2 hours ago, Manchu said:As explained, the story we are discussing is in its entirety an example of a Crane suspecting the Crab of working against them.
I explained above why Crane would not (and perhaps also could not) make up for the lack of Imperial aid.
I'm not sure that you are aware of this but some authors use something called foreshadowing to introduce an element of a story that they plan to use later at an earlier point so it is less jarring when it shows up later. If Yoshi were probing for any sort of connection between the Mantis and Crab than wouldn't he actually press on the issue, ask some follow up questions along the lines of "Now if there were some way that the Crab could assure shipments could get through unmolested I might be able to bring the matter back to the Emperor for further consideration" than yes I could buy he's probing for signs of a connection but since all he does is mention Mantis and than move on immediately to the next topic unless he suspects that the mere mention of the Mantis will get Taka, the Daimyo of a major family and one of the acknowledged shrewdest negotiators in the Empire, to flinch and react (and if that was his plan than again we have further proof that he is a fool).
2 hours ago, Manchu said:As an aside, this is a complete misinterpretation.
Yoshi reflects that he would normally extract a favor from anyone asking a favor of him - this was a reference to Kakita Yuri, who is the one asking for the favor, not the Unicorn delegation. He even explicitly says, it doesn't matter to him that Kakita Yuri is a Crane or even his direct vassal, because the Imperial Chancellor is the Emperor's servant first and foremost. He also explicitly notes that Kakita Yuri is simply doing his own duty (and, by extension, Lady Asami is only doing hers). What's not explicit is why he grants Yuri's request despite the fact that he owes nothing to Yuri and Yuri offers him nothing.
I believe he does so because he respects Yuri's action. Unlike Ikoma Ujiaki, who simply demanded pride of place, Yuri acted with composure, compassion, and humility. Kakita Yoshi despises disorder and presumption but he also cherishes upright action and righteousness. (Hardly notable qualities for a villain.) He not only honors Yuri's request but also rebukes Lion impertinence.
Actually I was just using this as an example of us being shown the method that Yoshi usually uses to extract future consideration from others for his aid in smoothing the wheels of bureaucracy. You're right he does say he would have asked for something from Yuri, but he is actually getting something out of this for his Clan (the primary focus of all his efforts at court to support the Cranes position) as he is tweaking the Lion and if the Unicorn petition were to be accepted it kills the Lion's claim against the Crane for Toshi Ranbo dead in its tracks and secures the Cranes interest in the area. There is nothing about respect in anything he says while considering the matter, just displeasure with the Lion and a chance to poke at them.