Kojiro's Background Story

It's 14th day of the month of Akodo 1039, midday, just outside of Ginasutra at the Shrine to
Shosuro. Shosuro Miyako enters the temple to the inner shrine and sees her husband Shosuro
Hayabusa already praying in front of the shrine.

Miyako is a woman in her late 30's but easily passes for a woman a decade younger. She's very
beautiful with long black hair worn up in a stylized bun with comb and pins throughout. She wears a
red and black kimono with floral patterns and a scorpion on the back. Her mask is a see through red
veil that covers the lower half of her face. She is a Scorpion actor and is from a long line of actors.

Hayabusa is in his late 30's unlike his wife looks his age. He has very plain features. short black hair
with gray showing at his temples, clean-shaven, an athletic build and with visible scars on his forearms.
He wears a simple red and black kimono with a large scorpion on the back, daisho in his obi and a
simple red cloth mask that covers the have the lower half of its face. He is a Shosuro infiltrator and is
descended from both infiltrators and actors.

Miyako kneels down to join her husband in prayer and a few moments later when both were
satisfied with their prayers she speaks, "I came here as soon as I could my beloved but shouldn't you
have returned home already."

Hayabusa responds, "I'm being sent out on another mission."

"You've been away for such a long time and you already completed so many back to back missions
this past year alone. Surely someone else can take your place for this one."

"You know just as much as I do our numbers has always been small and have dwindled further
from the recent years, it will take time for the next generation to be ready. Those that could replace me
on this mission are already joining me for it. There's no choice but to endure it for a few more months.
The best I could do was request a detour to pray at the Shrine to Shosuro for a day before the others
gathered and we set out together. They granted my request which is when I sent out the letter for you
to meet me here."

"It's to be expected that we would be separated for months on end, that's typical of any samurai
couple. What I don't like is the fact it's a mission one after the other. The only break you ever get is
when you're on the road traveling to a mission or on your way back from a completed one only to go
back out again."

"It's only a few more months, at longest I'll be back home before winter time."

"Have you thought about next year?"

"What about next year?"

"Don't give me that, your turning 40. I don't expect you to retire to the monastery but neither do I
expect you to be climbing over walls and jumping from rooftop to rooftop. You served the Scorpion
for over 20 years as it is. You can serve the clan another way, why not as a sensei. You even said it
yourself the next generation needs time but what better way to help to push them forward by teaching
the generations to come"
 "You really think I could be a sensei?"

"Seriously how many shinobi have endured everything that you went through in these past two
decades. You've been through one trial after another for Clan and Empire. How many shinobi are
even still alive from your generation?"

"Alright I see your point but it's not easy to get such an appointment."

"Don't worry about that I just need to talk to the right people and call in a few favors, I'm also certain
my brother would be willing to help too if I ask him. We can get things going with this upcoming
Winter Court."

"Doesn't Konetsu just make poisons and talk to plants all day."

"OK first you know that's members of the Tokagure family are the ones that talk to the plants.
Second, he talks to many people when they want advice on poisons or antidotes. You be surprised who
he knows."

"Alright fine you win; if you can get everything underway when I come back I will go along with
it. I guess it would be good to finally come home and stay home."

"Just think of it, you can be around to see your three children mature into adults, seeing them get
married, maybe see some grandchildren..."

"Tend to my beautiful wife and maybe produce another child or two? We should get a head start
tonight."

"Such a bold invitation you ask."

"Well, custom does say when a samurai goes to battle he make love to his wife before venturing out."

"Well, then I owe you some back payment and interest."

"This is going to be a long night."

It's 14th day of the month of Bayushi 1039 late into the night, hours after the funeral ceremony of
Shosuro Hayabusa. The ceremony was akin to those of the Crab as Hayabusa's body was cremated
weeks beforehand, then his remains returned home for a proper funeral ceremony. The day spent with
many of the mourners telling tales of devotion and loyalty that Hayabusa had completed in his many
years of service as what was Scorpion tradition. Any shinobi who could attend were there, a few were
on the mission he had died on and they all said how his sacrifice allowed the mission to succeed.

In main room are the family altar with offerings, the urn and a couple of lit lanterns. Standing in front
of the altar was a man in his mid 30's wearing simple red cloth mask covering his lower face and hiding
his handsome features, clean shaven, short hair with a topknot. He is wearing a red and black kimono
with floral patterns and scorpions throughout and carries a black cane with him.

This is Shosuro Konetsu, Miyako's younger brother by four years. Unlike his sister, Konetsu is not an
actor nor is he an infiltrator. At a young age, he fell climbing a cliff and broke both his legs. Even
worse still a large rock had broken loose and smashed his right foot and ankle. A shugenja was able to
heal most of the damage. However, what happened to the foot and ankle was far too much to heal
properly. From there on, he could only walk with a limp and needs the assistance of a cane or staff to
travel any distance. That injury made it difficult for him to meet the physical demands of being an
actor as well as impossible to hide the limp between disguises.

Konetsu joined the ranks of the final aspect of what the Shosuro were famous for, herbalism and
poison making. He works alongside members Tokagure vassal family whose main task is tending the
Shosuro Gardens. Though there is not much glory to the tasks, it suited his him quite well. He has in-
depth knowledge of herbs, poisons. and antidotes as well as a vast knowledge of the other aspects of
medicine.

Konetsu is a widower, his wife died during childbirth along with his only son who died shortly
after. Following Scorpion tradition, he refused to remarry, as a well as never took a lover to produce an
heir much to the disappointment of the rest of his family. Whether this is to remain loyal to his wife or
if he simply has not found anyone he sees as suitable, only he knows. It's after these events that he
delved into medicine much more heavily beyond just antidotes and wound treatment.

Miyako walks down the hallway toward the main room and is surprised to see Konetsu standing
there, "I thought you would be in bed by now, is there something wrong with the guest room."

"No it's fine, I should be wondering the same thing about you, isn't your bed back down the hallway,
you should be asleep you could really use it."

"Well it took a while for Sayuri to go to sleep, then I wanted to offer some more prayers."

"Come to my room let me show you something."

"What is it?"

"Just come inside and I'll show you" he walks over to a shoji screen and slides it open and walks
in. Miyako follows him. Inside the room is a small table with two seat cushions close to each other,
bed roll, brazier, lanterns and a traveling pack in the corner. Konetsu lights the lanterns.

"Close the shoji screen behind you and take a seat at the table." He pulls out a folded sheet a paper
underneath his kimono. Miyako sits on one of the cushions.

"What's this all about?"

He sits next to his sister, takes his mask off and unfolds the sheet of paper onto the table. On the
sheet in large calligraphic kanji reads "The Hidden House"

"Welcome to The Hidden House the most elusive and exclusive of all Rokugani geisha houses."

"This isn't necessary." Miyako tries to get up but Konetsu grabs her hand. "Don't make me limp
after you through this house because I will. You did this for me in my time of need and it's my turn to
return the favor. You might be able to fool the others but I know you better than anyone does, I know
when you are using your actor techniques to hide your emotions beyond 'face'. No one else is here;
remove all your masks. Here you are no longer samurai but just a woman. You have emotional poison
building up and you need to let it out otherwise you're just delaying the inevitable hiding behind your
techniques."

Miyako removes her mask, immediately her facial expressions changes, she grimaces and tears
well up and begin streaking down her cheeks. Konetsu holds her close and she begins sobbing into his
shoulder to suppress the sound.

Minutes pass before she settles a bit and says, "It's just not fair, we worked so hard and we were so
close."

"I know all we did these last months was for naught but at least he died a good samurai death."

"As a woman and wife of a samurai we are taught throughout our lives that our husbands may never
come back from a battle or task. Each time I anticipate the worst but each time he returned intact. This
is so much worse than I could have ever expected. I didn't even get so see his body one more time, just
a pile of ash and bone fragments in an urn. He was just a few months away to becoming a sensei. Is it
so selfish of me to just wish we could have lived out the rest of our the lives together after so many
years of service to the Scorpion."

"I don't see it as selfish at all, it's just the life of a shinobi is especially hard compared to a normal
bushi, war or peace there's always some mission they have to do. You knew that in advance when you
married him. At least he left you behind three children to carry on his spirit."

"Jotaro and Yasahiro didn't even want to stay over for the night, I'm sure we're given a few days before
returning to their duties. They follow their father's path alright and I could end up outliving all of
them."

"Calm down they're both adults and are eager to serve the clan to prove themselves. Those two have
each other for support and with those acting techniques of yours; you really didn't give them much a
reason to concern over you. The only reason why I saw through is because I know you too well."

"And about my acting skills and techniques, our family tradition, I have no one to pass them down
to, who will pass on my spirit."

"You're not thinking of having Sayuri enter the Butei Academy, she may be young enough to switch
but I thought that matter was already resolved years ago."

"I've thought about it but if I did that to her she would just resent me the rest of her life. It was a
dream that I could have another child but now it has not to be. Even on the wildest whim, I took a
lover and said it was Hayabusa's; it would not matter. That's it, I don't care what you say I'm finding
you a lover, you don't have to marry her but damn it, produce some children to pass on the family
tradition."

"You know my feelings about that. You are going to need to drug me first for some woman to have
her way with me. Good luck with that with my knowledge of antidotes, poisons, and my resistance.
What's this about wouldn't matter anyway?"

"I've reached that time in a woman's life, I'm too old to have children, and I can only wait for
grandchildren."

"You are my elder sister but you are not old. Sure, it might be a bit more difficult to have a child
but you can easily have a few more years or more before it comes to that point. I mean, what makes
you so sure?

"Well the monthly visitor has stopped coming, my breasts have gotten tender and it's been harder to
control my emotions even before I received news of Hayabusa's death. It's just like what mother told
me would happen."

"Well, what about hot flashes."

"None as of yet but it is only a matter of time."

"Well, that doesn't seem right older women I've talked to said they started experiencing hot flashes
months to even years before the other symptoms kick in. Hmm, when was the last the last time you
slept with Hayabusa."

"What no, it can't be that?"

"Seriously when was the last time?"

"Months ago before he left on this final mission."

"I think you're pregnant now."

"What impossible, I would haven't had any morning sickness."

"From the midwives I've spoken to each pregnancy can be different and morning sickness doesn't
always happen. Undo your kimono a bit and show me a bare belly."

"I'm not taking my clothes off and getting naked."

"I didn't say get naked and seriously we used to bath together when we younger."

"That's the point, that was thirty years ago, this is now."

"Oh come now I just want to see your bare belly, I'll even cover my eyes until you ready to show
me but so help me if leave this room, I will chase you down."

"Alright fine, but there's nothing really to show, maybe I put on a few pounds OK that's due to do
me getting older." Konetsu covers his eyes with his hand, while Miyako loosens her kimono, a few
moments pass. "You can look now."

Konetsu removes his hand and looks at her sister's stomach. A slight bump that could have potential
but the true sign was the faint black line running horizontally down the center of her belly. "This black
line is the real proof I'm looking for, there's probably other signs too but I'll let the midwife look those
over. Put I'm fairly sure you're pregnant."

"No this must be some sort of smudge." She licks her thumb and tries to rub it away but to no
avail.

"Yeah, that line is not going away for a while. Hayabusa left you a final farewell gift. Trust me sister
your pregnant I guarantee it, go get a second opinion from the midwife. In fact, let's make a bet. If I'm
wrong you can find whoever you want and I'll try to make some children with her to continue the
family tradition and if I'm right you drop the whole subject."

"You're on."
 "All right, that is enough for tonight you need your rest. I will send for the midwife in the
morning."

Miyako hugs her brother, leaves the room and heads down the hallway to her bedroom.

The next morning Konetsu's servant returns and he tells him to fetch the midwife. About thirty
minutes passed before the servant returns with a midwife. The midwife inspects Miyako in the privacy
of her room while Konetsu waits in the main room for the results of the examination.

Sayuri approaches her uncle with a worried expression on her face. She was the youngest of the
family and will soon turn 11 this upcoming year. She had many of her father's unassuming features,
wears her hair much shorter than other girls her age and is very much a tomboy. She is in training to be
an infiltrator like her father and older brothers. At this moment, however, she is very much a little girl
still, she asks, "Is mommy sick?" holding on to her uncle's kimono.

Konetsu responds, "Everything is fine child." He leans down closer to his niece and whispers, "I
will tell you a secret, I think your mother is pregnant. You might have a little brother or sister by next
spring."

Sayuri gasps in shock. Konetsu winks and puts his index finger to his mouth, "Shhh, your mother is in
a bit of denial. That is why the midwife is here for a second opinion but I am right for sure but do not
say anything until she tells you. Your mother needs your support more than ever and you need to be a
big sister to you little sibling."

Sayuri puts her hand to her mouth and makes a key locking gesture to her uncle. The two of them
wait diligently for the midwife to come out and to hear what the news was. Many minutes pass until
they hear the sliding of a shoji screen and footsteps. The midwife walks down the hall toward the main
room.

The midwife says, "The lady of the house has instructed me to remain silent. I will take my leave"

Konetsu says, "That's fine my servant will escort you back." The midwife leaves. He then walks
down the hallway to Miyako's room. The shoji screen to the room still open, seeing Miyako sitting on
a cushion next to her bedroll. He says, "Well, don't leave me in suspense?"

Miyako looks up at her brother a few tears coming down her cheeks and says, "I guess it is good I
don't need to find a lover for you anymore. I won't have the time for that with Hayabusa's final gift for
me." She puts a hand on her belly.

"Wonderful"

Sayuri pokes her head into the room. Miyako looks at her and says, "Come here honey. Your father
left us one final present before he left."

Sayuri says inquisitively as possible, "What is it?"

Miyako grabs her daughter's hand, puts it on her belly and says, "It's a baby brother or sister."

Sayuri does her best to gasp in surprise, though the hug she gives her mother is quite genuine. She
asks, "How long do we have to wait till the baby is born?"
Miyako responds, "Probably sometime after the new year."

Konetsu says, "Think it's time I make us something to eat I have four to feed and I guess maybe my
servant too."

"Oh no, this is my house I should be the one cooking."

"Nonsense you need little more rest doctors orders. You should take this time to write a letter to your
sons before they get too far out and off to the next mission and the snows come in. Plus I have Sayuri
to help me in the kitchen."

Sayuri says, "It's OK mommy you stay in your room until the food is ready."

Miyako says, "Alright fine it's two against one."

Fall moves to winter with Konetsu staying with Miyako and Sayuri until after the New Year. The
Shosuro Gardens did not need much tending in the winter as well as the demand for poison drops as
much of the requests are in before the snows fall. Konetsu strives to get as much work done in the fall
before winter hit to be with his sister. Any work meant for the winter was delegated to others as he had
initially planned to help at the winter court with Hayabusa's appointment attempt. The favors were
already in place his reasoning simply changed.

New Years passes and Konetsu must return to his work as duty demands. However, he will not be
gone long as it is merely waiting for Miyako's child to be born. Miyako gives birth to a son on the 21st
day of the Sun 1040. Haru (meaning springtime) was the name given to the child. Miyako specifically
wanted to give him a unisex name and the fact he was born in the spring made it fitting. Three weeks
pass as Konetsu returns to his sister's home.

Sayuri lets her uncle in and says, "Uncle Konetsu."

He gives his niece a hug and asks," How are your mother and the baby doing?"

"Good, Haru is so cute."

"Where are your older brothers?

She pouts a bit and says, "They left already."

"When you get older you'll understand but yes I would have liked to see us all together for a day."

The two of them walk down the hallway to Miyako's room and Sayuri slides open the shoji screen.
Inside is Miyako, tending over a crib near her bedroll. Konetsu walks over and gives her elder sister a
hug.

Konetsu says, "Wish I could have come here faster but I was swamped with requests and was in
the middle of a delicate procedure that I couldn't interrupt or pass on to someone else."

Miyako says, "It's fine you have your duty to attend at least your here now. Sayuri can you go into
the kitchen and bring us some tea."
 Sayuri nods and walks out of the room and down the hall toward the kitchen. Konetsu leans over,
looks into the crib to see Haru wrapped in a blanket, asleep. He then carefully lowers himself down
and sits on one of the empty cushions. He says, "I assuming there were no complications with the
delivery."

Miyako says, "None what so ever, I had a good midwife with me and as soon as she came to assist,
Haru popped out a few hours later. You want to hold him."

Nervously he says, "I shouldn't he's asleep."

"Nonsense, he's been fed already he will sleep through just about anything now. Worst that can
happen he may need a change."

Miyako stands up and gently picks up Haru all bundled up and gently passes it to Konetsu. He
stares down at his nephew gently in his arms. Memories swell up of his long dead wife and son. A few
tears swell up in his eyes and run down his cheeks.

Miyako puts a hand on his shoulder and says, "It's OK he's a strong healthy boy. He has his
father's lungs for sure."

Konetsu regains his composure, "I have no idea what you are talking about I must have something
in my eyes. It might be a bit early to say this but he definitely has gotten your features. He is cuter
than Jortaro and Yasahiro when they were babies."

"You know it's not too late for you to have one of your own."

"Not this again, what did I say about our bet."

"What, I am only making a statement."

Sayuri returns with the tea set, Haru placed back in his crib and continues to sleep soundly as the
others speak softly, enjoy their tea and each other's company.

As the years pass, Miyako returns to active duty in the best capacity she can for a woman her age
portraying a matron of a geisha house. Her major duties are training Scorpion geisha and assisting
actors in honing that skill set. She also helps with some of the message ciphering and deciphering.
Many senior members of the network pitch in as this can be a daunting task for the scribes during times
of heavy message load, just before winter and immediately after are prime examples. Of course during
all this time she dotes over Haru and does what she can to incorporate him into her daily life.

Konetsu continues his work in the Shosuro Gardens but takes what time he can to visit his
relatives. He has picked up an apprentice to teach his art to and pass on some of the simpler duties so
he can spend more time with is relatives.

Sayuri's training has progressively gotten more intense as each year brings her close to graduation and
"The Gauntlet". However, she tries her best to assist her mother in raising Haru. She does her best
playing both the role of big sister and brother to her baby brother.

Jotaro has married and Yasahiro is to be married soon. Haru has seen little of his elder brothers as
well have the rest of his family save for the recent wedding and occasional holiday. These are the
sacrifices Scorpion shinobi make to serve the clan.
 It is now the 25th of Hantei 1044, the Doll and Kite Festival. Konetsu heads to his sister's home to
visit and give a present for Haru as is customary for this day. He knocks on the door. There's a
response from a young child from the other side of the door, "Who presents themselves before the
imperial court."

Konetsu plays along, "It is I, Shosuro Konetsu of the Scorpion and I have come to seek audience
with the lord and lady of the house as well as other guests of the court."

Konetsu can hear from the inside, the child's voice "Can I let him in."

Immediately after he hears his sister voice, "Yes let your uncle in."

The door slowly slides open as Konetsu sees his nephew opening the door. Konetsu immediately
notices the green dress Haru is wearing, specifically meant for girls on this holiday, his hair has grown
out a bit since the last time he has seen him in addition to ribbons. Haru hugs and greets his uncle and
leads him into the main room after Konetsu takes off his sandals. Inside the room is a small tiered
stand set up with dolls set up to look like the imperial court as is tradition for girls to do on this holiday.
Haru returns to the doll stand while Konetsu and Miyako sit at the table.

"Why is my favorite nephew in a girls dress?

"If he is going to be an accomplished actor he needs to have no shame in dressing in either gender. If
you remember that year mother made me cut my hair wear boys clothes and introduce myself as myself
as your older brother when I was eleven."

"I also remember you hating every day of that."

"OK that was true at the time but I understand why it was important as I grew older, it's not just
about what it takes to be an actor but also about having to do things that you don't like to but have to
because you were commanded to."

"Ah yes Chugo, I was just thinking to allow the boy be a child a bit longer but why the Doll and Kite
festival of all days. Such a lesson is important for a Scorpion child but don't you think it could have
waited until after the holiday."

"Personally, there is no better day to start he needs to how girls interact with each other as well as act
like a girl to help him understand how woman interact with each when he gets older."

"He spends enough time in the geisha house with you, I think he gets enough female interaction time
during the between hours when they are not with clients. Then again that is not quite the same as
samurai girls. Well, at least you will get some use out of Sayuri's dresses because she sure did not.
Well, at least Jotaro and Yasuhiro are there for him at least."

"About that, we may be a Shinobi family, however, they are more focused on being Shinobi than
interact with their family. I am lucky to get a letter from them that do not involve Clan affairs. Sayuri
plays better big brother but I can't blame them not seeing their baby brother, the Clan has them all over
Rokugan and they have other things to worry about. With Jataro just marrying and Yasahiro soon to be
married it will only get worse as any free time they will have will be spent trying to make their own
family."
 "Well that's not good at all it's much worse than I thought; the boy needs a male figure in his life. The
only resolution to this problem is to take up a residence close by so I can visit on a regular basis."

"Whoa hold on a minute, what about your work in the Shosuro Gardens?"

"What is the point of teaching an apprentice if he can't take over your work? Plus I'm over 40 to I
could use a semi-retirement to help raise my nephew. I'll still dabble in poison and antidotes from time
to time and whether I give consultations here or at the gardens it's all the same. In fact making the
small lab and garden in my home would be more realistic to what the typical agent would have access
to anyway."

"You've already thought this through haven't you? Did you move into a house already?"

"Not quite, it will probably take a few months for everything to happen and to get settle in once I
find a place."

"Especially now Sayuri is becoming busier with training I could use a hand in raising Haru."

"Then it's decided. I'll begin preparations as soon as I return home." He pulls out a kite from his
backpack and in a raised voice, "Now then I wonder what I'm going to do with this kite I brought. It
will be difficult for Haru to make the run needed to fly the kite in a dress"

Haru looks over from the doll stand to his uncle and mother and excitedly asks, "Mother can I
please fly the kite with uncle."

Konetsu says, "I don't know Haru you might get your dress dirty, running the kite and clearly I
can't run with the kite."

Miyako sighs, "I know where this is going, Haru if you really want to fly the kite with your uncle you
can change into your boy clothes but remember your back in that dress tomorrow."

Haru exclaims, "Yeah!" and heads toward his bedroom to change.

It's the 14th day of the Sun 1147, a contingency of a dozen Scorpion and a couple of pack animals are
traveling south on ponies from Nihai Tower to Kyuden Bayushi. Among them are Miyako, Konetsu,
and Haru. Miyako and Konetsu had received orders along with other members of the Scorpion
network to head to Zakyo Toshi and the surrounding areas to assist in closing any potential gaps in the
network.

The mission given to Miyako and Konetsu was last minute and since both were going, they did not
have time to send Haru to stay at one of his relative's place. Neither saw the harm of bringing him
along, though the network was on edge throughout Rokugan. However, no concrete threats to the
stability of the empire have shown themselves as of yet.

Haru is riding with his mother sitting in front of her on the pony. He asks, "What is Zakyo Toshi
like?"

Miyako responds, "Well it's a city that pretends to be nicer than Ryoko Owari when it really is not.
Many people prefer it though simply because it's not in our lands. What they offer in entertainment and
services is essentially the same."
 Konetsu adds, "How they make money is different Ryoko Owari makes most of its money from the
surrounding fields of opium poppies. Zakyo Toshi is mainly through general trade as many more
merchants do business there.

One of the other Scorpion adds, "Ironically enough even though there is an Imperial Legion
detachment in the city, crime is worse because of all the bandits in the surrounding areas."

Another Scorpion asks, "You don't think this is a bit too heavy for the boy his age?"

Miyako says, "Nonsense he needs to learn about all this eventually. In fact, this would be a good time
for a history lesson of Zakyo Toshi, the surrounding areas and the Scorpion's relationship to all of it if
no one objects my son learning about this."

Haru groans, "Ah, a history lesson." Some of the Scorpions give off some chuckles but there are
no objections.

Miyako says, "Now pay attention you will need to know all this if you want to serve the clan to your
fullest potential." Haru nods and she continues, "Centuries ago some merchants started Zakyo Toshi as
a southern stopover point in unaligned lands near the Shinomen Forest. At some point, decades later as
the city grew, the merchants attempted to mirror Ryoko Owari."

Konetsu adds in, "If my memory serves me right, sudden expansion of the city attracted bandits
and river pirates. They raided merchants who used either the land or water routes. It was after that
they mirrored Ryoko Owari to attract people to the city as a means to relax hence the name Pleasure
City. The irony was most of the bandits became customers to sell their stolen goods and spend their
koku in the various services the city provided."

Miyako eyes her brother and says, "Oh great Ikoma historian could I finish this lesson or would
you like to teach the rest for me."

He responds, "I just wanted to be sure the lesson was thorough."

She continues, "As I was saying, Zakyo Toshi is unique, though, some would say in a near
blasphemous in a way as it has no governor but ruled by a merchant council of five often all
commoners. Seats on the council are based on who had the most profit in the previous year and it's all
judged by an Emerald Magistrate who goes over all the merchants' paperwork of all who wanted to
submit it for a chance on the council. With the imperials directly involved and collecting their taxes,
kept the surrounding clans from attempting to annex the city as their own. That is when they added an
imperial legion detachment to assist the Emerald magistrate to police the city and surrounding areas.
How the Scorpion is involved is a secret so never mentioned it to anyone outside the clan ever."

Haru nods his head and she continues the lesson, "Since we cannot take the city by force we must do
what we do best. We manipulate the system and the people in it. There are Scorpion infiltrated in the
bandits, merchants, ronin, city gangs and a few Scorpion who are full-time members of the legionnaires
who we can call upon.

We use the bandits as disposable pawns as a means to create losses against certain merchants and their
patrons. If one bandit or pirate group gets too big, we leave a tip to the local magistrates and
legionnaires and they will cull their numbers. The village of Shutai in our lands, which also is across
the river from Zakyo Toshi, has many bandits and ronin within it and is left that way for good reason.
 We monitor the ronin for potential pawns, how well off, in debt or if they turn to banditry. For
some operatives who masquerade as ronin, they want someone they can trust to not stab them in the
back. We also use these fake ronin operatives to drop off orders and pick up progress reports when
they go out as caravan guards to hide some of our message traffic. We only use direct couriers or
magic if something needs to be sent out quickly. Most of the messages are represented as letters in a
coded cipher that you will learn when you get older.

With the merchants, we keep tabs on how well they're doing financially, who their patrons are, when
they form caravans or if they have illegal side to their business. If we want to set someone back a bit
we let information slip to the bandits when one of their caravans is leaving. Or we expose illegal
activities to the authorities, even if the merchant is not directly implicated or he was able to hide the
activity, he still loses a source of income for a period of time.

With the city gangs, we keep tabs on what type of illegal trade they focus on and how we can tap into
that whether for information or profit. We also make sure they don't do anything to interfere with our
affairs since they play a major part of the city's underworld.

For the Imperial Legionnaires and other authorities, we make sure they can never fully clear the city
and surrounding areas of crime. Any group that we still find useful we will tip them off of a potential
crackdown so they can scatter and go into hiding. Authorities come in and find empty hideouts. In the
case of the moving market, the imperials tried cracking down on that so many times only to have it
spring up somewhere else they pretty much just ignore it now and only focus on violent crimes.