The Twelve Kingdoms: The Shore in Twilight

without two divisions of the Provincial Guard, what are we supposed to do when we face a real challenge? Though in any case this will take a bit of time. I don't look forward to encountering snow on the way back."
    "Agreed," said the former general of the Zui Provincial Guard of the Left, now General Sougen of the Imperial Army. "If the mountains to our rear are closed by snow, neither supplies nor reinforcement will make in through in satisfactory numbers. We don't have the provisions to bivouac here in Bun Province until spring. We must win a decisive victory and head back before winter comes."
    "We can be supplied by Saku County. I've sent orders to Seirai to open the storehouses and make ready the provisions that would be needed for us to winter over."
    "Surely you jest!" exclaimed Eishou, rising to his feet. "No matter how hard this campaign may prove, it shall not take until spring. Gyousou-sama would not think so little of us."
    "Nobody is thinking little of anybody. But worst case, I ask that you at least prepare yourselves for the possibility of us wintering over here."
    "If you think the going will be that hard, recall the Provincial Guard and get those idiots to pitch in. Although they'll no doubt prove as useful as a boat anchor on dry land."
    "We shan't be asking the Provincial Guard for assistance. The Provincial Guard has taken shelter in the nearby villages and towns along with the civilians. No matter how wide the storehouse doors are flung open, they can't feed the local populace as well. We can't very well be seen eating our fill alongside starving civilians. At the same time, we can't pare down rations for the soldiers. That would be equally bad for their health and their morale."
    "Which is which we should take Tetsui as soon as possible. Scorch the earth in all directions and after that we could wrap up the whole affair in three days. Obtain the services of the Provincial Guard for a fortnight and the unruly mob would at least be useful as human shields."
    "Eishou, what do you think we came here to accomplish?"
    "To subjugate the rebels."
    "And why did they rebel in the first place?"
    Eishou was hard-pressed for a reply. Of course, there was no mistake that these were rebels. They had defined Imperial decrees and did not skirt the brand of insurrectionists. However--
    "The summer was cool and Bun Province faces a hard winter. The provisions necessary to winter over are sparse. If we disperse the stores in the warehouses in the name of Imperial decrees, the people will starve to death. That is not a tenable option. What others are available to us?"
    Eishou raised his head. "His Highness has instructed us to put down the rebellion. Those who His Highness calls rebels are rebels to ourselves as well. That should be true of all the Palace Guard, should it not?"
    But of course, Gyousou smiled thinly. "So you are the King's lapdog, then? But I ask you, what is a King in the first place?"
    Eishou held his tongue.
    "If the citizens of Tetsui were inflicting harm on people elsewhere, we should be ready to wipe them out to ensure the greater good. If the citizens of Tetsui rejected this forced servitude, the burden gets passed on to other cities in the county. Consequently we should force open the gates of Tetsui and the vaults of the treasury. But is there any need to exceed such measures?"
    A silence descended on the camp.
    "The Imperial rescript orders us to force our way into Tetsui and open the treasury. However, it says nothing about harming even person in Tetsui." Declared Gyousou, "Soldiers are not permitted to carry swords. Shields may be deployed, but not swung or otherwise used against the citizenry with the intent of using them as weapons."
    Shields were fashioned from rugged hardwood. Steel reinforcing was allowed on the inside of the shields, but not on the outside. Taking into account their civilian opponents when in the heat of battle hot-blooded soldiers were likely to lash out with their shields, the outside of the shields were covered with thick lamb's wool. The wool was white
    If, contrary to orders, a shield was used as a weapon and a civilian was injured--even a spot of blood staining the wool--the standing order was for that soldier to be punished severely.
    Captured individuals were admonished and released. They could return to Tetsui if they so wished, or to the towns and villages in the countryside.
    "I know how you must feel, groaning under the weight of so many taxes. But if