The Twelve Kingdoms: Dreaming of Paradise

saying something to that effect. It was a long time ago, back during the days of Kouto. Shishou had raised the banner of Kouto and Eishuku-sama rushed to join them. I wanted to as well. I urged her to come with us to Yuunei and take part in the revolution. That was when she said something very similar to what Shisho-sama said."
    "Shinshi-sama did?"
    "She said that finding fault is easy, but doing so sets nothing right."

Chapter 23
    S hinshi had said to Seiki, "I trust Shishou's good intentions, but I can't endorse the goals of Kouto and the like. And I told him the same thing."
    "Why is that?" Seiki asked.
    "I dislike this business of finding fault. I gave Shishou a piece of my mind. What he did with it after that was of his own choosing."
    "I don't know what to say."
    His foster mother smiled. "Don't overthink it."
    "Well, ah, then please tell me. Why do you dislike about finding fault with others?"
    "Because I am hardly qualified to do so. Oh, if criticism is what you want, I could dish it out from sun up to sundown. Still, I have my doubts about what Shishou is doing. Yes, it's easy to say that that's a different kettle of fish. But I'd be hard pressed to explain to you what the difference is."
    "I don't get it."
    "Seiki, what do you think of the state the kingdom is in? What do you think of our king?"
    "I believe he has strayed from the Way. Things are in such an awful condition."
    "And if the king and Taiho pass away, will you go on the Shouzan?"
    Seiki blinked several times and then vigorously waved his hands. "Me? Perish the thought!"
    "Why is that?"
    "A person like me has no business trying to run the kingdom. That's a job better left to people like Shishou-sama and Eishuku-sama."
    "Oh, so you criticize others for being unable to accomplish what you yourself are incapable of?"
    Shinshi spoke in playful tones, but the flustered Seiki glanced nervously about. "Well, um, ah—"
    "So perhaps the only people who have the right to criticize His Highness are those truly more capable of ruling the kingdom than he."
    "Yes, that may indeed be true."
    "I think the same goes for Shishou and King Fu. I don't question that things are going badly in Sai. If it all was laid at the feet of His Highness, I wouldn't necessarily disagree. That is why voices of censure are raised against him. It's quite natural. Groups are formed and protests are launched with the hope that their complaints will reach His Highness's ears. That seems to be the strategy Shishou is following. But I have to wonder how any of this is different. I could easily criticize Shishou in that regard, but I would be at loss as well to suggest a better course. It is certainly true that the course of the king and the kingdom need to be corrected. I couldn't say how, only that the course Shishou is plotting is not the right one. That alone is probably the only area where Shishou deserves criticism, wouldn't you say?"
    "I suppose so."
    "True reform is a different creature than that. Perhaps true reform begins by pointing to the right course rather than illuminating the wrong one."
    "But isn't Shishou speaking out because he perceives the correct course ahead of us?"
    "He most certainly does. And I can only say that I believe him to be taking the wrong tack. Not what the correct tack is. If, after hearing that, his sense of conviction remains firm, well, we'll just have to take our best shot and see if things turn out the way Shishou believes."
    "Take our best shot—that seems awfully cold of you, mother."
    "You think so? But I can't say I know what's best. Shishou isn't necessary wrong, is he?"
    "And if he is?"
    "If he is, then Shishou possesses the character to correct his course. That I believe." Shinshi smiled. "I'm not saying that I know Shishou is doing the wrong thing. Only that I feel a certain unease. That is enough to prevent me from becoming a supporter. But since I cannot offer a firm alternative as to the correct course of action, I don't feel I am qualified to be his critic. So you as well may do as you please. If you believe that Shishou is doing the right thing, then you should give him your full support."
    Seiki had decided that Shishou was right and Shinshi was wrong. When he looked up at Shinshi with a troubled look on his face, Shinshi smiled. "You needn't worry on my account. If I am wrong and Shishou is right, and the kingdom prospers because of it, then that is the only thing that matters."

Chapter 24
    S eiki said to Shuka, "Until now, I