[D8, LM] Review trade deals with Togashi-ue

[Agasha Yuna]

There was a new slate of trade deals to review.

Yuna had the records ready and had encouraged the other members of the delegation to attend.

It was time to review all potential deals and confirm the status of each.

She knelt in the common room waiting for the others, with a stack of records in front of her. She was dressed in her clothes for court.

She had made tea for them. The popular green tea with ginger thought to bring sharpness of mind and wisdom.

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

Jinkan is there in body if not in spirit. He looks terribly hungover and a little sweaty. But his clothes are nicely done and obviously well tailored. A smile and bow for everyone.

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna poured him a cup of tea, glad that he was there, and - at least slightly? - recovered from his night-time ordeal.

[Togashi Mizohachi]

Togashi Mizohachi is indeed present, looking none the worse for wear. His eyes take in each person in the room, and then he sits.

"What have we got?" he asks.

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna poured Togashi-ue a cup of tea also.

"Let's review our status. The court has approved our Crane, Phoenix, and Mantis deals. Those resources have been reserved for them."

"Our deal with the Sparrow was brought up in court but pended due to the Lion's challenge. Is there an update on where we stand with the Sparrow deal? Can it be re-submitted? Is anything further needed to support it?"

"As of today, we have four potential deals to consider. Fox, Crab, Badger, and Scorpion. All four can occur at the same time. There is not a need to choose between them. Once we've confirmed where we stand on the Sparrow deal, we can review each of these four one by one, and make sure the terms meet your approval, Togashi-ue."

"Before I go on, is anyone aware of any other conversations with any other parties that should be discussed?"

"To my knowledge, the only other party with any discussion is the Lion, and the last current state was that they had an appealing tech that is a nice-to-have, but not necessary to meet our objectives, and zero resources that we need. Has anything changed on that front? Let's make sure we are all on the same page."

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

"We might also want to consider getting the Lion to agree to certain material changes in the koku." Jinkan said quietly looking at the delegates in turn, after bowing to the Clan Champion.

"We have reason to believe it would greatly benefit our clan to make such a monetary policy, but it would require the agreement of most if not all the Great Clans."

[Agasha Yuna]

"Yes, we will likely need everyone's help for that, so we want good friendly relations."

"I've got the Phoenix on board, and some thoughts we could review on how to make the case for it, what we might need to be convincing. Let's talk about that once we finish talking about trade."

"A strategy on the Mirumoto-san duel would also be a useful agenda item, after we finish discussing trade."

She turned back to Togashi-ue to make sure to get his updates before proceeding.

[Agasha Sanjuro]

Sanjuro arrives a few minutes late and bows to everyone there. It sounds like they are just getting started.

He is not as worried about Togashi-ue's duel. Sanjuro knows he will win it if he sees fit.

He waits quietly for the first deal to be mentioned.

[Agasha Yuna]

She brought Agasha Sanjuro a cup of tea and offered him a copy of the records she had assembled.

And then turned to Togashi-ue.

They needed to understand the status of the Sparrow deal before discussing the other deals.

[Togashi Mizohachi]

"The duel this morning ended in a kharmic strike by the will of the heavens. That means that the dispute itself is void, which in turn means that our treaty with the Sparrow should be resubmitted to the court."

"As for Lord Mirumoto's duel, I believe that a test of Otomo Gorobei's mettle may be just what he requires. I am not sure whether it will be possible to secure his agreement, however. I do not think that Lord Mirumoto would thank us for the duel with Lady Doji, however."

[Agasha Yuna]

"That's very good that we can re-submit the Sparrow deal."

And that the duel had resolved so fortuitously. Heaven was good.

"Interesting thought about the duel. Could we propose a dueling event, with Mirumoto-sama and Otomo Gorobei-sama as judges? Build a spar between them into the event? Maybe they spar, and the winner of the duel spars the winner of their match? Is Mirumoto-sama able to arrive here during the span of winter court?"

A pause for answer, and then:

"Alright, let's turn to the first deal planned."

"The Fox Clan will give us 2 dyes, for 2 stone. It's a resource we need and finishes off our need for dye. We have the stone to trade."

"The proposed marriage is:

"From the Fox clan. Kitsune-ke no kashin Reizei Kimihiro [Status 4]. He is a bushi. Skilled. Easy-going and affable. He will marry into the Dragon."

"He will marry our Mirumoto-ke no kashin Tsubouchi Yoko (Female, Status 6, Age 24). She is an administrative prodigy and the Governor of Yakeishi Province. She needs to remain in place as the Governor.
Yoko presents as female and lives a female life, she was assigned male at birth. Their children would need to be adopted."

"Kitsune-sama agrees that detail is fine, and will work fine for Kistune Kimihiro. The Fox clan are comfortable with adoption as the route for them to have children."

"What do you think? Any issues? Approved to proceed? Kitsune-sama has approved this deal."

[Togashi Mizohachi]

"Lord Mirumoto is not permitted to attend this Winter Court." I made sure of it, is the implication.

"But this arrangement with the Fox is acceptable to me."

[Agasha Yuna]

Good to know. They'd figure out the duel task later.

"The next deal to consider is the Crab deal. They will provide us 4 tea, and 1 sake, for our 5 jade. A fair exchange of goods. That will finish off our requirement for tea."

"It will leave us still needing 3 sake."

"The marriage proposed is Hiruma Daichi's cousin (status 1), a female bushi, marrying into the Dragon. She will marry our delegate Mirumoto Ikio (bushi, male, status 3)."

"I'll confirm her exact name before following up with the Imperial Matchmaker."

"Hiruma-san has indicated the deal looks good to the Crab. He knows we are reviewing today. I will verify with him that his Daimyo has specifically approved."

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

"We also have a deal available from the Badger, after I spoke with the Ichiro ambassador yesterday. Very big fellow, but has a gentle touch." Jinkan said putting his hands out to indicate the size of the samurai.

"They are willing to offer [1] sake in donation, for a reciprocal promise of [1] rice donation. And, they wish us to speak to the Lion about lowering their trade barriers, like tariffs, on Badger goods. The Badger are willing to give us preferential treatment in tariffs for this, and expand their caravans eastward to reach us with more goods."

[Agasha Yuna]

"And the last deal to review is with the Scorpion."

"They will give us 1 sake for 1 copper. And exchange their gift of knowledge for our gift of wisdom."

"They suggest not including a marriage since the trade is relatively small in scale."

"Togashi-ue, let us know your feedback on each deal."

"In summary, if all four deals are approved, we will have acquired every needed good except 1 sake, which we will continue to seek among the minor clans. There is still Tortoise, Centipede, and Boar. And we still have some gold, 1 rice, and our red meat. Hopefully one of them still has at least 1 sake, and will trade for one of those things or for one of our remaining spiritual gifts."

[Togashi Mizohachi]

"We also have a deal available from the Badger, after I spoke with the Ichiro ambassador yesterday. Very big fellow, but has a gentle touch." Jinkan said putting his hands out to indicate the size of the samurai.

"They are willing to offer [1] sake in donation, for a reciprocal promise of [1] rice donation. And, they wish us to speak to the Lion about lowering their trade barriers, like tariffs, on Badger goods. The Badger are willing to give us preferential treatment in tariffs for this, and expand their caravans eastward to reach us with more goods."

"This is entirely to the good...but I believe the Lion agreed to reduce their tariffs for the Badger already. I suppose it does not hurt to agree, but I do not think the matter will arise again."

"And the last deal to review is with the Scorpion."

"They will give us 1 sake for 1 copper. And exchange their gift of knowledge for our gift of wisdom."



"In summary, if all four deals are approved, we will have acquired every needed good except 1 sake, which we will continue to seek among the minor clans. There is still Tortoise, Centipede, and Boar. And we still have some gold, 1 rice, and our red meat. Hopefully one of them still has at least 1 sake, and will trade for one of those things or for one of our remaining spiritual gifts."

"Lovely, let us make good use of that."

[Agasha Yuna]

"So, just to confirm, all four deals are approved by you, Togashi-ue?"

"If so, I plan to take the two deals referencing marriages to Otomo Mariko-sama. And for both the Crab and Scorpion deals I will verify they have been approved by their Daimyos."

"These could all potentially be introduced on the ninth day, pending those last confirmations, and any strategic thoughts about the presentation itself."

"Is anyone aware of any reason any person present in court might object to any of these deals?"

"Let's try to all be present and support the proposals to show unity."

[Togashi Mizohachi]

"Yes."

[Agasha Sanjuro]

"This one is not aware of anyone at present who would object."

"Please let me know the hour to be present at court."

[Agasha Yuna]

"Alright, our plan for trade deals is done. There remains the last sake. Please signal right away if you find a source."

"Shall we discuss strategy for Mirumoto-ue's desired duel next?"

"It sounds like it's best to get Otomo Gorobei-sama to agree to it."

"If Mirumoto-ue is not coming here, is our goal an agreement to a duel to take place in Dragon lands? After winter court is over?"