Heroes (Bai T'seng)

[Lu Xiang]

Zhuge Liang sat in the gardens of Xinye, quietly meditating. The gardens were neglected before Liu Bei had arrived; but his presence brought a glorious harvest and growth of foliage. The peach blossoms bloomed the bright amongst all the flowers, bring a smile upon every glance to Kongming's appreciation. Quietly sitting, obeying his laws of his teaching. Outletting his anger, strifes and human obstacles. Releasing everything out of him by merely sitting and concentrating.

His lungs; inspire and expire, coursing a cool air through his body. He had never been a man of violence; avoiding battles and feuds. Holding a grudge against no other man. Even when the cold world turned their backs upon him. Labelled himself and men of the same type cowards, pathetic and weak. Though he did not wield a blade or a valiant steed; his strength was no minor.

"My lord."

A voice whispered from behind, a small path leading up the central shrine in which Zhuge Liang remained still, not moving even after being startled.

"The famed hero of Xinye, Bai T'seng has been spotted in the city. I would advise you to pay him a visit."

Zhuge Liang raised his eyebrow, still concealed to the new presence. He raised his fan; dismissing the man and continuing his meditation. Decided to finish up only moments after. Arising and paying his respects to the shrine - bowing several times before finally stepping back away from the gardens.

His thoughts shifted. Bai T'seng. A man of physical prowess. Known for his great duties to the people of the city. Zhuge Liang stroked his beard. It would be a great asset to Liu Bei's cause if they could convince him that he was worthy. However the man was famed - often arrogant are hard to convince. He studied his fan for a moment. Coming to a conclusion that a visit couldn't hurt.

"Bai T'seng is renowned for his bravery, leadership and virtuous deeds for Xinye."

Kongming muttered beneath his breath, walking around the outside of the garden before entering the palace once more. He didn't know the man personally; he would have to examine him. And thus Bai T'seng could evaluate men under Liu Bei's service. As the saying goes, what is a good bird without a good branch to perch upon? An officers ultimate honour would be to serve a worthy lord. Something that Zhuge Liang had achieved from an early age. He cleared his throat, now with his feet upon the cold wooden floors of the inner palace.

"Please inform Master Bai T'seng that Master Zhuge Liang requests and audience with him at the Palace."

He said to a servant before dispatching the man dragging the face along the front of his face. An elegant treasure that never left Kongming's sight. Something he cherished greatly.

[Bai T'seng]

T'seng had arrived back in Xin Ye after dispatching Lang Dengwei, the merchant of death. The city of Chang Sha still in strife and awaiting the coming of its next dictatorship. He felt horrid for having aided Dengwei. Once getting far enough away from Xiang Yang and the immediate threat of being hunted he had taken time to read the books he had snatched from Dengwei's table. Apparently the merchant of death had engineered the entire situation in Chang Sha to make a political climate more suitable to his whims.

T'seng had been an unwitting pawn, he sought someway to atone for the results of his work. He stopped by the village and picked up the stash of gold he had placed there, paid his respects to the village heads and made his way to Xin Ye's city. He visited a tavern, hoping to drown his sorrows before leaving the area for good. It seemed for all his wishes to help the people, more harm had been done than good.

At the time he was paying his tab and leaving the tavern, a man approached him, telling him a Zhuge Liang wished to speak with him. He mounted his horse and followed the man to the palace.

He was admitted to see Zhuge Liang, and upon being led to him he introduced himself, "Bai T'seng, at your service Master Zhuge. What is it you wished to speak about?"

[Lu Xiang]

Zhuge Liang bowed, extending his arm for the man to seat as an equal infront of him. The garden was full of tranquilty even is such times of desperation. It was something Zhuge Liang clinged to. The great of minds, bodys, arts prevailled in such chaos. He smiled, clasping his hands finally meeting the man behind the status.

"Can I offer you a drink Master T'seng. You have been busy recently, Me and my lord are impressed with your good deeds."

He had yet to hear about the situation in Changsha and that T'seng was now a wanted man. It would probably change his mind upon the situation. He stroked his beard before laughing out loud.

"Governor Lord Liu Bei is busy refining the lands of Xinye otherwise he would've seen you personally. I suspect you do not know him, but have heard of him."

Zhuge paused for a second, fanning himself; a strong change in his eyes as they crystalled over asif he was talking with a true passion.

"My lord is a man of virtue; he is unlike anyother. Other men plea to be good men - but I doubt any exist. He truly is a rolemodel for us all. He does not pursue violence, no ensue chaos or provoke greed, tyranny of any sort. Not to mention his imperial bloodline... I'm sidetracking a little here.. However the fact remains you have impressed us with your deeds of valour. As a hero of the people; I request you join us in our efforts to finally cleanse the lands of chaos. We lack men of strength and courage - Liu Bei lacks this but makes up with it with his charismatic nature, virtue and ambition. Myself I am no warrior as you can tell. I am merely a humble advisor, a mind among many."

Zhuge Liang said bowing, putting forward the proposal to him. The forces of Liu Bei were small at the moment. Consisting of only a few thousand troops and a few well and able men. No real threat to anybody, it could prove an advantage to remain scapegoated for as long as possible.

"I do not know you yet, however I entrust me lords recommendations. If your blade cuts through enemies as good as the stories permit then I will not allow you to leave without having completely drained myself of energy."

Kongming spoke, before muttering a laugh. He would study the mans body language on his response, every man had his morals, prices or whatever. Liang wasn't as virtuous as his lord, he would ensure victory was seized by all means possible. His eyes still remaining flawless in the midday sun, lifting up a small cup of boiling warm tea and coursing it down his throat.

[Bai T'seng]

Impressed? He hardly knew the man, yet he knew of T'seng. He waved his hand, "No thank you sir, I am not thirsty, thanks for the offer though. Hospitality itself is refreshing to my palate."

He listened to Zhuge Liang further, his lord was busy, then he launched into an inspirational tirade about how his lord was a role model for all civil servants. Word traveled fast, hopefully not too fast. He still had Dengwei's journals, if necessary he could prevent the evidence of Dengwei's treachery. Perhaps even secure Liu Bei's aid in stabilizing Chang Sha, if the city wasn't already under new governance. Time would tell what would happen with Chang Sha, but things would hopefully be better with Dengwei out of the picture.

It was funny, but T'seng had flashes of Deja Vu whilst listening to Zhuge Liang, Wancheng however, was nothing like this experience. Zhuge Liang took a drink of tea and T'seng shifted slightly and then returned Liang's bow. He had enough of putting off people in authority, he had enough problems for the moment.

"The stories huh? I hesitate to think about what you may have heard of me. I assure you I am no fighter, not the likes of Lu Bu or such. But if you desire me to take up service of your lord, then I have one request, would you hear it?"

[Lu Xiang]

Zhuge Liang bowed, not needing to be told twice that the man didn't want a drink. He sat back; allowing the man to speak - noticing that he had said his piece. Kongming laughed a little, brushing his headress to one side before replying.

"Lu Bu is a grand warrior indeed, I would not compare you to him. He lacked intelligence. A bull that charges with immaculate strength yet he lacks a brain, you lure the beast out and tie him up; he will become restless and his weaknesses are easily pinpointed."

Zhuge Liang laughed, physical might was truly something; but it didn't impress him personally. He was more interested in smart, noble, young and brave men. The leaders of the army. Zhuge Liang wouldn't be taking the frontlines and thus the heroes were required.

"Please do speak up Master T'seng. If it is possible i'm sure we can attend to it."

Zhuge Liang said curiously wondering what was on the young mans mind. He ran hid thin fingers across his pitch black beard, he was a man of very few words making it hard for Zhuge Liang understand the man.