"And what exactly am I supposed to be missing?" Gaileo asked Shion.
"I think that you should accept the Emperor's reward." Shion told him.
"What? That's the worst option!" Gaileo protested.
"I agree with Gaileo." Ma Ten said. "It would be more detrimental to lose our support in the North. With the support of the Northern warlords, even if we don't have an official appointment we'll have far more power than we would have in Carriha."
"Wait a minute Ten, I know what I said but Shion is making this determination then I can assume that he has more up his sleeve." Gaileo said. "Am I right?"
"But of course." Shion chuckled as he pulled a letter from his coat pocket. "This letter should summarize my plan, look it over and if you approve I can send it and get our preparation started."
Gaileo looked over the piece of paper and smiled. "Bahahaha! This is good. This is very good Shion." He said.
"I thought you would appreciate this strategy." Shion said.
"Very good, send a message to the capital. Tell them that I'll accept the appointment. Get some horses ready let's move out as soon as possible." Gaileo said.
"Of course, I've already made all the necessary preparations." Shion replied.
"And go where?" Elara asked. "Zhenqi?"
"No, no. We're heading to Shuangfeng."
"What why?"
Gaileo and the others ignored Elara's question as they rode off towards their next destination. After a brief stay in Shuangfeng, the group made their way back to the Imperial capital of Zhenqi for Gaileo's official reward ceremony.
"There he is, the new Lord of Carriha City." The Emperor said almost mockingly.
"Actually I won't be the Lord of Carriha City. Not for long anyway." Gaileo replied.
"What are you talking about boy? Do you dare to refuse my generous reward?"
"No, of course not. I accepted the appointment as I had said before. However, once I accepted Carriha City as my fief it became mine to with as I please correct?"
"Where are you going with this boy?"
"It should be obvious, I accepted your appointment as Lord of Carriha. However, I've already made a deal to trade this fief for another." Gaileo said.
"What? What is the meaning of this? You can't do that!" A few of the Imperial counselors said.
"Be quiet!" The Emperor snapped as the rest of the court fell silent.
"The trading of fiefs is an established Imperial tradition. You lot probably just don't remember because it's been several decades since anyone has done so." Great General Xingzong said.
"Very well, what fief have you traded for? There are few territories that equal the value of Carriha City." The Emperor said.
"I've made a deal, with the Governor of Shuangfeng." Gaileo replied.
This caused another clamor among the court, but they quickly quieted themselves before they were scolded by the Emperor again.
Before we move on with what's currently happening in the Imperial Court, perhaps it would be better to go back a few days beforehand to the city of Shuangfeng and Gaileo's negotiations with the now former Governor.