| Narrative: |
The archives - a building that stands in a quiet corner in the back of the imperial grounds. It has absolutely no connection with the government administration at the centre of the grounds. Simply taking care of dusty, written works, it's seems most people don't know about it. |
| Shouka: |
*sighs* |
| Shuurei: |
Father. |
| Shouka: |
Ah, Shuurei. |
| Shuurei: |
Shall we have tea? This is Ran Shuuei-sama. You already know him, right? |
| Shouka: |
Eh? Ah, of course!
Welcome Your Maj... Shuuei-dono. |
| Ryuuki: |
*coughs*
You look like you're doing well, Shouka-dono. |
| Shuurei: |
Now then, I'll prepare the tea, Ran Shuuei-sama. |
| Ryuuki: |
Y-yeah. |
| Shouka: |
I'll join you once I've finished what I'm working on at the moment. |
| Title: |
The Frog in His Well Knows Nothing of the Sea*
*Saying - one of limited experience or perspective can't understand the broader world. |
| Shuuei: |
Oy, Seiran. |
| Seiran: |
Shogun Ran. |
| Shuuei: |
Come here a moment. |
| Seiran: |
And that person is...?
|
| Shuuei: |
Li Kouyuu, he's registered with the Department of Civil Affairs and is my old friend. |
| Kouyuu: |
Who're you calling an old friend?? Calling it an unfortunate acquaintance is more than sufficient for the likes of you. |
| Seiran: |
Are you perhaps the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Civil Affairs? Who at the age of 16, was the youngest person to pass the national exams at the top of the class? |
| Shuuei: |
That's Kouyuu for you. You're famous. |
| Seiran: |
But don't you have duties to attend to during the day? What are you doing in the archives? |
| Shuuei: |
We're here because of those duties. We're the same as you. |
| Seiran: |
? Do you mean... |
| Shuuei: |
That's right. Like you, Kouyuu and I have been assigned to the Emperor, but we've been extremely bored this past month.
You're Shuurei-dono's family retainer are you not? |
| Seiran: |
Y-yes. |
| Shuuei: |
We're bored, so we're watching how the princess you work for handles things. |
| Shuurei: |
Here you go. |
| Ryuuki: |
It's delicious. So this is what it really tastes like. |
| Shuurei: |
Have you always been drinking that really bitter papa's tea? |
| Ryuuki: |
Papa's tea? |
| Shuurei: |
The almost deadly, bitter tea that father always makes. |
| Ryuuki: |
Yeah. I also like Shouka-dono's papa's tea. |
| Shuurei: |
He's a nice person.
Do you come to the archives often? |
| Ryuuki: |
Yeah. |
| Shuurei: |
Even though you're a military officer? |
| Ryuuki: |
Eh? Ah...
*coughs*
So you're Kou-kihi? |
| Shuurei: |
My, you knew? |
| Ryuuki: |
Yeah. I learned yesterday from Shusui when I went to the Imperial Residence. |
| Shuurei: |
I see. And, what was your business at the Imperial Residence? |
| Ryuuki: |
Eh? Umm... That was... |
| Shuurei: |
Could it be a message from His Majesty perhaps? |
| Ryuuki: |
Umm... well... |
| Shouka: |
Sorry to keep you waiting. |
| Ryuuki: |
Ah Shouka-dono. Won't you have some tea. |
| Shouka: |
?
|
| Ryuuki: |
Shuurei, you're the princess of the Kou family aren't you? Why are you so good at making sweets like this? That and those... |
| Shuurei: |
These hands? |
| Ryuuki: |
They're all chapped. They're not at all like a princess's hands. |
| Shuurei: |
Even so, they've gotten a lot nicer since I entered the Imperial Residence. We're very poor so I had to work very hard every day. That's why my hands aren't at all white and smooth as a princess's hands.
But you know, I think it's fine this way. Afterall, it's for father, Seiran and I, for the three of us to be able to live together. So this sort of thing is fine. |
| Ryuuki: |
Seiran? |
| Shuurei: |
I wonder if you mightn't have met him somewhere. Because he was assigned to the Left Uringun and assigned to you.
? Dropping crumbs all over the place. You're like a child. |
| Ryuuki: |
I'm 19 now. I'm not a child. |
| Shuurei: |
My, I see. So you're the same age as his Majesty then. |
| Ryuuki: |
Eh? |
| Shuurei: |
Eh? How many did you eat? |
| Ryuuki: |
Five or six maybe? |
| Shuurei: |
You're over-eating. I'll wrap them up for you, so take them with you and eat them later. |
| Ryuuki: |
Shuurei's like a nagging mother, isn't she? |
| Shouka: |
Yes. |
| Shuurei: |
Father! |
| Shouka: |
Ahahah. Sorry, sorry. |
| Ryuuki: |
But it's nice. This sort of thing.
|
| Shuurei: |
? That's...
It seems that bit about liking men is true afterall. |
| Seiran: |
My lady. |
| Shuurei: |
?!? |
| Seiran: |
What are you doing in a place like this? |
| Shuurei: |
Oh, Seiran, it's you. You surprised me. |
| Seiran: |
Are you unhappy that his Majesty doesn't come to spend the nights with you? |
| Shuurei: |
Don't say such a foolish thing! I just... |
| Seiran: |
Just...?
|
| Shuurei: |
I was wondering if that person wasn't maybe really lonely. That's what I thought.
That person... what do you think he said the first time we met and I asked him his name?
He said Ran Shuuei. |
| Seiran: |
That's... |
| Shuurei: |
Wandering around the palace wearing non-government uniform clothing that's been loosened at the neck...
It'd be stranger not to realise that's the Emperor. |
| Seiran: |
My lady, those books... |
| Shuurei: |
Hm? These? I thought I'd study a little. I entered the palace as a tutor to the Emperor, so when the time comes, I need to be prepared.
I thought he was supposed to be a hopeless stupid lord but he's not like that at all when you talk to him. While he's strangely child-like, he's not quick to anger, nor is he arrogant. Also, he listens closely to what I say.
If he listens to what people say, I thought I could reach him through words. He's not at all as bad as I'd thought. No. On the contrary, I think he'll make a good Emperor. |
| Seiran: |
Yes. I think so too. |
| Shuurei: |
So I need to study, right?
|
| Shuurei: |
Advisor Shou! |
| Shou: |
Oh, Shuurei-dono. |
| Shuurei: |
I've come to beg a favour of you, Advisor. |
| Shou: |
What is it? |
| Shuurei: |
I want to study, but simply reading books on my own...
So, if you could please introduce me to a good teacher... |
| Shou: |
Hmm... very well. Leave it to me.
|
| Shuuei: |
Let's start with the fundamental structure of the Imperial Court. I heard that you came to the Imperial Residence at Advisor Shou's request? |
| Shuurei: |
Yes. |
| Shuuei: |
I assume you have a certain level of learning... well, can you tell me the four ministries and six departments. |
| Shuurei: |
The four ministries are the ministries of State Affairs, the Chancellery, the Secretariat, and the Enlightened One's Cave.
Then, the six departments making up the Ministry of State Affairs include the departments of Civil Affairs, Finance, Protocol, the Military, Justice, and Public Works. |
| Shuuei: |
You're very well informed. |
| Shuurei: |
Actually, I've always wanted to take the National Exams and constantly studied under my father. But, since learning that women can't take the National Exams, I passed that dream on to the children and taught at the local temple. |
| Shuuei: |
So you were an instructor? |
| Shuurei: |
Yes. |
| Shuuei: |
If that's the case, perhaps there's not much left for you to learn. |
| Shuurei: |
No. Not at all. I wonder if there's any such thing as a limit to learning?
By the way, Ran Shogun... You're a military officer, why are you giving lectures? |
| Shuuei: |
Ah, that's...
He finally made it. |
| Shuurei: |
Kouyuu-sama. |
| Shuuei: |
You got lost again, didn't you. And here I was thinking about taking your place teaching. |
| Kouyuu: |
Shut up. |
| Shuuei: |
In a certain sense of the word, he's a genius. He has no sense of direction and can get lost within 30 steps. |
| Shuurei: |
No sense of direction... |
| Kouyuu: |
Quit blabbing and shut up!! |
| Shuuei: |
Your student awaits. |
| Shuurei: |
Thank you for teaching me! |
| Kouyuu: |
So you were serious when you said you wanted to study for this country's sake. And in comparison, that stupid lord... |
| Shuurei: |
Stupid lord... |
| Kouyuu: |
For all that this palace is large, it's also small. |
| Shuuei: |
If it's small, why do you get lost? |
| Kouyuu: |
Shut up!!
What I mean is that the Emperor doesn't know anything yet! That a woman is this keen to learn, being so worried about the country... |
| Shuurei: |
There's no need to get so upset just because the stupid lord doesn't give you any work. |
| Shuurei: |
Um. |
| Shuuei: |
Yes? |
| Shuurei: |
Is it possible that the stupid lor... umm... rather that His Majesty has never left the Imperial Palace? |
| Shuuei: |
I'm not certain, but probably. |
| Kouyuu: |
You on the other hand often slip out to go to a certain district to have fun with the women. |
| Shuuei: |
How about joining me next time. |
| Kouyuu: |
No thank you! |
| Shuurei: |
The frog in his well doesn't know the sea.
If he sees the broader world, however stupid a lord he may be, maybe he'll start feeling like getting involved in governing a little.
|
| Ryuuki: |
Is your home near here, Shuurei? |
| Shuurei: |
Yes, that's right. |
| Ryuuki: |
Hmm... it's quite lively, isn't it. |
| Shuurei: |
There are a number of shops in this area. Naturally there's food, but also curios, decor, clothing, books... they sell everything.
Ah! Oji-san! I'll take two of these! |
| Shopkeeper: |
Here you go. |
| Shuurei: |
You'll eat too, right? |
| Ryuuki: |
Eh? Oh. It's delicious! |
| Shuurei: |
You see? |
| Ryuuki: |
This is the first time I've ever eaten while walking. It's kind of nice. |
| Ryuushin: |
Shuurei-sensei! |
| Shuurei: |
Ryuushin. |
| Ryuushin: |
Where have you been lately? |
| Shuurei: |
Um, well... |
| Touka: |
Shuurei-sensei. Where's Seiran? |
| Boy: |
Who's the flamboyant man? |
| Shuurei: |
Ah. Oops. That's right. |
| Ryuuki: |
Flamboyant? Is it that...? |
| Ryuushin: |
It doesn't matter if you're not Seiran. Hey! Let's play Samurai! |
| Kids: |
Let's let's! |
| Ryuuki: |
Ah, hey. |
| Boy 2: |
Shuurei-sensei! Kinren's got trouble! |
| Customer: |
This sort of cheap comb costs that much?! Don't screw with me! |
| Kinren: |
But this piece is made from boxwood. Even so, it's very reasonably priced. |
| Customer: |
Huh! You can say whatever you like. |
| Shuurei: |
True. A person can say whatever they like. |
| Customer: |
What? |
| Shuurei: |
Are you so blind that you can't see the fine craftsmanship in this piece? |
| Customer: |
What was that? |
| Shuurei: |
If you keep on like this, it'll end up with you looking like a boor. Is that okay? |
| Customer: |
Huh? |
| Crowd: |
*general agreement* That's right. |
| Kinren: |
Thank you, Shuurei-sensei. |
| Shuurei: |
Not at all. Rather than that, where's your mother? |
| Kinren: |
She's been sick in bed with a cold since this morning. |
| Shuurei: |
That's why you've been taking care of the shop huh?
Ah! I just had a good idea! |
| Ryuuki: |
Eh?
|
| Kinren: |
Thank you, Shuurei-sensei |
| Shuurei: |
Just leave the shop to us, and take good care of your Mother. |
| Kinren: |
Okay! |
| Shuurei: |
All right! Let's make lots of money!
Welcome! How about a hairpin!
You call out too! |
| Ryuuki: |
We... Um, you mean me!? |
| Shuurei: |
That's right. Who else is there here? Go on. |
| Ryuuki: |
W-w-welcome. |
| Shuurei: |
Louder. |
| Ryuuki: |
Welcome! |
| Woman: |
My, what a handsome man. |
| Ryuuki: |
Eh? |
| Shuurei: |
Welcome. How about this hair pin? |
| Woman: |
My, it's pretty nice. |
| Shuurei: |
I'll give you a special discount. Would you like to give it a try?
Here, put it in her hair. |
| Ryuuki: |
L-like this? |
| Shuurei: |
That's wonderful. It suits you well. |
| Ryuuki: |
!?! It suits you well. |
| Woman: |
R-really? |
| Ryuuki: |
Yes. |
| Woman: |
In that case, I'll take one. |
| Shuurei: |
Thank you very much! |
| Crowd: |
Wow! Such a good-looking man! |
| Woman 2: |
Being able to have such a good-looking man put it in in person.... |
| Woman 3: |
Me too! Me too! |
| Woman 4: |
Choose one for me too! |
| Shuurei: |
Yes, yes. No pushing. No pushing. Please await your turn. |
| Shuuei: |
Having the Emperor sell things. Punishment for using my name perhaps?
? That's... Seiran! |
| Kouyuu: |
That's a bodyguard for you. Watching without being either too near or too far away. |
| Shuuei: |
The day you actually meet His Highness will be something to look forward to. |
| Kouyuu: |
I'll be sure to give him a piece of my mind when I do.
|
| Shuurei: |
We made quite a lot, didn't we. There won't be any problem buying Kinren's mom's medicine for a while with this.
Are you tired? |
| Ryuuki: |
No, actually it was kind of fun. |
| Shuurei: |
I'm glad. Afterall, it's a wonderful thing being able to help others. |
| Ryuuki: |
Being able to help others... |
| Shuurei: |
This is my home. |
| Ryuuki: |
You weren't kidding when you said you were poor.
|
| Shuurei: |
My, how rude. |
| Ryuuki: |
S-sorry |
| Shuurei: |
That's all right. It's the truth afterall. |
| Ryuuki: |
So you were the kids' teacher. |
| Shuurei: |
That's right. |
| Ryuuki: |
You're so energetic. You're also very good at selling things.
? Are those cherry trees? |
| Shuurei: |
Yes. That's right. Our cherry trees don't flower any more. Since eight years ago. |
| Ryuuki: |
Eight years ago. |
| Shuurei: |
Eight years ago - when there was that fight for the throne.
After the Emperor collapsed, the Imperial Court and governmental matters were thrown into disarray with the fight for the throne. Those of us living in the castle town got hit badly in the aftermath. Many of the nobility closed their gates firmly and the dead bodies of those who starved littered those gates. Father and Seiran did what they could do to preserve everyone's living, but we weren't able to do very much. Probably what was of most use to everyone was our garden. There were lots of fruit bearing trees and our pond is large, so we were able to share our fruit and fish with the town's people. As a result, there isn't a single fish in the pond and it'll be years before there are fruit again. But then, they don't flower anymore. Because we'd eaten everything.
A lot of people died in front of my eyes. |
| Woman: |
Shuurei-chan. Would you play your erhu for this child's sake. That they may rest in peace. |
| Shuurei: |
Day after day, I played the erhu uncountable times. It was like we were living just to die. Just why were we alive if we had to go through that sort of experience?
Father and Seiran got thinner and thinner every day. I was so scared. Every night, I dreamt of them dying and leaving me behind all alone. Those were the days of terror. |
| Ryuuki: |
Shuurei |
| Shuurei: |
That's why I entered the palace. I no longer want to be able to do nothing except cry over my own helplessness. So, if there was something I could do, next time, I wanted to try doing it. What I'm wanting really isn't very much. I don't intend to say anything as stupid as "please build a country where everyone can live happily". Happiness and unhappiness are up to the individual person. So the Emperor doesn't need to take responsibility for that much. A person's life is up to that person alone. Choosing from the many choices that come up in life on their own. |
| Ryuuki: |
Choose on their own. |
| Shuurei: |
There are times though when a person can't choose. If it's from a natural disaster, then there's no choice but to give in. But if it's man-made, then it should be possible for people to prevent. |
| Ryuuki: |
That's why you entered the palace? |
| Shuurei: |
But then, there're lots of things that people can do to get things to work out.
But, there are some things that can't be done regardless of how much citizens try. It's the Emperor's job to take care of those things, isn't it? If the Emperor loafs off, then who's going to take care of those things?
I don't know why you don't take care of your governmental duties, but it can't be helped now that you've already taken the throne. You'll just have to do your best. In exchange, I intend to do my best too.
|
| Ryuuki: |
Eh? |
| Shuurei: |
If you say you've never studied politics since you're the youngest Prince, I'll study together with you. When you're unsure, I'll stay by your side, if you want to complain, I'll listen as much as you want. If you want to cry, go ahead and cry. I'm not an advisor. So there's no need to act strong.
I didn't come to make children or just to tell you off. I came to give you my support - by your side - to support you who stands as the Emperor.
...That's what I wanted to say to the Emperor when I met him. But I haven't been able to see him. If you're acquainted with the Emperor, would you tell him what I'd just said? And, if he's interested, that I'll be waiting in the archives tomorrow afternoon. |
| Ryuuki: |
Understood. I'll be sure to pass it on. |
| Shuurei: |
The tea's gotten cold. I'll go make some more.
|
| Seiran: |
My lady. |
| Shuurei: |
S-Seiran |
| Seiran: |
You really hung in there. Those days... just remembering what had happened eight years ago, must have been very hard for you. |
| Shuurei: |
I'm sorry. I'm okay now. |
| Seiran: |
I'm sure His Majesty will come to the Archives tomorrow.
|
| Ryuuki: |
We are Shi Ryuuki. A man that we know well gave us your message. |
| Shuurei: |
Yes. And your reply? |
| Ryuuki: |
Let's govern. |
| Shuurei: |
Thank you!
C-can I ask you something? |
| Ryuuki: |
What? |
| Shuurei: |
Y-y-you like men more than women right? |
| Ryuuki: |
Hmm... well yes. |
| Shuurei: |
Th-that's right. Oh good.
W-well, there's still the issue of successors, but we can think about that later. Right now, let's study the basics of governmental administration.
Let me introduce our teacher. |
| Kouyuu: |
I'm so pleased to finally make your acquaintance, Your Majesty.
I'm Li Kouyuu. |
| Shuuei: |
Please do your best, Your Majesty. |
| Ryuuki: |
Ran Shuuei, what are you doing here? |
| Shuuei: |
My duties have always been to guard Your Majesty. Also, I came to check things out after hearing that someone has been using my name lately in the archives. |
| Kouyuu: |
From here on, I won't hold back in working you hard. Prepare yourself. |
| Ryuuki: |
I-I look forward to it. |
| Sou: |
So his Majesty has finally taken an interest in things |
| Shou: |
It looks like bringing Shuurei-dono who understand so much about commoners to the Imperial Residence was the right thing to do. |
| Sa: |
Shou, it was a great idea for you. |
| Shou: |
Skip the "for you".
Now the question is if His Majesty will try to give Li Kouyuu and Ran Shuuei a flower.
|
| Next Episode: |
I wonder if Ryuuki's the type of person who, when they try, can do pretty much anything. I've changed my mind a little about him. Don't get ahead of yourself! I said only a little, so what are you doing in my room?! I told you not to get ahead of yourself! |
![[ Episode 1 ]](../../img/buttons/but_home.gif){kind=small}
![[ Previous ]](../../img/buttons/but_prev.gif){kind=small}
![[ Index ]](../../img/buttons/but_main.gif){kind=small}
![[ Next ]](../../img/buttons/but_next.gif){kind=small}
![[ End ]](../../img/buttons/but_end.gif){kind=small}