‘I hate meetings like this.’ I thought as the Head Trade Magistrate spoke passionately about how increasing the tribute demanded in the colonies would ensure the prosperities in the homeland.
Over the years I learned people like Head Magistrate Zun spoke of how everything was ‘for the good of the Fire Nation’ yet his proposals always seemed to ensure more gold went into his pockets.
Like this increased tax he was arguing for. A simple demand that the colonies provide more gold to the homeland to help cover the increasing war costs to keep them safe from Earth Kingdom raids.
On the face of it, it was beneficial but only if you ignored the way many of the colonies functioned.
Most of them had very little in terms of physical money. That wasn’t to say they were poor, but most of the time it just circled inside of whatever town it was traded in since unless a caravan passed through people were not traveling much due to the war.
It should have been obvious that demanding more was going to hurt the colonies but Head Magistrate Zun was greedy and Father didn’t care as long as it didn’t affect the war effort.
Head Magistrate Zun finally stopped stroking his ego in front of the rest of the officials and bowed to Father signalling the end of his proposal.
The flames that surrounded Father’s dias crackled softly as we waited for him to return to his seat. Soon after Father addressed the rest of the room.
“Are there any who would argue against this proposal?” Father asked, sounding rather bored with the whole thing. He never did like listening to something that didn’t directly relate to the military.
I glanced at the other magistrates, holding out the vain hope someone else would speak up against the Head Magistrate. Magistrate Zheng looked everywhere else except in my direction and two of my other ‘allies’ gave me apologetic looks.
My hands clenched in anger. Seems like there had been some last minute shifts in my alliance and no one was willing to side against the Head Magistrate.
“I have some things I would like clarified, Father.” I said, rising from my seat at the end of the table, about as far from the Fire Lord you could get and still be included in the meeting. A rather unsubtle message that despite being the princess, I did not have my father’s favor.
“Princess Azura, I didn’t realize you had advanced so far in your economic studies you could argue against a Magistrate who has been doing such things for two decades.” My Father drawled as the tension in the room suddenly ratcheted up.
“Of course not, Father.” I smiled lightly. “But surely Head Magistrate Zun can easily settle my concerns about his plan. After all, I’m sure someone as qualified as him wouldn’t mind a few simple questions.” I looked at the man in question. He was lightly sweating at the position I placed him in.
He could easily dismiss my concerns, especially since Father pointed out I wasn’t exactly the most knowledgeable about the minor ins and outs regarding economics like he was. It was precisely this reason I had been relying on the other magistrates to make this argument for me. But if he did so, then he was practically admitting to the other officials in the court his plan was flawed and it would make any future negotiations much more expensive for him.
Either choice could weaken his position so it was unsurprising he chose to deal with me in the short term rather than risk losing more gold long term.
“I would be happy to dispel any concerns you have, Princess.” the elderly man said bowing respectfully to me.
I took a moment to collect my thoughts.
In truth I had very little to gain from preventing this proposal from going forward. As a princess, troubles in the colonies would only become directly my problem if they revolted and somehow invaded the imperial city. Until it reached that point nobles like Head Magistrate Zun were free to try and squeeze every copper piece from them to fill their pockets.
But they made a mistake. They forgot as a member of the Royal Family the citizens of the Fire Nation were mine. I had already lived through one home being ruined by the greed of others. I would not allow it to happen again.
“Forgive me for the questions, Head Magistrate. As Father mentioned, I’m not as well studied in economic matters.” I began. I hated that I couldn’t just jump to the point, but I needed to sway Father to my side since his decision was the one that mattered. And that meant appealing to his sense of theatrics. “You want to increase the tax tribute in all of the colonies, but can you be sure they even have enough wealth to give?”
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Head Magistrate Zun smiled indulgently, “The colonies are rich in untapped resources and raw materials. We could increase the tax by double and they would still have barely scratched the surface of what value lays in the surroundings.”
“I see, and what about the unrest the increased tax will cause? Unless the colonials are significantly more generous than even our own citizens, they will not like paying more.” I asked, keeping my voice pleasantly inquisitive.
“Easily handled, Princess. While it’s true we will likely see some troublemakers initially, we can deploy more troops to these areas until things settle down. For instance, the garrison in Danba alone can easily deploy over a large area of the colonies to prevent any unrest.”
I clasped my hands behind me and walked past him, nodding as I moved down the low platform in the middle of the room. I also used the opportunity to sneak a glance at Father to judge his position so far.
The everpresent wall of flames hid much of his features, but even through those I could see the amusement he was feeling at each of my points being so ‘easily’ countered. I swiftly crushed the annoyance that gave me, since it meant I was holding his attention.
“Of course, our soldiers would be more than enough to keep order.” I replied in the same pleasant tone I’d been using since I began. “Though it does make me wonder what this increased amount of gold will be used for…” I trailed off.
“Naturally it will be used for the betterment of the citizens of the Fire Nation.” the old leech happily stated. “More gold in the homeland will allow us to ensure our citizens can properly experience the rich culture enjoyed by their ancestors over the years. More donations can be used for the arts, performers paid to educate and entertain the young, and of course the increase in money will ensure historians remember our glorious Fire Lord for making it possible.” he bowed lightly in the direction of Father.
Seems like the old man wants to end this little discussion. Fine, I should have enough to work with.
“I have just one more question then, Head Magistrate.” I stopped walking as I reached the end of the platform and looked up at Father’s dias. The shadows hid his face, but I could tell he was looking forward to my ‘defeat’ in this discussion. Never let it be said that Fire Lord Ozai was a subtle individual.
I was fairly confident he wouldn’t recognize a subtle move if it walked in here wearing bright pink robes and slapped him with a fish.
I had to push that thought aside or risk breaking out into laughter and giving the game away.
With a dramatic whirl, I turned to face the Head Magistrate and jabbed an accusing finger at him. “How long have you been a traitor to the war effort and using your position to line your own pockets?!” my voice lost its pleasant tone and became harsh and demanding. I felt the flames behind me flare higher at Father’s surprise. The others would think it was because of his anger since he would never admit to losing control like that, but I knew better.
“I, -traitor, w-what?!” Head Magistrate Zun sputtered looking completely taken off guard by the sudden accusation.
“Yes, a traitor.” I pressed, advancing angrily on him. “Inciting unrest in our loyal citizens by unnecessarily increasing taxes, then weakening our defensive line by forcing our troops out of Danba right as an Earth Kingdom strike force is preparing to strike at the city. Then you try to hide your crimes by saying it is for the good of the Fire Nation people!”
“N-no, I swear Princess! I-I had no such int-intensions!” The old man was visibly sweating and looking at the other magistrates trying to convince one of them to speak up for him. I wasn’t going to give him the time.
“So you admit to using the war effort to line your pockets!” I declared, internally smirking with glee as the other officials refused to meet Head Magistrate Zun’s pleading eyes. “You would make the Fire Lord look weak and foolish by forcing more gold out of the colonies, and even mock him by saying historians will honor him for such a move?!”
This time the fires flared higher with anger.
“No! No, please! I j-just m-meant that more g-gold would mean m-more luxuries for our people!”
“So you’re saying you aren’t malicious, just incompetent!” I practically roared at him as I loomed overhead.
“YES!” the fool screamed out before realising what he had said. He sputtered about with more denials, but I paid him no more attention.
I got what I needed.
I turned back to Father and saluted him, making sure to bow my head slightly, “Father, as you heard, this proposal will only harm the Fire Nation. I plead that you listen to wisdom and reject such a foolish action. And I beg forgiveness on the behalf of Head Magistrate Zun. Even if his idea was heavily flawed, his heart was in the right place.”
Judging by the height of the flames, Father had not calmed down after my little tirade. Now to see if my plan worked.
“Thank you, Princess Azura. It seems I was almost about to make a rather costly mistake.” The already tense atmosphere went up another level at the Fire Lord’s tone. “I will have to make an example out of him for this transgression.”
Father scanned the room before grandly sweeping an arm out to the side. Seriously, him and his need for dramatics. “Guards! Remove him, I have no need for a Head Magistrate that would drag the prestige and honor of the Fire Nation through the dirt with his failings. From this day forward, He. is. Banished!”
I made a light coughing noise and bowed towards Father again.
“You have something to say, Princess Azura?”
“Apologies, Father. It’s just, only last week you were forced to banish your son, Prince Zuko. If you banish another noble so soon, people might think you were giving out unjust punishments due to grief.”
As if. Father only cared about his personal power. A snake grieved more than he did.
“Yes, that would be troublesome.” Father mused, running a hand down his beard. “I suppose you have an idea what to do with this fool?”
“Head Magistrate Zun has served the Fire Nation for many years now. Perhaps it would be best to resolve this issue as a mistake brought about by age and allow him to quietly retire? It would certainly show the other nobles even in your grief, you are a fair and just Lord.”
Father contemplated my words for a while. Head Magistrate Zun practically had a puddle forming under him due to the amount of sweat rolling off of him. The rest of the officials did their best to blend into the background and avoid drawing anyone’s attention.
“Very well. Remove him from the palace.” Father eventually declared. The ex-Head Magistrate alternated bowing to me and Father as he was led out of the room, blubbering his thanks the whole way.
“Now then…” Father said after the guards had removed the old man and I returned to my seat. “It seems we are in need of a new Head Magistrate of Trade. Let’s discuss his replacement…”
I sighed and propped my chin up on a hand. If there was a downside to successfully arguing ex-Head Magistrate Zun’s proposal, it was definitely being stuck in a longer meeting listening to more stuck up officials arguing for his job.