The need to rebuild the Empire in both body and spirit. Your mother had spun tales of the Emerald Empire during thee era of the Hantei, of beautiful lands ordered by law and carefully managed by the wise hand of Samurai. Of how that was lost as the the wars both within and without consumed much of the land. Well not all of it, the Mantis and Unicorn had both bled blood and treasure, but their core lands had surprisingly come out of things relatively intact. You know that they will not care for your words, but so be it.
"Honoured Samurai, you represent my arms and will in the Empire. Thus it is to you first that I make my will known. The land and people have suffered from the machinations of enemies within and without our noble Empire. Towns have been destroyed, mines emptied, roads cut, and bandits escape justice. For too long have we fought amongst ourselves without remember that we are to protect as well as destroy. My father, my aunt, my grandfather, they all have given their lives so that the Empire might reclaim its true majesty and glory.
"However, before we can build a new Empire and show our Ancestors that we will live up to their legacy in full, the foundations must be solid as a mountain. Thus I charge you as you return home to your lands, to focus on creating those foundations. Rebuild the old towns and castles that have been lost to time, redrawn the roads that once united us into one people, and end the lawless brigands who try to hide from your justice by running into lands forgotten by us. Will you heed my charge?"
There's no real choice for them to echo with a singular.
"Yes Mikado, your will be done."
But while they all said it, you can already tell that Chagatai and Naizen are both entirely impatient with this. To them you just showed a weakness that they will exploit, a naive youth manipulated no doubt by his mother.
So be it, you will do what is best for the Empire, not their precious opinion.
"Now then, let us retire until tomorrows evening celebrations in the Imperial Gardens. You may have free run of my palace of course."
"Thank you Tenno" They said and filed out of the throne room.
You let yourself relax just a fraction, the only one left in the room is your uncle and of course the Seppun Guards.
Kaneka kowtows to you.
"I too pledge my life and honour in service to you mighty Mikado, let be your Shogun and strike down your enemies."
"Of course Lord Kaneka, may you serve me as valiantly as you served my father." You say quickly.
"As you will my Emperor." He responds ritualistically.
There's an empty silence in the throne room. The man before you is a bastard, but he is a well liked bastard, and there is a time that he wanted your throne. However, he is family after a fashion, and who else can you trust? You decide to let him speak somewhat freely.
"Rise Lord Kaneka, and give me your counsel."
"Gladly." He says rising up. "You did pretty well, you've marked Lord Yoritomo and Khan Moto I assume"
"Of course."
Kaneka gives a wry smile
"Just as cunning as your father aren't you?"
"I try" you say.
He nods and says.
"While you have tonight and tomorrow to prepare. I would recommend preparing at least one announcement for the celebration. Ordinarily your ascension is enough, but you moved up the time table on that"
You nod.
Kaneka takes a deep breath.
"I would choose either to announce someone to fill one of the empty seats on your Imperial Council, or that you have begun preparations to search for a bride."
You choke a little at that. Bride, you were unmarried it was true, your father reasoned that on your ascension you may need a different marriage to satisfy the Clans than he did at the traditional time of betrothal. Thus he wanted to give you a choice in the matter, how much of this was influenced by your mother, you couldn't say. A bride? You've never even held hands with a girl, now marriage?
However, your ordered mind relentless grinds forward. The Toturi are thin on the ground indeed. Only yourself, your brother, and arguably your uncle Isawa Sezaru could lay claim to it. To have an heir was only a natural priority.
Still you could put it off at least for a little while. The positions of Imperial Advisor and Imperial Treasure however were fairly crucial to the effective governance of the Empire...but that also could last at least a few months.
"Which would you recommend?" You ask.
Kaneka shifts slightly in thought.
"If I had my way, we'd begin with you looking for a wife. It's not really fair of me, but I'd like to have the line secured. However in terms of regaining influence with the Clans. The Mantis, Crab and Crane are all naturally going to compete for the position of Imperial Treasurer. The Unicorn normally would, but Khan Chagatai has no interest in that. While the Scorpion, Dragon, Phoenix, and of course Crane will want to have the position of Imperial Advisor. "
You weight that in your mind.
"So you would say that announcing an Imperial Treasure would be the best then?"
"That depends on your will my Emperor. If you seek to return the Mantis to the fold and further isolate the Unicorn, then yes. If you wish to find another method to return those two to good standing, then now. The Imperial Advisor should be picked first."
You drum your fingers against the arm rest, noticing that there are already slight indents in the steel. How often had your father faced this sort of decision? Too often, no doubt.
If you appoint an Imperial Treasurer, then the Mantis are almost certain to get it, politically you couldn't afford to do anything else...but then they would be quiet for a time. On the other hand the Imperial Advisor wasn't something that would help or hinder your relations with the Mantis...while your bride would of course be a free for all.
You look at Kaneka and say.
[] "We will announce a new Imperial Treasurer at the celebration. Have Kasuga-san prepare some dossiers"
[] "We will announce a new Imperial Advisor at the celebration. Have Kasuga-san prepare some dossiers."
[] "We will announce that I have asked my mother to seek me a bride at the celebration. Have my mother speak to me on what sort of woman is suitable."
[] Some other announcement (Write in. Note, some write-ins might be disallowed as inappropriate to the setting)
