Saiunkoku Monogatari Bk 1 Pt 0

Herein is the Story of Saiunkoku.

In the distant past, in the era when the demons of the rivers and mountains ran rampant through the country, in the midst of that endless chaos a single youth went out upon a journey.

Driving away the rampant demons, and with the public’s peace and welfare hidden in his breast, he continued his endless journey.

Presently, eight sages gathered, deeply touched by those feelings.  Ransen (Indigo), Kousen (Crimson), Hekisen (Green), Kousen (Yellow), Hakusen (White), Kokusen (Black), Sasen (Brown), Shisen (Purple) – Named of colour, they were eventually called the “Eight Many-Coloured Sages” and commanding a mysterious power they saved the youth.

That youth’s name was Sougen.  He borrowed the Eight Sages sagacity, built the foundation of the country, and opened the dawn of the people’s age and became the Founding King of Saiunkoku.

After Sougen’s death, the Eight Sages disappeared to a place unknown.  But, even now, in a corner of the castle, there is the Sages’ dwelling called the Sentoukyuu (the Sages’ Cave Shrine), an elegant shrine that Sougen built for the Eight Sages.

                                  <Story of Saiunkoku –Author Unknown– >

                                                 Prologue

In the dead of the night – deep in the interior of the king’s palace, a clandestine midnight conference of senior statesmen was gathered.

“…what a dilemma.”

“Indeed, there’s none larger.”

“His Majesty has ascended the throne now half a year.”

“And not a single thing has come from it….”

“I had thought something would happen, but….”

“And we, the old men, can’t follow along the recent trends….”

“Idiot!  Do you really want to follow that?!” shouted the angry voice of an elder advisor who, despite his age, retained his youthful vigour.  When he was young, he was a military commander who earned his name by activity on the frontline of wars, and though sixty years had passed, his effervescent character had changed little.

“But at this rate….”

“Yes, at this rate, it is when and how crafty courtiers, the sort of villainous retainer will appear or be confined.”

“On the contrary, possibly only those insolent enough to aim for the throne will appear.”

“The most important matter is…”

One with a voice that spoke more coolly than the others, grumbled with a wry face, “we need to do something about the talk that is spreading around the palace.”

A sudden silence fell upon the room.  Yes, firstly, the “talk” that he mentioned was the very problem.

“D-definitely.”

Another person, wiping sweat from his face, cleared his throat.  “Before we worry over corrupt officials who may or may not appear, we should first consider the sentiments of the populace.”

“B-b-b-but we’ve tried every means!”

“What more can we do?”

In that secret meeting, which could not find a good idea that would then come to completion, a man who had hitherto remained silent opened his mouth.

“– I have a plan.”

The circumference of voices silenced abruptly, for the owner of that voice was the most senior advisor of the country.  Everyone looked at him intently in anticipation.

“Isn’t there a common saying…” the shape of the old official’s mouth seemed to slacken within the abundant white beard suggestively. “That a wife was even Confucius’ greatest rival?”