Juuni Kokuki's side story -- 十二国記外伝
(The Twelve Kingdoms)

漂舶
(Drifting Ship)

By Ono Fuyumi -- 小野不由美

Translated by o6asan

chapter 1  chapter 2  chapter 3  chapter 4

chapter 5  chapter 6  chapter 7  chapter 8

1

   Mt.Kankyu(関弓山), En(雁州国). The top of the mountain piercing the sea of clouds is literally a solitary island far off in the sea, where Gen'ei-kyu(玄英宮) spreads in the gray of the morning is isolated. Under the moon still remains in the sky at dawn, the calm sea surface is like a vast sheet of brocade to which the wavelet was interwove with silver threads.
   There is still time until daybreak. However, a block of Gen'ei-kyu(玄英宮), the building that is called Jinju-den(仁重殿) already overflows with lower officials. Especially, the main bedroom is surrounded by a thick wall of women and men of the court. Though all of them don't particularly do, they keep close watch on around and feel high tense. The lower officials pause near the doorway and the windows seem as if holding their own breath.
   In the silence, not hearing even a cough, time flows slowly. Then, the morning sun shines, and the sound of the bell loud as if waiting it.
   The lower officials here and there begin to move as flipped. The doorway is opened, the windows are opened, and the place is closed after putting into light. Court ladies who were waiting in a corner of the bedroom open the door of a luxurious bed, and rush into it.
   "Taiho(台輔)! Please awake, sir."
   When one of the court ladies raises her voice, it seems the sign that someone wriggles in the curtains which envelope the bed itself. As two court ladies from right and left pull and open the curtain, a shadow that slips into the bedding like escaping has been recognized. A pail is brought in while doing so, clothes of a rack are replaced, and tools for the morning dress are prepared on the table. The surrounding of the bed has no place to step due to court ladies who move all together.
   "It is the time when you get up, sir.
   "Please get up, sir."
   One of the court ladies peels off the covers, and the other raises the master who jumps to on the bed. The third is taking his pajamas off, at the same time the fourth is letting out his official clothes and dressing him in it.
   "Stop! I'm up. Already up!"
   Rokuta(六太) throws off those court ladies' hands, running feverishly into a far corner of the bed while clinging to his pillow. Court ladies who call for his getting up and stand in a row thickly by the side of the bed are literally a wall. Moreover, the wall seems to collapse and to surge on the bed at any moment.
   "Taiho(台輔)! Please get up, sir."
   "Changing clothes, sir."
   "Setting hair, sir."
   "Wait, I'm getting up now! Everyone, just calm down. -- right?"
   The Prime Minister of a country is running around to escape by sheltering behind his pillow, above all, it might need that he himself settles down.
   "Well, Taiho(台輔), step on it, sir!"
   "It is the time, now, sir."
   "I get up. Now, at once."
   "Hurry up, sir. -- Taiho(台輔)."
   Rokuta(六太) shouts holding his pillow.
   "And you all request me to get out of bed and to go to the conference immediately. I do, I do!"

2

   A cool morning sun shines into the wide courtyard of the inner palace. The sky above is clear blue, the sound of the waves of the sea of clouds, and the wind that slightly contains a fresh saltiness blows.
   Rokuta(六太) goes over to the outer palace while reproachful seeing the scenery that becomes autumn-like really. Entering the outer palace he is already very tired in spite of early morning, and he meets his master who looks tired as same as he. That is an O(王) of En(雁), En-O(延王) Shoryu(尚隆).
   "Hey ......"
   "We run into each other again this morning."
   Shoryu(尚隆) who is bored to death replies, only his appearance is in a dignified way, but there is not any dignity as the O(王) even on his voice and his face.
   "Today for sure I keenly thought not meeting you."
   Rokuta(六太) says and distances himself from his attendants casually. He lowers his voice standing next to Shoryu(尚隆).
   "...... Hey, can't you do something about this fuss?"
   "Don't say to me."
   O(王)'s voice is low and deeply-troubled.
   "You are the greatest in this country, aren't you? Do something by Imperial order."
   "Don't you know who the greatest in this country is?"
   "...... Itan(帷湍)"
   Rokuta(六太) mutters, and master and man sigh all together.
   "It is because you did unnecessary things."
   En-O(延王) Shoryu(尚隆) ascended the throne and 100 years or more passed. Domestic affairs got on the right track, the name of the era was changed at the Taigen(大元) and 4 years passed, and Shoryu(尚隆) suggested the senior officials' reshuffle.
   "You did agree, too."
   For years, if the same official seizes the same duty, politics will be biased by all means. Even if a person in question wasn't planning to do, politics itself tends to have a habit which is accumulated for a long time, it is not avoided. The bias must be suppressed and the rigidity must be excluded, at the same time officials' view must be expanded, for this, Shoryu(尚隆) asserted they needed officials' reshuffle regularly with or without their achievement. And then he had a point there certainly.
   "...... Yeah, you're right. But, why is Itan(帷端) of all others Taisai(大宰)?"
   "We had no other choice. He himself said and wanted it by all means."
   Shoryu(尚隆) recommended Itan(帷湍) for Chosai(冢宰), the head of Rikkan(六官). However, Itan(帷湍) himself insisted to give him Taisai(大宰) or not to want any other posts. Saying as threatening rather than wanting might be accurate to the fact, because if not he said he would return Senseki(仙籍) and retire.
   "You also said to let him have his own way."
   "I never thought he had such a long view ......"
   Taisai(大宰), the head of Tenkan(天官), rules everything of the court. Domestic affairs were given priority anyway, so they had no time to care about things inside the palace. As both humans and buildings in the court remained being ruined because of longtime leaving, it seemed that to improve the moral fiber of the court was also necessary. -- And at first Itan(帷湍) decided to devote himself to let the O(王) and the Saiho(宰輔) do good attitudes.
   "Why am I woken up at the crack of dawn? Why should I copy The Classic of History(書経) from early morning and look over the draft and the report to the O(王)?"
   "Don't ask me."
   "Recently, I wake up before dawn. To wait timidly for the bell ringing already or ringing now are too terrible for my heart."
   "Definitely. Besides, if I get up before the time, I am pushed back to the bed by the attendant running up."
   "Absolutely not. I, seem to become Shitsudo(失道)..... "
   When Rokuta(六太) sighes, they arrive at the entrance of the conference room.
   "It is an unlucky talk from early morning."
   Three men wait in front of the great door. The person who says happily at the center of them is Itan(帷端), the head of Tenkan(天官), who is much talked about.
   "I would have to take issue with Shitsudo(失道)."
   "This is major if it is true, we must request Shujo(主上) reforms his conduct."
   Having said from right and left of Itan(帷端) is Seisho(成笙) who is the head of Kakan(夏官) Daishiba(大司馬), and Shuko(朱衡) who is the head of Shunkan(春官) Daisohaku(大宗伯). Tenkan(天官) rules everything of the court, Kakan(夏官) takes charge of their personal protection, and Shunkan(春官) rules festa and etiquette. When these three sections cooperate, Rokuta(六太) and Shoryu(尚隆) never can deal with them. Because it is impossible any persons of these three sections don't stay around them.
   Shoryu(尚隆) murmurs.
   "I think they were conspiring."
   Rokuta(六太) nods sickly.
   "I thought it was strange that Seisho(成笙) wanted to be Shiba(司馬)......"
   To begin with Seisho(成笙) was a general who kept Sagun(左軍) of O's Army(禁軍). Seisho(成笙) is not a civil servant but originally a military officer even though he belongs to Kakan(夏官) similarly. Itan(帷端) previously managed the land, the people, and the treasury as the head of Chikan(地官) Daishito(大司徒). As he likes to command the site and to be ardent to yield practical benefit, Tenkan(天官) that has no practical gain unfits his personality at all.
   "We relaxed our guard because Shuko(朱衡)'s desire to be Shunkan(春官) was so suitable."
   "I agree. -- We, might actually......"
   When Rokuta(六太) sighs, Shoryu(尚隆) nods looking reproachful.
   "...... We were trapped by these guys."

3

   "Very good. Their reform continues well."
   Itan(帷端), the mastermind of this situation, blows his horn with his face beaming with smiles.
   The bright moonlight before the rainy season streams down on the garden of the Shuko(朱衡)'s house. A side of the garden faces the sea of clouds, and the waves surge to the rocky stretch which looks closely at the other side of the garden trees. A salty night breeze, lapping of waves, and the clear moonlight washes the surface of a ceramic table.
   "At the beginning, they slipped through our fingers in one way or another. But now, we have had their perfect attendance for two months."
   Setting three glasses on the table, Shuko(朱衡) gives a wry little smile.
   "I think, even if they are Shujo(主上) and Taiho(台輔), they cannot move at all because we all watch their every movement carefully."
   "From early morning till night I will severely train them who have no will to act on their own. So, being completely exhausted, they might want to sleep than to stay out late."
   "...... Do you go to such lengths?"
   I don't care what you say, Itan(帷端) says so happily.
   "As domestic affairs have settled down, I overlook some their arbitrary actions. Then they get carried away and disappear for two months or three months. It's O.K. they look around En(雁), but they leave our country and knock about here and there, at last they get into trouble in other countries. So, they have themselves to blame for this situation."
   You're right, it is Seisho(成笙) that nods. As they disappeared before one is aware, we worried seriously that something bad might have happened. But in fact, persons in question reached all the way to So(奏国) and got mixed in the crowd there. Finally they got into trouble and were caught. Then their identities were disclosed and we received a personal letter from So-O(宗王). Though So-O(宗王) said with his kindness that he would escort them to En(雁), we cordially declined his offer because we couldn't trespass on his kindness. When I went to meet them from En(雁), I thought my face literally burned with shame.
   "Well, they are an O(王) and a Kirin(麒麟). Even if they are tired heavily, they have neither risk of getting a disease nor risk of death. Do continue this training until they understand their positions completely."
   Shuko(朱衡) is amazed at Seisho(成笙)'s sharp tongue.
   "Do you still hold a grudge against the matter of So(奏)?"
   "Of course. Put yourself in my place. I was laughed by the princess who said it was excellent that En(雁) became peaceful."
   Shuko(朱衡) looks up at the moon thinking that it might certainly be unpleasant.
   "Well, if we are strict with them only 100 years, they would not return to former loose life even after we stop training."
   Shuko(朱衡) sees the face of Seisho(成笙) who says quite calmly.
   "Will you do this for 100 years?"
   "Our movements would not touch the very core of their hearts if we don't go to such lengths."
   "But, the hardship of lower officials of the inner palace ......"
   No problem, Itan(帷端) laughs.
   "They are pleased. Because, the bribe is offered from each department every day."
   Shuko(朱衡) and Seisho(成笙) just look at each other.
   "...... The bribe? Do you connive at it?"
   "Why, nothing gets serious. All departments seem to think their absence from each conference is a disgrace to each department. Overlook the rampancy of a small amount of money as the bribe asking to keep it in one's mind."
   Shuko(朱衡) thinks deeply. Under Chosai(冢宰)'s control all officials are brought together Rikkan-fu(六官府). On six days each department - Ten(天), Chi(地), Shun(春), Ka(夏), Shu(秋), To(冬) - holds each conference in turn, and heads of Rikkan(六官) and Sanko(三公) hold one on the seventh day, which takes a round on seven days. On the day when Shunkan(春官) holds the conference, Shuko(朱衡) also does not want the O(王) and the Taiho(台輔) to be absent. The pending problem does not advance, besides he has a show and a pride against other departments.
   "Indeed ...... greasing attendants' palm, officials ask that attendants wake up them and send them out in the outer palace at any cost."
   "It is a problem if its huge pride gives a small amount of money which makes them absent from the conference of other departments, if not so, it's quite an encouraging thing for the lower officials. First of all, if they have no sting in it, they may never take care of those idiots."
   "...... I'm surprised you don't hesitate to do anything to attain your purpose."
   "It's not my fault but their fault, because they don't attend even the morning conference if I go not to such lengths."
   That being said, Shuko(朱衡) mutters.
   "But ...... they do not seem to keep obediently, I think."
   That's it, Seisho(成笙) puts his glass on the table.
   "Knowing them, it's natural that they will escape whatever happens."
   "I strongly order the lower officials not to take their eyes off from them even the moment. I told them severely to stay outside of the door when they were ordered to leave the room."
   "They have the option of running away by force. No matter how ordered, they couldn't have a hand on the royal bodies."
   "I told them to keep strict watch on the Five gates(五門) and not to let them out."
   "About the Prohibited gate(禁門)?"
   "Of course. The numbers of gatekeepers were doubled. Especially, I ordered persons in the stable, keeping their eye on and estranging from the mounts absolutely."
   "The point is Tama and Tora? sugu(騶虞) will go to meet from his own motive if they are called because they are intelligent."
   Seisho(成笙) also agrees as Shuko(朱衡) points it out. To give two sugu(騶虞) to that master and man is like telling them to escape, but one of them was already kept since Kyo-O(梟王)'s era. The first Tama already died, but when officials were cut down, one of officials saved his own skin presented the second Tama and Tora to the O(王), this act was ill-judged and uncontrollable.
   "Don't worry. I know that. I already moved two to Shiba(司馬)'s stable."
   "But, Taiho(台輔) has Shirei(使令)."
   Seisho(成笙) says, and Itan(帷端) gets lost for words.
   "Yeah ...... we do nothing about it. Because Shirei(使令) is neither captured nor caged."
   Seisho(成笙) sees Itan(帷端) in a glacial look. If Shirei(使令) will carry Taiho(台輔) away, it is useless that they set up a reliable blocking escape system and surround him. Moreover, Kirin(麒麟) can do metamorphosis as a last resort.
   "I requested it of Tokan-fu(冬官府). Well, you know, at one rebellion the horn of Taiho(台輔) had been sealed. The stone or something. -- We can do some if we have it."
   Seisho(成笙) looks quite dissatisfied.
   "Do you think that Taiho(台輔) obediently applies it? You have a big hole in an essential point."
   Itan(帷端) gets lost for words again. Well, Shuko(朱衡) smiles wryly to soothe them.
   "Well, I've told Taiho(台輔) that it's Shujo(主上)'s fault."
   "-- What?"
   "So, I told him that his inconvenience is because of Shujo(主上). Because of his nature, Taiho(台輔) will desert Shujo(主上) even if he runs away by using Shirei(使令). Positively, Shujo(主上) doesn't like about it and will order Shirei(使令) not to escape. Because Shujo(主上)'s instruction is priority to Shirei(使令) unless Taiho(台輔) is in danger."
   "Hmm......"
   Itan(帷端) groans and turns his gaze to Seisho(成笙). Seisho(成笙) stares at Shuko(朱衡) aghast.
   "However, till when does such a makeshift prevail? If they feel up to it, they do everything they can do."
   "Well, right......"
   "Anyway, we should drive Shujo(主上) and Taiho(台輔) hard as much as possible, until they determine to run away seriously."
   "You're ...... smart."
   Shuko(朱衡) laughs Itan(帷端)'s amazed voice.
   "No way. Serious and honest, that's my only saving grace."
   Don't tell a lie, at this time, two monologues are folded in Itan(帷端) and Seisho(成笙)'s minds.

4

   "I ...... can't stand this kind of life."
   When Rokuta(六太) mutters, Shoryu(尚隆) also nods silently. Now, Shoryu(尚隆)'s wide private room is uninhabited, but this is because he ordered to leave the room for the time being, otherwise, male and female attendants are thronging around them all the time. They are disgusted about that, besides many people he ordered to leave the room still stay outside the door and the window, so they can't settle down.
   "All is your fault, your going places here and there. I am perishing nuisance because of you."
   "About going places, you're no different."
   The quality of going places is different. Though Rokuta(六太) wanted to object, same words have been exchanged many times, so repeating is also troublesome. He is already sleepy just after dinner, because he is gotten up early in the morning and he has to work on affairs of state and acquire culture etc. without wasting a minute.
   Rokuta(六太) sticks to a table.
   "I need your help!"
   "...... I think I can do something."
   Rokuta(六太) jumps to his feet against Shoryu(尚隆)'s low voice.
   "-- Shoryu(尚隆)."
   His voice by itself becomes higher with expectation and Shoryu(尚隆) calms down him by a hand.
   "If you have a will to conclude the negotiation for peace."
   "The negotiation for peace?"
   "Seeing fellows' ways, it is obvious their assumption is you and I don't conspire with each other. They think we will drag down each other about this thing."
   "No wonder. I have a hard time with your by-blow."
   "I say that is fellows' strategies. -- Oh well. Anyway, if we collude with each other, I have something I can do."
   "...... Do you or I become a decoy?"
   "Should I say we pull the lower officials around by becoming a decoy each other. While I playing a decoy, you think about a plan which makes me escape. After a break, you becoming a decoy, I think about your plan."
   Hmmm, Rokuta(六太) murmurs. I cooperate with him might be effective, if those three take our thwarting each other into consideration. However, if Shoryu(尚隆) betrays me and I am held captive by ill chance, I perform my thankless task.
   "One having missed running away, who would get beaten up absolutely."
   "So we do conspire with each other."
   "It is doubtful you propose such a thing."
   "What do you say? You look wasted away, so I will help you, I say."
   Rokuta(六太) points his finger at Shoryu(尚隆).
   "You, I cannot trust at all."
   "Do you doubt your master's warm-heart?"
   "More than trusting your warm-heart, it's better expecting Shuko(朱衡) and others suddenly tell me to go for fun and genially send me off."
   "In the first place", Rokuta(六太) looks into Shoryu(尚隆)'s face.
   "Why don't you set me free by becoming a decoy if having a warm-heart? You don't need to make yourself the decoy, if you had canceled your instruction for Shirei(使令), I could let myself off in now, couldn't I?"
   Shoryu(尚隆) frowns like being touched on the raw.
   "...... I am thinking to have a place to visit."
   "Oh, yeah?"
   "I promised to come again at the same season. -- Please, Rokuta(六太)."
   A woman? He thinks so, but 'please' makes him feel better.
   "What do I do?"
   "When the very time comes, I'll do something for you by my order."
   "Why don't you do it, right now?"
   Shoryu(尚隆) raises his eyebrows like having heard a very unexpected thing.
   "They are thinking they confined us by this. We should get around them, shouldn't we?"
   Rokuta(六太) claps his hands after a split second.
   "Yeah, right."
   "Using Imperial orders and Shirei(使令) are the height of folly, we run away from the front fairly if running away."
   "Is it fair to get around them?"
   "No deal?"
   Rokuta(六太) laughs satisfactorily.
   "Deal."
   And Rokuta(六太) grabs a tea utensil, takes a stance lightly toward the floor and laughs at Shoryu(尚隆) who have done suspiciously.
   "To relax them, we should play a big fight now?"

5

   The plain below is a dazzling golden color.
   "-- Awesome."
   On the 5th day since they having had the talking, Rokuta(六太) got shrewdly away from Mt.Kankyu(関弓山) after doing a magnificent day-long tag using Gen'ei-kyu(玄英宮) as a background.
   It is only revenge that the day was one of Tenkan-fu(天官府)'s conference days. As he left Tora's bridle to his Shirei(使令) and ran all night, Gen'ei-kyu(玄英宮) is the other side of the world though Itan(帷湍) might be surely angry. He thinks such a thing is a trivial matter when seeing this spectacle in his presence, though he might have difficulties if returning.
   When he gets over the mountainous district covered with heavy green, he reaches vast plains. Under Tora who goes at a run in air, there is an expanse of farmland below Rokuta(六太)'s eyes. It is just before the harvest, as the rainy season will be setting in, the farmland looks a very shining golden color. The wind makes ripples of the golden sea's surface. You can see the blue ocean beyond lapping waves. On borderline between the sea and the sky, it is a ridge-line of Mt.Kongo(金剛山) which rises like very thin purple-blue phantom around the Ko-kai(黄海).
   Areas along the inland sea of En(雁) project like dividing into parts the Kok-kai(黒海) and the Sei-kai(青海). The division of the Kok-kai(黒海) and the Sei-kai(青海) is the Northeast gate(艮海門), and this side is Tei-shu(貞州), the opposite bank is called Kon-ken(艮県) that is a detached territory of Sei-shu(靖州) where the capital exists.
   "I like this sea better."
   Rokuta(六太) says to himself. He is alone in the air as far as he can see and resembles to Gen'ei-kyu(玄英宮) that is left behind in the sea. Rokuta(六太) glances up. The clear blue sky's looking high and the water of the sea of clouds(雲海) there can't be seen. If one rises up to the higher sky, one occasionally sees the bottom of the sea of clouds like the board of crystal if looked at from different angles, but usually one cannot recognize the sea there. However, even if not seen in eyes, the sea is there and separates on the clouds and the lower world. -- They are clearly separated.
   "......Shoryu(尚隆) was able to get out?"
   With a laugh he recalls the commotion in Gen'ei-kyu(玄英宮) and thinks Shoryu(尚隆) having made it up because he knows Shoryu(尚隆). Well, he doesn't care about it. Because he is in the sky of the lower world(下界).
   Tora goes over fields and mountains which colored richly, and reaches the sea. The mountain ahead, is Mt.Kongo(金剛山). Where going across the sea, there is the land like a sandbar projects to the foot of Mt.Kongo(金剛山), Gon-ken(艮県). One of four gates(四令門) to enter Yellow Sea(黄海) is there, Reigonmon(令艮門).
   Passing through fields and mountains which have small extent of Gon-ken(艮県), Rokuta(六太) goes into deeply and lands on a Gon(艮)'s town when the shining sun is going down. Though Gon-ken(艮県) is a detached territory of Sei-shu(靖州) that is Rokuta(六太)'s domain, nobody here might recognize his face. He goes to Jinmon(人門) on the southwest of the town, dismounting from Tora and pulling its bridle calmly.
   Beyond the building next to Jinmon(人門), you can see the surface of Mt.Kongo(金剛山) as if it towers precipitously. Although it is not the closing time, Jinmon(人門) is already shut. Across Jinmon(人門), there is only Reigonmon(令艮門). Jinmon(人門) opens only on the day of winter solstice because Reigonmon(令艮門) opens only on the day. Winter solstice is still far away. So, Gon(艮)'s town in front of the gate is very quiet.
   "You were born on the other side of the gate ...... Do you remember?"
   They pause in the square in front of the gate and when he talks drawing Tora's neck to his face, his sugu(騶虞) barks as if saying yes.
   "Do you want to return?"
   Against Rokuta(六太)'s question, Tora only purrs as if wanting to say 'I don't know.'
   Rokuta(六太) himself wants to go to that other side. Four years passed from changing the name of the era, and the 5th year will begin soon. -- Yes, he really understands the meaning of jeopardizing his own life. He wants to go, but not. It's even more difficult since he saw the burnt ground had been covered with the splendid golden sea.
   He breathes deeply, pulling Tora's bridle he approaches to the building nearby the gate, and there stands a high bulletin board aside. This is the other side of En(雁) as a contact point between Ko-kai(黄海) and En(雁州国). The board is exactly the same as it was when it put up four years ago. It is enclosed by the wall and the roof like a long and slender hut and defended from wind and rain. A keeper stands idly by that.
   Rokuta(六太) looks up the board. It is called 'the edict of conveyance animals and poultry' or 'the edict of four rides and seven animals'.-- It says 'add Yoma(妖魔) to conveyance animals and poultry'. When Shoryu(尚隆) put out this edict, Itan(帷湍), Shuko(朱衡), and Seisho(成笙) were amazed. Only Rokuta(六太) knows the meaning.
   The young keeper looks into Rokuta(六太)'s face because he looks hard at it.
   "What's your name?"
   Rokuta(六太) looks up the keeper's face.
   "My name? Why?"
   "Ah -- Well, O.K. You never look around 15."
   Rokuta(六太) nods. -- Rokuta(六太) knows why he is asked his name. Because Rokuta(六太) himself has the power of a state marquis of Sei-shu(靖州) and ordered it.
   "Are you looking for someone? Wanted person?"
   The keeper waves to him as if saying no and Rokuta(六太) is slightly relieved. It is a same old story that "Missing person" is becoming "Wanted person" before one is aware.
   "Great people look for. A person named Koya(更夜), around 15."
   "Hmm."
   The promise was accomplished. However, he is out of contact until now. They can know Koya(更夜) is still alive because his name doesn't disappear from Senseki(仙籍).
   The keeper laughs.
   "Do they owe thanks to him? -- They told us to take him to the county castle respectfully when the person named Koya shows up. If he refuses,"
   Rokuta(六太) opens his eyes wide and sees keeper's face. Rokuta(六太) doesn't order 'if', though he gave instructions to guide Koya(更夜) to the county castle and to report.
   "Tell him a grave in Mt.Sho(霄山)."
   "Mt.Sho(霄山)? -- A grave? Whose?"
   The keeper looks doubtful.
   "I'm not given the details. -- There is an imperial demesne named Hekisho(碧霄) close to the boundary with Gen-shu(元州). Ryounzan(凌雲山) existing in Hekisho(碧霄) is an imperial park, and its name is Mt.Sho(霄山)."
   "An imperial park ......"
   "In Mt.Sho(霄山), might they have connection with the O(王) -- both the person in the grave and Koya(更夜)."

6

   "...... Another new building was completed."
   The man who is vacantly looking at the outside from the window rests his cheek on his hand and says so. Outside of the window is a boulevard of Hekisho(碧霄), a new big building has been built on the opposite side of the street. Shogyoku(湘玉) sees and laughs at it.
   "People've increased in Hekisho(碧霄). It is like a dream compared to my childhood."
   Shogyoku(湘玉) shaves the mass of tea. The famous tea of Hakutan(白端) in Kei(慶国) in the East is what the man brought it last night. His Zi(字) is Fukan(風漢), she doesn't know this man is doing what and where. He is probably not a neighbor because his visiting has a interval of about half year. He has a splendid conveyance animal and is generous with his money, so, he might be rich, but, when women asked him why he got such good tea, he answered he'd stolen it.
   "...... The more people, the more buildings for pleasure. How incorrigible human is!"
   "An ordinary man, don't turn a phrase. Shave this, if lying around. Maybe it's good tea, but too tough."
   The man nods to Shogyoku(湘玉) and receives the mass of tea and the knife from her. He obediently shaves the mass, and begins to drop them into the tea-things on his knee. Shogyoku(湘玉) gazes out the window after laughing at his actions. Red roofing tiles and green pillars. Brand-new high buildings continues.
   "Right, people increased. ...... When I was a kid, this area was absolutely barren. When digging up the ground, we found out burnt rubble and white bones. At the imperial demesne? Can you believe it?"
   The man laughed.
   "They say En(雁) was ruined once. -- Is this enough?"
   He passes tea-things to Shogyoku(湘玉), and she opens her mouth a little.
   "Who drinks so much? The shaved tea loses taste."
   "You make me work, and scold me?"
   He says so, and Shogyoku(湘玉) glares at him.
   "You are in my debt. You forget it, don't you?"
    He checked in around the closing time of the gate, called in about ten geishas and gave a big feast, besides, placed a foolish bet all night and lost big money. Though he took a room for an overnight stay, Shogyoku(湘玉) had it from him because of a bet, he was very depressed, so, Shogyoku(湘玉) lent him her private room.
   "If you make this tea, I wipe all your debts away."
   Hearing her, he gets off his butt while grumbling. Shogyoku(湘玉) laughs and watches over his making tea unskillfully.
   "What do you do for a living?"
   "Well."
   "What are you, official?"
   "I look like an official?"
   "No. But, you come to Mt.Sho(霄山) to climb every time, don't you? Your job, isn't it? That is an imperial park, but a flung and spooky place."
   "It's not my job. It's kind of pleasure jaunt."
   "No kidding! There's nothing worth seeing."
   The man laughs thinly.
   "A grave there."
   Shogyoku(湘玉) blinks.
   "...... I've heard it. In Mt.Sho(霄山), there's Gen-paku(元伯)'s grave. In visiting his grave, are you a person of Gen-paku(元伯)'s connection, Fukan(風漢)?"
   "I don't have necessarily no relation with him."
   "Well, you are a bad guy, too. Because, Gen-paku(元伯) was truly a bad guy, wasn't he?"
   He emits laughter.
   "I don't care if you said anything, but that would put Atsuyu(斡由) in an awkward position."
   "Atsuyu(斡由)--Gen-paku(元伯)? But, it's so in the story. He killed Gen-ko(元侯), made Gen-shu(元州) with his own way, and caused the rebellion at last."
   "Indeed, that's how being widely known is."
   Holding his tea cup, he is back to by the window. He indifferently looks down at the road.
   "...... Atsuyu(斡由) was a son of Gen-ko(元州侯). In Kyo-O(梟王)'s era he became a prime minister(令尹) and helped his father, but, his father was really coward. Kyo-O(梟王) was the same kind of disaster as wars and acts of nature. His father was not a person who can get over the disaster. Atsuyu(斡由) expelled his father, and acted as Gen-shu(元州)'s leader. Though Atsuyu(斡由) deprived the state marquis(州侯) of his place, he can be said that he removed the disaster, if we think, his father assisted to Kyo-O(梟王) and oppressed the people."
   "You talk as if you had seen. -- But, a crime is a crime, isn't it?"
   "Yes, you're right. -- But here's another man who had the same coward father. A disaster was approaching. His father also was not a person who can get over the disaster, and he knew it. Though he kept himself without committing the crime to his father, but his family territory was ruined by the disaster."
   He smiles slightly wryly. He himself looks ridiculed.
   "After killing his father, Atsuyu(斡由) got over the disaster and saved the people. Another man didn't kill his father because he's afraid of being a criminal, and left the people to die. Which was better?"
   "...... I think it's not Atsuyu(斡由). After all, he made the high treason because he's a person who didn't fear the crime, did he?"
   "You think so? ......"
   The man peers into his tea cup.
   "I don't know Atsuyu(斡由) well...... I think Atsuyu(斡由) decided that he had no worth if he was not a lord. He decided he had to be a good lord. He caused the rebellion, but, I think he didn't want the throne. Kyo-O(梟王) appointed his father as Gen-ko(元侯), and he himself was just Gen-ko(元侯)'s prime minister(令尹). If someone had ascended the throne as the new O(王), he would become impossible for keeping his position, so, he had tried to be number one."
   "...... I don't know."
   "Me, neither. But I think Atsuyu(斡由) wanted to be a good load. Yeah, he wanted praise. And, he had no inconsistency. -- Should I say that he had no hesitation for his wish? Therefore, he did not fear to be a criminal."
   "In short, he wanted praise by everyone?"
   He looks back at Shogyoku(湘玉)'s question.
   "Was he wrong? Atsuyu(斡由) wanted a good name. It's not bad. He gave the people beneficence for the good name. Whatever the fact is, the people is enriched, and the monarch is also enriched if the people praise him as a splendid monarch."
   "That's true, but,"
   "Sometimes, I dream if he was able to carry out the good name to the last minute. As a matter of fact, Atsuyu(斡由) had to defend himself as the lord than his good name, but, if he pursued only the good name to the last minute, he might have been the finest man as a O(王)."
   Shogyoku(湘玉) had her eyes wide open.
   "You're kidding."
   "Oh?"
   "There was already a O(王) in the throne, so his act was the high treason? He didn't carry out his original intention, so, he didn't have a enough talent as a O(王), I think. Or, something lacked of Atsuyu(斡由). If not, Taiho(台輔) should have elected Atsuyu(斡由) for a O(王)."
   Ah, he laughed.
   "I get it ......"

7

   Mt.Sho(霄山) is a desolate mountain. The rocks are clung to by dried-up moss lie over one another, they are friable, and slide down easily when putting your foot on them. You are not likely to be able to climb it if you have no flying mount.
   "If raining, I can't climb it in spite of Tora."
   Rokuta(六太) looks up at the rocks unstably piled, and mutters to himself. It's windy. Every time to gust, every time to clatter of stones falling. It might not survive against if it rains a lot. There is little doubt that this mountain collapses in every rainy season.
   He can see the tiled roof of a small temple whose shape is barely kept on the high area of Mt.Sho(霄山)'s main peak. Usually, Ryounzan(凌雲山) has a tunnel to go from the foot to the temple, but he cannot find its entrance which might have been buried. He reluctantly climbs depending on Tora.
   He goes up to the temple while avoiding gust of wind and falling stones, and finds out it is very miserable condition. Its pillars incline, and tiles fell away from the distorted roof. As the name "Mt.Sho(霄山)" never sounds familiar to Rokuta(六太) though he doesn't know about all imperial demesnes, it is no doubt it's the place forgotten. It has no particular products, and it is not used for something. It might have been originally a mountain of graves.
   The garden of surrounding the temple is miserable, too. The rocks which dropped and sharply jumped lie around here and there. There is a small arbor in pinewoods that just keep up appearances, this still stands straight because of being supported by the branches and roots of pines.
   Rokuta(六太) gets out of the saddle, makes Tora wait around there, and goes into the pinewoods. He laughs lightly because he finds out Tama lying down near the arbor.
   "-- Hey!"
   Rokuta(六太) pats the sugu(騶虞) that purrs, and peeks into the arbor. Nobody there, but Rokuta(六太) finds him who is sitting on the entrance steps and keeping a small jar while drinking.
   "Booze up alone?"
   When Rokuta(六太) calls to Shoryu(尚隆), he turns around. He is not very surprised, raises his easygoing hand and says 'What's up?'
   "Rokuta(六太), why are you here?"
   "Why! I should ask you that. It's you who ordered a strange message to the keeper of the high bulletin board."
   He comes closer to its door and sits down next to Shoryu(尚隆). The stone pavement distorted and cracked in front of the arbor remains. Couches and tables carved from stone are still in an area as wide as a courtyard, but, thick grass of autumn grows in stone pavement joints and cracks, and it is assumed really ruins.
   "Drinking here makes you happy?"
   Shoryu(尚隆) laughs.
   "At least, I can't hear Shuko(朱衡) and Itan(帷湍)'s growls."
   "Oh I see."
   Beyond the stone pavement, he can see a mound nearby the base of the pine. They plant a catalpa(梓) on a mound and substitute it for a burial marker, but this mound has a stone on its head and the stone is wet as watered just now.
   "-- Is that Atsuyu(斡由)'s?"
   "Uh-huh."
   "That was just before the rainy season. Like now -- well, a little later."
   Watching the mound, Rokuta(六太) mutters and chases his memory for a little while. The detail has already lost substance. This memory might be lost in each rainy season as this mountain collapses in each rainy season. Sooner or later, even if he tries it will become impossible to recall.
   "Now, I see. You said you had a promise, so I surely thought it was juicy one. You cannot climb this mountain after entering the rainy season, though to say that was just this period is a bit earlier. So, you needed to escape from the palace before raining."
   Rokuta(六太) looks up at him as if ridiculing a little, but he shows neither reaction nor significance.
   "What are you talking?"
   Rokuta(六太) is laughing and looks back at the mound.
   "I didn't know you were so friendly to Atsuyu(斡由) as to make his grave."
   "We may as well do that. Because Atsuyu(斡由) left good officials for us."
   Rokuta(六太) nods his head. In fact, the officials of Gen-shu(元州) had high ambitions and were able. Anybody was not able to know the flag Atsuyu(斡由) showed was true or false, but officials who gathered yearning for him did not have a lie. Afterward, when the Imperial court was renewed, they were as useful as could be.
   "-- However, if I do give him a decent burial, Atsuyu(斡由) must be turning in his grave."
   "You know that, but, you do on face to face boozing up with him? It's almost annoying."
   "Well, Atsuyu(斡由) needs someone he complains for once."
   "He may visit you as a ghost someday."
   "Already."
   Shoryu(尚隆) says easily, and Rokuta(六太) takes a step back a little.
   "Oh, kidding......"
   "This area seems to have been a mausoleum in old times. So, it gathers not only Atsuyu(斡由) but the dead in swarms."
   "In swarms."
   "Old and new. Those dead who gather want to say some complaints to me."
   "So," Shoryu(尚隆) laughs.
   "You'd better go down it before sunset."
   Rokuta(六太) looks at his smile for a moment and nods.
   "...... Yeh, I do. I don't like whinings and complaints."
   "Well, later."
   "Later," Rokuta raises his hands, stands up, and walks back of the arbor. Patting Tama's head once, he comes back to Tora. Though Tora wonderingly compares the arbor with Rokuta(六太), he doesn't care it and takes the bridle. He pats sugu(騶虞)'s neck.
   "...... ShoRyu(尚隆) wants to be left alone, I realize. Leave him alone."

8

   "Haven't you found them yet!?"
   Seisho(成笙) blows out his cheeks to Itan(帷湍)'s growl.
   "Not at all, you think where they went?"
   "They have their sugu(騶虞) for riding. We also know their having gone out of Kankyu(関弓) and toward the west. Despite this, you cannot know even their destinations! Why?"
   "That is only clue we have. Then, what do you want to me?"
   "In the first place, why didn't you chase after them immediately?"
   "They rode on their sugu(騶虞). We couldn't catch them up, even if chasing after immediately."
   "Two sugu(騶虞) had been placed in the Kakan(夏官)'s stable. Tell me why those guys were able to run away with them."
   "The gate keeper of Tenkan(天官) is stupid, uh-huh?"
   Shuko(朱衡) gets a tea set from an officer and put it between them who get ugly.
   "Stop it, you two are very childish. For what is your fight useful?"
   Itan(帷湍) turns his fire on Shuko(朱衡).
   "Why do you settle down so much?"
   Seisho(成笙) also nods in agreement and looks at Shuko(朱衡) who calmly faces a towering pile of documents in his own room of the office.
   "I quite agree."
   "I don't settle down so much. -- We already knew where it's going to lead, don't we? It's hardly possible they behave well if confined. If they are told not to go, they do go at any cost. Have you two already known it?"
   Itan(帷湍) strikes on the table.
   "Right. -- And if they are told to go, they really go out in their own way! How could I confine them permanently!?"
   "So," laughs Shuko(朱衡).
   "It is said that we have nothing to handle."
   Itan(帷湍) has his head in his hands, and Seisho(成笙) suppresses his temple. Shuko(朱衡) laughs.
   "For the time being, I'm sure they understand that they come not to be able to get up late if they behave too crazy. Besides, they were patient during two months, so, we were able to settle a very great deal of duties. We should be satisfied with that."
   Itan(帷湍) reproachfully glares at the profile of Shuko(朱衡)'s straight face.
   "In short, you gave it up from the start?"
   "No," Shuko(朱衡) looks feeling quite unhappy.
   "I refuse Shujo(主上) and Taiho(台輔) acting on their own. Therefore, I cooperated in you two."
   "You ......"
   "I have only said it is impossible to confine them. To hope for them such as well-behaved O(王) and Saiho(宰輔) is wasting our time. For the time being, I'm satisfied that they have understood getting annoying situation if crazily having their way. We should train and train them as not to cut loose too much."
   Seisho(成笙) groans.
   "Are they Tama and Tora level?"
   "It might be impolite to the sugu(騶虞). Say domestic animals level."
   Itan(帷湍) draws a long sigh.
   "Hey ...... You slag them off too much."
   "Well, did I say something wrong?"
   "No," Itan(帷湍) mutters in his mouth. They not only miss an imperial conference, but also conceal themselves in a moment. If a little turning away from them, they enter even other countries and do something bad. Nevertheless, they suddenly show up the outside of the outer palace, and they do an awful instruction to officials. Every time they do, every time officials run about in confusion, it's indeed extraordinary labor for officials. -- Certainly, they might be ones like domestic animals with a bad discipline.
   "They will come back sooner or later. They have no other place they come back."
   "You bet?"
   Shuko(朱衡) questioningly raises his eyes from the document when Itan(帷湍) says in disgust.
   "Do you have the place you return except Gen'ei-kyu(玄英宮)?"
   Huh?, Shuko(朱衡) laughs at Itan(帷湍) who has blinked.
   "I envy you. I'm very younger than you, but I have no other place but here. You are a smart fellow."
   "No, it's"
   Shuko(朱衡) looks out through the window, laughing at Itan(帷湍) who is at a loss for words. The sea of clouds as far as he can see, where he cannot see even a little island.
   "This palace, it is like a ship that floats far off in the ocean. There is no shore where he reaches, even if disliking and rushing out from it."
   It is Seisho(成笙) to mutter, "Maybe, you're right."
   "There are no acquaintances and no town where I was born any longer. They would leave before several decades even if I made new acquaintances and places in the lower world."
   Though he has to resign from senseki(仙籍) for disembarking, the king and Kitin cannot be allowed even to leave their positions. Besides, they are Taika(胎果).
   " -- I see. This is the drift where people having no place to go gather."
   "I think this system is very well made. We have no other places for us. We have nothing to do except sailing this ship......"
   "We do not have the land to go to though."
   When Itan(帷湍) crosses his arms, Shuko(朱衡) returns his eyes to the document.
   "Where to reach or not will not be a point. To begin with, we have no place that we should reach to. And we just go ahead today than yesterday, tomorrow than today."
   "Certainly......"
   "Well, we only need to do it until the ship sinking."
   "When the end comes? When their ship sinking, it seems to be fast."
   Itan(帷湍) says and Seisho(成笙) nods deeply.
   "We might have to say that it survives still now. It seems to me all officials are suppressing holes so that water does not leak, because many holes are open here and there."
   "Definitely," Itan(帷湍) smiles wryly.
   "But, sometimes, such a ship keeps floating forever."
   "It keeps, doesn't it......?"
   "I don't think so."
   "I don't know."
   They have a look at the sea of clouds by each having his own way of questioning, but there are neither an island shadow nor bird shadows. Waves surge without getting tired of, and it projects the color of the lower world is filled with a complex color.

(notes)