[D2 LE] Reunion and Politics

[Asako Kenichi]

Kenichi smiled, a brighty genuine and sincere smile.

"Well, that sounds lovely. I shall pray for Benten then, to ensure a prkper and fruitful union between our clans."

His fingers idly drummed on the table.

"Besides the material goods, is there something else the Dragon have on offer? Asking just out of curiosity."

[Agasha Yuna]

"I can certainly share what is possible, though we can meet many of your material needs, so that may be a first focus."

"The Dragon have wisdom to share. Study in the void for one seeking that. A wise solution to a problem for which you might seek a solution. Spiritual care for one troubled or disconnected, though I doubt that is a need for any here."

"And also, intangibly, I imagine there are ways we could both support each other in things we are trying to accomplish here beyond trade."

[Asako Kenichi]

"Yes, the intangibles matter. There are afew things our Leadership wishes to accomplsh this current Winter. One woukd be an Imperial libraryin Otosan Uchi. Preferably with management by my family, though."

He started pouring tea, the ceremony stirring.

"I would also ask whether Togashi-ue has any plans for nrxt winter."

[Agasha Yuna]

"An imperial library in Otosan Uchi is a wonderful idea. I am sure we can find a way to help with that. I don't think the Dragon would object to Phoenix leadership of such a venture."

She smiled at the scent of that wonderful white tea that reminded her of school in the Phoenix mountains.

"Next winter? I don't think there is anything specific beyond some interest in deals that extended for multiple years. There is one long-term goal that I would love to discuss with you - perhaps ask for your support as part of a trade that is generous in other ways. And support of the library project."

[Asako Kenichi]

"Perhaps zhen Togashi-ue would like to visit Phoenix lands a year from now?" Anyway, you have my interest piqued Agasha-san."

He poured her some tea.



OOC:
D2 tea ceremony for yuna, tn 15 | 4k3 ⇒ 30 (TN: 15)

Vp for everyone! Kist rhe 1

[Agasha Yuna]

They were some time in meditative silence, enjoying the tea. She felt herself restored.

After, she said: "Ah, you perform that so beautifully. It is tea for the soul. Truly." She inhaled the scent, feeling how her breath had become deeper and slower.

"Do you think your fellow Phoenix would like to hear about the project - and other thoughts about trade between us? I think, perhaps tomorrow? - I could bring something by. For you. For Shiba-san. For as many of you as wished to participate. I am not sure how you all are organizing these sort of conversations."

"Or I could share with you now? And you could have some preliminary conversation with them?"

[Asako Kenichi]

"Tomorrow with thr others might work, but I must admit, I am quite curious right now."

He smiled at her cheekoly. "Youbwere fond of teasing Dragon mysteries back in school, if I recall."

He offered her a plate of fruit in return.

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled.

"It is certainly the Dragon way to consider mysteries, to dive deeply into a topic, to ask unexpected questions, and keep the mind open to unexpected answers."

"Perhaps it is the Tao: “When you are doing one thing, be concerned with that one thing and nothing else. Distraction breeds disaster." That is why our Ageki shugenja vow to only study the magic of the earth. A purity of focus. The deepest dive."

"But returning to the project we would like to propose, one of our dragons is, in this same vein, a scholar of economic theory. A deep thinker about such matters. And he has brought an idea forward that Toghashi-ue finds very sound and wise."

"There is the koku and the bu - coin. All are used to the idea of coin and understand its merits. It can be carried on the person and exchanged for any desired good. Coin is stable. It does not decay or rot. It is not ruined if your pouch becomes wet."

"But as an empire, we still use the rice standard for taxation. Rice is treated as a kind of coin. It is taken from fields, from hungry farmers, and paid up to lords, who pay up to their lords. On and on up the ladder. It is bulky and fragile to transport. It is vulnerable - in the field - to weather and battle. It is vulnerable in the storeroom to fire and rot. It rapidly loses its value for it does not endure. At most, rice can be stored for two years, and much can go wrong in that interim, even as hungry bellies are left unfed."

"If the empire moved to a coin standard, a gold standard, or a gold and silver standard, any good could be initially traded to become coin, rice included, but the coin itself is then stable and enduring. Those rich in rice would still find plenty of buyers. All need rice to eat. Rice would simply only be transported to be used as food. And the coin collected by taxation could be saved in flourishing times to be a resource for compassion in leaner years. It would cost less and take less space to transport and store, leaving more resource at every stage for more local use. Less ... the economic term is breakage. Loss of resource to the economy that becomes unusable. More would be fed. And the arc of balance - the ability for a strong year to protect against a lean one - would extend indefinitely, rather than be bound by at most one additional year."

"And that ultimately is the wisdom of the earth. Patience. Systems designed for decades and centuries, rather than one or two years."

[Asako Kenichi]

"Ah, gpld was not one of the Dragon mysteries Ibwoukdnhave thought."

He pondered for a moment. "I am not an expert i commerce, but I think I can see the merit. It certwinly warrants a discussion at least."

His mind started turning gears.

"We can talk about it tomorrow probably."

[Agasha Yuna]

"Shall we plan on late morning? Prior to court?"

[Asako Kenichi]

"Hai, that would work for me Agasha-san, and at least some of the others."

He drummed some fingers. "Let us hope we shall have a fruitful meeting."

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled. "There are many options. I can make a suggestion, and you all can amend it, until we are all pleased. I feel sure we will make this work. I want ... I want it so much."

A faint blush.

She thought back to her time at the temples with Shiba-san. The happiest moments of her life.