When Gouwa said something so outrageous, the Master teaching them sputtered, having just scalded his tongue. He glared at Gouwa, sucking in a sharp breath of cool air.
"You, you, you! How outrageous! How can you insult the sages like this! Do you know how high-ranking a Prime Minister is? You dare say you could do it?"
"Do you know how much knowledge it takes to hold that office? You ignoramus! You can't even recite the Three Character Classic. How dare you say such a thing!"
Gouwa, however, was dismissive. "What's the big deal? If a fool can become Emperor, then I can become Prime Minister."
As Gouwa argued with the Master, a slender, haggard-looking woman walked past the entrance to the village. She was carrying a basket, and a section of lotus root stuck out from under its cloth cover. Upon seeing the crowd, she quickened her pace and hurried into the village. She walked so fast that she almost collided with three Monkey Boys coming toward her.
