Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/119

Rh was at a loss to find any ground for discharging him.

It happened that Nobunaga's eldest son, Nobutada, was promoted in his official rank. Therefore an Imperial messenger bearing the writ of appointment was sent to Nobunaga's castle at Azuchi on Lake Biwa. Nobunaga commanded Mitsuhidé and Rammaru to receive and feast the envoy. Mitsuhidé, who was well-versed in etiquette, took the whole responsibility of the affair upon his shoulders, and was assiduously engaged in making the necessary arrangements. Rammaru was displeased with this, and watched for an opportunity to pick a quarrel with him. The time drew near for the honourable guest's entertainment, and Mitsuhidé and his son, Jūjirō, were busy giving orders for the banquet. The former was quite unsuspicious of what was passing in Rammaru's mind. Suddenly Rammaru walked up to him, and asked angrily: "I think it is very strange that you are making all the arrangements without consulting me. Why do you never ask my opinion? If you don't give me a satisfactory explanation, I shall take steps against you."