Death of a Doll Maker by I. J. Parker Read Free Book Online Page B

Let’s go into my private office.” He waved to a clerk. “Somebody bring some wine.” Taking Akitada’s arm, he walked him into an adjoining smaller room. It was furnished elegantly with books, paintings, silk cushions on thick mats, fine lamps and ornate braziers. Akitada thought of his own stripped quarters. He also wondered why he had been hustled away so quickly for a private meeting.
    As soon as they had sat down, he passed his imperial orders to Korenori, presenting them with both hands and a bow. Korenori received them in the same manner, raised the imperial seal to his forehead and then placed them on a desk.
    He said, “I’ve been informed of your assignment by my cousin, the regent, and also by Counselor Kinsada. You are to take over the administration of Chikuzen while you look into the illegal trading with China.”
    Akitada wondered how much Korenori knew of his assignment. When you have been told to find a traitor who might be a very high-ranking man, you tend to suspect even the assistant governor general. Akitada confined himself to agreeing with Korenori about his assignment.
    When a clerk brought the wine, neither of them spoke until he had gone again.
    Korenori poured. “To your health and a long life, Sugawara.”
    “Thank you, sir, and may you have the same good fortune.”
    They drank.
    Akitada asked, “Do you have additional information for me?”
    “Nothing, I’m afraid. Things have been very quiet.” Korenori frowned. “Too quiet.”
    “How so?”
    Korenori shook his head. “If I knew, you probably wouldn’t be here. I think it will be best if you take things easy at first. No sense in making our man suspicious before we have solid proof.”
    Akitada cleared his throat. “I agree completely, sir, but I am faced with some unexpected problems. I am to replace Governor Tachibana who was recalled for cause. May I be allowed to make an initial report on how I found the provincial headquarters upon my arrival?”
    Korenori raised his brows. “What do you mean?”
    “I had expected to meet Governor Tachibana in person but was told he had already left.”
    “Oh, yes. Tachibana was in a hurry to get home. I let him go. Can’t blame the man for wanting to set matters straight. Embarrassing to be recalled before your term is up.”
    “I see. But it raises the question about how he left Chikuzen affairs. It is customary for the central government to send an inspector general to approve a governor’s books before a new man takes over. This apparently did not happen.”
    “Oh, they dispensed with it. They already knew or suspected the worst and the distance makes it more practical for us to handle the matter here. Tachibana has been properly released, so you needn’t worry about it.”
    Actually this news did not reassure Akitada, but he could hardly say so.
    “I’m glad to hear it,” he said and took a sip of his wine. “However, when Lord Tachibana left, he seems to have dismissed his staff. His entire staff. Without pay. Apparently the servants returned after his departure and helped themselves to anything of value left behind. I don’t know what the former governor may have taken or sold, but at my arrival I found neither furnishings, nor horses, guards, servants, or tribunal staff, with the exception of one elderly senior clerk and a young stable boy. The clerk had the seal and a small amount of gold in his safekeeping, but it is hardly enough to cover expenses.”
    Korenori had listened with astonishment. “How extraordinary! What shall we do? I suppose you’d better hire people. Perhaps a couple of the clerks and scribes here in Dazaifu won’t mind moving. And soldiers. Yes, I can supply those. We’ve got plenty of soldiers. The rest is difficult. I just don’t have ready funds. But Chikuzen is a rich province. You’ll raise money there without trouble. Tachibana always did. Just go to the Hakata merchants for a loan.”
    Akitada gulped more wine. “I rather suspect it