- Location
- Moon-Station
[X] You will make an independent ministry and grant its head a position of the Imperial Council
[X] You will decide the head of this ministry by appointment
[X] You will decide the head of this ministry by appointment
Burden of the Emerald Empire (A Legend of the Five Rings Tale)
- Thread starter gman391
- Start date
- Fantasy
keenscythe
No longer NEET
- Location
- WA, USA
[X] You will make an independent ministry and grant its head a position of the Imperial Council
[X] You will appoint an ambassador in the meantime, you need Kaneka back.
[X] You will decide it by a tournament
Checking for spare.
Edited: okay if the +6 applies to the twins roll, then it's two lovely girls, otherwise it is just one.
[X] You will appoint an ambassador in the meantime, you need Kaneka back.
[X] You will decide it by a tournament
Checking for spare.
Edited: okay if the +6 applies to the twins roll, then it's two lovely girls, otherwise it is just one.
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lavanderjasmine
Master of decoration
- Location
- R'lyeh
[X] You will make an independent ministry and grant its head a position of the Imperial Council
[X] You will decide the head of this ministry by appointment
[X] You will decide the head of this ministry by appointment
@keenscythe Highly tempted to make it twins but in the end no. Just one baby girl.
keenscythe
No longer NEET
- Location
- WA, USA
Well to be fair, having twins would bring Hisao up to 3 children, half of the minimum recommended by Crab!Grandma and I assume having extra daughters to marry off to the clans/imperial family would help build political capital and increase ratings.
That or go the extra-heretical route and marry them off to foreigners to secure treaties like the Chinese did.
But on the other hand, having twins is no joke even with modern medicine. I am not looking forward to find out what Hisao is capable of if he loses the love of his life, nor I think, is the empire all that eager to see what a heart-broken Toturi will do. Though I assume if Kaname dies in childbirth, the Crane wouldn't be shamed as it is a foe they can't defend her from?
That or go the extra-heretical route and marry them off to foreigners to secure treaties like the Chinese did.
But on the other hand, having twins is no joke even with modern medicine. I am not looking forward to find out what Hisao is capable of if he loses the love of his life, nor I think, is the empire all that eager to see what a heart-broken Toturi will do. Though I assume if Kaname dies in childbirth, the Crane wouldn't be shamed as it is a foe they can't defend her from?
The Guard would not be shamed...the doctors and priests on the other hand...
- Location
- Leeds
"The Emperess is being attacked."
"By who? We must stop them."
"Her unborn child."
":O How do we sword that?"
- Location
- Should be a bit higher
Caesarian section using Kakita speed and precision...
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Non-Canon: Cabinet Battle
In another world where cabinet meetings are more like rap battles...
(Music)
Hisao:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, you could have been anywhere in the world, but you're here with me, in the capital city. The issue on the table: Treasurer Hiroko's plan to open up to the outside world. Do we do it or do we hold the line. Champion Noritoshi, you have the floor"
Noritsohi:
"Emperor, honour, culture, history, we fought for these things against all manner of foreign devilry. We shouldn't settle for less, don't act unimpressed. Wise samurai know that everything in ningen-do is found here in Rokugan."
"But Yoritomo regrets, or maybe just hasn't earned enough yet, to be content with bounty of heavens above, just wants to give the Phoenix another shove"
Hiroko: "Not true! "
"Oh don't deny it, the truth is in the tea leaves, or is divination another thing the Manits 'don't need'?
You want to take the world as it is and deprecate. We want to return to our august state. Don't ruin the land just because of the Mantis plan to command more koku. We already got enough to go through. If the Yoritomo are in debt why should the Empire bear it? In the Crane lands we create, art and honour with every new date. The Mantis just want to move things around like merchants, what do your heimen even do? Not planting, just ranting, wait I confused them for you..."
Emperor
"Treasurer Hiroko, your response?"
Hiroko:
"Kakita, that was real nice game of sadane you just played, do you want to return to reality? Or stay duelling your students in an empty castle? We open up we set the terms to the gaijin and gain returns.
How is it a 'sword doesn't get it? We strike first we strike last and free, with no one to debate our policy. What did your little book not right about striking first? Weird I must have got a bad copy.
A lesson on wealth from a Crane? You make money because Hantei was nice to his sister, we worked hard to overcome every disaster. Our heimen plant in the ground and the sea to see the world in prosperity...."
Hiroko steps forward
"And another thing Mr. Left Hand, you think any of us are frightened of you? I was fighting on ship for my rights while you were of making music with your wife. So don't lecture me about gaijin you've never even seen one, while I almost died from them. You think your origami crane are going to save the day? You must be madder than your mother when she stood out in that rain. The Gaijin are coming and ain't no amount of art that is so stunning to keep 'em out. So step away and let the adults have a say..."
Hisao
"Enough. Champion Noritoshi take a walk, Hiroko take a walk...we convene in 15."
AN: Perhaps not my best work, but eh it was fun. All credit for the original song Cabinet Battle goes to Lin-Manuel Miranda and company.
(Music)
Hisao:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, you could have been anywhere in the world, but you're here with me, in the capital city. The issue on the table: Treasurer Hiroko's plan to open up to the outside world. Do we do it or do we hold the line. Champion Noritoshi, you have the floor"
Noritsohi:
"Emperor, honour, culture, history, we fought for these things against all manner of foreign devilry. We shouldn't settle for less, don't act unimpressed. Wise samurai know that everything in ningen-do is found here in Rokugan."
"But Yoritomo regrets, or maybe just hasn't earned enough yet, to be content with bounty of heavens above, just wants to give the Phoenix another shove"
Hiroko: "Not true! "
"Oh don't deny it, the truth is in the tea leaves, or is divination another thing the Manits 'don't need'?
You want to take the world as it is and deprecate. We want to return to our august state. Don't ruin the land just because of the Mantis plan to command more koku. We already got enough to go through. If the Yoritomo are in debt why should the Empire bear it? In the Crane lands we create, art and honour with every new date. The Mantis just want to move things around like merchants, what do your heimen even do? Not planting, just ranting, wait I confused them for you..."
Emperor
"Treasurer Hiroko, your response?"
Hiroko:
"Kakita, that was real nice game of sadane you just played, do you want to return to reality? Or stay duelling your students in an empty castle? We open up we set the terms to the gaijin and gain returns.
How is it a 'sword doesn't get it? We strike first we strike last and free, with no one to debate our policy. What did your little book not right about striking first? Weird I must have got a bad copy.
A lesson on wealth from a Crane? You make money because Hantei was nice to his sister, we worked hard to overcome every disaster. Our heimen plant in the ground and the sea to see the world in prosperity...."
Hiroko steps forward
"And another thing Mr. Left Hand, you think any of us are frightened of you? I was fighting on ship for my rights while you were of making music with your wife. So don't lecture me about gaijin you've never even seen one, while I almost died from them. You think your origami crane are going to save the day? You must be madder than your mother when she stood out in that rain. The Gaijin are coming and ain't no amount of art that is so stunning to keep 'em out. So step away and let the adults have a say..."
Hisao
"Enough. Champion Noritoshi take a walk, Hiroko take a walk...we convene in 15."
AN: Perhaps not my best work, but eh it was fun. All credit for the original song Cabinet Battle goes to Lin-Manuel Miranda and company.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
I find... I'm a bit leery of adding another full minister. It's another person in the room every time. On the other hand, there will absolutely be emperors who choose to have isolationist Advisors, and that shouldn't just shut down input from the outside world entirely. On the gripping hand... well, what we're doing in Medinaat al Salaam is important, but I think it is not as important as, for example, the Treasury, or the Armies. I also don't particularly want to increase the size of the council too much. Getting together full council meetings is already a bit of a chore, and that Minister in particular needs to be able to travel large distances without inconveniencing the Emperor.
[x] You will make a small ministry under the control of the Otomo, and appoint someone to report to Akane.
-[x] However, while the mission is primarily one of diplomacy, it touches on all of the areas of governance. The minister will be required to provide a full report on the state of Medinaat Al Salaam no less than once a year directly to the Emperor and to each member of the Council (written or in person).
[x] You will decide the head of this ministry by appointment
[x] Let Kaneka decide whether to send back a representative, or to appoint his second to the position of temporary ambassador while he himself returns
Uncle is the one with boots on the ground. He'll know if they need him there in person or not, and if he chooses to come back then letting him appoint someone military to the position in a temporary way should maintain a decent level of continuity for the moment. I see the argument for a test of the gods, but I'm finding it difficult to imagine one that would successfully test for the sort of stuff we actually want from this minister. Hopefully keeping it as a minor ministry will keep the angst levels down.
[x] You will make a small ministry under the control of the Otomo, and appoint someone to report to Akane.
-[x] However, while the mission is primarily one of diplomacy, it touches on all of the areas of governance. The minister will be required to provide a full report on the state of Medinaat Al Salaam no less than once a year directly to the Emperor and to each member of the Council (written or in person).
[x] You will decide the head of this ministry by appointment
[x] Let Kaneka decide whether to send back a representative, or to appoint his second to the position of temporary ambassador while he himself returns
Uncle is the one with boots on the ground. He'll know if they need him there in person or not, and if he chooses to come back then letting him appoint someone military to the position in a temporary way should maintain a decent level of continuity for the moment. I see the argument for a test of the gods, but I'm finding it difficult to imagine one that would successfully test for the sort of stuff we actually want from this minister. Hopefully keeping it as a minor ministry will keep the angst levels down.
- Location
- Leeds
I think making it a smaller ministry also downplays its importance to most samurai who are opposed to it.
[x] You will make a small ministry under the control of the Otomo, and appoint someone to report to Akane.
-[x] However, while the mission is primarily one of diplomacy, it touches on all of the areas of governance. The minister will be required to provide a full report on the state of Medinaat Al Salaam no less than once a year directly to the Emperor and to each member of the Council (written or in person).
[x] You will decide the head of this ministry by appointment
[x] Let Kaneka decide whether to send back a representative, or to appoint his second to the position of temporary ambassador while he himself returns
[x] You will make a small ministry under the control of the Otomo, and appoint someone to report to Akane.
-[x] However, while the mission is primarily one of diplomacy, it touches on all of the areas of governance. The minister will be required to provide a full report on the state of Medinaat Al Salaam no less than once a year directly to the Emperor and to each member of the Council (written or in person).
[x] You will decide the head of this ministry by appointment
[x] Let Kaneka decide whether to send back a representative, or to appoint his second to the position of temporary ambassador while he himself returns
Year 6: Choosing an Imperial Comissioner
Infrastructure Roll= 6k3=37
Year 6 of Toturi IV's Reign, Sixth day of the Goat (Summer)
In the end you had been swayed by the arguments of Hiroko over Noritoshi and decided that establishing a proper 'Foreign Ministry' (Apparently calling it the Ministry of Barbarians would be too offensive, if accurate) would be best. In pursuit of that you had turned to your two councillors who had invested the most of themselves into this. Kakita Noritoshi and Yoritomo Hiroko, the result was...impressive, almost too impressive, the resulting tower built over the old 'Faded Chrysanthemum Inn' was designed to hold both the ministry and any foreign ambassadors that might come to call but still be outside of the palace district proper. It was rather a grand sight, given that Noritoshi and Hiroko had become bitter rivals so the rumours went.
Filling out the ministry itself was rather more tricky, Noritoshi and Hiroko had both attempted to stack the deck with courtiers of their preferred views on the outside world. The result had been to your surprise a balanced ministry with everyone being extremely good at the jobs. (So that the other could not find cause to remove them) The Foreign Ministry was neither eager to embrace the outside world, or reject it, meaning that over all it made no one happy but you.
That said the question of who to appoint to the Imperial Council was left to you, after a few days coming up with an appropriate title 'Imperial Commissioner for Foreign Affairs'. You had turned to choosing the best candidates you could, with Kotaro and Akane assisting. In the end there emerged three top contenders for the position.
In the end, you decided on...
[] Shosuro Ayumi (-5 Unicorn, Mantis, +10 Scorpion lock)
[] Ide Geon (-Scorpion, Mantis, +10 Uniocrn lock)
[] Tsurchi Naoji (-Scorpion, Unicorn, +10 Mantis lock)
---------------------
Kaname positively glowed as you say down with her and your daughter. Your own smile threatened to split you face as Minoru walked up to her mother's belly and whispered loudly at it. "Hi! I'm you're big sister!"
Your daughter proceeded to nuzzle Kaname's stomach trying to hug her new sibling despite that not being physically possible. Kaname gave Minoru small gentle head pats.
"Easy Min-chan, he's still not ready to meet you yet, but I'm sure he'll love you." she says.
Minoru continues to fuss over Kaname, for a while before coming up to you and holding out her hands. With a smooth motion you lift her up and begin letting her walk up your front. For once not the Emperor, just an indulgent father. With a smile you and Kaname spend the rest of the day with her until she tires out.
After putting Minoru to bed, Kaname turns to you.
"...your mother came to speak to me recently."
A slight raise of your eyebrow.
"Did she now?"
"She congratulated me on my impending child...but questioned why it took so long." Kaname says.
"Mother took years between me and my brother, she should not be so concerned" You say smoothly.
"I know that Hisao, but your mother thinks...that if you had more children things would be easier for everyone. As it stands, in another year or two, the Clans are going to clamour like so many sharks to have our daughter betrothed and trained by one of them. Having more children to mollify them...your mother isn't wrong." Kaname says.
"We did our best, Benten-no-kami knows that after that vacation we have had an...active relationship. The Heavens do as they will." You say.
"And if the heavens will you to have another?" Kaname asks her eyes looking at you.
Its strange, wrong to see those brown eyes so vulnerable. You had known that Kaname had worried about providing you more children, it was after all her duty. But the idea that you would have other women...hadn't entered your mind at all.
You pull Kaname close.
"If the Heavens will that, they will have to tell me in person, until then, you are my wife, and I will have no other."
There's a soft noise as she hugs you back.
"Hai, my husband."
If instead of the usual prayers to Benten, all you do is cuddle your wife that night...well you didn't mind that either.
AN: So new position new characteristic. Cold represents the preference to keep foreigners at arms length and subvert their attempts to manipulate the Empire. Warm represents the preference to bring foreigners in and co-opt them. Balanced naturally is the ability to move between the two.
Yes mama Ryoko is being a hypocrite.
Year 6 of Toturi IV's Reign, Sixth day of the Goat (Summer)
In the end you had been swayed by the arguments of Hiroko over Noritoshi and decided that establishing a proper 'Foreign Ministry' (Apparently calling it the Ministry of Barbarians would be too offensive, if accurate) would be best. In pursuit of that you had turned to your two councillors who had invested the most of themselves into this. Kakita Noritoshi and Yoritomo Hiroko, the result was...impressive, almost too impressive, the resulting tower built over the old 'Faded Chrysanthemum Inn' was designed to hold both the ministry and any foreign ambassadors that might come to call but still be outside of the palace district proper. It was rather a grand sight, given that Noritoshi and Hiroko had become bitter rivals so the rumours went.
Filling out the ministry itself was rather more tricky, Noritoshi and Hiroko had both attempted to stack the deck with courtiers of their preferred views on the outside world. The result had been to your surprise a balanced ministry with everyone being extremely good at the jobs. (So that the other could not find cause to remove them) The Foreign Ministry was neither eager to embrace the outside world, or reject it, meaning that over all it made no one happy but you.
That said the question of who to appoint to the Imperial Council was left to you, after a few days coming up with an appropriate title 'Imperial Commissioner for Foreign Affairs'. You had turned to choosing the best candidates you could, with Kotaro and Akane assisting. In the end there emerged three top contenders for the position.
- Shosuro Ayumi
-
Air 3
Demeanour: Cold
History: The granddaughter of exiles to the Burning Sands, Ayumi was trained in the courtly ways of the Bayushi and show exceptional skill for it at a young age. Melding this with the physical training of her birth family she became a potent and active force in a number of minor courts. When it came time for the Empire to move against the Burning Sands, she volunteered, going into the deserts to learn and collect information for the Empire. It was her skills that saw the discovery of the Golem Factory, and she now is offered again, a woman with exception abilities and understanding of the Burning Sands. Neither trusting or particularly liking the outsiders, she will employ all of her considerable skills towards keeping them from working against the Emerald Empire.
- Ide Geon
-
Air 3
Demeanour: Warm
History: Born the son of caravan masters, there was little chance for Geon to not grow up with a keen understanding of the outside world. What was unexpected was the sheer joy he took from meeting new people and learning their customs. It was he who negotiated the uneasy truce between Bayushi Paneki and the Ivindi and he who educated their ambassador on Rokugani customs. He is now eager to employ his skills on a grand scale. Warm and friendly, he believes that the outside world has much to offer the Emerald Empire.
- Tsuruchi Naoji
-
Air 3
Demeanour: Balanced
History: Its odd for a Tsuruchi to end up on the oceans, odder still for them to go as far as Naoji has. Born as the result of an early political union between the Tsuruchi and Yoritomo. Naoji was raised in the Yoritomo traditions as per the agreement. Naoji took to the sea with a rare vigour leading a wide ranging trading mission around the southern seas. Its rumoured that he has even seen the mythical lands of the Zanj. Having seen both the best and worst of the foreigners, Naoji is somewhat more ambivalent to the foreigners. This leads to a man willing to be welcoming or hostile as the needs of the Empire dictate. However, the man is somewhat notorious for his willingness to bend the rules in pursuit of his goals.
In the end, you decided on...
[] Shosuro Ayumi (-5 Unicorn, Mantis, +10 Scorpion lock)
[] Ide Geon (-Scorpion, Mantis, +10 Uniocrn lock)
[] Tsurchi Naoji (-Scorpion, Unicorn, +10 Mantis lock)
---------------------
Kaname positively glowed as you say down with her and your daughter. Your own smile threatened to split you face as Minoru walked up to her mother's belly and whispered loudly at it. "Hi! I'm you're big sister!"
Your daughter proceeded to nuzzle Kaname's stomach trying to hug her new sibling despite that not being physically possible. Kaname gave Minoru small gentle head pats.
"Easy Min-chan, he's still not ready to meet you yet, but I'm sure he'll love you." she says.
Minoru continues to fuss over Kaname, for a while before coming up to you and holding out her hands. With a smooth motion you lift her up and begin letting her walk up your front. For once not the Emperor, just an indulgent father. With a smile you and Kaname spend the rest of the day with her until she tires out.
After putting Minoru to bed, Kaname turns to you.
"...your mother came to speak to me recently."
A slight raise of your eyebrow.
"Did she now?"
"She congratulated me on my impending child...but questioned why it took so long." Kaname says.
"Mother took years between me and my brother, she should not be so concerned" You say smoothly.
"I know that Hisao, but your mother thinks...that if you had more children things would be easier for everyone. As it stands, in another year or two, the Clans are going to clamour like so many sharks to have our daughter betrothed and trained by one of them. Having more children to mollify them...your mother isn't wrong." Kaname says.
"We did our best, Benten-no-kami knows that after that vacation we have had an...active relationship. The Heavens do as they will." You say.
"And if the heavens will you to have another?" Kaname asks her eyes looking at you.
Its strange, wrong to see those brown eyes so vulnerable. You had known that Kaname had worried about providing you more children, it was after all her duty. But the idea that you would have other women...hadn't entered your mind at all.
You pull Kaname close.
"If the Heavens will that, they will have to tell me in person, until then, you are my wife, and I will have no other."
There's a soft noise as she hugs you back.
"Hai, my husband."
If instead of the usual prayers to Benten, all you do is cuddle your wife that night...well you didn't mind that either.
AN: So new position new characteristic. Cold represents the preference to keep foreigners at arms length and subvert their attempts to manipulate the Empire. Warm represents the preference to bring foreigners in and co-opt them. Balanced naturally is the ability to move between the two.
Yes mama Ryoko is being a hypocrite.
- Location
- Moon-Station
[X] Shosuro Ayumi (-5 Unicorn, Mantis, +10 Scorpion lock)
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Sirrocco
Pedantic
Current eprtinent ratings:
Mantis: 40
Scorpion: 35
Unicorn: 65
I'm thinking that the Unicorn is doing pretty well right now, really. I'm also thinking that outside ideas are *dangerous*. Yes, we want some exposure. Yes we want them to percolate in, but at this point we've wedged the door open enough that they're going to do that anyway. At the moment, we want to keep control of things so that, for example, we can limit the massive upswing in Kolat influence that's otherwise likely to hit us, and we can navigate through the changes that are likely to result a little slower. We can afford to take our time on this one,a nd taking our time means that we can get through the process of information exchange with the outside world a bit more gently. Our foothold in Medinaat Al Salaam is rock solid. All we're really likely to lose out on is a bit more influence in the other parts of the city... and we don't need a whole lot of influence in the other parts of the city for the next few steps.
That's especially the case because the Imperial Commissioner on Foreign Affairs is a position that's going to change hands. Eventually it *will* be in the hands of someone who's a bit more on the Warm side. For the moment, though, we're better off not going too fast. Also, when someone does throw a warmer lead in there, they'll benefit from the contrast.
[x] Shosuro Ayumi (-5 Unicorn, Mantis, +10 Scorpion lock)
It's also a nice little reward to Paneki for the good work, and lets us finally give the Scorpion a slot int he government.
Mantis: 40
Scorpion: 35
Unicorn: 65
I'm thinking that the Unicorn is doing pretty well right now, really. I'm also thinking that outside ideas are *dangerous*. Yes, we want some exposure. Yes we want them to percolate in, but at this point we've wedged the door open enough that they're going to do that anyway. At the moment, we want to keep control of things so that, for example, we can limit the massive upswing in Kolat influence that's otherwise likely to hit us, and we can navigate through the changes that are likely to result a little slower. We can afford to take our time on this one,a nd taking our time means that we can get through the process of information exchange with the outside world a bit more gently. Our foothold in Medinaat Al Salaam is rock solid. All we're really likely to lose out on is a bit more influence in the other parts of the city... and we don't need a whole lot of influence in the other parts of the city for the next few steps.
That's especially the case because the Imperial Commissioner on Foreign Affairs is a position that's going to change hands. Eventually it *will* be in the hands of someone who's a bit more on the Warm side. For the moment, though, we're better off not going too fast. Also, when someone does throw a warmer lead in there, they'll benefit from the contrast.
[x] Shosuro Ayumi (-5 Unicorn, Mantis, +10 Scorpion lock)
It's also a nice little reward to Paneki for the good work, and lets us finally give the Scorpion a slot int he government.
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keenscythe
No longer NEET
- Location
- WA, USA
[X] Ide Geon (-Scorpion, Mantis, +10 Uniocrn lock)
Right now we need to stay on the Gaijin's good side while we recover from the war against the shadow dragon and to help protect the JotD, so going for a Cold Imperial Commissioner is sub-optimal.
Warm will at least help maintain the somewhat lukewarm relationships we do have.
Christ, the only change to the Foreign nations ratings was that the Yodotai dropped by ten.
Although I am surprised it didn't drop down lower as we were fairly blatant about our opposition to their goals
Right now we need to stay on the Gaijin's good side while we recover from the war against the shadow dragon and to help protect the JotD, so going for a Cold Imperial Commissioner is sub-optimal.
Warm will at least help maintain the somewhat lukewarm relationships we do have.
Christ, the only change to the Foreign nations ratings was that the Yodotai dropped by ten.
Although I am surprised it didn't drop down lower as we were fairly blatant about our opposition to their goals
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keenscythe
No longer NEET
- Location
- WA, USA
Typo or Retcon?
Is Hisao's and Kaname's youngest child a girl (Dice) or a boy (some other reason)?
- Location
- Virginia
[X] Shosuro Ayumi (-5 Unicorn, Mantis, +10 Scorpion lock)
Kaname wants a boy, and Rokugani magic can't tell gender until after birth.
Regarding foreign ratings, things cancelled out more or less.
cokerpilot
Here comes the rain.
[X] Ide Geon (-Scorpion, Mantis, +10 Uniocrn lock)
- Location
- Bulgaria
[X] Shosuro Ayumi (-5 Unicorn, Mantis, +10 Scorpion lock)
Sirrocco
Pedantic
They're accustomed to us as "those weird people over there who don't ever interact with anyone". Even a Cold Imperial Commissioner is a step up from that, and is probably expected.
We do want to help protect the Jewel, certainly, but that's not actually a major concern at the moment. First of all, having the garrisons of four empires in it mean that it's better protected than basically ever before, and Second, the only real threat we know of are the Yodotai - and they're are all busy stabbing each other right now. The city has all sorts of internal threats too, but those are likely to take a while to rebuild.
Cold isn't "lets upset everyone". If it was, it would be an inherently bad choice. Cold is the defensive play. It puts its attention to preventing threats, rather than taking advantage of opportunities. Also, this isn't deciding how everyone in the quarter is going to act. It's just the overall bias of the leadership. That matters, but there will still be plenty of interaction at the lower tiers.