Changes (Lui Bei)

[Kang Ren]

Kang Ren rode along the road in silence with his ten guards walking behind him. He was clean now, wearing his black scale armor with his helm on his lap. His hair was clean and tied back, his sword was at his side. He had the aura of a leader. His small black horse was lean, its fur glistened in the light. He took a small sip of canteen and said to his men, "We are coming upon Yong An. Be on your toes, I do not wish to be ambushed and attack from something our old Lord has done." They nodded and they continued.

They arrived on the site, about a two kilometers away from the city, they sat silently. It was dawn, they arrived early so there could be no chance of an ambush. They went and set up a large tent along with a table and seats inside. It was no time to be uncivilized. It was time to set up an alliance, or at least put to rest some of the indifferences.

After everything was set up, Kang Ren stepped off his horse and tied him to a tree. He kissed it softly and dropped down doing pushups. He continued to work out until Lui Bei arrived. It was something to pass the time.

[Liu Bei]

The time was upon them, where two large entities came to part with their differences, however, one could not have foreseen that the Banner of Blue would be thrown to the skies with a different leader. A being without reputation, especially that of anything close to Cao Cao; who had continuously made his intentions known to have Shu destroyed and the territories within the Kingdom under his vice. Yet today, a new sun rose and this time one of alliance and part reconciliation for the words spat by the Wei generals. None were considered trustworthy, as all seeked their own interested and a bunch of thugs who simply bullied their way to power...

Taking a breath, Liu prepared his men, a unit of 10 elite guardsmen as promised by the agreement. Men were placed along the city walls, to watch down upon this infamous day of the council; if anything happened the full force of Yong'an should come falling down upon those of Wei. What appeared before the now erected tent was not a Liu Bei that those of Wei remembered, a weak soul who had issues with his own self-esteem and a being who continualy promoted 'virtue' into the ground. It was a Dragon personified, a fierce character whose ordeals and experience spoke first..wisdom was his knowledge and his ambition to create a new form of era made clear. No longer did he bow to the notion of re-establishing the Han and a character whose strength shone far beyond the horizon. "I see you have kept to your end of the bargain, it seems strange that those of Wei seem adament to create a bridge with Shu; a Kingdom that your predecessor has regularly desired to control." Dismounting from the infamous horse, the guards behind the Shu Lord observed vigilantly for anything untoward..their suspicions could not be calmed and any movement they deemed a threat to Liu would not be taken lightly. A tone that gained authority, gone were the day of a gentile tone that deemed not worthy of the State he ruled, yet now..how much had changed him.. "So, prey tell.. For what reasons have the Blue Banner decided to turn upon the ambitions of their previous Lord?" An eyebrow raised, it was genuine curiosity to hear why Kang changed the desires of Wei so quickly after been given the reigns of leadership...

[Kang Ren]

Kang Ren sat quietly until he had heard the horses approach. He exited the text quietly. He moved like a graceful tiger, but bowed his head slightly as Lui Bei approached, "Lord Xuande, leader of Shu, great and good man. I have come before you in hope that we can reconcile. I understand that it is hard for you to trust me, for I have no reputation, I have no experience that you know of. I only wish for peace between our people, and the possibility of an alliance." Kang Ren motioned for the tent, were tea was now made. He started towards the tent himself and opened the flap. He turned back to Lui Bei and sincerely looked him in the eye, "I am not Lord Cao Cao. Those old prejudices that he had are not mine. You see, I am from Cheng Du. My ambition as of now... Is to destroy Yen Wang." He said. He wanted Yen Wang dead. He grew tired of hearing of him. It would be best if he was gone. But he needed allies. "Please, can we speak about it more inside?"

[Liu Bei]

The guards looked to each other rather confused with the offer placed before Liu, an alliance with Wei because of a vendetta against the supposed demon inhabiting Hanzhong? Liu, he himself, was quite welcoming to this alliance and one that it seemed Wei was quite desperate to make..their influence was now in the balance as many began to turn their backs to the once priviledged Kingdom who elovated supremacy..now to a frail elder pleading for some bread. Entering the tent, he ordered the men to remain outside but to be of high alert.. Many would have believed the meeting between the Sun and Liu family an ocassion to speak of, but..would they have imagined a council of Shu and Wei?..

Taking the offered seat, Liu's posture was strong and refused to show that he'd simply kowtow to the Blue Banner as he would have had in his previous incantation.. "An alliance? Has the Phoenix seen its own making?.." A short chuckle escaped, the Dragon's eyes gazed Kang Ren..his every movement, his mannerisms; Liu was intrigued by this man.. "What reasons do you wish this alliance Master Kang? Also, I am sure you are aware that Shu has an alliance with the very being you wish to eradicate.. Is this your plan, to keep the Green Banner from aiding an ally who could possibly be your downfall?" Liu's tone became softer, knowing that he must be placed under considerable pressure after being handed the insignia of rulership..without any experience or any signs of internal aid. Stroking the small moustache upon his jaw, he looked to Kang and observed his reactions.. "I have been told that your predecessor have the rights to Chenliu to Master Yen.. How have you reacted to this revelation, or do you have intention to wave this mere agreement under the ground?" Luckily for Shu the intelligence was quite something and Liu knew exactly why Chenliu was given so easily to Yen Wang..a simple mission, to destroy Shu without being claimed villain. Yet, even Yen could not match the strength that the Green Banner was gaining; it seemed quite comical to attempting to turn an ally against an ally. Leaning forwards, Liu was interested, very interested, in what idea's Kang had for this alliance..and of course, the subject of Master Yen of Hanzhong...

[Kang Ren]

Kang Ren sat opposite of Lui Bei and listened intently. He nodded and quietly took a sip of his tea. His eyes were dark and deep very much troubled. He in truth wasn't even close to taking on this heavy burden alone. He had yet to meet another man under Wei. He was alone with no support. He didn't know if he could survive without someone by his side. A strategist. So his only way of surviving is surrounding himself with allies and taking out those who prey on the weak. His mind raced, but he sighed.

"I fear for my life, I fear for Wei. I fear for the fate of China should it fall in the hands of Yen Wang. I doubt Yen Wang would let the Emperor stay in power. But I must say to you, with the power of Shu and Wei, and possibly Wu, I hope to eradicate Yen Wang. You cannot doubt that he can pose a nuisance to you and your plans. Me, I could care less if you took over China. At least a worthy man won. Of the lords, I believe that the best are Sun Jian, Lui Bei, and Gongsun Zan(Who I believe is a NPC but Imma throw him out their anyway). Lords that have passion, vision, and the right to rule. Me... I don't believe that I'm cut out for this to tell you the truth. I turned to you in hope of cementing myself some ground, where I don't have to worry. I won't fight you now, it'd be hard. I fear that if Yen Wang wins, China will be ruled by a self arrogant bastard and a dictator. If anything I don't want that to happen." Kang Ren said. He wasn't pleading. He was stating the facts. It was all true. Yen Wang as emperor of China... It sickened Kang. It sickened him.

[Liu Bei]

Taking a breath, Liu listened to the constant pleads of the now leader of Wei..for some reason, he wished to take great entertainment from this situation; that the once great entity had fallen so low that they entrusted their future in a being so far from his own worth..believing another could take the helm. It made the Dragon wish to laugh, however, he could not out of true etiquette. After all, he could not refuse the merciful pleas of any man; whether it previous form or any future spirit. "Master Kang, how you sound like myself many years ago.." Taking a sip of the tea infront of him, Liu felt that now the true powers had switched to the Green and this would be the triumph of their history. "Though a friend of Shu, Master Yen shall not be the one to take the Dragon throne; for his alliance is well known..it was an arrangement for us to protect each other from the same being who desired our heads.." The eyes focused, eagle-like with the direct nature of his sudden change of tone.. "...Wei.."

Leaning back, the Shu Lord thought more of what was being spoken.. "Do not speak of yourself in this manner, it does not aid your cause neither the State of Wei; for you now control their future. I once believed such self-questioning could be beneficial, however, it merely places you inferior to all." Another sip.. "You may feel alone, however, this shall be the time to truely learn." He could not lie, this Kang was a much prefered leader than Cao, for he was agreeable and saw more things than his simply self. Not to mention that he was far more diplomatic and that was what this realm needed more than ever, words to end the chaos rather than a constant state of violence.

"I shall not turn upon an ally, I hope you understand this; that I made an agreement with Master Yen before you came to power. Furthermore, I do not intend for him to gain much ground; perhaps Zitong and further North. However, his ambition small and personell even smaller; gain your own land, troops and build defences. You must make preparations to decide whether to hand over Chenliu as Master Cao promised..." Liu felt the Dragon taking flight, for now he had become the elder it seemed and this situated favoured him quite well..too well it seemed, never had he even thought that this power shift would be in such favour; for it, to him, was far too overdue. "Master Kang, I shall aid you in any way I can..but I shall not openly wage violence with Master Yen to become mixed within a vendetta you may have, but there shall come a time when him and myself shall be placed at opposite ends of the battlefield.." It was all about timing for the Shu Lord, he knew that Yen Wang's existance in his current power was numbered and all that needed to be prepared was Shu's stronghold. With Xiangyang and possibly Jiangzhou in their hands it could be possible, however, for now... "What do you desire from this alliance, simple military aid?"

[Kang Ren]

"I know Wei is not what it was or could be. That Cao Cao was only interested in his own self gain. But as you now know, I no longer what your head." Kang Ren said, "I want Yen Wang's head." Kang Ren smiled, "I am alone for right now. I wish not to be, so I will search for someone."

Kang Ren nodded. He knew that Lui Bei wouldn't wage open war. In his mind he smiled, he hoped it would come to this. He smiled and bowed his head, "Thank you. I wish for military aid, and possibly just a non aggression pact between our two kingdoms. If someone attacks you I will help. But if someone attacks me, I wish the same. Can you agree with these terms Xuande? I only wish for peace. War has taxed both our people."

[Liu Bei]

Indeed the point of military aid was interested, would this mean a means to gain the power to eradicate Yen from his position?..nonetheless, this council was becoming very intriguing. Liu smiled somewhat to the thought of both Wei and Shu creating a certain agreement of aid for each other; to great rivals finally seeing the same path and perhaps, both taking the first step on what was seen as one long road. "Shu shall aid you in all you wish, for the same recipitation; this, you have my word." Taking cup in hand, the Shu Lord rose it slightly in salutation to Kang on the first agreement of their alliance. A small sip, yet the cup was not placed back upon the table....

"What will you do Master Kang? From my words you have overseen a small matter that could be of great significance; that of Chen Liu. Will you allow its annexation with Master Yen?" It was a subject Liu seemed adament to know and refused to allow it to simply fade within the topic. This matter would decide whether Shu would intervene or possibly be dragged into a silly mess created by a man so hungry for power, that he may have devastate the future of his own Kingdom..

[Kang Ren]

Kang Ren nodded, he knew that he would say yes, it was a chance for peace with the two kingdoms. Whatever past prejudices there were in the past were gone. A new leader now holds Wei. And he wants peace. He smiled slightly and raised his cup, "As you have my word Lord Xuande." He bowed his head once more.

Kang Ren nodded and thought hard but he was unsure of what to do. He took a deep breath and sighed, "I believe that I will allow its annexation. For right now, open war is not a smart thing to do. If you stay out of the battle when it happens, I understand. But I want your word that if Yen and me go to war, that you will stay out of it." Kang Ren asked. It wasn't much. Any lord could say the excuse that they don't want to make enemies. He hoped that Lui Bei would agree. He took a sip of his tea took a deep breath.