Volume 7, Chapter 3: Brother Ryou (2/2)

He didn’t want the work to stockpile. However, he couldn’t ignore what bothered him.

Jinshi held back a groan.

“…U-um.” Tenyuu timidly raised his hand.

“What is it?” Jinshi looked at Tenyuu, trying his best to maintain his expression. It was hard to do so in front of Basen.

“A-acknowledging my rudeness, if I may ask, but isn’t the Prince of the Moon burdened with too much work?”

“I’m well aware of that. But what can I do? I can’t leave it to other people, right?”

At Jinshi’s words, Tenyuu looked a little guilty.

“I-it’s dreadfully hard to say, but…” Tenyuu continued, averting his eyes. “Other people do leave it their subordinates…”

“Do they act so unfairly!?” Basen slapped the table.

Tenyuu quivered with a shriek.

“Who on earth? You know who, right?” Basen pressed, so Jinshi gently took control of the situation.

“Basen. He’s scared. So, I just want you to tell me who does that.”

Even with Jinshi’s softness, Tenyuu replied in a grudging tone. “U-umm… Grand Marshal Kan*.”

Though it’s certainly understandable if it’s Tactician-dono, Tenyuu’s face looked as though he was withholding something.

“Are there others?” When Jinshi’s face neared, Tenyuu’s cheeks turned bright red. He picked people who had no interest in that kind of thing, but it seems it was no good when he got too close. Jinshi stroked the scar on his face.

“H-his majesty too…”

“”…”” Jinshi and Basen could only remain silent.

“Wh-what is it?” Tenyuu covered his face as if to say don’t come any closer. However, Basen didn’t seem satisfied.

“Just who works as his majesty’s substitute?”

Tenyuu stood firm and drew close—

“G-Gaoshun-sama!”

“”…”” They could only fall silent once again.

“Of course, his majesty is affixing all the seals. I-if, just one more person can come between and settle the documents, wouldn’t the Prince of the Moon’s workload decrease by a third?”

Hearing a third, Jinshi’s heart wavered. However, he couldn’t leave the important sorting to an official at such short notice.

Jinshi looked at Basen.

He thought that since Gaoshun was doing it, he could leave it to his son Basen, but, unfortunately, the latter wasn’t suited for deskwork. He worked conscientiously, but he was serious to the point of being inflexible, so work will probably pile up.

Jinshi wanting to leave his work to a subordinate from a good family, who was loyal, and can work smoothly, was that too much to ask for?

“Jinshi-sama,” Basen said.

“What is it?”

“I know someone who’s good at paperwork.”

Jinshi’s eyes widened at Basen’s words. “Truly? I was fairly sure you weren’t acquainted with civil officials.”

“No, there is one. He passed the civil examinations last year, but isn’t in government service currently.”

“…could it be?” Jinshi had one person in mind.

“Yes. Baryou(馬良, Ma Liang). Will you know who if I say Brother Ryou?”

Baryou, as his name suggests, is a member of the Ma Clan. Basen’s older brother.