500 PS
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The day after the grand ceremony, the sky over the Fire Capital was clear.
Yet the bloody pall over the courtiers' hearts had not faded.
At dawn, the civil and military officials had already assembled outside the Daimyo Manor, each one standing in silence.
The heads that had hung on the city gate yesterday, and the prince whose limbs were crippled and dragged away, were burned into everyone's memory.
The heavy palace doors opened, and the officials filed in.
A scent of sandalwood mixed with new lacquer drifted by.
Yet it could not mask the heavy scent of blood in their minds.
The officials took their places according to their new ranks, each bowing their heads, even deliberately slowing their breathing.
"Daimyo-sama has arrived."
The attendant's announcement rang out, and all the courtiers' bodies tensed.
Arashi, dressed in a dark, gold-patterned daily robe, emerged from behind the hall.
He wore no crown, his dark hair casually tied, his steps unhurried, his expression calm.
It was as if yesterday's slaughter had nothing to do with him.
The calmer he appeared, the more awe the officials felt.
"Greetings, Daimyo-sama."
Led by Ito of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, all the officials knelt in unison, foreheads pressed to the tiles, voices in harmony.
"Rise."
Arashi's voice was faint, emotionless.
He walked to the throne and sat, his gaze sweeping over the slightly apprehensive faces below.
"Today is the first Grand Court Assembly. If you have anything to report, speak."
Silence fell over the hall.
No one dared to speak first.
Yesterday's tragedy was vivid in their minds. Who knew which wrong word would send them down Saionji Takashi's path?
Arashi did not urge them.
Time passed, and the oppressive air drew cold sweat from the foreheads of older officials.
Finally, a burly military official stepped forward.
He was the newly promoted commander of the City Guard.
He knelt on one knee, his voice booming.
"Reporting to Daimyo-sama, in accordance with your decree, the City Guard, in coordination with the Anbu, completely purged all rebels and their factions within the city last night."
"The principal offender, Saionji Takashi and his three clans, and the accomplice, Chiba Shu, have all been dealt with per your orders. Order in the city has been restored. Please instruct us further, Daimyo-sama."
Arashi did not lift his eyelids.
"Mm."
The commander understood, bowed, and returned to position with crisp movements.
With the ice broken, the atmosphere eased slightly.
Tanaka Shigeru, Minister of Finance, stepped forward.
He bowed and reported, "Reporting to Daimyo-sama, the Ministry of Revenue urgently reports that autumn grain collection across all regions is proceeding smoothly. Because you abolished exorbitant taxes and levies, the people are enthusiastically paying. It is estimated this year's treasury income will be three tenths higher than previous years."
"Additionally, the Ministry of Works reports that all projects of the Three-Year Revitalization Plan are progressing rapidly. Expansion of the Fire Capital is one-third complete, and planning blueprints for various local towns have also been issued..."
Tanaka reported more than ten items in one breath, all good news.
These policies, once considered troublesome, had unleashed astonishing efficiency under the new Daimyo's iron fist.
After reporting, he lowered his head and waited for approval.
You could have heard a pin drop.
Just when everyone expected only a cold reply as before, Arashi spoke.
"Not bad."
"Keep it up."
Tanaka's anxious expression turned to surprise.
Behind him, ministers involved in the revitalization plan exhaled in relief.
Praise.
Daimyo-sama had actually praised them.
These four short words excited them more than any reward.
It meant that as long as they worked diligently and performed well, they would gain the Daimyo's recognition.
In an instant, all the ministers' gazes shifted.
Fear remained, but fervor to prove themselves ignited.
Arashi took it all in, a slight curve at his lips.
This was the effect he wanted.
As the court atmosphere eased, the gray-haired Minister of Internal Affairs, Ito, stepped forward.
"Your subject Ito has a memorial to present."
"Speak," Arashi said.
"Daimyo-sama, you have struck down foes both within and without with thunderous might, your achievements unmatched through the ages. Now that the new order has been established and good governance has already taken root, this humble minister believes we should follow precedent and proclaim a general amnesty across the land. It would reflect your mercy and bring peace to the people's hearts."
Many ministers nodded.
A general amnesty was customary for a new monarch, a way to win hearts and gain reputation with no downside.
In their view, the killings yesterday were too severe, and it was time to use conciliatory measures.
Arashi chuckled softly, his tone turning cold.
"Mercy?"
"My mercy is for law-abiding, hardworking citizens."
"It is for civilians who lost loved ones and were displaced by war."
"It is not for criminals who steal, rob, and oppress their communities."
He looked at Ito, prostrate on the floor.
"Criminals are criminals. Since they violated the laws of the Land of Fire, they should reflect on their crimes in prison."
"Releasing them to continue harming my people, what benevolence is that?"
Ito trembled, his back soaked with cold sweat.
He had not expected such a direct refusal, backed by an irrefutable reason.
As a veteran of three reigns, Ito spoke up. "But, Daimyo-sama, since ancient times, new rulers have followed this precedent. It is a long-standing custom that marks the dawn of a new era…"
"Customs?"
Arashi interrupted, leaning forward slightly.
"From the moment I took this seat."
"My rules are the rules."
His voice was not loud, but it struck everyone like a hammer.
"Lord Ito."
"Are ancient precedents more important, or are the heads on the city gate more convincing?"
Ito's mind went blank, as if struck by lightning.
Those calm words almost suffocated him.
"This old subject misspoke. I deserve death," he stammered, kowtowing, his aged body shaking. "Please forgive me, Daimyo-sama."
Arashi leaned back into the throne, indifferent. "Withdraw. Do not repeat this."
"Thank you, Daimyo-sama..."
Ito, as if receiving amnesty, trembled as he retreated.
Silence settled again.
Everyone understood.
Those who act are rewarded.
Those who talk too much invite death.
This ruler cared nothing for tradition. His rules were simple, clear, and beyond challenge.
The atmosphere solidified.
A quick-witted minister's eyes flickered, and he stepped out.
"Your subject has a memorial."
"Speak."
Kneeling, he said with a fawning smile, "Daimyo-sama, you have ascended the throne, yet there is no lady to attend to you, and the foundation of the realm remains unsettled. This is not a blessing for the nation."
"This humble servant beseeches you to take a consort and beget an heir, that the hearts of the people may be at ease."
Many immediately agreed.
An heir, tied to the nation's destiny, was paramount.
And if a woman from one's own family were chosen, that family would rise in a single step.
Arashi lightly tapped the armrest.
"There is no rush."
The minister quickly followed up.
"Your wisdom is sound. Marriage can be postponed."
"But you handle myriad affairs and need a confidante."
"This subject believes concubines can be taken first, selecting women of dignified appearance and character from noble and prominent families to enter the palace."
"First, to extend your lineage. Second, to display your grace and authority, and soothe the officials' hearts."
Taking concubines.
Extending the lineage.
Arashi stopped tapping.
He had not given it much thought. Conquering the world was the real business.
But the ministers seemed even more eager than he was.
Very well.
Since it was raised, going along with it would do no harm.
He nodded.
"Mm, there is some truth to that."
"There is no need to limit it to nobles and prominent families. Choose from within the country."
"My manor's steward will handle it."
The minister was overjoyed and answered excitedly, "Daimyo-sama is wise. Your subject obeys."
He knew he had played his move well.
The other ministers had mixed thoughts.
Some regretted not stepping forward first. Others were already calculating which daughter to send into the palace.
An invisible competition had begun.
Arashi took everything in, then stood.
For him, this was only an interlude on the long path of hegemony.
"If there are no other matters, you may withdraw."
He gave no one another chance to speak, turning to walk toward the back of the hall.
"Farewell, Daimyo-sama."
A thunderous response rose behind him.
Only after Arashi's figure vanished did the officials dare to straighten.
Many had backs soaked with cold sweat.
Thus ended the first Grand Court Assembly of the new reign.
(To be continued.)