After taking some time for her morning prayers, Masaki once again stands at the door of Masahiko's office and politely lets him know she would want a word with him.

On the good side, this would probably be the last time this court... on these matters, at least.

"Come in!" calls the Kaiu.

Kaiu Masahiko wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 05, 2025 3:57 am

"Come in!" calls the Kaiu.

"Good morning, Kaiu-dono", she says with a deep bow after coming inside. Yet again, she fetches some notes from her sleeve. A quick look at some of them, then she seems to stop to think for a moment, as if recalling something else not on the note.

"I would like to discuss two more agreements with the Younger Clans today, Kaiu-dono. This time, though, in both cases they involve a bit more than simple exchanges of commodities."

She hands him a first note, the kanji for 'Sparrow/Suzume' on the top.

The note reads:

Crab gifts:
- 2 Copper
- 4 Fish

Sparrow gift:
- 1 Paper

"In terms of commodities, this is less of a trade and more of a deal. My hope, however, is to contribute to building good will with all the Minor Clans, and especially with our neighbours. This should also help to make the Sparrow a bit stronger... and keep the closer to us, instead of only under the influence of other Great Clans."

She then hands him another note, this one with the ideogram for 'Mantis' at the top

Crab grants:
- 1 Rice

Both clans agree to:
- Naval collaboration against pirates* and gaijin in southern waters, and help to distressed sailors and vessels;
- Each clan has facilitated access to the others' schools

* 'pirates' as per the official definition: ships declared as such by Emerald Magistrates, or specifically seen attacking other Rokugani ships.

"This agreement... it's got more to it than it says on the tin. Gusai Rioshida asked for Jade, which of course drew my attention. The Mantis are apparently dead set on sailing south, and it doesnt seem like they will be easily dissuades from the idea. So I suggested we could grant some Jade, [2 Jade] specifically. But also access to some training with us to properly deal with the risks they may end up exposing themselves to - although I certainly hope that does not happen."

She seems serious now as she nods. "On their part, they agreed to send us [5 units] more of gaijin equipment. That should give us enough for some research, I believe, as we'll have [15 units]. And while rice and jade are hugely important to us, we should still have enough rice for the year, and we still keep [3 units] of surplus jade even after this deal. Assuming the research with foreign equipment does give us tools to better perform our duties, I believe this could be beneficial for us and the Empire. These parts of the deal wouls not be discussed in court, for obvious reasons."

A bow. "But of course, Kaiu-dono's opinion is final on a matter such as this."

"The Mantis deal poses no obstacle to me. Is there a fig leaf for the Sparrow deal so it doesn't look like just a material exchange? We've pushed them through that way before, but thigns go down smoother the other way."

Kaiu Masahiko wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 06, 2025 1:12 pm

"The Mantis deal poses no obstacle to me. Is there a fig leaf for the Sparrow deal so it doesn't look like just a material exchange? We've pushed them through that way before, but thigns go down smoother the other way."

"Especially given the lopsided nature of the arrangement in terms of commodities, my thoughts were to present the deal as an arrangement to strengthen collaboration and friendship ties between our clans - especially with the Sparrow as our neighbours. Working together to keep our lands safe - especially at our borders - and our peoples strong. Suzume Ryobu-sama has also agreed to support us politically in themes involving the maintenance of peace and the Empire's security, although that is a point I believe is better not mentioned as part of the deal".

"You could suggest a maintenance of peace against troublemakers or something generic, but I think that will probably do. Just so that there is some couching of the material exchange. Thank you, Yasuki-san. That will do."

Kaiu Masahiko wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 06, 2025 6:02 pm

"You could suggest a maintenance of peace against troublemakers or something generic, but I think that will probably do. Just so that there is some couching of the material exchange. Thank you, Yasuki-san. That will do."

"I will do that, then. Thank you, Kaiu-dono."

She bows politely.

Daichi had wanted to speak with Kaiu-dono himself, and had waited a small time seeing as the man was busy. This might be the right time now though, so he knocked politely at the door and waited.

"Come in!"

Daichi stepped inside taking a brief glimpse around before offering a bow to Masahiko as well as Masaki.

"Good morning Kaiu-dono, Yasuki-san. I hope I'm not interrupting you two."

The Yasuki bows low to Masahiko again, then a bit less low to the Hiruma. "Good morning, Hiruma-sama. I was just leaving, in fact, please!"

"Ah, I was just catching Kaiu-dono up on the matter of the Fox we talked about yesterday, you're free to stay for it if you like Yasuki-san."

Turning towards Masahiko he paused to allow Masaki the chance to leave or stay before speaking. "I did manage to find another Fox Samurai at the docks yesterday."

"Alright. What did he have to say?"

"Well, much of what we have heard already. That Kitsune Aiko is a big help to the family. He also noted that she already takes care of those things her brother can't at least as far as she can. He seemed to think well of her."

"He also confirmed that there may indeed be something wrong with her brother. He mentioned that he walks around like he's been hit in the head, and talks to things that are not there. Honestly it's sounds like a type of spiritual malady."

"Hm. Interesting. Is that enough to reach down and push him off his seat? I'm not sure that it is. After all, she already runs the place. What's she really worried about? Got to be a pride thing. Or an inheritance thing. I wonder if he has a kid? Not that I'm asking you to go find out."

"I do have a bit of insight there, from Kitsu Sayomi-San. From what Kitsune-sama has said he does not have an heir. Nor does he seem to have any intention of making one."

This was followed by a shrug. "But that's also not a thing we can take at face value. At the end of the day, we just need information we don't posses."

"Then it seems to me that we don't need to get involved. It's a mess, and someone else should lie in it, if anyone's going to."

Daichi nodded. if Masahiko thought that was for the best he wasn't going to argue.

"There is one other thing as well." He added as he pulled a sheet of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Masahiko.

To improve order along the River of Gold, the Scorpion, Lion, and Crab will be entering an agreement to aid the Emerald Magistrates in their duties in what ways they can. Sharing information, helping construct a manor to help patrol the river, and providing other services within reason.

Furthermore, they promise to share information on pirate activity with each other and aid any of the other clans' ships in their waters if they are threatened by pirates, bandits, or forces of nature.

Lastly, they will provide aid politically in matters they agree will help the Emerald Magistrates address pirate threats.

To seal this agreement a number of marriages have been arranged between the two clans as follows.


To marry into the Crab:
- Shosuro Masahiko to Kaiu Ko
- Kitsu Sayomi to Hiruma Daichi

To marry into the Lion:
- Kaiu Hideo to Matsu Natsuko
- Shosuro Ryosuke to Matsu-ke no kashin Unami

To marry into the Scorpion:
- Akodo Shigehiko to Soshi Chieko
- Hida Tadao to Bayushi Yoko

"Reading this," Lord Kaiu begins, "I see an agreement to address pirates and assist the Emerald Office. Are there sub-clauses or understandings here which are not immediately apparent that tie us more closely to the Lion and Scorpion in other matters?"

"None with the Scorpion." Daichi replied. "One with the Lion. They wish to move the offices of the Emerald Magistrates from Ikoma's eye to into Kyuden Ikoma, several reasons were shared for why, and while I believe Kitsu-san was honest in the reasons she was told. I'm pretty sure it's for better access to information on what the Emerald offices are doing."

"I requested in return that any information they find out about pirates in this fashion be shared with the Crab and Scorpion."