Of course, this person was Kazuha Sorayama. After ruthlessly rejecting Chiba Sana, he didn’t want to stay in Edo for a moment, so based on the news he got a few days ago, he went to these Kurayashiki gathering places who were preparing to leave Edo overnight. Unexpectedly, he would not stay in Edo for a moment.
Even though he made a sound and didn't show his face, he was still easily recognized by strangers. It seemed that if he hadn't killed the shogunate, it would have been a dream to leave Edo!
An ordinary ronin has such a discerning eye. It is impossible for him to leave Edo without being detected by the intelligence network composed of ninjas, professional spies, and government officials.
Everyone packed their bags in silence and set out on the road. Ever since Nagamoto Goro knew Sorayama Kazuha's true identity, he intentionally or unintentionally started to stay away from him. Sorayama Kazuha was assigned to the front of the team to explore the road, Nagamoto Goro then
He volunteered to serve as the most dangerous guard at the end of the team. He regretted that he had to live with such a dangerous person for nearly a month just for a mere petty judge. Who knew one day he would be surrounded by the swarming shogunate army and killed as an accomplice of this gentleman?
, so he was always looking around uneasily, so he could slip away as soon as an accident happened.
Others who had no idea that Goro Nagamoto was honest and reliable did not relax their vigilance even under Edo rule.
"Uncle Nagamoto, don't be so nervous. Although this trade route is not very peaceful, it is still under the rule of Edo. Although the shogunate is incompetent, no bandits dare to set up a stronghold here." The leader of the ronin, Shannan Honmura, brought
The youngest of the trio is a young ronin named Jujiro Yoshimatsu.
According to him, he comes from a famous family in Kai, and his ancestor once served as official of the Tiger of Kai Shingen. However, after Tokugawa Ieyasu unified the world, he suppressed the former wealthy families and used nepotism. The Yoshimatsu family also gradually became lonely. In his generation, except for one
He had nothing but ancestral swordplay and the Shinto Isshin-ryu swordsmanship inherited from his family, so he had no choice but to become a ronin and earn a living by being employed by merchants, so he hated the Tokugawa shogunate very much.
"Jujiro, shut up!" Shannan of the village shouted. Do you dare to say such blatant mockery of the shogunate in broad daylight? You must know that in addition to a few ronin in this small caravan, the feudal lord and his assistants also
There were more than a dozen people there, and there were so many people talking. If they were reported quietly, how would they be able to make a living in Edo in the future?
Yoshimatsu Jujiro glanced at his mouth, took out a pack of Jinping Candy from his arms and said, "Everyone, try it. This is a good thing. It is said that it came from a country called Ya."
"It's Portugal." Boss Shimada corrected, "Everyone, cheer up. Ahead of us is Araiguan. When you leave there, you will have left Edo Castle. We will try to get to the hotel in the next city before dark today."
At the end of the shogunate, the treatment of these small and medium-sized businessmen was quite unfriendly. In addition to various restrictive policies, there were also a lot of taxes. There were five checkpoints near Edo, including Shinagawa, Shinjuku, and Arai. Each checkpoint had to collect taxes set by the shogunate.
To pay commercial taxes, you also need to bribe the gatekeeper, otherwise a small business can go bankrupt for any reason.
It’s okay if you don’t want to be blackmailed in vain. You can avoid it by walking on a path deep in the mountains and old forests. But the problem is, if you carry a basket and go to a town that’s not too far away to sell some souvenirs and other small things, it’s okay. Shimadaya can still do it.
Even if they had some strength, it would be impossible for several loaded carts to enter the mountain.
"Stop, everyone is being examined!" An Ashigaru holding a red gun on his head stopped in front of everyone and shouted arrogantly. Upon seeing this, Boss Shimada immediately smiled and greeted him affectionately: "Hey, it turns out to be Miki-sama. It's been a long time.
I haven’t seen you. It just so happens that I brought some specialties from Edo for you..."
The two chatted and laughed and headed towards the small wooden house set up next to the checkpoint. The ronin and the guys were not surprised and each looked for a shady place to drink water and practice. The ashigaru at the checkpoint saw that the owner of the other merchant's house knew the boss, and no one was there.
Willing to check the goods carefully under the sun.
There were only two officers dressed as catchers who looked at everyone one by one. They didn't care about the goods, they only focused on catching thefts. Although the shogunate relaxed the search for Sorayama Kazuha in Edo City, it cast a big net around it.
I hope these people can stop Ichiyo Sora, as long as they can get the specific movements of Ichiyo Sora.
Kazuya stayed away from everyone. Kazuya leaned against a tree, uncovered half of his head from his chin, picked up his Nanman steel pot and took a big gulp of wine. Two arresters walked up to him, the younger one
The official opened his mouth and ordered: "Hey, why are you sitting here alone and secretly hiding your head? Take off your mask!"
The ronin Nagamoto Goro, who had been secretly observing Sorayama Kazuha, was so frightened that he shouted in his heart: It's over, it's over, it's troublesome now, I think this trip should end here... Maybe this lord will kill everyone.
To silence people...
Under the mask, Kazuyo Sorayama smiled slightly, and slowly opened the hat and mask, revealing the face that made all the officers wake up from their nightmares. He did not speak, but looked at the two of them quietly.
Similar to the Ronin Nagamotogoro's expression just now, the two catchers were immediately stunned on the spot. They didn't know whether it was hot sweat or cold sweat on their faces. Although the swords at their waists were close at hand, they did not dare to move.
, for fear of provoking an attack from the murderer opposite. The man in front of him killed no less than three hundred people in Edo, and injured countless others. It seemed that it would not be difficult at all to fill in the lives of the two of them, but he was just reporting the death records of the shogunate.
Just add two names.
Seeing that they had no intention of getting angry on the spot, Kazuyo Sorayama put on his mask again and waved to the two officials, telling them to get out and not disturb him while drinking.
If he were willing at this time, it would be easy to kill all the guarding Ashigaru and government officials. He would rush out of the pass and enter the forest. Even if the army was searching for him, he would not be afraid. So Kazuyo Sorayama had no fear at all. In fact, if he hadn't not
He was not familiar with the roads and had already left alone. How could he waste time following the caravan even though he had plenty of time?
But what I was afraid of was the official! One of the old catchers barely suppressed his chattering teeth, waved his hands repeatedly, and hissed vaguely: "I passed it." He stopped checking the goods and directly ordered the ashigaru switch to be delivered.
Everyone in Shimada House came out of seclusion.
Everyone stood up lazily, even complaining why they couldn't rest for a while. Boss Shimada also said goodbye to the ashigaru head, and everyone started a new round of trekking.
"Sir, that man just now..." The young catcher saw the caravan walking away, and then he came back to his senses. He felt that his cowardly behavior just now was really worthy of his salary.
"Oh, just an ordinary ronin. There are not a hundred but eighty people like this who leave Edo every day." The old catcher replied expressionlessly.
"I think he seems to be..." "Shut up! Boy, I'm telling you, it's best to forget about today's incident."
"Senior! Why?! He is..."
"He is a man who can even kill a general!" The old catcher lowered his voice: "A few days ago in Edo, this gentleman killed many majestic flags and swordsmen with strong martial arts skills. It is estimated that his
Even famous swords are unwilling to be stained with the blood of people like us, we are not qualified!"
Seeing the young catcher's expression of dissatisfaction, he warned fiercely: "Report this matter? Boy, have you ever thought about it. If the adults and colleagues above asked, 'Why didn't you stop him with all your strength?', how would you answer? Well,
?!No matter what you say, even if you are not punished, you will never lose the title of coward in this life. The reputation of your Springfield family for generations, and the reputation of your children and grandchildren will be ruined in your hands."
The young samurai remained silent. The warning from his seniors was indeed true. For low-level samurai like them, losing their reputation was simply more serious than death! Not only would he be unable to hold his head high among his colleagues, but his descendants would also have to bear this taint.
name.
"Alas, your family's salary for generations is only 50 dan, and the whole family can barely survive by eating porridge every day. Your mother and younger sister still need your salary to support them. You can't just throw your life away. Think about it, His Highness the General, who has tens of millions of dan.
We can't do anything to those adults who drink and eat meat three times a day. What can we do? Forget about this. When I return to Edo, I will invite you to drink at Yoshihara's dormitory. Aren't you always
Do you really want to go to Flower Street to see some things? It is said that there is a group of new wandering girls who are very good..."
In this way, the last opportunity for the shogunate to grasp the specific whereabouts of Sorayama Kazuyo disappeared, and Sorayama Kazuyo was able to calmly follow Shimada Trading Company all the way westward, completely breaking away from the confines of Edo.
One day he will definitely come back, but at that time, it is still unclear who is the official and who is the bandit...