Editing The Magnificent Spears GuanZhou (section)

==Contacts==

'''Xian Hou:''' A middle-aged military captain in Luo Yang, the Northern capital. Hou is called "Old Flint Skin" for his exploits using and resisting flame based tactics. He is a potent martial artist so its possible the rumors that he holds mystical power over flame are true. 


'''Wei Ling:''' Zhou's cousin through his mother's sister. He is an officer and magistrate in a duke's employ and spends his days hunting bandits and presiding over village courts along his patrol circuit. A strict Legalist his rulings are fair but somewhat draconian. The villagers often resolve their own disputes peaceably at the mere hint that Ling will soon stop at their village.


'''Ma Song:''' A wildman by any standards this horselord is nearly Zhou's own height. They are friends from way back, both having trained in the Iron Leviathan style though from different teachers. Ma is normally found on the open plains where his horsemen make their living as mercenaries in the armies of the lords as well as messengers, horse breeders and in bad winters, bandits. While Zhou believes that stealing from a rightful lord is sinful, Song is more flexible.


'''Yan Liang:''' Liang is named for the ruling dynasty, and a courtier in the Southern Capital, Jiankang. His family is minor but he is a learned scholar of Buddhism and the Emperor is a devout and learned man himself so he recognizes talent regardless of birth status.


'''Chang Wu:''' An ancient man and a master smith. Wu has had many apprentices over the years and all have gone on to become noted smiths but the old man has never found one to teach his greatest secrets. He fears that he may accidentally take them to his grave. When Zhou was a boy and found the Green Dragon Crescent Blade buried in the woods it was Wu who recognized it for what it was and who repaired its broken haft. The blade itself was unblemished despite the many years it must have lain forgotten.


'''Guan Fu:''' Another cousin, this one from his father's brother. Fu is the heir to the family holdings and resents Zhou's skill and prominence in the family. Nonetheless he is a cordial and pious, if distant, man toward his massive cousin. It was Fu's suggestion that set Zhou on his quest as a young man and for that Zhou holds him in quite high regard even though Fu did it mainly to get rid of a rival to his inheritance.


'''Sun Xiang:''' A renowned beauty often called simply Shi (in reference to Xi Shi). She dreams of becoming a famous acrobat but spends too much time rejecting the suitors her father constantly entertains. She is silently in love with Zhou though he has not noticed due to his personal quest being forefront in his mind at all times. Xiang's father, a clever merchant, knows as well but he makes a tidy profit off the suitors gifts so doesn't actually wish to see her marry anytime soon.