He had contained it with an effort, knowing that to rave and lose his temper would be a fatal error and turn them all permanently against him. Wasn't he the youngest, the least experienced but the most qualified, with the most influence amongst daimyos who could, if he wished, alone amongst the Elders, raise his standard and pitch the whole country into civil war as had existed for centuries before the Shogun Toranaga? were they not all jealous and spitting when he was appointed Guardian and an Elder by Imperial "request" without consulting them, by whomever the Son of Heaven was manipulated?
"I know I'm right. Wasn't I right about the gai-jin? I'm right about this."
The plan he had conceived to remove the gai-jin and their fleet from Yedo to gain time to deal with their own internal problems had been a perfect success.
It was so simple: "With great ceremony and feigned humility we give the gai-jin a pittance of a ransom, propose a future meeting with the Council which will be delayed and further delayed or cancelled, or even staged with puppets if need be, implying at the last moment, when their patience is at an end, that a meeting with the Shogun when he returns is to be arranged--which can also be delayed, renegotiated and delayed and will never happen, or even if it does sometime in the future, it will produce nothing we do not wish.
"We gained some of the time we needed, and discovered a permanent way of dealing with them: use their impatience against them, give them "promises" and lots of soup but no fish, or at the most a few rotting pieces we don't need or want.
They were satisfied, their fleet sailed away into the storm and perhaps under the sea. None have returned yet."
Old Toyama said, "The gods aided us with that storm, again their Divine Wind, kamikaze wind, as they did against Kublai Khan's invading hordes centuries ago. When we expel them it will be the same, the gods will never forsake us."
Adachi had been preening himself. "It's true I carried out our plan to perfection. The gai-jin were as docile as a fifth-rate courtesan."
"Gai-jin are a sore that will never heal while we are weaker in military power or wealth,"
Anjo said irritably, wringing his hands. "They are a sore that will not heal--not without burning it out, and we cannot do that yet, not yet, not without means to build ships and make cannon. We cannot be diverted and order troops to take the Gates, not yet. They are not the immediate enemy, nor Choshus, the immediate enemy is sonno-joi and shishi dogs."
Yoshi had noticed how very much Anjo had changed since the assassination attempt: now he was far more irascible, stubborn, his resolve weakened though his influence over the other Elders had not. "I don't agree but if you think we have insufficient forces let us order a general mobilization and let us finish the outside lords and any who join them!"
Toyama said, "War is the only way, Anjo-sama, forget shishi, forget gai-jin for the moment. The Gates--first we must repossess our hereditary rights."
Anjo had said, "We will, at the right time.
Next: the Shogun's visit will go forth as planned."
Over his further protests Anjo had again carried the vote, three to two, and in private had added malevolently, "I told you, Yoshi-dono, they will always vote with me, shishi will never succeed against me, nor will you, nor will anyone."
"Even Shogun Nobusada?"' "He... he is not an enemy and he takes my advice."
"And the Princess Yazu?"' "She will obey... she will obey her husband."
"She will obey her brother, the Emperor, until she dies."
To his shock Anjo had said with a twisted smile, "You propose an accident? Eh?"' "I propose nothing of the sort."
Yoshi felt chilled, afraid the man was becoming too dangerous to leave alive, already too powerful to neutralize, too farsighted, supported by a swarm of cohorts ready and able to swallow him up...
A silhouette was approaching the door, almost noiselessly. Without thinking his right hand went to his long sword that lay beside him even though he was sure he recognized her. The figure knelt.
Delicate knock.
"Yes?"
She slid the door back smiling, bowed and waited.
"Please come in, Koiko," he said, delighted with this unexpected visit, all his demons vanishing.
She obeyed, closed the door and ran over to him, her long, multipatterned kimono sibilant, knelt again and pressed her cheek to his hand, at once noticing the picture poem. "Good evening, Sire."
He laughed, and gave her a tender hug.
"To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"I missed you," she said simply. "May I see your poem?"
"Of course."
As she studied his work, he studied her, a constant pleasure for him in the thirty-four days she had been here within the castle walls.
Extraordinary clothes. Pure eggshell skin, shining raven hair that, when loosed, would reach to her waist, delicate nose, her teeth left white as were his and not blackened in Court fashion.
"Stupid!" his father had said to him as soon as he could understand. "Why should we blacken our teeth just because it's a Court custom started by an Emperor centuries ago whose teeth were old and rotting, who therefore decreed that dyed teeth were superior to having teeth like animals! And why use paints for our lips and cheeks as some still do because another wanted to be a woman and not a man, pretended to be one, and courtiers imitated him-her to curry favor."
Koiko was twenty-two years old, Tayu, the highest possible grade of geisha in the Willow World.
Hearing whispers about her and curious, some months ago he had sent for her, enjoyed her company and then, two months ago, had ordered her mama-san to submit a proposal for her services. Correctly the proposal had gone to his wife to deal with. His wife had written from Dragon's Tooth, their castle home: Beloved Husband, I have today concluded satisfactory arrangements with the mama-san for the Tayu Koiko of the House of Wisteria.
Sire, we considered it is better to have her exclusivity, than a first option on her services, and also safer as you are surrounded by enemies. At your whim the contract is renewable monthly, payment monthly in arrears to ensure that her services are maintained to the very high standard you should expect.
Your Consort and I are pleased that you have decided to have a toy, we were and are continually most concerned for your health and safety. May I compliment you on your choice, it is rumored that Koiko is rare indeed.
Your sons are well and happy, and your daughter and myself. We send our everlasting loyalty and long for your presence. Please keep me closely advised as I must direct our Paymaster to set aside funds ...
Correctly his wife had not mentioned the amount, nor would it concern him for that was a prime wifely function: to manage and guard the family wealth and pay all bills.
Koiko looked up. "Your poem is flawless, Yoshi-chan," she said and clapped her hands, the "chan" an intimate diminutive.
"You're flawless," he said hiding his pleasure at her judgment. Apart from her unique physical attributes, she was renown in Yedo for the quality of her calligraphy, the beauty of her poems, and shrewdness in art and politics.
"I adore the way you write, and the poem, it is superb. I adore the complexity of your mind, particularly why you chose "when" and not perhaps "now," and "twists" when a lesser man could use "moves" or the more blatant "stirs" which would give it sexual overtones. But the placement of your final word, the final "uneasily"--ah Yoshi-chan, how clever to use that word last, an underneath word, perfect.
Your creation is superb and can be read a dozen ways."
"And what do you think I'm saying?"
Her eyes lit. "First tell me if you intend to keep it--to keep it openly, secretly or to destroy it."
"What is my intention?" he asked, enjoying her.