But was it? Kiyoshi's words could be interpreted as an admission of smuggling and murder, punishable by death even if he'd acted in a misguided attempt to please, protect, or control someone else. A madman's ambiguous testimony wouldn't clear Sano or Hirata. And if Kiyoshi was innocent, Sano couldn't pin the crimes on the boy, even to save his own life and honor.
Sano released his hold on the limp, trembling body beneath him. He laid a soothing hand on Kiyoshi's head. oKiyoshi, you must tell the truth. It's the only way you can help yourself, or the people you care about.
Silence. But when Sano gently turned Kiyoshi over, he saw that the boys expression, though still frightened, had lost its crazed panic.
The door banged open, and the din outside increased as other prisoners clamored in their cells. The warden and two guards rushed into the room. oYou'll have to leave now, the warden said. oHe's started a riot, and he'll make things even worse if you don't leave him alone.
oJust a moment longer, Sano pleaded. To learn the truth, he must break Kiyoshi's loyalty to whomever he was protecting, whether it be Chief Ohira, Interpreter Iishino, Junko, or Governor Nagai. oHe's calm now; maybe he'll talk.
But the warden shook his head. oCome back later.
The guards firmly escorted Sano out of Kiyoshi's cell, and the warden bolted the door. oWait, Sano protested.
Suddenly a huge boom rocked the prison. Sano's heart lurched; his ears rang. Fragments of plaster rained down from the ceiling as a shocked silence fell over the jail. Then the prisoners began shouting again, louder, pounding on the doors and begging, oLet us out!
oWhat in heaven was that? the warden said. oThunder? An earthquake?
Dawning comprehension horrified Sano. oThe Dutch ship, he said, and bolted for the exit.
Chapter 25
SANO'S GUESS PROVED unfortunately correct. From outside the jail, he saw the Dutch ship moving down the harbor channel with ominous majesty. Black smoke drifted out of cannon protruding from the lower decks. Flames blazed aboard a nearby patrol barge whose stern tilted below the water. The Dutch captain had entered the harbor before the two days were up, firing on troops who had tried to stop the ship. Sano's worst fear had become reality: His failure to resolve the barbarian's murder had brought war to Japan.
He leapt astride his horse and galloped downhill toward the harbor. Past him streamed noisy crowds seeking shelter, while braver, curious souls ran for the waterfront. Gawkers peered from balconies and roofs. Foreign merchants, concerned for their anchored craft, poured out of the settlements in raucous hordes accompanied by frantic Japanese guards. Shouts and cries filled the streets.
oThe barbarians will kill us all!
oRun for the hills!
Doshin tried vainly to maintain order. Troops, armed with bows, arquebuses, swords, and spears, rode and marched toward the harbor.
Then a second boom shuddered the sky and echoed across the hills. A fountain of smoke and water burst from the sea near the wrecked barge. Another wave of panic rose.
oMove, shouted Sano, maneuvering his horse through massed bodies and trying not to trample anyone. He must somehow undo the harm he'd caused. The Dutch captain might be rash enough to risk dying in battle against Japan's more numerous forces, and with his superior firepower, he could ruin the city.
The waterfront promenade was already awash in troops when Sano reached it. Sentries manned small boats around Deshima, preventing contact between the Dutch crew and their imprisoned compatriots. Beyond the beach, survivors of the wrecked barge swam for shore while waves swallowed their craft. From the harbor patrol station, more barges, packed with troops, sped toward the Dutch ship, which loomed larger and closer. Scarlet war banners fluttered on the clifftops above the harbor. Sano hastily secured his horse outside the station and rushed down the pier.
oWait! he cried, waving at the last departing barge.
No one heeded his plea. Then, farther down the coast, he saw sailors preparing to launch Nagasaki's three warships. They raised masts, mounted oars and cannon, unfurled sails and banners bearing the Tokugawa crest. Sano reached the largest warship just as gunners and archers assumed positions on deck and the high command started up the gangplank.
Governor Nagai, wearing a magnificent suit of armor with red-lacquered breastpiece, chain-mail sleeves, a many-plated tunic laced with red silk cord, and a helmet crowned with golden antlers, led a. group of aides. Interpreter Iishino, looking scared and uncomfortable in his armor, dawdled behind. When Sano arrived at the gangplank, Nagai was on deck, arguing with the ship's captain.
oUnder no conditions shall we fire on the Dutch ship yet, Nagai said.
oBut Honorable Governor, said the captain, othe barbarians have already attacked Japan. To accept such an insult would be an admission of cowardice. I can cripple the Dutch ship. The gunners on the cliffs can finish her off. His face blazed with zealous patriotism. oThis is our chance to demonstrate Japan's military strength!
The aides loudly seconded him, but Governor Nagai shook his circular gold war fan. oOur defense preparations are incomplete. At present, we can't guarantee a quick victory over the Dutch or minimal damage to Nagasaki. And think of the consequences of a battle.
oEven if we make sure the barbarians don't leave Japan alive, there are thousands of other foreign witnesses to today's events. We can't silence them all without inviting retribution from their governments, which would eventually realize that an entire international fleet of ships had failed to return home. The traders will carry tales to ports frequented by the East India Company. The Dutch will send more ships. Our nation cannot survive a full assault by the company fleet without massive destruction. Even if we escape total defeat, the battles will kill legions and disrupt foreign trade, costing us a fortune. I'll not bring full-scale war on Japan just to satisfy a fool's desire for glory!
With an air of finality, Nagai turned to his chief aide. oDoes everyone have orders to stand by unless they receive the signal from me?
oYes, Honorable Governor.
oThen let's be on our way. I must negotiate a truce with the Dutch before matters escalate to the point where war is unavoidable.
Nagai started toward the bow; his retinue followed. The captain shouted the order to set sail. Sano dashed up the gangplank, calling, oGovernor Nagai! Wait!
Troops seized Sano, locking him in a vise of chain-mailed arms. Nagai turned; a frown darkened his face. oWhat are you doing here? he demanded, striding toward Sano. To the troops he said, oThrow him overboard, and let's go.
oWait, Sano called as the soldiers started to hoist him over the railing. oGovernor Nagai, you must let me go with you and speak to the Dutch.
oBakarashii "ridiculous! Nagai's thick lips twisted in annoyance, though his curt headshake arrested the soldiers' overboard thrust. oHaven't you caused enough trouble already? You failed to disarm the Dutch ship when you had the chance. You could have accepted the whore's confession, closed Spaen's murder case, and allowed the barbarians to land peacefully. Now your folly and ineptitude have endangered the entire nation.
The angry sweep of his war fan encompassed the harbor, where the fishing boats now clustered at the docks, the other foreign vessels had moved as far inland as possible, and the Dutch ship reigned triumphant. Yet Sano saw a familiar shrewd glint in Nagai's eyes: He realized that if Sano conducted the negotiations with the Dutch, Governor Nagai could not be blamed in the event of failure.
oThe Dutch captain knows me, Sano said, hastening to help Nagai reverse his decision without losing face before his men. oWhen he hears about the efforts I've made toward catching his countryman's killer, he may consent to a truce.
After a moment, Nagai nodded. oRelease him, he ordered the soldiers. To the captain, he said, oProceed.
To the accompaniment of the rowers' chants and the splash of oars, the warship left the dock. Sano joined Governor Nagai in the bow, where they watched the Dutch ship, now ringed by patrol barges that looked puny in comparison. The moist, salt-laden
drizzle chilled Sano, tightening muscles already stiff with anxiety; his shoulder ached. Not until he faced Captain Oss could he know what approach would best achieve peace. But he now had a chance to establish Nagai's role in the murders and smuggling, and convince the governor to drop the charges against him.
With a sidelong glance at Sano, Governor Nagai said, oMy clan has a long tradition of military leadership. Even in peacetime, we consider the strategy of warfare an important field of knowledge, because war and politics are much alike "don't you agree?
Sano nodded, unsure of where this was leading.
oYes. Well. During my youth I studied the writings of my ancestor, General Noriyama, who lived more than three hundred years ago, under the Ashikaga shoguns. He had a saying: ~Attack the branches; weaken the tree.' He applied this theory in his campaign against a rival general. Instead of killing his rival, he took the man's family hostage, rendering him powerless to act against Noriyama. A bold move whose genius lay not only in concept, but also in execution. You see, General Noriyama didn't take the hostages himself; he had his lieutenants do it. This way he avoided any adverse personal consequences should the ploy fail, or displeasing his lord with an overt quest for power.
oI see, said Sano. He'd just been warned that if he attacked the governor, his mother, aunts, uncles, and cousins would suffer at the hands of Nagai's minions. Also, the governor, like General Noriyama, had covered himself in the event that the frame-up should fail and the bakufu ever challenge his handling of Sano's case. If the tribunal should find Sano innocent, Nagai could blame his subordinates, and thereby escape punishment.
oI find it difficult to understand why you take such an active interest in the problems of the nation, Governor Nagai said, osince your own days upon this earth are numbered.
Of all his enemies, the one Sano hated most was Nagai, symbol of everything wrong in the bakufu's upper echelon. He got a firm grip on his temper, knowing he could exploit Nagai's weaknesses to his own advantage, but only if he kept his main goal in sight. oI wouldn't be too sure of that if I were you, Honorable Governor. As the warship breasted the gray, choppy waves, Sano matched Nagai's bland tone. oI've spoken with Kiyoshi, Interpreter Iishino, and Chief Ohira today. The more closely one examines your case against me, the weaker it seems. After all, none of the witnesses are totally unbiased, credible, or beyond impeachment. The tribunal can't fail to notice.
oOh? Nagai's expression remained impassive.
oTake Kiyoshi, for example, Sano said. oHis testimony links me to the smuggling, but he's gone mad. The magistrates will doubt anything he says. And it's not hard to draw the conclusion that he lied to protect someone with whom he has strong professional or personal ties.
Like you, Governor, Sano let his tone imply. oThen there's Iishino. He was the only interpreter present when I spoke with the barbarians. His statement about what happened between them and me can't be confirmed. And because Iishino speaks Dutch fluently, he's the person most able to conspire with the barbarians, and engage in conflicts strong enough to provoke violence.
oYes. Well. Governor Nagai's warrior costume lent a menacing edge to his familiar geniality. oInterpreter Iishino and Chief Ohira are witnesses of great fortitude. They also have excellent records.
This meant that they would stand firm by their statements, thereby upsetting any claim of bias or perjury Sano made against them. Furthermore, their credentials weighed in their favor, while Sano, the accused, must battle the presumption of guilt, from which neither his rank nor accomplishments could shield him.
oOhira is the most dubious witness of all, Sano said, fighting desperation. Only moments remained until his confrontation with the Dutch. oWho else is in a better position to move barbarians off Deshima and murder them? And anyone can see why he wants me condemned as a traitor and corrupter of innocent youth: That would excuse his son's behavior and lessen the family's disgrace, wouldn't it? Sano described the hint of conspiracy he'd observed between Chief Ohira and Nirin. oAs far as I'm concerned, Ohira is the prime suspect.
oBut what would be his reason for killing Jan Spaen? Nagai asked impatiently.
Lack of motive was the only weak point in the case against Ohira. oI don't know, but I intend to find out, Sano said. Nagai shrugged, keeping his eyes on the Dutch ship. Sano could now see its crew on deck, ready to attack again. With increasing urgency, he hurried on. oThis tribunal convenes at considerable trouble to the magistrates and expense to the bakufu. The magistrates will resent being summoned to hear a fabricated case. The bakufu frowns upon anyone who abuses the law for personal gain. And I have allies in Edo. You could save yourself a lot of trouble by dropping the charges against me before matters go any farther.
Governor Nagai's expression turned cautious, but he shook his head. oI realize it's in your interest for me to discredit the witnesses and dismiss the evidence. But that's impossible.
Nagai must have more to lose by freeing him than by mounting a fraudulent treason case, Sano thought. Did this indicate the governor's complicity in the smuggling or murders? Was he afraid of what Sano's investigation might reveal about him?
oThe law requires that I prosecute traitors without exception or mercy, continued Nagai. oAnd the proceedings have been set in motion; no one can halt them now.
Through the cloud of ambiguities, Sano sensed one awful certainty: The long arm of Chamberlain Yanagisawa, reaching all the way from Edo to Nagasaki. Whatever Nagai's motives, the chamberlain would support the campaign against Sano "and punish the governor if it failed. Nagai, the canny politician, knew this.
The warship was nearing the ring of patrol barges. Governor Nagai leaned over the rail, shouting commands. The ring opened, allowing the warship to pass through. Sano saw Captain Oss, his red hair swirling like windblown flames, standing on the upper deck. Surrounded by armed troops, he aimed a musket directly at the Japanese warship. Sano knew that behind the rows of jutting black cannon, barbarian gunners waited in the lower decks, flaming torches in hand, poised to fire more deadly mortars. As the only man aboard his craft not wearing armor, Sano felt naked and vulnerable.
oIishino! he called. oGet up here!
Iishino hurried into the bow, his face ghastly white. The warship came within a length of the Dutch vessel, and Oss shouted into the gusting wind. oHe says don't come any closer, or they'll shoot. Iishino trembled so hard that his shoulder plates rattled. oOh, Honorable Governor, I think we should obey!
Nagai leveled an icy stare at Sano. oYou are in charge now.
oStop this ship, Sano told the captain. They could never withstand an assault by the barbarian vessel.
The rowers lifted the oars. The slackened sails flapped in the rainy wind. With a great splash, the anchor hit the water; the ship stopped. Sano offered a mental prayer to the gods, drew a deep breath, waved, and shouted:
oCaptain Oss! Do you remember me?
Iishino crouched on the deck, his head barely clearing the railing. In a quavery yell, he translated Sano's words.
oYou gave me two days to catch Jan Spaen's killer and provide safe accommodations for your crew, Sano continued, hoping his voice " and courage "wouldn't fail. oWhy have you changed your mind?
Oss didn't lower his gun, but he craned his neck to peer at Sano and rapped out an angry reply.
oHe says he's tired of waiting, mewled Iishino.
Sano realized that the barbarian had forced this confrontation because he knew Japan didn't want a war. Oss hoped to extort trade concessions and advance himself. oCaptain Oss, please order your men to hold their fire. Go back outside the harbor until we're ready to escort you ashore. Sano hated the thought of ever allowing the ambitious barbarian and his wild horde onto land, but what mattered now was removing the immediate threat to national security.
No sooner had Iishino finished translating, than the Dutchman's gun muzzle flared. An explosion cracked through air, tore across water. The bullet splintered one of the warship's yards. Sano dropped to the deck. Cries erupted and arm
or clattered as Iishino, Governor Nagai, and the crew followed suit. Then the captain was shouting orders, and the Japanese troops were back in position. Along a hundred bows, arrows rested poised to fly. The smell of hot flint and charred cloth rose as gunners lit the wicks that would ignite powder and speed bullets and cannonballs toward the enemy.
oNo! Sano shouted. Merciful gods, the war had begun. He would be among the first casualties. oDon't shoot!
Governor Nagai bellowed threats at his captain and crew. Then, when no additional shots came from the Dutch ship, the captain reluctantly signaled to hold fire. Yet bowstrings remained taut, guns aimed, while, from across the waves, came the barbarian's wild ranting.
oTranslate! Sano ordered, hauling Iishino to his feet.
The interpreter whimpered, oHe says there's a fortune in goods in the ship's hold, and he wants us to buy them now, for the price he will set. Oh, ssakan-sama, you must also bring him the corpse of Jan Spaen's killer and allow them ashore, or they'll destroy Nagasaki!
SI3 The Way of the Traitor (1997) Page 23
