(D10, LM) These meetings will be the death of....

[Soshi Eiji]

One of his fellow delegation brushed by Soshi Eiji on his way to meet with the champion. Court was proceeding along at a brisk pace, and people were trying to get their affairs in order. When it had started, Eiji hadn't quite anticipated quite so many one on one meetings with the champion of his clan. She was....intense was a good way to describe her. He couldn't imagine them ever being friends. Spending time fishing with Noriko, for example, was not something he could picture doing with his champion. No, their relationship would likely always be lord and vassal. He did admire her though. She was smart and dedicated. Hopefully her meeting with Lady Seppun and Doji Noriko had gone well. When Noriko spoke of the meeting it seemed so obvious that it was the correct answer, but once he'd left her presence, Eiji had doubts.

Still, what was done was done. More treaties to approve required more attention from his champion. He presented himself at her quarters.

[Bayushi Kaguya]

The room was thankfully corpse-less today. Bayushi Kaguya looked ever-so-slightly less tense around the shoulders as she looked up at Eiji without saying a word.

[Soshi Eiji]

While Eiji was good at reading people, his champion was certainly beyond him. Perhaps less tense meant she had resolved whatever had been bothering her, perhaps she had simply come to terms with it, perhaps she'd had a nap. Quiet was similiar hard to interpret, but Eiji was not a ninja to silently glide through the halls. When confront with quiet, he tended to speak.

"Ah, good morning Bayushi-ue. I've brought a few treaties for your approval today. Your instincts about the Phoenix were certainly spot on, they do need dye and they do have something of importance to offer us.

He presented the shorter Phoenix one first:

"The Phoenix will provide (2) rice and (2) iron to the Scorpion clan. The Scorpion will provide (4) Dye to the Phoenix. This treaty is sealed with the marriage of Yogo Eiko into the Phoeix to Isawa Takuya "

[Bayushi Kaguya]

"Excellent, Soshi-san. Very commendable." Her tone was even. Her mind...elsewhere.

[Soshi Eiji]

Rather than comment on the champion's mental state, Eiji moved swiftly onto the second treaty.

"And Bayushi-ue was correct on the matter of medicine as well. Now that the trade with the Crane has completed, the Crab are filled with regret. While they once dangled mineral wealth in front of us while trading with others, now they will gladly give it for just a chance to learn how to protect themselves better.

The Scorpion will provide the services of one scholar to answer a question of the Crab's choice (1 use of information services), (2) dye, and formally extend an invitation to the Crab clan and the Seppun family to discuss medicine research along with the Crane.

The Crab will provide the resources, manpower and expertiese to construct a new mine of the Scorpion's choice (Crab building item), and a gift of a set of Kaiu armor.

"In the interest of increasing ovreall regional security, we would like to extend an invitation to the Crab, the Fox, the Sparrow, the Emerald Magistrates, and the Otomo family, to explore the viability of increasing the presence of the Emerald Magistrates in the region via the construction of a fortified manor on imperial lands bordering the four clans.

Furthermore, to ensure our respective clans resources can be prioritized on matters such as medicinal research, regioinal security, and economic growth, the Scorpion and Crab clan agree to forswear military action against one another for a period of one year.

[Bayushi Kaguya]

Kaguya snapped into focus. "Have the Crab made a similar deal for peace with the Crane? Specifying one year?"

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji was remarkably grateful to his sensei for instilling in him both the discipline to attend court every day and the memory to remember all the details of all the treaties.

"Yes and no, Bayushi-ue. On the eighth day of court, the Crab did pass a very large economic deal with the Crane and there was a peace stipulation in it. The exact words of the treaty were:

'A promise of peace along the Crab/Crane border, as well as naval cooperation against pirates and gaijin, and to rescue distressed ships of either clan.'

"No timeframe was specified. Perhaps the negotiating parties thought it a given that any such deal would only be expected to last a single year. But I suppose technically it could only last until one party of the other feels aggrieved enough to break it."

[Bayushi Kaguya]

"Hmm...that is somewhat reassuring, but not completely. With treaties of peace with us and the Crane and Hiruma troops at Shiro Heichi, Gendo will have a quiet northern border, unless the Fox and the Sparrow rise up, of course. I wonder what he intends to do with it."

She looks back down at her desk. "But that is a question we will have to pursue carefully. Do we have other matters, Soshi-san?"

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nodded.

"Hai, Bayushi-ue. Your instincts were correct about the Lion as well. Their negotiators have been struggling to meet their clans needs, so they are willing to trade something very valuable to our future for security in the present.

He presented the third treaty, and prepared to defend it:

The Scorpion clan will provide the Lion (1) weapon and armor, (2) Dyes, (4) sake, and (2) Silver

The Lion clan will share their information on a new eartenware technology to boost our clan's rice production. (Earthenware Technology)

In recognition of the continued friendship between Lion and Scorpion and the quality of their leadership, the Lion will provide the services of a famous author to spread the word of Lady Bayushi's qualities (Art Services propoganda boost)

Finally, the Scorpion and the Lion agree to no military agression against each other for one year.

[Bayushi Kaguya]

"The pottery being almost more valuable than the peace agreement. Excellent work, Soshi-san."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji inclined his head a bit.

"My thanks, Bayushi-ue. My success is thanks in no small part to your leadership. I am pleased that you are pleased. If all of these deals pass the court, and Yogo-san completes his lengthy negotiations with the Badger, and the records are accurate, I believe we will close the season with all our shortfalls met, an expanded lumber industry, a new mine, and a marked increase in rice production."

He wasn't bragging here, just a last check to make sure he had the right of things.