But in reality, not a single merchant ship that put to sea each day was missing.
But the Fourth Prince stood behind him, and Ran had been unable to do much about him before. Nor could he openly fall out with his fourth uncle.
But today was different.
"Oh? Then I'd like to hear what could possibly be so urgent at your residence that you dared leave my banquet early?"
The minister also realized that his words had been somewhat inappropriate and said, "Maritime transport is difficult at present. I have been thinking of other ways to make up for this deficit, and in my anxiety, I blurted out such nonsense. I hope you will not take offense."
Ran smiled at that. "Maritime transport is difficult? Yet I see that not a single merchant or cargo ship is absent from the port each day."
"Though the people's motivation is lacking now, and their fish catches have clearly declined compared to before, the figures are still completely inconsistent with the numbers you report each month."
The moment those words were spoken, the entire hall was startled. A sense of foreboding settled in everyone's hearts.
"My lord, that is not quite right. You know the nation's current situation. The people are already deeply dissatisfied with all sorts of policies. If we do not distribute more of the profits to the crewmen, then no one will be willing to put to sea."
Ran nodded with a smile. "I see. Then perhaps I wronged you."
The Minister of Maritime Affairs breathed a sigh of relief and did not bring up leaving again.
The other ministers, however, were all beginning to panic. The Daimyo clearly had no intention of negotiating with them; he seemed to be calling them to account instead.
But with so many