Turn 19 Summit Introduction
Below the balcony, imperial and foreign workers passed by, the last of the departing work crews returning to their respective camps. Even before splitting to go their own ways on the north-south road, they remained two very distinct groups. However, there was some mingling here and there, as translators spoke to each other or as workers simply walked shoulder to shoulder with their counterparts on the narrow road.
The Grand Embassy Hall, which she stood in as Ministry Agents and Polar Crows swept through their final security checks, was less grand than she would have liked. Much of its interior was sparsely decorated or entirely unadorned. Plain wood or a single color of paint, the furnishings without flair. She felt as though she was reaching the limits of her abilities, or overstepping more often these days. She hoped this would not be a trend.
"Your mind wanders even if your eyes do not."
The whispery rasp of Shu Yue, her mentor's voice scratched at her ears. She didn't bother to turn, feeling the looming shadow above and around her, felt the air grow cool and dry with the high cultivator's presence.
"It does," Ling Qi said. "I really wish I had been able to begin this last month."
"Your spirit was not yet settled or ready," Shu Yue said, they leaned past her shoulder, pale face extending past her, on a neck just a little too long as they peered below. "You have opened yourself enough now. Your first fumbling theft has been done."
Ling Qi frowned. The little flashes of insight she had been receiving since her tribulation. The visions mostly came from higher cultivators, but there were flashes, and then there was her deliberate attempt on Sun Liling. "Can that really count? It's not an art, just…a part of my senses now."
"Does a martial manual graft new limbs onto its students?" Shu Yue asked, their head tilted to the side, twisting their neck at an angle that would be deeply uncomfortable, if not fatal to a mortal. "Your Serenade is part of you, though you might not feel it yet. It is your voice and breath you are refining. So too this, your Thief of Names. It is your eyes and your ears you train. Arts, techniques, these are things to teach children how to mimic the actions of their elders, with more limited and feeble forms, without bodies that have ceased to be mortal. Should you attain higher realms, you will find your every action to be art or technique."
Ling Qi considered the way she often moved now, not bothering to walk from place to place unless someone was looking. The way she instinctively cooled her drinks with a thought, or wrapped those close to her in the feeling of her support. "What would you have done if I had not developed a compatible ability in my domain?"
"If you returned from your tribulation, whatever answer you found would have wrought something in you. I would have adjusted my lesson plan to fit."
Ling Qi gave a shallow nod, looking down at the departing workers, and listened.
Elevate my–live on in work–Against the cold–Impress her–Show them all–My theories–better homes— faster communication–enduringwarmth-neverfearskyagainchildrenstuitonsmakegrandmotherproudanewhomenorthernsec!tyfghf#hfg(&jkss@!
She winced, holding her hand up to her temple. Too many people, too many drives, smaller drives, unclear drives, the names of those who were still more human than spirit, so ill defined. Sovereigns, like the General, overwhelmed such things in their presence. The things they said were very clear, if you knew how to listen, as she was learning now.
As she had not known how to listen, back at the caldera, when the roaring voices of sovereigns at war had made her feel like her head would split open. As she had been at the first tournament, seeing garbled hallucinations as the Duchess and the heir of the Bai clan had a friendly clash.
"It is a particular skill, to listen to one voice in a crowd, especially when they are not speaking to you," Shu Yue said, amused. "But you know this."
"It's a skill I have, I just need to train it further," Ling Qi said. "You're certain that practicing this won't offend anyone?"
"It is merely seeing and hearing. That you see and hear better is not an intrusion. None will feel your fingers under their skin, because they are not there. Perhaps you will do this later," Shu Yue said mildly, straightening up. There were a few faint pops, like bone shifting in and out of sockets. "Those who also see well, they may notice that your eyes are sharp, and cloak themselves."
Like Elder Jiao had. "Yet it's still rude to stare at and scrutinize someone too closely, no?"
"Indeed. Conduct yourself with politeness."
Just another bit of etiquette to follow then. Another element of all the social rituals of imperial culture. "When will I see you next?"
"The night after the opening ceremony, I think," Shu Yue said. "I will observe your progress and provide pointers then."
"And my concern over the miners, the other little accidents?" Ling Qi asked, turning from the balcony.
"There is something there. Something moving pieces. It may be internal, it may be ith, it may even be some faction of our guests," Shu Yue said, looking down at her. "You will need to look into it, my student."
"You mean you can't?" Ling Qi asked, frustrated. "Is the Duchess really so happy to treat this like a game?"
"You misunderstand," Shu Yue said, tapping their fingers together. "I pursue the prime mover of this, likely a peer. You, my student must seek their pieces, and disrupt them in turn. This may provide me with an opportunity, without exposing yourself or the young Miss while I am distracted."
"...Oh," Ling Qi said. "And the Ministry of Integrity?"
"Perhaps you may convince them. I am not trustworthy in their eyes, instead an abominable thing of the rotten past, my existence a black mark on my master. My voice will be unhelpful, until ironclad evidence is had," Shu Yue replied.
"Fine. Fine. What's one more job," Ling Qi said with a scowl.
"There is no rest for a seeker of thrones."
"Don't I know it," Ling Qi said. "I need to meet Cai Renxiang now. The opening speeches will begin in a few hours."
Shue Yue was gone, leaving her only the first rays of dawn as company.
The room itself was small without being cramped, plain like the rest of the meeting hall. The floor was bare but polished wood and there was only a single hanging, a watercolor depicting Tsu smiting the Wolf God over a backdrop of Xiangmen.
"Shu Yue has confirmed that they agree with the assessment of Meng Dan and myself," Ling Qi said. The final lead up had been her spending time collating information and reports from among the staff. There were many little accidents. But nothing that showed real evidence of tampering, or being outside the result of natural geomantic shifts in an unstable region.
Not for the first time, she wished that the General could have been a bit less disruptive.
"Troubling, if they cannot find the source immediately," Gan Guangli said stroking his chin.
"I would ask that all of us keep our eyes well open here. Especially…"
"We cannot make any public statements regarding it," Cai Renxiang said, her expression pinched. "Not without destroying this moment, and the chance for either side to buy in. Not when it is already so tenuous."
"Yes," Ling Qi said, sighing.
"The Ministry must be apprised of this matter, if they are not already aware," Cai Renxiang stated bluntly.
"Though I do not wish to speak ill of them, they may already be aware of it and are choosing to remain silent, much as we intend to do," Gan Guangli pointed out.
Ling Qi had to grudgingly admit that this was a possibility. While the Ministry had not been friendly to her, she had done little to endear herself to them either.
"Regardless, we must focus on the opening ceremony. This...sabotage appears to be slow-acting," Cai Renxiang said. "Do we agree on the broad interest groups we must satisfy here?"
"The nobility of the Emerald Seas is favorably disposed towards us, given the Duchess's clear investment and our work, albeit with a touch of condescension. However, we will need to be careful about the concessions we make to keep them that way," Gan Guangli said.
"Jaromila is heading the main White Sky group and has a personal interest in this," Ling Qi said. "I trust that she is at least as invested in this as we."
"But they have their larger national interest, much like we do," Cai Renxiang agreed. "The Crows.."
"Which is saying something," Gan Guangli laughed.
"I believe Emissary Dzintara can be used to gauge that group's interest. It is as much spiritual as political," Ling Qi said. She had put that much together.
"Which leaves our own watchers, the Ministry and the General," Gan Guangli said, tapping his elbow thoughtfully, his arms crossed over his chest. "Miss Ling has somehow gained the General's patience."
"I was merely able to determine the right words to convince her that there is some value in this."
"Hm," Cai Renxiang said, glancing at Ling Qi. Ling Qi smiled.
In truth she found the General pretty terrifying. She was comprehensible though. If one understood her intent.
"But the Ministry is barely on board," Gan Guangli finished.
"We will need all of these to, at the minimum, not oppose us by the time the summit is complete," Cai Renxiang said. "While also accomplishing our central goal of creating a foreign quarter here, a binding ceasefire. If we cannot manage that much, this will have been for naught."
And their position, Cai Renxiang's position, would be cripplingly weakened. It would take years if not decades, merely to be taken seriously again.
"But even that is not enough," Ling Qi said. "Rather, achieving only the bare minimum can only be seen as a failure. We need to establish this 'foreign quarter' concept here, and foster further relations."
"I am more inclined to 'Embassy Town', for our situation," Gan Guangli said. "But I agree, if we do not accomplish something surpassing here, Lady Cai's star will not rise."
"And even beyond our ambitions it will only ensure things remain unstable in the south, if we cannot establish a framework for peace here," Ling Qi said quietly.
"And there is only so much time," Cai Renxiang said. "Ling Qi, you will be taking the lead in this. I will speak, especially to our own side, but your knowledge of the foreigners must guide my interactions."
"You will have them. What is the speech schedule for the opening ceremony?"
"The General declined thankfully. Luo Jie will speak for the nobles."
Ling Qi raised her eyebrows, but she could see it. Wang Lian was too… blunt, and her clans own assimilation programs might be divisive. Meng Dan's uncle was clearly not the sort, given she'd not even managed to see the man yet.
"Cao Chun has also demanded the right to speak. I expect him to be less than accommodating but not directly offensive," Cai Renxiang said. "Then your Jaromila, followed by the eastern woman, Inzha, was it?"
"It feels so strange to refer to everyone by their given names," Gan Guangli murmured.
Inzha was taking the second speaking slot? She would have expected Dzintara, or perhaps Khadne. Ling Qi furrowed her brow. Perhaps it was a matter of seniority. She did need to suss out their decision making better still. "Yes, that is her name. And we are speaking first?"
"I will give the introduction and then cede the floor to you," Cai Renxiang said. "What direction do you intend to take this?"
Ling Qi's eyes wandered to the ceiling. She had been thinking to emphasize what they could accomplish together with the meeting hall but that would ring a little dull with the unfinished decor. Although…
"The results could still be spun favorably. Look at this around you, complete, secure, if a little rough. See what we may do with only a bare month of time and the teething pains of new cooperation. Emphasis on the quality of everyone's work and play up the difficulty?"
"That does risk some doubling down on the offense taken," Cai Renxiang pointed out. "And make others question why you chose an impossible task."
"It wasn't impossible," Ling Qi grumbled. "But it was a reach."
"That was not a rebuke, merely putting forth the likely challenge."
I understand," Ling Qi said.
"Perhaps, instead take an acknowledging tone, and use your success in cooling tempers. A speech emphasizing that we may peacefully solve our disagreements?" Gan Guangli wondered.
"It still acknowledges that there is a problem which will be enough to put off some," Ling Qi said, frowning. "But it's not a bad approach either.
So…"
[ ] Focus the speech on what can be built together leaning toward the promise of the future over the rough start
[ ] Focus the speech on how disputes, though inevitable, can be solved to everyone's satisfaction through words.
The Grand Embassy Hall, which she stood in as Ministry Agents and Polar Crows swept through their final security checks, was less grand than she would have liked. Much of its interior was sparsely decorated or entirely unadorned. Plain wood or a single color of paint, the furnishings without flair. She felt as though she was reaching the limits of her abilities, or overstepping more often these days. She hoped this would not be a trend.
"Your mind wanders even if your eyes do not."
The whispery rasp of Shu Yue, her mentor's voice scratched at her ears. She didn't bother to turn, feeling the looming shadow above and around her, felt the air grow cool and dry with the high cultivator's presence.
"It does," Ling Qi said. "I really wish I had been able to begin this last month."
"Your spirit was not yet settled or ready," Shu Yue said, they leaned past her shoulder, pale face extending past her, on a neck just a little too long as they peered below. "You have opened yourself enough now. Your first fumbling theft has been done."
Ling Qi frowned. The little flashes of insight she had been receiving since her tribulation. The visions mostly came from higher cultivators, but there were flashes, and then there was her deliberate attempt on Sun Liling. "Can that really count? It's not an art, just…a part of my senses now."
"Does a martial manual graft new limbs onto its students?" Shu Yue asked, their head tilted to the side, twisting their neck at an angle that would be deeply uncomfortable, if not fatal to a mortal. "Your Serenade is part of you, though you might not feel it yet. It is your voice and breath you are refining. So too this, your Thief of Names. It is your eyes and your ears you train. Arts, techniques, these are things to teach children how to mimic the actions of their elders, with more limited and feeble forms, without bodies that have ceased to be mortal. Should you attain higher realms, you will find your every action to be art or technique."
Ling Qi considered the way she often moved now, not bothering to walk from place to place unless someone was looking. The way she instinctively cooled her drinks with a thought, or wrapped those close to her in the feeling of her support. "What would you have done if I had not developed a compatible ability in my domain?"
"If you returned from your tribulation, whatever answer you found would have wrought something in you. I would have adjusted my lesson plan to fit."
Ling Qi gave a shallow nod, looking down at the departing workers, and listened.
Elevate my–live on in work–Against the cold–Impress her–Show them all–My theories–better homes— faster communication–enduringwarmth-neverfearskyagainchildrenstuitonsmakegrandmotherproudanewhomenorthernsec!tyfghf#hfg(&jkss@!
She winced, holding her hand up to her temple. Too many people, too many drives, smaller drives, unclear drives, the names of those who were still more human than spirit, so ill defined. Sovereigns, like the General, overwhelmed such things in their presence. The things they said were very clear, if you knew how to listen, as she was learning now.
As she had not known how to listen, back at the caldera, when the roaring voices of sovereigns at war had made her feel like her head would split open. As she had been at the first tournament, seeing garbled hallucinations as the Duchess and the heir of the Bai clan had a friendly clash.
"It is a particular skill, to listen to one voice in a crowd, especially when they are not speaking to you," Shu Yue said, amused. "But you know this."
"It's a skill I have, I just need to train it further," Ling Qi said. "You're certain that practicing this won't offend anyone?"
"It is merely seeing and hearing. That you see and hear better is not an intrusion. None will feel your fingers under their skin, because they are not there. Perhaps you will do this later," Shu Yue said mildly, straightening up. There were a few faint pops, like bone shifting in and out of sockets. "Those who also see well, they may notice that your eyes are sharp, and cloak themselves."
Like Elder Jiao had. "Yet it's still rude to stare at and scrutinize someone too closely, no?"
"Indeed. Conduct yourself with politeness."
Just another bit of etiquette to follow then. Another element of all the social rituals of imperial culture. "When will I see you next?"
"The night after the opening ceremony, I think," Shu Yue said. "I will observe your progress and provide pointers then."
"And my concern over the miners, the other little accidents?" Ling Qi asked, turning from the balcony.
"There is something there. Something moving pieces. It may be internal, it may be ith, it may even be some faction of our guests," Shu Yue said, looking down at her. "You will need to look into it, my student."
"You mean you can't?" Ling Qi asked, frustrated. "Is the Duchess really so happy to treat this like a game?"
"You misunderstand," Shu Yue said, tapping their fingers together. "I pursue the prime mover of this, likely a peer. You, my student must seek their pieces, and disrupt them in turn. This may provide me with an opportunity, without exposing yourself or the young Miss while I am distracted."
"...Oh," Ling Qi said. "And the Ministry of Integrity?"
"Perhaps you may convince them. I am not trustworthy in their eyes, instead an abominable thing of the rotten past, my existence a black mark on my master. My voice will be unhelpful, until ironclad evidence is had," Shu Yue replied.
"Fine. Fine. What's one more job," Ling Qi said with a scowl.
"There is no rest for a seeker of thrones."
"Don't I know it," Ling Qi said. "I need to meet Cai Renxiang now. The opening speeches will begin in a few hours."
Shue Yue was gone, leaving her only the first rays of dawn as company.
***
"So there is truly something amiss," Cai Renxiang said from behind steepled fingers, her brow crinkled with a frustration that reflected Ling Qi's own feelings. She sat behind a polished desk, sinking back into her seat.The room itself was small without being cramped, plain like the rest of the meeting hall. The floor was bare but polished wood and there was only a single hanging, a watercolor depicting Tsu smiting the Wolf God over a backdrop of Xiangmen.
"Shu Yue has confirmed that they agree with the assessment of Meng Dan and myself," Ling Qi said. The final lead up had been her spending time collating information and reports from among the staff. There were many little accidents. But nothing that showed real evidence of tampering, or being outside the result of natural geomantic shifts in an unstable region.
Not for the first time, she wished that the General could have been a bit less disruptive.
"Troubling, if they cannot find the source immediately," Gan Guangli said stroking his chin.
"I would ask that all of us keep our eyes well open here. Especially…"
"We cannot make any public statements regarding it," Cai Renxiang said, her expression pinched. "Not without destroying this moment, and the chance for either side to buy in. Not when it is already so tenuous."
"Yes," Ling Qi said, sighing.
"The Ministry must be apprised of this matter, if they are not already aware," Cai Renxiang stated bluntly.
"Though I do not wish to speak ill of them, they may already be aware of it and are choosing to remain silent, much as we intend to do," Gan Guangli pointed out.
Ling Qi had to grudgingly admit that this was a possibility. While the Ministry had not been friendly to her, she had done little to endear herself to them either.
"Regardless, we must focus on the opening ceremony. This...sabotage appears to be slow-acting," Cai Renxiang said. "Do we agree on the broad interest groups we must satisfy here?"
"The nobility of the Emerald Seas is favorably disposed towards us, given the Duchess's clear investment and our work, albeit with a touch of condescension. However, we will need to be careful about the concessions we make to keep them that way," Gan Guangli said.
"Jaromila is heading the main White Sky group and has a personal interest in this," Ling Qi said. "I trust that she is at least as invested in this as we."
"But they have their larger national interest, much like we do," Cai Renxiang agreed. "The Crows.."
"Which is saying something," Gan Guangli laughed.
"I believe Emissary Dzintara can be used to gauge that group's interest. It is as much spiritual as political," Ling Qi said. She had put that much together.
"Which leaves our own watchers, the Ministry and the General," Gan Guangli said, tapping his elbow thoughtfully, his arms crossed over his chest. "Miss Ling has somehow gained the General's patience."
"I was merely able to determine the right words to convince her that there is some value in this."
"Hm," Cai Renxiang said, glancing at Ling Qi. Ling Qi smiled.
In truth she found the General pretty terrifying. She was comprehensible though. If one understood her intent.
"But the Ministry is barely on board," Gan Guangli finished.
"We will need all of these to, at the minimum, not oppose us by the time the summit is complete," Cai Renxiang said. "While also accomplishing our central goal of creating a foreign quarter here, a binding ceasefire. If we cannot manage that much, this will have been for naught."
And their position, Cai Renxiang's position, would be cripplingly weakened. It would take years if not decades, merely to be taken seriously again.
"But even that is not enough," Ling Qi said. "Rather, achieving only the bare minimum can only be seen as a failure. We need to establish this 'foreign quarter' concept here, and foster further relations."
"I am more inclined to 'Embassy Town', for our situation," Gan Guangli said. "But I agree, if we do not accomplish something surpassing here, Lady Cai's star will not rise."
"And even beyond our ambitions it will only ensure things remain unstable in the south, if we cannot establish a framework for peace here," Ling Qi said quietly.
"And there is only so much time," Cai Renxiang said. "Ling Qi, you will be taking the lead in this. I will speak, especially to our own side, but your knowledge of the foreigners must guide my interactions."
"You will have them. What is the speech schedule for the opening ceremony?"
"The General declined thankfully. Luo Jie will speak for the nobles."
Ling Qi raised her eyebrows, but she could see it. Wang Lian was too… blunt, and her clans own assimilation programs might be divisive. Meng Dan's uncle was clearly not the sort, given she'd not even managed to see the man yet.
"Cao Chun has also demanded the right to speak. I expect him to be less than accommodating but not directly offensive," Cai Renxiang said. "Then your Jaromila, followed by the eastern woman, Inzha, was it?"
"It feels so strange to refer to everyone by their given names," Gan Guangli murmured.
Inzha was taking the second speaking slot? She would have expected Dzintara, or perhaps Khadne. Ling Qi furrowed her brow. Perhaps it was a matter of seniority. She did need to suss out their decision making better still. "Yes, that is her name. And we are speaking first?"
"I will give the introduction and then cede the floor to you," Cai Renxiang said. "What direction do you intend to take this?"
Ling Qi's eyes wandered to the ceiling. She had been thinking to emphasize what they could accomplish together with the meeting hall but that would ring a little dull with the unfinished decor. Although…
"The results could still be spun favorably. Look at this around you, complete, secure, if a little rough. See what we may do with only a bare month of time and the teething pains of new cooperation. Emphasis on the quality of everyone's work and play up the difficulty?"
"That does risk some doubling down on the offense taken," Cai Renxiang pointed out. "And make others question why you chose an impossible task."
"It wasn't impossible," Ling Qi grumbled. "But it was a reach."
"That was not a rebuke, merely putting forth the likely challenge."
I understand," Ling Qi said.
"Perhaps, instead take an acknowledging tone, and use your success in cooling tempers. A speech emphasizing that we may peacefully solve our disagreements?" Gan Guangli wondered.
"It still acknowledges that there is a problem which will be enough to put off some," Ling Qi said, frowning. "But it's not a bad approach either.
So…"
[ ] Focus the speech on what can be built together leaning toward the promise of the future over the rough start
[ ] Focus the speech on how disputes, though inevitable, can be solved to everyone's satisfaction through words.
Favorability: Each faction involved in the summit has a quantity of this resource. Representing the factions investment and interest in negotiation. This resource is spent or gained by actions, negotiations or exchanges taken during the course of the summit. Favorability ranges from -10 to 10 and during any rolls relevant to the faction applies a bonus to the success chance equal to 10x the number.
Managing favorability will be important to the Summit's success! Any faction with negative favorability at the end will significantly inhibit accomplishing your goals. Higher favorability with all factions will significantly bolster success.
There are five factions whose favorability is of primary relevance during negotiations. Smaller factions, like the ducal observers may interact with favorability but do not have their own score since they are not primary participants.
Emerald Seas Nobility: 4 (+2 Ducal Support, +2 Personal accomplishments, +1 Historical Proofs, -1 Incomplete Hall)
White Plumes: 2 (+1 Satisfactory security, +1 Heron General's Patience)
Ministry of Integrity: -1 (+1 Satisfactory Security, +1 Imperial Support, -2 Ignored Interests, -1 Uncivilized Mingling)
White Sky Confederation: 5 (+2 Completed all three familiarity actions, +2 Leadership Support, +1 Historical Proofs)
Polar Theocracy: 1 (+1 Satisfactory Security, +2 Historical Proofs, -1 Incomplete Hall, -1 Unstable Outsiders)
The summit itself will take course over the entire month. It will be divided into four sections, each of which will allow one cultivation project. Each of these sections will contain 3 'arcs' which will represent specific pushes or negotiations.
You will thus have twelve slots to manipulate favorability and pursue your goals
The first section will be locked to Thief of Names. The small introductory arc will not count against your slots.
Negotiations: Some story arcs may include a negotiation section. During negotiations, you will be presented with a list of options from the parties involved. Each option will have a numerical cost, which must be balanced against the other parties' total negotiating costs from their own options. Unbalanced deals are possible, but will have consequences for the parties' favorability.
Managing favorability will be important to the Summit's success! Any faction with negative favorability at the end will significantly inhibit accomplishing your goals. Higher favorability with all factions will significantly bolster success.
There are five factions whose favorability is of primary relevance during negotiations. Smaller factions, like the ducal observers may interact with favorability but do not have their own score since they are not primary participants.
Emerald Seas Nobility: 4 (+2 Ducal Support, +2 Personal accomplishments, +1 Historical Proofs, -1 Incomplete Hall)
White Plumes: 2 (+1 Satisfactory security, +1 Heron General's Patience)
Ministry of Integrity: -1 (+1 Satisfactory Security, +1 Imperial Support, -2 Ignored Interests, -1 Uncivilized Mingling)
White Sky Confederation: 5 (+2 Completed all three familiarity actions, +2 Leadership Support, +1 Historical Proofs)
Polar Theocracy: 1 (+1 Satisfactory Security, +2 Historical Proofs, -1 Incomplete Hall, -1 Unstable Outsiders)
The summit itself will take course over the entire month. It will be divided into four sections, each of which will allow one cultivation project. Each of these sections will contain 3 'arcs' which will represent specific pushes or negotiations.
You will thus have twelve slots to manipulate favorability and pursue your goals
The first section will be locked to Thief of Names. The small introductory arc will not count against your slots.
Negotiations: Some story arcs may include a negotiation section. During negotiations, you will be presented with a list of options from the parties involved. Each option will have a numerical cost, which must be balanced against the other parties' total negotiating costs from their own options. Unbalanced deals are possible, but will have consequences for the parties' favorability.
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. We'd only have...3 more to go afterwards? I guess we'll need to see more of the arcs to be sure what fits. 
