To Establish Peace - A Romance of the Three Kingdoms Quest

In the time of the Latter Han, China is split into various levels of local administration. The Province, Commandery, and the County as the smallest district. Counties and commanderies would often be renamed, split, merged and be formed anew over time, depending on population, economic factors and the whims of an Emperor. When Imperial control finally falls apart, the various warlords will divide up and rename these districts to benefit their own spheres of influence and authority - with various stages of recognition from their rivals. Over time, even the Provinces will be subject to dividing, splitting and renaming.

Positions of local government will almost always be distributed by the capital, however other local leaders can also recommend individuals to posts, especially in times of crisis. The following is somewhat simplified, for ease of understanding.
Counties are governed by Prefects, which is usually the highest rank of local authority that can be given to someone who has not spent time as a cadet in Luoyang. Prefects are responsible for local law enforcement in their county, policing the villages and keeping them safe from bandits and criminals, and local-level administration and oversight. Notable towns and cities may also be magistrated by a Prefect.
Commanderies are governed by Grand Administrators, who hold a degree of responsibility over all Prefects under them, and are ultimately responsible for overseeing them and their counties. Grand Administrators have various executive powers to deal with uprisings and bandits in their territory, which has only increased as the authority of the central government has waned. The development and safety of their respective Commandery is the highest priority of a Grand Administrator, at least in theory. In the time our story begins, more and more of these posts are being held by corrupt or inept men, who received their rank through bribery or familial influence rather than merit. As such, many Commanderies are poorly managed and ill prepared to deal with internal matters.
Provinces are overseen by Inspectors. Despite being a "higher" rank they actually receive a lower salary than their Grand Administrator subordinates. Their main task is to provide a "checks and balances" system throughout their Province, ensuring each Administrator does his job and none get too powerful or independent. They will give guidance and orders to the Adminstrators but cannot personally intervene - however their most important role is that of sending recommendations to the Imperial Court. Inspectors are quick to send reports to Court about incompetent, rebellious or corrupt Prefects or Administrators, and to keep the Ministers well informed about talented and noteworthy individuals in their province who may be recommended for service. Inspectors on the frontier regions and far from the capital often do get greater authority, especially in regards to security and maintaining garrisons.
Although it is not a rank currently in use by the Han, the Governor is a rank that has been used in the past, and may well soon see an recurrence. Higher than a Inspector on a Provincial level, the Governor holds executive authority over a Province, particularly in regards to taxation and raising troops. Typically, due to the fact the mere use of this rank weakens Imperial power, it is only granted in times of great crisis, when the Empire is in such dire straits that authority and new armies in the provinces are needed without the usual red tape that mires down bureaucracy.
Sili Province, the home of the capital of Luoyang and other cities of importance to the central government, is overseen by a Director of Retainers rather than an Inspector. Holding similar powers to a Governor, he is also responsible for inspecting, investigating and holding judgement on the ministers and officials of the court.

Each of these local governments would have their own retinue of civil servants and military officers, some appointed by the Central Government, others recommended by Administrators or Inspectors.

A map of the Commanderies of China, circa 184 CE.





(Please ignore the giant "Wu, Wei and Shu" labels on this map.)





Another Commandery map. The numbers are rough population counts for the adult, Han Chinese citizens in each. The map is from about 100 or so years before the start of our story, so numbers will be inaccurate.

Call it the lofty dreams of a child, or arrogance, or wild ambitions, or even treasonous thoughts, but you always dreamed of sitting on the Imperial Throne yourself, ruling over the entire Middle Kingdom. Even, as someone not from the Liu clan, this seemed impossible, you still devoted your younger years to the idea of becoming a leader.

It came to you naturally.

Through a combination of hard study and raw talent, you picked up the fundamentals of warfare and of commanding others quite easily. Often, your father would return to the family estate, only to find his labourers and retainers lined up in rigid formations, then being ordered to march up and down by you. You could imagine yourself as a great general, and these workers as your soldiers. You would have your servants line up in various formations, or even have them fight mock battles before a senior retainer or your father put a stop to your fun.
You also took to learning about how to running your family estate. As your father was of the Grandee noble rank, he was permitted to raise his own modest stipend from the local area. You would be taught ways in how to potentially invest these funds, such as using it to pay for the services of more labourers, or even distributing it to the hungry and needy in times of poor harvest. Truthfully, the modest Liang clan had very little means to expand the size of its holdings at the moment, but even your small holdings could certainly support some of the peasants displaced by natural disasters, which in turn would grant labourers and farmers for your lands.
Situated in a small valley in the south of Shangdang Commandery, near the village of Fenshan, the Liang family estate slowly began to grow wealthier. With your father devoted to his office as County Magistrate, you would often get first hand experience in managing the estate yourself.
In addition to its fields of millet and livestock, you watched your estate also develop into other aspects as you grew up. Select one feature.

[] A system of regularly training and drilling the labourers in case of bandit attack
[] A series of high walls around the perimeter
[] A pasture that bred and raised horses
[] A small forest, and logging facilities
[] Deep wells to always provide fresh water
[] Fields that were especially fertile

Your mother, Ce Xiang, was a lady from a family of martial artists, warriors, and xia - wandering knights-errants and adventurers. Some of your cousins and uncles had reputations throughout the region as strongmen and heroes, and your relatives could very well be called upon to act as "fangs and claws" should their blades be needed. Your mother herself was a highly skilled martial artist, even more than a match for your father, and although she passed away before your tenth winter, she would still impose a training regime upon you that would install discipline and skill. When she passed, your aunts and uncles would take up your training in martial arts on occasion, whenever they visited.
The warriors from your mother's family especially specialised in a single fighting style, that you too picked up on and thrived with. Select one.

[] The jian, the straightsword. An elegant, gentleman's weapon favoured by the nobility.
[] The dao, the sabre. Excellent when paired with a shield, or on horseback.
[] The ji, the halberd. An officer's weapon, used by duelists and cavaliers alike.
[] The mao, the spear. Easy to learn and use, deadly in the hands of a master.
[] The bow. Practical for both hunting and self defense. Takes longer to master than a crossbow.
[] Unarmed combat. You can defend yourself even if unarmed, and can take foes by surprise with your fists and feet.
[] Write in for a more exotic Chinese weapon. Must be approved if it's super obscure.

As you grew up, people took note of your especially attractive and handsome features - traits that ran in both sides of your family. Your younger sisters two were noted throughout the local village as being striking, perhaps one day rivalling the beauty of their late mother. The elder of your sisters, Liang Mi, was a very learned and scholarly girl, able to recite histories and philosophers at a remarkably young age. The younger, Liang Zhen, was less inclined for scrolls and texts but was charming and open and seemingly always knew what to say to everyone. Both of them loved you dearly, even if Zhen was prone to tease you or play tricks.

As the Prefect of Xinshen County, your father was known to be a good and just magistrate, particularly devoted to rooting out ruffians and troublemakers. The small county remained stable under his tenure, and relatively unmolested by the plagues and disasters that ravaged other parts of the Empire. The Inspector of Bing Province, Ding Yuan commended his efforts and even memorialised the court suggesting that he be given a more prestigious post. It seemed that the star of Liang Qi, and your family, was on the rise.

However, a year ago, tragedy struck. Your father suddenly passed away, thrusting the fate of your clan to you, a mere boy. You would have to grow up, fast, not just for your sake, but for both of your sisters.
How did Liang Qi, Prefect of Xinshen, pass away?

[] On campaign against bandits in the hills
[] Of sudden illness
[] Found dead in his sleep, knife in his throat, his killer unknown
[] In a drunken brawl at a banquet that got out of hand
[] Write in

His post was soon taken by a man named Leng Jun from the south, a man who was promoted by the court rather quickly after your father's death. He has proved to be a rather more middling Prefect, certainly not a military man like your late father. He treats your family with indifference at best, and suspicion at most.

As tradition, your family undertook a period of mourning for your late father. As per his wishes, several of his friends and formal retainers have pledged themselves to aid you and your estate - but you are still the head of your clan. Although you are too young to be considered a man, you may as well be an adult as far as things are concerned. As your father was the oldest male, cousins and inlaws and other relatives on both sides look up to you as their elder and superior, but due to your youth you will have to work hard and fast to secure their support and respect. Your months mourning your father were not just spent in quiet reflection and tending his shrine, however. You had time to train yourself, in preparation for whatever lay ahead.
Choose two stats to train. You can select the same twice, but at diminishing results.

[] LEA
[] WAR
[] INT
[] GOV
[] CHA

Fortunately, even as you are forced to cut the mourning period short to see to the affairs of your family and estate, you have inherited several advantages that could help see you through these difficult times,or at least provide you with some support.
Select two.

[] An abundance of grain from previous harvests
[] A small, but dedicated force of buqu, warriors who are loyal to you and also work your estate
[] A few, but not insignificant promises of favours and support from other local clans
[] A talented and loyal advisor, an old friend of your father
[] Influence in the administration of the county, whose officials respected and loved your father
[] Support from the common folk of Fenshan Village and other nearby hamlets
[] A promise of support from Ding Yuan, Inspector of Bing Province, who your father once fought under

In addition, you inherited an item or heirloom off your late father, intended to be given upon you once you came of age.
Select one.

[] A finely crafted weapon
[] A suit of well made armour
[] A fine and expensive set of hanfu robes
[] A young and trained warhorse
[] Various valuable ornaments and trinkets (Increased starting Wealth)

As you take your place as head of your clan, how do you feel about the Han Dynasty, upon hearing of its current state, the corruption, the disasters? It would be akin to heresy and treason to say anything foul about the Son of Heaven out loud, but how do you feel, deep inside?

[] You are loyal to the Han, the people have enjoyed the bounty of the Dynasty for decades, why should that change?
[] You believe the Han needs reform and change, but it can improve and will endure.
[] The time of the Han is over. Something new must rise in its place.
[] You are indifferent for now. You are concerned with your family and your own affairs.
[] You will never forget the dream you had, of you on the throne. Perhaps that dream can be fulfilled?

Regardless of your opinions, as the new head of the Liang clan, it is time to start thinking of your immediate future. What are your goals for the short term?

[] To sit back, take it easy, and see where the rivers of fate flow for you
[] To finish your education and hopefully get recommended by the Han court
[] To ensure the safety and prosperity of your estate and sisters
[] To gain your father's Prefect rank and continue his path
[] You have lofty ambitions, you want to aim for a higher rank than your father had, even at your young age
[] Perhaps its time to work to rebel against the established government...


Again, please vote in plan format. This will be the final step of character creation.