My Rules Are the Rules!

The day after the grand ceremony, the skies over the Land of Fire Capital were clear.

Yet the bloody shadow hanging over every court official's heart had yet to fade.

Just after the Hour of the Rabbit, the civil and military officials had already gathered outside Daimyo Manor, every one of them silent.

The heads hung from the city gates yesterday, along with the prince whose limbs had been crippled before he was dragged away, had been seared into everyone's minds.

The heavy palace doors opened, and the officials filed inside.

The scent of sandalwood mixed with fresh lacquer washed over them.

But it could not cover the thick stench of blood lingering in their memories.

The officials took their places according to the new hierarchy, each standing with head bowed and body bent, even deliberately slowing their breathing.

"The Daimyo has arrived—"

At the attendant's announcement, every official instantly tensed.

Chiba Ran emerged from behind the hall, dressed in a dark robe patterned with gold.

He wore no crown. His black hair was loosely tied back, his pace neither hurried nor slow, his expression calm.

As though yesterday's slaughter had nothing to do with him.

Yet the more composed he appeared, the more reverence and fear filled the officials' hearts.

"Greetings, Daimyo!"

Led by Ito of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the officials all fell to their knees, foreheads pressed against the stone floor, their voices perfectly uniform.

"Rise."

Chiba Ran's voice was faint, betraying no emotion.

He walked to the throne and sat down, his gaze sweeping across the somewhat frightened faces below.

"Today is the first grand court assembly. If any of you have matters to report, speak."

As soon as the words fell, the hall became deathly silent.

No one dared to be the first to step forward.

Yesterday's horrific scene was still vivid in their minds. Who knew whether one wrong sentence would lead them to follow in Saionji Takashi's footsteps?

Chiba Ran did not urge them.

Time passed, and the oppressive atmosphere brought cold sweat to the brows of several elderly officials.

At last, a burly military officer stepped forward.

He was the newly promoted commander of the City Guard.

The commander dropped to one knee, his voice ringing through the hall.

"Reporting to the Daimyo, in accordance with your decree, the City Guard worked with the Hidden Guard to purge all rebels and their accomplices within the city last night!"

"The ringleader Saionji Takashi and his three clans, as well as the accomplice Chiba Xiu, have all been dealt with according to your orders. Order has been restored within the city. Please issue your instructions!"

Chiba Ran did not even raise his eyelids.

"Mm."

Understanding the meaning, the commander bowed and returned to his place with crisp, decisive movements.

With someone having taken the lead, the atmosphere loosened slightly.

Tanaka Shigeru, Minister of Finance, stepped forward.

He bowed and reported, "Reporting to the Daimyo, the Ministry of Revenue has sent an urgent report: autumn grain collection throughout the regions has gone smoothly! Because you abolished the harsh and excessive taxes, the people have eagerly paid their taxes. This year's treasury revenue is expected to exceed previous years by thirty percent!"

"Furthermore, the Ministry of Works reports that every project under the Three-Year Revitalization Plan is progressing rapidly. The expansion of the Land of Fire Capital is already thirty percent complete, and planning blueprints for the various local towns have also been distributed..."

Tanaka Shigeru reported more than ten governmental matters in one breath, all of them good news.

These decrees, once regarded by them as troublesome, had erupted with astonishing efficiency under the New Daimyo's iron rule.

After finishing his report, he lowered his head and fell silent, awaiting the Daimyo's decision.

Inside the great hall, one could hear a needle drop.

Just when everyone thought they would receive the same cold response as before, Chiba Ran spoke.

"Not bad."

"Keep it up."

Tanaka Shigeru's anxious expression instantly turned to delight!

Behind him, the ministers who had also participated in the revitalization plan breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Praise!

The Daimyo had actually praised them!

Those four brief words excited them more than any reward could have!

It meant that as long as they handled their duties honestly and did them well, they could earn the Daimyo's approval!

In an instant, the way all the ministers looked at Chiba Ran changed.

Their fear remained, but now it was mixed with a fervent desire to prove themselves at all costs.

Chiba Ran took it all in, the corners of his lips curving upward.

This was exactly the effect he wanted.

The atmosphere in court eased slightly as Lord Ito, the white-haired Minister of Internal Affairs, stepped forward.

"This subject, Ito, has a matter to present."

Chiba Ran said, "Speak."

Ito said respectfully, "Lord Daimyo, you used Thunderous Might to sweep away enemies within and without, your achievements surpassing those of the ages. Now that the new dynasty has just been established and your rule has already borne remarkable results, this old subject believes you should follow the example of the rulers of past generations and grant a general amnesty! It would display Your Lordship's benevolence and magnanimity, soothing the hearts of the people!"

Quite a few ministers secretly nodded.

A general amnesty was customary when a new ruler ascended the throne. It could win people's hearts and earn a fine reputation, bringing nothing but benefits.

In their eyes, the Daimyo had killed too heavily yesterday. It was time to employ some conciliatory measures.

Yet Chiba Ran merely gave a soft laugh, his tone turning cold.

"Benevolence?"

"My benevolence is for the citizens who obey the law and work diligently."

"It is for the common people who lost their loved ones in war and were left displaced and homeless."

"Not for criminals who steal, plunder, and prey upon the local populace."

He looked at Ito, who was prostrated on the ground.

If you can't find the book by searching its title, try searching for the author instead. Perhaps it was simply renamed!

"Criminals are criminals. Since they violated the laws of the Land of Fire, they should remain in prison and properly reflect on the wrongs they committed."

"Letting them out so they can continue harming my people—what kind of benevolence is that?"

Ito shuddered from head to toe, cold sweat soaking his back.

He had not expected the Daimyo to refuse so decisively, with reasoning that left him unable to retort.

After all, Ito was a veteran minister who had served three reigns. He argued, "B-But, my lord, since ancient times, every new ruler has followed this precedent. It is an established custom, symbolizing the beginning of a new era..."

"Custom?"

Chiba Ran interrupted him, leaning forward slightly.

"From the moment I took this seat—"

"My rules are the rules."

His voice was not loud, yet it struck everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer.

"Lord Ito."

"Do you think those ancient precedents are more important, or are the heads hanging over the city gates more convincing?"

The old minister's mind went blank, as though he had been struck by lightning.

Those calm words nearly suffocated him.

"This old... this old subject... misspoke! This old subject deserves death!" He frantically kowtowed, his aged body trembling without end. "Please forgive me, Lord Daimyo!"

Chiba Ran leaned back against the throne once more and said flatly, "Withdraw. Do not let it happen again."

"Th-Thank you, my lord..."

As though granted a pardon, Ito staggered back to his place.

Silence once again filled the great hall.

At that moment, everyone understood.

Do your work, and you would be rewarded.

Talk too much, and you would die.

This new ruler did not care about tradition in the slightest. His rules were simple and clear, and they could not be challenged.

The atmosphere in the hall froze once more.

A quick-witted minister rolled his eyes and stepped out from the ranks.

"This subject has a matter to report."

"Speak."

After kneeling, the minister wore a fawning smile. "Lord Daimyo, you have now ascended to the supreme position, yet there is no beautiful woman at your side to attend to you. The foundation of the state remains unsettled, which is truly no blessing for the realm."

"This subject humbly requests that Your Lordship appoint a Daimyo's wife as soon as possible and produce heirs, so as to put the officials and people of the realm at ease!"

The moment those words were spoken, many immediately echoed their agreement.

The ruler's heirs concerned the continuation of the nation's fortunes. It was indeed a matter of utmost importance.

Besides, if a woman from their own clan were chosen, their family could soar to greatness in a single step.

Chiba Ran lightly tapped the armrest with his fingers.

"This matter is not urgent."

A minister immediately picked up the thread.

"My lord is wise. The grand wedding can indeed be postponed."

"However, my lord is burdened with countless affairs every day. You still need someone close by your side to attend to you."

"In this minister's opinion, an Imperial Concubine Selection may be held first. From among the great noble houses and prominent families, we can choose virtuous and graceful young women to enter the palace."

"First, to bear heirs for my lord; second, to display your grace and authority, putting the ministers' minds at ease."

Imperial Concubine Selection.

Bear heirs.

Chiba Ran's tapping fingers came to a stop.

He had not paid much attention to such matters in the first place. Conquering the world was what truly mattered.

Yet these ministers were even more anxious than he was.

So be it.

Since someone had brought it up of their own accord, there was no harm in going with the flow.

With that thought, Chiba Ran nodded.

"Mm, that makes some sense."

"There is no need to limit it to noble houses and prominent families. Search within the country."

"I'll leave this matter to the steward of my residence."

The minister was overjoyed upon hearing this and said excitedly, "My lord is wise! This minister obeys!"

He knew he had made the right move!

The other ministers in the hall each had their own thoughts.

Some regretted failing to speak first, while others had already begun considering which daughter of their family to send into the palace.

An invisible struggle over the Imperial Concubine Selection had already begun.

Chiba Ran took everything in, then rose to his feet.

To him, this was merely an insignificant interlude on the long road to hegemony.

"If there is nothing else, you may withdraw."

Without giving anyone another chance to speak, he turned and walked toward the rear of the hall.

"Farewell, Lord Daimyo!"

A thunderous cry rose behind him.

Only after Chiba Ran's figure had completely disappeared did the officials in the hall dare straighten up.

Many of their backs were already soaked in cold sweat.

Thus ended the first grand court assembly of the new dynasty.

But everyone understood that this young new ruler had drawn a line for them.

Those who followed him would prosper.

Those who defied him would perish.