[x] Your cousins: While you could always see your cousins after this, wouldn't it not be better to get to know your family now while they are here? While some of them are only the heirs to branch families, their connections could be useful for you in the future. Furthermore, from what you have been told, many of them are already showing great promise for the future. On your father's side of the family there is your cousin Ri Teki is said to be rather skilled with the bow. On your mother's side of the family, your cousin Jo Sei has been apprenticed to your mother to learn the arts of diplomacy as she is already showing the potential to bloom into a great beauty, while your second cousin Jo Man is being trained to follow you into the military. Altogether, they are an interesting group.
[X] General Mougou's son: Even though General Mougou has only recently ascended to his position, he is already being seen as a rising star within the Qin military, most of all for his immense strength. After having watched his son defeat opponent after opponent in challenges of strength, you can see little to indicate that his son is any different from him in that regard. While the Mou family may be newly landed within Qin, their ascendant nature is something that all can see. While you do not doubt your own strength, maybe a show of strength here can endear you to the General's son. After all, while they may be a new family now, who can tell where they will go in the future?
[x] Your cousins: While you could always see your cousins after this, wouldn't it not be better to get to know your family now while they are here? While some of them are only the heirs to branch families, their connections could be useful for you in the future. Furthermore, from what you have been told, many of them are already showing great promise for the future. On your father's side of the family there is your cousin Ri Teki is said to be rather skilled with the bow. On your mother's side of the family, your cousin Jo Sei has been apprenticed to your mother to learn the arts of diplomacy as she is already showing the potential to bloom into a great beauty, while your second cousin Jo Man is being trained to follow you into the military. Altogether, they are an interesting group.
Nothing will be set in stone by meeting them now. Marriage proposals will happen way later down the line when you are an adolescent. But it can't hurt to get a look at your options.
[x] Your cousins: While you could always see your cousins after this, wouldn't it not be better to get to know your family now while they are here? While some of them are only the heirs to branch families, their connections could be useful for you in the future. Furthermore, from what you have been told, many of them are already showing great promise for the future. On your father's side of the family there is your cousin Ri Teki is said to be rather skilled with the bow. On your mother's side of the family, your cousin Jo Sei has been apprenticed to your mother to learn the arts of diplomacy as she is already showing the potential to bloom into a great beauty, while your second cousin Jo Man is being trained to follow you into the military. Altogether, they are an interesting group.
Again, for reference (I'm pulling from the Kingdom wikia):
[] The heir to the Ou family Ou Sen (Chinese: Wang Jian)
Article:
Ren Pa as someone who cares more for his own life than those of his subordinates or the battle, having no qualm with using troops to his own ends and has personally stated that he only fights battles he believes he can win, Similar to Haku Ki of the Six Great Generals, he is a cautious commander who goes to great lengths to set up an advantage or force opponents into an unfavorable situation.
He seems to be quite stoic and has not been shown displaying much emotion besides some shock when Ren Pa outplayed him on the battlefield. One curious trait which Ou Sen has exhibited is that his ambition often leads him to attempt to take enemy generals alive, seeking to make them his own subordinates.
History
As the head of the same family as Ouki, but of the main family, it is rumored he is equally as talented as Ouki himself. However, due to his dangerous ambition, he never received King Sho's favor. Mouten calls him the "Most Dangerous" person in Qin because of his aspiration to become a king
[] General Mougou's son: Mou Bu (Chinese: Meng Wu)
Article:
Personality
Initially an arrogant and short-tempered man, Mou Bu is not afraid to speak his mind in spite of consequences, He considers himself to be the strongest general in all of China. Accompanying this belief, he wishes to re-establish the "Six Great Generals of Qin" with himself as one of their members. Because of his ambition and arrogance, he was contemptuous of Ou Ki, who was considered the strongest general of Qin at the time, regarding him as no more than a relic of the past.
This arrogance would nearly cost Mou Bu his life during the war with Zhao which saw the death of Ou Ki, partially because of faulty judgement on Mou Bu's part, Upon seeing Ou Ki's military might for himself, he seemed to have become more aware of his own shortcomings and gained a large measure of respect for the dying Ou Ki. This respect is further shown when he asks Shin for Ou Ki's glaive during the Sanyou Campaign because Shin was not strong enough to wield it yet.
By the time of the Coalition invasion of Qin, Mou Bu seemed to have grown somewhat more humble and respectful, acting less superior to Tou and a bit more like equals. Mou Bu's military behavior has changed as well, having realized his mistake when charging far to deep into enemy lines which Ou Ki warned him of and saw himself as the reason of Qin's defeat. He is not as reckless as he once was though he still retains a dislike for using tactics. On the other hand, he is willing to use them (albiet grudgingly) if it is absolutely necessary for him to win. Since Ou Ki was both a offensive and defensive general, it may be that Mou Bu was inspired by this and realized that being a purely brute force general is not the right way of becoming a true great general.
History
Mou Bu and his father, Mougou originated from the State of Qibut because his father had never won a battle agaist the Zhao Commander Ren Pa, the family emigrated to the State of Qin where they both would have successful military careers. In later years, Mou Bu met and grew up with a young prince of Chu, Shou Hei Kun who was a political hostage at the time, and later abandoned by his state. So, Shou Hei Kun was his best friend who rose up those the ranks with him. The two later joined the Ryo Faction as two of Ryo Fui's Four Pillars.
Due to Mou Bu being constantly at Chancellor Ryo's side, he did not have ample opportunities to be on the frontlines. This resulted in his name being spread throughout all of China, but whose quality wasn't set in stone, as noted by Ou Ki.
I didn't check for info about our cousins (Jo Sei and Jo Man) or about the Han, Kai, and Ryou daughters.
Neither Ousen nor Moubu seem nearly as natural an ally as the Chu Prince, but they're both very strong generals. I'm inclined to reach out to Moubu, given that he is described as "short-tempered" and may take offense at being forced to wait.
[X] General Mougou's son: Even though General Mougou has only recently ascended to his position, he is already being seen as a rising star within the Qin military, most of all for his immense strength. After having watched his son defeat opponent after opponent in challenges of strength, you can see little to indicate that his son is any different from him in that regard. While the Mou family may be newly landed within Qin, their ascendant nature is something that all can see. While you do not doubt your own strength, maybe a show of strength here can endear you to the General's son. After all, while they may be a new family now, who can tell where they will go in the future?
[x] Your cousins: While you could always see your cousins after this, wouldn't it not be better to get to know your family now while they are here? While some of them are only the heirs to branch families, their connections could be useful for you in the future. Furthermore, from what you have been told, many of them are already showing great promise for the future. On your father's side of the family there is your cousin Ri Teki is said to be rather skilled with the bow. On your mother's side of the family, your cousin Jo Sei has been apprenticed to your mother to learn the arts of diplomacy as she is already showing the potential to bloom into a great beauty, while your second cousin Jo Man is being trained to follow you into the military. Altogether, they are an interesting group.
[X] General Mougou's son: Even though General Mougou has only recently ascended to his position, he is already being seen as a rising star within the Qin military, most of all for his immense strength. After having watched his son defeat opponent after opponent in challenges of strength, you can see little to indicate that his son is any different from him in that regard. While the Mou family may be newly landed within Qin, their ascendant nature is something that all can see. While you do not doubt your own strength, maybe a show of strength here can endear you to the General's son. After all, while they may be a new family now, who can tell where they will go in the future?
[X] The heir to the Ou family: Within the State of Qin, while the 4 Great Families have immense influence in the field of politics, when it comes to those who stand near the top of the military, you can always find a member of the Ou family within Qin's Generals. You would do well to approach the heir to the family that General Ouki belongs to, if nothing else establishing a relationship with him could potentially benefit your father's military career if not your own in the future.
[X] General Mougou's son: Even though General Mougou has only recently ascended to his position, he is already being seen as a rising star within the Qin military, most of all for his immense strength. After having watched his son defeat opponent after opponent in challenges of strength, you can see little to indicate that his son is any different from him in that regard. While the Mou family may be newly landed within Qin, their ascendant nature is something that all can see. While you do not doubt your own strength, maybe a show of strength here can endear you to the General's son. After all, while they may be a new family now, who can tell where they will go in the future?
[X] General Mougou's son: Even though General Mougou has only recently ascended to his position, he is already being seen as a rising star within the Qin military, most of all for his immense strength. After having watched his son defeat opponent after opponent in challenges of strength, you can see little to indicate that his son is any different from him in that regard. While the Mou family may be newly landed within Qin, their ascendant nature is something that all can see. While you do not doubt your own strength, maybe a show of strength here can endear you to the General's son. After all, while they may be a new family now, who can tell where they will go in the future?
[X] The daughter's from the rest of the Four Great Families: Unlike your family who has direct ties to the Royal Family through a distant ancestor, the rest of the Four Great Families maintain their political power through their ties to the Royal Harem. The Han, Kai, and Ryou families have benefitted greatly through investing their wealth in the harem, as well as sending their daughters theirs as well. Many of them over the years have had the privilege of becoming the Queen-Consort of Qin and became mothers to the Qin Kings. The three girls you see gossiping at one of the tables over tea right now may be older than you, and may not be bound for the harem, but you can see the opportunity available to you if you speak to them. Their political connections alone could open many doors for you, with perhaps even a marriage or two down the line.
[X] The daughter's from the rest of the Four Great Families: Unlike your family who has direct ties to the Royal Family through a distant ancestor, the rest of the Four Great Families maintain their political power through their ties to the Royal Harem. The Han, Kai, and Ryou families have benefitted greatly through investing their wealth in the harem, as well as sending their daughters theirs as well. Many of them over the years have had the privilege of becoming the Queen-Consort of Qin and became mothers to the Qin Kings. The three girls you see gossiping at one of the tables over tea right now may be older than you, and may not be bound for the harem, but you can see the opportunity available to you if you speak to them. Their political connections alone could open many doors for you, with perhaps even a marriage or two down the line.
[X] General Mougou's son: Even though General Mougou has only recently ascended to his position, he is already being seen as a rising star within the Qin military, most of all for his immense strength. After having watched his son defeat opponent after opponent in challenges of strength, you can see little to indicate that his son is any different from him in that regard. While the Mou family may be newly landed within Qin, their ascendant nature is something that all can see. While you do not doubt your own strength, maybe a show of strength here can endear you to the General's son. After all, while they may be a new family now, who can tell where they will go in the future?
[X] Your cousins: While you could always see your cousins after this, wouldn't it not be better to get to know your family now while they are here? While some of them are only the heirs to branch families, their connections could be useful for you in the future. Furthermore, from what you have been told, many of them are already showing great promise for the future. On your father's side of the family there is your cousin Ri Teki is said to be rather skilled with the bow. On your mother's side of the family, your cousin Jo Sei has been apprenticed to your mother to learn the arts of diplomacy as she is already showing the potential to bloom into a great beauty, while your second cousin Jo Man is being trained to follow you into the military. Altogether, they are an interesting group.
[x] Your cousins: While you could always see your cousins after this, wouldn't it not be better to get to know your family now while they are here? While some of them are only the heirs to branch families, their connections could be useful for you in the future. Furthermore, from what you have been told, many of them are already showing great promise for the future. On your father's side of the family there is your cousin Ri Teki is said to be rather skilled with the bow. On your mother's side of the family, your cousin Jo Sei has been apprenticed to your mother to learn the arts of diplomacy as she is already showing the potential to bloom into a great beauty, while your second cousin Jo Man is being trained to follow you into the military. Altogether, they are an interesting group.
[X] General Mougou's son: Even though General Mougou has only recently ascended to his position, he is already being seen as a rising star within the Qin military, most of all for his immense strength. After having watched his son defeat opponent after opponent in challenges of strength, you can see little to indicate that his son is any different from him in that regard. While the Mou family may be newly landed within Qin, their ascendant nature is something that all can see. While you do not doubt your own strength, maybe a show of strength here can endear you to the General's son. After all, while they may be a new family now, who can tell where they will go in the future?
b]Vote Tally[/b] : Uniting All Under Heaven (Kingdom AU CK2 Quest) | Page 15 | Sufficient Velocity ##### NetTally 1.7.5
[X] General Mougou's son: Even though General Mougou has only recently ascended to his position, he is already being seen as a rising star within the Qin military, most of all for his immense strength. After having watched his son defeat opponent after opponent in challenges of strength, you can see little to indicate that his son is any different from him in that regard. While the Mou family may be newly landed within Qin, their ascendant nature is something that all can see. While you do not doubt your own strength, maybe a show of strength here can endear you to the General's son. After all, while they may be a new family now, who can tell where they will go in the future? No. of Votes: 9 Nerowolf A Nation's Virtue Lucienz Nevill Random Member rx915 Skjadir StarkDemise williams1996
[x] Your cousins: While you could always see your cousins after this, wouldn't it not be better to get to know your family now while they are here? While some of them are only the heirs to branch families, their connections could be useful for you in the future. Furthermore, from what you have been told, many of them are already showing great promise for the future. On your father's side of the family there is your cousin Ri Teki is said to be rather skilled with the bow. On your mother's side of the family, your cousin Jo Sei has been apprenticed to your mother to learn the arts of diplomacy as she is already showing the potential to bloom into a great beauty, while your second cousin Jo Man is being trained to follow you into the military. Altogether, they are an interesting group. No. of Votes: 8 Spacegnom HanEmpire In_lurk_shadow Raybomber Shadow-86 Somebodynobody10 taovkool Valerian
[X] The daughter's from the rest of the Four Great Families: Unlike your family who has direct ties to the Royal Family through a distant ancestor, the rest of the Four Great Families maintain their political power through their ties to the Royal Harem. The Han, Kai, and Ryou families have benefitted greatly through investing their wealth in the harem, as well as sending their daughters theirs as well. Many of them over the years have had the privilege of becoming the Queen-Consort of Qin and became mothers to the Qin Kings. The three girls you see gossiping at one of the tables over tea right now may be older than you, and may not be bound for the harem, but you can see the opportunity available to you if you speak to them. Their political connections alone could open many doors for you, with perhaps even a marriage or two down the line. No. of Votes: 3 veekie giodan Kingofbooks
[X] General Mougou's son: No. of Votes: 1 Publicola
[X] The heir to the Ou family: Within the State of Qin, while the 4 Great Families have immense influence in the field of politics, when it comes to those who stand near the top of the military, you can always find a member of the Ou family within Qin's Generals. You would do well to approach the heir to the family that General Ouki belongs to, if nothing else establishing a relationship with him could potentially benefit your father's military career if not your own in the future. No. of Votes: 1 Cybandeath
Total No. of Voters: 22
[X] General Mougou's son: Even though General Mougou has only recently ascended to his position, he is already being seen as a rising star within the Qin military, most of all for his immense strength. After having watched his son defeat opponent after opponent in challenges of strength, you can see little to indicate that his son is any different from him in that regard. While the Mou family may be newly landed within Qin, their ascendant nature is something that all can see. While you do not doubt your own strength, maybe a show of strength here can endear you to the General's son. After all, while they may be a new family now, who can tell where they will go in the future?
Rolled: 56+10 (Handsome)=66 Needed: 50
"Who the hell are you?"
Well, that was certainly a unique way to start a conversation. To be honest though, you were not entirely sure what you were thinking when you decided to approach Moubu, General Mougou's son. Unlike the refined and courteous Prince of Chu, Moubu was blunt and coarse. However, even with his somewhat rude manners you could still see that he inherited the monstrous strength his father is known for if the string of defeated competitors is an indication of anything.
So, dismissing his coarse manners for now, you decide to answer his question.
"I am Riboku, heir to the Ri family."
"What do you want with me then?"
You consider his question for a moment. At first you simply wanted to approach him and possibly get to know him better, like you did with Shouheikun. However, unlike the Prince of Chu you can tell that trying to impress him with your intellect would be wasted.
Ever since you entered the room, after greeting all the assembled guests with your mother, all you have seen him do was sit at that table. Upon being approached by others, most often ended up being rebuffed by him while those courageous enough to test their strength against him were found wanting. It appears the only way you will be able to gain his respect will be through a contest of strength.
"I wish to test my strength against you." You simply say to him.
"You think you have what it takes to beat me?" He asks you, with skepticism clear in his expression.
"I'll never know until I try, besides you need a worthy opponent for once."
As he contemplates your suggestion, you begin to question whether you have the ability to actually win against him or not. From his appearance, you can tell that he is larger than you by a not insignificant margin, and that while he looks rougher than what you'd expect from the child of a noble, he still has that air of nobility around him.
When you think about your own strength, you believe that you are ahead of the rest of your peers due to the rigorous amount of training you have put in regarding your swordsmanship and other studies. Where other noble children would mostly concern themselves with playing around or sometimes even studying, you have seemingly dedicated your entire being towards improving yourself. Though you admit that your interest in sword play is mostly due to the influence of Kanshou, otherwise you think that you would probably take up the glaive like your father.
Well, either way you'll just have to see for yourself how you match up against Moubu.
"Fine, if you think you are up for it then let's what you've got. Don't go around crying when you lose though, this was your idea after all."
What else needed to be said, he clearly doesn't think you will win, you've just got to prove him wrong then. So, with that in mind, you don't respond to his statement, but instead seat yourself at the table and position your arm for a contest of strength. Moubu does the same, and shortly after you lock hands with him.
"We'll start on the count of three." Moubu says to you, this time without any of the coarseness you had come to expect from him.
Once the countdown had completed you sprang into action, and put all of your body's strength into supporting your arm.
From Moubu's expression, your sudden burst of strength seems to have caught him off guard. Where once your arms were locked perpendicular to the table, now they closer to the tabletop with his hand being the closest to defeat.
But, if you thought you could defeat Moubu this easily, you were proven immediately wrong when suddenly you can feel the resistance Moubu gives to you increase. Steadily, Moubu's continuous exertion of strength manages to push you nearly back to where you started.
Luckily for you, you received your second wind and once again pushed Moubu back. Unlike last time, the resistance Moubu puts up against you is fading, and in the end you grasp victory as you slam his hand into the table.
Time seems to stand still as you bask in your victory. Moubu just sits and stares for a moment, as if he couldn't comprehend your victory over him. As you look around the room you can see the reactions of those around you being just as interesting. The expression from the heir to the Ou family seems to have changed from polite indifference to actual interest. From the daughters of those belonging to the Four Families, you can hear the increasing conversations between them along with the giggles they direct towards you when you look in their direction…you are not sure what to make of that last part. When it comes to your cousins though, some of whom were among those defeated by Moubu, you could see some of them giving you congratulations.
As you stand up and think about who to talk to next, a firm hand on your shoulder manages to divert your attention. Apparently, Moubu seems to want something from you if his face is any indication.
"Riboku, one more time."
"What?"
"You, and me. We're going to arm wrestle again, one more time"
"Why should I?"
"Just do it."
For a moment, you stand there contemplating whether or not you should take up his challenge to you. On the one hand he isn't really offering you any incentives to do so, but on the other hand you can recognize that he and his family are in the ascendant, and that it might do well for you to get in his good graces so that you can benefit from it when you enter the military. It only took you that short moment to come to a conclusion.
"Fine, one more time." You tell him firmly.
For the first time, you see something of a smile appear on his face, as you once again go back to the table. Once you are there, both of you assume the positions you did for the last contest.
This time around it appears Moubu is ready for you, as once the countdown is met his strength seems to explode from his arm. You are quickly put on the back foot as his strength seems to overpower you. While you put up a valiant resistance, it appears that all your efforts amount to is simply to slow him down. Steadily but surely you can see your hand inch closer to the tabletop.
However, before you are well and truly defeated a hand reaches out to grasp Moubu's shoulder, an act that breaks Moubu's concentration and causes him to turn around and face the person who interrupted him, fury written all over his face.
"Bu! It is time to go!"
"What the hell! You just interrupted me father!"
Ah, so that is who that is. Your mother had told you that General Mougou was big, but seeing him in person seems to make you think that was an understatement.
"I am sorry Bu, but we need to be going. Tomorrow we will be attending Court and meeting with Chancellor Saitaku." Mougou says, clearly apologetic for interrupting but firm in his insistence on leaving.
With a start you see Moubu turn to you, and school his features, clearly looking to say something to you.
"Thank you for your hospitality Riboku," Moubu says, with some grit in his tone.
"But, just so you know this isn't over, you know I was about to win that last one. Come over to my place next time so we can settle which of us is stronger."
At that all you can say is that you will try, while also extending an invitation for him to visit you as well. Clearly mollified by your response, Moubu says farewell to you with all the necessary etiquette, and says that he wouldn't mind corresponding with you through messages.
With his farewell made, Moubu and General Mougou swiftly exit, leaving you to contemplate on what you should do next. Talking with Moubu and Shouheikun seems to have taken longer than you thought, for you can tell that the afternoon is nearly gone with evening approaching. Whoever you talk to next will likely be the last people you meet today.
Result: Established a relationship, well rivalry, with Moubu. Can now correspond and visit Moubu and his family.
Who will you speak to last?
[] Your cousins: While you could always see your cousins after this, wouldn't it not be better to get to know your family now while they are here? While some of them are only the heirs to branch families, their connections could be useful for you in the future. Furthermore, from what you have been told, many of them are already showing great promise for the future. On your father's side of the family there is your cousin Ri Teki is said to be rather skilled with the bow. On your mother's side of the family, your cousin Jo Sei has been apprenticed to your mother to learn the arts of diplomacy as she is already showing the potential to bloom into a great beauty, while your second cousin Jo Man is being trained to follow you into the military. Altogether, they are an interesting group.
[] The heir to the Ou family: Within the State of Qin, while the 4 Great Families have immense influence in the field of politics, when it comes to those who stand near the top of the military, you can always find a member of the Ou family within Qin's Generals. You would do well to approach the heir to the family that General Ouki belongs to, if nothing else establishing a relationship with him could potentially benefit your father's military career if not your own in the future.
[] The daughter's from the rest of the Four Great Families: Unlike your family who has direct ties to the Royal Family through a distant ancestor, the rest of the Four Great Families maintain their political power through their ties to the Royal Harem. The Han, Kai, and Ryou families have benefitted greatly through investing their wealth in the harem, as well as sending their daughters theirs as well. Many of them over the years have had the privilege of becoming the Queen-Consort of Qin and became mothers to the Qin Kings. The three girls you see gossiping at one of the tables over tea right now may be older than you, and may not be bound for the harem, but you can see the opportunity available to you if you speak to them. Their political connections alone could open many doors for you, with perhaps even a marriage or two down the line.
AN: Well, just one more turn to go beforewe are done with the mini-turn. After that we will go on to the Rumor Mill and then onto the next year. Let me know if you have any critiques or advice to make things better.
[X] Your cousins: While you could always see your cousins after this, wouldn't it not be better to get to know your family now while they are here? While some of them are only the heirs to branch families, their connections could be useful for you in the future. Furthermore, from what you have been told, many of them are already showing great promise for the future. On your father's side of the family there is your cousin Ri Teki is said to be rather skilled with the bow. On your mother's side of the family, your cousin Jo Sei has been apprenticed to your mother to learn the arts of diplomacy as she is already showing the potential to bloom into a great beauty, while your second cousin Jo Man is being trained to follow you into the military. Altogether, they are an interesting group.
[X] The daughter's from the rest of the Four Great Families: Unlike your family who has direct ties to the Royal Family through a distant ancestor, the rest of the Four Great Families maintain their political power through their ties to the Royal Harem. The Han, Kai, and Ryou families have benefitted greatly through investing their wealth in the harem, as well as sending their daughters theirs as well. Many of them over the years have had the privilege of becoming the Queen-Consort of Qin and became mothers to the Qin Kings. The three girls you see gossiping at one of the tables over tea right now may be older than you, and may not be bound for the harem, but you can see the opportunity available to you if you speak to them. Their political connections alone could open many doors for you, with perhaps even a marriage or two down the line.
Torn between our cousins and the waifu-bait, but sure, family first:
[X] Your cousins: While you could always see your cousins after this, wouldn't it not be better to get to know your family now while they are here? While some of them are only the heirs to branch families, their connections could be useful for you in the future. Furthermore, from what you have been told, many of them are already showing great promise for the future. On your father's side of the family there is your cousin Ri Teki is said to be rather skilled with the bow. On your mother's side of the family, your cousin Jo Sei has been apprenticed to your mother to learn the arts of diplomacy as she is already showing the potential to bloom into a great beauty, while your second cousin Jo Man is being trained to follow you into the military. Altogether, they are an interesting group.
Actually, a question for @Japanime: will we get a chance to interact with any/all of these people in the near future? Specifically I was wondering about our cousins -- this is a special event and all, but surely we should have interacted with the branch families at some point, or will interact with them again soon.
If so, then it'd probably be better to use this final meet-and-greet for one of the other two options....
