Masha wrote:
Actually, according to Risai thinking about it, Gyousou wasn't the ideal king. She just has this huge crash on him and all, but when she is lying in bed (Tasagore no Kishi) she remembers that when Taiki went to visit Ren, Gyousou ordered her never to reveal whats going to happen next in Tai. He just went and cought all ministers who weren't agreeing with him, not only corrupt and greedy ones, but anyone who wasn't with him. And then he executed them without trial or anything. Kaei, friend of Risai and higher official was in despair because so many people were murdered. And frankly speaking, Risai is not exactly objective witness, she is totally taken with Gyousou and idolizes him, even when he does somthing wrong she justifies it in her mind. I have a suspicion that Taiki would have gotten shitsudo very soon. Gyousou was a good and strong general, but he was too full of himself, unfallible, and couldn't admit mistake. I doubt he would have lasted more than 50 years. If Taiki and Risai would find him, I really hope that this horrible experience changed him for the better by teaching him despair and humility. And I also don't think that Aspen was messing with Tentei, it was because he thought that Taiki made a mistake in choosing Gyousou and not him. If he had succeeded in killing Taiki, Gyousou would've died within a month, but since Taiki escaped he didn't killed Gyousou because he probably hoped that living emperor alive would eliviate Tei's rapid descend into chaos, but it didn't work. He wanted to rule Tei, but the wrecks of it. I think in his mind, this Taiki didn't choose him and probably never will, so the next Taiki would.
Oh I didn't think anyone would actually respond:D
Well interesting view. However what I said was based on the books and on Risai's thoughts. I just think Ono never meant to say that emperors have to be kind in order to rule their countries. Risai and Kaei had their doubts, even very strong ones about Gyousou's actions. But they concluded their fears of his high-handed policies by realizing that he's actually right. He's too fast for them, but they realized at the end that what they feared was the rapid change itself. Risai also realized that Gyousou knew better than her about Taiki as a Kirin. (Btw the books never suggest that Risai had a crush for Gyousou! She probably had the most objective POV because she's not his former subordinate.)
And you're wrong to say that he caught and executed those who are not with him, even worse without a trial. He wanted to catch those who were corrupted (nothing was ever said about catching those who were true to the way but didn't agree with him. If that's the case, Kaei and some other officials, whose voices were heard by Risai would have been captured as well. Where did you get that idea?). Everything were done in the right way, and there were proper trials! (otherwise Kaei wouldn't have been so distressed, since she's in charge of these trials), Gyousou ordered this clearly. He just wanted the news of this 'cleaning' to be toned down and kept a secret especially from the Taiki and the general people (who lived down there, far far away in the first place).
I consider Risai's thoughts as Ono's view of Gyousou's rule. It was stated several times that Taiki was there to smooth Gyousou a bit, even Gyousou himself said so. So he was a bit ruthless, but in a way that was still acceptable as an emperor, and of course acceptable by the Heaven. Kantai of Kei said that
the destruction of Tai doesn't mean Gyousou is not a genius., and I also consider this as Ono's way to defend Gyousou's chara, that he was not the cause of Tai's destruction.
As for Asen, saying that "It was your mistake for choosing Gyousou!" doesn't necessarily mean that he wanted the throne. He could simply be hating Tai and Tentei, and hated Gyousou because he's bringing Tai back to life so fast. as Risai said, Gyousou was bringing Tai back together in a rapid movements, and that she and others who were doubting Gyousou's rather ruthless actions were finally seeing the light and would expect Tai to flourish in no time, and they all could finally work together in harmony. Wouldn't Asen hate it, if he hated Tai and Tentei? Plus he's destroying Tai and its land and its people, and he didn't give a damn about rituals for the heavens. According to Risai and Kei's official, someone who thought he would be a better emperor would not do it.
So basically these are not my own opinion... I simply read them in the books. Ono could change/ contradict it anytime she feels like to, in her next books.
I like your idea that Gyousou would learn humility and despair and then be a better emperor. That would be great, if he could be better.
But again, all my talk about
Gyousou's rule being the ultimate good and how nature can't leave extreme good and extreme bad alone, this is all just a quote of what Risai thought AFTER she overcame her fears. And if you choose to consider Risai's opinion as something non objective because she's idolizing Gyousou, then there's no further discussion:D
mindstalk wrote:Why should Taiki suffer shitsudou? Gyousou didn't step down or abandon his duties, he's been imprisoned or chased into hiding. The king has not lost his way. The king has lost his frigging army, but not his way...
ATA
Read it again. It just says he disappeared and no one has seen him for several years. He was tricked into going off to another province to suppress a rebellion and then attacked. Gyousou and a couple of his generals disappeared. The whole plot is very intricate and makes a really good story.