Maung Tun Thu - Tokyo

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Midnight

July 7, 1853

The horse, which was extremely tired from the long journey, was moving up and down with every breath it took. The white sweat that was pouring out of the horse's body was flowing to one side. From Yeido - The iron-helmeted samurai warrior, who was crossing the last of the three moat bridges in front of the Rogan Castle, was so exhausted that he was dragging the horse's legs mercilessly with the spikes of his shoes. "Chokurida," the warrior on the horse shouted to the spear-wielding soldiers guarding the large iron and wood gates inside the fortress. "Kenchuchokurida," he shouted again, and from the sleeve of his dark blue warrior kimono, he took a scroll sewn with a thread of gold thread, raised it above his head, and waved it.

The grim-faced guards, wearing large iron helmets and leather and bamboo armor, raised their spears and looked menacingly at the samurai. However, a commanding voice from the young samurai made the spearmen stop.

The words he spoke revealed that he had brought important news from the Emperor, who was living in a separate palace in To, three hundred miles southwest of here. As the samurai got closer, the eyes of the sentries saw not only the six-pointed star that indicated the samurai's rank and rank, but also the sun emblem on his military uniform, the "Jimbaori." This emblem was a symbol of lineage, and from the emblem they now wore, they knew that the samurai they were seeing was a member of the highest nobility.

"Hayatu"

The rider shouted impatiently. He jerked the reins of his restless horse, and the soldiers rushed forward.

He was driven to the very heavy gate that opened. He

The horse was being driven briskly, ordering the door to be opened quickly.

As soon as the gate opened to let people in, he rode his horse.

He entered. He crossed the open space in front of the castle. He passed between his position and the guards who were there. He raised the scroll in his hand and shouted until he reached the foot of the stone stairs that led to the main entrance of the fortress. When he reached the foot of the stairs and jumped off his horse, the horse thrashed and fell. Blood poured out of the horse's mouth. The horse's whole body was trembling violently and twitching. It was in severe pain before it died.

However, the young samurai minister did not stop at the foot of the stairs, nor did he look at his horse, but ran up the stone steps. The blades attached to his kimono belt were sticking out and shaking. He held the scroll in his hand and the inscription of the Emperor of Saka.

He showed his badge to the guard officer, who immediately allowed him to enter.

The young samurai ran and walked briskly, passing through the corridors, one after another, built of high arches between the walls, which were covered with gold plates. At one of the stairs, he ran up the steps not one step at a time, but three at a time. Above his head were large colorful paintings. They were bamboo forests, pine forests, and mythical birds flying around. The upper beams and ceilings were also decorated with intricately painted lacquer paintings. The young samurai could not help but look around at the beautiful paintings, which were created in a mixture of gold and black. Sometimes he would stop for a moment, and ask the uniformed guards with spears to guide him to where he wanted to go.

It was a stop to inquire about where it was.

Approaching the great gilded doors of the Shogun's council chamber, the young samurai took off his helmet. He pulled out the scroll tucked into the wide sleeves of his kimono once more.

He showed it to the guard of the council hall and explained his case. A moment later, he took off his leather sandals and followed his guide, barefoot.

A hundred pairs of eyes stared intently at him as he entered with a sigh. They were watching silently. They were all dressed in extremely regal attire. They were the “dai.” They were seated on their knees in order of rank on the stage where the Shogun himself sat. They were the feudal lords who held the administrative power of each land and region of Japan.

Wearing court attire such as a heavy-shouldered jacket, long, flowing silk trousers, and a large, black, brocade hat

The judges looked in surprise at the young samurai senator, whose body was disheveled and dirty.

As he knelt down and bowed his head until his forehead touched the floor in homage, the judges saw sweat and dirt on his shaved head and the hair tied around his neck.

The young samurai walked forward and before paying his respects, he removed the two swords that were strapped to his waist. He placed them on a mat spread out on the ground next to his helmet, and they lay there, their scabbards and hilts wet and covered with mud, just like his clothes.

The Shogun, seated at the highest point in the center of the stage, watched in a dazed manner. His legs were hidden from view by the long gray silk robe he wore. The way he sat resembled a Buddha image.

It looked like a sitting emperor. He was sitting erect, but his thin face was pale. The sweat on his forehead was shining. This sweat suggested that the Shogun was suffering from some serious illness.

The sudden arrival of a messenger, so exhausted that he could barely breathe, was a shock to the Shogun. His eyes showed a look of shock. However, he quickly regained his composure. His head moved slightly. This movement caused a senior official below the stage to rise from his seat and bow to the Shogun in respect.