And I'll put you in roles based on your personalities.

All right, I've got two actors. I'll add you all in as more roles when the time for your roles begin.

The setting is the consolidation of China under the Qin dynasty.

1. PB: Pan Da, a low level scholar and avid follower of the Daoist school of thought (Lao Zi, Zhang Zi). He is sent to Southern China to assist the magistrate in census counting.

2. ThePunisher: Zhou Liang, a xia (military scholar), is also heading to Southern China to visit his dying cousin. He is Confucian, and one of the few scholars who are still skilled in the military arts.

3. Sonny Angel: Sung Ang, the daughter of a local doctor. Since coming from a long line of healers, she's particularily adept at the application of Chinese medicines. She too plans on heading to Southern China to meet up with her brother, but her father is arranging for an escort to take her.

4. Kailin: Mao Xiao Wun, is the captain of the Nanyang Bandit Brigade that occupies the road to Changsha. They are a motley crew of bandits comprised of rebels, many of whom are from the recently destroyed kingdoms that Qin conquered.

5. Jaimu: Jia Mu, a native from Xianyang, is the magistrate of Changsha. He is a strict Legalist who follows the practices of Han Feizi strictly, and dislikes those who get in his way.

6. Takashi: Taishi Ci (No relation to Taishi Ci of the Three Kingdoms), is a high ranking imperial judge. He is a staunch defender of legalism, and deathly loyal to the Qin. He is well respected in the Qin court for his advistory assistance that aided in Qin's conquering of the state of Chu.

7. Han2: Han Liao, a Major in a Imperial Guard Cavalry company who serves under Minister Taishi Ci. He is of peasant birth, and though heavily apolitical, he is strongly loyal to Taishi Ci.

8. Telliecoin: Tian Can, known as Lady Ironblade.

Here's a map by the way

im sry but i dont understand

Actually, yeah this is kinda lame.

Well I like it.

Would you like to be in it PB?

ahhh now i get it
u can count me in if u want to

Yes Sujien go

This is nice, and its only the beginning.

Ah fu-k it.

The consolidation of China under the Qin dynasty brought an ushering in of Legalist philosophy throughout China. HuangDi's rule, though harsh and strict, provided for the first dynasty in China. One of his first mandates was the standardization of rules, measurements, law and other regulations. One of his first actions was to conduct a census of China, and thus scribes were sent to all of Qin China. However, fate has grander intentions for one such scholar. Thus begins the story of Pan Da.



The death of the Zhou brings upon the birth of the Qin. Likewise, the autumn brings with it the death of one season, and the birth of another. The cool Eastern breeze rushes in, foretelling a time of change.

The Magistrate Zhuge Yun has ordered Pan Da to travel south and to assist the southern Magistrate in collecting census date for taxes. However, Pan Da, who's not used to travelling, feels anxious about the assignment.

He has never travelled far from his home, and he knows no extended family or friends from that area. He knows little of travelling, camping, the rationing of food and even less of defending himself from the bandits that haunt Qin's new roads. Fortunately for him, however, Tian will bless him with a companion: Zhou Liang.

[this is where you guys wing it]

[or do I write the dialogue too?]

Please write the dialogue.

210 BC, Qin Dynasty



A lone scholar walks slowly past a koi pond. His gait is uneven, and he skips as he twirls towards the distant sound of cheering and laughter. His clothes, though clean, are ruffled and basic, and his eyes wander as if looking at imaginary birds. He's drunk.

At last, he stumbles onto the source of the noise.

"Hello hello! How many?"

The scholar turns his head towards a busy attendant who glances his way. The attendant, while busing a messy table, turns and asks again.

"How many?"

The scholar looks at him, smiles, and motions the attendant towards him. The attendant, puzzled, stops his work and moves quickly towards the scholar.

"HOW MANY?!"

The scholar smiles again, then quickly turns deadpan. The two stare at each other, eyes deadlock in anticipation, waiting for the other to respond.

"Uh...how-"

The scholar sticks his finger into the attendant's nose, and whispers into the attendant's ear, "Shhhhhh...you are so always so busy. Do you like busing tables? If you break your arm, you wouldn't be able to bus tables anymore, so no one will make you bus them. You should do that!"

The attendant, with the finger still up his nose, stares at the scholar for several awkward seconds, and slowly walks back to the table to bus it. He nervously glaces back to see the scholar smile quickly at him, then quickly turn back into his deadpan face.

The scholar then sommersaults onto an empty table as a different attendant quickly walks over to his table, sets up a cup of tea for the scholar, and fills it with tea.

After recieving the tea, the scholar begins taking a few tiny sips. Upon doing this he finds that the tea is not made to suit his taste and pours it all over the table in an extremely simple, child-like manner. In the same moment, the original attendant passes by the mess and with a silent irritation, cleans up the spill.

The mean-looking glances of the attendant pass over the scholar's eyes and upon seeing them, he decides to stumble out of the establishment - completely unaware of the noise and commotion that is being made by the patrons of the establishment, who have just seen the whole incident take place.

"If he every comes back in here, let me know. Things like that are bad for business. Even the smallest.." whispers one of the co-owners to an attendant.

The ambience of the surrounding elements outside of the bar instantly bring the scholar out of his state of drunkenness and for the moment he is completely outside of his thought, simply acting as a passive observer to the sights and sounds of Nature around him.

.

This is interesting.
I thought it was going to be like D&D.

EDIT: I want to play too.

"PAN DA!"

Pan Da, still woozy, spins erratically to face the familiar voice. It was the voice of Sung Quon, the local doctor.

"Pan Da, have you had lunch yet?"

Pan Da smiles at his old friend, then quickly turns dead pan. He sits down cross legged and mumbles a greeting, then lies down on his back.

Sung Quon, used to the eccentricities of his dear friend, simply smiles and laughs off the odd behavior. He motions for someone to come over.

"Old friend, I want you to meet my daughter. She just came back from my sister's pavillion. Sung Ang, come here, meet my friend Pan Da"

A young girl dressed in luxurious silks skips over to her father's side and beams at Pan Da. Pan Da looks at her in a dismissive manner, then rolls towards her, mumbles "Cute feet...very please okies", and blushes.

Though Sung Quon laughs it off, Sung Ang's radiant smile drops and a completely puzzled look appears on her face. She backs away slowly.

"Okay...well-it-was-nice-meeting-you-byeeeeeee!!"

And she dashes off towards a busy market crowd.

Sung Quon then joyfully lifts Pan Da off his feet and exlaims, "Come! The local inn is only a short distance from here. A lot of travellers have been passing by, and I smell tidings of good fortune and adventure for us!"

And with a finishing stroke, Jia Mu, the magistrate of Changsha, finishes his writing on Gongsun Long's piece. He lifts up his scroll, looks over it, and a smile of triumph appears on his face. He leaves it on the table to allow the ink to rest, and moves towards the opening in his pavillion.



The view, he admits, is stunning. He chuckles and thinks to himself,

"Almost as stunning as me"

He adjusts his robes and begins to head towards the stairs when an attendant arrives.

"Magistrate Jia!"

The attendant does a knee kowtow.

"We received a message that a scribe from Xianyang is arriving to our county. He is to assist in gathering census data. I believe he will arrive here within a month or so of travel on horse."

A visible sign of displeasure spreads across Jia Mu's face. He certainly does not need am amateur helping him with his position. However, the emperor deems it so, and he cannot overstep his bounds. He grunts a sign of acknowledgement and starts to head down the stairs.

The attendant does a slight grunt of attention.

Jia Mu stops in his tracks and annoyed, he faces the attendant.

"Yes?"

The attendant looks up nervously at the magistrate, and back down and mumbles, "Your hat's on backwards"

Jia Mu slowly moves towards the opening of his tower pavillion and motions for the attendant to join him. The attendant cautiously walks up to the side of the window.

Jia Mu smiles at the attendant, and the attendant smiles back. Jia Mu, in a swift and graceful move, shoves the attendant out the window.

"Wai-wait-AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

A thump is heard.

Content, Jia Mu heads back downstairs to begin his preparations.

The attendant, still busing dishes, doesn't look up. However, his instinct tells him that exactly two people are at the entranceway. Out of habit, he still asks.

"Hello hello! How many?"

"Two people please! And don't spare the tea!"

The attendant smiles and at the corner of his eye, sees the clients.

His eye twitches involuntarily as he recognizes Pan Da. He quickly buses the last dish and starts scurrying towards the kitchen until Sung Quon, thinking the attendant didn't hear him, iterates.

"TWO PEOPLE!"

The attendant stops in his tracks, and slowly and nervously faces the two. He motions for the two to sit at an empty table and walks over to the clients. He nervously asks them for their order.

Sung Quon orders heartily.

"I'm feeling for some steamed goods! Good sir, a few pork buns, beef rice noodles, and how about some phoenix feet?"

The attendant jots this down and looks at Pan Da.

Pan Da, with a confused look, asks the attendant,

"Why isn't your arm broken?"

The attendant sighs, and walks towards the kitchen.

Sung Quon smiles at Pan Da, but before he can say anything, a loud voice booms,

"You listen here you drunkard, my family descends from the royal line of Zhou! I trace my lineage to King Wu, and my family has been fighting for generations! What do you mean the xia is dead?! A true gentleman is adept at both the sword and the brush!"

"Zhou Liang, calm down, I'm just telling it as it is. The Zhou's dead, and how often do you see nobles on chariots anymore? Nowadays armies number in the hundreds of thousands. Look at how the Qin defeated the Chu and the Qi. They didn't use aristocrats. They used crossbows and peasants to do all the fighting."

"NEVER! You traitor to the Zhou!"

The young man picks up the table, drawing all attention in the room towards him. He tosses the table at his friend, who ducks just in time.

Unfortunately for Sung Quon and Pan Da, they only turn their heads towards the commotion at the last second to see a wooden table flying towards them.

There's a loud thump, and then darkness.

"Sung Ang, we have a guest. He said he came to see if your father and Pan Da are okay. Wake them up will you?"

"Okay mom!"

Pan Da twitched.

He then twitched again.

Finally, he cautiously lifts up one eyelid and squints. His hands reaches for the lump on his forehead, which he rubs gently. He realizes that he's in a room, and snoring aside him is Sung Quon. Sung Quon, with his face to his pillow and his butt to the sky, was fast asleep, drooling on his pillow.

Pan Da yawns loudly as he hears the running thumping approaching him.

"Sung Ang! Don't run with the tea!"

"Don't worry mom! I do this all the time! Dad, Mr. Pan, I brough tea-whoops!"

Sung Ang trips over her feet, sending the scalding hot tea flying across the air. Pan Da ducks, and the hot tea splashes onto Sun Quon's grinning dormant body.

"IT'S HOT! HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT!!"

Sung Quon suddenly jumps into the air, hopping frantically in place and dancing wildly.

Sung Ang pushes her hands to her mouth to suppress her laughter as Pan Da stares puzzled at Sung Quon.

Sung Quon, after he calms down, looks puzzled back at Pan Da.

"What? Oh, I just had the weirdest dream. I dreamt that-"

Pan Da interrupts.

"Dream? How do you know that you're dreaming? I once dreamt that I was an eagle flying over the sky until I "woke up". How do you know you're not dreaming now and won't wake up later?"

Sung Quon smirks and presses against Pan Da's bump.

"OW. OW. OW. OW. OW. OW. OW. OW."

Sung Quon laughs, "And that's how you know you're not dreaming!"

Sung Ang giggles and states,

"Dad, mom says a man outside wants to talk to you. I think she's bringing him in now"

Sung Quon smiles and issues,

"Sung Ang, go prepare some tea for the guest then."

Sung Ang bows slightly and leaves the room.



After only a few minutes, a young man walks in. He's adorned in a set of elegant robes and armor. A sword is adorned at his scabbard.

He glances at the two, blushes slightly, and protrates himself.

"Humble sirs...I've come to apologize for my behavior. A gentleman shouldn't be hasty...nor should he be throwing furniture at noble sirs such as yourself."

Sung Quon dismisses it.

"It was an accident. We are grateful that you've come to apologize. Tell me, what is your honorable surname?"

"My name is Zhou Liang. My lineage dates back to the noble King Wu of Zhou. Might I ask your names?"

"I am Sung Quon. My stuffy fellow here is Pan Da."

Pan Da mumbles a line of acknowledgement.

Zhou Liang replies,

"I have heard of you Sun Quon. You are the favored doctor of the magistrate himself."

Sung Quon smiles.

"It's nothing, it's nothing! I am just a humble old healer. Pan Da is a scribe. He is headed towards the South to Changsha to assist the magistrate there."

Zhou Liang beams,

"What a coincidence! Heaven must have brought us together. My cousin is deathly sick, and I am to visit him soon to pay my final regards. Honorable sir, I would be honored to escort you to your destination!"

Just as he finished, Sung Ang walks in carrying the tea. As she begins to place the tea down, Zhou Liang beams and greets her. Sung Ang, upon seeing him, blushes heavily. She begins to wave back to him, forgetting that she was also carrying tea. The tea spills over and lands on Zhou Liang's feet.

"AI-YAH! HOT! IT'S HOT IT'S HOT! IT BURNS WITH THE PASSION OF A THOUSAND SUNS!! HOT HOT!!"

As Zhou Liang hops fervently in place, Sung Ang runs behind her father and hides behind him, looking furtively back, hiding her red face. She meeks out a soft apology.

Sung Quon laughs,

"Sung Ang, this is Zhou Liang. Zhou Liang, this is my daughter Sung Ang."

He then remembers,

"She is heading to Changsha also to meet up with her brother. It would be judicious if you should all take the same escort."

Pan Da closes his eyes and nods affirmingly.

Thus begins the Journey to the South.

"Magistrate Jia Mu"

Jia Mu, standing over his koi pong, barely acknowledges the caller.

"Yes Qing Guan?"

A middle aged man in artisocratic attire walks slowly by the magistrate. His air of confidence suggests that he regards the magistrate as nothing more than an equal.

"The assistant who is coming...give him a sinecure. Send him off to the country side. He will cause no problems there."

Jia Mu smiles at Qing Guan's boldness and lack of formality.

"Jia Mu, we must also provide for his safe transfer here. He must reach our city so that he can report back. We should also arrange for an escort to bring him here. Should he die on the way to our city, the emperor's ministers will not take kindly to his death"

Jia Mu lets out a slight laugh.

"You're right in that he must get here. However, you overestimate his importance. The ministers send actuaries to all the cities. It's a purely ceremonial role to let us know whose thumb we are under. Surely if he were someone of importance he could afford his own escort. He is nothing but a lowly officer."

He tosses feed into the koi pond, and a number of koi fish reach to the surface.

Qing Guan rubs his chin.

"What if he were to find out about our operations?"

"Hence why we should keep him close to us. We will gain his trust...then we can show him what we want him to report, and keep him away from what the emperor doesn't need to know."

Qing Guan smiles and agrees.

Jia Mu tosses more feed at the pond.

"Make sure he gets here alive. He is an annoyance, but he is only an annoyance. He can work towards our favor. Have a messenger pay a squadron of cavalry to escort him."

Qing Guan yells out, "Guan Bei! I call for you!"

Jia Mu, still staring at the pond, turns slightly.

"Don't bother. He's at the bottom of the cliff."

"This is the fourth one you've tossed over this month"

Jia Mu shrugs.

"He was ugly anyways."

And tosses the rest of the feed into the pond.



"Captain Mao! We have captured a messenger who has told us that the Magistrate Jiang Mu has sent for a squad of cavalry to escort an imperial officer towards Changsha!"

Captain Mao didn't turn around to see her lieutenant. Instead, she continued to stare at the map of China. She finally turned her head slightly. She was adorned in heavy armor, and her scimitar glistened in the sunlight. The numerous scars over her body were reminders of the many battles she has fought in.

"Bring him in"

Lieutenant Guan brought in the tied up messenger. His face was dirty, and his eyes carried with him a paralyzing fear.

"Talk"

The messenger cowardly kowtowed, and then confessed,

"The Magistrate Changsha...he has sent for me to pay for a squad of cavalry men to escort a census collector. His name is Pan Da. That...that is all I know."

"That isn't all you know. Lieutenant, cut off his hand"

The messenger screamed and yelled out,

"THAT'S ALL I KNOW! He said to make sure that the scribe gets to Changsha alive and unhurt! Please, spare me!"

The lieutenant asked,

"Captain, what shall we do?"

She said nothing for a minute, and then replied,

"He may be a man of great importance, or a man of little importance. However, he himself is of little value. He represents the will of that bastard Qin. If he fails to get to Changsha, Jia Mu will be penalized severly."

She finally turns around completely and eyes the messenger.

"Even if I let you go, the penalty for your lateness is death. Qin law shows compassion to no man."

The messenger, upon realizing his dilemma, dropped his head at the acceptance of his fate.

"You can complete your mission, and be executed for your efforts, or you join mine. I will reward you handsomely."

The messenger, seeing no other choice, nodded.

"Lieutenant Guan, send a squad of our men and adorn them in imperial garb. Take them and the messenger to this...Pan Da. Escort him straight to our den. We will hold him hostage. That fool Jia Mu will have no choice but to pay the ransom...unless he wants the wrath of Qin on his head."

The lieutenant saluted the captain, and took the messenger out.

The captain takes out a curved dagger, and with a a sleight of hand, thrusts the knife into the capital of Xianyang.

Make me a character

^ I'll have to fit you into a role somewhere.

This is brilliant. <3

Actually, yeah this is kinda lame.


Just kidding

sounds brilliant....

can i join?

"Hello hello! How many?"

"Four my good man! And don't spare the tea!"

The attendant turned around saw the party, but to his disappointment among the party was Pan Da. He ignored the party and headed towards the manager.

"Mister Fong, he's back again!"

"Well why shouldn't he?! This is the best restaurant in all of Xiaoyang. The only thing lacking is the SERVICE, which should have taken them to their table the moment they came!"

"But-but, Mister Fong-"

"That's Sung Quon there! Don't be such a woman!"

The manager gives a swift kick to the attendant's bottom and dismisses him to address the party.

The attendant motioned for the four to sit down by the table. Sung Quon, Pan Da, Zhao Liang and Sung Ang sat down as the attendant poured tea for them.

"Good morning good sirs. What will you be having?"

Sung Quon, in a hearty voice, boomed out his order for the entire table. As the attendant jotted down the order, Sung Ang glanced furtively at Zhao Liang.

She coyly asked, "Um...Mr. Zhao, why don't we leave earlier? You said your cousin was sick."

Zhao Liang put down his tea and groaned.

"I've been trying to, but the administration has been so damn slow in giving me those travel documents. I barely got them this week."

Sung Quon takes a sip of tea.

"I know what you mean Zhao. Times have changed since the consolidation. I suppose we'll have to adjust to these new standards"

Zhao Liang casts a glance at Sung Quon, and then to no one in a general manner.

"Times change, people change, but that which is right and that which is wrong do not change. The sage kings of Yao and Shun practiced perfect morality and perfect governance. They carried with them the Mandate of Heaven. The yellow emperor, as he calls himself, doesn't deserve the Mandate of Heaven. His irreverence for rituals and the moral governing of the Sage Kings shows how small minded he is."

Zhao Liang removes his sword from his hilt and holds it towards the sun. The iron blade is inscribed with jade markings that describe his family lineage. The sword glistens in the light.

"My family pledged an oath to King Wen to uphold the teachings of the Zhou dynasty."

He pauses slightly.

"Man is by nature good. How else can we be familiar with such feelings of humility, shame, guilt, and benevolence? As we become older, we lose our way, our essence of rightness. By adhering to ritual and by observance to the ancestors and the Sage Kings, we keep true to the primordial goodness that is the true essence of man. Qin has strayed from the tao of man. He has strayed from the path of the Sage kings, the path of rightness, and thus the path of correct governing. He and his empire will fall"

He slashes diagonally, and effortlessly draws the sword back inside his hilt.

"Like my ancestors before me aided King Wu's defeating of the barbaric Shang, I will be the sword of justice who will defeat these Qin barbarians. Morality is my shield, and ritual will guide my blade"

Sung Quon nods affirmingly at Zhao Liang as Sung Ang suppresses a cheer of admiration. Pan Da merely nods slightly with his eyes closed.

The moment, however, was interrupted by the attendant. He brought the dishes in, and hastily organized them on the table. Before he could leave, however, Pan Da grabs a hold of his arm.

"Y-y...yes?"

Pan Da, still gripping the arm, yells out

"ZHAO LIANG SMASHES THE ROOT OF QIN!"

And launches a powerful chop to the attendant's arm that sends him howling.

"OOOOOWWWW!! WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!"

Pan Da, with his eyes closed, nods affirmingly.

"Mister Fong! Imperial soldiers are heading towards the restaurant!"

The manager turned his head towards the noise of galloping horses. Sure enough, over the dusty distance, he spotted a dozen or so soldiers heading towards the restaurant.

"Shall we-"

He gently closed his eyes and shook his head. Soldiers came and went, and though he had nothing to hide, imperial soldiers rarely came to deliver good news.

Many of the customers turned their heads to look, though none were particularily alarmed or concerned. As the horsemen arrived and halted their horses, the manager walked towards them.

"Good morning sirs, have you come for tea?"

The soldiers did not seem to hear him. Though they bore the markings of Xianyang imperial cavalry, they were visibly fatigued, tired, and dirty. They looked like they've been travelling for weeks. Their eyes wandered about alert, as if to search for something.

Finally, the messenger replied.

"No no, we're just looking for someone. Fine sir, does a man by the name of Pan Da frequent your restaurant?"

The manager weighed his answers for a short moment, then replied.

"Imperial Scribe Pan Da does frequent this restaurant yes, but I'm not sure if he's in right now. He usually doesn't follow any particular schedule."

The messenger furrowed his brows and impatiently asked,

"Do you figure he's here right now?"

The manager paused for a few seconds, and then replied.

"I'll check"

The manager yelled out to no specific location, "Mr. Pan Da! Imperial Cavalrymen are looking for you!"

From Pan Da's table, Sung Quon stood up and motioned for the men to approach their table.

As the horsemen slowly made their way towards the table, Sung Quon asked,

"Good morning. To what do we owe the honor?"

The messenger left his horse and did a one knee kowtow and then a formal hand greeting.

"Mr. Pan Da, I am a messenger sent by Jia Mu, magistrate of Changsha. I have travelled over 2500 li to escort you to Changsha"

Pan Da observed the fatigured and dirty look of the soliders' uniforms.

Pan Da absent-mindedly asked, "You look tired. When did you start your journey?"

The messenger, as if in a rehearsed manner, replied "Over a month ago"

Pan Da replied, "Oh, you're quite late"

The messenger, as if offended, said "Good sir, it was over 2500 li"

Pan Da, as if out of habit, asked "Well, I am glad you had a safe trip. Did these men come with you?"

The messenger hastily replied, "No no, of course not. These soldiers are natives from Xianyang. I hired their aid at this capital"

As if out of questions to ask, Pan Da nodded absent mindedly and dismissed with the small talk.

"Zhao Liang, we should prepare to leave"

Where is this magical whale you promise jaimu?

In water -Whale

On land- Woman!

"Is this all we need father?"

"Hmm, I do think so Sung Ang. There are a few stops on the way to Changsha, so you shouldn't be too hard pressed for supplies."

The shuffling of luggage and the commotion of chatter filled the entrace to the Sung estate. As the servants hustled and bustled and loaded luggage onto the cart, a middle aged woman walked up to Sung Quon.

"Husband-"

She stopped abruptly to give Zhao Liang a quick bow.

"-Master Zhao Liang, the imperial guard have arrived. Has Zhao Liang arrived yet?"

Sung Quon and Zhao Liang glanced at each other, then bowed and shook their heads slightly.

A visible frown appeared on Madam Sung's face.

"I don't see why you're friends with such a poor mannered lout. He's always late and he's so poorly dressed. Plus, I'm sure he's addled."

She walks up quickly to Sung Ang and brushes her hair.

"Plus there's no telling what he would do to my beautiful daughter if they were left alone."

She then smiled at Zhao Liang,

"It's a good thing my daughter has a strong and handsome man such as yourself to keep her safe", and winked.

Zhao Liang and Sung Ang glanced at each other, and then turned away as their faces blushed.

Their conversation, however, was interrupted as a voice from outside yells

"Master Sung, the imperial cavalry has arrived!"

The four went outside to greet the horsemen.

Sung Quon shouted, "Good morning!"

The messenger jumped down from his horse and did a one knee kowtow. He then did a formal hand greeting.

"I apologize for the lateness this morning. We were a bit lost in the capital"

"It's no problem, it's no problem! My old friend Pan Da still hasn't arrived yet anyways"

It wasn't long before the sound of bells was heard.

To everyone's surprise, it was Pan Da riding on top of an ox. He was whipping an ox's tale. He gave a stern look at the messenger.

Madam Sung pouted and exclaimed, "Men are so unreliable. You and the imperial guard were late. Their excuse was that they were lost in the city, but what's yours?"

Pan Da, still on the ox, smiled and made his way slowly up to Madam Sung. He looked deep into her eyes and said,

"I was lost too...lost in your eyes"

As the servants laughed at his remark, Madam Sung turned red with fury but said nothing.

He then looked towards the messenger and said, "My things are already packed. I will ride my ox to Changsha"

As Sung Quon, Sung Ang and Zhao Liang laughed, the messenger appeared discombobulated.

"Sir, I must entreat you otherwise. You will take too long to arrive at Changsha, and will slow the rest of us down. The penalty for lateness under Qin law is death. I won't have that on my head sir, and neither do I think will you."

Pan Da smiled, and leapt off his horse. He got on top of a horse and said, "Well, how about I just take this horse and go along without you? Surely if more people means more time, then less people means less time!"

The messenger, with another confused look, replied. "Sir, I am sure you can arrive at Changsha at only about three weeks time, and four at most and less than a month, but you'll be killed by bandits. Travelling in a group will take over a month, but it is far safer. Please, let us not fool about and begin our journey."

Pan Da only smiled in acknowledgement.

As the party said their tearful goodbyes, Pan Da, Sung Ang, Zhao Liang, and the imperial cavarly squad started their way to the South.

I WANNA BE IN THE STORY
add me plz!!
I can be a.. lemme see..
I can be one of the tents!

I suppose if I can find you a role...or not.

I dunno how I'll be able to fit you in.

you should call it: The Legend of Chin Pan Zi

.

i can be a tree

Would you seriously rather be an inanimate object than a character?

can i be Pan Zi's brother?

I can be called Pan Ti

haha ultra sweet

LOLLOLLLL

Suijen : aww it's ok I don't have to be in it.. I just like your story alot

"Clip clop, clip clop,
the sound of oxe heels,
clip clop, clip clop,
the poop of ox peels,
clip clop, clip clop,
a journey of two thousand li,
clip clop, clip clop,
moutains as far as I can see,
clip clop-"

"Do shut up good sir"

And with that Pan Da fell silent and pouted at the messenger. However, it was clear that the messenger was not the only one who felt the same. The group has been traveling for over two weeks now, and they haven't rested at an outpost for days. Everyone felt exhausted, tired, and dirty.

Pan Da turned his head back towards Zhou Liang and Sung Ang. Even Sung Ang's usually pretty face was dirty with sweat and dirt. However, she still coyingly casted furtive glaces at Zhou Liang while he remained oblivious, distracted by the cascading waterfall to the group's right.

Pan Da turned slightly towards the messenger.

"Hey grumpy face, how about we rest here for lunch?"

The messenger looked up at the sun, and realizing it was noon, nodded his head towards Pan Da and motioned for everyone to stop.

"Pan Da, you and your party go on and set up. My men and I will follow suit after we recalculate our supplies"

"Calculate how many green peas my ox will need for the rest of the travels also!"

"Good god man, for the last time it's not an ox you're on! It's a horse!"

"A horse with oxen characteristics"

The messenger groaned and he and his men broke off to count inventory. Pan Da nodded and he, Sung Ang, and Zhou Liang moved to set up a lunch site.

The three set up under a tree. Pan Da looked up at the majestic tree, which provided generous shade. He noticed a marking on a branch. As he went up to examine it, an inscription was placed on it.

"Lady Ironblade...I float like a butterfly, and sting like a giant boulder."

Pan Da scratched his chin and ignored the inscription, then headed back to the two.

After eating for a bit, Pan Da decided to make conversation.

"Honorable Zhou Liang!"

"Hmm? Yes Mr. Pan Da, what is it?"

"If a man said it took him twenty days to travel a thousand li, and tomorrow says it takes only ten, what does that mean?"

"It means that he is confused or lying"

"If a man does a job knowing that he'll be killed, but does so anyways, and tomorrow says he is fearful of death, what does that mean?"

"It means that he is addled or lying"

"If a man says he lives at his home all his life and says he cannot find the kitchen, what does that mean?"

"It too means he is stupid or lying"

"If a man held one opinion yesterday, but a different one tomorrow, what does that mean?"

"Then he is hypocritical or lying"

"And why does a man lie?"

"To conceal the truth"

"And why would a man conceal the truth?"

Zhao Liang, confused about these questions, responded "To protect his plot"

Pan Da smiled.

"So suppose a man yesterday said it will take him twenty days to travel a thousand li, but tomorrow says it will only take him ten days. Suppose a man yesterday said he doesn't fear death, but tomorrow says he fears it. Then suppose yesterday a man said that he lives in his home, but tomorrow says that he can't find the kitchen. What does that mean?"

"He is lying, he is concealing the truth, and he is thus plotting"

Pan Da grinned widely.

Zhou Liang, still puzzled, look at Pan Da. "Why, what's going on?"

Pan Da laughed heartily and slapped Zhou Liang in the back.

"Keep your eyes open, I think something exciting will happen quite soon!"

"How far are we along now?"

"Maybe about a few days travel Mr. Zhao."

Zhao Liang sighed and glanced back at Sung Ang, just after she quickly looked the other way.

Just then, however, the messenger looked to his companion to his right. They nodded at each other quickly.

The messenger rode up to Zhao Liang.

"Mr. Zhao, Lieutenant Guan Ju thinks that we should head off the path."

Zhao Liang was taken back.

"Off path? Why?"

"This part of the road is known for having many bandits. It would be the prudent choice to make"

"If we head off path, we will definitely be late to Changsha"

Lieutenant Guan Ju smiled casually.

"That won't be a priority anymore"

A sudden dread fell over Zhao Liang. He said nothing but gripped his reins tightly.

He made eye contact with Sung Ang and Pan Da and nodded.

"Sung Ang! Pan Da! Run!!"

And with that, Sung Ang and Zhao Liang's horses sprinted off past the troops.

Guan Ju, taken by surprise, let out a yell,

"Stop!! You six, pursue them! Don't let them get away! We-"

He paused mid-sentence. Pan Da, with his butt to the air, was yanking at the reins.

"Onward divine bull! Spring faster than the Eastern winds!"

The horse, however, was still leisurely strolling.

Guan Ju was speechless for a moment, and then recovered from the shock.

"Uh...well, ah, get the other two! Don't let them get away!!"

Six troops sprinted in pursuit Sung Ang and Zhao Liang, quickly gaining speed.



Sprinting past the brushes and weed paths, Sung Ang and Zhao Liang's horses leapt over a fallen tree and came into a narrow path blocked by the high trees.

However, the six pursuers were already gaining onto them.

"Sung Ang! Where's Pan Da?!"

"I don't know! I think he got left behind!"

"Damn it! We have to go back for him before-Sung Ang! Behind you!"

It was too late. Two of the pursuers had already caught up behind her. She reached into her pouch, and tossed an orange powder onto them. Blinded, the two stopped pursuing. However, a third pursuer caught her arm before she could throw any more, and wrestled her to the ground.

Zhao Liang let out a yell.

"Sung Ang!!"

By then, however, the remaining three pursuers were side by side with Zhao Liang.

The one behind him to his right raised his halberd and thrusted it at Zhao Liang. Zhao Liang, sword in hand, deflected the halberd with his sword and rammed his horse onto his opponent, forcing his opponent off the path.

The horseman to Zhao Liang's left had already moved ahead of him, withdrew his sword, and swung back at Zhao Liang. Zhao Liang ducked, then counter-attacked with his own sword. There was a loud pang of metal, and the two swung at each other again. Zhao Liang's pursuer behind him, however, thrusted his halberd at Zhao Liang just when his comrade struck with his sword again.

In one deft move, Zhao Liang ducked and parried both attacks with his sword. The two struck again, and Zhao Liang blocked both attacks once more. However, the opponent he had forced off the path had already caught up to Zhao Liang, halberd ready. Zhao Liang's three opponents synchronized their attacks and struck at once.

Zhao Liang deflected the halberds, but a sword struck his arm. He groaned in pain, and forced his horse to halt. His horse collided with two others, forcing Zhao Liang and two other men to fall onto the ground.

Zhao Liang recovered quickly, and kicked one of the recovering men who fell with him on the chest. The man rolled back in agony. Zhao Liang turned just in time for his sword to meet his opponent's. They swung at each other tit for tat, as the sound of clanging metal filled the air. The horsemen who hadn't fallen off charged at Zhao Liang with his halberd.

Zhao Liang, busy with his current opponent, acted quickly. He rolled out of the way of the charging horsemen and continued sparring with his opponent. By then, the opponent he had kicked had charged at Zhao Liang, sword raised. Zhao Liang deflected two attacks with his blade, and sparred with both of them at once. The pain in his arm, and the combined attacks of his two opponents, forced Zhao Liang to lose ground and back up against a tree.

As his blade met his opponents', the horsemen once again charged at Zhao Liang. Just before the halberd struck him, he rolled out of the way. The horsemen struck the tree, forcing him to fly from his horse and land on the hard dirt unconscious, surprising the man's comrades.

Taking advantage of the surprise, Zhao Liang smashed one of the men on the head with the butt of this sword and kicked him in the chest. The man fell to the ground and recoiled in pain.

Zhao Liang's final opponent thrusted at Zhao Liang. However, with one deft move Zhao Liang shifted his sword under his opponents, locked it, and then flipped it out of his opponent's hands. The disarmed opponent fell to the ground in fear as Zhao Liang pointed his sword at the man's neck.

Zhao Liang breathed heavy and gulped. The pain in his arm was still burning.

Out of instinct, Zhao Liang ducked. A crossbow bolt brushed past him and hit the ground.

"Hmph, I usually don't miss at this range."

Zhao Liang turned around, sword ready.

"Who are you?!"

The lightly armored woman turned to him. Her hair was long and her robes and armor were neat. She gently put down her crossbow and placed her right hand over her sword scabbard.

"Tch, how rude. Where are your manners?"

She smiled and walked closer to Zhao Liang.

"Well, I suppose I'll have to be the one to teach them to you"

She withdrew her sword and took a stance.



"Lieutenant Guan, shouldn't we apprehend him?"

"Don't get too close sergeant! I recognize that style! That's drunken fist!"

Pan Da, cornered to the edge of the mountain, was moving drunkingly back and forth, his fists outstretched but his patterns erratic.

The sergeant moved a step closer.

"Uh...he's not really doing anything"

The lieutenant jumped.

"Damn it man! I saw this in a festival once! If you get close he'll pulverize your face so badly your mother won't be able to recognize you! He's dangerous! Don't get too close until we get reinforcements!!"

Pan Da, however, had cartwheeled off the mountain. His body tumbled as it rolled down the rocky wall, smashing through bushes until it eventually stopped and hit a large rock.

The sergeant and lieutenant moved to the edge of the cliff to get a look.

Pan Da's body was motionless. Blood was oozing out.

The two continued staring at the body from afar.

"..."

"..."

"It's a trick. I know it"

The sergeant groaned.

Be sure to leave comments.

I do a lot of somersaults and cartwheeling haha its great

Becoming quite action-packed.

Wonderfully done thus far, Suijen! And nice implementation of the artwork, adds to the experience nicely.

"Here"

"What do you want me to do with this?"

"Toss it at him"

"Why?"

"He's faking"

"No he's not! He's bleeding!"

"It's dye. Throw it at him"

The sergeant accepted the rock apprehensively, and glanced at Pan Da. The body was lying there. Flies started to hover about it as the body lay motionless.

The sergeant looked up, and tossed the rock at the body. It landed with a slight thump, and bounced off.

The sergeant sighed.

"Lieutenant, there's nothing. He's not moving and-"

He stopped midsentence.

"Lieutenant, what's that?"

The lieutenant groaned and rolled a giant boulder to the sergeant.

"At the count of three, we roll it down at him."



Pang!

The two blades collided, withdrew, and struck again.

Zhou Liang withdrew his blade and took a stance. It was clear that his opponent had more fighting experience. He awaited for her to strike, hoping to flip the blade from her hand, though her agility gave her a strong advantage.

Her sword hand lay outstretched as she slowly walked forward. Suddenly, she dashed forward motioning for a forward strike.

Zhou Liang sense his opportunity.

She struck, and Zhou Liang, with his blade under her's attempted to flip the blade. However, she braked suddenly beyond the reach of his blade. She quickly turned her forward strike into a slash to his waist.

Zhou Liang, caught off guard, barely managed to dodge out of the way. She anticipated the move, and landed a kick to Zhou Liang's back.

Zhou Liang lurched forward and rolled. He quickly got back on his feet and took a stance.

She stood there, casually, waiting for Zhou Liang to strike.

Zhou Liang rushed forward and swiped at her legs. She backflipped away and kicked up dirt at his eyes. Zhou Liang was temporary blinded, but reacted quickly enough to block her sword swipe. She kicked again, and Zhou Liang ducked and thrusted forward. She effortlessly dodged the attack and cart wheeled to higher ground.

Zhou Liang's side was still bleeding, and he felt the pain growing steadily more intense. He felt it in his sloppy sword work. He took a stance and slowly walked towards her.

She laughed.

"What are you, in martial arts school? Going to keep a straight back and your hair tidy while you're at it?"

Zhou Liang's face felt red. While it was clear she had plenty of fighting experience, he on the other hand never faced actual combat until today, and he was exhausted and wounded. Still, he couldn't give up just yet.

He launched forward as she took up her sword. He feigned an attack, and she dodged and countered with a kick to his wounded sides.

Zhou Liang let out a yell of pain.

However, he anticipated the kick and absorbed the blow. Though the kick landed, he locked in her leg with his arm.

"Hey! Let go!"

However, he was too close to her for her to wield her long sword properly. He wrestled her to the ground and tried to pin her arm. He was tired and breathing heavy. He faced her.

"Give...up"

She gave a look of disbelief, and then suddenly headbutted his nose. Zhou Liang let go and stumbled back. By the time he recuperated, she landed another kick, which hit him square in the jaw.

The guardsmen Zhou Liang had defeated has started to recuperate.

She landed a knee to Zhou Liang's stomach.

"You bastard Qin dogs took everything worthwhile from me."

She uppercutted Zhou Liang, sending him hurling back.

"Too bad taking your worthless lives can't make up for it."

Zhou Liang panted hard. Blood was oozing from his mouth.

"Wait...there is a big mistake, I am no fan of the Qin either, but a-"

It was too late. She hit him in the back of the head with the butt of her sword, rendering him unconscious.

She turned towards one of her guardsmen.

"Wait, what did he say? I didn't hear that last part."

The guardsman shrugged.

"Something about him saying he's a fan of your big butt or something."

She raised an eyebrow, then kicked the unconscious body.

"Captain!"

She turned to two men carrying what looked like a bag of recently killed meat.

"What's that?"

One of the men looked apprehensively at the body, and then looked back.

"Well, it's-"

The lieutenant interjected.

"It's Pan Da madam! The vicious drunken boxer!"

She looked at the bloody body that lay before her motionless. She poked it with her scabbard.

"He must have put up quite a fight"

The sergeant looked at the body.

"Well...actually...long story. We'll tell you on the way back"

The lieutenant motioned for some horsemen to pick up Pan Da and Zhou Liang.

"And you be careful about Pan Da. He's asleep now...but trust me, he's a killing machine. I've seen it in a show once! These guys pretended to be drunk, but they completely messed up a-"

The captain groaned and motioned for everyone to move out.

This is turning into quite a short story...and love how you incorporate the pics into it; everything seems and sounds so harmonious.

Thump, thump, thump.

Footsteps were slowly approaching, but Taishi Ci was not bothered.

Without looking at his parchment, he dipped his ink brush into the ink stone. Without consciousness, he withdrew his brush and dipped it onto the silk.

Thump, thump, thump.

His hand, mechanical, quick, and dexterous, writes out

'A Strong state is strong because it is ordered'

Thump, thump, thump.

'Chaos exists when the emperor's ministers fail or overstep in their duties'

Thump, thump, thump.

'Ministers who are incompetent will bungle state affairs'

Thump, thump, thump.

'Ministers who are ambitious undermine the Emperor's authority'

Thump, thump, thump.

'Both are vermin that should be rooted out before they destroy the empire'

Thump, thump, thump, stop.



"Master Taishi Ci."

Taishi Ci stood up slowly, turned, and faced his caller.

Major Han Liao was an impressive soldier. He stood well over six feet tall and was adorned in his heavy armor. His peacock headset was stiff as his expression.

"Yes Major?"

The soldier locked his eyes into the Judge's.

"My scouts have reported a small caravan moving along the outskirts towards Qianzhong. Though they were in disguise and attempting to move stealthily, my men are confident that they are from Changsha."

The Imperial Judge turned away. He stroked his beard in silence.

"They are Jia Mu's men. I can tell because his officers because he has no skill in selecting officers. He is plotting something."

He his head towards Major Han Liao.

The major, as if anticipating the judge's answer, replied.

"Your Orders, Imperial Judge?"

"Major, assemble your cavalry men. We will pursue and intercept the caravan. Have your men bring their bows and tar."

"Tar sir?"

"Of course Major. Don't you know? The best way to eliminate rats is to smoke them out"

Finally
Keep it going.

"Lieutenant Guan Ju, lead me to those Qin rats"

"Yes Captain Mao"

The captain and her lieutenant briskly walked through a hallway to a hidden door guarded by two sentries. With a wave of her hand, the guards nodded, and moved aside.

The lieutenant lifted up a tile off the ground, and the two descended down a small and darkened hallway lit only by a number of candles. They stopped at a small cell and faced their haggard prisoners.


Zhou Liang, stripped of his armor and his face oily, merely glanced at the two until he flinched as Sung Ang rubbed an ointment on one of his wounds. Pan Zi, just as haggard as his companions, was lying on his side, glumly sucking on a stick of wheat.

The lieutenant faced them cold. As her eyebrows furrowed, she narrowed her eyes at Pan Zi.

She chewed on her spit, then spat it out at Pan Zi's face.

Pan Zi suddenly opened his mouth in a wide grin and caught the spit with his tongue.

"..."

"..."

"...you filthy Qin bastard."

She then spat to the side to show her disgust.

"My kingdom...my platoon...and my family. They're all gone, consumed by the flames of Qin. You took everything from me, except my life."

She withdrew her sword and pointed it straight at Zhou Liang. Zhou Liang stared adamantly back.

"I, Captain Mao Xiao Wun of the Chu kingdom, will make sure that blood is repaid by blood"

Zhou Liang, still matching Mao's intense eyes, stood up and walked slowly towards her until his heart was only an inch away from her blade.

"I am Zhou Liang. My noble ancestor was an officer who served under the Duke of Zhou to defeat the Shang. I am a xia, and I fight for the same reasons my ancestors have fought for. I fight for peace, justice, and truth. I am your ally against the Qin."

The captain's blade stayed firm.

"Liar. That man there...he is a Qin official. He is the horse that guides the Qin carriage."

Zhou Liang glanced back at Pan Zi, who was still chewing the stick and staring at the ceiling.

"That is true, but we have no intention of helping the Qin. The Qin executes all men who don't obey his orders. He is an enemy of Heaven, and if you still believe that I serve the Qin...then kill me. I would rather die a thousand deaths than be associated with Qin Shi Huang"

Suddenly, she flashed her sword. Zhou Liang shut his eyes and flinched momentarily, but Mao had withdrawn her sword into her scabbard.

Her eyes were still locked onto his, but then she smiled and coyingly looked down. She hastily unlocked the cage door and swung it open.

"If I did that, then I'd be losing an ally against the Qin. Zhao Liang...I have a good feeling about you. I think you'd make a good soldier in my army."

Her eyes locked into his, and she moved a tuft of hair from Zhao Liang's eyes.

"And maybe a good something else too."

She winked at Zhao Liang, who could hardly speak, but only blushed.

Sung Ang pouted and turned her head in disgust.



"Ewww, disgusting! Don't do that little brother!"

"But this is funny! Here big sister, catch!"

The little girl ran wildly as her younger brother picked up a handful of deer droppings and tossed it at her head. As the poop hit her in the head, she became furious and chased after her smaller brother.

The boy, in abject fear, ran as fast as he could towards the road, laughing his head off. However, his laughter stopped suddenly as he ran straight into a hard object. He fell back, and glanced up.

His lip trembled.

The Imperial cavalryman was dressed completely in black. He rode on top of a brown, armored horse. As the soldier glanced down towards the boy, he lifted his halberd.

The boy was still wide eyed with fear.

Suddenly, the horseman bolted forward.

Behind him, several scores of heavily armored cavalryman followed. The forest was alive with the sound of galloping thunder as the company of mounted troops sprinted towards the top of a hill that looked down upon a valley.

Two of them waded to the front.

The Imperial Major, Han Liao, glanced at his commanding officer.

"Master Taishi Ci, we have reached the top of the hill. Jia Mu's troops must have already descended down to the forest valley."

Taishi Ci said nothing, but slowly lifted his left hand, and made a straight ward motion with it.

Two hundred imperial cavalrymen started dashing across the valley in a straight line, then stopped until they they created a line 400 meters long.

Taishi Ci and Han Liao made their way to the middle of the line.

"Major Han Liao, what do you suppose Jia Mu's incompetent officers are doing down that valley, without informing the Magistrate of Qianzhong?"

The major gruffly replied, "My troops were not able to ascertain that their objective."

Taishi Ci moved his fingers through his beard.

"But he did not inform me. To move troops in an area outside his jurisdiction, for whatever reason without authority, is illegal. Emperor Huang Di as decreed it so. What good is an imperial officer who does not obey rules? Han Feizi would state that Jai Mu is overstepping his bounds. Rules put in place must be followed to the letter. Those who break the rules have no regard for the rules, and thus no regard for the emperor's authority. They have no place in an ordered society. Major Han Liao, if you please."

The major yelled out an order, "Prepare the fire arrows!"

In an instant, the cavalrymen dismounted, and started applying pitch to their arrows.

Taishi Ci smiled.

"Major, do you remember what strategy I used on that Chu army during the summer?"

"Yes my lord. You took advantage of the dry season, and used fire to root out the Chu army"

"That is correct. Though it is Spring, this valley receives little moisture. Fire, as you know, rises up where it lusts for fodder and air. Jia Mu's troops have nowhere to go but uphill."

Taishi Ci lifted up his hand and held it.

A single soldier ran through the line, igniting the pitch on the arrows. The troops aimed their bows high, and drew their arrows back and awaited their orders.

Taishi Ci swung his hand down.

The major exclaimed, "Fire!!"

The valley became shadowed as the hundreds of flame arrows flew straight into the sky, arched, and descended down on the opposite end of the valley.

The troops ignited their arrows again, and awaited instructions

"Volley two!!"

Once again, the sky became black as a second volley of arrows descended onto the valley.

"Volley three!!"



Soon, the entire valley was engulfed in flames. Screams and mangled orders could be heard.

A rustle was heard heading up the valley.

Taishi Ci dismounted and walked forward slowly.

"Major, your crossbow"

Han Liao withdrew his crossbow and handed it to the judge.

The judge holstered it on his shoulder and took aim.

A man, covered in dirt and soot, appeared from the valley.

"Wait! Wait! I am an officer from Changsha! I serve Imperial Magistrate Jia Mu!"

Taishi Ci pulled the trigger.