Fictional work. Any similarity to real names or events is coincidental.
Underage smoking is prohibited.
OSAKA 19:57, 16 DEGREES CELSIUS
Year 57 of the Yamato era. Spring.
After traveling to Osaka to fulfill his promise to his late wife, Saki,
Aoteru Misumi meets Yoshitsune Asama,
another young man aspiring to pass the Toryumon.
According to Mitsuhide Ryumon, the borderland general,
the person they seek with this test is...
Someone who can bring my knees to the ground. That's all.
As the other applicants fail one after another,
Aoteru and Yoshitsune have been observing quietly, when suddenly...
Borderland General Ryumon, I'll take those legs of yours.
NIPPON SANGOKU: THE THREE NATIONS OF THE CRIMSON SUN
EPISODE 3: IMPERIAL COUNCIL
You thought you'd cut my legs off to make me land on the ground, right?
I don't dislike those kinds of outrageous ideas.
However, you're being naive.
- Did you mean to say "amazing"? - What?
You passed.
Wait, he tried to cut his legs off. Does this guy have no morals?
And he kicked Borderland General Ryumon without hesitation.
Is that guy crazy?
Hey, you...
That was an excellent kick. What's your name?
First of all, though it was part of the recruitment exam,
I'd like to apologize for my insolence and express my sincere gratitude.
My family name is Asama, and my first name is Yoshitsune.
- Asama? - Asama, that's a distinguished clan!
That Asama?
Ridiculous. How laughable.
If someone criticizes you, they also criticize you,
and if someone praises you, they follow suit and do the same.
I really despise that.
Go ahead, spend your whole lives chasing my back.
What do you think, Misumi?
You're seriously going to change this world, are you?
I'm the one who's going to change the world.
- Hey, your shoelace came undone. - You're right.
ANNOYED
Why is he so calm? Did he just give me a thumbs-up?
You plain-looking guy with side-parted hair!
I have brought an item as an offering.
What? What's with him? He's totally sucking up to him.
If sucking up were necessary, I'd do it all day long.
He did indeed say that, but...
There's no mistake, this is 100 percent sucking up!
How lame.
AGRICULTURAL POLICY REFORM
This is...
I propose an agricultural policy reform to avoid losing the war.
Agricultural?
Policy, what?
- Kaku! - Yes?
FLIP
This is...
Misumi, what on earth have you...
The aim of this agricultural policy is to boost crop yields in the borderlands
and increase the number of soldiers stationed there.
As you all know, of Yamato's 360,000 soldiers,
including the forces in Aichi, Fukui, and Shiga combined,
fewer than one-fifth are stationed in the borderlands.
Why is that?
Because the crop yields there are not enough to sustain a bigger force.
Due to this lack of regular soldiers,
when a battle breaks out, soldiers must be sent from rural areas.
This requires a tremendous cost and effort.
Thus, to increase productivity,
we'll have soldiers cultivate the abandoned farmland in the borderlands.
The three borderland regions have fertile land, well-suited for farming.
So we'll abandon the fields around Osaka and bring the water to the borderlands.
First, we'll divide 50,000 soldiers among the three districts to farm.
One-fifth of the troops will be on rotation,
leaving 40,000 soldiers to farm and simultaneously defend the land.
With enough water, production is expected to reach five times the current levels.
Even after losses and costs,
we could supply 1.5 million tons of grain annually.
In three years, we'd have 4.5 million tons stocked in the borderlands.
This would be five years' worth of food for an army of 100,000.
With this plan as our foundation, we would not suffer defeat in war.
Splendid.
Truly splendid.
But how are you going to bring my knees to the ground?
Borderland General Ryumon, I cannot make you kneel.
Why not?
I don't know any combat techniques like Mr. Tsune does.
There's no way I can pass this test.
Well then, why did you bring this?
I was hoping to give it to you after I passed the Toryumon.
However, I realized that won't happen, so I decided to present it to you now.
I don't know your name.
If I don't see you again, you won't receive credit for this.
Is that okay with you?
Of course.
You passed.
Amazing!
So, what's your name?
Aoteru Misumi.
End of the exam!
Thank you all for coming today.
If you were unable to show your strength and did not pass this so-called Toryumon,
please come again.
I'm always here, except when I have to go to war.
I look forward to seeing you.
I'll try again!
I'll pass for sure next time!
One showed skills in martial arts, the other showed wisdom.
Who knew we'd find two with such potential in the ten minutes we had...
Yoshitsune Asama. His courage is certainly exceptional.
He's still rough around the edges, but if he's humble and applies himself,
he might become a commander and lead Yamato someday.
And Aoteru Misumi.
We can see glimpses of a man with big ambitions,
yet he doesn't seem to crave fame.
He's an interesting man.
Even when he passed the exam, he was so unfazed,
as if his plan was to get you to kneel on your own accord, Mr. Ryumon.
I'm really excited about their futures.
Was that his intention?
To make me kneel willingly?
No, no, no...
It can't be, can it?
THE JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND LI STARTS WITH A SINGLE STEP
Year 57 of the Yamato era. Spring.
On this day, Aoteru succeeded in passing the Toryumon.
No one knows about the big tides of change that await them ahead.
In a world of enemies and allies, ideals and betrayal,
will the future be one of peace or one of turmoil?
Aoteru Misumi.
The legend in which he comes to be known as a genius strategist...
begins now.
"RYUMON'S FLASK" - "PROPOSAL FOR REVISION OF AGRICULTURAL POLICY"
Year 59 of the Yamato era. Winter. Osaka.
It's been nearly three years since Aoteru passed the Toryumon.
His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Yamato!
Bow!
Long live His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Yamato!
Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!
Enough already! As you were!
Well, where's the Lord of Home Affairs?
In the restroom.
But the imperial council has started...
In the restroom.
In the restroom, you say? That's fine, then.
When you have to go, you have to go. That can't be hel--
I tripped over my words. I meant, that can't be helped.
He's so scary.
The Lord of Home Affairs' subordinate is always so scary.
SNICKERING
ACHOO
THUMP
Right.
Let's start the imperial council and let's keep it under 30 minutes.
He's sitting cross-legged in front of His Majesty?!
What is he thinking?
Well, okay, Lord Taira,
I think you usually sit next to me...
No, go ahead, sit wherever you like!
Permission to address the throne.
Borderland General Ryumon, you may now address the throne.
Your Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Yamato,
as a result of the farmer-soldiers policy we have been implementing for three years,
we increased the number of regular soldiers
by approximately 100,000 across the three borderland districts.
- What? 100,000? - Impossible!
That policy was successful?
But everybody said it would fail.
We were also finally able to transfer the former Buo soldiers
who surrendered at the recent Battle of Nagashino to the borderlands.
I am certain they will do their best on the battlefield.
YEAH
- That baldy. - Tsk!
Right. That's amazing, Ryumon!
I don't really understand, but I'll just praise him.
Your Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Yamato,
you don't really understand why the policy Ryumon carried out is amazing, do you?
Is he a psychic?
Ryumon ingeniously revised the long-standing policy,
replacing peasants with military farmers.
Three years ago, the number of regular soldiers in the borderlands
was 33,000 in Aichi, 10,000 in Shiga, and 15,000 in Fukui.
A total of 58,000.
Ryumon increased this number to 100,000 in just three years.
So that means... How much?
What? Well...
One point seven times.
That's the kind of achievement that deserves a governorship and fine rewards.
Instead, you pretend to know all about it, offer nothing but mere praise,
and grant neither rank nor reward.
Wouldn't you call that sheer incompetence unbecoming of a ruler?
He's finally done it...
He humiliated the emperor!
Lord Taira is right. That was unbecoming of me.
Sorry, Ryumon. I'll give you medals, and as for your rank...
Oh, I'll send you an imperial edict later!
Would you accept it for me?
Your Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Yamato,
I accept it with great honor.
Right.
Great.
Not only did he sit in front of the emperor,
but also went as far as to humiliate him at the imperial council...
Lord of Home Affairs, Denki Taira.
Surely you're not thinking of rising further, are you?
I wonder if Mr. Ryumon is all right.
SHIRYO NAGAMINE
The imperial council's not like war. No need to worry.
Mr. Nagamine, what I'm saying is,
perhaps that fatso is going to make a move in the near future.
Denki Taira, huh...
The empress is that fatso's own daughter.
The Taira clan controls all major government positions in Yamato,
extending to even the most remote areas.
It's been 22 years since the former emperor was poisoned.
I think we can say that the time is ripe.
You have a point.
Hey, Mr. Sugoh.
That's your third sugar cube today.
Don't come to me when your wife scolds you.
Mr. Ryumon and his corps represent that fatso's biggest obstacle.
Even more so than the officials that don't side with the Taira clan.
I'm sure he's not that happy either
about the remarkable results the farmer-soldiers policy is producing.
Ryumon, would that be all?
One more thing.
Over the past few years, the cold weather has intensified.
According to an undercover official we sent to the northern nation of Seii,
which has long been in conflict with us,
many people there are suffering from food shortages and extreme poverty.
The Seii government's countermeasures have been failing repeatedly,
and a series of anti-government riots are occurring all over the nation.
Therefore, it seems it would be nearly impossible for the Seii army
to begin a western expedition to Yamato.
In other words, this is our chance to conquer Seii, right?
Exactly as you said.
Our nation could take this opportunity to send an expedition to the north.
NORTHERN EXPEDITION
However, sending an expedition in this extreme cold
would be very difficult even with our abundance of food and soldiers.
So, should we wait until early spring and launch a full-blown attack?
Or just maintain the current state of affairs?
There is one point we should be concerned about.
What... what's that?
WHOOSH
The emergence of a talented dictator.
Dictator...
Under these circumstances, a talented dictator may foment a revolution.
This is something that has happened several times throughout history.
The possibility of a dictator mobilizing the already dissatisfied masses
and invading Yamato cannot be dismissed.
I believe it would be wise to sign a ceasefire with Seii as soon as possible
and engage in intermittent diplomacy and trade with them.
TAIRA
Ryumon. You're quite timid.
War is a serious matter for the nation.
Their lives, and the very existence of the nation, are at stake.
RYUMON
Therefore, as borderland general, I think we should carefully...
Right.
I already knew you were a coward.
Come on, don't worry too much.
The thing with Seii won't be a problem.
What do you mean by that?
Right.
We already sent a missive to Seii demanding their unconditional surrender.
- Unconditional surrender? - Unconditional surrender?
Lord Taira! Why haven't I heard about this!
I just told you, didn't I?
What? Yes, you did.
A demand for unconditional surrender could very well anger Seii.
I believe we should send an emissary at once and seek a truce for now.
Listen, you coward.
Our nation has never lost on the battlefield.
Seeking a truce with a nation like Seii is being too soft.
They will raise the white flag.
I'm certain of it.
Please, reconsider.
HA HA
My, this is hard to watch.
Get out, Ryumon, you coward. This is pathetic.
Bow your head for the rest of your life.
All right. Next!
Permission to address the throne!
Grand Commander Hanada, you may now address the throne.
Lord Taira of Home Affairs,
a demand for surrender requires the Imperial Seal!
Using the Imperial Seal without His Majesty's permission is a felony!
Permission to address the throne!
Grand Archivist Nakamoto, you may now--
The past few years, Lord Taira of Home Affairs
has been making imperial visits all over the nation on behalf of His Majesty.
GRAND ARCHIVIST YUGAKU NAKAMOTO
Our Archive Bureau has received hundreds of reports
of unjust actions carried out by the Lord of Home Affairs!
All of which are about executions, punishments, and tax collection.
This is clearly an abuse of power!
The Lord of Home Affairs should receive severe punishment at once!
Right! It's wrong for someone like him to have that much power!
- Go on and resign! - No, give him the death penalty!
Death penalty! Death penalty!
DRIP
Death penalty within five seconds.
STAB - SPURT - SQUEAL
Your Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Yamato.
Yes?
I deeply apologize for allowing armed soldiers
to enter the palace and shed blood.
These people committed the crime of offending me.
I recommend finding replacements at once, so I beg your forgiveness.
I forgive you! I forgive you!
I'm tired after all this. I wanna go pee.
I'm going back. I'm going back!
Well, actually, I've already peed myself a little bit.
With this, the council is adjourned!
Are you going to keep bowing for the rest of your life?
Well, whatever.
Calculate the defense expenses after Seii surrenders within three days.
Oh, and rest assured. I won't be rising further.
For now.
The only person who can stand up to that fatso is Mr. Ryumon.
We must support him with all our power.
Yeah.
Bring it on!
On this day, Aoteru and other members of the Borderland General Corps
received unofficial notices.
Yoshitsune Asama.
In recognition of your success in the subjugation of bandits
during the attack on the 31st Armory,
you are hereby appointed as Deputy Master of Arms.
Yes, sir!
Here's my promotion!
In recognition of your contributions to the revised agricultural policy,
you're hereby appointed as Auditor of the Borderland General Corps.
Humbly accept this honor, Aoteru Misumi.
Yes, sir!
UZEN PROVINCE
The Uzen Province in Seii,
under the jurisdiction of the Ginzan Security Troop.
Commander-in-Chief Wajima.
We have been informed that President Azami
received a demand for unconditional surrender from Yamato.
Unconditional surrender? How dare they ridicule us!
I see.
Thank you for the report.
A TALENTED DICTATOR EMERGES
Hideo Kimura