IC Tao Yaun Estates

Shaun soo seeing the interaction with Lion will nod "That is a fair judgement from the Lion. I will help you in this endeavor a little physical work now and then is good for the circulation." Note he said now and then and that means as little as possible.

Li backs off from his glare. I’m here to help he says to the merchant. Tell Deng Kuo, Xian Clan is working to resolve the matter.

"Now that that's done with..." Yaoqi smiles and rubs her hands a little, casting her gaze on the sisters. "Onto business. Had any interesting guests lately? With a lovely place like this, I can't imagine they have anything but praise for you..." It seems a frivolous question, but her real goal is to coax out any information regarding both the average number of clients in recent times, as well as the level of wealth (and therefore how much they spend).

Li excuses himself from the angry merchant, and eventually parlays with his party.
Perhaps we should journey to the city, see if we can speak with local artisans.

Noting Li's readiness to leave, Yaoqi clasps her hands together, smiling nonchalantly. "I very much agree! If we're to start anywhere, it's better by far for us to bring over people with the expertise and staff to tackle things, rather than break our backs trying to fix everything that's broken. And well, it's not as if being in a rush now will help the situation with Deng Kuo."

I understand your problem, Li Fu. Perhaps you’ll allow us to travel to the city, see if we can find some artisans to bring back? I feel, once we have some people for labor, we can start getting things moving again. Until then, I’m afraid we’re at an impasse.

Li Fu…wait, Li says. My friends and I, we wish to help. What can I do to help you here?
We may as well be of use, while we’re here, before journeying on to the city.

"I have made note off all repairs needed. How many more people do you believe you need to run this estate properly?

"Our methods are our own. When they work, you will pay, Li Fu. I know it is in your right to have him beaten, but there has been enough hardship here." Xian Shi stepped in the way of the horse and rider. Buying time for discussion. He knew the merchant wouldn't dare ride him down. "These holdings are our clans. We all profit with their upkeep no?"

Yes, my friends speaks true. Please, stay.

Yaoqi smiles diplomatically. It must be said: with things in tatters and shambles, the estate has very little left to lose in terms of reputation or material. It's not very far from falling to ruin and causing the few remnants to desert. Which is where the urgency to act comes from.

"Be assured, good sir. Your generosity in giving us another week is worth a great deal, and a great deal you will have. The containers will be ready for you."

Really, she is in a bit of a hurry to brush Xian Shi off and have him go on his way for the moment. Time is dripping away, after all.

"Follow me, I know a shortcut."

Xian Shi had an excellent memory. In fact, it was an eidetic memory. Aided by many summers spent on this very estate, and much mischief of his childhood. He was, however, twenty years out of date in the particulars of the layout of this land. Still, he surmised that his old haunts, even if over grown would still prove a worth-while diversion. He reasoned that other children would have used them, and found himself wondering if any of his compatriots had explored the rough of the estate as he did.

He waited til Li Fu had moved well out of earshot before speaking. Walking toward his so called shortcut. Even should the others not follow he would use it.

"That was good diffusing him like that Liwei. I was about ready to knock his head. He should not have spoken to us with such a tone - he is not our superior." Xian Shi had the courtly tone of surety, not unsurprising for a student of Legalism. His own voice dripped with vitriol, and while he had contained it, it was obvious Li Fu had insulted Xian Shi. "Nor should he have made threats as he did. I do not know what poison has been dripped into Li Fu's ear. But I do intend to find out what manner of canker has incited his rancor."

"I doubt the potter is the most of Li Fu's concern." He added conspiratorialy, clearly suspicious.

Following Xian Shi through what are far more familiar grounds to him than to her, Yaoqi kept her head up and her ears open as he spoke. As he drew his conclusion, she gasped melodramatically, exaggerating her reaction just a little to provide a sort of counterpoint to his claim.

"Conspiracy!" She exclaimed in a sharp whisper, as if a gossiping handmaid. "And how do you intend to follow up on this hunch, sir?"

It must be said, she did not believe him very strongly. The holdings here were poorly-kept and had little if not nothing in the way of support from sponsors or clientele. In terms of upkeep, they were only slightly worse than the garrison she had previously worked at as a bookkeeper and liaison, and even that had military value to the empire.