Laundry Day! (Day 4, EE, Kemuri's, Open)

[Matsu Yurio]

"We have some of the best land available for farming. We need it with the size of our armies and our responsibilities as the Right Hand of the Emperor."

[Shinjo Kemuri]

"Open then? Fields and plains?" he asked, showing increasing interest.

[Matsu Yurio]

"Well, many rice paddies, but also lots of grain fields. The heimin need to eat as well and the army needs noodles so plenty of grain. Yes, a lot of open plain. Quite a few small woods as well."

[Shinjo Kemuri]

"Suitable for riding, then?" he asked. "Many have told me of their own homes in other clans. Mountains and forests are wonderful to explore, but not ideal for riding."

[Matsu Yurio]

"There are places where riding is possible yes. Plenty of space. We do have some cavalry, although our horses . . . well they're much smaller than yours."

[Shinjo Kemuri]

"That is good." he nodded. "I do not know where I will end up after all of this. It is nice to know that there are some places where I may be able to ride."

[Matsu Yurio]

"The Crane have some flatlands. The Phoenix perhaps, but they have a lot of woods. All the Crab land is given over to farming and the military. The Scorpion land is mixed and the Dragon are lucky to have five feet of level ground at a time."

[Shinjo Kemuri]

"Open flatlands are not necessary for riding, but they allow for unrestricted speed." he explained. "I will be happy to serve whichever clan I an married into. But, it is comforting to know something of the lands I could end up in."

[Matsu Yurio]

"Honestly I think only the lands of the Dragon would prevent riding. Even the Mantis Isles would have space on their beaches."

There was an elephant in the ro . . . yurt that he really hadn't broached with any Unicorn yet. Until now.

"Do you ride into war, Shinjo-san? or are your horses merely for transport?"

[Shinjo Kemuri]

"We are cavalry trained." he nodded. "The Moto and the Otaku usually form the front of the charge. Shinjo are often scouts, so we tend to be wherever we are needed. Of course, there are some riders and horses who are non-combative."

[Matsu Yurio]

"You fight from horseback then?"

Spears. Lot of them. The ashigaru would have to hold their nerve, so samurai to bolster them.

[Shinjo Kemuri]

"I don't, at least not on the front line." he shook his head. "My dai-kyu can give support, though."

[Matsu Yurio]

"Sorry I meant the clan, not you personally."

He noticed he was still dripping and tried to make the 'drips' fall at the entrance of the yurt.

[Shinjo Kemuri]

"Oh, yes. Definitely." he nodded. "And, on foot, as necessary."

[Matsu Yurio]

Yurio nodded, finishing off the last of his stew.

"That will definitely change things in the Empire. Warfare is mostly done on foot."