Shogun_ A Novel of Japan - James Clavell [201]
Isn’t it only through laughter we can stay human?
Why doesn’t the pilot realize he’s governed by karma too, as I am, as we all are, as even this Jesus the Christ was, for, if the truth were known, it was only his karma that made him die dishonored like a common criminal with other common criminals, on the hill the barbarian priests tell about.
All karma.
How barbaric to nail a man to a piece of wood and wait for him to die. They’re worse than the Chinese, who are pleasured by torture.
“Ask him, Yabu-san!” Toranaga said.
“Sire?”
“Ask him what to do. The pilot. Isn’t this a sea battle? Haven’t you told me the pilot’s a genius at sea? Good, let’s see if you’re right. Let him prove it.”
Yabu’s mouth was a tight cruel line and Toranaga could feel the man’s fear and it delighted him.
“Mariko-san,” Yabu barked. “Ask the pilot how to get out—how to break through those ships.”
Obediently Mariko moved away from the gunwale, the girl still supporting her. “No, I’m all right now, Fujiko-san,” she said. “Thank you.” Fujiko let her go and watched Blackthorne distastefully.
Blackthorne’s answer was short.
“He says ‘with cannon,’ Yabu-san,” Mariko said.
“Tell him he’ll have to do better than that if he wants to retain his head!”
“We must be patient with him, Yabu-san,” Toranaga interrupted. “Mariko-san, tell him politely, ‘Regrettably we have no cannon. Isn’t there another way to break out? It’s impossible by land.’ Translate exactly what he replies. Exactly.”
Mariko did so. “I’m sorry, Lord, but he says, no. Just like that. ‘No.’ Not politely.”
Toranaga moved his sash and scratched an itch under his armor. “Well then,” he said genially, “the Anjin-san says cannon and he’s the expert, so cannon it is. Captain, go there!” His blunt, calloused finger pointed viciously at the Portuguese frigate. “Get the men ready, Yabu-san. If the Southern Barbarians won’t lend me their cannon, then you will have to take them. Won’t you?”
“With very great pleasure,” Yabu said softly.
“You were right, he is a genius.”
“But you found the solution, Toranaga-san.”
“It’s easy to find solutions given the answer, neh? What’s the solution to Osaka Castle, Ally?”
“There isn’t one. In that the Taikō was perfect.”
“Yes. What’s the solution to treachery?”
“Of course, ignominious death. But I don’t understand why you should ask me that.”
“A passing thought—Ally.” Toranaga glanced at Blackthorne. “Yes, he’s a clever man. I have great need of clever men. Mariko-san, will the barbarians give me their cannon?”
“Of course. Why shouldn’t they?” It had never occurred to her that they would not. She was still filled with anxiety over Buntaro. It would have been so much better to allow him to die back there. Why risk his honor? She wondered why Toranaga had ordered Buntaro away by land at the very last moment. Toranaga could just as easily have ordered him to swim to the boat. It would have been much safer and there was plenty of time. He could even have ordered it when Buntaro had first reached the end of the jetty. Why wait? Her most secret self answered that their lord must have had a very good reason to have waited and to have so ordered.
“And if they don’t? Are you prepared to kill Christians, Mariko-san?” Toranaga asked. “Isn’t that their most impossible law? Thou shalt not kill?”
“Yes, it is. But for you, Lord, we will go gladly into hell, my husband and my son and I.”
“Yes. You’re true samurai and I won’t forget that you took up a sword to defend me.”
“Please do not thank me. If I helped, in any minor way, it was my duty. If anyone is to be remembered, please let it be my husband or my son. They are more valuable to you.”
“At the moment you’re more valuable to me. You could be even more valuable.