Seiun wo Kakeru Chapter 21

Chapter 21 – The Conclusion of the Negotiation

Franko’s mood changed naturally, as the tribal chief assumed the role of the negotiator.

You could notice the change of attitude in the voices coming from the people who were sitting, as well as those observing.

As Eiji noticed that he was not allowed to leave the table, he felt disappointed.

If there were any lacks in oneself, one should consider filling them up by learning.

When he decided to concentrate, he put his ear toward the negotiation between both of them.
Their negotiation started with a quiet tone coming from the tribal chief, which was more suppressed than usual.

– Franko, I have a little suggestion coming from me, however…

– Since you’ve already made an investigation, you should know the best, but this guy is exceptional. He’s made a range of new things and has put them to use.

– That’s right. I will ask you, but, do you really think that there is room for making new inventions if we are restrained with heavy taxes?

– Eiji is the only one responsible for supplying us with raw materials, production, and processing. At least forward us with your people, so that we can devote ourselves more towards production.

Hearing the tribal chief’s words, Franko kept silent.
It was probably the sort of talk which you wouldn’t insert in as a condition.

– I shall send you several people if I can have him com—
– Eiji is a member of this village. Do you honestly think I would let you have him? Can’t you figure out what will happen to him if I let him go?

What will happen?

For Eiji, who held some doubts about it, the next words coming from the tribal chief’s mouth were full of surprise.
The tribal chief shot a look to Eiji, telling him to pay more attention.

– I can imagine him being confined in your city and forced to do labor. You wouldn’t have the slightest intention of letting him return to the village, so you would probably just pass a verbal message at your own convenience, and sooner or later use a roundabout way to request Tanya for a divorce. Of course Eiji, they would report that by saying that the request came from you.

– W-wouldn’t such thing be actually the first to be exposed with?
– Eiji, you are still young. No, rather I would say that you still don’t know your true value.

The tribal chief’s face became stunned at Eiji, who was trying to deny that it’s not possible.
He too understood from looking at her face that she doesn’t comprehend him.

This person just says what he thinks. – she thought.

Through the muscles along his spine he felt a chill, which somehow couldn’t be expressed in words. Eiji could feel the pores of his skin expanding.

Eiji was filled with emotions of disbelief, saying that his skills couldn’t be that valuable.
The tribal chief and Franko’s way of reasoning was running contrary to his sense of values.

– If it’s this guy, then he’s capable of doing so. Of course, he won’t do that using brute force, but rather use skillful words in order to create such a situation, in which you won’t be able to react. If I were in his shoes, I would do the same. Furthermore, since he has traveled between various villages, he would possess quite a large amount of experience. I intend to make sure of the truth.

– I feel troubled for forcing a talk based on assumptions on you. Eiji, please be at ease. I can assure you that such things won’t happen.

– That’s why I say it’s a delusion unlikely to occur.

Siena village has a population of 250 something. On the other hand, the city of Nazioni, where the feudal reside, has a number which is around a little more than 400 and a dozen.

The city of Nazioni has been the ruling side thanks to the difference of power in technology based on bronze smithing. Therefore, they would consider Eiji, who is able to handle iron manufacture, a threat.
For that reason, they would want to keep someone like Eiji on their side if possible – is what the tribal chief told Eiji.

– Were you to tie him up in such a half-baked way, you would probably not prosper from having all those new items. Rather than that, don’t you think it would it be much more profitable to let him do as he please in making new items?

– Eiji.

– Do you have any other ideas which you could use to make new things?

Eiji knew what kind of answer the tribal chief was expecting.
Furthermore, he knew it would relate to the constraints placed on him depending on what kind of answer he gives.

– Well then, if it’s a small thing…The item which comes into my mind right now is…If it’s right now… considering what the village need, wouldn’t it be horseshoes?

– They’re shoes made from iron used to cover a horse’s feet, you see. It protects the horse’s hooves, making it harder to sustain injuries.

Wild horses have hard hooves; therefore they won’t get simply injured. However, a horse that became domesticated has a meek hoof and are more susceptible to injury.

During their daily activities in Siena, Eiji heard from the farmer, Bernard, who complained about the weak constitution of his horse. It was then that he came across the idea of making horseshoes.

His craftsmanship will vary depending on the shape and the thickness, which might decide whether or not it will be easy to walk.
Nevertheless, it was something that could be amended. If he could achieve such a result using his skills, then it would be fine.

Hearing Eiji’s words, the tribal chief regained her senses and nodded deeply.

– …I can’t help but to accept that. Eiji-san.

– When you create new items, you don’t just make one, do you?

– Then, please consider them as paying taxes.

– Your burden will reduce. Also, I have to make sure you make up for that excuse, you see.

– Ah, of course if it’s something small that requires very little time to make, I’d like to have a specific amount of them.

Surely, with such a tax structure, he will be definitely able to get hold of new technologies.

Compared with the talk until now, it didn’t seem to be half bad idea – he thought.

– There’s one more thing.

– This is vital as well. Even though you say paying taxes, it’s not like paying with anything will do. I want to specify it, for instance, that farmers pay using wheat, shepherds – with cheese and meat, animal dung, and fur.
– I got it….

This is a society which is made up of exchanging goods.
Normally, If there is a monetary system, then paying with money would be considered rather convenient. Nevertheless, it’s not always true.

If so, then food, which takes time to grow, would be collected less frequently in a form of taxes, rather than money.

If he intends to impose taxes on special products of every single village, then minimalizing the time of pay between taxes would probably give a relief for villagers.

– Speaking of which, Eiji-san, I want you to pay me, apart from your inventions, with 500 something of arrowheads, as well as, 10 spearheads.

– Why is that?

– Nonetheless, tools like nata and hatchets can also be used to kill people? Why is it fine with arrowhead?
– Because it can be applied in villages for hunting. Its main purpose isn’t to be used in a war. I understand that it can be made into a weapon, depending on its user. Still, I wish to create items which solely focus on making life wealthier.

It was a condition which Eiji couldn’t yield in.

Despite that, Eiji’s main principle, since his birth and until now, was to forge iron tools while watching people smiling.

Eiji looked into Franko’s eyes as if expressing his determination.
This time he wouldn’t avert his eyes.

– Still, you can use them to maintain the peace?
– Regardless of that, a weapon is a weapon.

The silence continued for a while

In the worst case, he would have the eyes on him, leading to worsening his status, or even being in a life endangering position.
But be that what it may, it was something he couldn’t consent to.

– (sigh)… I cannot win against someone who’s prepared to throw his life away like this. In that case, I’ll have you to make natas, instead of spears.
– Sorry for being selfish, but this is something I can’t consent to.

By swinging with a nata, one could turn it into a malicious weapon.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to make anything if he were to consider what user it is.

– In addition, please do your best in order to produce large amounts of soap. Right now it’s a rare item, so the exchange rate is extremely high. What’s more, if it’s effective against epidemic diseases, then we absolutely do need it. These are things the tribal chief would support as well, I believe.

– If it’s a decrease similar to the exchange rate, then I can’t do it, but I’ll make sure that you get a discount.

The talk concluded.

Besides, at the beginning, there will be no assigned members to be deployed from Eiji’s side.

Later, the negotiation will be completed with some minor regulations between these two.

In the end, Eiji couldn’t grasp how the negotiations work.

The only thing which was clear is that as long as you don’t clearly state your own intentions, you will be swallowed amidst the negotiations, or so they say.

Truly, Eiji, who felt inferior, couldn’t look up at someone as skilled as the tribal chief.

After the negotiation concluded, everyone drank the alcohol together in the friendly atmosphere.

Even the tribal chief softened her stern attitude, and instead adopted one with a friendly reception.

Tomorrow, after Franko goes on a stroll in order to ascertain any changes to the harvest fields, he will set off to another village.

As he tried to talk, he expressed his grievances for being unable to meet his wife and children. It seemed that he was just a common type of guy as well.

After Franko returned to his lodge, Eiji decided to go back home as well. Nevertheless, he was held back by the tribal chief.

– Thank you for your hard work today. You were probably surprised by this sudden negotiation talk when you returned from doing the trade.

– We had an unexpectedly bad timing, so it was vexing. On top of that, that guy is actually quite bright. Nonetheless, in the end, he seemed to compromise, so we firmly achieved our goal.

– Yes, while he was walking around as if being resisted by me, he cleverly managed to exact the tax from us. Well, I do not plan to stay silent and keep watching. We will build up our strength and endeavor so as to gain equal status.

For the sake of that to happen, they had to bind firmly on progressing development and creating circumstances, which would prevent any chance of proposing tax increases.
Eiji believed that the results yielded from these aims would be superb, and there was no doubt about that.

– In negotiations, it’s essential to be prepared, and at the same time, force the enemy to make a blunder while striking at that right moment. This time we were not prepared well enough, so Franko didn’t slip up, but still, it should be fine to force the enemy as much as possible and attack when it becomes inconsistent and weak.

– But to do that in such a short time, isn’t that hard?
– You can grow accustomed to anything.

It seemed that the lesson regarding negotiations ended with that.
The silence continued for a while until the tribal chief spoke her doubt as if remembering something.

– You still haven’t regained your memories completely?

-Is that so…? Drop by my house tomorrow once it’s past noon. There’s something I wish to show you.

– Yeah. Perhaps, it could help you to regain your memories.
Eiji nodded, expressing his innermost thoughts to the tribal chief who had a stern expression.

The thing which she wanted to show was related to his own memories.

That day, thinking about the negotiation and his lost memories, Eiji spent the night sleepless.

Chapter end