Volume 7, Chapter 2: Advertisement (1/2)

The huge pile of paperwork. The civil official waiting in line. The occasional court lady appearing out of nowhere to sneak a peek.

Jinshi carried out his usual work. The fact that he feels truly happy with the usual, is that a sign of his skewed threshold for happiness?

The normal busy workload had doubled ever since the Western Priestess’ arrival. Afterwards, there was the banquet to which the priestess was invited, where the assassination by poison upheaval took place. In the end, the incident had been a performance orchestrated by the priestess, but the priestess herself had to end up dead.

Issuing me with such unreasonable demands, Jinshi thought.

The priestess was still alive and is currently with former High-ranking Consort Ah Duo. He was sorry that her residence has somehow turned into a haven of sorts.

However, a select few, Jinshi included, had to deal with the aftermath of the priestess’ death.

There were also officials who added fuel to the fire by claiming Sha’ou will invade using the priestess as an excuse. However, that was unlikely as Sha’ou is a trade-dependent nation. Without prominent backing, waging a war would be impossible for them.

And so, their propositions were as feared.

It involved relaxing tariffs, in particular, reducing those imposed on food items.

He thought that there was no way that they would admit to running low on provisions. The former priestess of Sha’ou was well acquainted with the king’s government. Based on their personality and political inclination, the response was within expectations.

There was too much pre-established harmony that it was just enough to parry it, but it didn’t mean diplomatic issues were simple.

After all, it was only a few days ago when he was hounded by work that made him yearn for the tasks in front of him now.

“Jinshi-sama, this as well.” Basen handed over a new stack of paperwork. Still, it’d be better if the workload could be reduced by at least half before it got to him.

“Can’t you cut that down to half already?” Jinshi asked.

“Even if you say that.”

The stamps on the documents mostly belonged to high officials. The civil officials who did the sorting cannot reject documents from those with stamps higher than their own. And so, even trivial matters go to Jinshi.

Jinshi sighed as he affixed his seal.

Meanwhile, a civil official who was sorting stood up, casting a glance at Jinshi. He was the one present when Jinshi’s tea was poisoned. A talented individual and a temporary substitute for Basen until the latter was fully reinstated, he was kept on for his outstanding work manner. As for the person himself, he wanted to return to his former post as soon as possible, but Jinshi was forever shorthanded, and had no plans to release him.

“What is it?” Basen asked on behalf of Jinshi.

The civil official’s shoulders gave a shudder. “N-no, it’s nothing…”

For as much as he said there’s nothing, he was fidgeting. Which reminded Jinshi, his behaviour has been odd ever since a few days ago.

Could it be, Jinshi narrowed his eyes.

“Is it really nothing? Spit it out.” Basen pressed the civil official. These days, dangerous matters were stirring around Jinshi. It’ll be too late once something happens; so Basen, with his guard duties, was particularly on his toes.

“E-eek!” The civil official’s face stiffened, and with a shaking hand, reached into his breast pocket. Without a moment’s delay, Basen held the civil official down.

Are you concealing a weapon? Basen didn’t hold back.

“Who put you up to this?” Basen seized the civil official’s wrists. What he retrieved from his breast pocket, was a scrap of paper.

“Basen, let go.” Jinshi sighed when he saw the piece of paper. “You were restless because of this?”

“Hah?” What’s that? Basen tilted his head.

“Oe familiar with the records of his games, this item is a coveted one for Go enthusiasts.” The civil official clenched his fist, eyes sparkling. Basen’s guilty conscience at restraining him also subsided a little.