Quantum Leap Vol 8 Harris Treaty July 29, 1858

C021 PTO Also Don't Know...!!!

Not too shabby kid... Not too shabby.

We had checked with Hoshi-sama and finds that his Kazaana didn't activate yet or in other words, he had not fallen for the curse of his generation yet.

With the reduced number of working staff in the government and business District, it is too early to tell that things are going as smooth as possible. Those who were still employed by us had gone through exercises set by Hiko-sama at the Dojo for free and there are lots of ex samurai who were willing to reach combat in all forms of weapon.

Zannera took the opportunity to train on her spear while her paternal twin learnt more with a mace, sword and spear. They managed to learn a few tips and tricks from the ex samurai and presented a steel buckler at the end of their training session.

The twins also learnt how to handle long-range offensive weapon by Miko but due to their small frame despite their height, they had difficulty to handle the bow that was almost half of their body's length.

It was the third day for the employees shift so there would be a lot of people that would contribute back to the economy tomorrow as it was their off day. The public community building was busy nearly 24 hours a day as the night shift would be there after work for a good rubdown before heading for their rest.

The 1st shift would go there in the afternoons, while the 2nd shift would be there in the mornings. During their work week, all 24 rooms were being utilised as massage therapy rooms for 3 days straight and each session would be a 35-45 minute massage.

All bookings were done in a first come first served basis and they would book their room usage for their next day off or sometimes they have to wait for at least a month before they could book a 2-hour block to read or learn the arts. If the business conference building were not utilised, it was being used to learn Ikebana and such.

Everyone is happy, no one is being left out and it's a big family gathering. The Tanukis contributed mainly for Fasuto Japan Airways and with 71 continuous flights every 5 days, they had a block of 2 days rest and they mainly spend it by sleeping it off.

Carrying heavy loads and travelling great distances would put a toll on anyone's body and the reason why they were allowed to travel one long flight on a day and 2 short flights alternate days.

We had arranged for the rice dealer to send 1.8 tonnes of rice to the Eastern monastery and paid him accordingly. Same setup, same procedures and this type with the assistance of Wonder 8 support and the twins.

The road that was to be paved with bricks had been completed and we could say the Bato-san had done a pretty good job. The stretch of that paved brick Road was named Bato Boulevard after his name and his family and he was so proud and he was walking and tearing man as he was congratulated throughout the town.

.....

On the day of the charity work, we had completed the 3rd event without any hitches. It was the day off for the employees and everyone was virtually there to assist.

The ex-Mayor was there as well since it was his last day of proper handing and taking over duties to Yours Truly and since there was a complete revamp of the structure of governing matters, he had found nothing wrong with it and even proposed some of it to be implemented.

As we walked back to the meal area of our Phase 2 Production Plant (the second initial procurement of Land) we were served cranberry tea when we heard distant drumbeats and the sounding of horns. We were surprised and thought that we were under attack when the ex-Mayor claimed that someone of a very high position is coming to this town.

All of us proceeded to the Northern gate and we could see a battalion of heavily armed cavalry were heading to Kitakata. One thing was in my mind, "INVASION...!!!"

=*=

Damn... I thought for a moment we would be invaded by our friendly forces by our neighbouring Prefecture or something. Most of the residents were looking eagerly of who is the big shot high ranking nose-in-the-air sonofabitch that comes over to Kitakata unannounced?

Hey...! I just got Bato-san to pave bricks on the road and we all can see so many soldiers were heading this way. Hey...! I haven't got the safe laden weight for the paved road yet and it's just being set less than a week...!

The thought of these soldiers and horses plus carriages stomping the newly laid brick roads places a brick on my heart as it sank slowly to the bottomless pit.....*blurb* *blurb* *blurb*

"That's His Majesty coming, Yours Truly. I forgot to mention it to you. I saw a small 'PTO' at the bottom right of the Decree but I failed to understand it and when I flipped the Decree, it stated that The Majesty, Tokugawa Iemochi is heading here in 4 days. And that 4 days is today... "

"Huuuuaarrghhhh..... PTO means 'Please Turn Over'... Haiyooo.....then how? Could I place your head on a platter and serve it to him? We prepared no reception at all and that would make me lose face and I have to report to the station under 'lost and found' get it?"

"Potong one serving of rice from your lunch today... Hmmph...!" So tell me how do I receive such a person? Throw my hands in the air and bow to him? Or go down on bended knees? Or lie flat before him? Or lie down like a smiling Buddha? What...?! Tell me what to do...?!"

I was flailing my arms around and was dumbfounded. If he's the Mayor I'd just can't be bothered but he's next to the Emperor status and he rode with God knows what army here... Definitely all the soldiers are here for our lunches...and the cooks were having their day off today except those assigned to us...!

The moment the Entourage was near the northern entrance, it stopped and the Entourage gave way to a person that jumped off from a royal carriage and walked gingerly over. He can't be an ambassador from the clothes he wore. I saw the ex-Mayor was already down to one knee and everyone did the same and somehow got me forced to do it too. Luckily I'm not the old fart of 47, you'd think I could do that meeehhh...?!

"Hello, Your Excellency. I knew you got my message. Is Harune Yokoso here?" the small frame kid looked around and I must have thought that he must be the Tokugawa Iemochi that the ex-Mayor was talking about.

"It is me, Your Majesty..." I replied as graceful as ever as I made a sweeping gesture with my hands while keeping my gaze on the floor and counting the grains of sand as much as I could.

"We have finally met, my friend... I'm Tokugawa Iemochi, 14th Shogun. I had travelled far from Shibata and I'm hungry. What's for lunch?"

See what I told you, right? He's here to invade our kitchen and our lunches... Began evasive counter attack movement now...!!!

"Eh...? You didn't stop at some settlement or town for a meal? Grab a burger and coke or something before coming here?" I asked him as I slowly raise myself and dusted. "Come, come... By the way, our employees were having their off day today, so we only have our main cooks and I do hope they prepared extras."

I walked with Tokugawa Iemochi by his side and placed my hands behind my back and every time a resident bowed, I placed my hand over my chest and slight nod at them. Acknowledging them is better than totally ignoring their respect to you.

"I heard so much about you. Both good and bad but better news rather than the bad though. I see you have made a proper road right into the residential district. How thoughtful. And these are... Your so-called factories? So magnificent. Is this your castle?"

"Castle? This is our public community building. Residents and employees can book a room or a session just to chill and relax and learn the finer arts. We also have masseur to help one relax their tired muscles on the ground floor. The 3rd floor is an open café to chill, drink tea, eat some junk food and smoke shisha."

"As for Castle, that home there is my castle. The actual castle was abandoned because I had to call the 1800 line for the Ghostbusters. It seems that the place is so huge that some staffs working there lost their way and never got home. And turned into wandering spirits."

"Are you sure? It's my first time here and you are telling me about ghosts in the castle grounds?"

"Nah... The ghost part is I'm only pulling your leg. Let me explain. My home is my castle, while not my castle is my home."

"Your philosophy on life is deep, my friend. By the way, we are going to have our meals here?" Tokugawa Iemochi looked around and wondered that even on the grounds like this, people could comfortably sit down and enjoy their meals.

The 'aunties' looked at me and I raise my hands and they soon brought in a kettle of tea and several cups. Soon, Hiko-sama, Zikyl and Zannera, the 4 Execom, the 6 Plant Managers and even the ex-Mayor sat down at the meal area. I poured tea and I offered a cup to Iemochi.

"Have a cup of blueberry tea, Your Majesty. By the what's all this difference about Majesty, highness and so on? These extra titles make me confuse and I'd rather stick to Your Truly instead. And errr...is Japan currently run by kids our age at this moment?"

"Thanks for the tea, my friend. Excellency, also Excellence, a title of honour given to certain high officials, as governors, ambassadors, royalty, nobility, and Roman Catholic bishops and archbishops."

"Lord is for male barons, viscounts, earls, and marquesses, as well as some of their children. In some countries judges, especially those of higher rank, are referred to as lords, ladies or lordship/ladyship."

"So, you should be addressing as My Lordship instead of Your Majesty because I'm not the Emperor while the public should address you as Your Excellence because you did an excellent job of governing this place. Hahaha."

"The moment I heard about you and how you grew thus empire and showed the kind of compassion as I did with my subjects, I was interested in meeting you and at last, we can meet."

"I heard that you tamed dragons too? Where are they now?" Tokugawa Iemochi asked me and I stood up and pinched my lower lip and sucked in a whistle. (I won't know how to blow one but unsure knew how to sucked a whistle in).

A few moments later, 3 winged beasts came flying down and swooped down at the empty are and flapped their wings as the 3 landed gently and settled down on a small cloud of dust.

They bowed their heads down low when I approached and slowly tapped their heads and rubbed their chins and they opened up their eyes and gave a small nudge.

=*=

"Woohoohoo...!! What the rumours said was true. You're a dragon tamer...!! We have not had such a Hero for a very long time. And your two friends here with the yellow golden hair, are dragon tamers too?!?"

Tokugawa Iemochi was so excited that he was clapping his hands and we twirling around like a girlie. Hmm, I guess he never makes friends outside his courtyard before.

"Your Majesty... Do you have plans to stay here for a few days? Let your men in and let them stay with the rest of the Imperialist and Militia. You can stay at the castle and come to watch us work and play at the same time."

"Work and play? What do you mean?"