Short-haired Boys

The Decline of the Rosen Clan - Episode 9 |

No matter how wise a king may be or how skillfully a regent or chancellor governs, there are always those small-minded individuals who whisper insults and cast blame behind closed doors. Yet during the height of Lord Henry's reign, not a soul dared speak ill of the Rosen clan.

The reason was simple. As part of Lord Henry's scheme, he gathered about three hundred boys, all around the age of fifteen. Their hair was cropped short, and they were dressed in bright red robes. These boys served the duke and roamed the capital in droves. If any one of them overheard someone badmouthing the Rosen clan, they would inform the others. The boys would then storm the offender's house, seize their belongings, and drag the person back to Lord Henry's residence.

For this reason, even those who resented the Rosen clan's unchecked power kept their grievances to themselves. Just hearing the words "short-haired boys" was enough to make horses and carriages give way. Even at the palace gates, they were not questioned about their names, and the city officials turned a blind eye to their actions.

This is a story based on a Japanese classic.