Tales of a lesser nature? [Task]

[exiled]

Tales of greatness rose from the ashes of history with exciting tales of heroics and war, yet some of the final details were always left behind. The officer was not always comitted to life of adventure and danger, for without war came peace and with peace, regardless of length or reason, was always a tedious and somewhat boring affair. Xu Shu like so many others suffered the consiquences of a lack of fighting being given the dreaded duty of administrative duties for the day off his Lord Cao Cao.

"Good luck Xu Shu, try not to fall asleep."

One of the many palace attendants mocked the reknowned strategist, eliciting a small moan from the great mind and a deathly stare. Through his visage of dislike, Xu Shu somewhat enjoyed the task of getting the finances and other admin in order, it brought a calm and relaxation that other jobs lacked and of course the fact he was rather good at it did not deter from helping matters.

Primed with a stack of scrolls and letters and his favoured writing utensil, he was ready for his job. He soon had them ordered into categories and importance, making his job vastly more easy. He flew through the items quicker than anyone currently in Cao Cao's employ, his reading and writing skills complimenting his quick mind and undeniable intelligence.

"I've found a problem, come take a look."

The clever scholar spoke up from his silence and soon he was joined by a couple of the palace attendants who scanned the item, reading through the words and counting the numbers, to them through they saw little problem in the reading at all, only coming to realise upon Xu Shu's words and explanation. It seemed a certain well known faction within the city weren't being fully co-operative to Lord Cao Cao and Xu Shu had been the first and only one thus far to pick up the scent of deceit.

He was known as a deep thinker, someone who would see a picture or hear a few words and see a far deeper and otherwise unseeable image. His mind worked like a machine, picking up faults, impressions and such other ideas far quicker than an average man, it was why his Lord Mengde trusted him so much so soon and why he was allowed to operate to such a high ranking level compared with those around him.

He trailed off, his mind wandering away from the reality of the situation and towards a solution to the troublesome problem he discovered. One option would be to write a letter and send it via messenger, but that would likely only provoke an ignorant no response. Another possibility, one more suited for his lord, revolved around the relocation, or more likely arrest of the individuals at fault, something Xu Shu would rather leave as a last resort. The last option was to be the one he chose, merciful, yet strong, it should strike a fine balance that should prove rewarding for his lord and the arguably clever men in the wrong.

"So what do you conclude? Such dastardly doings should be punished, think you not?"

The voice of one of the men he had just recently spoken with about the issues had voiced his opinions, driving out the thoughts of Xu Shu for the moment. The strategist rose his brows as his train of thought returned to the now and he looked to his side ready to give his response.

"I would tend to agree, though from the bigger picture not much in percent, the money lost should by law and right belong to our lord. On another day I may well have grabbed some of my men and marched over, yet whilst I am priviledged enough to do so, my head yearns me to take counsel with our Lord."

The beauty of the situation came then and there, because whilst Xu Shu had the situation under control he also showed his loyalty and respect for his ruler by not making a hasteful decision. Counsel he would find with Mengde and together their trained minds would assure the issues faced would not happen again and what was owed to the Cao Wei land would arrive.

With those thoughts in mind Xu Shu pushed open the large doors from inside the backroom he was working within. His feet pacing forward, moving further into the palace interior. Door after door shifted open, if not already so, as the man well thought as Zhuge Liang's and Pang Tong's equal finally opened the sidedoor to the audience hall, where in a moment of quiet and peace, Lord Cao Cao was interupted by the sight and sound of his more trusted of advisors.

"My Lord, my progress is ahead of schedule, yet a vexing problem brings me to seek consultation with you if your time can be spared."

He had already moved onto one knee, his head dipped and his hands sent into a traditional and respectful salute. He knew of the small time his lord had to himself on such days, but also knew how the great ruler loved the times when his greater talents were needed and sought.

"It has come to my attention that some individuals have been accumulating a fair proportion of your revenue through false claims of your heritage. Whilst aware of the complimentary lowered taxes on family, of which alone I may too have overlooked, I came upon a few other issues, to name but one the use of your own men to gain unlawful taxes from honest traders and citizens. If it were not for the latter, I fear they may have been able to get away with their dodgy dealings for some more time yet."

He seemed to have given his lord enough notification, but still he carried on for one last message.

"I have heard of the main man in question and know him to be of a strong character within the city. Rumours they are, but not all rumours are false and with him I have heard some linking him with underground security dealings, something that may well be linked with the illegal taxes I have just discovered."

Troublesome times within the city, but of course the Lord Cao Cao had heard far worse, but perhaps on this quiet day, the wise leader would find some interest in the story and news of money with which belongs to him. Xu Shu now required a response.

[Xiang Yu]

(Sorry for the delay bro. I’ve been so busy recently. I sort of went weird with the writing style I used to do this post, but for the next post I'll revert back to my usual one.)

Cao Cao had arisen from his slumber with high hopes, and such hopes had only escalated at the morning reports and news. His money had been banked, the city had been praised and the peasants had showed their support to his cause. All in all, today was a very good day for the young hero.

But everything was bound to end, as did all things of beauty. A woman of exquisite beauty would eventually grow old; a flower in its bloom would eventually wither and die. The world consisted of opposite reactions, and he pondered the idea of a negative reaction as his advisor, Xu Shu came through the doors.

He had seen Xu Shu rise for a few months now, allowing him time to speak freely with him whilst tending his business and schedules. Xu Shu was in fact the only true strategist within his army, and the two shared an intellectual bond as a result of their similarities.

Though his mood was soured at the sight of Xu Shu today, it was not the man’s stature or position that had brought doubt to his mind, but more the aspect that ‘nothing ever fucking works right’. It was a pessimistic outlook, even for him, but at the time he hadn’t minded, and the unlawful procedures of war often wrought no optimism, so to him, pessimism was there to stay until the heavens would declare otherwise.

“Please, rise.”

He spoke carefully, breaking his own chain of pessimism as he sat back. He would en joy the story told to him. He would…

“The underground troubles us?”

He questioned his advisor, and then smiled. His day was slowly fading, though the news of this deceit had brought intrigue the man’s eyes, and he was somewhat pleased to hear something of mutual interest was occurring within his walls.

“Every city has an underground, it is the result of war Xu Shu and it has existed for a very long time, but even so…if we allow this to happen then our finances will always be hindered. Speak of the man who you suspect, and we will deal with this personally.”

He rose from his throne, dismissing an advisor who raised a hand in protest with a glare.

“The underground works. It is an easy way to control the talk spoken among the people. Associating ourselves with its apparent ruler bares many opportunities. Besides, I suspect most undergrounds are linked within each provincial establishment, to gain the support of one is to gain the support of all within that regions jurisdiction…and if it does go wrong.”

He paused and smiled.

“We will just have them executed for treason against both Cao Wei and the Han.”