November 17, 1840—Hiroshima, the Kiro District
“Yes, my man, I’m the best out there.” Too boastful to be an effective spy. Osahito waved a hand of dismissal.
“I will contact you again if you’re the man I need.” The cloaked figure across from him nodded at him. Only the bottom half of his face was visible in this low light. It revealed a smile. “So, Tanaka. It’s been a long time since Fukuyama, hasn’t it?”
“Indeed it has, old friend. How’s that soldier friend of yours? What’s the name?”
“Yamata.” The two men smiled at each other, recalling the great campaigns of the past. “I haven’t seen him in a while, but last I saw, he was doing well. A subcommander now, so I hear.”
“Amazing what Ieyoshi’s reforms have done. Before Ieyoshi, would you have thought that any peasant would ever make the rank of underofficer, let alone, subcommander?”
“Indeed, he has done well for Japan. However, I am here to ask you to be my conscience.”
“Oh? What troubles you, my friend?”
“Ieyoshi tried to have me killed.”
“What!?”
“Keep your voice down, Tanaka. I’m the supposed to be the overexcited youngster here.” Tanaka barked a laugh.
“He did, eh?”
“It didn’t work.”
“I had assumed that.”
“I know Ieyoshi is good for Japan in the long run, in that he brings in liberalizing ideas, and is breaking the power of the Daimyo. However, he also seems to seem more distant than he used to. I fear the great power he wields, and the near constant rebellions has hardened him and made him no longer a friend of progress.”
“And what are the alternatives, as you see them, Osahito?”
“His removal by revolution will destroy all progress he has made. That cannot be allowed to happen. He is one lost battle away from mass mutinies from the levies. That must not happen either. The best solution is for someone to convince him to grant more power to the Emperor, or in this case, the Crown Prince. Me.”
“He will only see ambition in that proposal.”
“I know. He will likely make sure I am killed after that. So, I must decide. To do the right thing, and die for it. Or remain in hiding, and live with my shame.”
“There is another way.”
“Is there? Have I missed a more obvious solution?”
“Perhaps. You know we have an agreement with the Dutch where they take four sons of Daimyo for two years back to their homeland, and teach them the arts of the foreigners?”
“Yes…”
“If you go, it will be a way to avoid this dilemma of yours. Learn the ways of the foreigners, and come back with the knowledge to fix Japan.”
“It feels a bit like desertion, Tanaka.”
“Depending on your sense of honor, it can be. This certainly is a time of great need for the Empire. However, you can also think of this as a tactical withdrawal, much as you did before Sendai. A maneuver calculated to buy time to muster more forces before being forced to confront a superior foe.”
“I must think on this, Tanaka. You have close contacts with the Dutch?”
“You could say that.”
“I need some time alone. I will return here with my answer next week, same time. And have a ship ready in Nagasaki.”
“Don’t do anything rash, Osahito.”
“Don’t worry about that, old friend. I’m just going to settle some accounts before I leave.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
I suppose the local equivalent would be Go, or something. I used to be reasonably good, and could think 3-4 moves ahead.
