Read Online The Dragon Scroll by I. J. Parker - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: I. J. Parker
Ads: Link
unkind, Tora. Apologize. Seimei spoke rashly because he worries about you. Go back to Higekuro if you like, but be careful about what you say until we have a better understanding of what is going on in Kazusa.” He brightened. “But before you leave, let’s have a short bout with the staves. You will want to stay in practice if you are going to impress the warrior maiden.”
♦
During the next days, Tora spent more time in town than at the tribunal, but since he presented himself dutifully every morning for a stick-fighting lesson with Akitada, his master had no complaints.
In respect to the mystery of the taxes, Akitada made little progress and remained as much in the dark as on the day of their arrival. Although the box of gold bars seemed to prove the governor’s culpability, Akitada decided against a confrontation and sent back the gold without comment. What ensued was a period of uneasy cooperation with neither man referring to the attempted bribe while observing punctilious protocol at unavoidable official meetings.
Seimei and Akitada spent every day in the provincial archives checking the accounts covering Motosuke’s term of office. Akitada’s youth might have made him an unlikely inspector, but both his university training and his drudgery in the archives of the Ministry of Justice had thoroughly prepared him to search out, understand, and evaluate every financial transaction, from the collection of the smallest fine to the confiscation of land and property. Seimei wrote a very neat hand and kept notes indefatigably, and Akinobu, the governor’s secretary, proved a pleasant and very intelligent assistant.
But the day arrived when they closed the last box of files and Seimei made his last computation. No questionable documents had appeared and all accounts were in excellent order.
“What do we do now?” asked Seimei.
Akitada bit his lip. “Officially, my work is complete. You draw up the proper release papers, I sign and affix my seal, and Motosuke’s record is clear.”
“But what about finding out what happened to the taxes?”
“I shall have to report failure. Unless...” Akitada frowned. “Unless Motosuke’s private papers account for the sums that were lost.”
“Oh.”
“I know. Requesting his private accounts amounts to a serious insult.”
Silence fell. Seimei hunched his shoulders and sighed.
“Very well,” said Akitada. “Call Akinobu.”
When the governor’s secretary came in and bowed, Akitada told him brusquely, “We have finished with the provincial documents and are ready to begin work on the governor’s personal accounts. Please bring them to us here.”
Akinobu paled. He stared at Akitada, then at Seimei, gulped, and said in a choking voice, “I shall relay your wishes to the governor, Excellency.”
Akitada looked after Akinobu and said to Seimei, “That was probably the most embarrassing thing I have ever had to do. Did you see the man’s face? He was shocked to the core.”
Seimei looked unhappy. “Akinobu is a very loyal servant and a learned man. I cannot believe that he would willingly serve a dishonest master.”
Akitada said nothing.
The secretary returned quickly. Placing two large document boxes before Akitada with a bow, he said, “My master wishes to express his gratitude for your trouble.” He paused, then continued without looking at Akitada, “I also am deeply obliged that you take such care to protect the governor, and myself as his servant, from suspicion. Please tell me how I may be of assistance.”
“Thank you,” said Akitada. “We will call if we have questions.”
When Akinobu was gone, Seimei and his master looked at each other.
“That was very generous of the governor,” said Seimei.
Akitada sighed. “I am afraid that it means there is nothing to be found, Seimei.”
He was right. In spite of a most thorough analysis of the
♦
During the next days, Tora spent more time in town than at the tribunal, but since he presented himself dutifully every morning for a stick-fighting lesson with Akitada, his master had no complaints.
In respect to the mystery of the taxes, Akitada made little progress and remained as much in the dark as on the day of their arrival. Although the box of gold bars seemed to prove the governor’s culpability, Akitada decided against a confrontation and sent back the gold without comment. What ensued was a period of uneasy cooperation with neither man referring to the attempted bribe while observing punctilious protocol at unavoidable official meetings.
Seimei and Akitada spent every day in the provincial archives checking the accounts covering Motosuke’s term of office. Akitada’s youth might have made him an unlikely inspector, but both his university training and his drudgery in the archives of the Ministry of Justice had thoroughly prepared him to search out, understand, and evaluate every financial transaction, from the collection of the smallest fine to the confiscation of land and property. Seimei wrote a very neat hand and kept notes indefatigably, and Akinobu, the governor’s secretary, proved a pleasant and very intelligent assistant.
But the day arrived when they closed the last box of files and Seimei made his last computation. No questionable documents had appeared and all accounts were in excellent order.
“What do we do now?” asked Seimei.
Akitada bit his lip. “Officially, my work is complete. You draw up the proper release papers, I sign and affix my seal, and Motosuke’s record is clear.”
“But what about finding out what happened to the taxes?”
“I shall have to report failure. Unless...” Akitada frowned. “Unless Motosuke’s private papers account for the sums that were lost.”
“Oh.”
“I know. Requesting his private accounts amounts to a serious insult.”
Silence fell. Seimei hunched his shoulders and sighed.
“Very well,” said Akitada. “Call Akinobu.”
When the governor’s secretary came in and bowed, Akitada told him brusquely, “We have finished with the provincial documents and are ready to begin work on the governor’s personal accounts. Please bring them to us here.”
Akinobu paled. He stared at Akitada, then at Seimei, gulped, and said in a choking voice, “I shall relay your wishes to the governor, Excellency.”
Akitada looked after Akinobu and said to Seimei, “That was probably the most embarrassing thing I have ever had to do. Did you see the man’s face? He was shocked to the core.”
Seimei looked unhappy. “Akinobu is a very loyal servant and a learned man. I cannot believe that he would willingly serve a dishonest master.”
Akitada said nothing.
The secretary returned quickly. Placing two large document boxes before Akitada with a bow, he said, “My master wishes to express his gratitude for your trouble.” He paused, then continued without looking at Akitada, “I also am deeply obliged that you take such care to protect the governor, and myself as his servant, from suspicion. Please tell me how I may be of assistance.”
“Thank you,” said Akitada. “We will call if we have questions.”
When Akinobu was gone, Seimei and his master looked at each other.
“That was very generous of the governor,” said Seimei.
Akitada sighed. “I am afraid that it means there is nothing to be found, Seimei.”
He was right. In spite of a most thorough analysis of the
Similar Books
