Post by Li Li on Apr 13, 2012 20:31:29 GMT -5
Li Li strode through the markets of Xuchang, indifferent to what was occurring around him, it was always for the best for him to do so. He could feel the glances, the stares. He could hear the chuckles, surprised gasps and other much more impolite things people said. But none of that mattered at all. What mattered was that he completed his goal.
He was on a mission. And like everything else about Li Li, it was ridiculous.
He had already managed his way through most of the city's densely populated areas and he had already cowed the criers at those places to do his bidding. All throughout Xuchang, Li Li's words were ringing out. It was a most glorious thing; his heart full of joy at the thought. Now they had no choice but to listen. And hopefully the attention of Cao Cao would be attained through this scheme as well.
Li Li approached the crier in the market district and stopped the man mid-cry. Li Li cared not for what the man had been saying, what was important was only that Li Li's own thoughts be spoken aloud here. "You will stop speaking of such unimportant matters now." Li Li's deep, monotone voice caught the crier off guard. The man turned red-faced and looked at Li Li incredulously for the interruption. Others began to stare at the situation unfolding, wondering why the news was no longer being spoken. And likely, wondering what the fuck was wrong with that one dude.
Li Li ignored them, and the crier's frustrations and handed his parchment to the man. "You will read this instead. It is of immeasurable importance. It is a memorial to the throne, but it should not be just for Cao Cao's ears. Let all hear the pleas of a servant of the Empire." The crier still stared at Li Li, his anger changing to apprehension. "What manner of nonsense is this?" He hissed. "Who are you to interrupt my job, and why do insist on making that face? What manner of devil are you?"
Li Li's face did not change, his strange, scowling eyebrows remained scowling and strange, but his mouth did turn downward slightly, though it was hardly noticeable. Then, without a word, Li Li slapped the man directly in the face. The crier cried out in pain and surprise, his face already swelling where the blow landed. Li Li was there to play no games.
"You will read that, and Li Li will not have to tell you once more. As a servant of the Empire, as a recipient of its coin, you will do your job. Now" Once again the crier looked to defy Li Li, but Li Li's gaze bore deep into the man. Flashed of more violence, or perhaps stranger occurrences moved through the man's head. And suddenly he decided that it would be best if perhaps he complied. Just like all the others. And it was a good thing that he did too. Because Li Li would have killed him if he needed to and then found a passerby that could read and made him the new crier.
The made looked down at the parchment and then cleared his throat.
"The country has suffered many disasters in its late years and many more are sure to come. The Emperors Huan and Ling gave their authority to once-men whom coveted the wealth and power of the legitimate gentry. They allowed themselves to fall for the lies and slanders of these eunuchs and the country suffered for it.
"This rampant corruption spread throughout the country and the meritocracy that the Han once was fell to nepotism and elitism. If one could afford the proper bribe, no matter how unfit for office he may be, he would find himself in whatever office he paid for -- even those of the Three Dukes! Such foolishness was not to go without repercussions, however.
"When the rebels Zhang rose up with scarves of yellow upon their brows, the country finally fell into total chaos. Merchant families and bitter members of the gentry rose up with them and much death spread throughout this land. The proper men, those deserving the titles and ranks and positions of the worthless 'friends' and family members of the eunuchs, were unable to act immediately. Many commanderies and cities fell to the rebels and the people rejoiced. They rejoiced! Rebels were destroying the Empire and its citizenry was overjoyed. A shame no greater than that can this servant of the Han imagine.
"They were pleased because the Empire had failed in its duty to protect and serve its people. Instead, the people were made slaves to a corrupt bureaucracy. There was no food, no wealth, no prosperity for the millions, only comfort for the eunuchs and their pets. Despite this, the proper men of the gentry that were true, those that remained loyal to the Empire, were able to drive back the rebels and destroy their efforts of displacing the Han.
"And when this occurred, the people wept, not of joy, but of sorrow. Their hope had been destroyed and many fled. They fled to Hanzhong where the Five Pecks cult had restored order where the Empire could not. They fled to Liaodong where Gongsun Du the Warlike had suppressed the barbarians and brought peace to his removed location. They fled to Jiaozhou where the scholar-king Shi Xie had created a wonderful paradise in the south. But what of us remaining?
"We were left with a shattered realm and an incapable government. It was then that your servant took up service in Ye. There this one served to the best of his ability, bringing peace and order to the area. The Governor Han was a just man, but was meek. He did not march against Dong Zhuo, nor did he pretend to which so many others did. Seventeen leaders of men became that coalition and three -- three actually took part in the fighting. The late lords Wang Kuang and Sun Jian saw the heaviest of the fighting, but the Great Progenitor did his part as well. Lord Han may not have marched and made a grand show like so many other fools, but he did provide a great many supplies to the effort, allowing all those stationary and worthless soldiers of other lords to eat.
"Your servant advised against this course of action. Feeding the hordes of the bastard of the Yuans was none of our concern, and stabilizing the north should have been our priority. However, Lord Han was a kind man, foolish even with his soft heart. He continued to support Benchu with supplies and Benchu remained as falsely noble as ever, plotting the death of my lord. All the while, he stood at the head of the coalition, pretending to care about the matter, soaking up the glory of being deferred to on all matters regarding it.
"Eventually the thickset tyrant was cast from this world. And lo! It was not by the noble and great bastard of Yuan, it was by a traitorous man that loved a whore more than his lord! How honorable and great Benchu's deeds in the matter! He was entitled so after that that he so believed that Ye would be better off in his own hands. And why not? After all, he did do so much for the effort. He consumed another's food, and allowed others to fight his battles -- such greatness!
"Again, my lord in his foolish trusting nature was cowed by the bastard of Yuan. He was convinced by traitors such as Ju Shou and Tian Feng, once his own men, that Benchu meant well in his offer. His offer to 'protect' Ye from that worthless sot Gongsun Bogu. Again, your servant advised against this course and again your servant was ignored in favor of the sweet words of traitors and opportunists.
"Lord Han was then murdered in cold blood and your servant fled to your lands. It is here that this one has remained for the past twenty-four years. The Great Progenitor's ability to know good men and to use them well allowed this one to live quietly and peacefully within the commandery. Meanwhile, the bastard of Yuan continued to destroy men through deception and eventually he united the north under his unworthy rule. And to thank the Grand Progenitor for all the assistance provided over the years, he used Ye as a staging point to make war with the Grand Progenitor.
"This one prayed to the heavens that the bastard of Yuan would be defeated by your superior skill and talent and so it was. And this one was overjoyed! The happiest your servant has ever been was when your servant heard of the fool Benchu's defeat. But no! Such happiness was not to last! After the best news of your servant's life, then came the worst.
"The Grand Progenitor, despite his greatness, allowed that sniveling fool to live, and even gave him a position of respect and power within your realm. Your servant turned away from his path to Xuchang, where this one was to offer his services, and went back into the country, believing that the Grand Progenitor had become someone unworthy of service.
"For many years your servant has been a hermit, listening to the news of the country as it came. Your servant has finally reemerged, ready at last to offer service. There is chaos in the north, in the south, in the west. All around the foundations the Grand Progenitor threaten to collapse if swift action is not taken, if good men are not put to use. This one cannot stand idly by as the country is threatened once more.
"The Grand Progenitor's mistake of allowing the bastard of Yuan to live shall forever be a stain on his honor and reputation. But your servant cannot hold such against the Grand Progenitor. Benchu is a fool and he deserved to die in shame, for now he brings only disappointment from the north. A false king and hordes of barbarians seek to uproot the north and the Grand Progenitor could have avoided this all if he had simply dealt properly with the Yuans after Guandu.
"But such did not occur, and now your servant, Li Jizi, places himself before the court of the country in offer of servitude. Your servant shall assist in the matter throughout the country as the Grand Progenitor deems fit. Despite the hatred in this one's heart, this one wishes for the betterment of the state over this one's own personal grudges. There is much work to be done."
The crier was red-faced once more, though this time for lack of breath. He rubbed his throat as he finished, tears in his eyes from the pain of speaking so much without stopping. Several times Li Li thought the man pause, but each time his glare increased and the man continued on miserably. Li Li nodded as the man finished and handed the crier sold gold. "Here is your recompense." And with that, he turned to face the crowd and wait.
Someone would surely come for him for one reason or another.
He was on a mission. And like everything else about Li Li, it was ridiculous.
He had already managed his way through most of the city's densely populated areas and he had already cowed the criers at those places to do his bidding. All throughout Xuchang, Li Li's words were ringing out. It was a most glorious thing; his heart full of joy at the thought. Now they had no choice but to listen. And hopefully the attention of Cao Cao would be attained through this scheme as well.
Li Li approached the crier in the market district and stopped the man mid-cry. Li Li cared not for what the man had been saying, what was important was only that Li Li's own thoughts be spoken aloud here. "You will stop speaking of such unimportant matters now." Li Li's deep, monotone voice caught the crier off guard. The man turned red-faced and looked at Li Li incredulously for the interruption. Others began to stare at the situation unfolding, wondering why the news was no longer being spoken. And likely, wondering what the fuck was wrong with that one dude.
Li Li ignored them, and the crier's frustrations and handed his parchment to the man. "You will read this instead. It is of immeasurable importance. It is a memorial to the throne, but it should not be just for Cao Cao's ears. Let all hear the pleas of a servant of the Empire." The crier still stared at Li Li, his anger changing to apprehension. "What manner of nonsense is this?" He hissed. "Who are you to interrupt my job, and why do insist on making that face? What manner of devil are you?"
Li Li's face did not change, his strange, scowling eyebrows remained scowling and strange, but his mouth did turn downward slightly, though it was hardly noticeable. Then, without a word, Li Li slapped the man directly in the face. The crier cried out in pain and surprise, his face already swelling where the blow landed. Li Li was there to play no games.
"You will read that, and Li Li will not have to tell you once more. As a servant of the Empire, as a recipient of its coin, you will do your job. Now" Once again the crier looked to defy Li Li, but Li Li's gaze bore deep into the man. Flashed of more violence, or perhaps stranger occurrences moved through the man's head. And suddenly he decided that it would be best if perhaps he complied. Just like all the others. And it was a good thing that he did too. Because Li Li would have killed him if he needed to and then found a passerby that could read and made him the new crier.
The made looked down at the parchment and then cleared his throat.
"The country has suffered many disasters in its late years and many more are sure to come. The Emperors Huan and Ling gave their authority to once-men whom coveted the wealth and power of the legitimate gentry. They allowed themselves to fall for the lies and slanders of these eunuchs and the country suffered for it.
"This rampant corruption spread throughout the country and the meritocracy that the Han once was fell to nepotism and elitism. If one could afford the proper bribe, no matter how unfit for office he may be, he would find himself in whatever office he paid for -- even those of the Three Dukes! Such foolishness was not to go without repercussions, however.
"When the rebels Zhang rose up with scarves of yellow upon their brows, the country finally fell into total chaos. Merchant families and bitter members of the gentry rose up with them and much death spread throughout this land. The proper men, those deserving the titles and ranks and positions of the worthless 'friends' and family members of the eunuchs, were unable to act immediately. Many commanderies and cities fell to the rebels and the people rejoiced. They rejoiced! Rebels were destroying the Empire and its citizenry was overjoyed. A shame no greater than that can this servant of the Han imagine.
"They were pleased because the Empire had failed in its duty to protect and serve its people. Instead, the people were made slaves to a corrupt bureaucracy. There was no food, no wealth, no prosperity for the millions, only comfort for the eunuchs and their pets. Despite this, the proper men of the gentry that were true, those that remained loyal to the Empire, were able to drive back the rebels and destroy their efforts of displacing the Han.
"And when this occurred, the people wept, not of joy, but of sorrow. Their hope had been destroyed and many fled. They fled to Hanzhong where the Five Pecks cult had restored order where the Empire could not. They fled to Liaodong where Gongsun Du the Warlike had suppressed the barbarians and brought peace to his removed location. They fled to Jiaozhou where the scholar-king Shi Xie had created a wonderful paradise in the south. But what of us remaining?
"We were left with a shattered realm and an incapable government. It was then that your servant took up service in Ye. There this one served to the best of his ability, bringing peace and order to the area. The Governor Han was a just man, but was meek. He did not march against Dong Zhuo, nor did he pretend to which so many others did. Seventeen leaders of men became that coalition and three -- three actually took part in the fighting. The late lords Wang Kuang and Sun Jian saw the heaviest of the fighting, but the Great Progenitor did his part as well. Lord Han may not have marched and made a grand show like so many other fools, but he did provide a great many supplies to the effort, allowing all those stationary and worthless soldiers of other lords to eat.
"Your servant advised against this course of action. Feeding the hordes of the bastard of the Yuans was none of our concern, and stabilizing the north should have been our priority. However, Lord Han was a kind man, foolish even with his soft heart. He continued to support Benchu with supplies and Benchu remained as falsely noble as ever, plotting the death of my lord. All the while, he stood at the head of the coalition, pretending to care about the matter, soaking up the glory of being deferred to on all matters regarding it.
"Eventually the thickset tyrant was cast from this world. And lo! It was not by the noble and great bastard of Yuan, it was by a traitorous man that loved a whore more than his lord! How honorable and great Benchu's deeds in the matter! He was entitled so after that that he so believed that Ye would be better off in his own hands. And why not? After all, he did do so much for the effort. He consumed another's food, and allowed others to fight his battles -- such greatness!
"Again, my lord in his foolish trusting nature was cowed by the bastard of Yuan. He was convinced by traitors such as Ju Shou and Tian Feng, once his own men, that Benchu meant well in his offer. His offer to 'protect' Ye from that worthless sot Gongsun Bogu. Again, your servant advised against this course and again your servant was ignored in favor of the sweet words of traitors and opportunists.
"Lord Han was then murdered in cold blood and your servant fled to your lands. It is here that this one has remained for the past twenty-four years. The Great Progenitor's ability to know good men and to use them well allowed this one to live quietly and peacefully within the commandery. Meanwhile, the bastard of Yuan continued to destroy men through deception and eventually he united the north under his unworthy rule. And to thank the Grand Progenitor for all the assistance provided over the years, he used Ye as a staging point to make war with the Grand Progenitor.
"This one prayed to the heavens that the bastard of Yuan would be defeated by your superior skill and talent and so it was. And this one was overjoyed! The happiest your servant has ever been was when your servant heard of the fool Benchu's defeat. But no! Such happiness was not to last! After the best news of your servant's life, then came the worst.
"The Grand Progenitor, despite his greatness, allowed that sniveling fool to live, and even gave him a position of respect and power within your realm. Your servant turned away from his path to Xuchang, where this one was to offer his services, and went back into the country, believing that the Grand Progenitor had become someone unworthy of service.
"For many years your servant has been a hermit, listening to the news of the country as it came. Your servant has finally reemerged, ready at last to offer service. There is chaos in the north, in the south, in the west. All around the foundations the Grand Progenitor threaten to collapse if swift action is not taken, if good men are not put to use. This one cannot stand idly by as the country is threatened once more.
"The Grand Progenitor's mistake of allowing the bastard of Yuan to live shall forever be a stain on his honor and reputation. But your servant cannot hold such against the Grand Progenitor. Benchu is a fool and he deserved to die in shame, for now he brings only disappointment from the north. A false king and hordes of barbarians seek to uproot the north and the Grand Progenitor could have avoided this all if he had simply dealt properly with the Yuans after Guandu.
"But such did not occur, and now your servant, Li Jizi, places himself before the court of the country in offer of servitude. Your servant shall assist in the matter throughout the country as the Grand Progenitor deems fit. Despite the hatred in this one's heart, this one wishes for the betterment of the state over this one's own personal grudges. There is much work to be done."
The crier was red-faced once more, though this time for lack of breath. He rubbed his throat as he finished, tears in his eyes from the pain of speaking so much without stopping. Several times Li Li thought the man pause, but each time his glare increased and the man continued on miserably. Li Li nodded as the man finished and handed the crier sold gold. "Here is your recompense." And with that, he turned to face the crowd and wait.
Someone would surely come for him for one reason or another.