SHIGEKO'S DOSSIER: The current Governor (G9) of Ryoko Owari is Shosuro Hyobu. I have already given an overview of her political position (which is basically unassailable by anyone within the city). Now I will address Hyobu as a person.
I find myself reluctantly admiring her. I admire the way she has made herself powerful on her own terms- not merely as her husband's widow or her son's mother, but as herself. As Governor she is not tolerated or humored, she is respected and feared. She has used the power she was given with great skill to order the city to her liking and protect its interests.There is no longer any doubt that she is a very skilled Governor.
However, I would hesitate to call her a "good" Governor. The reason for this, and for my reluctance to admire her in all her strength and skill, is that the ends to which she applies her tremendous abilities are so unworthy of her attention. She could make this city not only prosperous, but honorable. She could make its people not only satisfied, but safe. Yet her goals are modest; she wishes only that things not be "too corrupt". In this, I fear she means "too obvious". She keeps the opium trade deniable, hidden - but she expends no effort eradicating it. She maintains peace in the city by overlooking minor excesses of the firemen - when she could gain a lasting, honorable peace by replacing them with a better system.
An incompetent Governor would destroy this city; an average Governor would maintain it as it is. Hyobu's tragedy is that she is a superb Governor - but is content to achieve only what an average Governor could.
"MEMOIRS OF AN OPIUM EATER": Twentieth Year in the Reign of Hantei XXXVIII, First Day, Month of the Rat
While at the New Year's celebration today, I heard the most scandalous rumor. Otaku Genshi (P19) told me that many claim the Governor's lover is none other than her own brother in law - Shosuro Gobei (P4)! I was shocked, and insisted that it could not be true, but Genshi only sneered at me and told me to watch them when they were together.
It is true that Gobei and the Governor seem very comfortable with each other - he is less formal with her than anyone other than her own son (P2). Yet there did not seem to be any of the longing glances one expects between secret lovers. Still, if they have been... entangled ... for many years, it might be that they can hide it well. And if anyone could conceal such a thing, it would be the Scorpion...
But what if Genshi is playing me for a fool? Perhaps I am to be her "little sister" (G1) in this and spread a baseless rumor on her behalf. It is clear to me that she hates the whole Scorpion clan, though I cannot say why.
Perhaps it is best to keep my own counsel on this matter.