Scene #9782: Swindle and Chuyao's plan to not swindle the merchant class

Owner	Pose
Ember	The warp gate that leads to Mythril is like many others: a natural warp gate that formed in the center of a marketplace. This marketplace, known as the Market of Silver, sits in the middle of Mythril. It effectively splits the city into two halves: those with means and those without. The market itself is one where mostly food is sold. However, with the opening of the Multiverse, other goods have taken to being sold to multiversals. Right now, the only ones who prosper from this new trade are those who are wealthy and the leaders of the city, the Oligarchs. However, that is why you are here, right? Ember's information tells you that you'd have to go up. Chuyao's book will also provide more insight. He knows to go to the upper marketplace. This 'Marketplace' is referred to as the Gold Market. While not originally a marketplace, it was an open-air place for people to meet, perhaps meant for plays or other cultural events. Here, the rich compete with each other to sell their wares. Gold trinkets, priceless jewels, ornate clothing, and anything and everything that screams senseless opulence can be found at a price here. There ARE also a few places to sit, restaurants, tea houses, coffee shops, and the like. The other thing about the upper part of the city is those who police it. The police, or 'Silverbacks' as they are derogatorily referred to here by the lower class, because of the silver cloaks they wear to tell themselves apart from civilians. They do not seem to bother you right now, as they assume you have business with a important merchant. It seems those from the Multiverse coming up here isn't uncommon. Here is where Chuyao's book will take them: to a restaurant named The Canopy. It is also where Chuyao knows that he's supposed to order a specific meal that isn't on their menu. 'Gongaga Mushroom Soup' is the dish, with a side of Tiamat Tea for three. Once ordered, the waitress nods once, doesn't write down anything, and disappears into the back. It takes a while- an uncomfortable amount of time for anything to happen, but... Eventually, a young lady comes down to sit with you. She has long blonde hair and bright blue eyes, pale skin, and finely refined features. She's dressed conservatively, though in very expensive clothing, in a simple white dress. She has light blue sandals and some jewelry adornments. "Salia Dahlford," she says with a brief greeting. "It's not often I meet with people who order that specific dish... even rarer that I meet with those who are not from here. So color me intrigued as to the reason for your visit..." Unlike others, she is careful, but not paranoid. Confident but not to the point of overconfidence. Though her reasons for wanting to help the rebellion despite her position in the upper parts of the city are still a mystery. Most people don't just give out their life story, after all!
Combaticon	The metallic, gangly forms of Blastoff and Swindle are immediately written off as some manner of outsider. It's a little hard to conceal what they are, after all. Even the minor diguise granted by their vehicle modes wouldn't blend into a place like Mythril. Swindle is the merchant of the pair and it becomes clear very quickly that Blastoff is playing the role of bodyguard. Their path through the Gold Market is... slow, almost meandering, as Swindle insists on inspecting each craftsman's goods. His eventual choice is a fine golden pendant, though in his distinct lack of gil, he barters it instead for a length of platinum chain so fine it feels like cord instead of metal; This would make a necklace fit for a Queen! he had claimed. Though once he rounded the corner to another jeweler, he simply sold the locket off-- Swindle's goal all along was to get his servos on a healthy amount of local currency, which he happily drops into his chest drawer on his way to the rendezvous at the Canopy. -- "I still don't get what's so special about soup," Blastoff mutters once the order is placed. "Just drink in the local culture, would you?" Swindle rebuts. Eyes closing, he props his elbows on the table and splays his fingers out, palms up, "Take it from me; most places outside our local space don't actually run on Energon. I know, it's tough to imagine, but it's the simple truth. Even the Vok of Nexus Zero-- Fine people, by the way, pay them a visit if you're in the area, their hospitality is immaculate!-- but even they only use energon for bartering with Cybertronian seed colonies." "What, like Velocitron?" "Velocitron," Swindle tilts his head to one side, his left hand closing up, "Gigantion," his head goes the other way, right hand also closing, "They even trade with-- Oh?" His expression brightens with an audible set of beeps once he notices someone headed their way. Quickly, Swindle fixes his posture as Salia approaches, elbowing Blastoff to do the same before she sits down. "Charmed, miss Dahlford, or shall I call you Salia?" Swindle's head inclines in a respectful nod, "My name is Swindle; and my associate here is Blastoff." Still with his elbows on the table, Swindle swivels his hands so that he can lace his fingers together, "I understand there's a business opportunity you might be willing to discuss?" Whether that's a euphemism or not isn't entirely clear when it comes from Swindle.
Ru Li	Honestly, it's just nice to get out somewhere unfamiliar. Ru Li Cheng, ninth of nine Ru Cheng Gods of Yinghua, is not especially picky about where he winds up when he goes wandering. Certainly not after the two years he's spent locked in a chamber with long stretches of silence amongst ninety-eight. Right now, just...just getting out is something so important to him that he doesn't really care where he goes. And so he has found himself here. In this market he does not know. He walks around, sampling everything with his ambient, radial senses. Here, the taste of fine fabric. There, the textures of opulent dishes set out by restaurants. People probably gawk at him, this strange, black-haired, young-looking man who isn't stopping to inspect any stall, who wears foreign clothes that are nonetheless tailored so fine they put at least one of these stalls to shame. People do not just walk around a market like this. They peruse, they barter, they lean, they explore. They do not walk. It's one of those little joys that those who do not have such senses cannot possibly understand - interacting with the world with all your senses at all times in every way. And yet... The longer he walks, the less delighted he becomes. The more distracted. The more...uncomfortable. Streets should not be this clean in a market. Even the Capital's markets have wear and tear on the streets. Signs of use. The most opulent city in an empire of billions still does not keep their market streets in perfect repair. Because it feels false. Markets ought to be worn down from foot traffic. They ought to be a little dirty. Ru Li ought to feel cracks, ought to see little bits of litter here and there from people having street food and walking past. Even the most opulent markets in the Capital have litter not cleaned until the night. The more he walks, the less he pays attention to the opulence and the more he pays atttention to the falseness of it all. The more he walks the more he pays attention to the silver cloaks at every corner. The more he walks the more his face goes from a cheerful smile to a deep, deep frown. This does not feel like a market. It feels like a charade for the entertainment of others. Or, perhaps, to harm those who are excluded. Through his meandering thoughts and the ambient sensations a voice slices: 'Gongaga Mushroom Soup.' His expression brightens immediately. He walks around the crowd until he reaches the restaurant. Ru Li reaches the place at roughly the same time Salia exits. He puts his fist in his hand and bows to Chuyao. "This Heavenly servant, Ru Li Cheng, greets the learned scholar Chuyao He! This servant wonders if you and your associates-" He does not need to look at the Combaticons, "From Cybertron would mind if I joined you for your Gongaga Soup?" Swindle mentions a business deal, and Ru Li, who is not a total blind idiot, and does already notice that Salia does not have soup, puts two and two together. His lips part in an 'ah', and then he lowers his head. "I understand." "Then, will you permit me to join you for your Gongaga soup?" And the tone takes an entirely different subtext as he says it. Yes, he understands. No, he doesn't need to be brought up to speed in a public place. And this time, the request is made to Salia. Yeah. He understands. He's on the wavelength.
Chuyao He	Chuyao's book is simply a copy of a very old and well-known book for diviners the world over, the I Ching, or Book of Changes. He spends an evening a few days before his trip in consultation with the divining coins, tossing his three favored coins a total of six times and referring to the book with a single question in mind. Beside him, a number of reports prepared by the Paladins lie open on various pages. What is the best first step to end the exploitation of the common people? Six casts of the coins later, he has his reading. The first trigram is... "Liberation." He frowns, and reads the description of the image on the page, before jotting his own thoughts down. "Thunder and rain in action, hence the name. A most fitting result for the first hexagram, given the meaning; thunder and rain may come only from on high. Brother Ember's description suggests that it is not the common people in Mythril who hold on tightly, but the very people I shall hie to visit." "I'll make haste to visit the marketplace in the early morning--and in my dealings with others, I shall be anything but impatient. In turn, those with whom I speak will see that some temporary discomfort, imagined or otherwise, is worth the bounty that will come." "Finally, a six in the top place means..." Chuyao's brow lifts with interest in the flickering light of his bedroom's lantern. An auspicious arrangement. "'The duke shoots hawks down from the high wall surrounding the city. Nothing is ineffectual.'" "Our future hexagram, then... let us see how things will pan out in the long term." "The Abyss." He reads the description, nodding with some resignation. "So, I must not only be sincere, but decisive." "Water upon water is the very image of danger, and it is most likely the kind that does not make itself immediately obvious, much like how one cannot fathom the whole of a river's depth only by standing at the shore. This is to be expected when dealing with the sons and daughters of dukes and merchants--even when the children are filial and virtuous, the parents may still be petty people, or have enemies given to pettiness." "In the long term, it seems this course of action will be fraught with pitfalls. An unfortunate result, but not one which is unexpected. Certain actors may seek to make this a bitter time for the common people, if they should feel that this course of action threatens their interests, to say nothing of that tendency of all people to act against their interests regardless." He rubs at his temple with a free hand.
Chuyao He	"Change, however, is neverending, and misfortunes end, too. I will take the counsel of the coins. I shall move forward, swiftly, decisively, treating others with kindess and patience, and offering what meager wisdom and service I may. After all, as the commentary for this hexagram itself states, King Wen was imprisoned for years before his son founded the kingdom of old. So long as I make wise use of the time where my movement is restricted, our affairs will move towards prosperity even in bitter times." --- It's on the consultation of the coins that Chuyao arrives in the Gold Market at the early morning, sticking to the southwest corner. Here, his research into Mythril's customs has not only helped him avoid giving offense, and to prepare an outfit that doesn't have him looking totally out of place, but has made him aware of a peculiar greeting--not unlike certain introductions the Beggar Gang makes. "The Gongaga Mushroom Soup, please, with a side of Tiamat Tea for three." Chuyao's hair crown is the only non-Mythril-local thing on his person, enough to denote him as an outsider in spite of his tunic, leggings and traveling cloak. "I, Chuyao He, the scholar of the late generation, respectfully greet sister Dahlford, uncles Shockwave and Blastoff, heavenly official Ru Li. Please," he says, calmly gesturing to an empty seat. The fact that he speaks Late Middle Chinese is also a dead giveaway, to be honest. "We have come to discuss the matter of literacy among the common people. This lowly scholar believes that you are in a position to help with their education. Uncle Swindle is a merchant of some renown--this ineloquent scholar thought to ask him along that we might have a familiar perspective represented during our discussion. Ru Li is a celestial bureaucrat who has experience keeping track of many complex and interrelated elements, therefore if our host does not mind, his perspective will no doubt prove valuable, as well."
Ember	Salia regards the two Cybertronians first. They are, by far, the most unique in the group. Blastoff and Swindle are unique in their presentation and design... though it does appear very quickly that one was here to talk to her and the other was here as a bodyguard. This arrangement does not bother her; such things happen all the time in Mythril. "Salia is fine, Mister Swindle. It is nice to meet you both." She nods her head in return to both Swindle and Blastoff. When Swindle mentions a 'business opportunity,' she folds her hands and lays them on the table. "I am willing to discuss many business opportunities. It just so happens, however, that many business operators in this city do not have a head for the long term. If you catch my meaning..." For Ru Li, the stone of this city does not seem to wear; it is likely a product of a different time and place. Dirt does not gather here because most of the merchants that come here haven't touched grass or stood on dirt for a long time. While it might feel unnatural, the stonework is impeccable. Definitely more advanced than the time here seems to indicate. When Ru Li enters the restaurant to meet his good friend Chuyao, the young woman is not worried. Of course, these types of things happen: meeting people at not exactly the most opportune moments. She is even patient, as he does not understand that the dish was not on the menu and was instead a clever means to get her attention for less-than-savory discussions. She is, however, more impressed that Ru Li eventually manages to figure it out all on his own, without having to pull him aside to his own table so that he could eat on his own. This makes some things easier, and other things more complicated... so she instead intends to roll with it. "Welcome, Mister Ru Li. I am Salia Dahlford... and we are here to discuss some matters of business, like the gentleman Swindle has said. I assume you are an acquaintance of Mister Chuyao... so you are, of course, welcome... but I must warn you, some people do not have anything but their own interests in mind." At Chuyao's greeting, Salia smiles. She notices the attention to local clothing and finds it quite charming that he's put forth the effort to fit in. It certainly makes things easier when traveling throughout the Gold Market, because fewer eyes are on you from the Silverbacks. It makes it easier for her to put some level of trust in him and his companions. 'We have come to discuss the matter of literacy among the common people.' "Ah..." she states, nodding in understanding. "Something that our friends below can not do on their own. Even works from the Multiverse are greedily snatched up... but that is less from a hunger for knowledge and more from a desire to keep certain... values from becoming common in the city." "While many of the merchant class jockey for position here... the top of the top who actually rule and have political control and influence say outwardly that those of the working class do not /need/ to read as part of their jobs in service of Mythril. The reality is... well, cheap and unquestioning labor is easier to manipulate if they are ignorant." She continues, after some thoughtful silence. "I can lend some aid, but I am afraid that if the problem is to be truly handled... it would need to come down to some measures being passed. More than just acknowledging their ability to read, but actual education...that is going to be a hard sell for those who rule." "I am more than willing to fund what I can, but I am not the top of the top. Especially if I am also to remain a friend of those who seek greater change."
Combaticon	> "It just so happens, however, that many business operators in this city do not have a head for the long term. If you catch my meaning..." Blastoff raises a hand, gesturing with a little three-fingered wave when Salia welcomes the two robots. Swindle acknowledges it with another respectful nod, "Oh, I most certainly do. Long-term planning is unavoidable for someone like me, after all, so I look forward to leveraging my talents in covering such a... ah," The change in his eye-illumination suggests a sneaky sort of half-lidded expression when paired with his ever-present and pretty smug grin, "Open niche." Blastoff's optics track Ru Li as he joins the table; but if Salia's fine with it, he's fine with it. He closes his eyes with a little shrug, shifting the way his wings project off his back so he can relax more comfortably without harming the furniture. Chuyao knows what's up, he can trust the Unrefined Scholar that much. Swindle's posture changes a bit though as he hears out the topic Chuyao broaches and Salia's response to it. His head tilts a touch, eyes closed as he runs the thoughts through his processors, "So the real market we want to tap would be... cheap and accessible education, under the radar-- ah, notice, of the city guard." One eye opens, "Preferably without shining a light in inconvenient directions." "We from Cybertron certainly have a difficult time blending in on this world, perhaps we can make use of that," The arms dealer leans forward, lacing his fingers together, "If the city guard is too caught up examining the, ah... 'exotic alien cargo' I might be able to bring in, do you think that may be sufficient to sneak in less... 'flashy' resources at the same time?" One hand unfolds, gesturing palm-up, "After all, if everyone is so excited about new offworld metals and glowing doodads, who has time to think about a container of ordinary books and educational goods?"
Ru Li	Ru Li holds up a hand in protest. "Ah, please - Ru Li is sufficiently formal. It implicitly holds my title and honoriffics." So he sits, and he listens. He listens to a story about illiteracy (a shame, and of course a tool), about refusing to allow the Multiverse to interact (that hits pretty hard right now), and about attempting to rectify the first so as to help fix the second and thus set into motion societal changes that might help those below. He gestures idly. "Do you have the ability to get me into a tax office?" He asks. "Even very briefly." "Obviously, anything I did would be caught relatively quickly with even halfway competent clerks. It would not be a permanent solution. But it would be an angle to unravel while the Learned Scholar and his associates proceed with their plans. A...legal distraction." He tilts his head sideways at one of the Silvercloaks and smiles, broadly. "And, of course, I have a particular distaste for secret police, so it would be very amusing indeed to drain their budget across half the city, even if only for a week or so." The god rolls his shoulders slightly. "And, well, it is much harder to maintain order when you are not paying the thugs involved in keeping it."
Chuyao He	Chuyao nods, with a slight smile. "Even if his divination had not warned of such, this unrefined scholar is accustomed to the exigencies of moving amidst dukes and merchants." "So, it's distraction..." He doesn't hate the idea. If the constabulary are little more than tools of the wealthy, then, spread thin, there is little they would be able to do save for preventing any uproars over demand for Swindle's exotic wares. "Supposing that this is possible, then this unrefined scholar could receive these materials, ensure they are distributed, and begin teaching classes. If Ru Li can restrain in an official manner, even a week's time would be enough to develop a stable of textbooks and literature suitable for instruction. The goal is not to have this arrangement in place indefinitely, but to establish a foundation of those qualified to teach themselves. Ideally, enough to begin reproduction of what was brought to them, in such decentralized fashion as to make total confiscation difficult."
Ru Li	Ru Li raises his sleeve and laughs behind it - a very courtly way to laugh. "As long as there is a document of identity to access a government building that I can look at for but a second, I can reproduce it for myself, acquire clothes from a noble corroded enough to sell them, and, given a few days, collapse the entire government for years." Then, Ru Li stopps. There's a quiet ticking sound in his silence. Thought, the clockwork tied into his flesh working to consider something uncomfortable. He just said he could collapse their government. And that is true. A government with a probably-corrupt bureaucracy, an angry underclass, a secret police, and an oppressive nobility probably could be collapsed by a god of paperwork. But isn't that...directly against his purpose? Certainly it isn't Yinghua he's collapsing. He's not even collapsing it. He wouldn't have time. Just throwing it into chaos. ...but... ...isn't this... ...the opposite of what he should think? A nervous look suddenly crosses his face. The confidence of 'yes I could absolutely do this' is replaced with an awkward, shuffly laugh. "Ahaha...b-but, erm, less than half an hour will suffice to scramble their budget for long enough to help the learned scholar and his honorable friend Swindle." This is almost assuredly the first time anyone has called Swindle honorable or friend. And then the god sits back in his chair, crosses his arms, and looks down at his lap.
Ember	Swindle comes up with a plan to distract the upper parts of the city to potentially sneak in works that would otherwise disappear into the upper echelons of the city proper. Salia almost looks a little disappointed by this plan; however, great cities were not built in a single day. With Chuyao adds to the plan... a sort of stepping stone to pushing more ingrained education... "I do not see a problem with this plan. I could even provide good cover for the books and supplies needed to foster education, to give them an air of legitimacy even with the distraction. It would all go under the radar..." she muses. To Chuyao, she nods, "Simply put, to make it so that the idea of education can not be stamped out by any one loss of materials. It could take more than one trip, but I see merit in such a design..." To Ru Li, she nods at his name, "Ru Li, then..." 'Taxes.' Salia shakes her head, because the idea of taxation is... "I would not speak that word very loudly around here. It is considered profane. Taxation does not happen in Mythril. If a service is considered worth investing in, then the families at the top of the city invest in them directly. That is how the Silvercloaks have become more of a military force under their direct control, instead of a force that works for the people." "There is no education system; each family is expected to educate their own children, or find those who can with their own money and wealth. Doctors are also paid for service directly... which is why so little work in the lower parts of the city. The idea of a bureaucracy is... well, not ideal with the higher-ups." "They meet up every so often, sometimes pass laws on things that need passing... but typically they enforce that law with the money they directly spend on the Silvercloaks. Even people who make the city work are just hired contractors, paid by the job. Paid well enough to live in the upper city, of course, but are distinctly below the merchant class with no chance of one day climbing up to become one of the most elite of families that pass policy." "So... your plan would involve getting into one or more of the highest families' houses and somehow managing to rob them of money directly... and I can trust you can see that would be dangerous, as they have a tight lid on their own wealth."
Ru Li	'There are no taxes.' Ru Li looks up from his contemplation. And he laughs. Not the courtly laugh behind his sleeve, just a bark of a laugh, a normal laugh, like someone at the table told a really funny joke (and, also, that looks a lot less like a secret meeting to have someone laughing). "That does not matter. Then the collection agency, the apportions agency, the investment bureau, the banks. Wheresoever there is a place that handles money there is paperwork, and wheresoever there is paperwork there is a way to twist its intent." "No taxes." He just sort of chuckles again. "Please. Be it rice, or water, or labor, or all of the above, called whatsoever it may be, there is no wealth in a government without taxation, and no taxation without paperwork, and no paperwork without buildings to store it in." He taps his finger on the desk. "Someone," he says, "Keeps the documents. There are always documents. Especially if they are doing it legally, and above-board. But even criminals love their documents." "Thank you. I needed that laugh at that moment."
Combaticon	"'Honorable'," Blastoff chuckles, jabbing Swindle with his elbow. "Convert it to a ZIP file," the merchant shoots back with sudden annoyance, "Neither of us are that kind of Decepticon anymore." > "I would not speak that word very loudly around here. It is considered profane. Taxation does not happen in Mythril." The way Swindle's chassis creaks with the excited way his posture changes almost sounds like the ringing of a cash register's bell, "Oh ho? So there's no taxes-- not even a sales tax?" Eyes half-lidding, the olive-green Decepticon cradles his chin as he rotates what he clearly sees as a rather fetching situation, "My, my~..." He doesn't say it but it's all over his face: What a golden opportunity. "I could just fly the goods in and offload wherever," Blastoff admits with an eyes-closed shrug, "But that's hardly subtle. Goons'll wanna see what's up, and they'll see right away what's in my cargo. I ain't seeing a way to be more direct." "If we can only be unsubtle, we can leverage that," and make a shitload of money for basically nothing. He's already running the calculus in his head. Junkion salvage, hosed off and cleaned up but otherwise straight from the Sea of Rust-- what metalsmiths in this Primus-forsaken backwater world wouldn't be climbing all over each other to make something with 'space metal' if he markets it right? Keeping the Silvercloaks' attention off what actually matters? That's just a side-effect, as far as Swindle is concerned. But it's also the kind of deal he likes the most; the one where everyone (especially Swindle) wins. Entirely unbidden, Swindle starts laughing quietly to himself, like he just thought of a funny joke.
Chuyao He	"This ineloquent scholar would indeed presume that more than one trip will be necessary," Chuyao affirms. "To transport a great many volumes at one time would make uncle Swindle's distraction all too obvious, and would attract the short-sighted members of various classes throughout the city, merchant, duke or otherwise." "What we will need from sister Salia is funding--the textbooks and literature will seem all the less conspicuous if they are believed to be the idle fancy of the well-to-do. This will serve us, in the short term. In the long term, we will need your vigilance and your voice." "We cannot count on secrecy forever. Eventually, our project will be discovered, and our ability to disseminate these works is not beyond the grasp of the richest and most powerful. Therefore, this ineloquent scholar would ask that sister Salia keep an ear towards her less... forward-thinking fellows, and be prepared to speak in the way that appeals the most to them. This is not a threat which must be stamped out, but a golden opportunity to be seized upon. In this way, we may further mitigate their worst traits by setting them against one another. Uncle Swindle may be of particular assistance in this." Sparing a smile for Swindle, "Naturally, this unrefined scholar understands that he has his profits to worry about, and therefore thought to include him at this early stage."
Ember	"Organizations like those do not exist; money is handed directly from the Oligarchy to things the 'city' wishes to invest in. The richest people of the city and its government are the same, and by their decree, no outside service has a right to anyone's wealth. Be it for the common good or anything else." Salia is quite serious about this, deathly serious about this. "Banking as a concept was only recently reintroduced; there are no foreign nations in this world anymore, and most things are local because of the calamity that happened a short hundred or so years ago... and humanity is still recovering. Banking is mostly used to convert currency and hold money in foreign institutions, right?" "Honestly, the current system is horrible for the working class. Their labor is not theirs to own or keep, and is sold back to them by the meager wages they are given to do it." She looks at Ru Li. "And you wonder why our mutual friend is so 'angry' about how things work here." 'Oh ho? So there's no taxes-- not even a sales tax?' "In theory, tariffs could be imposed, but no... no taxes." Salia continues to explain to Swindle. She has also seen that look before in merchants she has the misfortune of working with. It seems that even in the worlds beyond her own, some things refuse to change. Still, it's useful for her own goals, so she does not dwell on it too much. She has her own reasons for wanting change in Mythril. Though she does warn, "Try and make sure anything you do bring to take advantage of greedy merchants doesn't come to harm anyone." Salia turns to Chuyao and his words about the plan itself. "I agree that it will be important for any long-term goal here to bring education to be more widespread." She pauses for a moment, thinking about how she could best leverage her words and her finances. 'Therefore, this ineloquent scholar would ask that sister Salia keep an ear towards her less... forward-thinking fellows, and be prepared to speak in the way that appeals the most to them.' Salia nods once, "That is something I can do. Though the idea that a 'well-educated workforce is better' is going to be a hard sell right now without more proof for them. Any sort of social mobility would be a threat to the merchant class, and that's something the Oligarchy would like to keep in check as a way to keep their own power." "As for funding, I can spare it. I can also recommend personal teachers, those who taught me what I have learned today. They will not be free, but I do believe in investing in this kind of way for a better future. Though...hmm... how to sell it to the merchants..."
Combaticon	"Naturally I had no intention of doing this all at once," Swindle reasons with a roll of one hand, "I offered this with full expectation that there would be multiple deliveries over several weeks; scheduled, of course." Salia sees Swindle for what he is, and his response is completely unapologetic. "Of course the mission is to aid those who cannot help themselves," That same hand is raised, two fingers extended in a promissory gesture, "I may be one of those self-same merchants, but I do possess professional scruples. I'll deliver on time every time, you can set your clock to that." The mention of tariffs has humbled him a bit and refocused him on the matter at hand. > "As for funding, I can spare it." "I will also invest in this most worthwhile venture." A comment of Swindle's that makes Blastoff jolt back to paying attention, "Long-term planning, after all." The merchant'bot closes one eye, his grin returning, "What sort of business partner would I be if I made my compatriot shoulder all of the cost? I'll be pulling in more than enough stripping everyone's paint upstairs, aha hah hah~."
Ru Li	"And the Oligarchy has no bookkeeping? No accounting for where their money goes? No organization that even remotely observes such a thing to ensure that it is not being pocketed even slightly by those who might handle it as intermediaries? No organization to ensure that the nobility has the wealth they claim?" Ru Li genuinely sounds so deeply amused it's like he's just being told joke after joke after joke. "Are you telling me that each of the noble houses simply does not keep their money anywhere but in their homes, with no safekeeping or third party like a bank to protect it and keep track of it for them, nor any accountants to monitor it and ensure it is all balanced and they have not lost a single coin?" "There is no trail of paperwork, at all?" Ru Li laughs. "Then that is even easier to baffle. I will simply invest an enormous sum in the Silvercloaks, a sum that does not exist and that I will simply
Ru Li	"And the Oligarchy has no bookkeeping? No accounting for where their money goes? No organization that even remotely observes such a thing to ensure that it is not being pocketed even slightly by those who might handle it as intermediaries? No organization to ensure that the nobility has the wealth they claim?" Ru Li genuinely sounds so deeply amused it's like he's just being told joke after joke after joke. "Are you telling me that each of the noble houses simply does not keep their money anywhere but in their homes, with no safekeeping or third party like a bank to protect it and keep track of it for them, nor any accountants to monitor it and ensure it is all balanced and they have not lost a single coin?" "There is no trail of paperwork, at all?" Ru Li laughs. "Then that is even easier to baffle. I can simply invest an enormous sum in the Silvercloaks, a sum that does not exist. This will likely disrupt their internal accountings, causing them to believe that they are owed more by the nobility, and thus, go demanding it. And when secret police knock on the door and demand more money, most wise nobles pay their hostage fees. Then I simply...do it again. And again. And again." He sighs with a bit of delight. "I must admit this is very cathartic."
Chuyao He	Though...hmm... how to sell it to the merchants... "An investment, of course," Chuyao says, fingers steepled in his lap with a pleased, closed-eyed expression and a nod towards Swindle. "There are two things which will come from this investment. First, if the merchants are swift and open about their investment, the common people will remember this. Why is this important?" "Because, of course, there is a rebellion. Your colleagues may say, 'but this is appeasement!' And they would not necessarily be wrong--however, what is important is that it is not seen as appeasement, by the common people. So long as they can accomplish this, the lines between the Oligarchy and the rebellion are blurred in the eyes of the average person--in this world and others. This is attractive to those who fear the rebellion, no doubt." "The second outcome is that the workforce, better educated, may be set to more complex tasks, or, better yet, trusted with more complex tools--for instance, of the sort that one may find on other worlds. Grander works and investments may be made. Moreover, basic education opens the way to the more advanced forms, and thus, specialized labor, in turn allowing greater access to those professions they prize the most--architects, to name one example. The wealthy will have more choice in terms of art, clothing, and in the construction of their estates, due to the abundance of laborers. This will be their 'proof.'" "In the long term, the wealthy will have more choices and less expenses."
Ru Li	"Ahaha...learned scholar Chuyao He is much more suited to this line of thinking than I, I must admit. I do not deal much in merchants save tariffs, and I do not deal much in rebellions at all, only know the consequences that start them." Ru Li tilts his head. "The mechanisms that run the government from behind, those I know, but if there is no true government, then I must exploit the mechanisms within the services themselves."
Ember	'I may be one of those self-same merchants, but I do possess professional scruples.' "And just like that, you're ahead of at least ninety-nine point nine percent of the merchant class. Many look to advance at any cost, and nobody gives a second glance to those below them. Both in their own social class and those in lower ones... that is why the House of Commons was allowed to rise to power." To Swindle's announcement of investing in the venture of creating more widely available education for the working class, Salia gives him a respectful nod. "I am also glad to see you can put your money where your mouth is." "Oh, there are records, Ru Li; one of the Oligarchs is in charge of record-keeping, in fact. I would, however, be very wary of that one. While he remains lower in rank amongst the Oligarchs, he does maintain some firm discipline and security over his holdings and the paperwork that does come from Oligarch decrees." She shrugs, "He is also well known for keeping a great amount of knowledge. His family is considered to be one of the most well-educated, but also secretive of the lot." She pauses. "It's said he knows more about the systems of the city than anyone else, and has also made many of the outreaches to train those in the city's upkeep." 'I can simply invest an enormous sum in the Silvercloaks, a sum that does not exist.' This causes her to look rather amused. "You could do that and have them go clear out all of the trouble at the base of town, the local monsters and threats that the working class deal with on a normal basis. It'd also keep them out of the way of things... killing two birds with one stone. By the time the Oligarchs could respond to this, it'd take them more time to move them back." It utterly tickles her. It appears she doesn't have a high opinion of the Silvercloaks. Chuyao brings up some very important ideas and facts. It causes Salia to entertain the thoughts a bit more honestly. "So it is in one part a salve for their fears of the Rebellion's forces and influence, one part appealing to their greed for better and more complex resources to sell." "Well, more wealth and less expense is something that they're always looking to do. Though this might in turn put more pressure on the working class too. More expectations for no real increase in their personal wealth or well-being."
Ru Li	Ru Li says, "Well, then!" He stands up. "You have letters of credit, yes? Merchants who trade them, and so on?"
Combaticon	> "I am also glad to see you can put your money where your mouth is." "You're far too kind," Swindle leans back in his seat with a laugh, "I am but a humble merchant, it is those in this town who're the anomaly to me. Ahh, but not the sort that's solved in the usual Decepticon fashion." Judging by his bodyguard Blastoff's obvious weaponry, if one knows what to look for, the usual way probably means 'hit it until it stops'. "Our esteemed friend here," Swindle gestures to Chuyao, "Has quite the grasp of how to combine our approaches, so I have no argument against following your lead good sir. We can hash out the delivery scheduling at a later date and synchronize appropriately."
Chuyao He	Though this might in turn put more pressure on the working class too. More expectations for no real increase in their personal wealth or well-being. "In the short term, at least, there will be more mobility and wealth amidst them. However, sister Salia, this unrefined scholar has indeed heard of such things in more modern worlds than ours as the insincere manipulation of charity and the illusion of progress, which emerge subtly over a period of years." "This is why it must be seen as an opportunity to be seized upon, so that the loudest and most dull among the wealthy stir up a frenzy of competition. Change is a constant, and so, eventually, this frenzy will die down--the aim is for the common people to have a stronger bargaining position by the time it does. Indeed, their education will include reading, writing, mathematics, the sciences and the arts--but also, history, that most important of teachers." "To wit, through that last part of our curriculum--knowledge of their own world and their precise place within it--we will arm them with the unity which the wealthy have had for some time."
Ember	"Oh, beyond just some normal gil? Yes, I can get you one..." She looks around her belongings for a moment, but is able to pull out a letter of credit for Ru Li. 'I am but a humble merchant, it is those in this town who're the anomaly to me.' Salia cannot condemn that, because she is one too. She just wishes for something more than what she has. "Well, we can work on that together." To Chuyao, she nods, while there is concern that this might also be turned on the working class's exploitation; the overall betterment of their situation is worth at least looking into. With more knowledge in their hands, they'd be able to work better for their own benefit...which is something they have no power over now. "It would be nice to see more value put into science. Right now all that comes out of that is how to make goods better, and not how to develop anything better."
Ru Li	Ru Li looks at the credit. He waves a hand away. "Thank you. Now that I know the document this is already complete." He holds up a finger with a smile. "One slip of paper and I will turn the Silvercloaks into a temporary benefit. Two and I will turn them into a tool of the rebellion. Three and I will make them strike the final blow against a house of lords." He tilts his head at Chuyao He and smiles. "And our honorable friend Swindle and his honorable friend Blastoff will make quite a profit, and the knowledge you spread will have several fewer obstacles, I think."
Chuyao He	Right now all that comes out of that is how to make goods better, and not how to develop anything better. "The exchange of ideas is the grease which will help such wheels to turn. It would seem as though we have a solid foundation. If sister Salia would be so kind as to introduce this unrefined scholar to a <rhyming table \| alphabet \| lexical key> within the next fortnight, he may begin studying it immediately. One fortnight from then, this ineloquent scholar will be prepared." "In the meantime, I, Chuyao He, believe we may adjourn--barring any questions from our colleagues?"