The day after the grand ceremony, the sky over the capital was clear.
But the bloody shadow that hung over the hearts of all the courtiers was far from gone.
Just after dawn, civil and military officials had already gathered outside the daimyo manor, each person silent.
The heads that hung on the city gate yesterday, and the prince whose limbs were crippled and dragged away, were burned into everyone's memory.
The heavy palace doors opened, and the officials filed in.
A scent of sandalwood mixed with new lacquer drifted over them.
Yet this smell could not mask the strong scent of blood in their memories.
The officials took their places according to their new ranks, each bowing their heads and standing, even deliberately slowing their breathing.
"The daimyo has arrived!"
The attendant's announcement rang out, and all the courtiers' bodies instantly tensed.
Shin, dressed in a dark-colored, gold-patterned everyday robe, emerged from behind the hall.
He wore no crown. His dark hair was casually tied up, his steps unhurried, his expression calm.
It was as if yesterday's slaughter had nothing to do with him.
But the more he appeared this way, the more fear the officials felt in their hearts.
"Greetings, my lord!"
Led by Ito of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, all the officials knelt in unison, their foreheads pressed against the floor tiles, their voices uniform.
"Rise."
Shin's voice was faint, without emotion.
He walked to the throne and sat down. His gaze swept over the slightly nervous faces below.
"Today is the first grand court assembly. Everyone, if you have anything to report, speak now."
When his words fell, a dead silence filled the hall.
No one dared to be the first to speak.
Yesterday's tragic scene was still fresh in their minds. Who knew which wrong word would lead them to follow in Saionji Takashi's footsteps?
Shin did not rush them.
Time passed, and the oppressive atmosphere caused cold sweat to seep from the foreheads of some older officials.
Finally, a burly military official stepped forward.
He was the newly promoted commander of the city guard.
The commander knelt on one knee, his voice loud and clear.
"Reporting to my lord, following your orders, the city guard worked with the shadow guards and completely cleared all rebels and their factions within the city last night!"
"The main criminal, Saionji Takashi and his three clans, and the accomplice, Shu Kuogane, have all been dealt with according to your orders. Order in the city has been restored. Please give us your instructions, my lord!"
Shin didn't even lift his eyelids.
"Mm."
The commander understood. He bowed and returned to his original position with swift, decisive movements.
Someone had broken the ice, and the atmosphere eased slightly.
Tanaka Shigeru, the Minister of Finance, stepped forward.
He bowed and reported, "Reporting to my lord, the Ministry of Finance urgently reports that the autumn grain collection in all regions is going smoothly! Because you abolished heavy taxes, the people are paying their taxes enthusiastically. It's estimated that this year's national treasury income will be thirty percent higher than in previous years!"
"Additionally, the Ministry of Works reports that all projects of the Three-Year Revitalization Plan are moving forward rapidly. The expansion of the capital is already one-third complete, and the planning blueprints for various local towns have also been issued..."
Tanaka Shigeru reported over ten government affairs in one breath, all of them good news.
These policies, once considered troublesome, had released amazing efficiency under the new daimyo's iron fist.
After reporting, he lowered his head and remained silent, waiting for the daimyo's approval.
Inside the grand hall, you could hear a pin drop.
Just when everyone thought they would receive only a cold reply, as before, Shin spoke!
"Not bad."
"Keep it up."
Tanaka Shigeru's anxious expression instantly turned into one of pleasant surprise!
Behind him, the ministers who had also participated in the revitalization plan breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Praise!
The daimyo actually praised them!
These short five words excited them more than any reward!
This meant that as long as they worked hard and performed well, they would gain the daimyo's recognition!
In an instant, all the ministers' gazes toward Shin changed.
Fear remained, but a fierce desire to prove themselves had been added.
Shin took all of this in, a slight curve forming on his lips.
This was exactly the effect he wanted.
The court atmosphere eased slightly, and the grey-haired Minister of Internal Affairs, Ito, stepped forward.
"My lord, I have a memorial to present."
Shin said, "Speak."
Ito said respectfully, "My lord, you have swept away enemies both internal and external with the force of thunder. Your achievements span a thousand years. Now that the new dynasty has just been established and has already achieved outstanding political accomplishments, I believe we should follow the example of previous monarchs and issue a general amnesty to the world! This would demonstrate your benevolence and greatness, and soothe the hearts of the people!"
Many ministers nodded in agreement.
A general amnesty was a customary practice for a new monarch's rise to power. It served to win over the people and gain a good reputation, with all benefits and no harm.
In their view, the daimyo's killings yesterday were too severe. It was time to use some gentler measures.
However, Shin let out a soft chuckle, his tone turning cold.
"Benevolence?"
"My benevolence is for those law-abiding, hardworking citizens."
"It's for those civilians who lost loved ones and were displaced in the war."
"It's not for criminals who steal, rob, and oppress their local communities."
He looked at Ito, who was bowing on the ground.
"Criminals are criminals. Since they violated the laws of the Land of Fire, they should reflect on their mistakes in prison."
"Releasing them to continue harming my people, what kind of benevolence is that?"
Ito trembled all over, his back soaked with cold sweat.
He hadn't expected the daimyo to refuse so directly, and with a reason he couldn't argue against.
Ito, being a veteran of three dynasties, argued, "But... but my lord, since ancient times, new monarchs have always followed this precedent. This is an established custom, symbolizing the beginning of a new era..."
"Customs?"
Shin interrupted him, leaning slightly forward.
"From the moment I took this seat."
"My rules are the rules."
His voice was not loud, but it struck everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer.
"Lord Ito."
"Do you think those ancient precedents are important, or are the heads on the city gate more convincing?"
Old Minister Ito's mind went blank. He felt as if he had been struck by lightning.
Those calm words almost made him unable to breathe.
"I... I misspoke! I deserve to die!" He frantically kowtowed, his aged body shaking uncontrollably. "Please, my lord, forgive me!"
Shin leaned back into the throne, speaking without emotion. "Retreat. Don't let this happen again."
"Thank... thank you, my lord..."
Ito, as if granted a great pardon, trembled as he retreated.
Inside the grand hall, silence fell once more.
Everyone now understood.
Those who act are rewarded.
Those who speak too much seek death.
This new ruler cared nothing for tradition. His rules were simple, clear, and allowed no challenge.
The atmosphere in the hall became heavy again.
A quick-witted minister's eyes shifted, and he stepped out of the ranks.
"My lord, I have a memorial to present."
"Speak."
After kneeling, the minister, with a flattering expression, said, "My lord, you have now risen to the great throne, yet you have no beautiful lady to care for you, and the foundation of the nation is unsettled. This is truly not a blessing for the country."
"I humbly request that you establish a wife soon and bear an heir, to bring peace to the hearts of the people of the world!"
As soon as these words were spoken, many others immediately agreed.
The monarch's heir concerned the continuation of the national destiny. This was indeed a matter of utmost importance.
Moreover, if a woman from one's own family could be chosen, the family could rise to prominence in one step.
Upon hearing this, Shin lightly tapped the armrest with his fingers.
"There's no rush for this matter."
The minister immediately spoke up.
"You are wise, my lord. The matter of marriage can indeed be postponed for now."
"But you handle countless affairs daily and always need a companion to serve you."
"I believe that concubines can be taken first, selecting women of dignified appearance and character from the various noble and prominent families to enter the palace."
"First, to extend your lineage, and second, to display your grace and authority, and to soothe the hearts of all officials."
Taking concubines.
Extending the lineage.
Shin stopped tapping the armrest.
He had not originally given this matter much thought. Conquering the world was the real business.
But these ministers seemed even more eager than he was.
Very well.
Since someone had brought it up, going along with it would do no harm.
Thinking this, Shin nodded.
"Hmm, there's some truth to that."
"There's no need to limit it to nobles and prominent families. Just find them from within the country."
"This matter will be handled by my manor's steward."
The minister was overjoyed upon hearing this. He said excitedly, "You are wise, my lord! I obey your decree!"
He knew that he had played his move correctly!
The other ministers below had various thoughts.
Some regretted not acting first, while others were already calculating which daughter from their family to send into the palace.
An invisible competition for concubines had already begun.
Shin took everything in, then stood up.
For him, this was merely an insignificant pause on the long road of his grand hegemony.
"If there are no other matters, then you may withdraw."
He gave no one another chance to speak. He turned and walked toward the back of the hall.
"Farewell, my lord!"
A thunderous roar of voices rose behind him.
It wasn't until Shin's figure completely disappeared that the officials in the hall dared to straighten up.
Many had their backs soaked with cold sweat.
The first grand court assembly of the new dynasty thus ended.
But everyone understood that this young new monarch had drawn a line for them.
Prosperity for those who obey.
Death for those who defy.