Shogun

Mariko said, “Lord Toranaga reminds me my opinions are valueless and that an interpreter should interpret only, neh? Please excuse me.”

Once Blackthorne would have apologized for trapping her. Now it did not occur to him. But since he had made his point, he laughed and said, “Hai, kawaii Tsukkuko-sama!” Yes, pretty Lady Interpreter!

Mariko smiled wryly, furious at herself for being trapped, her mind in conflict over her divided loyalties.

“Yoi, Anjin-san,” Toranaga said, once more genial.

“Mariko-san kawaii desu yori Tsukku-san anamsu ka nori masen, neh?” And Mariko’s much prettier than old Mr. Tsukku, isn’t she, and so much more fragrant?

Toranaga laughed. “Hai.”

Mariko blushed and poured tea, a little mollified. Then Toranaga spoke. Seriously.

“Our Master says, why were you asking so many questions—or making statements—about Lord Harima and Nagasaki?”

“Only to show that the port of Nagasaki is in fact controlled by foreigners. By the Portuguese. And by my law, I have the legal right to attack the enemy anywhere.”

“But this is not ‘anywhere,’ he says. This is the Land of the Gods and such an attack is unthinkable.”

“I agree wholeheartedly. But if ever Lord Harima became hostile, or the Jesuits who lead the Portuguese become hostile, this is the way to hurt them.”

“Lord Toranaga says neither he nor any daimyo would ever permit an attack by one foreign nation on another on Japanese soil, or the killing by them of any of our people. Against enemies of the Emperor, that is a different matter. As to getting fighters and crew, it would be easy for a man to get any number if he spoke Japanese. There are many wako in Kyushu.”

“Wako, Mariko-san?”

“Oh, so sorry. We call corsairs ‘wako,’ Anjin-san. They used to have many lairs around Kyushu but they were mostly stamped out by the Taiko. Survivors can still be found, unfortunately. Wako terrorized the coasts of China for centuries. It was because of them that China closed her ports to us.” She explained to Toranaga what had been said. He spoke again, more emphatically. “He says he will never allow or plan or permit you to make a land attack, though it would be correct for you to harry your Queen’s enemy on the high seas. He repeats, this is not anywhere. This is the Land of the Gods. You should be patient as he told you before.”

“Yes. I intend to try to be patient in his fashion. I only want to hit the enemy because they are the enemy. I believe with all my heart they’re his enemy too.”

“Lord Toranaga says the Portuguese tell him you are his enemy, and Tsukku-san and the Visitor-General are absolutely sure of it.”

“If I were able to capture the Black Ship at sea and bring her as a legal prize into Yedo, under the flag of England, would I be permitted to sell her and all she contains in Yedo, according to our custom?”

“Lord Toranaga says that depends.”

“If war comes may I be allowed to attack the enemy, Lord Toranaga’s enemy, in the best way that I can?”

“He says that is the duty of a hatamoto. A hatamoto is, of course, under his personal orders at all times. My Master wants me to make clear that things in Japan will never be solved by any method other than by Japanese method.”

“Yes. I understand completely. With due humility I’d like to point out the more I know about his problems, the more I might be able to help.”

“He says a hatamoto’s duty is always to help his lord, Anjin-san. He says I am to answer any reasonable questions you have later.”

“Thank you. May I ask him, would he like to have a navy of his own? As I suggested on the galley?”

“He has already said he would like a navy, a modern navy, Anjin-san, manned by his own men. What daimyo wouldn’t?”

“Then say this: If I were lucky enough to take the enemy ship, I’d bring her to Yedo to refit and count the prize. Then I’d transship my half of the bullion to Erasmus and sell the Black Ship back to the Portuguese, or offer her to Toranaga-sama as a gift, or burn her, whatever he wishes. Then I’d sail home. Within a year I’d turn around and bring back four warships, as a gift from the Queen of England to Lord Toranaga.”

“He asks where would be your profit in this?”

“The honto is, there would be plenty left over for me, Mariko-san, after the ships were paid for by Her Majesty. Further, I’d like to take one of his most trusted counselors with me as an Ambassador to my Queen. A treaty of friendship between our countries might be of interest to him.”

“Lord Toranaga says that would be much too generous of your Queen. He adds, but if such a thing miraculously happened and you came back with the new ships, who would train his sailors and samurai and captains to man them?”

“I will, initially, if that pleases him. I’d be honored, then others could follow.”

“He says what is ‘initially’?”

“Two years.”

Toranaga smiled fleetingly.

“Our Master says two years would not be enough ‘initially.’ However, he adds, it’s all an illusion. He’s not at war with the Portuguese or Lord Harima of Nagasaki. He repeats, what you do outside Japanese waters in your own ship with your own crew is your own karma.” Mariko seemed disturbed. “Outside our waters you are foreigner, he says. But here you are samurai.”

“Yes. I know the honor he has done to me. May I ask how a samurai borrows money, Mariko-san?”

“From a moneylender, Anjin-san. Where else? From a filthy merchant moneylender.” She translated for Toranaga. “Why should you need money?”

“Are there moneylenders in Yedo?”

“Oh yes. Moneylenders are everywhere, neh? Isn’t it the same in your country? Ask your consort, Anjin-san, perhaps she would be able to help you. That is part of her duty.”

“You said we’re leaving for Yedo tomorrow?”

“Yes, tomorrow.”

“Unfortunately Fujiko-san won’t be able to travel then.”

Mariko talked with Toranaga.

“Lord Toranaga says he will send her by galley, when it leaves. He says what do you need to borrow money for?”

“I’ll have to get a new crew, Mariko-san—to sail anywhere, to serve Lord Toranaga, however he’d wish it. Is that permitted?”

“A crew from Nagasaki?”

“Yes.”

“He will give you an answer when you reach Yedo.”

“Domo, Toranaga-sama. Mariko-san, when I get to Yedo where do I go? Will there be someone to guide me?”

“Oh, you must never worry about things like that, Anjin-san. You are one of Lord Toranaga’s hatamoto.” There was a knock on the inner door.

“Come in.”

Naga opened the shoji and bowed. “Excuse me, Father, but you wanted to be told when all your officers were present.”

“Thank you, I’ll be there shortly.” Toranaga thought a moment, then motioned to Blackthorne, his manner friendly. “Anjin-san, go with Naga-san. He will show you to your place. Thank you for your views.”

“Yes, Sire. Thank you for listen. Thank you for your words. Yes. I try hard be patient and perfect.”

“Thank you, Anjin-san.” Toranaga watched him bow and go away. When they were alone, he turned to Mariko. “Well, what do you think?”