text: Ito chewed his lip abstractedly. He sat on a soft zabuton pillow in a room devoted to business, the bustle of his household about him. Though retired, he had retired with honor. He had no desire to end his days with his belly ripped out. And if the affair came to light, he might well be required to do so. His duty was to report things directly to the authorities. But fortunately the authority was somewhat unclear here, which gave him some grace. Formally the Imperial capital was governed by a governor responsible directly to the shogun--one Matsudaira Konnosuke currently held the post. Matsudaira had little control over clansmen, particularly senior clansmen of senior clans such as himself. On the other hand, throwing himself on the mercy of his own clan could be disastrous. One reason he had retired here, away from the clan lands in Mito, was to avoid the priggishness that was even now beginning to emerge in that domain. No, no. Far better to rely on the local governor, who, it was rumored, had certain things in common with himself. Ito sighed. It was going to be a difficult business. And costly, in both money and pride. He called for his secretary to make the preparations for his call upon the governor.