136 Welcome to Riverside
Dom exited the portal with what felt like a shove in his back, as he appeared back in Riverside outside the Heroes Hall. Beside him other portals opened and closed as more people appeared around him, catching those that were travelling around Riverside to be caught off guard.
Firstly Subutai appeared, beside him was the Tavern Owner from the Town they had left, as well as several serving girls and a few cooks. They all looked around in awe as they arrived in the sun lit Town surrounded by the stunning Silver Forest and the Calm River. Behind them was a cart pilled high with containers full of Rice Wine and ingredients.
Next to arrive was Tomoe, who was alone and seemed disappointed that their trick hadn't worked. She smiled over to Dom as she saw him and shrugged her shoulders to let him know that she had tried. She then pointed behind him, and Dom turned and saw that Lucius was sat eating some food outside the Heroes Hall and had dropped some sauce on his clothes in shock as the portal had appeared in front of him. He initially looked grumpy, but as he saw the portals around them opening his frown turned in to a smile.
"Welcome back!" Lucius said, putting his food down and standing up. "You've been gone longer this time."
"We were there much shorter that last time." Dom replied, "How long have we been gone?"
"Just over a day." Lucius replied, as more portals appeared.
The next to appear was Liao Hua, who was surrounded by twenty poorly dressed people, there was a mixture of young men and women who had fear on their faces. Liao Hua seemed quite happy with what he had done and was looking around with his mouth agape at his surroundings. A group of Praetorians marched past upon seeing the arrival of everyone under Septimius's lead and Liao Hua watched them intently as they passed.
"That long?" Dom replied, surprised by it, realising that he wouldn't have much time left before he needed to log out.
"Yes, Meritamen was complaining about you and Tomoe being alone for a night." Lucius laughed, "Have I missed something."
"Just a misunderstanding." Dom replied, looking around as another portal appeared.
This time it was a group of Civilians, with the twenty four Yellow Turbans that had surrendered leading them. The majority of the group were elderly parents of the Yellow Turbans, however there were also some youngsters and some women who must have made up their families. They had appeared in a similar place to where the Hittites had appeared after the Special Quest Dom had done last time.
"We should have enough people to upgrade Riverside now." Lucius commented as he looked around, "A very successful mission seeing that you only expected to recruit one more hero."
"More than successful." Dom replied as another portal appeared.
This time the portal had Xun Yan and Shang Yang leaving it, Xun Yan looked impressed by his surroundings, still wearing his armour from earlier. He stood out as he arrived, compared to Liao Hua who was a bit more low key in style. Shang Yang noticed where Dom was and the two of them headed in his direction. Behind them followed the Forbidden Guards and Leonidas with their mounts who looked grateful to be back home.
Another portal then opened, and several carriages appeared, surrounded by the Xun Family Guards. Xun Yan turned to them in confusion before turning to Dom as he approached. Amongst the carriages were six additional carts pulled by Oxen and on the back of them were peach trees that were tied tightly. Dom looked towards Tomoe who was also heading in his direction and gave her a thumbs up, she also noticed the peach trees a huge grin appeared on her face.
"I'm hoping my wife is with them, but why has everyone come?" Xun Yan asked confused as he approached.
"Yes, I think I know the reason why." Dom replied, when suddenly a final portal appeared beside Dom and Lucius.
Out stepped Xun You and Xun Yu, Xun You had a big smile on his face as he looked around, where as Xun Yu looked a bit annoyed, having felt forced to come due to the others committing to changing their future paths.
"Welcome to Riverside." Dom said kindly as they appeared, shaking both of their hands as the portals disappeared from across the map.
"When did you decide to come?" Xun Yan exclaimed, hugging his brother Xun Yu.
"When Xun You said he was coming." Xun Yu replied with a grumble.
"Brother Xun You!" Subutai said as he arrived, shaking Xun You's hand. "I'm happy to see you came."
"I thought about what you said, there is a lot we can achieve together." Xun You replied.
"Everyone, please let me introduce Lucius, he is the Mayor of Riverside." Dom said, introducing Lucius who stood there with his mouth agape at all of the new arrivals.
"Where is everyone going to stay?" Lucius whispered to Dom as everyone said hello to him.
"I'm not sure." Dom replied as Liao Hua arrived as well, realising he had gained four new heroes and was already short on accommodation. With the additional Warriors and Civilians that had just arrived, he was really stuck for where everyone was going to stay.
"Welcome all." Lucius replied to everyone, "Let's head to the Town Centre were I can gather the rest of the Town's Leadership and everyone can make introductions."
"Leonidas, please find some Warriors and have the Yellow Turbans, Xun Family Guards and the Slaves that Liao Hua purchased taken to the school for registration." Dom commanded, before the group turned and headed towards the Town Centre.
Dom was seated in his Living Area on the second floor of the Town Centre, he was grateful to see that all of his Commanders were in the town including Abubakar. He had questioned Lucius why and he had responded that with the lost of himself, Subutai and Tomoe he felt it was best to recall all of his Commanders for any quick reactions that were needed. He had dispatched Banas to protect the East, Octavian the North, Alexander had taken over from Tomyris on the West and Pullo had ceased training and was looking over the South.
To his left were his newest Heroes, the Xun family and Liao Hua. In the centre were his other Commanders, Subutai, Gan Ning, Tomoe and Tomyris, with Uriah and Abubakar stood behind them. To his right were his Domestic Heroes, Shang Yang, Lucius and Meritamen. The only one missing was Crassus who was not due back for another 3 days.
"System show stats." Dom said as he looked over at Xun You and Xun Yu
[Xun Yu
Hero Grade - S
Hero Strength - Contact List and Prime Minister
Xun Yu, also known as Wenrou, was a Chinese Military Official and Statesmen from the Eastern Han period of Ancient China, who diligently served the Warlord Cao Cao. He was from a family of Politicians and Ministers that had served many posts throughout government.
Xun Yu had served multiple Leaders over years, before joining up with Cao Cao who became the most successful of the Warlords during this period of time. Xun Yu was famous for his connections, having introduced several other key Military and Political officials to Cao Cao, including the Politician and General Sima Yi whose decedents went on to found the Jin Dynasty.
He was Cao Cao's most trusted official, always being placed in charge when Cao Cao was away on a military excursion. He was also adept at Military matters and successfully defended key cities from attack. He also directed Cao Cao to escort the young Emperor to his own fiefdom for protection, setting Cao Cao up to be the most powerful Warlord in the land. He also gave him key advice at key times such as to stay on the defensive against the rival Yuan Shao who was renowned for being indecisive.
During this time, he acted as a Prime Minister in Cao Cao's absence and successfully ran the Empire, making sure that there was enough food for the Army, that Law, Taxation and Farming was at the correct levels. He was instrumental in maintaining peace for the Civilians during his time in his role.
He eventually died under peculiar circumstances after disagreeing with Cao Cao's wishes to declare himself King. Some sources declare that he died of sickness when rewarding troops, where as others say that he took his own life after receiving instruction from Cao Cao for going against his wishes.]
"Grade S!" Dom exclaimed, as Xun You's information then appeared in front of him.
[Xun You
Hero Grade - S
Hero Strength - Man of Virtue and Minister of War
Xun You, also known as Gongda, was Statesmen from the Eastern Han period of Ancient China, who served as an advisor to the Warlord Cao Cao. He was originally part of the Civil Service under the General He Jin. When the Warlord Dong Zhou took over the Imperial Court, Xun You worked with some others to arrange the assassination of Dong Zhou to free the Emperor from his captivity.
Once Dong Zhou was killed, he was released and took on several roles, before eventually joining the Warlord Cao Cao. He served Cao Cao for over twenty years and was a very close friend to him. He was both the Minister of Writing and the Minister of War during his tenure and accompanied Cao Cao on most of his excursions throughout his successful career.
Cao Cao was once quoted say that he would think of an idea and think it through over and over again, before finally speaking with Xun You for his opinion. When ever he got Xun You's opinion he would realise he had missed things and rethink his plans. Xun You was regarded as the Zhuge Liang of Cao Cao and if not for his death, Cao Cao believed they could have successfully united the lands.
He was renowned for being quiet and not one to ask for reward, going about his role silently and keeping himself in the background and away from the limelight. His death is also peculiar, with him being said to have died due to illness, either on command in the south or by receiving a similar angry message from Cao Cao and dying of anger.]
"Two Grade S!" Dom exclaimed, realising that he now had four grade S Commanders.
Seeing Dom's huge smile, Lucius decided he would start the conversations.
"Welcome to Riverside all of you." Lucius said kindly from the right, "Please let me introduce you to the rest of the Heroes of Riverside and then you can tell us all about your journey and experiences."
