Politics is a pain in how you’re finished the moment you’re one step behind.
Politicians have to foresee problems in the country and nip it in the bud before it happens. They are finished should they fail to do so, and if they are successful, they can say nothing of it.
(How rough.)
Maomao was crushing medicinal herbs in a mortar.
(To go around Isei Province in two months.)
It was unreasonable, to say the least, for Rahan’s older brother and he wasn’t allowed a day of rest either. The two month period was when the locusts were still in the egg or larval stage. There were many ways to deal with the insects when they were still unable to fly even if they had hatched. If it were the ordinarily capable Rahan’s older brother, he would be able to switch over from autumn ploughing to exterminating larvae.
A few days after sending off Rahan’s older brother, who had boarded the carriage in tears, time had passed relatively peacefully for Maomao. A change in location will change the medicine too. Maomao was currently crushing a mixture of Isei Province herbs that were used for combating fevers.
“Umm, this is…”
While checking the compounding method of medicine sold at Isei Province, she added another different herb. Compounding is mixing medicines to increase medical efficacy, but conversely, it can also create poison. Also, methods effective for the residents of the western capital, could be ineffective for people of the capital.
Like how the composition of medicinal herbs change from the way it is grown, people also have individual differences. The time she ascertained it through trial and error, was supreme bliss for Maomao.
“Fufufu, fufu.”
“Lass, sorry to interrupt while you’re having fun.”
Rihaku approached her. Maomao wiped the drool away from the corner of her mouth.
“What is it? Was the medicine I got you to drink yesterday no good?” she asked.
“No, that tasted truly vile. Wait, that’s beside the point… That old man, is coming..”
Before Rihaku could finish his sentence, Maomao immediately cleared away the mortar. “I feel sick today, so I’ll be taking a break. It’s a serious illness so no visitors.”
“H-hey!” Rihaku grabbed Maomao by the nape of her neck. “Eh, lass, you caught a cold? Do you want arrowroot tea?”
“I can fool the court physician chappie with no trouble too.”
Rihaku was stunned. “Lass, let me finish. If you think about it hard enough, don’t you find it more strange that that old man hasn’t come to the villa since coming to the western capital?”
It goes without saying that old man referred to the weirdo tactician.
“…you’re right. Did something happen?”
The weirdo tactician was the type to set work aside and do whatever he liked.
“Apparently there’s an amazing shogi master in the western capital. They’ve been holding matches this whole time.”
“I can totally see this answer.”
The western capital seemed to have thought of ways to deal with the weirdo tactician. Once you give him board games, he becomes quite meek.
“His opponent is summoned here today.”
“…woah.”
(Who called him.)
The answer naturally came out. Was it Jinshi?
“Well, I know lass hates that old man.”
“You can see, right?”
“Who is that old man?” The quack doctor asked innocently, but she wasn’t in the mood to reply.
“But I also know that old man is capable.”
“I know that it’s regrettable.”
“Who is it?” The quack doctor’s face fell when he failed to join the conversation.
“Wouldn’t that capable old man become frantic if you were to take a sick leave or pretend to be out?”
“…ngh.”
“But then, annoyingly, the more begrudging you are, the more impulsive he would be from getting worked up.” Rihaku’s words were filled with personal experiences. He must have been utterly irritated at Rokushoukan. “Why don’t you show your face, then cut it short with minimal contact?”
“Rihaku-sama, you’re siding with that old man for some strange reason, aren’t you?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Then, why?” Maomao pressed, and Rihaku raised his hand like he got an idea.
“The shogi master coming today seems to be a walking encyclopaedia of the western capital. When the Ih clan was destroyed, most of the past literature was burned. If I say this much, would lass understand?”
In other words, Jinshi summoned the shogi master to ask him questions. But, with the weirdo tactician tagging along, it might not necessarily go well. So, does it mean that Maomao will be enticing him over?
“…it’s not that I don’t understand, but where did they find that walking encyclopaedia? Wouldn’t it seem weird if he did such a thing on his own account?” she asked.
Jinshi, from his position, had no idea when and where his life would be targeted. Even under normal circumstances, he was doing what he wished regarding agriculture, so what was his reputation at the western capital like?
“About that, it was that old man who introduced the shogi master.”
“Um, I don’t understand.” Maomao tilted her head. In addition, the quack doctor who got peeved from being unable to get into the conversation was starting to have tea with dried fruit snacks.
“The western capital had prepared the shogi master as entertainment, but he’s over eighty years old. He’s long gone senile and needs someone to care for him. Only his shogi skill didn’t decline so he can maintain his concentration to be the weirdo tactician’s opponent.”
“If he’s senile, then wouldn’t it be impossible to ask him questions?”
“From what the weirdo tactician says, his sanity returns every now and then. His articulation is poor so he speaks haltingly, but his aide will write it down for Master Jinshi to see.”
Maomao wanted to clutch her head.
“Also, he said ‘I want to see my daughter after a long time, so prepare tea’.”
(Uwah…)
In other words: in return for the information exchange, let me see Maomao.
“Master has been agonising over it all this time. Recently, it feels like he got a bit of a breakthrough. Was it around the time we were in Anan?”
The large breed dog had sharp intuition.
It was right when Maomao told him to use people who can be used.
(No, I said it. I certainly said it.)
But still, Rahan’s older brother was on a trip onboard a carriage to be used up completely. Maomao might be the cause of the suffering Rahan’s older brother had to go through. If so, the one who said it first can’t take back her words.
“He kinda entrusted me with the message, but the choice of person is wrong, yeah. Lass is all for escaping, right? I said I won’t force you to stop.”
No, rather than untactfully using Chue here, honestly speaking, Rihaku was more fitting to deal with Maomao.
“But, if I were to speak sincerely to lass, by telling you my feelings, you’ll listen properly, he’d said.”
(What can I say.)
Maomao grit her teeth. She could only say “that bastard” under her breath.
“Understood…” she said.
“Eh, will that be okay? Really? Then I’ll lead you to the tea party venue. Chue-san will bring you clothes later. That’s okay?”
“Yes.”
Maomao staggered back to her room, close to spitting out her soul.
