9 - Chapter 7
Sa Bina forced her mind to stop going around in circles. The situation was what it was. She couldn't change it without taking significant risks, and that too with no guarantee that the situation would improve. She was actually in a good position from an outside perspective. She had money, status and the protection of the local clan. The only downside from her perspective was the responsibilities that were being piled up, but she could always minimise those by finding competent subordinates. Thinking like that made her stop worrying. Yes, she would find people to take over and just keep an eye on what was going on. As long as she didnt take over an actual kingdom, she would be just fine.
“So Han Ji, what exactly would you and your soldiers transferring to me entail?” asked Sa Bina. “What would be my responsibilities?”
“Well, since we are not going to be an actual army, more like your personal guard, apart from paying us, housing us, and equipping us would be the extent of your standard responsibilities.” answered Han Ji. “During the beast waves, you do know about that?, during the beast waves we would have to participate and secure merit on behalf of the house, but have time to build a large enough unit to ensure we meet our obligations.”
“How many of you are there?” asked Sa Bina, looking towards Sun Li she continued, “How many household staff will I need?”
“There are 20 men under my command, they would all like to join you.” answered Han Ji,”since we would transfer, our immediate families would also join. So around 38 adults and 6 children.”
“Depending on the size of the estate, you would need a hand maid, a secretary, a head housekeeper, a butler, a cook, a couple of drivers, a footman. On top of that you would need maids, gardeners, grounds keepers and a few others.” answered Sun Li.
“So another 20 or so families,” replied a weary Sa Bina. “I am going to be responsible for providing for around 100 people and that's just a start. I don't need a house more like a whole sprawling estate. While we are at it, might as well make it big enough to house space for my business production. I don't think we are going to find that kind of space in the middle of the city. I really don't want to end up with 2 residences from day one, that would just need even more staff”
“You would be surprised,” replied Sun Li after some thought. “I think there may be a solution. Let's finish breakfast, we have a lot to get through today”
“Does that mean you are accepting our transfer?” asked Han Ji.
“It seems like I am, one way or another.” replied Sa Bina, resigned to her fate at this point.
They finished breakfast and left the inn.
Sun Li took them through the city, and around to a massive building set in an idyllic square. “Welcome to the city administration office.” said Sun Li as they entered the imposing building.
They were met by an attendant who inquired after their business. Sun Li asked for the office of diplomatic affairs. They were led through the corridors and up several sets of stairs to end up in front of a magnificent office. The corridor leading up to the office was lined with stunning portraits.The attendant knocked, and after receiving an answer opened the door for them Once they entered, he left, closing the door behind them.
A well built man sat behind a massive wooden desk. He looked up as they entered and seeing who it was, stood up to greet them.
“Greetings, I am Hang Fo, the minister for diplomatic affairs.” greeted Hang Fo. “What may the ministry do for the sect?”
“The sect is only here to introduce her highness, Duchess Sa Bina hailing from The Kingdom of The Rising Dao .” replied Sun Li, her tone was extremely formal. “We need the ministry to authorise the purchase of a fallow diplomatic complex. As this will be the Duchesses permanent residence for the foreseeable future, she would need the largest complex available.”
Hang Fo querked an eyebrow at this claim. He looked over Sa Bina, only seeing a young girl. “Not that I doubt you Cultivator, but may I see your token and any proof you have of this claim.” he said.
Sun Li presented her sect token. He was suitably impressed with her status as a core disciple and 4th realm cultivator. He looked towards Sa Bina.
Not knowing which one to show him, Sabina handed him both the sect token and the bank token. She glanced at the sect token as she handed it over and was surprised to note that the sect token now mentioned The Rising Dao as the name of the kingdom. She was sure it had been blank when she had received it. How had it changed?
Hang Fo examined the sect token and handed it back, but was visibly shocked by the bank token, or more specifically that it was from the Imperial bank. He examined the token thoroughly before handing it back.
“My apologies duchess,” he said bowing, “You understand I had to check. It has been a long time since a direct member of a foreign royal house has chosen to take up residence in our fair city. Might I inquire as to the reason?”
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“Due to personal circumstances, I find myself in this city.” answered Sa Bina,not wanting to reveal too much “the sect suggested that I should enrol in the preparatory school awaiting my age of majority.”
“Ah, that makes sense.” responded Hang Fo, “There are a few diplomatic palaces that are available. I would be happy to authorise residence and opening of an embassy. However if you wish to purchase the estate outright, there would be a few stipulations. We would need assurances that you would not harbour any criminals, assurances that any 3 royal family would not take up permanent residence, and that if you ever wish to sell the property, it may only be sold back to this office.”
Sa Bina looked towards Sun Li, and once she received a nod, she agreed with the terms.
“There are three estates currently available, the largest is actually outside the city and is around 60 qing. The second largest, the one I would recommend for you is actually very close to the school, is just over 15 qing. The smallest is next to it and is around 9 qing.”
“How many people could they house on the existing property now and what condition is it in?” asked Sun Li,
“The 15 qing estate could currently accommodate around 20 nobles and around 100 staff.” he answered, “the 9 qing estate could house only 2 nobles, and is more in the style of a barracks. It was designed to house a foreign imperial regiment and its officers during a prolonged stay.”
“How long have they been unused?” asked Sa Bina.
“Honestly I could not tell you, not in my memory.” answered Hang Fo.
“Since they have been empty for so long, would you object to me taking both as one estate?” asked Sa Bina. She further explained, “Since I may be here for the beast tide, I would need a barracks to recruit and train my soldiers. It would make sense to keep everything together.”
“What you ask is not impossible, though I would need to get authorisation approved by the first minister.” mused Hang Fo. “Then there is the question of the price. I believe the price will exceed 1 tier 4 Spirit stone, may even be as much as 2 tier 4 spirit stones”
Sa Bina smiled at this, she had purposefully asked to treat them as one estate. “Oh, I don't believe that will be a problem, however, I am not the one paying. The sect have agreed to finance the purchase, so you would have to agree the price with Cultivator Sun Li.”
Sun Li just gave Sa Bina a look, “Yes the sect will pay, but you are asking for much too much for the estates.” she told Hang Fo. “50 tier 3 spirit stones should be more than sufficient. Don’t forget, the ministry will no longer need to fund the maintenance of these estates, nor pay the staff. Out of curiosity what has traditionally been the annual upkeep cost for the estates?”
“We spend around 10 to 15 tier 3 spirit stones on upkeep maintenance and staff costs annually for the estates combined.” replied Hang Fo. “I could agree to a price of 75 tier 3 spirit stones, subject to authorisation of course.”
Sun Li agreed to the revised price. She took out 1 tier 4 spirit stone and placed it on the desk. “I will pick up the change when we come to finalise the paperwork.” she said.
With that they ended the meeting, the minister went off to get the paperwork arranged and authorisations granted. The meeting had taken over a bell.
Once they were back in the carriage, Sun Li let her formal mask drop. “That was very cheeky of you Sa Bina, pushing for a much larger estate.”
“Well the sect did agree to provide suitable accommodation.” replied Sa Bina nonchalantly, “Besides, only this morning you were telling me how many people I would need to fulfil my obligations. I am going to need the space. What do you think of the idea of retaining the people currently managing the estates? Surely that would significantly reduce the workload for us.”
Sun Li gave it some thought. “It could work, we could make an offer to them, if they choose to transfer, we could manage it with the transfer of the soldiers.” she said, “You would still need your own hand maid, secretary and butler. An empty estate wouldn't have those positions open. Also you might still want to find your own cook.”
“Also don't you think that the maintenance cost was very high compared to the cost of the property?” asked Sa Bina. “I would expect that to be in the region of 5 to 7% of the property cost per year.”
“That's because you are comparing the costs for single building dwelling.” replied Sun Li. “A lot of that cost is going to be managing the security and privacy formations required of an embassy. Also the cost of managing sculpted gardens is quite sizeable if you don't have outer disciples to do it for you.”
“Ok, I guess that makes sense, I am starting to take responsibility for a lot of costs.” said Sa Bina, “I know I received a lot from the sect, but I really need to start generating revenue, otherwise before I know it, I will run out of funds. Where are we going now?”
“It’s good that you are thinking about it.” said Sun Li. “I am glad you are more mature than your age. Next stop, we need to order the Qi Stamp, unless you want to bleed on more documents. Do you have any idea what you want to use for your coat of arms?”
“What are the traditional colours of a royal coat of arms?” asked Sa Bina, thinking through ideas.
“Well traditionally, most royal heraldry depicts a dragon, the colours are gold black and white.” said Sun Li, “however, there is no actual rule, more tradition.”
“I should use the traditional colours,” replied a thoughtful Sa Bina, “I have a feeling I am going to cause enough waves as it is.”
“That is true, you are also going to have to decide if you are open about your identity when you join the school.” said Sun Li, “ Of course the headmaster will need to be informed, but the rest of the school is down to you. There are advantages and disadvantages to each decision.”
“Like what” asked Sa Bina nonplussed by the nonsequitur.
“Well, if you flaunt your identity, it will put additional scrutiny on you as well as pressure. You will find it harder to make real friends as people will want to use you in their games,” replied Sun Li, “on the other side, if you are pretending to be of a lower rank, or from the merchant class, then you will have to manage the pressure from the ‘higher nobles’ to conform. It really depends on what you want, and how adept you are at socialising.”
“I will have to think about that,” replied Sa Bina, “let me think about the Qi seal first. One problem at a time. What do you think about a dragon wrapping around a baguette?”