Free The Twelve Kingdoms: The Shore in Twilight by Fuyumi Ono

been stirring up the sort of trouble with county officials that threatens to turn into civil war. In any case, with talk of them occupying the county palaces and bringing neighboring districts under their thumb, these dogs cannot be allowed to sleep where they lay."
    "We can't go adding more fuel to this fire. Not without first impressing upon them what manner of discipline the Kingdom will impose."
    The man speaking in a gravelly voice was General Ganchou of the Palace Guard of the Left. He was a big-framed fighter, full of vim and vigor. But he didn't appear particularly gripped by any sense of panic. That was true of everybody there.
    They'd all understood the nature of the situation from the start.
    Since the beginning of the year, a wide-ranging political purge had been sweeping through Tai. A clean sweep of the more Machiavellian officials along with preparations to lure out those villains biding their time under the cloak of darkness. Sidelining the infamous Province Lord of Bun took the pressure off the lid. The criminal element in the pot had begun to boil over. Such a turn of events had been anticipated from the beginning.
    "If we act with restraint, they will never take the Kingdom seriously. Such an outcome is intolerable. We should journey there at once and deliver a decisive blow. We must hit them with all the majestic terror of the Imperial Army."
    "Of course, these rebels must be brought to heel, but how to strike with any kind of speed? The season must be taken into consideration. If we leave things be for the time being, the rebels in the various districts of Bun Province will attempt to advantage themselves, certainly leading to strife among the groups. If they all follow suit, then we should be able to round them up in one fell swoop. Such a strategy would prove more effective in imparting the impression that the eyes of the Kingdom are upon them."
    Ganchou looked at Haboku in amazement. "The blood still runs cold in your veins, old man. These brigands are controlling the towns and villages around the county palaces. Take some thought as to the disposition of our subjects who live there."
    "What are you saying? No man with blood in veins or tears in his eyes should serve the Ministry of Summer or command the troops."
    "You may be right on that one," replied Ganchou. His big frame shook with indifferent laughter.
    "If an Imperial rescript is to be issued, the sooner the better," interjected Eishou's cold voice. Like Ganchou, Eishou had once served under Gyousou's command. Gyousou's army had produced many famed soldiers, among whom Eishou was the youngest. "I'm of a species with the old man, without blood in my veins or tears in my eyes. If troops are to be dispatched, then I am inclined to do so with all due haste."
    Speaking with a touch of irony in his voice, Eishou knit the brows of his bloodless, tearless face. "Once the snow begins to melt, our troubles will begin. Not only will the roads become uncertain underfoot, but when the snow pack recedes the quarry will abscond to the mountains. The mountains in Bun Province are dotted with gemstone fountains and mines. Ferreting them out would prove no easy task."
    That was indeed the case, other voices chimed in. In her heart, Risai felt the same. Hiding in the mineshafts would raise great obstacles to their capture. In order to bring the heat to the bandits of Bun Province, they couldn't mount an invasion in dribs and drabs, dragging it out for months. Taking and holding the territory quickly--demonstrating the might of the Kingdom for all to see--was the way to subjugate the rebels. If not, deliberately dispatching the Imperial Army would be without meaning.
    As if to seek out his judgment on the matter, the eyes of the people assembled there all turned to Gyousou.
    "I'll entrust the matter to Eishou. Muster the Army of the Center and bring Bun Province under your control." At the same time, Gyousou fixed Ganchou and Haboku--who held a contrary