei)

[Lu Xiang]

The hard pounding scratch of the hooves at the floor, mud flustered and scattered around. Whilst others searched for their destiny in the land - one man followed his own. A man who believed in the people, virtue and the restoration in the Han.. or at least that what he claimed. Sima Hui hadn't personally met him; but if he was genuine.. then things could get interesting.

Virtue. Did such a thin exist? He questioned it. Even himself in his taoist nature commited acts of treason against it. Murder was required to be commit. Even some humans desired to die; in order to form the better for the majority.

The horse tracks stopped and then proceed upon foot, leaving a trail of small sandals before entering the city. It had been a long journey; his back was tired and his horse more so. But there was no rest in such a wicked world. Ivory towers wouldn't stop plotting. One foot infront of the other, a seismic thunder across the plains as the walking stick of the young strategist moved back and forth in his palm. An ambitious plod into the halls of Xin Ye resolved everything. The cloaked man alone..

It needed a makeover for sure, the place was cramped. So many people had flocked to this new arised leader. They were scattered in the streets, tired but well looked after. Sima Hui rolled his tongue in his mouth, gently coughing to draw the attention of the guards.

"How may I assist you?"

"I am here to speak with Liu Bei, is he present?"

[Liu Bei]

Wrote as if it was 188 AD

It had been a stressful four years for Liu Bei. From commoner to governor in a few months, such a thing was rare, especially with the Ten Eunuchs manipulating the court. To be truthful living in poverty was stressful, selling shoes to scrape in enough cash for food just to survive; but being relied on to run things didn't relieve any of the stress.

Liu Bei never really feeled any sense of status after the court gave him governorship of Xinye. With so many refugees fleeing the rebellions in the north, he had little time to rest. He toiled the fields with his people finding it hard to adapt to his position as governor at first.

But as the years dragged on and more people rolled into his lands, Xuande had to drop what was trivial to his position. He began reforming the laws to fit the people, to aid them in their poverty. People say it's the thought what counts, it will have to be true.

The funding operation to relieve the people's suffering was for naught, as a small city like Xinye could not afford to help so many within and around it's jurisdiction. Such an act of charity from the governor won Liu Bei local acclaim, it indeed was the thought that counted...

Now, four years had passed since his arrival in Xinye, from being a leader in a militia to a governor,quite astounding.

On this particular day Xuande was helping unload a cart filled with food stuffs, for a distrubution. A merchant from the north had brought in relief supplies, it was a little sketchy, but Liu Bei appreciated the generosity.

* * *

The guards were sitting idle in and around the streets fanning in the heat of the day, there wasn't much for them to do, the people of the city worked together in an impoverished environment. They were chatting amongst themselves when an individual trotted up and asked them if Liu Bei was around.

Shielding their eyes from the scorching sun they looked up and saw a Taoist priest, pointed towards the central plaze they said, "Our lord is helping to set up food for the people." They wearily pointed out the direction, it was identified by noise and a busy horde of civilians, all of the streets were busy and packed, but it was obvious where it they indicated, more so to a intelligent individual like a Taoist priest.

[Lu Xiang]

Sima Hui turned around, how foolish of him to completely walk past such a man. Of course the large crowd of people would be around him. He laughed before bowing to the guards with their assistance before exitting the palace and heading towards the directions he had been given. A simple wooden hat covering his head and shading himself from the harsh sun beams. It wasn't hard to spot such a significant figure. One of the youngest lords of the land and by far one of the most charismatic.

"There you are.."

He muttered beneath his teeth, watching the man unload with several peasents like he was one himself. Never forgetting his routes. It impressed Sima Hui; himself never trading the casual peasent robes for anything, no matter how glorious and rich. He scratched his back before gently pacing towards the man, he was good with words - a natural born speaker and talents are arguing or persuading. His education had assisted.

Clutching the supplies only a few feet away from Liu Bei, he appeared assisting him with a load. Gently wrapping his coiled hands around the sacks; he wasn't a man of strength before struggling a little to lift it. Containing his suffering before finalling passing it to a guard beside him.

"Liu Bei?"

He questioned, pretending he didn't know which one it was. He clearly did, it was just his method of starting a conversation. He looked around, with a questionable look upon his face carrying the supplies to the cart and stopping checking peoples faces.

[Liu Bei]

Xuande was passing the crates down from the carts and placing them around with the help of a good few hundred peasants. Amongst the commotion he heard his name being called, he turned, a crate in his worn hands, to a Taoist priest, he had an immediate impression with Xuande, he had a distinguished bearing and an immortal aura.

Xuande passed on the crate he was holding to a workman who took it off his hands. Liu Bei then saluted the priest with clasped hands and made a bow from the waist, he then greeted the man softy, "I am Liu Bei. What brings a master of the Way such as yourself to our poor city?" As he ended the salutation, a drop of perspiration dropped from the tip of his nose, Xuande raised his sleeve and wiped his forehead damping it with sweat from a days work, "I beg your pardon master." He said apologetically for his distraction.

[Lu Xiang]

Sima Hui bowed back, he was not a man who had allowed the power or the respect get to his head. He smiled, watching the man indulge in his hard work.

"Ah, Lord Xuande. I am Sima Hui. I have travelled several hundred leagues to finally witness your benevolent nature; and I'm impressed. I come to offer you my services. I understand that you cannot compete with the other governors - stricken without money, warriors and a good foundation to restore the Han. I apologise aswell, I carry no soldiers with me but merely a brain. My services will only last until we have you well on the way to your destiny; the rest is down to you."

Sima Hui smiled, also clasping his hands now and bowing. With his proposition. There were many honourable lords in the country.. but none quite worked like Lord Liu Bei. Sima Hui applauded his hard work and his strong discipline and believed he could reunite the country.

"You can always refuse my offer, I shall not falter. I merely wish to offer you a place in the new world; the world for your people. That is what you desire, is it not?"

[Liu Bei]

Liu Bei lowered his head slightly as he replied to Sima Hui, "I am unworthy of such a compliment, having no merit worthy of such." Xuande then motioned with his arms inviting Sima to walk with him.

As they progressed through the streets, the people parting as they made way. Xuande listened to Sima Hui as they walked and replied, "For assisting the court against the Yellow Turbans, I got generously granted this piece of land. But with so much fighting in the north the people have been drove from their homes, and as such they have flocked south. Here they have chose to rest, but what I can do to help them is too miniscule to fit the needs of so many..."

Coming to the yamen, Xuande continued as he led Sima Hui up the steps to the entrance, "I have no army, no leaders, I lack what the people need. Your sagely-self has estimated me to be worthy, but I find myself unable to agree with a description under these conditions. Perhaps I was not conceived able enough to serve the dynasty in it's hour of peril?"

Reaching the government office Xuande led Sima Hui into a private chamber, where he bade the priest be seated. When Sima had took his place, Xuande dropped to his knees and said pitifully, "What would you have me do master? You speak of destiny, but I see no prosperity ahead of me. For me to have a place in the world, implies that I have treasonous thoughts and designs on the lands, I bear no disloyal thoughts to the Son of Heaven, how could I do such a thing!" So saying he kept his head lowered and awaited Sima Hui's instruction.

[Lu Xiang]

Sima Hui sighed, the man was strong but also very weak. He fought for the people; yet lacked inner confidence and strength. Sima Hui bowed to the man.

"You are clearly worthy of any compliment of any compliment bestowed upon you Master Liu Bei. My judgement hasn't decieved me yet."

He laughed, turning to his side and joining the already now moving Liu Bei. Just the two of them. He was correct with everything he was saying. He had no officers, no troops. Nothing other then a small gem and himself. Sima Hui rubbed his chin; listening to his side of the story before evaluating him. As they begun the steps, Decao replied.

"You underestimate your own power; you are strong because your people are strong. You do not fight for yourself but your people. In good time you will find your path, but for now we must brush the leaves aside to create a clear and righteous path for you."

Sima Hui announced as they entered the palace, a far cooler enviroment. Much refreshing from the village. The weather of the south had been killing him and he would need to change his attire if he planned on staying here for too long.

The private quarters were lead to and Sima took his seat, not disrespecting such an offer. Then suddenly Liu Bei dropped in front of him, begging on his knees in pity. Sima Hui's eyes had never opened so widely, he looked around - raising an eyebrow. Listening to the mans words. Sima Hui stood up, assisting Liu Bei to stand up as well; he couldn't speak with the man on the floor like a begging dog. He bowed, accepting the mans pessimistic thoughts, once more assessing the situation.

"It is easy to get lost on your path, a simple stray to the watering hole could leave the boar prey for another. But clearly you are more then that meets the eye Master Xuande. Forgive me if i'm wrong - but it was you who gave these people hope. I will not allow you to be so weak; this task was clearly set for you. A simple peasent you may claim to be - all will be proven in time. This world is big enough for anyone and if you truly wish to help the people then you will do anything for them, even if it means turning against your own Emperor. Understand that for the greater good, things must be sacraficed. Either way do not cloud yourself with thoughts of the future, I will not allow you to be consumed with such things!"

Sima Hui exclaimed, looking outside the window - peach blossoms growing. How strange - his dreams almost appeared.. real? He turned back to the man.

"A time will come when you will have to turn against duty, honour and virtue. When everything you appear to be doing is wrong and your friends around you fall around you and die. I cannot change this outcome; but this task was appointed to you. The Emperor knows your strength, I know your strength. The people know your strength. So you ask what would I have you do? I would have you become the man you were destined to be - Lord Liu Bei!"

Sima Hui, gently kneels down on one knee. Offering his allegiance and his assistance on the mans journey. Though the man is young and misguided he is clearly a man to be feared not for his traits but for his strengths within.

[Liu Bei]

Liu Bei raised with the assistance of Sima Hui and heard him out attentively. When Sima Hui finished his speech and ropped to one knee, Liu Bei had goosebumps he swiftly but steadily aided Sima back to his feet, and then bowed, smiling faintly he said, "Master, if with your assistance I could carve a career worthy of praise and aid the people, my lifelong ambition would be fulfilled..."

An attendant brought in wine and was about to pour it, when Liu bei politely dismissed him. Then he poured two cups of wine personally and offered Sima Hui one cup. Then taking up a second for himself he said, "If we can forge a future to benefit the people, I will strive for it like a beast of burden." He toasted Sima Hui in thanks and downed his wine, it's heat tickled his throat slightly and eased his mind, as the fragrant spread throughout his body and it's scent pinched his nose.

As he downed it he looked out of the window, and walking over he observed his people tucking in to the food brought from the north. He put down the cup and leant on the windowsill.

After observing for a few moments he said with a sigh, "How the people suffer so. The rebellions have crushed their spirits, destroyed their homes, and taken the lives of so many innocents...They can't live like this forever, how can I make things better for them with what I have?"

[Lu Xiang]

Sima Hui smiled, once more to see the spring in the mans step, he was slowly coming to understand his own journey. Sima Hui bowed, but rejected the alcohol - he wasn't much of a drinker personally; plus his journey had only just begun. A small hesitation, knowing the man had become fond of him so quickly - made it hard to detach from him.

"...I must take my leave, apologies for being such a quick meeting. I hope I have inspire you. Search for a man called Kongming. He is a student beneath me, Perhaps he can provide some more answers for your questions. He is a very smart individual; though I cannot provide his whereabouts - Hes just as untraceable as me. Ha. ha. ha."

Sima Hui bowed to the man, thanking him for his humble company and his generous welcomings. Sima Hui believed in the man and prefered him over the other lords.

"Farewell, Master Liu Bei."

He said, quietly leaving the quarters and leaving Liu Bei is peace. He couldn't force the man to become what he wanted; in the end it was all down to him. He smiled - hoping he had left a good impression on the man before vanishing down the city paths and into the wind, dissapearing almost seemlessly.

[Liu Bei]

Liu Bei turned to Sima Hui and listened to the man's testimony. He was about to inquire about his recommendation, this Kongming, when suddenly Sima Hui announced his departure. Beside himself Liu bei tried to appeal to Sima Hui one last time but the Taoist master vanished in a sudden breeze.

Xuande sighed as he said, "What a wise hermit..." He then resumed his place in his quarters, he went back to the windowsill and pondered about Sima Hui's recommendation. Wondering who it was and where he lived.

Not having any clue, Liu Bei concluded that it was his mission to find this man.

The End