"Lord Toranaga says, so sorry Anjin-san, that's a disgusting custom. If he had ships there would be no surrender." Mariko sipped some cha, then continued, "And if the ship is not yet in port?"
"Then I sweep the sea lanes to catch her a few leagues out in international waters. She'll be easier to take heavy laden and wallowing, but harder to bring into Yedo. When's she expected to dock?"
"My Lord does not know. Perhaps within thirty days, he says. The ship will be early this year."
Blackthorne knew he was so near the prize, so very near. "Then it's blockade her and take her at the end of the season." She translated and Blackthorne thought he saw disappointment momentarily cross Toranaga's face. He paused, as though he were considering alter natives, then he said, "If this was Europe, there'd be another way. You could sail in by night and take her by force. A surprise attack."
Toranaga's grip tightened on his sword hilt.
"He says you'd dare to war on our land against your enemies?"
Blackthorne's lips were dry. "No. Of course this is still surmise, but if a state of war existed between him and the Portuguese, and Lord Toranaga wanted them hurt, this would be the way to do it. If I had two or three hundred well - disciplined fighters, a good crew, and Erasmus, it would be easy to go alongside the Black Ship and board her, drag her out to sea. He could choose the time of the surprise attack - if this was Europe."
There was a long silence.
"Lord Toranaga says, this is not Europe and no state of war exists or will ever exist between him and the Portuguese."
"Of course. One last point, Mariko-san: Nagasaki is not within Lord Toranaga's control, is it?"
"No, Anjin-san. Lord Harima owns the port and the hinterland."
"But don't the Jesuits in practice control the port and all trade?" Blackthorne marked her reluctance to translate but kept up the pressure. "Isn't that the honto, Mariko-san? And isn't Lord Harima Catholic? Isn't most of Kyushu Catholic? And therefore don't the Jesuits in some measure control the whole island?"
"Christianity's a religion. The daimyos control their own lands, Anjin-san," Mariko said for herself.
"But I was told Nagasaki's really Portuguese soil. I'm told they act as though it is. Didn't Lord Harima's father sell the land to the Jesuits?"
Mariko's voice sharpened. "Yes. But the Taiko took the land back. No foreigner's allowed to own land here now."
"But didn't the Taiko allow his Edicts to lapse, so today nothing happens there without Jesuit approval? Don't Jesuits control all shipping in Nagasaki and all trade? Don't Jesuits negotiate all trade for you and act as intermediaries?"
"You're very well informed about Nagasaki, Anjin-san," she said pointedly.
"Perhaps Lord Toranaga should take control of the port from the enemy. Perhaps-"
"They're your enemy, Anjin-san, not ours," she said, taking the bait at last. "The Jesuits are-"
"Nan ja?"
She turned apologetically to Toranaga and explained what had been said between them. When she had finished he spoke severely, a clear reprimand. "Hai," she said several times and bowed, chastened.
Mariko said, "Lord Toranaga reminds me my opinions are valueless and that an interpreter should interpret only, neh? Please excuse me."
Once Blackthorne would have apologized for trapping her. Now it did not occur to him. But since he had made his point, he laughed and said, "Hai, kawaii Tsukkuko-sama!" Yes, pretty Lady Interpreter!
Mariko smiled wryly, furious at herself for being trapped, her mind in conflict over her divided loyalties.
"Yoi, Anjin-san," Toranaga said, once more genial.
"Mariko-san kawaii desu yori Tsukku-san anamsu ka nori masen, neh?" And Mariko's much prettier than old Mr. Tsukku, isn't she, and so much more fragrant?
Toranaga laughed. "Hai."
Mariko blushed and poured tea, a little mollified. Then Toranaga spoke. Seriously.
"Our Master says, why were you asking so many questions - or making statements - about Lord Harima and Nagasaki?"
"Only to show that the port of Nagasaki is in fact controlled by foreigners. By the Portuguese. And by my law, I have the legal right to attack the enemy anywhere."
"But this is not 'anywhere,' he says. This is the Land of the Gods and such an attack is unthinkable."
"I agree wholeheartedly. But if ever Lord Harima became hostile, or the Jesuits who lead the Portuguese become hostile, this is the way to hunt them."
"Lord Toranaga says neither he nor any daimyo would ever permit an attack by one foreign nation on another on Japanese soil, or the killing by them of any of our people. Against enemies of the Emperor, that is a different matter. As to getting fighters and crew, it would be easy for a man to get any number if he spoke Japanese. There are many wako in Kyushu."
"Wako, Mariko-san?"
