Inside the study, sandalwood incense wafted.
Shin leaned back in his chair, resting with his eyes closed.
Kiyotsuki Saki knelt by his side, clumsily brewing tea for him.
She had changed into a simple maid's uniform. Her usual extravagance and arrogance were gone, leaving only a plain, pale face and vacant eyes.
Boiling water poured into the teapot, steam rose, carrying a hint of tea fragrance.
She discarded the first brew, refilled the water, carefully poured the tea into a cup, and offered it with both hands.
Throughout the process, she remained silent, frighteningly quiet.
Shin did not open his eyes.
"Takeshi."
"My lord."
Takeshi, standing at the doorway, immediately replied.
"Go, summon Tanaka of the Ministry of Finance, Ito of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as the Governor of Kawachi, the Governor of Yamashiro... all of them."
Shin rattled off a string of names.
Kiyotsuki Saki, kneeling, her hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.
These people were all old noble families and important ministers of the Fire Capital.
During the previous succession struggle, most of them had maintained an ambiguous neutrality, and some had even secretly provided convenience to her future husband, who was also Shin's eldest brother.
Was this... a reckoning?
"Yes, my lord."
Takeshi accepted the order and withdrew.
Only then did Shin open his eyes, picking up the teacup and gently blowing on it.
"The tea is good."
Glancing at her, Shin commented.
Kiyotsuki Saki's body tensed even more, her head bowed lower.
Half an hour later.
Daimyo Manor, Council Hall.
Over a dozen important ministers and nobles in official attire gathered here, each with a solemn expression, and the atmosphere was very oppressive.
They all stood. No one dared to sit down.
The crowd whispered, and uneasiness was written on everyone's faces.
"Why did my lord suddenly summon us? What is it about?"
"I'm not sure... Everyone on this list seems to..."
"Shut up! Don't speak carelessly!"
Minister of Finance Tanaka Shigeru stood at the very front, fine beads of sweat on his forehead.
He knew better than anyone how ruthless this new Daimyo's methods were.
Suddenly, a series of footsteps approached.
All discussions ceased abruptly.
Shin, surrounded by guards, slowly walked into the Council Hall.
Today, he wore a black casual robe, embroidered with intricate gold patterns, adding a touch of majesty to his handsome face.
He did not go to the main seat but stopped directly in the center of the hall, calmly scanning everyone present.
Anyone he looked at felt their heart skip a beat and hastily lowered their head.
"Ministers, you are all the backbone of my Land of Fire."
Shin spoke, his voice not loud, but it struck everyone's heart.
"I invited everyone here today because I want you to help me deal with some things."
He clapped his hands.
Then, Takeshi, bowing, led two guards carrying a heavy wooden box into the room.
Thud.
The wooden box was heavily placed on the ground with a dull thud.
Everyone's heart twitched with the sound.
"Open it."
At his command, the lid of the box was lifted.
A box full of scrolls and account books appeared before everyone.
Initially, the ministers merely looked on curiously.
But when the top few scrolls scattered due to the vibration of the lid, revealing familiar handwriting and family crests, the air instantly froze.
Tanaka Shigeru's breathing stopped!
He stared intently at one blue-covered ledger. A corner of the cover had a tea-stained mark—it was the false account he had personally made!
Minister of Internal Affairs Ito, next to him, saw a personal letter he had written to the eldest young master. Ito remembered the content of the letter very clearly, stating that he would provide maximum support in material allocation.
Governor of Kawachi's legs went weak, almost unable to stand.
He saw the record of inflated production from a mine in his territory. The numbers on it were ironclad proof of his illicit gains with the eldest young master's confidant, who had already been executed!
One, two, three... Every single person standing there saw incriminating evidence in the wooden box that could lead to their utter ruin!
No one spoke.
A deathly silence enveloped the Council Hall.
Only heavy breathing and the sound of chattering teeth could be heard.
Cold sweat soaked through their luxurious official robes, sticking to their bodies.
That wooden box was no longer a wooden box. It was as if it were a coffin prepared for them!
In this suffocating atmosphere, Shin's voice rang out again, with a hint of perfectly placed confusion.
"What is wrong?"
He looked around, his brows slightly furrowed, acting as if he genuinely cared about them. "Why do you all look so unwell? Are all of you feeling ill?"
This concern, like an invisible sharp knife, stabbed into everyone's heart, then twisted savagely!
He knew everything! He was here to mock them!
Tanaka Shigeru could no longer hold on, collapsing to his knees with a thud, trembling uncontrollably.
"I... I am guilty!"
His breakdown was like a falling domino.
"My lord, spare my life!"
"I was momentarily confused! I beg my lord to be merciful!"
Cries and pleas for mercy erupted. Everyone knelt down, desperately kowtowing to Shin.
Inside the Council Hall, it was a mess.
Shin looked at the kneeling figures below him, his eyes filled with mockery, silent.
Takeshi, at his side, shouted, "Silence!"
The cries immediately stopped. Everyone buried their heads deep.
"All of you, rise."
Shin's voice was flat. "These are things that were confiscated from the residences of my good brothers during the suppression of the rebellion."
He walked to the wooden box, picked up a scroll at random, and weighed it in his hand.
"I haven't had a chance to look at them yet. I suppose... they aren't anything important."
He turned around and casually tossed the scroll back into the box.
"Takeshi, bring a brazier."
"Yes."
A huge copper brazier was carried in.
Under everyone's surprised gaze, Shin ordered the guards to move the wooden box in front of the brazier.
Then, with a command.
"Pour it in and burn it!"
The guards tilted the box.
Whoosh—
All the evidence, all the secrets, were dumped into the burning flames.
Flames shot up, reflecting on his handsome yet indifferent face.
"I am not one to dig up old scores."
Shin's voice, clear and strong, rang out amidst the crackling of the flames.
"Let the past be like this fire, burning clean."
"I have never looked at what was inside, and no one will ever bring it up again."
"And I hope these things will not happen again!"
He turned around, looking again at the now stunned ministers.
"I only want your future. From today onwards, your loyalty needs to be directed only at me."
"Whoever can create value for me will get everything they desire."
"Do you all understand?"
As his words fell.
Tanaka Shigeru's face erupted with the wild joy and awe of someone who had escaped a disaster. He kowtowed heavily again, his voice hoarse and fervent.
"I, Tanaka Shigeru, swear eternal loyalty to my lord! I will lay down my life without hesitation!"
"We swear eternal loyalty to my lord! We will lay down our lives without hesitation!"
The cries of loyalty merged into a giant wave, echoing throughout the Council Hall.
At this moment, their gazes towards Shin held no more doubt or hope of escape.
Only awe remained.
This young Daimyo, with one fire, burned away their sins and gave them new life.
From now on, their lives belonged to the Daimyo.
Shin watched this scene with satisfaction, a short list of trusted confidantes flashing through his mind.
He also wanted to cleanly dispose of this group of scoundrels.
But if he killed all these experienced dogs, who would govern this country for him?
Let a group of martial artists who only knew how to fight and kill manage finance and public welfare?
The Land of Fire would fall into chaos within three months.
Therefore, they still had to live, and they still had to serve him well.
Once his trusted talents were cultivated, these old dogs would no longer have any value.
So, at this stage... killing was the inferior strategy.
Striking at the heart was the true way.