Shogun_ A Novel of Japan - James Clavell [139]
“I hear your Lady Sazuko’s with child?”
“Yes. I’m very fortunate.” Toranaga basked in the thought of his newest consort, the youth of her, the strength of her, and the warmth. I hope we have a son, he told himself. Yes, that would be very good. Seventeen’s a good age to have a first child, if you’ve perfect health as she has. “Yes, I’m very fortunate.”
“Buddha has blessed you.” Yodoko felt a twinge of envy. It seemed so unfair that Toranaga had five sons living and four daughters and five granddaughters already, and, with this child of Sazuko’s soon to arrive, and still many strong years left in him and many consorts in his house, he could sire many more sons. But all her hopes were centered on this one seven-year-old child, her child as much as Ochiba’s. Yes, he’s as much my son, she thought. How I hated Ochiba in the beginning….
She saw them all staring at her and she was startled. “Yes?”
Yaemon frowned. “I said, can we go and have my lessons, First Mother? I said it two times.”
“I’m sorry, my son, I was drifting away. That’s what happens when you get old. Yes, come along then.” Kiri helped her up. Yaemon ran off ahead. The Grays were already on their feet and one of them caught him and affectionately swung him onto his shoulders. The four samurai who had escorted her waited separately.
“Walk with me a little, Lord Toranaga, would you please? I need a strong arm to lean on.”
Toranaga was on his feet with surprising agility. She took his arm but did not use his strength. “Yes. I need a strong arm. Yaemon does. And so does the realm.”
“I’m always ready to serve you,” Toranaga said.
When they were away from the others, she said quietly, “Become sole Regent. Take the power and rule yourself. Until Yaemon becomes of age.”
“The Taikō’s testament forbids this—even if I wished it, which I don’t. The curbs he made preclude one Regent’s taking power. I don’t seek sole power. I never have.”
“Tora-chan,” she said, using the nickname the Taikō had given him so long ago, “we have few secrets, you and I. You could do it, if you wished. I will answer for the Lady Ochiba. Take the power for your own lifetime. Become Shōgun and make—”
“Lady, what you say is treason. I-do-not-seek-to-be-Shōgun.”
“Of course, but please listen to me a last time. Become Shōgun, make Yaemon your sole heir—your sole heir. He could be Shōgun, after you. Isn’t his bloodline Fujimoto—through Lady Ochiba back to her grandfather Goroda and through him back to antiquity? Fujimoto!”
Toranaga stared at her. “You think the daimyos would agree to such a claim, or that His Highness, the Son of Heaven, could approve the appointment?”
“No. Not for Yaemon by himself. But if you were Shōgun first, and you adopted him, you could persuade them, all of them. We will support you the Lady Ochiba and I.”
“She has agreed to this?” asked Toranaga, astounded.
“No. We’ve never discussed it. It’s my idea. But she will agree. I will answer for her. In advance.”
“This is an impossible conversation, Lady.”
“You can manage Ishido, and all of them. You always have. I’m afraid of what I hear, Tora-chan, rumors of war, the taking of sides, and the Dark Centuries beginning again. When war begins it will go on forever and eat Yaemon up.”
“Yes. I believe that, too. Yes, if it begins it will last forever.”
“Then take the power! Do what you wish, to whomever you wish, however you wish. Yaemon’s a worthy boy. I know you like him. He has his father’s mind and with your guidance, we would all benefit. He should have his heritage.”
“I’m not opposing him, or his succession. How many times need I say it?”
“The Heir will be destroyed unless you actively support him.”
“I do support him!” Toranaga said. “In every way. That’s what I agreed with the Taikō, your late husband.”
Yodoko sighed and pulled her habit closer. “These old bones are chilled. So many secrets and battles, treacheries and deaths and victories, Tora-chan. I’m only a woman, and very much alone. I’m glad that