Threads 365-Maps 6

“Meng Deming is satisfied with negotiations?”

Cai Renxiang did not turn to her as she approached, remaining standing over the table with her arms folded behind her back. Her eyes were trained on the map, studying the tentative lines drawn on it and the pins marking points of interest.

“He is not unsatisfied,” Ling Qi corrected. “He also laid out the Meng’s position on the observatory. Scholars of Sibiar descent only.”

Cai Renxiang wrinkled her nose in annoyance. It only lasted a moment before smoothing away. “Understood. If you determine that we need to press them over it, inform me.”

“I don’t think it should be a problem. I expect our guests to be more baffled than offended.”

“Good. We must address the claims of the Sun before we finish today.”

Ling Qi tried very hard not to let her headache show in her voice. “Yes. I was able to talk them down to a more reasonable starting point, but I fear that the extent of our land claims may have emboldened Princess Sun, regardless of whatever agreement I established with Ji Rong.”

“A calculated risk.”

“Ultimately, I do not believe the Sun truly want much in the mountains themselves given the vast resources poured into the mining sites.”

“And Gan Guangli’s contacts in the Jia and Diao confirm that the majority of Sun and Jin resources are being placed into the construction of a grand port in the north,” Cai Renxiang noted.

“Then it’s just a matter of how difficult the princess wants to be.”

“We will not be able to truly claim most of what we have painted ours. There is no reason for the Sun to not want the same.”

Ling Qi grimaced. “And while they are not directly involved, the Sun deciding to advance on the south past agreed-upon bounds with the White Sky would…”

“Degrade relations,” Cai Renxiang finished.

“Lady Cai enjoys her understatement.”

Renxiang merely glanced at her and assessed clinically, “This is a minor focus for the Sun. If they choose to be difficult, it will be in the future, and even then, well into it.”

“If Lady Cai is correct, then I will hold the Sun hard to the lines I spoke with Ji Rong about. Nothing in Freyja’s Pass with claims radiating out a hundred kilometers or so from their mining sites, along with the vales here and here for fort construction… I don’t believe this will give them cause to be openly insulted.”

“However, the Twisted Pines have more claims on their peaks. There will be some disgruntlement, if your reports are correct.”

Ling Qi grimaced at that. “I might be able to peel the Sun back a little more, but at that point, we risk them ignoring us.”

“And giving any further will attrition the gains you have so masterfully made here today.” Cai Renxiang sighed. “We must…”

“Stick to the negotiation I worked out with Ji Rong, regardless of however much Sun Liling pushes,” Ling Qi agreed.

“Yes. In the end, there is only so much we can corral the Sun. Buying their favor at the cost of opinion among the actual participants is simply not useful.”

Ling Qi smiled slightly and questioned, “Really, though. ‘Masterful’?”

“No one shouted. Threats of violence were minimal and largely spiritual in nature. We have a tentative agreement on border lines,” Cai Renxiang replied. “So, yes, masterful. I give compliments where they are appropriate.”

Ling Qi considered the many personalities here and dipped her head. “Still, you may need to take the lead more here. I might be your voice, but if Sun Liling gets it in her head to be stubborn, only you truly have the status to shut her down.”

Cai Renxiang acknowledged the point. “I have left this round to you as this is all very… feeling-based, unlike the previous week’s negotiations, but perhaps that is for the best.”

“May I ask what is for the best, Lady Cai?” Gan Guangli asked as he approached.

People were starting to drift back to their places.

“That I speak primarily for us when we invite Princess Sun to the table,” Renxiang replied. “We are not going to be permissive with the West.”

“I see the wisdom,” Gan Guangli agreed. “Ah! The sects and the observers for the Jia are pleased. Thanks to the firm claims on so much buffering land, there is very little complaint, even from the Rushing Cloud Sect. I believe the Jia will be much easier to convince to invest into infrastructure and management now.”

“That is good,” Cai Renxiang said. “Very well. It is time. Take your positions. Support me, but leave me the lead.”

“Yes, Lady Cai,” they both affirmed, falling in behind her as they returned to the head of the table.

When all of the delegates had settled into their positions again, Cai Renxiang rose from her seat to address them all once more.

“Today, we have made excellent progress. Although the details must be worked out in following days to ensure that there is no confusion or discrepancies, we have achieved a broad consensus. Before we retire this day, there is another matter which we must see to. The Celestial Empire is vast, and we are not its only province, just as the White Sky is not the only territory of the Polar Nation. In the east, the Grave of the Sun presents an impassable barrier, and so that may be left aside. In the west, however, the province of the Western Territories and the territory of the Twisted Pines may come into contact. As such, some degree of agreement must be reached as to their border as well. Thus, I invite Princess Sun, representing her great-grandfather, King Sun Shao of the Western Territories, to this table.”

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“And I cede my scepter now to Emissary Dzintara, Blade of the Twin Crescent Temple-Lodge,” Jaromila followed.

Dzintara rose from her seat. “Here and now, I speak now for Twisted Pines, my other home.”

“And I suppose I finally get to pry myself out of this chair,” Sun Liling drawled from the observer’s portion of the hall, rising to her feet. She was still wearing those snakeskin boots, and her heels clacked on the floor. Ling Qi eyed her warily as she crossed the room at a confident pace. A gesture from Cai Renxiang had a number of their functionaries clear space for the princess to stand across from Dzintara. The two faced each other as a second, smaller map was placed on the table, showing the far less expansive stretch of mountains in the west.

“So, I hear your people are pretty tough,” Sun Liling said casually. “Don’t think your woods are as hard as the jungle, but it doesn’t sound like a bad camping ground.”

“I do not believe one should wish for one’s land to be hard, but it is so. It has shocked us to learn of your conquest. Those in the further west, the Barrier Princes of Khusan, did not report any change in the jungle to us in our talks these last five hundred years.”