Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)

Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
I don't think political connections are bribes;
They're not not bribes. Introductions to important people have quite a bit of value to them.

... I don't think this is the kind of pure and just system that CRX is looking to create. I'm not sure to what degree she can even try to reach for a better tomorrow without dirtying herself in the mud and blood of today, though.
 
I mean, if we consider the ES politics and the Imperial - Weilu cultural factions, then I think it is fair to say that we have over time taken quite a few more weilu option than imperial options. In fact, I wouldnt be surprised if people considered us to be in the 'Weilu Moderates' camp at this point. (even if we ourselves might not think so)

The Meng are one of the oldest and (and likely) pro-Weilu clans, so arguably we kind of want to have a good relation to them since we have probably have quite a bit in common. So Meng Diu asking such a huge favour of us seems to be a good opportunity for us. Also, the Meng deciding to support her is arguably a success for CRX.

[X] Accept the offer, you can convince Renxiang and sponsorship from even a faction of a count house is a valuable thing.
 
You do realize they are trying to install a permanent bypass so they can ignore us right? That's their ultimate goal, since if CRX got a Meng retainer the Meng would never have to talk to us again. So making a deal with us once is nothing compared to all the future deals it'll save them if it goes right.
That doesn't factor in the primary reason Renxiang wanted us for a retainer: our talent and loyalty. We, being a tiny clan who ultimately depends on the Cai to survive on top of the personal relationship, don't have the divided loyalties a scion of a count clan would have. Ling Qi being a channel to the Weilu factions is just an expression of us making ourselves useful because that's what talented people do. Renxiang would undoubtably find something else for us to do even if the worst case scenario comes to pass and we aren't effective in that role because we're loyal and good at whatever we do and you don't toss that aside.
 
[X] Accept the offer, you can convince Renxiang and sponsorship from even a faction of a count house is a valuable thing.

I really hope CRX takes this aftermath as an opportunity to talk to us a little more about her larger plans at court, because so far the Wang after the only ones she has really pushed is to make nice with, and I think we've handled that well. Goat dude knows we are the reason his parties got big, and we give him the opportunity to show off regularly- but I don't know really how the Wang and the Meng relate to eachother.
 
Bao told us that long term gains were more advantageous then short term ones. If the Meng boy can't cut it, then it will become clear in the course of interaction, and we have much to gain from intertaining the notion.

It seems pretty positive to me, the only concern I have would be Meizhen wouldn't be allowed to come join as a direct result of a Meng being present.
 
The way the "offer" is being presented is a bit disingenuous, since she's not actually stated she's offering anything. But I think we're meant to be the link to the conservative clans so it makes sense to tie ourselves to them a bit, as long as we're honest with CRX about the source of our recommendation.

[X] Accept the offer, you can convince Renxiang and sponsorship from even a faction of a count house is a valuable thing.
 
If this guy wants to be a member of Renxiang's Four Heavenly Devas, it sure would be nice to know something about him.

To be fair, I guess the diplomatic mission itself is meant to be his audition, but it still burns a little to see the slot taken by someone that CRX didn't handpick herself.
 
Bao told us that long term gains were more advantageous then short term ones. If the Meng boy can't cut it, then it will become clear in the course of interaction, and we have much to gain from intertaining the notion.

It seems pretty positive to me, the only concern I have would be Meizhen wouldn't be allowed to come join as a direct result of a Meng being present.
We don't know if she'd be coming anyway. Maybe her aunt wouldn't want her venturing to the far south on this mission? Also where does it say that CRX's going to handpick the whole delegation for this thing? Just bc Shenhua is allowing CRX to choose whether or not this Meng grandson should come doesn't mean CRX will be able to choose the rest. Or am I forgetting something?
 
[X] Accept the offer, you can convince Renxiang and sponsorship from even a faction of a count house is a valuable thing.

Yeah I'm only voting this because refusing to communicate this offer would basically be lying by omission.
 
[X] Accept the offer, you can convince Renxiang and sponsorship from even a faction of a count house is a valuable thing.
 
[X] Accept the offer, you can convince Renxiang and sponsorship from even a faction of a count house is a valuable thing.
 
[X] Accept the offer, you can convince Renxiang and sponsorship from even a faction of a count house is a valuable thing.
 
[X] Accept the offer, you can convince Renxiang and sponsorship from even a faction of a count house is a valuable thing.
 
Ultimately we don't have the guts to refuse this offer, I think. It would be a big gamble to say no, refusing this powerful woman. And for what? A feeling that CRX should be able to pick her own people without political consideration? A fear of introducing someone new into the retainer circle? There's nothing solid to support the gamble that "no" would represent.
 
[X] Decline, you can't afford to involve internal politics in something as delicate as diplomacy with an unknown faction.
 
[X] Accept the offer, you can convince Renxiang and sponsorship from even a faction of a count house is a valuable thing.

I believe this to be a win-win. The Meng would be getting a bigger win than us, sure, but it's still worth it for us.
 
[X] Accept the offer, you can convince Renxiang and sponsorship from even a faction of a count house is a valuable thing.
 
[X] Accept the offer, you can convince Renxiang and sponsorship from even a faction of a count house is a valuable thing.
 
[X] Accept the offer, you can convince Renxiang and sponsorship from even a faction of a count house is a valuable thing.
 
[X] Accept the offer, you can convince Renxiang and sponsorship from even a faction of a count house is a valuable thing.
 
[X] Accept the offer, you can convince Renxiang and sponsorship from even a faction of a count house is a valuable thing.

I wonder if some of the investment she offers will take the form of her walking out of here with several hundred of Hanyi's Ancient Chinese CDs.

They're not not bribes. Introductions to important people have quite a bit of value to them.

... I don't think this is the kind of pure and just system that CRX is looking to create. I'm not sure to what degree she can even try to reach for a better tomorrow without dirtying herself in the mud and blood of today, though.
I don't think that CRX thinks she can do it without dirtying herself, either; that's why she enshrined her desire for purity and order in her Domain Weapon, so she'd never lose it.
 
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