[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.
[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.
Yeah, let's not snub our cousins and potentially give offense to our uncles and aunts. Moreover, to be perfectly frank, as the MC we are likely going to be increasing our rank/improving our status over a long period of time. The potential waifu options are going to expand relatively dramatically from this time period to when we're an adult and our parents actually begin looking for a wife for us.
[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] 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.
[...]
When it comes to snubbing your family by not interacting with your cousins, I will note that cousins won't care if you don't interact with them, but their parents might. If you don't choose to interact with them then I will roll for what their reaction to that will be. You could always try to repair the damage later, but once again you would need to use a dedicated action to do so.
[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] 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.
Vote Tally : Uniting All Under Heaven (Kingdom AU CK2 Quest) | Page 16 | Sufficient Velocity ##### NetTally 1.7.5
[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: 16 taovkool Echo 101 hcvquizibo Kingofbooks Lucienz Nerowolf Publicola Random Member Raybomber Satoshixkasumi Shadow-86 Spacegnom The Meddler Valerian Void Stalker williams1996
[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: 7 StarkDemise al103 giodan Lunamoto Skjadir veekie wingstrike96
[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 Nevill
[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.
Rolled: 15+10 (Handsome)=25 Needed: 20
It wasn't very hard for you to find your cousins, all you had to do was follow the raucous noise they made as they fought with their wooden swords.
As you approached, you could hear a lull in the fighting as your cousins turned their attention to you for the moment.
"Long time no see, huh cuz?"
That must Ri Teki, your parents had told you of how talented he was at the bow, but at the same time how informal and tactless he often was. At the moment, your older cousin seems to be just another playful, happy kid at the moment, rather than the adult in miniature people seem to think you are.
"C'mon cuz, you can relax when you're with us. You were great when you beat that Moubu kid. He was a monster…guess that makes you one too huh?"
Before you could formulate a reply, your other cousin Jo Sei, decided to chime.
"Ignore Ri Teki, little cousin, he's always like this."
"I'm not that bad am I? Hey, Jo Man! What do you think?"
Turning to look at your other older cousin, his only response seems to be to roll his eyes and give a quick nod towards Jo Sei.
"The heck is that supposed to mean?" Ri Teki, eloquently asks your group of family members.
"Don't mind Jo Man's silence, that's how he always is. What Jo Man's gesture meant should be fairly obvious, Ri Teki, he was agreeing with me." Jo Sei replies, with a smug grin near the end of her statement.
"Enough talking, let's have some fun cuz. We all heard you were pretty good with the sword, do you wanna play with us?"
It did not take you a long time to consider Ri Teki's invitation, as right after he asked you had grabbed one of the spare wooden swords lying around and the fight was back on.
What followed was arguably some of the most fun you have had all year. For an hour or so you acted your age with those around you. You weren't training for your future, or posturing like the little lordling you were, but instead enjoying the fun that came with being a child.
Unfortunately for your cousins though, that fun came at their expense as you proved the tales of your prowess with the sword were not exaggerated as you beat them soundly with your wooden sword, even if they were older and larger than you.
Using your sword skills for once against opponents around your age and size showed you just how talented you actually were. While they had surely received training in martial arts and weapons like almost every other noble child, that still didn't matter to you as you tore through them. To you their movements were slow and unrefined, easily predictable, and just as easily countered.
However, for all that you were kicking their butts, they still seemed like they were enjoying themselves.
"Okay, okay, you win Riboku! Geez, you're pretty talented for a six-year-old. Don't worry though, we'll beat you in something next time, I know I could cream you at archery." Riteki says, nursing his bruised forearm all the while.
"You're on Riteki!" You say, with no lack of enthusiasm.
With a sigh, a voice you know to be your cousin Jo Sei resignedly says, "Boys."
"Oh hey, Jo Sei. Were you watching us the entire time."
"Unfortunately, yes, I just wanted to let you know that my parents are having Jo Man and I foster with your family. I will be learning from my Aunt, your mother, while Jo Man will be continuing his training and joining you in yours."
"Oh…well, I look forward to seeing you and Jo Man then."
You had almost forgotten that Jo Sei and Jo Man were going to be joining you at your home. At least that meant that you would finally have more people around your age to be around at home now even if Jo Man didn't talk much and Jo Sei was not into boy things.
"Hey, don't forget about me!"
"What about you Riteki?"
"Don't be like that Jo Sei, I just wanted to let my little cousin Riboku know that I will be visiting him some time next year."
Huh, well that was a pleasant surprise.
"I would be glad to have you visit cousin, maybe you could finally show us your skill with the bow."
"You bet!"
It was at that point that your conversation was interrupted by the various guardians and chaperones entering the room to usher their charges home. Apparently, time flew faster than you thought it did and your little gathering of your peers was coming to an end.
As you stood at attention giving farewells to all of those who had attended this gathering, you took note of some of the looks and expressions being sent your way.
From the heir to the Ou family you could still see that look of interest in his eyes when he said his goodbyes to you. When the daughters from the other Great Families came to give their farewell to you, you did not miss the feverish giggling that broke out when you took each of their hands as was customary for farewells. From the other assembled guest, you could see some of them looking at you with a mixture of awe and interest.
Altogether you thought that this little gathering had gone well for you as you had gotten to know your cousins very well today and made friends that were your own age, as well as establishing connections with people like that Prince of Chu and Moubu.
AN: Apologies for the late update, I had writers block on how to write this update. After this is the Rumor Mill, and then the next turn. Hopefully I can get through those faster. Any advice is once again appreciated.
A KINGDOM QUEST! Man, this made my day. This quest made the wait for the next chapter more bearable despite the one-week hiatus!
Li Mu's always been one of my favorite characters and I'm really curious to see how he will fare as a Qin-man. Excellent job so far, the updates are long and well-written and feel true to canon!
I just wish we went for the tactical genius option instead of the Martial Prowess..oh well
A KINGDOM QUEST! Man, this made my day. This quest made the wait for the next chapter more bearable despite the one-week hiatus!
Li Mu's always been one of my favorite characters and I'm really curious to see how he will fare as a Qin-man. Excellent job so far, the updates are long and well-written and feel true to canon!
I just wish we went for the tactical genius option instead of the Martial Prowess..oh well
Pfft. I hate 'elegant' generals. Alot of them think they're masterminds playing mindgames but the actual good ones are people who know their guys and levrage experience instead of just theoretical war games. Don't get me wrong stratems are mega important but before you learn those big concepts I feel one should be able to understand the captaincy of a unit and it's logistics. But alot of 'elegant' generals are just given command of a legion straight out of school or given a secretary job as the right hand man of another general before being a general themselves.
Okay rant over but in summary elegance to me is fake. Experience is the real factor.
Also don't know who Li Mu-Kanki..oh god wait Kanki? Mr. I can be like Lu Bu but also set up mega fear tactics to shake you down to your core Kanki? Oh man If we can play that character than that would be AWESOME!
Pfft. I hate 'elegant' generals. Alot of them think they're masterminds playing mindgames but the actual good ones are people who know their guys and levrage experience instead of just theoretical war games. Don't get me wrong stratems are mega important but before you learn those big concepts I feel one should be able to understand the captaincy of a unit and it's logistics. But alot of 'elegant' generals are just given command of a legion straight out of school or given a secretary job as the right hand man of another general before being a general themselves.
Okay rant over but in summary elegance to me is fake. Experience is the real factor.
Also don't know who Li Mu-Kanki..oh god wait Kanki? Mr. I can be like Lu Bu but also set up mega fear tactics to shake you down to your core Kanki? Oh man If we can play that character than that would be AWESOME!
Li Mu = Riboku, I just got used to his Chinese name from the anime. Like Xin = Shin.
I agree with you, for the most part. But by elegant general I didn't necessarily mean an out-of-touch with reality one: I was thinking of somebody like Renpa's strategist, the super-old guy. His systematic destruction of Qin's center vanguard in a couple of hours by pure tactical superiority was just impressive and it would be cool if we were able to reach such a level, where we do not even need to get our hands dirty.
Li Mu = Riboku, I just got used to his Chinese name from the anime. Like Xin = Shin.
I agree with you, for the most part. But by elegant general I didn't necessarily mean an out-of-touch with reality one: I was thinking of somebody like Renpa's strategist, the super-old guy. His systematic destruction of Qin's center vanguard in a couple of hours by pure tactical superiority was just impressive and it would be cool if we were able to reach such a level, where we do not even need to get our hands dirty.
It was such a long time ago that I read that part, yesh. If you remember the battle up to that point do you know if that was done because he made a bunch of assumptions like "if my comrade (that chick renpa had that was a buddy and Shin killed) killed so many captains than I can just add in the pressure that I know the enemy general can't undo because he's not the heroic type.".
I sorta remember that's how it went btw but I don't want to say that's necessarily true. BUT! His comrade did kill alot of captains and 1000 man commanders that made it difficult for the newly promoted and inexperienced squad leaders. Add in I think he used something like arrow towers that had the massive 'shock' value that such structures created or maybe it was a Calvary charge. Damn it's been so long.
I still feel however that renpa's strategist and all strategist have to be abstract thinkers in order for them to be 'elegant' but that kind of thinking leads to superiority complexes that geniuses have.
After months of constant, but low intensity, skirmishes between Qin and Zhao forces, a Zhao vanguard army under the command of one of the deputies to Great General Chou Sha led an incursion into Qin territory.
Having crushed the unprepared border guard and militia units that were in his path, it was only the actions of Qin General Ri Ten that prevented the incursion from piercing deeper into the Qin border territories.
Thousands lay dead on the field after an indecisive battle between the two armies. Deciding not to prolong the engagement, lest he draw the attention of Great General Ko Shou, General Bei Tou withdrew his army the following day.
Whether this incursion was a prelude to a greater Zhao invasion is yet to be determined. However, should Qin and Zhao clash again, it would not merely be a clash between two Generals, but instead an epic battle between Great Generals, a battle that could decide the fate of nations.
Easing of Tensions
After the climactic Battle of Shunran Plains last year, many were expecting another war to erupt between the states of Chu and Qin. However, after a meeting between diplomats from both sides, up to and including a meeting between the Qin Chancellor and the Chu Prime Minister, a tentative ceasefire was signed and hostages were exchanged.
Speculation has erupted across the many Royal Courts of the land after it was identified that one of the hostages was a Chu Prince by the name of Shouheikun. Many believe that this is an indication of a shift in power within the Chu Royal Court, and that one of the other Princes may be making a play for power to usurp the role of heir apparent.
Rumors originating from the southern Chu frontier suggest that the ceasefire that was initiated at the behest of the State of Chu was not done out of any good will towards the State of Qin. No, rumors from the Chu frontier armies suggests that the State of Chu called for a ceasefire in order to deal with a serious barbarian invasion of their southern lands by the Baiyue tribes.
How long this ceasefire will last is anyone's guess, but at the moment it appears that the states of Chu and Qin have larger foes than each other to contend with at the moment.
Traders from the West
Word has reached the many states that a massive foreign trade caravan has been spotted within the Fergana Valley, and that its present course will lead it into China within the next year. Merchants who have just recently visited the area speak of the many wondrous goods brought by the foreign merchants, ranging from spices originating in India, metal arms and armor, and even exotic beasts.
While many have dismissed these foreigners as not being cultured enough to bother trading with, others have suggested that intrepid entrepreneurs could gain much knowledge through exchanging with these traders. In the never ending conflict between the warring states, every advantage one can gain over your rivals is priceless.
No matter where these foreigners end up arriving, whoever can make the most of the opportunity will surely end up fabulously wealthy if the amount of gold they carry is any indication.
AN: Sorry for the late reply, I had a bit of writers block concerning how to interpret the background rolls, and the busy holidays didn't help. Either way, I hope this tides you over until the next update.
