Shogun_ A Novel of Japan - James Clavell [213]
Toranaga understood at once. He waved his hand in dismissal to his men. “Wait outside, all of you.”
Uneasily they obeyed. Alvito turned to Ferriera. “We don’t need your guards now, Captain-General.”
When the samurai had gone Ferriera dismissed his men and glanced at Mariko. He wore pistols in his belt and had another in his boot.
Alvito said to Toranaga, “Perhaps, Sire, you would like the Lady Mariko to sit?”
Again Toranaga understood. He thought for a moment, then half nodded and said, without turning around, “Mariko-san, take one of my guards and find the Anjin-san. Stay with him until I send for you.”
“Yes, Lord.”
The door closed behind her.
Now they were alone. The four of them.
Ferriera said, “What’s the offer? What’s he offering?”
“Be patient, Captain-General,” dell’Aqua replied, his fingers drumming on his cross, praying for success.
“Sire,” Alvito began to Toranaga, “the Lord my Master says that everything you asked he will try to do. Within the forty days. He will send you word privately about progress. I will be the courier, with your permission.”
“And if he’s not successful?”
“It will not be through want of trying, or persuasion, or through want of thought. He gives you his word.”
“Before the Christian God?”
“Yes. Before God.”
“Good. I will have it in writing. Under his seal.”
“Sometimes full agreements, delicate agreements, should not be reduced to writing, Sire.”
“You’re saying unless I put my agreement in writing, you won’t?”
“I merely remembered one of your own sayings that a samurai’s honor is certainly more important than a piece of paper. The Visitor gives you his word before God, his word of honor, as a samurai would. Your honor is totally sufficient for the Visitor. I just thought he would be saddened to be so untrusted. Do you wish me to ask for a signature?”
At length Toranaga said, “Very well. His word before the God Jesus, neh? His word before his God?”
“I give it on his behalf. He has sworn by the Blessed Cross to try.”
“You as well, Tsukku-san?”
“You have equally my word, before my God, by the Blessed Cross, that I will do everything I can to help him persuade the Lords Onoshi and Kiyama to be your allies.”
“In return I will do what I previously promised. On the forty-first day you may lay the foundation stone for the biggest Christian temple in the Empire.”
“Could that land, Sire, be put aside at once?”
“As soon as I arrive at Yedo. Now. What about the pirates? The pirates in the fishing boats? You will remove them at once?”
“If you had cannon, would you have done that yourself, Sire?”
“Of course, Tsukku-san.”
“I apologize for being so devious, Sire, but we have had to formulate a plan. The cannon do not belong to us. Please give me one moment.” Alvito turned to dell’Aqua. “Everything is arranged about the cathedral, Eminence.” Then to Ferriera he added, beginning their agreed plan: “You will be glad you did not sink him, Captain-General. Lord Toranaga asks if you would carry ten thousand ducats of gold for him when you leave with the Black Ship for Goa, to invest in the gold market in India. We would be delighted to help in the transaction through our usual sources there, placing the gold for you. Lord Toranaga says half the profit is yours.” Both Alvito and dell’Aqua had decided that by the time the Black Ship had turned about, in six months, Toranaga either would be reinstated as President of the Regents and therefore more than pleased to permit this most profitable transaction, or he would be dead. “You should easily clear four thousand ducats profit. At no risk.”
“In return for what concession? That’s more than your annual subsidy from the King of Spain for your whole Society of Jesus in Asia. In return for what?”
“Lord Toranaga says pirates prevent him leaving the harbor. He would know better than you if they’re pirates.”
Ferriera replied in the same matter-of-fact voice that both knew was only for Toranaga’s benefit, “It’s ill-advised to put your faith in this man. His enemy holds all the