Wakura took time to select another date.
"The rumor is he prepares his legions for war, and fief for war."
"Satsuma is always on a war footing.
Another ancient custom. You must tell me the name of your supplier, of dates," Yoshi said.
"We could use a supplier, in Yedo."
"Gladly," Wakura told him, knowing he would never pass over his network of spies, never.
"Some wise advisors suggest this time Sanjiro really will bring war to the mainland."
"War against whom, Lord Chancellor?"
"I presume those he considers enemies."
"And who are they?" Yoshi asked patiently, wanting to bring Wakura into the open.
"It is rumored the Shogunate, so sorry." "He would be so sorry if he did try war against the law of the land, Lord Chancellor. These wise counselors you mentioned, perhaps they should quickly counsel him not to be so stupid. Counselors can also be stupid, neh?"
"I agree." Wakura smiled with his mouth.
"I agree that Sanjiro is militant, but he is not stupid. Ogama of Choshu the same.
And Yodo of Tosa. All the Outside Lords are militant and maneuvering, always have been--like some misguided, overly ambitious Court officials."
"Even if that were true, what could a few courtiers do against the great Shogunate, Sire, when the entire court possesses no armies, no lands, and no koku, all of whom depend on Shogunate largess for stipends?"
Yoshi smiled with equal mirthlessness. "They spread discontent amongst ambitious daimyos ... Oh yes, that reminds me," he said, deciding Wakura had gone too far and needed the whip, "perhaps, in this marvelous enclave you may not know it yet, but this year and next there will be famine throughout Nippon, even in my Kwanto. It is rumored the Court stipend will be cut, this year and next, I believe by half." He was glad to see Wakura's eyes almost cross. "So sorry."
"Yes, so sorry, it would be sorry, a sorry day. Times are hard enough now." Wakura fought back his impulse to shout and threaten, trying to estimate Yoshi's power to initiate and force through such a cut. He is not alone in wanting that, daimyos are always complaining, and of course the Council of Elders would agree. But Tairo Anjo would overrule them, why else is he there but to do our bidding. Ogama? That arrogant dog, would approve the cut, so would Sanjiro, and all the others! Anjo had better overrule them!
Wakura put on his best smile. "The Prince Advisor asks if you would give him your views in a memorial on Satsuma, Choshu and Tosa, particularly the danger Satsuma poses, and how in the future the Court could help the Shogunate--and avoid misunderstandings."
"I would be glad to." Yoshi said brightening.
This would be a wonderful opportunity.
"Lastly, I'm honored to tell you the Divine has invited you as His personal guest, Shogun Nobusada, some daimyos and those of Tosa, Choshu, and Satsuma to the Festival of the Winter Solstice. The Tosa and Satsuma invitations have already gone, yours and the Lord Ogama's will be presented with due ceremony tomorrow but I wanted the pleasure of telling you."
Yoshi was astonished for such was an extreme honor for anyone outside the Inner Circle.
The solstice was this month--Twelfth Month-- twenty-second day. In sixteen days. The festivities would last at least a week, perhaps longer. He could leave afterwards, plenty of time to deal with Anjo then.
Wait! You have forgotten what the Legacy says: Beware of camping in the Lair of Heaven. It is not for us. We are men, they are gods, gods are like people, jealous like people and closeness breeds their contempt. The death of our line would please these false gods very much. It can only happen in their lair.
Yoshi was filled with sudden dread. The invitation could not be refused. "Thank you," he said and bowed.
At midday the shishi lookout stationed opposite the Toranaga barracks watched idly as the forty samurai and banner men came out of the gateway and went down the street towards the palace East Gate. This was the routine midday changing of the guard. Most carried spears, all wore two swords, and rain cloaks and wide, conical rain hats, all of straw.
The shishi yawned and pulled his own cloak around his shoulders when a light shower began, shifting his stool under the awning of the street stall that served noodles and soup and tea and was owned by a sympathizer. Soon his own replacement would arrive. He had been on duty since dawn.
He was eighteen years old, his beard heavy. A Satsuma ronin.
Before sneaking out of Kyoto their leader Katsumata had ordered a constant surveillance on the Toranaga and Ogama headquarters.
"The moment there is a chance to attack either man-- it will have to be outside their walls and must have a reasonable chance of success--mount an immediate one-man assault. One man, no more. Shishi must be conserved, but we must be ready. A random attack is our only way for revenge."
At the gateway several porters carrying bales of fresh vegetables and panniers of fresh fish stopped at the barrier. Attentive guards checked them carefully, then gestured them through, everyone was inspected with equal care.
The youth yawned again. No chance of sliding through the cordon. He wondered briefly if the girl Sumomo had managed to get inside and set herself in place as Katsumata had agreed. Eeee, a miracle those three escaped through the tunnel, a miracle. But where are they now? Nothing had been heard of them since their miraculous escape. What does it matter? They must be safe, like us--we have important patrons. We will regroup later. We will be revenged.
Sonno-joi will happen.
He saw the guards turn the corner and disappear. Now he was tired, but the thought of warm futons and his waiting lover took most of it away.
The Shogunate patrol reached the East Gate. A low barracks-guard house nestled against the walls and spread on either side of the Gate and could house five hundred men and horses if need be. The Gate was six metres high and made of heavy, iron reinforced timber with a much smaller gate off to one side standing open. The perimeter walls were higher, ancient, and stone.
For a moment the new guards noisily intermingled with the old, all of them well muffled. Officers inspected men and arms, the old guard began forming up and an officer and an ashigari, a foot soldier, from the replacement group trudged across the roadway. The shower stopped. A little sun broke through. The two men turned into another street, and went into another barracks, similar to many all over Kyoto. Here two hundred of Ogama's samurai were housed--well away from the Gate, but close enough.
"Forty men, here are their names," the officer said to his counterpart and bowed. "Nothing new to report."
"Good. Both of you come with me please." The Ogama officer studied the list of names as he led the way down a corridor through a cordon of his men. Through a doorway into an empty room, across it to a closed door. The officer knocked, then opened it. This inner room was bare but for a low table and tatami mats. Ogama stood by the window, armed, wary but alone. Both officers stood aside and bowed.
The ashigaru took off his large hat and revealed himself as Yoshi. Silently he gave his long sword to his officer, keeping the short one and went into the room. The door closed behind him.
Both officers exhaled. Both were sweating.
In the room Yoshi bowed. "Thank you for agreeing to the meeting."
Ogama bowed, motioned Yoshi to sit opposite him. "What is so urgent and why such secrecy?"
"Bad news. You said partners should share particular information. So sorry, Nori Anjo has been made tairo!"
The news visibly shocked Ogama and he listened intently as Yoshi talked. When Yoshi spoke about the Imperial invitation some of his anger dissipated. "Such an honor, and recognition!
Eeee, and none too soon."
"That is what I thought. Until I was out of the palace. Then I saw the depth of the trap."
"What trap?"
"To have the Lords of Satsuma, Tosa, you and me all in one place at the same time? In ceremonial clothes? Inside the palace walls. Without arms or guards?"
"What could Wakura do? Anyone of them? They have no samurai--no armies, no money, no arms. Nothing!"