Rows of golden clouds seemed to be waiting for the sun, just like the ministers waiting for their king.
It's quite nice weather today.
Hasegawa woke up just before dawn.
For the convenience of working, Hasegawa moved his residence into the headquarters of Huofu Thieves.
As soon as he woke up, Hasegawa climbed out of the bed and walked slowly to the window not far away.
After opening the window, beams of sunlight immediately poured into the room like a flood.
Looking at the sun rising from the horizon and the light blue sky, a satisfied smile slowly appeared on Hasegawa's face.
As he gets older, Hasegawa likes sunny days more and more.
Because once it is cloudy or rainy, Hasegawa will feel some pain in his knees and elbows on both hands.
And it's getting more and more painful.
About 2 years ago, the pain was neither painful nor itchy.
But gradually, the pain reached a level that made Hasegawa very irritable.
I saw many doctors but couldn't find any improvement.
At the end of last year, after receiving treatment from an orchid doctor in Edo, the disease finally improved.
But the good times did not last long - not long after, Lao Naka Matsudaira Sadanobu promulgated the "Prohibition of Foreign Studies", banning all foreign schools including Orchidology.
The Orchid Medical Center was designated as the exclusive property of the shogunate, and the spread of exotic medical skills such as orchid medicine was also curbed.
In order to avoid being affected by the "Prohibition on Foreign Studies", the orchid doctor who had a way to cure Hasegawa's disease moved away from Edo overnight. Hasegawa does not know where he has settled now.
The only doctor who could cure his disease was gone, and Hasegawa didn't know what to do with his disease in the future.
Looking at the nice weather outside the window, I thought of my own illness. After thinking of my own illness, I thought of the orchid doctor who had a way to cure my illness. After thinking of this orchid doctor, I thought of Matsudaira Sadanobu's "Prohibition of Foreign Studies"
——After his thoughts jumped several times like this, a helpless sigh came out of Hasegawa's mouth.
Since Matsudaira Sadanobu took over the position of "former old lieutenant" Tanuma Eiji three years ago and became the new old lieutenant of the shogunate, he has carried out many reforms in the shogunate in the name of "revitalizing the power of the shogunate".
Hasegawa himself has lost count of how many areas Matsudaira Sadanobu has carried out reforms in the past three years.
The promulgation of the "Prohibition on Foreign Studies" is a new reform promulgated by Matsudaira Sadanobu in recent times.
Hasegawa had some approval and some opposition to various reforms enacted by Matsudaira Sadanobu in the past three years.
Hasegawa was opposed to the promulgation of the "Prohibition on Foreign Studies".
Hasegawa felt that at least foreign medicine should not be banned.
Although many people say that orchid medicine is useless, after trying it several times, Hasegawa felt that orchid medicine is not a useless medical skill.
It's a pity that although he was opposed to some of Matsudaira Sadanobu's reforms, Hasegawa did not dare to propose opinions to Matsudaira Sadanobu.
First of all, his official position is not high enough to give opinions to Matsudaira Sadanobu face to face.
Secondly - due to the absence of foot traffic, Matsudaira Sadanobu now looks very displeased with Hasegawa.
He didn't want to provoke Matsudaira Sadanobu at this juncture.
Hasegawa stood in front of the window and stretched his muscles a few times. When he was about to leave the room, wash up briefly, and then devote himself to today's official business, Yamazaki's voice suddenly sounded outside the door:
"Hasegawa-sama."
"It's Yamazaki, what's wrong?"
"The Makimura Yahachi from last night is here again. He also brought a companion with him, and they are now outside the gate of the headquarters."
"Huh?" Hasegawa frowned, "Makimura Yahachi? Did he explain his purpose?"
"Yes. He said that he wanted to talk more with Hasegawa about what happened last night. Makimura Yahachi also said that he wanted Hasegawa-sama to take the initiative to go to the headquarters gate to find them."
After hearing the words "what happened last night", Hasegawa's pupils shrank suddenly.
"...I understand. Yamazaki, please tell Makimura Yahachi now: Wait for me for a moment."
…
…
Hasegawa completed washing, changing clothes, fixing his hair and other things that were necessary when he got up and prepared to meet people as quickly as possible.
After quickly arriving outside the headquarters gate alone, Hasegawa saw Makimura's burly body not far from the gate.
As for the young samurai standing next to Makimura, Hasegawa didn't recognize him.
He was a young samurai with an ordinary appearance, looking like a simple peasant.
The handles and scabbards of the two sabers at his waist were covered with handles and scabbards, making it impossible to see clearly what the handles and scabbards of the two sabers at his waist looked like.
It is not uncommon for people to cherish their own swords and put handles and sheaths on their swords, so Hasegawa does not think there is anything wrong with the young samurai's behavior of wrapping his sword tightly.
Strangely, he only regarded this young man as Makimura's friend.
After walking quickly to Makimura, Hasegawa immediately started chatting with Makimura.
After chatting with Hasegawa for a while, Makimura introduced the young samurai standing next to him to Hasegawa.
"Hasegawa-sama, didn't you say yesterday that you wanted to see what the Yi Cai of Division 6 who single-handedly wiped out all of you looks like?"
"This is the talented person, my friend who recently came to work at the Shirobei Club because he was short of money - Majima Goro."
As soon as Makimura finished speaking, the young samurai standing next to Makimura bowed lightly to Hasegawa in front of him.
After Makimura finished speaking, Hasegawa was stunned for a moment, and then said with a hint of joy:
"Are you that Majima Goro? I have admired your name for a long time."
To the enthusiastic Hasegawa, the young samurai standing next to Makimura remained silent.
"Hasegawa-sama, this friend of mine is quite shy and doesn't like to talk much. He is usually taciturn and can't say a few words a day, so please forgive me."
After hearing what Makimura said, Hasegawa nodded, with an expression on his face that seemed to say "I can understand."
"Regarding what happened in Yoshiwara last night, I have always wanted to apologize to you personally. It was my subordinates who took the initiative to cause trouble last night and caused you trouble."
The young warrior nodded in response.
"Alright, Mr. Hasegawa, that's enough for the pleasantries." Makimura nuzzled at the fire-fighting thief in front of him, "Can you take us to a quiet room like the one last night?"
Let’s continue talking about what happened last night.”
…
…
Hasegawa directly brought Makimura and the young samurai back to the quiet room where he and Makimura conducted the spy last night.
As soon as he sat down in this quiet room, Makimura said directly to Hasegawa:
"Hasegawa-sama, although I don't have the ability to participate in the "Gozen Trial", I wish you a helping hand, but my super-strong friend: Mashima-kun is willing to help you."
Makimura, who especially emphasized the word "super strong", raised his hand and patted the young samurai next to him on the shoulder.
After hearing this and seeing this move, a bit of joy immediately appeared in Hasegawa's eyebrows.
However, not long after this joy appeared on his face, Hasegawa's expression froze.
"Hasegawa, you should..."
Before Hasegawa finished speaking, Makimura, who guessed what Hasegawa wanted to say, jumped in and said:
"Don't worry, Lord Hasegawa. I only told my friends that Hasegawa Heizo, who was transformed into a fire thief, wants more masters to participate in the 'Gozen Trial' for some reasons."
In order to allow the conversation to continue smoothly, Makimura made a small fuss that was insignificant.
After seeing that Makimura did not reveal the real reason why he wanted as many masters as possible to participate in the "Gozen Trial", Hasegawa's slightly stiff expression relaxed.
"Although I can let this good friend of mine participate in the 'Imperial Trial Match', we have some conditions."
"Conditions?" Hasegawa raised his eyebrows, "What conditions?"
"Hasegawa-sama." Makimura's expression became a little more serious, "We hope you can tell us the exact location of the Shiranui base."
"And in the future, help us pay attention to the movements of the ninjas in Shiranui. Especially the movements of their leader Enma."
Upon hearing Makimura's words, a look of astonishment filled Hasegawa's entire face.
"...Makimura." Hasegawa said solemnly, "What do you want from Shiranui's information?"
"...Makura-sama." Makimura smiled bitterly, "I won't hide it from you either."
"The reason why some of my companions and I came to Edo was for Shiranui."
"As for what it is for...you can only freely imagine it."
Makimura responded to Hasegawa's question with a vague answer.
Hasegawa looked Makimura up and down several times with strange eyes, and then sighed softly:
"...Even if you didn't say anything, when I heard that you wanted to know the exact location of Shiranui and that you wanted me to help you keep an eye on the movements of the ninjas in Shiranui, I roughly guessed what you were going to do..."
"Makimura, do you and Shiranui have any grudge?"
"Shiranui and I actually have no grudges." Makimura shrugged, "The reason for this is difficult to explain to you..."
"...Forget it, if you don't want to explain, then I won't force you." Hasegawa sighed softly again, "Can I tell you the exact location of Shiranui, and help you pay attention to Shiranui's movements..."
"It would be easy to help you keep an eye on Shiranui's movements...it's not difficult to do."
"But let me tell you the exact location of Shiranui... I don't know the specific location of Shiranui's base, I only know its approximate location."
"Hasegawa-sama, don't you know the specific location of Shiranui?" Makimura looked confused.
Hasegawa nodded slightly and said:
"Shiranui is under the direct jurisdiction of the Shogun. Even Laonaka-sama has no way to dictate to the ninjas in Shiranui."
"As far as I know, Enma, the leader of Shiranui, took the initiative to ask the general not to reveal their specific location."
"I heard that it was because Shiranui's base was attacked by foreign enemies, so since then Shiranui has been very focused on keeping the location of his base secret."
"And the General also agreed to them."
"The only people who know the exact location of Shiranui are probably the general and a few senior officials headed by Lao Naka."
"But although I don't know the exact location of Shiranui, I still know their approximate location."
"The approximate location..." Makimura said in a joking tone, "Hasegawa-sama, I also know the approximate location of Shiranui. It's near Edo."
"The approximate location I mentioned is not that broad." Hasegawa said in a helpless tone, "The approximate location of the Shiranui base that I know is much more specific than what you just said."
Having said this, Hasegawa paused.
After looking up at Makimura and "Mashima" next to Makimura, he said in a deep voice:
"Makimura, if you don't want to elaborate on why you are asking for Shiranui's information, then I won't ask any more questions."
"Whether it's telling you the approximate location of Shiranui's base, or helping you keep an eye on the movements of the ninjas in Shiranui, it's not difficult for me."
"If you want to use these two points as the conditions for Mashima-kun to participate in the 'Gozen Trial Match', then I would be very happy."
Upon hearing Hasegawa's words, Makimura and "Mashima" looked at each other in unison.
"Mashima" nodded first.
After seeing "Mashima" nodding, Makimura also nodded.
"Then -" Makimura turned his attention back to Hasegawa, "Hasegawa-sama, I'd like to trouble you."
"Then please tell us the approximate location of Shiranui, and help us take the initiative to pay attention to the movements of the ninjas in Shiranui. Especially the movements of Enma and powerful ninjas like the 'Four Heavenly Kings'."
"It's just a small favor. Compared with allowing a master like Majima-kun to participate in the 'Gozen Trial', it's just a trivial matter worth mentioning."
Having said this, Hasegawa looked at "Mashima" sitting next to Makimura with a smile.
"A master like Majima-kun is the person I have always hoped to participate in the 'Gozen Trials'."
Hearing Hasegawa's words, "Mashima" couldn't help but smile.
Then——
"Long time no see, Mr. Hasegawa. How can I put it... We are really destined. This is the third time we have met this year. We really meet once a quarter. I doubt that we said
Maybe we will see each other again somewhere at the end of this year."
"Mashima" finally said his first words since meeting Hasegawa just now.
As soon as "Mashima" finished speaking, Hasegawa immediately widened his eyes as if he had seen a ghost, and his eyeballs seemed to be about to fall out of his eye sockets.
The original kneeling posture turned into an almost paralyzed posture.
He looked stunned.
The reason why he reacted so loudly was because the voice was quite familiar to him.
"You, you are?!" Hasegawa's voice was trembling slightly with surprise.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Hasegawa." Makimura showed a helpless and slightly apologetic smile, "I can't tell you about Mashima-kun until you promise to work with us for mutual benefit and get Brother Ogata's consent.
real identity."
"...I see." After Hasegawa was silent for a while, he showed a wry smile, "No wonder my sixth division was completely wiped out...it turns out that the opponent they encountered was you..."
"Makimura, it turns out you have been lying to me last night... I really thought Ogata Ittosai went to Aizu..."
"Mr. Hasegawa, it's been a long time since we said goodbye to Kyoto." Ogata said with a smile.
"Yes." Hasegawa, who had regained his composure at this time, nodded, "Ogata Ittosai, since I said goodbye to you in Kyoto, I have always wanted to thank you in person. It's a pity that I was knocked unconscious at that time.
I’ve never been able to see you again.”
"Thank me? Thank me for what?"
"If you hadn't taken action in time and injured the person who threw the bomb at us, I might have died."
Hearing Hasegawa's words, Ogata immediately remembered this incident.
Ogata and Hasegawa can be regarded as having a fateful friendship.
We were running around Kyoto together 3 months ago.
During the interrogation of the bald man, if Ogata and Makimura had not been quick-sighted and worked together to throw back the bomb that was thrown into their room, otherwise Ogata and Hasegawa would have been killed together and then ascended to heaven together.
"It's just a trivial matter that's not worth mentioning." Ogata said softly, "I was just saving you while saving me."
Ogata has been thinking about whether to reveal his true identity in Hasegawa since last night.
In the end, Ogata decided that if Hasegawa agreed to cooperate with them, he would tell Hasegawa: Majima Goro is Ogata Issei.
As for why he confessed directly to Hasegawa, the main reason was also very simple - he couldn't hide it anyway.
Hasegawa knew Ogata's voice and also recognized Ogata's Sakakihara Itto-ryu.
In the venue of the "Gozen Trial Combination", it was impossible for Ogata not to say anything and not to use the Sakakihara Itto-ryu.
As for Hasegawa, who will mobilize his subordinates and friends to participate in the "Gozen Trial Combination", the possibility of going to observe the "Gozen Trial Combination" is simply not too high.
When Hasegawa knew his voice and the kind of swordsmanship he used, it was impossible to hide it from Hasegawa for long.
It's better to admit it directly.
Of course, there are other reasons: Ogata believes that Hasegawa will not do anything to him at this juncture, and - even if Hasegawa has ill intentions towards him, there is no way to do anything to him.
"Hasegawa-sama, please add a condition." Ogata said in a half-joking tone, "Before I leave Edo, please do not come to arrest me."
Hearing Ogata's words with a strong sense of joking, Hasegawa looked dumbfounded:
"I know. Anyway, I originally hoped to let you participate in the 'Imperial Trial Match'."
"What's more, most of the elite members of the Huo Fu Thieves Reform are not in Edo now."
The look of helplessness on Hasegawa's face became even more intense.
"With most of the elite not in Edo now, I don't have the confidence to catch you..."
*******
*******
Recently I don’t know what I want to share with you.
So today I would like to introduce to you a strange book from the Edo period.
This strange book is known as Japan's "jin ping mei".
For a detailed introduction, please see the author’s words below.