"Let's stop talking about my business first." Ogata smiled slightly and said in a relaxed tone, "Since I no longer have to worry about my life, then I will wait until the future to discuss my life."
"Let's finish dealing with the current matters first."
"Our ship is still docked at Butterfly Island, right?"
Mamiya and others nodded.
"Can such a large warship be maneuvered?" Ogata couldn't help but ask this question that he had after seeing the warship for the first time.
This warship, which can carry hundreds of generals, is very large and is no ordinary small boat.
Whether he can operate such a large warship - this has become a question that Ogata is very concerned about now.
He didn't want to go to all the trouble to seize the ship, only to end up being unable to operate the ship.
As soon as Ogata finished speaking, Mamiya replied without thinking:
"Can control."
"During the time when you were unconscious, I was teaching the villagers how to operate this type of warship. Now they can roughly operate this warship."
Ogata's eyes immediately widened: "You can even control a warship?"
"I have learned how to maneuver various types of warships in the Yuanjiang area before."
As soon as Mamiya finished speaking, Konnosuke on the side immediately answered:
"The ship can sail any moment now."
"I plan to set off soon and go to the main island of Japan to find officials of the shogunate."
"Life or death... decide today."
"Lord Ogata, this ship carries two escape boats."
"You guys get out of here in one of the boats."
"The next thing... we will do it ourselves."
Kinnosuke knows the identities of Ogata and others.
Ogata and the others were prisoners who were put on Butterfly Island. If they followed them on a big ship to find officials of the shogunate, it would be an act of seeking death.
Even if Kinnosuke and the others could really convince the shogunate to let them, the islanders, a lifeline, it was impossible for the shogunate to let Ogata and the others live.
Even if Ogata and the others are not executed on the spot, they will definitely be thrown into prison again.
Therefore, the best option for Ogata and the others right now is to do what Konnosuke said just now - take a small boat and part ways with Konnosuke and the others.
Kinnosuke and others took this warship to negotiate with the shogunate to find a way out.
Ogata and the others took the small boat carried by this warship and flew away, returning to their ronin life.
Ogata did not comment on Kinnosuke's suggestion.
Just asked Konnosuke:
"Have you thought of a line to persuade the shogunate to let you live?"
"Donor Ogata..." As soon as Ogata finished speaking, Sokai smiled slightly and said, "The person responsible for direct negotiations with the officials of the shogunate has been changed from Konnosuke-sama to me."
"Huh?" Ogata cast a surprised look.
"During the time when you, Ogata, were in coma, the monk had personally confessed everything to Lord Konnosuke and the other villagers."
Speaking of this, a faint smile appeared on Zong Hai's face.
At this time, Konnosuke also showed a helpless smile.
"I have personally confessed to everyone that I concealed the fact that I had known for a long time that there was a problem with the water in the Linon River."
"Fortunately, everyone treated me generously and I was not punched to the ground by everyone."
"Donor Ogata, what you said to the young monk in front of the temple gate of Tenmanji Temple is still in my ears."
"After that, the young monk also reflected on what he had done."
"Xiao Monk has now decided to do my best to make amends."
"And trying to find ways to get the shogunate to let all the residents on this island live - this is the first remedy I have to do."
"The young monk is a monk. What a monk says is more likely to be heard by senior officials in the shogunate."
"At the same time, the young monk is quite confident in his eloquence."
"And—donor Matsumoto Kiyohito will also go with the young monk."
"Donor Matsumoto has agreed to stand with us and speak for us."
"With the help of donor Matsumoto, the possibility of convincing the shogunate officials should be higher."
"Matsumoto..." Ogata muttered this name, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
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He did not expect that this person whom Mamiya and Makimura "picked up" could play such a big role.
Ogata heard from Matsumoto that he was one of the researchers sent to the island by the shogunate. According to him, he was also a well-known doctor in the medical circle and had treated many senior officials and celebrities of the shogunate.
With the help of Matsumoto, a well-known person who had served the shogunate, it would indeed be possible for Konnosuke and his colleagues to have a higher success rate in their negotiations.
"After meeting officials of the shogunate, they will inevitably ask - what happened to the soldiers who landed on the island? How did you get this warship?"
Zong Hai said with a wry smile.
"If the officials of the shogunate ask me this, Ogata benefactor, is it okay for me to answer like this?"
"Let me tell you directly - it was killed by several prisoners. After killing all the soldiers who landed on the island, because the warship could not be operated by a few people, these prisoners forced us islanders to help operate the ship."
"Halfway through the voyage, the prisoners discovered that there was a small boat on board."
"So he left us behind and left in a small boat."
"Okay." Ogata nodded without thinking, "Except for the mistake of forcing you to operate the boat, everything else is actually right..."
"Just say that all the soldiers of the shogunate army were killed by a ronin wearing a light green haori and long hair."
"There's no need to bring along Atachi, Mamiya, and Makimura."
"Anyway, I am a wanted felon throughout Japan."
"I wouldn't mind making my head worth more."
The reason why Ogata said this was to protect Atachi and the others.
So that they will not be noticed by the shogunate in the future and will not be wanted by the shogunate.
As soon as Ogata finished speaking, Mamiya smiled:
"Take me with you. More than a hundred shogunate soldiers were killed by two people - this will be more credible."
"I'm a wanted criminal anyway, so I'm not afraid of being wanted."
"Actually, there is no need to tell the shogunate in detail what the prisoners who killed the soldiers looked like." Zonghai smiled bitterly, "Just make some general comparisons like 'small eyes', 'average height' and so on."
Just the characteristics of the masses.”
"It's up to you. Whether you want to tell me about my appearance in detail or just talk nonsense, I don't care." At this point, Ogata paused.
He turned his head, looked at Konnosuke and Zonghai a few times, cast encouraging glances at them, and then continued:
"We have done everything we can to help you."
"The rest is up to you."
"I wish you good luck in martial arts."
After receiving Ogata's blessing, both Konnosuke and Sokai showed a faint smile.
"Yes." Zong Hai nodded vigorously, "The young monk also wishes all the donors good luck in martial arts!"
…
…
"Lord Inamori! Lord Inamori!"
An urgent shout suddenly sounded outside the tent.
"What's the matter?" Daomori, who was handling military affairs in the tent, asked in a deep voice.
"The troops who landed on the island are back!"
"Have you finally come back?"
After muttering like this, Daomori stood up and walked out of the tent.
It's dusk now.
According to the original plan, the troops who landed on Butterfly Island last night should have successfully reorganized their troops at noon today.
Coming back so late made Inamori couldn't help but wonder what happened to them on the island and why they didn't come back until dusk.
After quickly running to the place where he could see the warship, Inamori stopped and looked into the distance.
A warship was heard on the sea not far away.
This warship was surprisingly the warship responsible for transporting the 150 soldiers to the island last night.
"...What's going on?" Daomori frowned, "Why are they not moving?"
After the warship sailed to a position still some distance from the coast, it suddenly stopped motionless on the sea surface.
As soon as doubts arose in Daomori's mind, he saw a small boat being lowered from the warship and slowly heading towards the coast.
With his relatively good eyesight, Daomori could barely see two people sitting on the small boat.
"What the hell is going on...!" Daomori, who realized something was wrong, shouted coldly and walked quickly towards the coast.
When Daomori arrived at the coast, the small boat carrying two people just arrived.
There were two people on board this small boat, one of whom was a monk with a bald head and wearing monk's robes.
The other person is a young man with an ordinary appearance.
After these two people saw the many soldiers surrounding them, the young man showed fear on his face.
As for the monk, his expression remained unchanged.
"I am a monk who is practicing meditation on Butterfly Island!"
"Tell the shogunate officials of important news about cannibals!"
The monk's words made Inamori's expression change several times.
How did your ship come from? Where are the soldiers who landed on the island? What is the important news about the cannibals... I am full of questions to ask.
After a moment of hesitation, Daomori said to a subordinate next to him:
"Bring these two people to the open space of the camp."
Although I have many questions, this is not the right place to talk after all.
——Let’s take them to a suitable place to talk first.
Inamori said this in his mind, while turning around and leaving.
…
…
Under the guidance of the soldiers, Zonghai and Matsumoto were taken to a relatively empty space in the camp.
After sitting on their knees in the center of the open space, the two quietly waited for the arrival of the officials who would start negotiations with them.
In order to prevent others from hearing their conversation, the area around this open space seemed to have been cleared. Looking around, no one except Zonghai and Matsumoto could be seen.
Zonghai and Matsumoto did not wait long.
After a while, four people, escorted by some soldiers, slowly appeared in front of Zonghai and Matsumoto from the side of the open space.
These four people were Matsudaira Sadanobu, Inamori, Kamiyama Koshinosuke, and Hanai Sogen.
Inamori originally wanted to talk to Zonghai and the others by himself.
Unexpectedly - Matsudaira Sadanobu actually showed some interest after learning that an islander from Butterfly Island came to visit him and told him that he had important news about cannibals, and came to see Zong himself.
Hai Erren.
After seeing these four people, Matsumoto, who was kneeling next to Zong Hai, suddenly shouted excitedly:
"Hanai-sensei!"
"Huh?" Hanjing looked surprised, then looked ecstatic, "Matsumoto! Are you still alive?!"
"Oh?" Shenshan, who was standing next to Banjing, raised his eyebrows, "Master Banjing, do you know this person?"
"Yes!" Banjing nodded vigorously, "He is one of the students below."
"He is one of the researchers who was responsible for landing on the island to study cannibal ghosts."
"Matsumoto!" Tears flashed in Hanjing's eyes, "I thought you were dead! I didn't expect you to be alive!"
"Yes!" Matsumoto's eyes also flashed with tears, "The students never thought that they would have the opportunity to meet you, teacher!"
Seeing that Hanjing actually knew Matsumoto, Zonghai also had a look of surprise on his face.
While showing a look of surprise, there was also a hint of joy.
The people on my side have a fairly close relationship with the high-ranking officials of the shogunate opposite - this is good news that will benefit their subsequent negotiations.
Matsudaira Sadanobu was not very interested in the meeting between Hanai and his disciples.
After glancing at Zong Hai, he said in a neither salty nor bland tone:
"May I have your name?"
"The little monk is called Zonghai. I came to your place this time because I have some very important news about cannibals to inform the shogunate."
"Master Sokai, before that, please tell me what happened to the 150 soldiers who landed on the island." Matsudaira Sadanobu said softly, "And - how did your warship get here?"
Regarding Matsudaira Sadanobu's question, Soumi answered with the answer that he, Ogata and others had agreed upon.
Just say that all the generals who landed on the island were killed by 6 prisoners.
After killing all the soldiers who landed on the island and taking away the warship, they found that such a large warship could not be maneuvered by six people, so they coerced the islanders to help maneuver the ship.
After the six prisoners killed all the generals who landed on the island, they learned from the remaining generals the reason why they, the shogunate soldiers, landed on the island.
These six prisoners coerced them on the grounds that "the shogunate planned to kill all the living people on the island, and if you didn't want to die, you would escape with them."
They, the unarmed civilians, had no choice but to submit obediently to the power of these six prisoners.
When the warship was halfway on the sea, the six prisoners suddenly discovered that there was a small boat on board the warship.
So the six prisoners left them and left in a small boat, leaving the warship to them, the islanders, and left them to fend for themselves.
In order to enhance his credibility, Zong Hai also pretended not to know the names of the six prisoners and only gave an overview of their appearance.
Of course - Zong Hai's general description of the appearance of these six prisoners is all nonsense.
He only said some rather general descriptions such as "one of them has smaller eyes" and "the other one is stronger".
And it is difficult to find fault with Zong Hai's summary of the appearance of the six prisoners - after all, it is difficult to tell what a person looks like with just one mouth.
In order to increase the credibility of Zong Hai's words, Matsumoto on the side also echoed with a serious face, saying that everything Zong Hai said was true.
After listening to Zonghai's story, Matsudaira Sadanobu looked calm throughout the whole process.
But Daomori's expression changed several times.
After all, those who died were his soldiers.
"Hey!" Daomori shouted with an angry look on his face, "Six people killed hundreds of our generals? Who are you kidding?!"
There are a lot of doubts in what Zong Hai just said.
When Inamori was about to question Zonghai based on these doubts one by one, Matsudaira Sadanobu on the side raised his hand and waved to him.
He motioned to Inamori not to say anything.
Seeing Matsudaira Sadanobu making this move, Inamori could only hold back his anger and questions.
Matsudaira Sadanobu was different from Inamori - he actually didn't care much about what happened to the 150 generals who landed on the island.
Who killed these generals, and whether these islanders participated in the attack on the generals who landed on the island - Matsudaira Sadanobu did not care about these issues and did not bother to pursue them.
He was more concerned about Zong Hai, an islander who knew that the shogunate wanted to bloodbath Butterfly Island, but he still dared to come to the shogunate for what he wanted.
He didn't believe that Zong Hai came to them specifically to tell them important information about cannibals.