Shingen, Honda, Nagayasu, Asuma, and Lady Yodo were sitting amongst themselves enjoying a tea ceremony with Monk Kosai who was preparing the tea.
"I did not know that we had this custom," said Lady Yodo.
"Neither did I," commented Asuma.
"It is a Fire Nation tradition that has become popular in Kanto," replied Nagayasu as Kosai bowed to them, and his guests returned the gesture.
"A Fire Nation custom?" asked Shingen. "I fail to see why we should adopt Fire Nation culture."
"Keep your voice low," said Honda quietly. A door immediately opened as Zuko, Aang, Katara, Sokka, and the Water Tribe chiefs entered, with Iroh taking up the rear with a man servant.
"Ah, I see more of my guests have arrived. Iroh-san! I'm glad that he could make it! I've been meaning to sample your tea!"
"I'm glad to see that my tea is so popular," Iroh smiled warmly.
"Perhaps you should start your own plantation," suggested Nagayasu. "Kanto was known for being a major exporter of tea before the war."
"Yes, I remember sampling green tea that was grown there," Iroh politely replied, cocking an eyebrow. "It's very unique."
"We even have, what we call, green tea ice cream."
"Ice cream?" asked Zuko in curiosity.
"Yes, it is something that the Southern Water Tribe was able to help us to come with," Nagayasu beamed at Hokada.
"Really?" asked Zuko.
"Here, try some," offered Nagayasu who had enough for everyone and for seconds.
"Hmm. It's cold. But really good," remarked Zuko.
"And it's so sweet," commented Aang.
"I'm glad you like it. It came all the way from Kanto."
Shingen swallowed and then smirked. "Kanto? It must have been a very long journey. How were you able to accomplish this?" He asked.
"With the Fire Nation's marvelous and ingenious machines," replied Nagayasu.
"What machines?" asked Zuko.
"Why the steam engine. The ice cream was transported by the extensive railway systems that crisscross our country throughout the Fire Nation colonies. The ice cream was made by combining the Water Tribes' knowledge of of the water elements, with the Fire Nation colonists' innovation, and Kanto's sugar cane goat's milk. We have produced something that was once only can be conceived in a dream."
"It is indeed clever," Asuma emphasized but furrowed his brow. "But should we embrace an old enemy's culture after...so much animosity?"
"That's a good question," said General Honda. "Yet we cannot easily dismiss their tremendous leaps and bounds in technological development. To me, the Fire Nation economy and national institutions, are in some ways a model of success."
"How?" asked Katara.
"For instance, their banking institutions that creates loans to business and the government that has funded many public projects. Their parliamentary system that has recently passed laws that protects individual political rights. Their efficient justice system to help keep public order. Their policy on intellectual property rights that have encourage entrepreneurship, and their industrialization in farming, textiles, and manufacturing."
"Which were used to make weapons and had total disregard of the damages that they were doing to the environment," interjected Katara.
"That is beside of what we are trying to accomplish here," Nagayasu interjected to regain control of the conversation.
"What are you trying to accomplish?" Zuko asked. "It seems as though you nomads have been very busy lately."
Honda and Shingen glared at Zuko when he used the term nomad. Usually when someone used the word nomad to an Air Nomad it was used to slight them.
"We wish to form a trade agreement," replied Nagayasu keeping a straight face and his voice even.
"Trade? It seems as though all that you nomads are interested in is money...Sorry Aang I meant no offense."
"It's all right. Before I always wanted to be a simple monk," said Aang. "We lived simply but we were always happy with we had. When I returned, I was very surprised by how much my people have changed. Why do you wish to accumulate so much? Why can't we return to what we once were?"
"So you are opposed to pursuing foreign relations with the other three nations?" asked Asuma.
"I didn't mean that. It's good that we should trade. But just enough so that no one is exploited. And we should be concentrating on preserving our culture, rather than starting up businesses."
The room fell into an awkward silence for a few moments, as Aang's remark served a conversation stopper, even if he had not meant it.
"Tea's ready," said Kosai to break the silence, as he passed a large bowl to Iroh who sampled it.
"This is excellent tea!" praised Iroh.
"It seems that we have so much to learn from each other. It would be a shame if we allow ourselves to be trapped in the past, when we need to take a step into the future," Honda said as he sipped his tea.
"By the way, did anyone hear from King Kuei? I sent an invitation for him to join us," asked Shingen.
"His Attendants said that he had important business to settle," offered Kosai.
"What sort of business?" asked Arnook.
"They did not say," Kosai handed Arnook a bowl.
Hokada was deep in thought as he handed his daughter a bowl of tea. Trading with the Fire Nation so soon after the war would be very awkward, no matter how popular Zuko would be in the Water Tribes. While trading with the Air Nomads would be advantageous for both sides, but he knew what they were trying to do. By making trade agreements and accepting their diplomatic envoys he had been been helping them legitimize them as a country; even though he had yet to give his formal recognition. But neither have the other three nations. But there was an element of political risk involved in continuing to make more treaties with the Air Nomads, if he makes treaties with them with abandonment, it would only anger the Earth Kingdom. Is it worth the risk in making an enemy?
"In the South Pole, we do not enjoy the luxuries that Kanto has. Since we have so little natural resources. And we also face serious challenges in rebuilding our country," said Hokada.
"Yes, it must be very difficult in rebuilding your country with little help," Nagayasu sympathized. "I understand that there are Water Tribe communities living near the Western Air Temple and the Southern Air Temple, isn't that right Aang?" asked Nagayasu.
"Yes," Aang replied glad to be included in the conversation. "Avatar Kuruk lived on Sadoshima which is one of the Air Nomad homelands."
"Indeed, they are much more than our honored guests. They have become our generous and friendly neighbors," said Nagayasu. "And we wish to pursue our friendship by making an offer of economic aid to both of the Water Tribes."
"That would be very generous of you," remarked Arnook.
"And we will grant resident and work visas to your kinsmen, should they ever decide to move to Kanto."
"That...would be very nice," replied Hokada.
Zuko quietly sipped his tea as he watched the whole exchange.
After tea everyone, except for the Air Nomads and the Fire Lord and his uncle, filed out of the room.
"Why do you wish to trade with the Fire Nation?" asked Zuko after Katara closed the door.
"Well, I have it on good authority, that you weren't able to make any trade agreements with the Earth Kingdom. They wanted a thousand gold sovereigns before they even consider it," replied Shingen.
"And with the removal of the colonies, you will be dismantling the only markets that have high demand for your country's manufactured goods," added Honda. "And there will be a lot of people who are going unemployed because of your rash decision."
"I made a promise to King Kuei to remove the colonies, no matter what the cost," replied Zuko forcefully.
"That's right, I'm going to oversee it so everything will run smoothly," added Aang. "And why do you want to trade? Just to make money?"
"...Your Holiness," Nagayasu addressed Aang. "Have you ever visited Yu Dao?"
"No, I haven't."
"And you have never visited Kanto or the colonies there?"
"No."
"Do you understand that the reason why we are so keen in settling a trade agreement? It's because we need to trade if we are to create jobs, to attract foreign investments, create tax revenues to fund government projects and public spending, for schools, universities, and libraries. Don't you want those things for your people?"
"I am not opposed to trade," Aang repeated himself. "But the nations should be separate from another to maintain balance."
"So you would approve of removing all of the colonists even though it would destroy their livelihood?" asked Shingen.
"Because they don't belong there," protested Aang.
Shingen and Honda exchanged glances.
"And yet you are not opposed to the Earth King claiming dominion over us," Asuma said bitterly.
"That's completely unrelated," interrupted Zuko.
"But should you cut your own nose just to satisfy the wishes of another?" asked Honda.
Zuko was taken aback.
"Let us be clear," said Shingen. "It is the policy of Air Nomad Kingdom of Kanto to encourage self-determination, in the colonies and the occupied territories. And we are not opposed to easing tensions and resolving our differences with the Fire Nation. And we believe that re-establishing trade between our two countries would be a big step towards that policy."
"Wait, why?" Aang and Asuma asked in unison.
"Because the colonial economies are orientated towards extracting and processing their raw natural resources to the Fire Nation," Lady Yodo explained. "From there the Fire Nation would process it further and manufacture the finished goods. And then they would turn around and sell those finished goods back to the colonies."
"If we do not re-establish trade a lot of people are going to be out of work," added Honda. "There will be a lot of awkward questions, when we have to explain why our countries are going bankrupt." Honda gazed into Zuko's eyes.
"Why can't you do the same in Kanto?" asked Aang.
"We lack the expertise, the personnel, and no one has the same manufacturing capacity, or their productivity," interjected Lady Yodo.
"Prodo-what?" asked Asuma.
"Productivity, how efficient their workers are, or their systems. In the Fire Nation, one worker can do the same amount of work as ten workers in the Earth Kingdom, in the same amount of time."
"It's because of their technology," Aang thought aloud.
"Indeed. The colonies are important to us because they are inlays for new technologies and ideas to be introduced to us. With their knowledge this would spur continuous innovation in Kanto."
"...I am not bound by honor to removing colonies from areas that are under the control of the Air Nomads," Zuko said thoughtfully.
Iroh frowned.
"Be careful Fire Lord Zuko. Do not make promises that you cannot keep."
"But you would do well to remember your duty to your countrymen," Shingen interjected.
"Have you all forgotten what they have these...ash-makers have done to our people?!" protested Asuma. "I haven't! And I am not about to bed with them, not now, not ever!"
"...If the Fire Lord were to make reparations, and make a number of public apologies and commemorating memorials for the tragedies. Would that satisfy you Lord Asuma?" asked Nagayasu.
"It would satisfy me. But I would never forget, nor will I forgive. Do what you want. I do as the Avatar commands and I look to my own." Asuma stormed out of the room.
"Forgive him, Fire Lord. He has experienced much during the war," Nagayasu apologized.
"It's all right. I sort of understands how he feels. I think it would be best if I were to order the building the monuments, and everything else, before your people would be willing to accept any trade agreement."
"That would be most prudent," agreed Nagayasu.