11 - Chapter 9
Sun Li and Sa Bina were back in the carriage. “So do you think the minister will be ready by now?” asked Sa Bina. “Also what else do we have to get done today?”
“I think the bare minimum would be staffing and purchasing carriages,” replied Sun Li, “and the horses to pull them. We should also take you to meet the headmaster at the school so we can work out when you can join.”
“Ok, let's see if we can retain the staff already running the estates, that would significantly reduce the numbers we have to hire, and also the training period.” replied Sa Bina.
“They would still need to get used to you, and how you want things run,” replied Sun Li,”but yes that would make things easier.”
They soon arrived in front of the administration building. When they entered they found the same attendant, and were led straight back up to the minister’s office.
“Greetings, welcome back” said Hang Fo, “You have good timing. The approvals and paperwork arrived only a short time ago. Since payment has already been made, we can finalise the paperwork.”
“I did have a question,” said Sa Bina, “Would I have the option to retain the current staff managing the estates? It would make life much easier to have people familiar with the estate. Also, how many staff are there?”
“Well,” mused Hang Fo, “Yes it's possible, though not straightforward. There is no process for citizens to transfer kingdoms temporarily. The only way I can think of, is if they would have to join the army as an auxiliary, then they could be transferred as part of an imperial army unit. If you then wish, you could discharge them.”
“Can we ask if they are willing.” asked Sa Bina, “Also I have a Lieutenant Han Ji, and this soldiers wanting to join me”
“Let’s get the paperwork completed, then we can look at the staffing issues,” said Hang Fo.
They spent the next bell going through the paperwork to confirm the purchase then merger of the two estates. The only saving grace for Sa Bina was the Qi stamp. It was a lot easier than bleeding on each document, though the use of the stamp still tired her out.
Once the documents were finalised, they were sent off to be stamped by the office of the first minister. As they waited the discussion of the staffing situation resumed.
“I think the simplest solution is to make the offer to the people working on the estates, and if they choose to stay, then process the paperwork,” said Hang Fo. “You will need the contracts anyway, so why don’t I have a set of contract forms produced. I think 500 sets of each joining the military, and transferring kingdoms, should be sufficient for a while?”
“I think that should be more than enough.” said Sa Bina, “how long will that take and is there an associated cost?”
“I think there should be sufficient form templates available,” said Hang Fo, “I will ask one of my attendants to check. Also consider it a small gift as a welcome to our city.”
Sa Bina thanked the minister, then settled in to wait for all the forms to be ready.
It was almost another bell before everything was finalised. Hang Fo formally handed over copies of the deeds to the estate in a small ceremony. Sa Bina put everything away. It looked like she would need that vault at the bank, just to store things like the deeds. Another task to add to the ever growing list.
“So we just turn up at the estate to take ownership?” asked Sa Bina. Now that she owned property, she wanted to see what she had purchased, or more accurately, what the sect had purchased for her.
“It will take at least two bells for us to formally notify the staff.” said Hang Fo, “How about we meet at the larger estate in 3 bells for the formal hand over? I can also ensure that all staff are present and can decide if they wish to remain.”
“That will give us time to meet a few candidates for the open roles.” says Sun Li, “also depending on how long you take to decide, we may be able to make a quick visit to the school.”
“Sure, let's do that.” says a now resigned Sa Bina, “there is no point waiting around. We should also get lunch on the way.”
Sun Li and Sa Bina returned back to the sect Inn. The sect had already started looking to fill the various roles for Sa Bina, so there were several people waiting for them when they returned.
Sun Li and Sa Bina decided to review the profiles while they had lunch. Assuming that most or all of the staff at the estates decided to stay, they needed to fill at least 4 senior roles.
Then needed a butler, a head house keeper and an estate manager to help run the properties and household finances. She also need a personal handmaid and a secretary for her personal business. Lastly, she needed a general officer to be formally incharge of the army that would report to her. She would also need a business manager, but that could wait until she was ready to start on her business ventures. She really hoped a lot of people would choose to stay.
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“Right, lets simplify this.” said Sa Bina as she ate. “We can hire the butler, they can can get the house keeper and estate manager. That would save us time to recruit for those two positions. Also I am thinking of naming Han Ji as the general officer and let him manage the army side of things. What do you think?”
“That's a good plan to start out.” replied Sun Li after some thought. “Normally I would recommend that you thoroughly vet the people you are looking to hire, your situation is different. The fact they would have to join the army, transfer to your army and swear fealty will do a lot to protect you.”
“I get that it would be a deterrent,” said Sa Bina, “But wouldn't they still be able to betray me or be susceptible to bribes?”
“Bribes and minor corruption exist everywhere and can’t really be eliminated easily.” said Sun Li, “the only way would be to raise your entire workforce from children and thoroughly indoctrinate them. It does happen with some of the more strict sects, but is very rare.”
“In your case, betrayal would be a lot harder.” continued Sun Li, “the legal protections would already discourage a lot of bad behaviour, as official military and a subject, the punishment for betrayal would be execution as it would actually be treason. Apart from that, when they swear fealty, they are bound by the heavens. If their actions go against the mandate of heavens, and what actions will constitute that are difficult to judge, they will find their cultivation crippled.”
“So they will be punished by the world itself? “ asked Sa Bina
“More like their oaths will be bound up in their cultivation.” replied Sun Li, “so breaking one shatters both. That doesn't give you full protection, there are ways around everything, but it will give you a measure of protection. You are currently relatively unknown, nor have you created any enemies. So right now that should give you enough protection. At least no one will be trying to get a spy into your household, as no one has any reason to spend the resources.”
“That makes some sense I guess, it's still a lot to take in” mused Sa Bina, “I wasn't expecting to run a whole household and hire so many people.” Sa Bina pulled herself out of her spiralling thoughts. “Let's start, also we can reduce the numbers we need to speak to by letting them know the process, that way anyone not willing to join the army and transfer need not waste our time to speak to them.”
While Sun Li went to inform the applicants of the expectations, Sa Bina called for Han Ji.
“Han Ji, please take a seat.” said Sa Bina once he entered, “I will get to the point. I have no idea what I am doing with regards to any matters that are military related. I would like to effectively delegate that to you. I would like you to become my general.”
“That…I am sure you can find more qualified people, my lady.” stuttered Han Ji, he had never thought he would be offered the position of general at such a young age.
“I am sure you are right Han Ji,” replied Sa Bina, “However, I don't know them. If I find that you are not able to cope with the pressures, or find someone that would be significantly better in the role, then we can discuss it. Are you going to accept the role?”
“Yes my lady,” replied Han Ji, “where will our unit billet?”
“I have purchased an extensive estate, in fact it's the two empty diplomatic estates not far from here.” replied Sa Bina, “The smaller estate was used to house visiting army units. It should make an excellent home base. I have also finalised the coat of arms, and the insignia should be delivered soon. Lastly, the only way to transfer people to us, even for employment, is that they have to join the army and transfer over. So effectively you will be responsible for everyone at the estate.”
By this point Sun Li had returned, “We lost about half the applicants, that was a good call on asking them before we spent time speaking to them.” said Sun Li, “I take it Han Ji has accepted?”
Han Ji inclined his head to confirm her question.
With that they spent the next 2 bells interviewing people for the open roles. In the end they selected Be Net, a middle aged man, as the butler and Lou Sie, a young scholar, as her personal secretary. Finally she accepted Sun Li’s recommendation of a young Dian Fu as her handmaid. The girl had been trained from a young age, and would fit in with Sa Bina.
They asked all 3 to accompany them to the estate to finalise the paperwork and meet their coworkers.
As time was running short, they hurried off to meet the minister, and arrived only a little later than promised.
The entrance to the estate was set on a main square, with a guard house stationed at the entrances to screen visitors. Once the guards realised that the new owner was in the carriage, they couldn't open the gates fast enough. Two of Han Ji’s soldiers stayed to man the gates as the original guards moved to the main house so that they could attend to hear about the changes.
They drove up a massive manor fronted by a sculpted courtyard. The minister was already present, as were a lot of people, who Sa Bina assumed were the staff.
They disembarked the carriage, and climbed up the steps to the raised patio. “Greetings, Minister Hang Fo. Apologies for our tardiness.” said Sa Bina, “I hope we didnt keep you waiting long.”
“No, it wasn't very long my lady, it gave us some time to gather everyone.” replied Hang Fo amiably, “The estate is large, and it can take time for people to gather.”
He turned to the crowd, and conscious of Sa Bina’s desire to stay low key, addressed them. “This estate, and the one next to it, have been purchased by the kingdom of The Rising Dao.” he said. “Ambasador Sa Bina will take up residence long term. She has asked if the staff would be willing to stay on to continue your duties to ease the transition.”
“As she belongs to another kingdom and these estates will be an embassy or sorts, to work here you would have to become her subjects.” continued the minister. “The process would be you would join the military, as an auxiliary, then transfer over to her kingdom. If you wish to remain, then please move to the left of the courtyard, if you wish not to continue your service please move to the right.”
Just how many would be willing to stay wondered Sa Bina.