“Itan, when did you arrive?”

Rokuta’s friendly smile was greeted with a freezing glance.

“What a bunch of slackers. What a mystery that the Kingdom of En can stand again!”

“Daibu(大夫), Daibu”
Syukou said politely with a bitter smile, but Itan has already turned back.

“Daibu, where are you going?”

“... To catch that guy.”
Itan left with loud footsteps. Rokuta sighed.

“He’s so quick-tempered.”

Itan had second name Tyototsu (猪突, lit. dash like a boar). This name is also not without meaning.

“What bad timing.”
Syukou laughed as he looked at Rokuta.

“I am not like Itan, but I am also very quick-tempered.”

“Oh really?”

“Your majesty didn’t attend the last administrative meeting, so nothing could be decided. When Itan and others wanted to hand in their report, they were told to wait till the day after. They were designated an appointment at this time today, but no matter how long they waited, your majesty still didn’t show himself. In this situation, they were supposed to ask for further instruction from Taihou, the support of the emperor. However Taihou is as inattentive as he is right now...”

“Well...”

“If the same thing happens again, I have also made up my mind. No matter whether it is your majesty or Taihou, I am resolved to show no mercy.”

“Ahahahaha...”
Rokuta slightly bowed as he laughed feebly.
“It was my bad. I would reflect on it.”

Syukou smiled.
“It is very splendid for my dear sir to open his heart and accept my heartfelt advice. May I I take from your word that you have understood, my dear sir?”

“Yeah I got it.”

“Then...” Syukou took out a scroll from his inside pocket and shoved it to Rokuta.

“This is Taikou no Ten no Maki (太綱の天の巻, The Heavenly Commandments -- Scroll of Heaven). In it recorded the experience of emperors and Taihous. Write about your absence from the administrative meetings as proof of your reflection.”

“Syukou--”

“Write six paragraphs by tomorrow. Do you have any objections, my dear sir?”

“Doing this will slow down the administrative work, won’t it?”
Rokuta threw an upward glance to the gentle-looking face. Syukou smiling expression shows no hint of finding fault with Rokuta.

“It won’t make a big difference if the work is slowed down for just one day.”

***

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