To Matsu Masumi, Emerald Yoriki


Matsu-san, I am pleased to hear you will be in attendance at the forthcoming Imperial Winter Court. There will be nowhere more prestigious, or dangerous, to spend the darker season. Fortunately I am informed you are a capable young samurai. The Ruby Dojo assures me that you are ready, and I trust in their wisdom.

I would ask that you tell me something of yourself. Anything that a description of your abilities may have left out. I am not interested in gossip or anything that would cause you pain, but I find a few lines on a scroll can rarely capture an entire samurai. By way of example, allow me to speak a little of myself:

- You will find I place a high value on proper etiquette.
- I have a personal weakness for local cuisine wherever I go.
- Politics is a distasteful but necessary part of my duties.
- I will not abide the mistreatment of samurai or peasants in my name.

Please also find enclosed a copy of Bayushi Tangen's seminal work 'Lies'. It is no criticism of what your education may have included before, or fortunes forbid, a guide to how to conduct yourself. However, as a young samurai who valued my honour above all it was a valuable tool to understand how other's may attempt to take advantage of you.

There will be a test, I am sure you will study well.

Until then, may the Fortunes bless you and your travels be safe.



Sae of the Daidoji, Emerald Magistrate

[Chop]

To Daidoji Sae, Emerald Magistrate

Daidoji-san, what danger could there be at the heart of our Empire? One would suspect that no one would dare act in a disagreeable manner. Or do you mean to imply we are the danger to people whose hearts are full of wickedness? Because that is most certainly true!

It heartens me that we seem to be of like mind. Our duty is not to enforce our political aims through our position but instead enforce the law, the law which protects both samurai and peasant alike.

- I find it preferable to force miscreants into submission with my hands. This tactic fares well against a single offender.
- To be clear, I would like to disarm them with my words first. That is not out of hesitation but rather cleanliness.
- I am constantly hungry. It is fortunate that I seldom have any strong preferences.

Is the text to be trusted in itself? Would it not be like a liar to use a text like that to fool the righteous of heart? Despite these questions, I will of course study this to the best of my ability.

I greatly anticipate our meeting. May you carry the Fortunes' blessing.

Matsu Masumi, Emerald Yoriki