Ambition (Yuan Shu)

[Xiao Hua]

Xiao Hua rode on a large black horse through Wan. She had left her four hundred men outside the city. She had come to join Yuan Shu. She felt as if a man like him needed someone. A strategist. A seductress. Maybe this was the right decision. This time she put aside her feelings of self preservation and decided to join with one of the smaller kingdoms. Yuan Shu, the name echoed in her head.

She rode up to the gate of the governor's palace in the city and asked the gaurds, "I am here to speak with Yuan Shu. I wish ask if he should require my services."

[Yuan Shu]

(OOC: You could re-post this in the Nan Pi section of He Bei, because I currently have a thread going on in there. Not exactly sure if that matters, though. Probably don't worry about it, but I posted as though I was there because I didn't realize until I already replied.)

Yuan Shu's guards stood by the gates of Nan Pi, along with his brother's soldiers. Though Yuan Shu was not the leader of this area, he felt like he needed some loyal officers at his side, after the Yellow Turban Rebellion had ceased.

A messenger approached him, "My Lord, A wom-"

Yuan Shu, even though he was looking for generals, was also quite annoyed with this messenger, as he had been speaking with a woman of the city and the man had interrupted him.

"What do you want swine?!" Yuan Shu scowled as the soldier approached him.

The messenger eagerly repeated his statement from the start.

"My Lord, A woman, looking like a war veteran, has come to meet with you! Would you seek audience with the girl?"

"Hmph, this best be important, or I will have your head, sir!"

Yuan Shu was rather aggravated now, though he would try to be polite to the woman wishing to join him.

Yuan Shu mounted his horse and trotted to the city gates. There he saw a woman, looking as though she had experience in war. 'Good,' Yuan Shu thought ' This is what I need.'

"Hail!" Yuan Shu rode as he began closer to the woman.

"I am Yuan Shu, stylized Gonglu, of Wan. What a pleasure in meeting a worthy lady. What is it you wish to speak of?"

Gonglu waited for a response. He was on a timed schedule in meeting with his brother, but he would wait.

[Xiao Hua]

Xiao Hua nodded and smiled, "My name is Xiao Hua. I have come to you because you are probably in need of comptent people in your stable of officers. Not only am I a competent general, I am a superb strategist. I want to know if I am able to join you Noble Yuan Shu. The noblest of all the Yuans." She said seductively. Seduction was key. She played on many of the emotions she knew he would have. She hoped she was right.

Behind her was a large man. He wore all plate armor and a helm covered his face completely. He stood at attention with his hand on his sword. He looked around for any dangers and returned looking at Yuan Shu.

"Don't worry about him. He is my guard." Xiao Hua said.

[Yuan Shu]

Yuan Shu had listened intently to her offer. He liked these kind of people, get straight to the point with reasonable, yet true compliments.

"Hmm, I agree with your statements. I do need a capable officer, these standard troops just aren't doing it for me anymore."

He said with great meaning and honesty.

"They fight like commoners and an animal would take orders better than them..."

Yuan Shu knew he was straying off the topic, which he disliked. He liked deals to be made short and sweet. This woman seemed all around good fighter, physically and verbally.. He then began to speak again:

"You seem like an all around good officer - Something I need during this great conflict and something I won't get with these common lieutenants.." This woman related to him in many ways, Gonglu thought.

"Very well. You shall serve under me. I need a competent general, and you seem like one... Wonderful to have you in my employ, my lady." Yuan Shu said, cunningly.

He then listened to her speak about her bodyguard.

"Ahh yes, your troops seem well-trained, indeed."

[Xiao Hua]

She bowed her head, "Yes my Lord Yuan Shu. Also my lord, I have four hundred greatly trained men at my disposal outside of your city. With your permission I would like them to come into here. We would like to train you men. You see Lord Yuan Shu. We have easily dealt with bandits and stragglers of the Yellow Turban. All of our men are seasoned."

Da Shun nodded and bowed also to Lord Yuan Shu, "Yuan Shu, I serve you because I serve my lady. I hope you treat her well. She is... different from most women you meet."

[Yuan Shu]

Yuan Shu had figured she had some soldiers. A woman traveling the Bandit-filled roads alone, pshh. Even Gonglu knew that would be foolish.

"Yes, I have heard you have some soldiers. They will do good in the coming battles, The Turbans may have been defeated but that does not mean the conflict is over."

Yuan Shu didn't want to say it, but he was in need of even common troops at this time. He lost most of his men at Luo Yang, but his arrogance stopped him from speaking of his low defenses.

"Yes, I do have many troops already, but I suppose I could use some more. They will have to be sent to the barracks in groups, as to not disturb the villagers."

Shu, in actuality cared little for the peasants.

He appreciated the bow and proceeded to speak:

"Hmm?" Yuan Shu was confused. "Who do you speak of?"

Yuan Shu was now indifferent. He waited for a response impatiently while looking at his new general and her guards. He figured they were staring at him, as well.

[Xiao Hua]

Da Shun, "My lady of Xiao Hua is a weird woman."

"Oh shut up Da Shun." Xiao Hua said pushing the man, "Lord is there anything of pressing matter that I could do to help? I wish to help you right away. I can train the troops or help with domestic affairs."

[Yuan Shu]

(OOC: I am sorry about the mix up on my part. When you said Da Shun I must of figured it was an alternate name for your character so I got confused, haha)

Yuan Shu gave a tiny snicker at the scuffle between the two officers.

"Calm down, save this aggression for battle. You two seem like good generals and that's exactly what I need right now."

Yuan Shu stopped, then began again after the woman spoke:

"True. I am unsure if I need anything currently. Go to the camp I set up outside the city. I came a long way to meet with my brother, Yuan Shao. Though I must take care of something first. When I seek audience with him, I will call you. I want you by my side when that occurs, likewise my best officers."

[Xiao Hua]

Xiao Hua smiles sweetly, something she did not do everyday, and bowed her head, "Yes my lord. I will." She smiled and bowed once more, and left.

END