“Aizawa, listen carefully, as you are only the third person to learn what I am about to do.”
“Ieyoshi, who is the third?”
Ieyoshi’s only response was an amused look.
“Well?”
“ ‘The man who speaks before thinking is accounted a great fool; the man who listens, and says nothing, is very wise.’”
Aizawa gave him a glare. A glare that could not last, which then slipped to a smile. “Go ahead, Ieyoshi.” After saying this, he shook his head ruefully.
Ieyoshi gave him a placating smile. “I’m sorry, Aizawa, you seem a little unsettled. I just wanted to make sure you had regained your composure.”
Aizawa, though not perfectly composed, was surprised at Ieyoshi’s perceptiveness. The young man was never that aware as a child. “I am ready, Ieyoshi.”
“You aren’t, but that does not matter. You say you are, so we shall begin.”
Could the man read minds now?!
“I realized what had happened at Kyoto, that Date had stolen a march on me. I hadn’t anticipated he would strike at the Imperial family. However, shortly after his attack on the Emperor, he was beaten at Sendai, by Watanabe Ichiro.”
Aizawa’s eyebrows rose a little at that.
“No relation to your mentor Kazan, Aizawa. Anyway, Date was unable to accomplish anything, except for planting rumor in the minds of the Imperial Court that I was maneuvering to subjugate the Imperial house. There are hypocrites in every court who will denounce actions that they themselves contemplate. It is the nature of politics.”
“It was my intention to find Osahito relatively soon after Sendai, and explain what had happened. Unfortunately, he fled too quickly. He evaded our sentries at Nagasaki, who likely would not have stopped him even if they had seen him. He made it across to Deshima, and then bought passage on a Dutch ship for their homeland.”
“This is almost reminiscent of one of your theses from twenty years back.” Ieyoshi smiled at Aizawa. “The Russian Khan, Peter, traveled to Amsterdam in disguise, to learn about shipbuilding. You argued that one of our leaders ought to do the same. Well, it seems Osahito is doing it, even if it were not our intentions, or even his intention.”
“Aizawa, I will not place myself as regent. I cannot trust anyone else, either, so we seem to be at an impasse, wouldn’t you agree?” Ieyoshi’s eyes twinkled with mischief.
Aizawa sighed. “Just tell me what you will do. I am not very willing to follow your circles right now.”
Ieyoshi barked a laugh. “Revelations take a bit out of you, eh? What I will do is what the Middle Kingdom did once, for eight months. I will declare the Imperial Throne as belonging to Emperor Osahito, even in his absence. I will declare that the Emperor, even though absent, is still performing the rituals to protect the Japanese people. This will appease the stupid peasants, though not for long. Things will get ugly if he doesn’t return soon, but I am doing everything I can to find him, and bring him back.”
Aizawa looked at him levelly. “You had better find him quickly, because the last thing the Empire needs is anarchy and upheaval.”
“Aizawa.” Aizawa looked at Ieyoshi. “Will you help me establish this, as you are known to be independent of the government? Please, good friend?”
“Yes, I will help, Ieyoshi.” Aizawa stood, bowed formally, and began to walk out. He sighed after leaving Ieyoshi’s inner sanctum. It wasn’t a pretty solution in his estimation, as it involved deliberate deception of the people, which could easily backfire if Osahito were not found. Or worse, if he declined to return.