Read Online The 47 Ronin Story by John Allyn - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: John Allyn
Tags: Fiction, Historical fiction, General, Action & Adventure, Literary Collections, Japanese, 47 Ronin, Ronin
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being. He was pleased with himself for having arranged beforehand that Yoshida should propose this plan so that he himself would appear more in the light of an impartial judge.
Ono, the treasurer, now stood and for a moment Oishi regretted he had not consulted with him beforehand.
Ono was an elderly man with a studious look, a tight smile, and a mind that clicked away at a problem like the counters on his abacus. His opinions carried considerable weight and he was capable of making trouble, but as Oishi had anticipated he was in accord with Yoshida's plan. He, too, was for waiting till the last possible moment to make a decision.
"T agree with both speakers that we should make an appeal," Oishi told the group when Ono was through. "It is in no way contrary to the wishes of Daigaku Asano—from what I have been able to learn of his views." He looked directly at Hara who squirmed uncomfortably. "And besides, such a course has the advantage of buying us time to prepare."
"Prepare for what?" asked Hara.
"For a siege, if our petition is denied," Oishi answered. This was the first time he had hinted at positive action and he could tell by the sharp intakes of breaths around him that it came as a not unwelcome prospect. "I will write the petition myself today and send it by courier to the proper officials in Edo. In the meantime I ask all of you to search your souls to decide the best course of action for yourselves. So much has happened so quickly that I recommend you
'64 '
Chapter Four
all take time to think. We will meet tomorrow morning to discuss measures of resistance, if it becomes necessary to offer it, and I suggest that only those prepared to fight to the death attend."
A hush fell over the group and Oishi spoke more slowly so that there could be no mistake about what he was saying. "We can fight, we can die, or we may decide, if we are too few in number, that it might be better to simply kneel in front of the castle and commit seppuku as a greeting to the Shogun's representatives—if that doesn't seem like too cowardly a gesture."
There was complete silence now, even on Hara's part. Seppuku was their last great resource for combating injustice. It was part of the training of a samurai that he would know how and when to take this ultimate step, yet this was the first time any of them had had it offered as a practical alternative. Oishi had indeed given them much to think about.
When the meeting was adjourned and the men returned to their duties, Oishi turned to the waiting Kataoka to question him closely about how things were going in Edo.
"Fine—fine," Kataoka nodded briskly, in spite of his weariness. "Young Horibe is doing a good job."
He went on to tell how Horibe was keeping close watch on the exit routes from the city so that he would know when the troops were being sent to take over the castle at Ako. He was also keeping track of Kira's movements so that he would know when the moment had arrived to strike. Oishi was concerned that Horibe, who had a reputation for being hotheaded, might take too much into his own hands, but Kataoka assured him that all those in Edo were pledged to follow the orders of their leader in Ako. Relieved to
• 65 •
hear this, Oishi sent the exhausted man for food and rest, and started to walk toward the stable area. On the way he was joined by Hara, who was full of apologies.
"Please believe that I'm sorry if I said anything to offend you," he said. "I just can't help myself when I get excited. I know it gets me into nothing but trouble, but I've always been like this and I can't seem to stop."
Oishi smiled. "I know you well enough to realize that," he said. "And don't you worry about what happened in the meeting. You represent one viewpoint and I'm glad you do it so forcefully. We're asking these men to consider pledging their lives to our decision and they should have a clear-cut choice offered to them. We must also take care that those who depart from the way of
Ono, the treasurer, now stood and for a moment Oishi regretted he had not consulted with him beforehand.
Ono was an elderly man with a studious look, a tight smile, and a mind that clicked away at a problem like the counters on his abacus. His opinions carried considerable weight and he was capable of making trouble, but as Oishi had anticipated he was in accord with Yoshida's plan. He, too, was for waiting till the last possible moment to make a decision.
"T agree with both speakers that we should make an appeal," Oishi told the group when Ono was through. "It is in no way contrary to the wishes of Daigaku Asano—from what I have been able to learn of his views." He looked directly at Hara who squirmed uncomfortably. "And besides, such a course has the advantage of buying us time to prepare."
"Prepare for what?" asked Hara.
"For a siege, if our petition is denied," Oishi answered. This was the first time he had hinted at positive action and he could tell by the sharp intakes of breaths around him that it came as a not unwelcome prospect. "I will write the petition myself today and send it by courier to the proper officials in Edo. In the meantime I ask all of you to search your souls to decide the best course of action for yourselves. So much has happened so quickly that I recommend you
'64 '
Chapter Four
all take time to think. We will meet tomorrow morning to discuss measures of resistance, if it becomes necessary to offer it, and I suggest that only those prepared to fight to the death attend."
A hush fell over the group and Oishi spoke more slowly so that there could be no mistake about what he was saying. "We can fight, we can die, or we may decide, if we are too few in number, that it might be better to simply kneel in front of the castle and commit seppuku as a greeting to the Shogun's representatives—if that doesn't seem like too cowardly a gesture."
There was complete silence now, even on Hara's part. Seppuku was their last great resource for combating injustice. It was part of the training of a samurai that he would know how and when to take this ultimate step, yet this was the first time any of them had had it offered as a practical alternative. Oishi had indeed given them much to think about.
When the meeting was adjourned and the men returned to their duties, Oishi turned to the waiting Kataoka to question him closely about how things were going in Edo.
"Fine—fine," Kataoka nodded briskly, in spite of his weariness. "Young Horibe is doing a good job."
He went on to tell how Horibe was keeping close watch on the exit routes from the city so that he would know when the troops were being sent to take over the castle at Ako. He was also keeping track of Kira's movements so that he would know when the moment had arrived to strike. Oishi was concerned that Horibe, who had a reputation for being hotheaded, might take too much into his own hands, but Kataoka assured him that all those in Edo were pledged to follow the orders of their leader in Ako. Relieved to
• 65 •
hear this, Oishi sent the exhausted man for food and rest, and started to walk toward the stable area. On the way he was joined by Hara, who was full of apologies.
"Please believe that I'm sorry if I said anything to offend you," he said. "I just can't help myself when I get excited. I know it gets me into nothing but trouble, but I've always been like this and I can't seem to stop."
Oishi smiled. "I know you well enough to realize that," he said. "And don't you worry about what happened in the meeting. You represent one viewpoint and I'm glad you do it so forcefully. We're asking these men to consider pledging their lives to our decision and they should have a clear-cut choice offered to them. We must also take care that those who depart from the way of
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