Only nearly two hours have passed since the five people went to the lunch banquet together and started discussing government affairs.
The long verbal battle made Kitagawa feel a little tired even in his prime.
Dingxin, a young man like Beichuan will feel tired, let alone a middle-aged and elderly man like Beichuan who is already 50 years old.
The urgent and important government affairs that should be discussed have almost been discussed.
Since everything that should be discussed has been discussed, it is not too early, and everyone is already a little tired, Matsudaira Sadanobu announced that today's talks will end here.
With this order from Matsudaira Sadanobu, the other three Wakatani, except Kitagawa, were pardoned.
Only Beichuan still looked like he hadn't talked enough and wanted to continue talking about government affairs.
Kitagawa wanted to have a good chat with Matsudaira Sadanobu about "sending envoys to inspect the southern barbarian countries".
But considering that it was really late now, and I was a little tired, I had no choice but to give up and decided to postpone the matter until the right time came, and then discuss the matter with Matsudaira Sadanobu in detail.
.
The four Wakanagi headed by Kitagawa gradually walked out of this room specially used for discussions with senior officials of the shogunate.
Not long after he walked out of the room, Gibbon let out a long breath as if he had removed some huge weight from his body.
"When people get old, not only do they lose physical strength, but they also lose energy..."
Yoshimoto sighed while rubbing his thighs on both sides.
Sitting on his knees for more than two hours in a row was something that the elderly Yoshimoto could no longer do easily.
"Today's meeting indeed took a lot longer than before." Another one of the four Wakatoshi who spoke was Matsudaira Takaki.
"It's a pity that we couldn't agree on sending envoys to the southern barbarian countries to investigate." After saying this, Beichuan let out a long sigh.
"Kitagawa-kun, I don't think it is necessary to send envoys to the southern barbarian countries." Yoshimoto said softly, "I think it is enough to let this country continue to maintain its status quo."
"Our country lacks nothing, and the world is at peace. Since the attack on the Toyotomi family, there has been no large-scale war in our country for nearly two hundred years."
"Why bother to communicate with Nanman?"
"So Mr. Beichuan, forgive me for not agreeing with your idea of sending envoys to communicate with the southern barbarian countries."
"Lord Yoshimoto..." Kitagawa sighed with helplessness, "Have you forgotten the envoys sent to the Sui Dynasty and the envoys to the Tang Dynasty thousands of years ago?"
"Thousands of years ago, the Sui and Tang Dynasties were powerful. Our country learned from the Sui and Tang Dynasties and became the country we are today."
"And now the Southern Barbarians have invented a device that seems to be quite powerful. Is there anything wrong with us following the example of thousands of years ago and learning from the Southern Barbarians?"
"If the 'steam engine' really has the power of hundreds of animals as George said in his post, then we cannot miss it no matter what."
Having said this, Beichuan let out a long sigh again.
"Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore."
"If I weren't a little tired now, otherwise I would have a good argument with you."
Seeing Kitagawa voluntarily giving up the debate with him, Yoshimoto let out a sigh of relief, looking as if he had just escaped a disaster.
"Beichuan." At this moment, a questioning voice suddenly sounded, "Why did you suddenly want to ask Mr. Lao Zhong whether that rumor is true?"
The person who asked this question was another Wakamatsu Ping Junshan.
Kitagawa Toshiki, Yoshimoto Kaemon, Matsudaira Takaki, and Matsudaira Junzan are the four current Wakatoshi of the shogunate.
As soon as Junshan's question ended, Beichuan immediately replied:
"No special reason."
"I just heard this rumor from other friends, so I came to verify it with Mr. Lao Zhong."
"After all, you can't just dismiss such rumors as a joke."
Having said this, Beichuan showed a hint of contempt.
"How can we revive something like the imperial examination system, which has long since died out, in our country?"
"Our country has a large number of outstanding samurai. These outstanding samurai in our country are enough to fill all the vacancies in the shogunate and major vassals."
"It's ridiculous to let a bunch of peasant boys who were carrying hoes not long ago serve as officials in the shogunate or feudal government."
"I also think that reviving the imperial examination system is undesirable," Junshan said, "but I think the assessment format of the 'imperial examination' is quite worthy of being continued."
"Thanks to Mr. Lao Zhong's 'imperial trial', which provided me with inspiration. Now I have an idea that is definitely beneficial to the country and the people. I wonder if you are interested in listening to it."
Beichuan, Yoshimoto, and Longxi who were walking in front of Junshan all turned their heads to look at Junshan who was walking at the back.
"I'm all ears." Beichuan said.
"In the future, I plan to advise the shogun to have the Shohei Ban Academy recruit the children of the shogunate on a large scale and teach the shogunate's children the Four Books, the Five Classics, the Three Rites, History, and Poetry."
"Cultivate the children of the shogunate who enter the Shohei Ban Institute of Learning into talents capable of assisting the shogunate."
Jun Shan talked with beaming eyebrows.
Shoheizaka Institute of Studies, also known as "Shanghei School", is a higher education institution directly under the jurisdiction of the Edo shogunate.
The highest institution of Confucian education in the Edo period.
It was formerly known as Kobun-in established by Hayashi Razan. In 1691 AD, the Tokugawa shogunate authorized the Hayashi family to guide the worship of Confucius, and placed Kobun-in under the direct jurisdiction of the shogunate. At the same time, the name "Kōbun-in" was changed to "Changpingzaka Institute of Learning"
”.
"While recruiting the children of the shogunate on a large scale to study at the Shoheizaka Institute of Learning, we conduct regular assessments to see how well the children of the shogunate who have enrolled are doing."
"Give generous rewards to the ministers' disciples who get good rankings in this assessment."
As soon as Junshan finished speaking, Beichuan nodded.
"I see... Is this the inspiration that the 'imperial trial match' you just mentioned brought you..."
"It's a good idea to let the ministers' disciples enter the Shoheizaka Institute of Learning and conduct regular assessments." Yoshimoto also agreed.
"I have already thought of a name for this regular assessment of ministers' children." Junshan smiled with a hint of pride, "It's called 'Xuewen Yinwei'."
“The ‘learning’ of learning.”
“The ‘ask’ of the question.”
"The 'yin' of chanting."
“The ‘taste’ of miso.”
After pronouncing the words "Xuewen Yinwei", Junshan cast his expectant eyes on the three Beichuan people walking in front.
"'Xuewen Yinwei'... is a good idea." Beichuan was the first to give a positive evaluation.
The other two people also echoed and praised the name Junshan came up with.
"Then I would like to make a small suggestion." Kitagawa crossed his arms on his chest, "Don't let the 'study chant' be limited to just a corner of Changpingzaka Academy."
“The ‘Learning Ginmi’ is held regularly in Edo, so that all the ministers’ descendants can participate.”
"Whether you are enrolled in the Shoheizaka Institute of Learning or not, you can participate in this 'Learning Song'."
Upon hearing Beichuan's suggestion, Junshan's eyes lit up and he muttered:
"This is a good idea... There is indeed no need to limit the 'sense of learning' to the Changpingzaka Institute of Learning..."
After getting a good suggestion from Beichuan, Junshan quickly thanked Beichuan.
"Junshan, I think your idea is really good." Yoshimoto smiled and said, "The General will definitely agree with your idea."
Because two of the four Wakatos were named Matsudaira, in order to distinguish them in terms of title, Kitagawa and the others called Matsudaira Takaki and Matsudaira Junzan by their first names with the permission of the two parties involved.
"Now that I have just received a good suggestion from Kitagawa Jun, I am also very motivated." Junshan said in a half-joking tone, "If I didn't care about etiquette, I would like to rush home and start writing a confession letter immediately.
ah."
"I just don't know if Mr. Lao Zhong will agree with your idea..." After saying that, Beichuan smiled bitterly.
…
…
The four Wakanagi led by Kitagawa had already left, while Matsudaira Sadanobu still stayed in the room where he had just discussed with Kitagawa and others.
In the room where he was the only one left, Dingxin no longer knelt down respectfully like he had just discussed with Kitagawa and others.
Instead, he sat cross-legged very casually.
His waist was not as straight as when he was discussing matters with Beichuan and others just now.
Dingxin's originally straight body was now bent, as if there wasn't a bone in his back.
The flesh of his upper body seemed ready to slip off his cervical vertebrae at any moment.
His appearance made his whole body look like he was mentally exhausted.
The look that appeared on Dingxin's face at this time was in line with his current exhausted appearance, with his head lowered and his eyes tightly closed, and a strong look of fatigue appeared on his face.
The appearance of Dingxin at this time was completely different from the way he had just been having a heated discussion about government affairs with Beichuan and others.
"...I'm so tired."
Even though he was the only one in the room, Matsudaira Sadanobu still murmured in a low voice at a volume that only he could hear clearly.
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom...
The sound of footsteps approaching from far away sounded outside the room.
Hearing the footsteps, Dingxin quickly opened his eyes and then slowly stood up.
While standing up, his originally bent body straightened up again, and his head was raised high.
The look and expression on his face also returned to the expressionless look full of pressure.
As soon as Matsudaira Sadanobu stood up, his nickname, Tachibana, sounded outside the room.
"Lord Zhong, it's me."
"You're here."
After responding to Tachibana in a calm tone, Sadanobu slowly walked out of the room.
After Kitagawa and others left just now, Sadanobu asked a waiter to call Tachibana back.
When he opened the door, he saw the extremely familiar face of Tachibana, who was kneeling on one knee by the door.
"let's go."
Dingxin, who still cherished his words like gold, said lightly "Let's go" and then walked towards the end of the corridor at his feet without any hesitation.
Naturally, Tachibana quickly stood up and followed closely behind Nobunobu.
Tachibana, who was walking behind, quietly looked at the face of Sadanobu in front, and then said in a joking tone:
"Sir Lao Zhong, you are still as energetic as ever. You are still in high spirits after having such a long meeting. I am ashamed of myself."
Sadanobu and Tachibana have a good relationship, and Tachibana often makes such irrelevant witticisms in private from time to time.
And Taishin also has a tolerant attitude towards the witty remarks Tachibana makes from time to time.
After hearing Tachibana's words, Sadanobu didn't make any response.
After showing only a shallow and meaningful smile, he continued to walk forward.
…
…
At this moment, in Shiranui, somewhere in Edo
…
…
"Shuntaro, you must abide by the ninja's commandments."
…
…
"Shuntaro! What are you doing! Have you forgotten the commandments of ninjas?!"
…
…
In his sleep, Shuntaro heard the words he heard a long time ago.
The words that should have been buried deep in his mind echoed in his ears again, making Shuntaro feel a little nostalgic.
Shuntaro wanted to continue listening to this long-lost voice, but suddenly he felt a voice coming from afar.
"……Awake."
The sound gradually approaches.
"… wake up."
A familiar voice.
"Shuntaro-sama, please wake up."
White light shines into the dark world.
"……Um?"
Shuntaro slowly opened his eyes as he regained consciousness.
As soon as I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the familiar ceiling.
The sound that woke up Shuntaro sounded from behind the door of the room.
Its owner is Kamutaro, who is responsible for serving Shuntaro and handling various chores.
Narutaro was originally a genin. He was demoted to "Ku" for committing some crimes. He was assigned to Shuntaro and became Shuntaro's servant.
After being woken up by Narutaro, Shuntaro yawned loudly and then slowly sat up.
"Narutarou, since you woke me up suddenly, something important must have happened, right?"
"Shuntaro-sama, yes. Enma-sama just ordered the Four Heavenly Kings to come to his room immediately."
As soon as Narutaro finished speaking, Shuntaro showed an unhappy expression.
"It's really troublesome... shouldn't I have to ramble on about a lot of boring stuff again?"
Although he was complaining, Shuntaro stood up properly and put on the women's kimono he just bought a few days ago.
A few days ago, out of curiosity, I bought a women's kimono that really suited my eyes.
I bought this dress home and tried it on. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was quite comfortable, so Shuntaro always wore this dress no matter what he did in the past two days.
After quickly changing his clothes, Shuntaro quickly walked to the door and opened it, then quickly walked out of his room and walked quickly towards the small house where Enma lived.
As soon as he entered the small house where Enma lived, Shuntaro saw Gokutaro who was already waiting there.
After seeing Shuntaro, Jitaro curled his lips first, and then said in an indifferent tone that was neither salty nor indifferent:
"You're here."
"Um."
Shuntaro's attitude towards Gokutaro was equally indifferent. He only replied "Yeah" and ignored Gokutaro again.
The relationship between Shuntaro and Gokutaro is very bad.
Because the two of them had fought each other before due to an incident.
Since then, the relationship between the two has been quite bad.
Neither Shuntaro nor Gokutaro have any intention of repairing their relationship.
Neither the Balrog nor another one of the "Four Heavenly Kings" has come yet.
In the past, the two people who had a bad relationship would definitely not even talk to each other, letting the awkward atmosphere hang in the air, and just waiting silently for other people to arrive.
But now, due to some things and the fact that it was rare to be alone with Gitaro, Shuntaro decided to go against the norm and talk to Gitaro more.
"Gokutaro." Shuntaro said in a cold tone with almost no emotion or eroticism, "You can go wherever you like, and I won't care about you, but if you go to Yoshiwara, remember
You'd better behave politely."
"I've heard people say that your bad character and temper have made many wandering girls cry."
"Where did you hear that?" Ji Tairou frowned.
"Where did I hear that? Just leave it alone." Shuntaro continued, "Anyway, when you go to Yoshiwara's place again in the future, please be polite to me."
"Don't spread any more bad rumors about me."
"If you do something with a bad influence in Yoshiwara, it will also affect Shiranui."
Shuntaro's tone was quite strong.
This tone does not sound like negotiating with Ji Tairou, but more like giving an order.
This tough tone naturally made Kitaro extremely unhappy.
As soon as Shuntaro finished speaking, annoyance appeared on Jitaro's face.
However, just when he opened his mouth to say something to Shuntaro, he seemed to have remembered something and his whole body froze.
A faint look of fear appeared in his eyes.
After the fear and anger went back and forth for several rounds, fear finally gained the upper hand.
After closing his slightly open lips again, he did not respond to what Shuntaro had just said, and only snorted heavily.
"Sorry, I'm late."
At this moment, a young male voice sounded outside the door.
Immediately following the male voice, there was the sound of the door being opened, and the footsteps of a young man who had already entered the room.
And this young man is also the last of the "Four Heavenly Kings", Shintaro.
Since Kotaro died in Nijo Castle 3 months ago, Shiranui has been unable to find a ninja who is qualified to take over Kotaro's position.
So after Shintaro also arrived, the current "Four Heavenly Kings" in Shiranui were finally here.
Not long after Shintaro arrived, the man who called everyone here, Enma, finally arrived.
Although he is old and his hair and beard are all gray, Enma's appearance is still far from "senile".
When Shuntaro, Gokutaro, and Shintaro all arrived, Enma sat cross-legged in front of and behind the three of them without saying much, and said to them bluntly:
"I have an urgent mission to tell you."
"But before I tell you about this urgent mission, I have to say a few words that I have said many times."
Balrog raised his hand, touching the scar covering his left eye vertically, and continued to speak.
"From now on, when you are in Edo, remember to be careful in your words and deeds."
Upon hearing Enma's words, a look of helplessness immediately appeared on Shuntaro's face.
Shuntaro had heard similar words too many times since they moved their base to Edo.
Although Gokutaro did not show obvious helplessness like Shuntaro, there was still a flame called "impatient" beating in his eyes.
Only Shintaro sat on his knees respectfully, listening to Enma's lectures with a very serious look.
"Now there are many officials in the shogunate who don't like our Shiranui."
Touching the scar on his left eye is Balrog's personal habit.
Once my left hand is free, I can't help but raise it to touch the scar on my left eye.
"Those officials who don't like us are now waiting for us to make mistakes, and then use them as a reason to criticize us."
"Since we showed such an unsightly appearance in Nijo Castle three months ago, the general's goodwill towards us has greatly diminished."
"We will never do anything that would damage our image in Shiranui."
"Especially you! Kitaro!"
Enma fixed his gaze on Kitaro.
"You guys are going to Yoshihara every night these days to have fun."
"In a place like Yoshiwara, where there are many people and many eyes, you must remember to be careful in your words and actions. Don't do anything that will be criticized."
"In a word, I have to act more like a samurai than a samurai."
Hearing words from Enma that were similar to what Shuntaro had just said, a slight displeasure appeared on Jitaro's face.
But Ji Tairou still suppressed his displeasure and responded respectfully:
"yes!"
"Okay, I've said enough similar things, and I won't go on."
Upon hearing Enma's words, Shuntaro immediately looked "liberated".
Enma, who was sitting in front of Shuntaro, could naturally see Shuntaro's expression, which could be said to be rude.
But Yan Mo pretended not to see it. After clearing his throat, he said seriously:
"Now let's talk about the urgent task I just mentioned."
"According to the reliable information just collected, the traitorous ninja who betrayed our Shiranui some time ago is now in Edo."
"A famous chuunin saw that guy with his own eyes in Edo this morning."
"Rebel nin?" Shuntaro raised his eyebrows, "Which rebellious nin is it? We have a lot of rebellious nins in Shiranui."
"That's the Jonin who defected a while ago." Enma said coldly.
"Jounin...ohh!"
Upon hearing Enma's words, Shuntaro immediately remembered who it was.
"It's that guy..."
Then he said this in a meaningful tone.
"Shintaro, this task will be left to you."
Enma looked at Shintaro.
"You lead a group of people to search Edo from now on, and you must find that guy!"
"Understood!" Shintaro responded loudly.
"You two should pay more attention to that guy's face when you are in Edo in the future." Enma turned his attention to Shuntaro and Gokutaro, "Once you find that guy, don't hesitate to capture him directly.
Or kill them directly."
"Although that guy still has some strength, he is definitely no match for the three of you."
"clear!"
"clear."
Ji Tairou's response was sonorous and forceful.
Shuntaro's response was weak.
*******
*******
"Matsudaira" is the old surname of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate. After the founding of the Edo shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu's direct descendants were surnamed "Tokugawa", while other relatives were still surnamed "Matsudaira". (Ogata was born in
Hirose Domain is one of the feudal lords, so the lord of Hirose Domain is also named Matsudaira)
Among all the clan daimyo (daimyos related to the shogun's family by blood), except for the Gosan family and the Gosankyo family, all have the surname "Matsudaira".
Because of Shiqing Shiroku, many big-shot figures in the Edo shogunate had the surname Matsudaira, and they were all relatives of the shogun.
Because everyone is Matsudaira, in order to distinguish them, when mentioning a person named Matsudaira, they will give his full name, or just give his first name.
(Those who are familiar with Japanese history should also know that this "learned chant" is actually a real thing in history. Those who want to know more about the Edo period can carefully read the "Writer's Words" in this chapter~)