Their grand army moved sluggishly across the rolling plains, towards the open gates of Shigeto. Morojo had worked tirelessly while they were away, and all traces of their battle with Imagawa had vanished. The servants had toiled for days, throwing body after body on top of a grand fire. The smell of burning flesh had hung in the air for weeks, until the storm came and the wind and rain washed the air clean.
With the rebuilding, the merchants had been welcomed back into the grand capital, and gladly they came. They were the first to be bound by the new tax laws in place, but there was never a word of complaint, for it was still half of what Imagawa had forced on them.
The river was once more filled with wooden barges, poled up and down the river, loaded with all sorts of good. Jewellers had swarmed to the capital like flies, hearing of the gold and jewels that were being auctioned off so cheaply.
A crowd blocked the entrance to the gate. Thousands of people of all different classes. They cheered and cheered, some from horseback but most on foot. They waved banners in the air, hailing the Miura clan. Enthusiastic youths shouted out, begging for enlistment. He was the second coming of the War God, they were sure of it. Even the Tiger of Kai had fallen at his hand.
"They cheer for you, Miura." Matsudaira said delightedly, riding by his Lord at the front of their party.
"And soon they will cheer for you." Came the humble reply as Gengyo raised his hand to accept their welcome, bringing their cheers to a climax.
Only when they were about to trample over those in front did the crowd finally part, shooed back by the new city guard, operating under Morojo's orders.
The passion of the people was overwhelming, now that he was all but swallowed up by their sea. Women offered held up their children towards him, asking for his blessing. He tried to nod towards them with as much grace as he could muster, but their cries came from all angles, and it was impossible to appease them all.
When he finally crossed the line of the city gate, he was rescued. Morojo sat upon his horse, looking more noble than he ever had. Clearly, he'd used some of the coin for his own ascension, but Gengyo paid it no mind as he greeted him.
"Miura-dono! We've been looking forward to your return." He bowed humbly from the back of his horse, more aristocratic than Gengyo last remembered.
Above the noise of the crowd, the young Lord attempted a reply. "As have I. The road grows tiresome… It would seem we have much to discuss. Is there a way out of this crowd?"
"But of course." Morojo inclined his head, and motioned with his hand. A group of five guards went on ahead of him, spearing through the people from atop their horses, whilst the shipwright fell in beside Gengyo.
"I had the coin from the taxes put in chests, so that you might see just how much we've earned… It's far more than I expected. Far more than even the gold brought us."
"I do not remember asking you to do that." Gengyo said, his voice cold, though he still wore a smile and held out his hand to the crowd. Behind him, there were looks of hostility emanating from his men. Rokkaku did not like what he was seeing. Who was Morojo to be dressed in such fine silks?
The shipwright gulped before he could work up the nerve to reply. "…I'm sorry, Miura. It's just, with trade going back to normal, there was so much money being lost. If we had waited until you returned to collect the taxes, then we would have missed out on ten of thousands of coin. I thought you would be pleased."
"And the clothes that you wear upon your back? The gold rings on your fingers? Those guards that you've hired?"
"That's… I needed them to think I was a noble birth. Who is going to listen to a shipwright?"
"A shipwright? Indeed, that's what I thought you were. I trusted you with the repairs. Not once did I discuss taxes with you. I sent messengers out with my word to each of the towns and cities, that is the extent of my role in this. And yet you've established yourself as what, mayor? The governor of this city?"
They'd managed to get away from the people now, and the noise around them had died down. Gengyo's scolding could be heard by more than just Morojo, and he was beginning to grow red and fl.u.s.tered, gripping his reins tightly.
"Aye, I'm a shipwright. That's what I've always been. My father was a shipwright, and his father before him. That's what I was damned to be as well. You're a peasant, just as much as me, and look what you've done. I thought out of all people you would understand. I've got a better eye for coin than any man I know. Are you going to disgrace me for taking advantage of opportunity when I saw it? For grabbing hold of coin in your name, thinking myself to be doing you a service? Aye, I took some for myself, I won't lie, but what of it? I made you thousands in return. Is this it? You damn me merely because of my birth?"
The old shipwright grew angry, and his words were laced with venom. He spat each one out with ferocity. Gengyo listened patiently, observing his face very carefully as he spoke, remaining perfectly calm.
"You've spoken honestly." He decided.
"Damn right I have!" The shipwright bit back.
"That is all I require from you. Do not keep me in the dark again." He said firmly, before pausing a moment. "However… you've shown talents that I did not realize you had, and I will not ignore them merely because of what I perceive to be a wrong. Leave your anger here, Morojo, and take me to where you've established office. I want to hear the full extent of what you've achieved here."