December, 184: Siege of Chang'an

[Zeren]

Once Chang An had been taken, Cao Meng went about the business of settling the city, giving various orders to different commanders for them to delegate to more minor officers, while they gathered in the command tent, which had been moved into the city and was now one of the government buildings of the city, rather than a tent. The prisoners had been gathered there, in what was once Zhang Shu's audience chamber, bound, though not unkindly, and kneeling. Food and water had been provided to them, with Cao Meng's soldiers under strict instructions to treat them with respect.

After a while, Cao Meng entered, with his commanders and generals behind him. He instantly spotted Zhang Shu, and nodded in acknowledgement. He chose not to sit upon the dais, as a lesser man might have. He waited until his officers had lined up alongside him before addressing the prisoners. "Generals, you fought bravely", he said, inclinding his head once more. "But I have emerged victorious. I think we knew this day would come. I certainly did; ever since one Xu Shang visited my city on behalf of your predecessor. We have since been in competition, and that competition has taken its natural course and this is the result. Chang An is mine, and soon, the rest of the northwest will be too."

"I have seen the reports of the development of this city", he continued, his eyes scanning each individual carefully. "Collectively, you administrators have done excellent work. There is no reason that you can not continue to do so under my own administration, and to those of you who find this proposition agreeable, I offer a place in my ranks. I only ask for loyalty, hard work and competence; nothing more."

"To the military men here, I offer you a place in my ranks also", he went on. "I have nothing but high praise for my own military staff, but as my territory expands, so too must my staff. The barbarians to the north and west, and not to mention the central government of the Han in Luo Yang, all pose real and present threats to the security of both my administration and the people we care for. My military will continue to grow, and I need talented men to train our soldiers and lead them to victory in battle."

"And to you, Zhang Shu", he began to finish, latching eyes upon the foe he defeated, "we must have our own conversation. I do not wish to continue to bring warfare on what remains of your lands. Are you willing to negotiate the terms of your surrender?"

All officers, both PC and NPC, are offered places within Cao Meng's ranks!

[JG Chan]

As he always did, Cang Shan stood impassively behind and slightly to the right of Cao Meng, his weapons within easy reach. His dull-seeming eyes slid unobtrusively over the gathered prisoners from behind his unruly hair; he didn't know these men before him, and felt neither sympathy nor hostility. To him, there was simply his duty as bodyguard to fulfill, and to that end he watched the proceedings carefully for trouble.

[Ju Fu]

Ju Fu bowed to his captors as much as he could, and responded to the request of service.

"Lord Cao, my name is Ju Fu. I am old, and my physical skills are failing me. However, my mind is still sharp, and I can lead men as well as any other in the Middle Kingdom. It is clear I can do far more good working for you than I can elsewhere, and thus would like to accept your offer. Though history may consider me a traitor for abandoning Zhang Shu in his time of need, I know that much more good will come with me working for you."

[Tong]

Zhang Shu looked at the men assembled in his audeince hall and sighed. Not so much a sigh of self pity, but one of anguish in that his goals had been put on hold by a crushing blow. The only real consolation was the relatively fair treatment of his allies, who had been trying so hard these last months. But Shu was determined to keep his goal going. He would leave his allies to do as they wished, they had done enough. But him, he had nothing else in life but to keep driving forward.

As his captor looked upon him and spoke, Shu met eyes with the man. Upon his face was no expression of hate or pain, but more a combination of disappointment and determination, seemingly battling both on his face and in his mind for dominance.

Zhang Shu: You have defeated me and my allies, this is true. And you have tried to be civil as the victor, so I shall be civil as the vanquished. Let us talk. It would be much more useful than shouting I'd think.

[Tiger Mask]

Wenyue could not help but feel pity for the man in front of him. It had been a few months since he had met with Zhang Shu, and the Lord - no, former Lord of Chang'an had impressed him greatly. Though a little idealistic, he had goals for the northwest. If not for the mouth of that Xu Shang, Han Sui would have seriously considered joining the man in front of him. After just two months in the service of Cao Meng, Han Sui had already tasted victory. With Zhang Shu out of the way, Cao Meng could now expand into the rest of Yongzhou and finally Liangzhou. Wenyue could not help but smile at the thought of that. Liangzhou would be under the banner of Cao Meng, and Han Sui would be there to help the people like he wanted. His riders still thirsted for the chance to enter Liangzhou again and be the heroes they deserved to be, but it would take time. There was still work to be done in Chang'an, and the former territories of Zhang Shu.

Wenyue moved his gaze away from Zhang Shu. He was pleased to know that Cao Meng took a more diplomatic approach when dealing with the generals and ministers of Chang'an, especially towards Zhang Shu. Though he was his enemy, Han Sui still respected Zhang Shu, and he did not want to see any harm done to him. He would make sure that the former Lord of Chang'an would be treated fairly, but kept silent for the moment and let Cao Meng speak with him.

[micey]

Zhang Wen Jie stood by the audience chamber, his face giving a stoic expression despite the joy deep within his heart for securing his first major victory in the battlefields. Zhang has gone through a great deal with these bunch of soldiers, having personally trained and led them to fight bravelessly on the mountainous lands of Chang An. The images of the actual fighting were all vivid despite the harsh weather conditions hampering one's vision and mobility. The youthful eagerness of Zhang showed relentlessly as he charged forward to challenge every single enemy commander on the field. First up was Ju Fu, an old veteran general at the western mountains, next to the charismatic Kung Tao. Guarding the gate was Taishi Yao, beyond which lay the leader Zhang Shu and his archer Qu Yi. Of whom, the veteran Ju Fu was the one who impressed him the most. Zhang has always respected the elders and hope to learn the finer aspects of life from a mentor. Returning to the scene, his gaze fell towards Ju Fu, a man who has turned from enemy to compatriot in mere seconds.

Zhang Wen Jie: "I am glad you have heeded the call to join Lord Cao Meng but don't you feel that you made the decision too late? You could have prevented yourself from suffering the indignity of a crushing defeat earlier. Would you have made the same decision to join Lord Cao Meng if you have not fallen under the current circumstances of being captured?"

[Zeren]

"I do not fault him, General Zhang", Cao Meng said, glancing to Zhang Wen Jie. "Besides, could we really have trusted a man who would have so readily defected to us, without first trying his hand at opposing us, as loyalty would dictate? My mind will rest easier having gained his service in this fashion than in the middle of battle."

"General Ju, I accept you warmly into my service. I hope you predict correctly, and do a great deal of good for my realms. Guards, release his bonds, and provide him with more comfortable quarters. We can discuss your position in my forces, and a few other things, once you have rested, General Ju."

After the guards had released Ju Fu, Cao Meng turned to face Zhang Shu, and regarded the man silently for a moment. "I don't know much about you, Lord Zhang", he said. "But I do know that opposing me any further would be futile for you. Without Chang An, you can no longer compete for dominance in the Northwest. I would be willing to accept you into my service if you would renounce your claim to Lordship over Chang An and the other territories to the west, and encourage your men to follow you into my ranks."

He paused for a moment, and stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I don't know how such a proposition would sit with you, but that is my offer to you. Regardless, I have no intention of killing you today. If you cannot agree to such terms, then you are free to go. However, should we meet again in these circumstances as conquered and conqueror, I should have to reconsider my position."

[Ju Fu]

Ju Fu nodded graciously as Cao Meng accepted him into his service. "Thank you sir."

He then turned to the man who had questioned him, a young man, probably half as old as the elder general. "Well, General Zhang, when I was younger, people had the good manners to introduce themselves before questioning their elders. How about you give me your name, and I might give you an answer?"

[micey]

Zhang Wen Jie gave a nod to Cao Meng's understanding of the situation as Zhang's emotional side had interfered with his logical thinking yet again. Upon hearing the reply of the old general Ju Fu, his youthful exuberance would have put him into a rage but his scholarly thoughts and family background eased his mind to peace and respect for the others. A polite bow towards Ju Fu ensued.

Zhang Wen Jie: "Forgive me for not introducing myself, I am Zhang Wen Jie, one of the leading generals under Lord Cao Meng. Remember not, we have a brief skirmish when I first led the ranks into your army in the battle. My rash nature brought myself away soon after to hunt down the Chang An's gates."

Zhang Wen Jie's posture adjusted significantly like a bustling kid at a playground.

[Tong]

"I do not fault him, General Zhang", Cao Meng said, glancing to Zhang Wen Jie. "Besides, could we really have trusted a man who would have so readily defected to us, without first trying his hand at opposing us, as loyalty would dictate? My mind will rest easier having gained his service in this fashion than in the middle of battle."

"General Ju, I accept you warmly into my service. I hope you predict correctly, and do a great deal of good for my realms. Guards, release his bonds, and provide him with more comfortable quarters. We can discuss your position in my forces, and a few other things, once you have rested, General Ju."

After the guards had released Ju Fu, Cao Meng turned to face Zhang Shu, and regarded the man silently for a moment. "I don't know much about you, Lord Zhang", he said. "But I do know that opposing me any further would be futile for you. Without Chang An, you can no longer compete for dominance in the Northwest. I would be willing to accept you into my service if you would renounce your claim to Lordship over Chang An and the other territories to the west, and encourage your men to follow you into my ranks."

He paused for a moment, and stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I don't know how such a proposition would sit with you, but that is my offer to you. Regardless, I have no intention of killing you today. If you cannot agree to such terms, then you are free to go. However, should we meet again in these circumstances as conquered and conqueror, I should have to reconsider my position."

Zhang Shu sighed in resignation, the man's was arrogant, bu what he spoke was the truth. There was little hope of a future in Tian Shui, and Shu still felt guilty for the eevnts of it's capture. The good people of the city didn't need more death on their doorstep. matching the gaze of his captor, Shu resigned himself to the position he was in and spoke his reply.

Zhang Shu:You speak truth, to continue a battle that I never wanted, nor can maintain, is pointless. In addition, the good people of Tian Shui have seen enough bloodshed, mostly at the fault of my own troops. I would not like for them to see more. So though it pains me.....I really cannot see the value of a resistance here. I will resign and surrender my land to you without a fight. However I will not attempt to sway those that have followed me, as they chose to join with me of their own desire, and they shall make their own decisions here. As for myself, I think I would like to move on to a place I can continue to fight my battles.