A letter for Yasuki Ryoichi

[Hida Kozume]

A letter written in blocky kanji

Kid,

Just got the news from Masato that you're coming to court this winter. That's good. It'd be a pain to have had to write all those letters and then found out that nothing came of it, not mentioning the bruise to the ego. Get enough of those around these parts.

But since you're coming, I'd thought I'd toss you a bit of that advice we old coots are famous for.

1) The Scorpion really do gather information all the time. Otomo, too. They just sit their with notebooks in their heads recording everything to use later. Be cool around 'em, but they're not the real enemy. That brings up the next point:
2) People get to be your enemy a couple different ways at court. There's getting in the way of something you need (that's pretty common), competing with you when you want to unload something (that's also pretty common), there's people just looking to pick a fight to show off (not as common as you'd think, but it's there), and then there's people that'll just annoy the heck out of you. That's the most common thing of all. You've got to know the difference between an enemy you can smack around and an enemy you can't. The biggest one in my experience? Look around at their friends. A lot of time you'll be surprised who's hand's on the return stroke. Don't get caught looking.

That's it for now. My writing hand's getting sore and I've got snot-nosed little yoriki to train up on killing. Write me back if you've got questions.
Hida Kozume
Rikugunshokan of the 1st Hida Army (ret.)
Ruby Champion

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

To the most honorable General and Ruby Champion,

I am most grateful for the General’s instructions. I’ve been told that Imperial Court is very different from how our courts work in the Crab Clan, but having specific examples and guidance is invaluable intelligence. I will keep open-minded on the clans you mentioned, and I shall take your counsel on enemies to heart. In doing so, I hope to avoid making any new enemies this season - unless duty requires it. As Sun Tao says, make a hundred friends and you haven’t one to spare, but make one enemy and you meet him everywhere.

Once again I must offer my family’s thanks for the General’s previous support. If there is anything, large or small, that I can be of assistance with while at court, please do not hesitate to mention it.

Respectful regards,
Yasuki Ryoichi