Huh. Radio doesn't seem to have actually posted a plan for royal fraternizing. Oh well.
Spend our first action researching the governmental upheaval--who's behind it, why're they reshuffling things? We probably can't directly benefit, as we don't want to be hired as a desk jockey, but it's possible there's a political war or something going on.
Dunno what our second action should be, but how do skills work in this? If we do a lot of bluffing to make ourselves look like an experienced and confident person, do we get better at doing so? Or would we have to expend actions specifically practicing?
Ask to meet the jian instructor. Do a bit of socializing, get his opinion on our special LEGEND BLADE, and add him to our nice list of contacts.
Practicing bluffing might get you better at bluffing, but it won't make you better at something else, like fighting.
Anyway, you decide to gather information on the political shuffling.
After a while spent shuffling between taverns and listening in on conversations, you find out some of the facts: This is part of the more-or-less eternal political games at the capital, and is part of a power struggle between the First Minister, head of the emperor's government, and Prince Jianxi, who wants more direct control. The old harbourmaster was an agent of the First Minister, and he's been called to court to head up an unimportant political ministry. The newcomer is part of the Prince's camp.
You figure there might be room for some influence with either side if you help the new harbourmaster succeed.. or fail. That's hurt a bit by not knowing anyone personally. The normal duties of the harbourmaster are to maintain safety of the docks and the passages for ships to reach those docks, as well as the security of the port, taxing shipping and keeping trade flowing smoothly.
On the plus side, you feel that you were well-assisted by your experience as a servant, and did a very good job of listening in to conversations that you were no part of. The practice with being present but unseen served you well.
(Skill gained: +1 to gather information.)
For the second action, you decide to bring the bronze jian to your sword instructor. The instructor on duty greets you, and after mentioning that personal weapons aren't allowed for beginning students, begins to examine your weapon.
After drawing it, he gives a very close examination of the hilt, in particularly examining the tang and the security of the blade to the handle. After that, he moves to the blade, looking at the decorations and examining it's length, cross section, and cutting edge.
Next, being satisfied as to it's safety, he wields it and goes through some practice motions. After a few moments, he gets its scabbard and examines that.
After being informed as to the blood-drawing necessity, he slightly cuts his finger and cleans the blade with a soft cloth, then returning it to you.
"You have a solid weapon there, it's well-made and properly functional. I doubt it is truly that old, however, and expect it was made as a demonstration piece by a new master weaponsmith, or commissioned for a gift. It could also be a piece done to demonstrate the old style shorter jian crafting technique, with the bronze used to enhance that effect. In any case, it's a well-made weapon, if similar to many more ordinary weapons.
If you'd like, I will buy it from you for ten silver, for my collection. Alternatively, I could buy it for five silver and another well-made modern jian. If you knew the details of this particular blade, it could be worth more, such as who made it, when, and for whom."