Itan looked to his back. Although there are always no other people when Itan and others gather, Itan wants to reconfirm that there are nobody around.

“That is...”

“Information from the streets. It was said that Gen Province was getting much wealthier recently. Each month the soldiers from the provincial army of Gen spent a lot of money at the red-light district many times. They came empty handed, but they return to Gen with a lot of luggage.”

“What are they stocking up from Kankyuu?”

“There is no problem on food, so maybe it is weapons?”

“However,” Syukou said as he tilted his head.
“I don’t think they can raise so many weapons as to prepare for rebellion. Buying so many weapons from the streets will definitely make rumors.”

Syouryuu laughed and turned his head to Seisyou.
“Kankyuu has got the weapon chamber of the imperial army, right?”

Seisyou narrowed his eyes. Aren’t the managers of the weapon chamber letting the weapons flow out freely? Kyou-ou had raked up an unusually large amount of weapons. Selling the weapons helped supplement the kingdom’s budget, but the outflow of weapons is so large that the weapons became worthless soon afterwards. Therefore, a lot of weapons are piling up at the weapon chamber even now.

“But, the lord of Gen Province...”

Itan nodded at Syukou’s words.
“It was said that he hid deep at his residence and didn’t came out. When Kyou-ou was alive, he feared of the emperor’s blaming. When Kyou-ou was deceased, he feared of his people’s revenge. Now, he feared of your majesty’s dismissal from his post. It was also said he held grudges against your majesty.”

“ ‘Cornered rats will even bite cats.’ Those who have their minds set are much more scary. Also, the vice lord of Gen Province controlled the province’s affairs, didn’t he. He was a son of the lord of Gen Province... Called Atsuyu (斡由) or something.”

Itan blinked.

“Your majesty sure knows well.”

“I get my information from the streets. Rumors among the people are not something to make light of.”

“I see...”

Catching a glimpse of Itan’s impressed expression, Syukou cleared his throat lightly.
“May I suggest a bit more, your majesty.”

“What is it?”

“It would be better for your majesty, with such a respectable position as the emperor of all provinces, to avoid descending to the level of the general public and act like a spy!”

Syouryuu looked up to the ceiling, as if saying, “Here it goes again.” Rokuta laughed, and stood up from his seat.

“What are you doing, Rokuta?”

Rokuta turned back as he retreated from the room.
“The topic turned to something irrelevant to me, so I’ll take my leave.”

-- End of Chapter One --

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