Chapter 434 Ogata and A-cho who became rich [6000 words]
Originally, today's chapter could be published in the afternoon.
But something unexpected happened this afternoon - my mother wanted me to go out with her for a walk.
Today is Mother's Day after all, so I went shopping with my mom, so I didn't have time to write in the afternoon. It wasn't until I got home in the evening that I finally finished writing today's chapter. I delayed posting it until now... I'm very sorry orz
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"...Atachi. Do you remember Kondo?"
"Of course I remember." A-Ting responded without hesitation, "I just looked for him the day before yesterday."
Speaking of this, A Machi's face showed a bit of helplessness.
"I spent a lot of effort the day before yesterday to convince Kondo-kun that you are really safe..."
In order to avoid involving Kondo, Ogata never told Kondo the real reason why he came to Edo.
So Kondo naturally didn't know that Ogata, who suddenly stopped coming to participate in the "Gozen Trial" martial arts test, was actually running to deal with Shiranui Ri.
From Kondo's perspective, Ogata just missed the martial arts test for no reason and then disappeared.
In order to avoid worrying Kondo, after moving into this house to recuperate three days ago, Okondo reported the address of the Beifong House to A-Machi, and asked A-Machi to go to the Beifong House for him and give him a message for him who is currently in the Beifong House.
The part-time worker Kondo wishes to be safe.
Tell Kondo: He is fine now, but he has to be temporarily "missing" for a period of time because of something that happened to him.
Atachi also knows Kondo and knows the relationship between Kondo and Ogata, so naturally he will not shirk this task.
On the second day after moving into this house - the day before yesterday, Amachi followed the address Ogata gave him and found Beifongya and Kondo who was working there.
After A-Machi informed Kondo that "Ogata is safe now, but he has to be temporarily 'missing' for a while due to some things," Kondo immediately asked A-Machi nervously what happened to Ogata.
According to Amachi, it took a lot of effort for her to finally fool Kondo and convince Kondo that Ogata was really safe now.
"The 'North Wind House' where Kondo currently works is actually a shop specializing in selling specialties from Ezo."
Ogata continued.
"The owner of Beifongya may know some information related to Ezo Land."
Hearing Ogata's words, Atachi's eyes lit up.
"So that Beifongya is a store specializing in Ezo products?"
"Didn't you just go to Beifongya the day before yesterday and tell Kondo that I was safe?" Ogata asked in a helpless tone, "Didn't you notice at that time that the shelves in Beifongya were full of weird Ezo products?
Goods?"
"I didn't enter Beifongya at that time," Amachi said. "When I found Beifongya, Kondo-kun happened to be standing outside the store eating."
"I left after telling Kondo-kun that I was safe, so I never entered that store."
Speaking of this, A-Machi let out a sigh of relief and said with emotion:
"I'm so lucky... I happen to know someone who works in a shop specializing in Ezo goods..."
"Well, that's right." Ogata also let out a sigh of relief, "After my injury recovers better, I'll go visit the Beifong House... and by the way, I'll also meet Kondo and let him know who I am.
Really peaceful…”
"...Going to Ezo Land...it feels like it will cost a lot of money." Amachi muttered softly, "I have to buy thick enough winter clothes and enough dry food..."
Before Atachi finished speaking, Oubono interrupted:
"About money, you don't have to worry about it, Atachi."
"Do you forget it?"
"I still have a lot of money that I haven't received yet."
"A large sum of money?" Amachi repeated what Ogata had just said with a confused look on his face.
After pondering for a while, I finally remembered what Ogata meant by what he just said.
"Yeah...I almost forgot that there was still that money..."
…
…
The next day——
Edo, the resting place for Ogata and others——
"Ittousai, you said you have something very important to tell us." Lin asked Ogata, who was sitting cross-legged in front of them, "Everyone is here now. If you have anything to say, it doesn't matter."
Ogata and the Calabash House group headed by Lin were gathered in the room where Makimura and Asai lived.
In order to take care of the seriously injured Makimura, Asai, Shimada, and Mamiya lived together with Makimura, Asai, and Shimada in the largest room in the house.
Then Genichi lived in a separate room next door to Mamiya and the others.
Lin, who also lives in a separate room, lives next door to Yuan Yi.
Just now, Ogata suddenly came to the room where Mamiya, Makimura, Asai, and Shimada lived.
As soon as they entered Mamiya's room, Oconi asked Mamiya to help call Lin and Genichi who were living in other rooms.
"Mamiya, can you please help me call Miss Lin and Mr. Genichi? I have some very important things to tell you." - This is the exact words Ogata said to Mamiya just now.
Although he didn't know what the "important thing" Ogata said was, seeing Ogata's serious face when he said this, Mamiya didn't dare to neglect it.
Rin and Genichi's rooms were next door, so Mamiya quickly brought Rin and the others over.
"I'm sorry that I took up your time because of my personal matters." Ogata first bowed to Lin and others in front of him and apologized, "I will try to be as brief as possible."
Ogata straightened up, cleared his throat, and then said seriously:
"I plan to go to Ezo with Atachi after the injury is almost healed and does not prevent me from traveling far."
"Ezochi?" Makimura was the first to exclaim.
Although the others did not exclaim like Makimura, there was more or less astonishment on their faces.
Lin raised her eyebrows, looked at Ogata several times with meaningful eyes, and then said softly:
"Are you planning to go find the two doctors Xuan Zheng and Xuan Zhen?"
"That's right." Ogata nodded, "You should all know this, right? The purple mark on my neck has gotten bigger."
Ogata raised his hand and touched the left side of his neck.
"I guess it's likely that the 'immortal poison' in the body has spread."
Last night, after learning that Ogata had woken up from a sudden coma, Makimura, Asai, Shimada...especially Makimura wanted to go together to see Ogata who finally woke up.
However, the injuries on his body were so severe that it was even difficult to walk, so he could only continue to lie down and wait for the return of Rin, Genichi, and Mamiya, who had gone to visit Ogata.
After finally getting Lin and the others back, Lin and the others brought the bad news that "the immortal poison in Ogata's body may have spread" to Makimura, Asai, and Shimada.
So everyone present knew that the area of the purple mark on Ogata's neck had become larger.
"...Brother Ogata, the reason why the purple mark on your neck has become larger may not be because the 'immortal poison' in your body has spread." Makimura hesitated, "Maybe it is because of other reasons..."
"No matter what the reason is, I have to prepare for the worst."
Speaking of this, Ogata's tone became more helpless.
"If it is for some other insignificant reason that the purple mark on my neck becomes larger, then of course it would be best."
"But if it's really because the 'immortal poison' in my body has spread, causing the purple mark on my neck to become larger...then we can't ignore it."
"So I discussed it with Atachi last night."
Firmness gradually appeared in Ogata's tone.
"As soon as my injury is almost healed, I will immediately leave for Ezo Land to look for the two doctors Xuanzheng and Xuanzhen."
"...Are you and Ms. Atachi going to Ezo Land alone?" Lin asked, "With all due respect - Ezo Land is very big. Finding two people in Ezo Land is like looking for a needle in a haystack."
"I know." The firmness in Ogata's tone did not change at all, "But this is the only way to do it."
"It's better to look for a needle in a haystack in Ezochi than to sit around and do nothing."
"Besides - it's not good to live here in Edo for too long now." When saying this, Ogata put on a joking tone, "The shogunate may find out at some point that 'Executioner Ittosai' is also involved.
The attack on Shiranui."
"So it is necessary to leave Edo quickly before the shogunate knows who destroyed Shiranui."
"Regardless of whether the shogunate has the ability to find out who destroyed Shiranui, even if they find out, it won't be many months or years." Lin complained angrily.
Their previous attack on Shiranui could be described as a "lightning attack."
From the beginning of the attack to the time Ogata and others left, less than an hour had passed.
The reason is that the power of the big tube is too strong.
Facing weapons of the level of Otsutsuki, the ninjas in Shiranui fought bravely, but they were quickly defeated.
The "Ku"s, together with Ogata and others, defeated the ninjas in Shiranui and then looted Shiranui's treasury.
After dividing up all the money stored in Shiranui's vault, the "Ku"s also fled in all directions, escaping from this hell that had tortured them for countless years.
The money shared from Shiranui's treasury was enough for them to start a new life.
It was not until after the attack on Shiranui that the shogunate realized something had happened in Shiranui.
Then, when it was almost evening, officers were sent into Shiranui to investigate what happened.
By that time, Ogata, the others, and the "Ku"s had long since disappeared, and there was nothing left in Shiranui except corpses.
As far as Ogata and the others know - the shogunate is still investigating who attacked Shiranui.
Because when the shogunate's officials arrived at Shiranui, there was no one alive in Shiranui. There were no witnesses and no physical evidence could be found.
So whether the shogunate has any way to find out who destroyed Shiranui is a question.
Even if it could be found out, it would probably take a lot of time.
That's why Rin complained about Ogata just now.
After complaining about Ogata's words angrily, Lin took a deep breath.
After slowly exhaling the breath that had been sucked into her chest, Lin said in a deep voice:
"……I see."
"You and Miss Atachi are already allies with our Calabash House."
"We won't ask any questions about what you plan to do next, and we won't interfere."
At this point, a faint smile appeared on Lin's face.
"Since you have made up your mind to leave for Ezo Land as quickly as possible, I can only wish you good luck in martial arts."
"If you need any help, you can feel free to ask them."
"I can't guarantee that I can help with other things."
"But I have never been afraid of money-related tasks."
"Ezo is far away, and it should cost a lot of money to go to Ezo."
"If you need it, Ittousai, I can lend you money without any interest or restrictions."
"Thank you for your kindness." Ogata smiled, "But I'm actually not short of money now."
"Because there is still a lot of money waiting for me to collect."
…
…
4 days later——
October 29, the second year of Kanzheng (1790).
Edo, Gofu Town Gate, Kitamachi Office.
Compared with big cities like Kyoto and Osaka, Edo has a big difference, that is, there are two administrative offices in Edo - the Kitamachi Administrative Office located at Gofu-machi Gate, and the Minami-machi Administrative Office located at Sukiyabashi Gate.
.
The "Nakamachi Office" was once established in Edo, but this Nakamachi Office was short-lived and closed shortly after its establishment.
Judging by their names, most people would think that the Minamachi and Hita-machi administrative offices were each responsible for half of Edo. The Minami-machi administrative office was responsible for the southern half of Edo, and the Hoku-machi administrative office was responsible for the northern half of Edo.
But this is actually wrong.
The Minami and Hita Town Offices are not each in charge of half of Edo. They implement the "monthly transfer" system.
To put it simply, they took turns managing Edo on a "month" basis.
This month, the Kitamachi Office is responsible for managing Edo. Next month, it will be the Minamachi Office's turn to manage Edo, and then the next month, it will be the Kitamachi Office's turn...
This month happens to be the turn of the Kitamachi Office to manage Edo.
Ogata and Omachi walked out of Kitamachi Prison side by side.
Amachi held a wooden box in his arms.
Ogata, on the other hand, limped beside Amachi.
"A-Machi." Ogata asked in a low voice toward A-Machi, who had slowed down his walking speed to take care of him, "Do you really not need my help?"
"No need." A-Ting said without hesitation, "Don't think of me as that kind of eldest lady living in a boudoir. I can move things several times heavier than this box."
Ogata looked A-Machi up and down several times, and when he saw that A-Machi was indeed at ease, he said nothing more.
"We have become rich people." Ogata once again leaned his lips to Amachi's ear, lowered his voice, and continued to whisper in a joking tone at a volume that only he and Amachi could hear clearly.
.
The reason why the two of them came out of the Kitamachi Office just now was because they were here to receive the prize money for the first place in the "Gozen Examination" literary test.
The first place in the literary test and the first place in the martial arts test in the "Imperial Trial Combination" will receive a bonus of 100 taels of gold.
Just 2 days ago, the martial arts test that lasted for several days finally ended.
The person who finally won the martial arts test was actually someone Ogata knew - Chiba, who was currently working part-time at Beifongya with Kondo.
Although Kondo had heard before that Chiba was very strong and a master of Beichen Dream Style, Ogata did not expect that Chiba was so strong and could win the "Gozen Trial Combination" martial arts test.
Although many of the participants in the "Imperial Trial Combination" are quite average, there are still some who are pretty good at it.
Therefore, it is not easy for Chiba to defeat all the heroes and win the first place in the martial arts test.
The end of the martial arts test also announced the successful conclusion of this year's "Imperial Test Combination".
The government stipulates that the bonuses for the first place in the literary test and the first place in the martial arts test of the "Imperial Trial Combination" will be uniformly distributed two days after the end of the "Imperial Trial Combination" - that is, today.
The distribution time is today and tomorrow within two days, no waiting will be done if it is late.
The first place finishers in the literature test and the first place in the martial arts test need to go to the Kitamachi Office to collect it in person. When collecting it, they must present the "candidate card" that was given to each of them after signing up for the "Gozen Examination"
Paper.
After absorbing "immortality" for the second time, Ogata's vitality increased to 36 points.
After his vitality further increased, Ogata's already terrifying recovery speed became even more terrifying.
After absorbing "immortality" for the second time, after four days of rest, today, no wound on Ogata's body is still hurting.
Except for those deep wounds that still need some time to heal, the other shallower wounds have scabbed, healed, and new flesh has grown.
At the same time, I was able to walk like a normal person - although I couldn't walk for too long, and I was limping when I walked. Because Ogata also had a deep wound on his left thigh, and this
The injury hasn't fully healed yet.
It was precisely thanks to this strong recovery power that Ogata was able to recover to the point where he could barely walk before today.
If I can't move around today, then Ogata really doesn't know how to go to the Kitamachi Office to collect money.
The wooden box that Amachi is holding now contains the prize money for the first place in the literary test - a full 100 large prize money.
Ogata originally wanted to carry the money box himself, but Amachi took away the job on the grounds that "your injury is not fully healed yet, so don't do too strenuous exercise."
For those big businessmen, 100 taels of gold may not be enough for them to spend one night in a gold-selling place like Yoshiwara.
But for ordinary people like Ogata and others, 100 taels of gold is undoubtedly a huge sum of money.
If you use it sparingly, it won't be a problem for you to use it for 10 years.
So what Ogata said just now, "We have become rich," was not a joke or a boast.
"Fortunately, my injury recovered quickly enough and I was able to walk before today."
Ogata smiled and shrugged.
"If I miss the time to receive my bonus because my injury does not recover in time, I may be so depressed that I vomit blood."
"It's a pity that you didn't complete the martial arts test." A-Machi smiled in a half-joking tone, "If you could complete the martial arts test completely, we might be able to get another 100 taels of gold."
"Don't be too greedy." Ogata responded to Amachi in the same half-joking tone, "These 100 taels of gold are enough for us to squander for a while. We must be content."
"I know, I was just joking. If you also took the 100 taels of gold for the first place in the martial arts test, I would be troubled. I don't know how to carry so much money."
Ogata only participated in the martial arts test for 2 days in total.
On the third day of the martial arts test, Ogata ran to fight Shiranui Ri.
According to the rules of the "Imperial Trial Match", those who do not arrive on time will be considered as abstaining.
Therefore, on the third day after the martial arts test began, he ran to fight Shiranui Ri. Ogata, who was unable to continue participating in the martial arts test, was naturally treated as "voluntarily abstaining" by the government.
Ogata didn't feel much regret for not being able to complete the martial arts test to the end.
There were only two reasons why he decided to participate in the "Imperial Trial".
The first reason is that this is their agreement with Hasegawa.
Hasegawa needs experts who are powerful enough to participate in the "Gozen Trial Match" to destroy Shiranui's attempt to improve their image through the "Gozen Trial Match".
Hasegawa's wish was indirectly fulfilled by Ogata and others.
There is no longer any need to worry about Shiranui using the "Gozen Trial Match" to improve their image.
Because Shiranui completely disappeared.
As for the second reason... it is Ogata's own reason.
Ogata has never informed anyone of the second reason why he decided to participate in the "Gozen Trials" - including Amachi.
The second reason why Ogata decided to participate in the "Gozen Trial Match" was that Ogata wanted the bonus from the "Gozen Trial Match".
After marrying Atachi at Owari's Calabash House Headquarters, Ogata has been thinking about his future with Atachi.
With the addition of A-Machi around me, the amount of money I have to spend every day instantly increases a lot.
If you want to live a good life with Atachi in the future, having enough money is essential.
However - Ogata is now the shogunate's most wanted criminal.
Unless he always wears that human skin mask and lives his life as "Mashima Goro", all legitimate work will definitely have no connection with Ogata, who is a wanted criminal.
So when he came to Edo and learned that the first place in the literary test and the first place in the martial arts test in the "Gozen Examination" could get a bonus of 100 taels, which was enough for him and Amachi to live a leisurely life for at least 10 years, Ogata was very
The heart of the earth moves.
So when he learned that Hasegawa was looking for a master who was powerful enough and willing to participate in the "Gozen Trial Combination", Ogata took the initiative to ask Ying to participate in the "Gozen Trial Combination" personally.
Ogata's original goal was actually to win the first place in the martial arts test, and win the 100 taels of gold for the first place in the martial arts test.
Ogata didn't have any expectations for the literary test.
But who knew that the development of world affairs would be so unpredictable.
Ogata, who had no expectations for the literary test, won the literary test in a daze.
Because of this, Ogata did not regret that he could not complete the martial arts test.
Anyway, he also has the 100 taels of gold to get from the first place in the literary test, so Ogata no longer cares much about whether he can get the first place in the martial arts test.
The only thing that attracted Ogata about the "Gozen Trial Match" was the bonus.
"First place in the literary test" and "first place in the martial arts test" are all unnecessary names for Ogata.
And even if he gets these false names, Ogata won't have any sense of accomplishment.
Because the person who got these false names is "Mashima Goro", not "Ogata Issei".
Ogata was worried that telling A-Machi that another purpose of his participation in the "Gozen Trials" was to make money would cause A-Machi a psychological burden.
That's why he kept hiding it from Amachi. He never told Amachi that the reason why he participated in the "Gozen Trial Match" was for money, so that the two of them would have enough money to live a good life in the future.
"What should we buy first now?" Ogata joked.
"Anyway, let's quickly send it back to where we live now." Atachi smiled and joked, "I always feel uneasy walking down the street with so much money."