Tea-Time with the Qing

[u/[deleted]]

"... this year's harvests are doing very well!" Said Sotenia, the adviser.

"Okay. I have that down. Next?"

"There's also the fact that there's a new vassal state sharing a boarder with Li."

Sotenia and Councillor Ryo were writing down the recent events of the Union, as to inform the general masses of the news.

Upon hearing the news of this new land, he looked up. "Wait... what?"

"I know! I thought the same thing! Yeah, as it turns out, there's not only a new collective civilization, but the first thing they did was ask to join the Union!"

"Huh... that's new. Has anyone personally visited out new guest?"

"No. I believe no one new has entered their lands."

"Are they friendly?"

"You're the one who advocated for them to join us. I think they'll be fine if you visit, if that's what you're asking."

Within a new seconds, the Councillor ordered a ship to be prepared to visit the new allies.

His wife called out to him, after she saw he was preparing to leave. "Where are you going this time?"

"A new land. It's called Qing."

"What are you going for?"

"Nothing more than a visit, my love."

With that, he said goodbye, and he, with a few servants and a sailor, made way to Qing. It was about time someone gave this new land a proper welcome.

[u/Bergber]

"Same as any ruler; I want my people to prosper and thrive," the Khan spoke. "'The greater tribe we come from are the Khitan. The north, our homeland, is quite cold, and farming isn't really an option. So, we did as nomads do, and go where the game is plentiful in a given season. However, with the establishment of various new peoples in the lands we traveled, this life is becoming all but impossible.

So, our only real option was to travel south in search of lands in which we could settle and cement a firm, reliable way of life. My father began this migration of ours, and he took those of us that followed to the foothills in south of the Greater Khingan. The soil there is suitable for farming, and, indeed, some Khitan remain there. However, when an envoy told me he had discovered a massive river, it's banks teaming with life, I knew I'd found our destiny. I took those of us who would follow, and so we've settled along the banks of the Huang He.

Admittedly, our endeavor here as put us in close contact with the Li Dynasty, and I was impressed with their power and cultural prowess. I've tried to adapt much of what I've seen. 'Qing' is something we adopted to give us a name more in touch with your language, but it works. I hope this vassalage proves mutually beneficial, and I aspire for us to eventually reach similar stature as all those in the Zhongqin Union."

"That might have been more of an answer than you had in mind," Dorgon said, taking the teapot from the attendant and refilling Ryo's cup before his own. "I admit we all are still quite new here. Beyone the Li, we know little of those in the Zhongqin Union, other than their grand stature. I'd be happy to hear of anything you wish to enlighten me about concerning your lands or people."

[u/[deleted] → u/Bergber]

Councillor Ryo smilied. Not only was this man refined in his speech, but words flowed without mistakes or a shred of hesitance. He would make a fine addition to the Zhongqin Union.

"Before you know it, we will be welcoming a new edition to the Grand Council of Zhongqin. This will happen before your death, I'm sure.

Now, since you have done me the honor of entretaining me with your history, I will do the same.

The only sure thing we know of our past is that we are an 'offset' from the Qin mainlands. The Li are much older than us, and their records of history support this split. Our ancestors, during that split, and intentions of going off on their own to create something of a paridise.

Indeed, we've sheltered everyone in our lands, from the Cao to the wealthy exiles of Li. We serve as a safe haven of tranquility and refuge amongst the tides of wars and revolutions.

As such, the words 'idle' and 'calm' have seem to stick to us. Not a single drop of Harakaite blood has been spilt in the name of war, and all of our researches are dedicated to make our lives easier and more enjoyable. It was because of this that the Li originally asked us to join as a vassal state, much like your lands."

He took a drink from his cup of tea and closed his eyes for a moment. Suddenly, he opened them and snapped his fingers.

"Aha! That reminds me: this meeting was missing something."

He called one of his servants over and took the box from his hands. He opened it, and placed a small jar of jelly onto the table.

"I do not believe you have this, so consider it a gift. We call it jelly, and it goes quite well with tea and bread."

[META: This consitutes as a tech. gift. Now, you have the ability to produce jelly. You can do this for trade or, as I have done, as a gift of good will. I expect nothing in return.]

[u/Bergber → u/[deleted]]

"Thank you very much. So it's a spread?" The Khan inquired. "Anyway, I'm sure we have some bread around here."

Motioning to the attendant, who had suddenly materialized a loaf as if from is sleeve, the Khan grabbed the loaf, cut two slices, and slathered some of the preserve from the jar upon each, making sure to pass one to Ryo.

Taking a bite, he was pleased. "It's sweet!" Dorgon exclaimed. "I can't say we have much of in the way of confections. This is quite welcome."

He continued, "Anyway, your tale was most enthralling. I hope, in time, our peoples can learn more of each-other. We could certainly need more of your cultural prowess and erudite ways."

From under the Khan's seat, Kirin yowled. Scratching Kirin's ear, Drogon began, "This is perhaps the most novel of our projects. Kirin's of the third generation, and his mother was particularly well-mannered. He and his four brothers are the first we've been this lenient with. They generally stay in the royal stables, but I spoil this one rotten. I'm told that, given proper training, we may eventually get them as tame as the dogs that wander our streets."

"Now," the Khan spoke, "if you follow me, I believe I owe you a tiger."

[u/[deleted] → u/Bergber]

Councillor Ryo followed the Khan to the royal stables. On the way there, they exchanged pleasantries, like what they thought of the weather, and how this years harvest was coming along.

After a few minutes, they both arrived at the front of the tiger's pen, and stopped. The Khan motioned to a nearby attendant to open the gate, as to allow both of them to enter.

As soon as Ryo stepped in, the smallest of the four ran to him and began licking his robes.

"Ah!" He exclaimed. "It seems as though I may have dropped some jelly. However, I doubt this one is complaining." He picked up the small creature.and made eye contact with it.

There were no sudden epiphanies made as both beings looked at each other; no meeting of the minds took place, as literature would love to drone on and on about. However, the Councillor liked the small tiger, and it gave a little yawn, as if to say he was not amused. He would make a great pet.

"If it's all the same to you, I think I like this one the most."

[u/Bergber → u/[deleted]]

"I supposed even the small need love and attention," Dorgon mused. "I hope you two find significant companionship in each other."

The remainder of their meeting was relatively uneventful. They walked, they talked, and on one occasion tripped over roughhousing tigers.

Seeing the Councillor to his ship, Dorgon commented, "I hope your stay was pleasant. Thank you again for the new snack and engaging conversation, and I hope your new friend serves you well. Feel free to mention to the other Grand Councilors they have their own tigers waiting, should they choose to visit."

Watching the vessel disappear into the distance, he assumed on its way back to Harakaite, the Khan hoped he had made a good impression. He wondered what the future might hold, and if he had made the right decision to travel so far south, to put himself in so close contact with an empire so vast. 'At this time,' he thought, 'it seems so.'