Threads 352-Summit 4

Ling Qi mingled and traded small words, encouragement, and debates with various functionaries. She found Cao Chun conferring with another more junior agent she couldn’t recognize at a glance.

“Baroness,” he said before she had finished approaching. His companion turned and left. He remained with his back to her until she stopped, only then turning to face her.

“Inspector Cao,” she returned, lowering her head. “Are the current negotiations to your satisfaction?”

His blank mask tilted up. “These foreigners have shown that they have a functional understanding of the concept of civil law and meaningful tradition of jurisprudence. This arrangement is… possible.”

Ling Qi was surprised to hear him admit that, but she carefully kept it from her face.

Of course, for all her talents, he was still two realms above her.

His cane tapped once against the floor. “I am not blind, baroness, merely skeptical.”

“My apologies, inspector. I did not mean to imply otherwise. There are many who are not blind but are blinkered. Such is the way of cultivation.”

“Hmph. Spare me the koan, young lady. Yes, that is the reason given for why the young are taking the lead in this.”

“A reason which you do not approve of.”

“I do not, but I will not say you are all not giving your best efforts.”

Even now, with his mask on, she could read him. He still thought that they were being foolish, inviting inevitable betrayal and disaster. But…

“Even when violence came close, we pushed it off.”

“Yes, your speech,” Cao Chun said, his blank mask turning as if to peer past her. “I interviewed our craftswoman myself. She may not even have noticed consciously, but she broke the boy’s wrist, not that the foreigners seemed to care about that over the cultivation taint. A shameful lack of discipline.”

Ling Qi eyed him warily. “You approve of the outcome?”

His discontent scratched at her nose like smoke. “It was well handled. A wrong is a wrong. Being the ones to break the peace dirties the empire’s honor.”

“It was an unfortunate flaring of tempers.”

“Hmm. What is it you wish to say, baroness?”

“It is my hope to ask you for your thoughts on the arbitration negotiation. Though Inspector Cao has made his voice clear, I hoped that any unsaid concerns might be addressed.”

“I see.”

Unlike his younger colleagues the old inspector was not nearly impolitic enough to make accusations.

“The Ministry of Integrity is rooted in the Ministry of Law. Please do not think that Lady Cai or myself disdain your expertise.”

They did not. But she did feel the ministry had tendencies toward overclaiming their area of it.

“I favor the panel approach in this,” he said. “The idea is sound, if needing refinement. Frankly, I can see that you intend to push toward an even number to claim fairness despite your starting position. Two and two, rather than two and one.Requiring a majority means that at least one imperial must agree with the foreigners or vice versa to reach a verdict.”

Ling Qi was silent. The intention was to let the delegates raise the problem and come to the conclusion themselves. Ideas people thought were their own always went down better.

“Whereas the other is an unpalatable problem with obvious downsides, existing to be torn down?”

“No. Both the empire and the Polar Nation have a tradition of singular judges presiding. While there are problems with the proposal, such as the chance of bias toward their homes and the lack of accountability because of the strange jurisdiction, we felt it was important to discuss the traditional option and find out if there were solutions to be had.”

He examined her closely.

She looked back with clear eyes. It was true. She didn’t think it was a good option, but if there were arguments for it, she would be happy to hear them.

“We will see. I may not favor it, but others do. Let your gambit play as it will.”

“Inspector, if I may, I understand your skepticism, but is there anything which could assuage that?”

Cao Chun rhythmically tapped his cane on the wooden floor.

“If you truly wish for our support rather than silence, baroness, then take this proposal to your liege. Agree that at least one judge magistrate upon each panel be drawn from the capital from a ministry-approved pool.”

Ling Qigave him a wary look. “Would such judges even take a position like this? I apologize, inspector, but I feel as if this will only result in a gridlock and empty seats.”

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Cao Chun tilted his chin down to her surprise, acknowledging rather than retorting. “Then let me swear this oath on the honor of the Ministry of Integrity. Agree, and you will receive candidates in a timely fashion. I will ensure it.”

“I cannot make any promises without consulting Lady Cai.”

“Of course. Take the proposal to her. If you choose to take it, then support me in the matter when the panel composition is brought up,” Cao Chun said. “I sense there is something else you wish to raise.”

“Ling Qi shook her head. “There is, but it is not about this meeting. I was hoping to speak to you after. It is about the spirit troubles and construction accidents.”

She felt his focus narrow onto her. “I see. Afterward, then.”