31 - Chapter 29
Once again the call for any new items was repeated. After checking to make sure that no one else was going to step up, Hao Rong stepped up to the podium.
“Ladies and Lords, fellow ministers,” started Hao Rong. “I bring a problem before the council. There have been several complaints levied against the guilds for their trade practices. There are the usual complaints, though much greater in number. The same complaints have been levied against every single guild. Even if we were to ignore the complaints against one guild, the fact that multiple businesses owners across all sections of industry are bringing the same complaints warrants attention. That, however, is not the biggest issue. There are complaints that the guilds are offering significantly reduced payouts for government contracts, while at the same time limiting the availability of raw materials. The only reason that we have not noticed a reduction in the pace of beast wave preparations, is because those same guilds are enforcing quotas for those contracts, but only for some of their members.”
“Surely, minister, this is just the complaining of a few small businesses that don’t like how things are run,” said Baron Xiu Hu. “We hear about these sorts of complaints often, but investigations lead nowhere.” The Baron, one of the many lesser nobles benefitting massively from the tight control over the guilds and its activities did not like the idea of his own house being investigated. Even if they had technically taken no illegal actions, if the actions did come to light, they would leave his house in shame. No best to nip this in the bud at this stage.
“Are the matters really so serious as to warrant bringing it up before the council?” asked Earl Cheng Lei. “Surely the numbers of business owners complaining can not be so great.
“As I said, my lord, any complaint against a single guild is not that great.” said Hao Rong.
“See, this matter should not have been brought up here.” replied Baron Xiu Hu, interrupting the minister.
“If you will allow me to finish, my lord,” continued Hao Rong, knowing that the best he could hope to achieve was to get the matter recorded as having been raised as a serious concern. “While the complaints against any one guild are not that great in number, the combined complaints against all the guilds would be too great to ignore.”
“Surely, minister, the complaints against the separate guilds are separate issues?” asked Earl Qin Zixin. “How then does it make sense to conflate all the complaints together?
“Normally I would agree, my lord,” replied Hao Rong. “However, since the complaints against all the guilds are identical in nature, it would seem prudent to treat all the complaints together.”
“If the guilds are accused of committing the same misdeeds,”asked Yan Zhu, “could it not be the case that the guilds have been corrupted from their purpose by some external party? Perhaps even a group such as the one we reported on just now.”
“How do we even know that the complaints are genuine.” asked Earl Qin Zixin. “Is it not possible that these small minority of business owners have been bribed or threatened into raising these complaints?”
“It is possible, my lord,” replied Hao Rong. “However, having spoken to several of these people myself, I am veering towards believing their complaints. In any case, it was my purpose to make this council aware of the complaints. Also the ministry of commerce will be actively looking into these complaints. We may ask our colleagues in the ministry of law enforcement to support us in getting to the bottom of this matter.”
“While those actions are well within the purview of the ministries,” replied Baron Xiu Hu, “I would urge caution however, it would not do, to waste public resources. We must ensure that our resources are utilised where they can do the most good.” His statement was met with a murmuring of approval by several of the minor nobles.
“While I can sympathise with both sides of this argument.” weighed in Duke Jia An, “I am more concerned about the hidden impact this issue could have on the kingdom’s readiness for the beast wave. Properly utilising resources is all well and good, but personally I would want assurances that the complaints do not truly reflect the state of the guild’s actions. Whether driven by greed from internal or external influences is completely irrelevant. The only relevant factor is if we have done everything to ensure the kingdom’s survival.”
“If the guilds are truly hampering preparations for the beast tide,” said Cultivator Yin Ling, the minister of defence, “then all the guild leaders and officers would be guilty of treason. Any actions that impact the kingdom’s ability to defend itself can be considered nothing less. I will be escalating this matter to the Green Mountain Sect upon my return from this council. If the council will not take this matter seriously, then the sect will undertake its own enquiry, and anyone found to have colluded will be summarily executed. Make no mistake, the King has charged my ministry and the sect to ensure the survival of the kingdom. We are empowered, and duty bound, to ensure that treason does not go unpunished.” What she left unsaid was that changing their ways going forward would not be enough. Yin Ling had also heard the disturbing rumours about the conduct of the guilds, but had not been able to take any action. The isolated complaints had not fallen under the purview of her ministry and as such she would have been accused of overreach had she acted previously. However, now that Minister Hao Rong had managed to bring up the issue with sufficient evidence to present before the council, she could use her standing to scare the noble’s backing the guilds.
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“Of course, Cultivator Yin Ling.” said a now very meek Baron Xiu Hu. “We would not want anything to impact our readiness for the beast wave. My intent was only to ensure we were not spending our limited resources in frivolous pursuits.”
“So the council is happy to approve the formation of a court of enquiry, jointly run by the ministry of commerce and law enforcement to look into this issue?” asked Hang Fo, who had been sitting back and watching the fireworks up until this point. “I would think the new instituted policing division would be well suited to gather the evidence in this case.”
That question left the council stunned into silence. I knew that there was a wider game afoot, thought Duke Jia An amused at the direction this meeting had taken. He was well aware of the scramble for minor gains that most of the lower houses partook in. Just how had these ministers, who generally were busy with their own games, managed to come together so well. That was another reason most of his colleagues had not seen the attack coming. This was going to be serious trouble for whomever was behind the move. He just hoped they were expecting the trouble they had brought down on themselves. He also knew that this meeting would go on for a very long time.
*
Sa Bina came out of daydream as the other students began to vacate their desks. She had been lost in planning out her menu variations based on the ingredients that would be available to her.
“Please ensure that you have placed your name on the papers. Please leave your completed papers on my desk.” Said Wei Bolin, “Your marks will be available for your next lesson.”
With that the lesson was finally over. “Would you like to join me for lunch,” asked her friend Jia Yun.
“I would be delighted.” replied Sa Bina. “It would also be nice to have a guide to this place.”
With that the two girls made their way out of the classroom and towards a massively opulent cafeteria.
“So I have not heard of the house of Sa before.” asked Jia Yun, full of curiosity about her new friend.”
Put on the spot it took Sa Bina a second to decide which direction to take in her first interaction.If she lied now, it could cause problems further down the line. She looked around to make sure they were far enough from the other students not to be overheard.
“I am happy to trust you.” said Sa Bina conspiratorially, “but only if you promise not to tell any of the other students.”
“What is the secret,” asked an excited Jia Yun. “I promise, now tell me already.”
“No, it looks like you are going to tell everyone.” retorted Sa Bina with a cheeky twinkle in her eye. “I can’t have you spoiling my fun.”
“What do you mean your fun?” asked Jia Yun, mock affronted. “Are you teasing me?”
“Well, I have asked the headmaster to keep my status a secret in the academy.” replied Sa Bina with a smirk. “I want to see how others react when they don’t know who I am. I am easily bored, and thought that I would get to have more fun this way.”
Jia Yun looked at her with narrowed eyes. “Sure I can really keep a secret, especially if it's all in aid of mischief.” she replied.
“Fine, I will tell you.” replied Sa Bina laughing. “But, if you spoil my fun, then I am going to get my own back on you. My family are not from this kingdom. We are here representing the kingdom of The Rising Dao.” Sa Bina was careful in the way she worded her response to make it seem like she was just the daughter of the family, and her parents were the ambassadors. She didn’t want all her secrets coming out on the first day after all. No she would milk this for everything that it was worth.
“So essentially, regardless of your actual rank,” replied Jia Yun after some thought. “You would only be considered below the royal family. I can see how you would find it amusing to let everyone behave however, not releasing the huge faux pas they are making. Fine I am in.”
“Glad to have you on board.” replied Sa Bina. “I already had one little noble accost me while I was out shopping yesterday.”
“Well, before we get into the gossip, I should really introduce myself properly.” replied Jia Yun. “I am Lady Jia Yun, the granddaughter of Duke Jia An.”
“Well met.” replied Sa Bina, in fits of laughter. “This is actually going to be even more fun. If we are seen together, they will all assume that I am your little hanger on. I bet so many of them are going to be so mad..”
As they had been talking they had finally reached the cafeteria. Sa Bina let Jia Yun enter first then followed along. She really had to sell this charade. This was exactly what she had been looking forward to. That and checking out the cafe for an idea of how the places noble’s liked to frequent looked like.
The place was set up like a high end restaurant on one side, and a self service diner on the other. The nobles were all sitting on the high end side, and were being swiftly attended to by attentive waitstaff. Everyone else was using the self service side. At least the food seemed to be the same for both sides. Had they even separated that, then Sa Bina would have found it hard not to comment.
“I see our peers think it's beneath them to even get themselves a plate.” quipped Sa Bina.
“Well, it is what we are all used to.” replied Jia Yun. “Don’t tell me it is so different for you.”
“Well, we are taught that both are acceptable in the right context.” replied Sa Bina. “If you are out in the field with the army, you can’t really expect to be waited on hand and foot.”
“That is so true.” mused Jia Yun. “I had not really thought of it like that.”
As they had been discussing the state of affairs, they had reached an empty table. The two took seats as the waitstaff stepped forward to take their orders. As Jia Yun started to place her order, Sa Bina noticed a particular noble walk into the cafe. It looked like Xiu Lian had seen her too, and was not happy.