Ling smiled a rather tight smile. "Ah, I didn't mean for me. I meant... the Emperor of Xing. He favors dragons and peonies, as that's the symbol of his particular family line. So... all of the warring clans, as they try to curry his favor, will pay great sums to commission art to give to him as gifts."

"Basically... bribes," he explained, his voice dry in his throat. "If they want seats in government, they send many beautifu maidens and painted screens which are to be placed around their beds for the... Emperor's pleasure." Ling looked away, at the riverbank painting, feeling shame gripping him, as well as anger. "If they want a certain law to be passed to allow them to commandeer land or food to fuel their war effort? Some fine carriages or pleasure boats, painted with millions of dragons and peonies."