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Post by ravigen on Apr 3, 2015 22:18:10 GMT
Naozumi nodded slowly and took another sip from his cup pausing for a moment to enjoy the moment and get his thoughts in order.
"I always enjoy the company of friends but it is true that I came here for a purpose beyond simply congratulating you on your success." He reached into his coat for a piece of parchment he'd been drawing on for some time now, a building that would change the North he was sure.
"Please take a look at this drawing, I have for some time now been considering an important building project, a great library bigger than any other library in existence, a place of learning with tomes from every corner of the world and every period of history we can get."
The Vaekirate library schools and temple schools had a good idea but Naozumi wanted to outdo them, no not just outdo them, outclass them on such a scale that no one could match. |
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Post by aspenivan on Apr 3, 2015 22:26:08 GMT
Councilor Haerk had suspected Naozumi was here on business, but he could not have predicted the man's ambitious proposal. Over a long moment of silence, he peered over the document the Ikegami daimyo had handed him, examining every detail and letting practical questions turn over in his head.
"You're really shooting for the moon here, aren't you," Drivid Haerk finally commented a little bluntly. "No settling for anything less than the best. You know the Vaekirate will take a project like this as a challenge, don't you?" Especially since, he reckoned, the Ikegami would not let the Mouthpiece of Aed lay a finger on it. "Not to say I'm opposed to the plan," he quickly clarified, "but I trust you have considered the diplomatic risks."
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Post by ravigen on Apr 3, 2015 22:32:58 GMT
Naozumi chuckled, the concerns of the Vaekirate meant little and less to him and only the Imperial law making worship of Aed law kept him from telling them it to their face but he'd prepared for the possibility of the Vaekirate's interference.
"I do not see why I should aim for anything less than the best I can do, it is an affordable project and one I feel would be good for the North as a whole. The obvious problem for me beyond building it is acquiring the books, many of them, especially in the South would be difficult for a northern lord to acquire on his own." |
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Post by aspenivan on Apr 3, 2015 22:38:35 GMT
"Given the new privileges and connections I have gained access to since my fortunate promotion, I should be able to arrange for quite a collection from New Byrnis as well as the South," Haerk explained. And, of course, his family name would do plenty to help along the way.
"But no matter my status, tomes are not free. For the sheer number and quality of works you would require, along with the old age of some, I would estimate the total cost at no less than forty-thousand jiien. And that's if I push on every favor and contact I can think of. And that's just the books: I'd estimate the shipping costs, with an appropriately large caravan guard, at another fifteen-thousand. In all it would take at least a year to gather everything and have it in the city."
He had to be honest, even with his lord-employer: This would not be a cheap or easy project. And with the scale of materials involved, it would be impossible to hide from the moment work began.
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Post by ravigen on Apr 3, 2015 22:47:45 GMT
Naozumi nodded, having expected as much though he was in little rush, he could be patient, he'd been patient for a very long time, a little more wouldn't hurt him.
"I understand and am in no particular hurry, it will take time and money, that I am fully willing to pay, it is good to have a full figure for the project though and I thank you for your help. This project will hopefully be the crowning moment of my time as Daimyo." |
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Post by aspenivan on Apr 3, 2015 23:05:13 GMT
"Well, I haven't counted the cost of the building itself," Haerk admitted. "But that should be no problem if we can get the tomes together. Speaking of which, how do you plan to get books from other corners of the North? Are you collaborating with any friendly neighbors?"
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Post by ravigen on Apr 3, 2015 23:09:06 GMT
Naozumi nodded slowly, taking another sip of his sake and taking another scroll from his kimono, setting it on the table in front of Haerk.
"I'm going to be handling the majority of that issue soon enough, I'll be returning to the manor for some business and I suspect the majority of the negotiations regarding the books can be handled then."
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Post by aspenivan on Apr 3, 2015 23:11:33 GMT
The Imperial Councilor scanned over the document and smiled. He opened his mouth to say something, but then stopped. The parchment spoke for itself.
"Very well. It is always a pleasure to share a drink with you, noble Ikegami Naozumi." He raised his near-empty cup of sake as if to toast. "Aed's blessings and guidance in your negotiations at the Manor."
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Post by ravigen on Apr 3, 2015 23:14:28 GMT
Naozumi smiled and raised his own near-empty cup in a toast. He was confident things would go smoothly.
"Many thanks Councilor Haerk, be sure to enjoy your new promotion and the sake if you enjoy it, I look forward to working with you and the Empire more in the future." |
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