Saiunkoku Monogatari Vol 1 - Prologue
Edited by: Ysabet

Let me tell you the story of the Country Saiunkoku.

A long time ago, in the era when the demons of the mountain forest ravaged the lands, a single young man started on a journey in the midst of that endless chaos. Fighting back the rampaging demons, and holding the peace and safety of the people in his heart, he continued his endless journey.

Moved by the man's spirit, eight enlightened beings (sen) gathered to the young man. Ran-sen (indigo), Kou-sen (crimson), Heki-sen (blue-green), Kou-sen (yellow), Haku-sen (white), Koku-sen (black), Sa-sen (brown), Shi-sen (purple). Bearing the names of colours, they eventually came to be called the "eight enlightened beings of colour", and they used their mysterious powers to help the young man.

The young man's name was Sougen. With the help of the eight enlightened ones' wisdom, he built the foundation for the nation, brought the dawn to a new era to the world of people, and was the first Emperor of Saiunkoku.

After the death of Sougen, the eight enlightened ones disappeared somewhere. However, an elegant shrine was built out of respect for their being enlightened beings: the enlightened ones' den. Called the Sentoukyuu (Enlightened Ones' Cave Shrine), it's said to still stand in one part of the palace grounds.

Story of the Country Saiunkoku - Author unknown

Prologue

Late at night, a secret meeting took place among the top advisors deep inside the palace.

" . . . this is a serious problem."

"Yeah, nothing's worse than this."

"It's been half a year since his Majesty has taken the throne."

"Things haven't gotten anywhere, have they . . . "

"I'd thought that things would've fallen in place somehow . . . "

"Us old folks can't keep up with current trends either."

"Fool! As if anyone can keep up with that sort of thing," one of the older, yet hot-blooded senior advisors yelled angrily. As a young man, he had been a well-known warrior on the front lines of battle; now, even though he was over sixty, his hot temper hadn't changed much.

"But, if things stay as they are . . . "

"Right. At this rate, the insincere or dishonest sorts of advisors may appear at any time."

"More than that, before some villain goes after the very throne."

"Right now, the most important thing is--"

While speaking in a much more collected manner compared to the others, one old advisor muttered with a grimace, "We have to do something about that rumour that is spreading outside the castle walls."

Silence fell in the room. That was right--first was that rumour he'd mentioned, that itself was the problem.

"Y- you're right."

Another person wiped the sweat from his brow and cleared his throat, "More than concern over the insincere sorts of advisors, we need to take care of the concerns of the people first."

"B-b-but we've done everything we can!"

"What more can we do?"

With no good ideas coming up, the secret meeting fell into confusion when one person, who up to that point had remained silent, finally said, "I have one idea."

The one who spoke was the most senior advisor in the country and at the sound of his voice, the others all fell silent. They all looked at him expectantly.

"--After all, there's that old saying," the old advisor with a very full, white beard smirked knowingly, "that a man's greatest enemy is his wife."