“Turmoil”: Battle for the Han Empire sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne

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5

“…Why consult us, Governor Liu, when you have obviously decided what to do already…?” the gaunt City Chancellor Cao Bao asked as soon as Liu Bei had finished putting his proposal to the divided Xiapi court.
Shut your mouth, Cao Bao, or I’ll shut it for you!” Zhang Fei screamed.
Sit down, Yide!” Liu Bei ordered as Zhang Fei started to rise from his place.
“…Aiee. What is more frightening: Lü Bu - who yields to Chen Gong whenever wisdom or tact is needed - or that uncultured northern pig butcher and his master’s inability to control him…?” the aging head of the Xiapi County Chen clan, Chen Gui, whispered to his son and heir Chen Deng.
“His master scares me more,” the slim, weary Chen Deng replied quietly. “First we yield to Cao’s master, and now we court a man that will surely draw Cao back here to finish what he started.”
Chen Gui smiled and said, “I have a different view… but I must pick my moment.”
Mi Zhu noted the private conversation between Chen Gui and his son with concern.
“…Do we have a resource allocation plan, Governor, if we now intend to start feeding Lü Bu’s hordes in addition to our own long-suffering populace…?” Cao Bao asked as calmly as he could. “Surely our locust-ravaged fields and depleted stores have been factored into your decision-making…?”
BASTARD!” Zhang Fei bellowed as he rose from his seat yet again. “Do you think that we-!
Yide!
No, Xuande, I will not sit down again, not while he-!
YIDE!

Liu Bei was now on his feet, glaring wildly: the court silently awaited the outcome.
“…He acts as though we want to be friends with Lü Bu!” Zhang Fei protested. “He acts as though we want to give him all our food!”
Liu Bei gestured silently, and Zhang Fei returned to his seat amongst the rows of officers; Liu Bei then sat down, turned to Chancellor Cao Bao and said, “Forgive Yide, as you have had to do more times than I would like… but his passion is rooted in valid concern for the people.”
Cao Bao clasped his hands together, bowed slightly and said, “The fault is also mine, Governor. I am aware that the exigencies of the day are more rooted in military matters, and that we are surrounded by enemies through no fault of yours. If Lü Bu must be placated, then so be it.”
“…If I might be so bold, I have a viewpoint that we must all consider,” Chen Gui said as he got to his feet.
Mi Zhu, Mi Fang and Mister Sun awaited the influential nobleman’s words apprehensively.
“Lü Bu was a villain when he slew Ding Yuan and dealt repeated affronts against the Son of Heaven and his esteemed ancestors for Dong Zhuo, we all agree on that,” Chen Gui continued. “But a man is born flawed, and it is by the acts by which he seeks to redeem himself that he must sometimes be judged.”
Many of Tao Qian’s loyalists hummed agreeably.

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