I Was a Swordsman in Ancient Japan

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Kanzheng two years, month day.

Things like the weather are always changing.

Yesterday, that is, on the 0th day of the month, the temperature was still lukewarm. I only wore a kimono to go out during the day, and there was no problem at all.

But overnight, the temperature plummeted.

I don't wear a few more clothes today, so I can't go out at all.

Some people who like to go barefoot on weekdays have to put down their "dignity" and wear thick cloth socks today.

But there are also some people who are very determined.

Even though the weather is very cold today, it is still barefoot.

So there was such a funny scene - some people wore thick clothes, wrapped like a bear, but they didn't wear anything on their feet, just walking on the street with straw sandals or wooden clogs.

In the Edo period, there has always been a concept: only bumpkins wear socks.

The reason why such a concept arises is because Japan has always had a "barefoot" culture.

As for why such a culture emerged, the reasons are more complicated.

There are climate effects - Japan has always been a country with heavy humidity, if you wear socks for a long time, it will be very easy to get athlete's foot.

It has the influence of traditional ideas-the ancient Japanese believed that walking barefoot was good for the health of the body.

There are cultural influences - Japanese people think that walking barefoot on tatami is a very pleasant thing.

In short - due to the influence of different factors, Japan has always had a "barefoot" culture.

Affected by this culture, some people have always been resistant to "wearing socks", thinking that only bumpkins wear socks.

If there is any profession that people are most resistant to wearing socks, it is undoubtedly the prostitute.

"Only bumpkins wear foot bags" - this concept is extremely popular among wandering girls.

No matter how cold the weather is, the girls will grit their teeth and insist on not wearing socks. Even if the weather is too cold, I can't stand the cold.

Therefore, in the Edo period, there were two short poems of Chuanliu circulating among the people: "The beauty of the city, when she reaches the age of twenty-eight, she can finally wear her foot bag", "I have never known that the size of my foot bag is more than twenty-seven. load".

In the Edo period, the retirement age for playgirls was 2 years old, and they could retire when they were 2 years old, and they no longer had to be playboys.

That is to say, many playgirls can finally put on socks until they are 2 years old and retire from being playgirls.

Because I have never worn them, or haven't worn them for a long time, I naturally don't know the size of my feet, and I don't know what size socks I should wear.

A-cho is also the kind of person who likes to go barefoot and doesn't like to wear socks.

Once she encounters an occasion where she can take off her shoes and socks, she will definitely take off her shoes and socks.

But she didn't have the extreme concept of "only bumpkins wear foot bags".

When she woke up this morning and found that the weather was very cold today, she silently let go of the "dignity" of "barefoot lovers", put on socks silently, and then went out with Ogata early in the morning, rushing to The most famous happy street in Edo-Ryogoku Hirokoji.

As the center of power and economy in Japan, Edo is currently the largest city in Japan, and the entertainment industry is naturally very developed, with a large number of happy streets.

Ryogoku Hirokoji is the most famous and largest happy street in Edo.

There are not only a large number of performing arts venues here,

There are also a large number of entertainers performing their specialties on both sides of the street.

There are performances of "wrestlers" who lift huge straw bales filled with rice or large rocks.

There are "acrobats" who perform various magic tricks.

There are "animal entertainers" who perform animal juggling with animals such as monkeys and dogs.

There are storytellers who tell all kinds of moving stories.

Going to happy streets like Ryogoku Hirokoji is the way for most Edo people who have a little extra money and some free time to pass the time.

Since 3 days ago, Ogata and Atachi have been visiting Ryogoku Hirokoji, the most famous happy street in Edo, every day.

It was the same today, Ogata and Atachi went out together early in the morning, and went to Ryogoku Hirokoji again.

Although it is still only morning, there are already many artists who have started work and tourists here on Ryogoku Hirokoji.

At this moment, Ogata and Atachi are listening to a storyteller.

Ogata heard that the name of this storyteller was "Tachikawa Tei Tanraku", and he was one of the most famous storytellers in Hirokoji Ryogoku.

In addition to Ogata and Atachi, there are quite a few listeners.

The listeners, including Ogata and Atachi, formed a semicircle with Tanle as the center, and listened carefully to Tanle's storytelling.

Tanle is now telling the story of Sanada Yukimura.

Sanada Yukimura was a fierce general in the Warring States Period two hundred years ago. He is also a household name in Japan and is known as "the last hero in the troubled times of the Warring States Period".

At the end of the Warring States Period two hundred years ago, one of the most talked-about topics was naturally the confrontation between the Toyotomi and Tokugawa families.

Sanada Yukimura is a blockbuster fighter in the confrontation between these two families.

Not long after Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Tokugawa shogunate two hundred years ago, he launched the "Battle of Osaka" to completely wipe out the Toyotomi clan who was based in Osaka and was the only one who could threaten their status at that time.

In this battle of Osaka, Sanada Yukimura created the legend of defeating the crowd with a few and successfully repelled the Tokugawa army.

The first "Battle of Osaka" of the Edo Shogunate ended in failure.

Because the first "Osaka Battle" took place in winter, this battle is also called "Osaka Winter Battle".

In the summer of the following year, the unwilling Tokugawa Ieyasu launched the second "Battle of Osaka".

Because the second "Osaka Battle" took place in summer, this battle is also called "Osaka Summer Battle".

This time, Sanada Yukimura failed to recreate the glory of last year's "Osaka Winter Battle".

It's still the same old saying: Don't be afraid of opponents like gods, but teammates like pigs.

At that time, Sanada Yukimura was surrounded by pig teammates, constantly pulling Sanada Yukimura's hind legs.

At that time, the head of the Toyotomi family, Toyotomi Hideyori, was an incompetent person.

At that time, Toyotomi Hideyori's mother, Yodohime, was also ruling the Toyotomi clan.

Not to mention Yodohime, she is a very famous "brainless person" in Japanese history.

The two leaders of the Toyotomi family are mud that cannot support the wall. With the "assistance" of these pig teammates, Sanada Yukimura finally failed.

In the battle of summer in Osaka, Toyotomi was defeated.

After this battle, Toyotomi was destroyed by Tokugawa, and Sanada Yukimura also died in this battle.

The Japanese have always admired the tragic hero.

Tragic heroes like Sanada Yukimura who have made brilliant achievements are even more popular.

Two hundred years have passed, and the deeds of Sanada Yukimura are still being sung.

There are countless legends and stories related to Sanada Yukimura.

Because Sanada Yukimura's popularity is too high, storytellers love to tell stories about Sanada Yukimura.

What Tan Le is talking about now is the story of Sanada Yukimura in the last battle of his life-the Osaka Summer Battle.

"Although Sanada Yukimura has fought to the death with all his strength, he is still powerless to stop the shogunate from destroying the Toyotomi clan."

Just by the tone of his speech, one can see the high level of Tan Le.

The ups and downs of the accent sounded very comfortable.

A-cho is very interested in storytelling. In Kyoto before, A-cho reunited with Ogata at a story-telling stand.

Because he listened too seriously, Machi couldn't help leaning forward.

"In order to gain a chance of life, Sanada Yukimura decided to launch a life-threatening attack on the shogunate army. He led a few subordinates to launch an assault on the shogunate army formation!"

"The military strength of the shogunate is a hundred times that of Sanada, but it can't stop Sanada's cross spear at all!"

"After breaking into the shogunate's army formation, Sanada Yukimura pointed his gun at the shogunate's main formation and uttered a bold statement: 'There are millions of soldiers in Kanto, but there is not a single hero!'."

"After uttering these bold words, Sanada Yukimura rushed left and right, relying only on the BMW under his crotch and the cross gun in his hand, Sanada Yukimura threw the army of the shogunate into chaos, causing the army of the shogunate to flee for more than twenty miles! "

With her excellent eloquence, Tan Le successfully mobilized the emotions of all the audience.

Excitement and excitement even appeared on A-Ming's face.

"Unfortunately, when chasing the fleeing army of the shogunate, Sanada was hit by a cold arrow due to exhaustion, and unfortunately died in battle."

After the climax, Tan Le changed the subject and changed into a regretful tone.

"Sanada is dead, Toyotomi is dead."

"After the death of Sanada Yukimura, Toyotomi's army was no longer able to stop Tokugawa's offensive."

"'The Great City of the World' Daban City was burned to the ground by the fire."

"Toyotomi's heirs were all slaughtered."

"Toyotomi perishes."

After telling the story, Tan Le, who was sitting, stood up and bowed to all the audience in front of him.

When Tan Le bowed and saluted, coins of various styles, mainly copper coins, gathered into a "money rain" and sprinkled them into the box placed in front of Tan Le.

Ogata also enjoyed listening to it just now, so he specially threw a few extra copper coins over.

A-cho also threw money along with him.

Ating, who was still immersed in the story Tan Le just told, threw the copper coins and murmured happily:

"'There are millions of soldiers in the Kanto region, but there is no single hero'... so handsome..."

In order to make the story more exciting, storytellers often make magical changes to some real people and real events.

Ogata doesn't know much about the history of the Sengoku period in Japan, so he doesn't know whether the story Tanle just told is true, and whether Sanada Yukimura is really that brave.

But he doesn't care about these.

After all, listening to books is just for fun.

It doesn't matter whether the story told by the storyteller is true or not, as long as it is enjoyable enough to listen to.

While chatting and laughing and saying "thank you" and "thank you", a question suddenly came out from the audience:

"Mr. Tan Le! Is Toyotomi's blood really cut off?"

The person who asked this question was a little boy who seemed to be less than 0 years old.

Hearing this question, Tan Le was stunned for a moment, and then responded without thinking:

"Of course, after the summer battle in Osaka, Toyotomi's heirs died, and the bloodline was completely cut off."

"But last time I heard another storyteller say: Toyotomi's bloodline has not been cut off, and Toyotomi Hideyori's son was rescued and taken to the Satsuma domain..." The little boy continued to ask.

As soon as the little boy's questioning sound fell, a strong man standing beside him laughed loudly, and then said:

"Little brother, just listen to these unofficial rumors, you can't take it seriously, last time I heard a storyteller say that when the Toyotomi clan was about to perish, they buried all the wealth of Osaka Castle in a certain place! "

As soon as the strong man spoke, another young man who was thinner and older echoed:

"Compared to 'There is still Toyotomi's blood remaining', I want to believe that the rumor that 'Toyotomi is burying all the wealth of Osaka Castle somewhere' is true. Hahahaha."

Ogata listened quietly to the speech of the group.

Listening to the conversations of these people, Ogata couldn't help but secretly said in his heart:

——As expected, there are rumors of this type in every country...

There are similar rumors in various countries - "who is actually alive", "who still has blood", "who survived and did what"...

In his previous life, Ogata had heard such rumors: Emperor Jianwen of the Ming Dynasty did not die after the Battle of Jingnan, he went to the South China Sea to become the Pirate King...

Although Ogata is also quite interested in this kind of unofficial history secrets, he doesn't have the time to listen more now.

After briefly listening to the conversations of these people, he turned his attention to A-Ming.

"Do you want to continue listening to the book? Or are you going to play somewhere else?"

A-Machi raised his head to look at the sky.

After squinting his eyes and looking at the sun that was about to rise to the highest point, Ah Ding said:

"Let's play here first."

"Are you going back?" Ogata asked.

"Yeah." Ah-Ming nodded, "It's better to go back earlier, after all—today is a very important day."

Speaking of this, a gentle smile slowly appeared on A-Ming's face.

"It's better for us to go back early and prepare."

"Actually, there is still a little time." Ogata looked up at the current sky, and estimated the current time, "Are you really not going to play for a while?"

"Yeah." As Machi said, he stretched vigorously, "Didn't we have visited all over Edo these days. I can't think of anything else to play or see. "

"Ayi, is there anything else you want to play or watch?"

"I don't have anything else I want to play or watch." Ogata smiled with satisfaction, "During this time, I have seen all the things I want to see, and I have seen all the things I want to play. Played."

Because of Shiranui's great enemy, Ogata hadn't played much with A-machi in this "the largest city in Japan" since he came to Edo.

Now that Shiranui is dead, Ah-Ming no longer needs to wear that scary heavy makeup to pretend to go out, and Ogata can finally breathe a little bit of relief and relax his tense nerves.

They still have the important task of "finding a doctor who may be able to cure the 'immortal poison'", so they cannot stay in Edo for a long time.

Edo is currently the largest city in Japan, so it would be a pity if you don’t look around and wander around.

Therefore, after the injuries on his body recovered enough to be able to move around freely, Omata took A-machi to play around Edo.

These days, the two of them have seen all the places of interest in Edo.

I ate all the specialties of Edo.

I visited every happy street in Edo.

Ogata didn't know how Ah-cho felt. Anyway, during these days of playing, Ogata felt very happy.

He has no big dreams.

His only dream is to be a carefree wanderer, wandering aimlessly, and aimlessly browsing the scenery all over the world.

So playing in Edo during this period can be regarded as a small part of his dream come true.

And - the recent period is also the most relaxed time for Ogata since this year.

Since the beginning of this year, Ogata has been involved in various incidents either passively or actively.

At the beginning of the year, he wandered to the Tatsuno clan and became attached to Hasegawa.

Then in the spring, he was exiled to Butterfly Island.

After finally escaping from Butterfly Island, he rushed to Kyoto because he planned to cure the "immortal poison" in his body.

On the first day of arriving in Kyoto, he was forced to be involved in a terrifying conspiracy to "destroy Kyoto".

Entering Kyoto in the morning, he became bruised and bruised again due to the "Battle of Nijo Castle" at night, and was forced to rest in Fuma's residence to recuperate.

Then he formed an alliance with the gourd house and prepared to deal with Shiranui.

The injury just happened, so I left Kyoto in a hurry and rushed to the headquarters of Gourd House in Owari. After a short rest at the headquarters of Gourd House in Owari, I hurried to Edo again.

After coming to Edo, because of dealing with Shiranui, I have not been able to relax...

So - the recent time spent playing around Edo with A-Machi can be said to be the most leisurely and happiest time Ogata has spent this year.

Seeing that Ogata didn't want to continue playing anymore, A-Machi turned his hands behind his back, turned around and walked outside Tanle's storytelling booth, and said to Ogata:

"Ayi, let's go back then."

"Going back early will also make it easier to prepare for the banquet in the afternoon."

"Actually, there's nothing to prepare for." Ogata smiled, and after quickly following A-Ming, he continued in a half-joking tone, "After all, there are not many guests who can come to the banquet..."

...

...

Ogata and A-Machi returned to their current residence in Edo at a leisurely pace—that is, the small house Lin borrowed from Tojo House.

As soon as the two opened the door, they saw Jian Gong walking towards them quickly.

"You two really have a leisurely time..."

Both the cheeks and the tone of the palace are full of helplessness.

"Today is such an important day for the two of you, and you even went outside to play..."

At this time, Mamiya is a little different from usual-now Mamiya is wearing a very formal dress.

From the brand new fabric, it's not hard to tell - it's a new purchase.

Hearing Mamiya's complaint, Ogata and A-Machi turned their heads in a tacit understanding, looked at each other, and smiled at each other.

"Anyway, you two go change your clothes first." Gamiya continued, "By the way - we have already changed our clothes."

...

...

Ogata and Machi returned to their room.

In one corner of the room stood two small bamboo boxes.

Looking at the two bamboo boxes, Ogata couldn't help showing complicated emotions in his eyes.

Ogata and A-machi walked to the two bamboo boxes respectively, and opened the bamboo boxes in front of them at the same time.

Both bamboo boxes contained a suit of clothes.

The bamboo box in front of Ogata contained very formal black dresses.

And the bamboo box in front of A-Ming contained a set of immaculate white clothes.

...

...

A few days ago——

Edo, under the "Sacred Tree"——

Ogata hugged Machi tightly.

Ogata's back was also tightly wrapped around Ogata's back by Omachi's arms.

Ogata couldn't remember what happened just now.

All I know is that after hearing his voice just now, A-Ming looked back at him, and stared at each other with Ogata.

When he came back to his senses, he had already hugged A-Ming tightly in his arms.

Although the two of them didn't say a word during the whole process, the atmosphere was extraordinarily comfortable and peaceful.

How long have you hugged each other? Ogata couldn't remember either.

Until no time, an idea slowly emerged in Ogata's mind.

"...Machi."

Ogata decided to reveal his whole idea.

"Ok?"

"How about we have a wedding before we leave Edo?"

A faint smile slowly appeared on Ogata's face.

"I just found out - now is the perfect time for a wedding."

"Uncle Qing, your friends and mine happen to be in Edo right now, so we can invite many people to our wedding."

"If you miss this moment, you don't know when you will have such a good opportunity to hold a wedding."

Japan has always had a "ritual-focused" culture.

Some trivial matters should also be made with a sense of ceremony.

Because of the emphasis on rituals, ancient Japan has always attached great importance to weddings.

"If there is no wedding, how can it be considered a marriage", "If this couple has never even had a wedding, then this couple has no real name"-this is the concept of most people in this era.

No matter how simple the wedding is, it is all about having a wedding.

In fact, as early as when Owari's gourd house headquarter combined with A-Machi, Ojai had the idea of ​​holding a wedding with A-Machi.

Because of Shiranui's great enemy at that time, he couldn't settle down for a long time, so the plan of "holding a wedding with Acho" had to be shelved again and again.

Now that Shiranui Ri's great enemy is dead, Ogata and Atachi's relatives and friends are all in Edo right now—as Ogata said, now is indeed the best time to hold a wedding.

As soon as Ogata's words fell, Ah-Machi raised his head and cast a surprised look at Ogata.

After staring at Ogata for a while, the surprise slowly turned into joy.

A-Machi looked away, rested his chin on Ogata's shoulder, and smiled.

"OK."

As Machi spoke, she leaned her cheek against Ogata's cheek.

"I have to go back and see which day is auspicious." Ogata joked.

"I still have to buy clothes." A-cho added.

"A-Machi, do you want to perform the ceremony in front of the god, the ceremony in front of the Buddha, or the ceremony in front of the human being?"

"The pose in front of people is fine." Ah-Ming immediately said, "The pose in front of the gods and the pose in front of the Buddha are too complicated."

...

...

Back in time to the present——

Edo, Nihonbashi, Shinagawa-juku.

Gao Qing, who was kneeling on the ground in the position of Dogeza, pressed her forehead tightly against the tatami.

"Not yet... Have you found out who attacked Shiranui?"

A calm Chinese language without any sadness or joy rang out from the top of Gao Qing's head, and then drifted into Gao Qing's ears.

The moment after hearing these words, Gao Qing's body trembled uncontrollably.

Drops of cold sweat appeared on Gao Qing's forehead.

The person who questioned Gao Qing was naturally Gao Qing's lord - Toyotomi.

After learning of the attack in Shiranui, Toyotomi immediately ordered an investigation into the truth of the incident.

More than half a month has passed now.

He came to confirm the results of the investigation.

Toyotomi stood in front of Gao Qing holding his purple hilted dao in his right hand.

Lowering his eyes, he looked at Gao Qing who was kneeling in front of him.

His eyes were like ice cubes, cold, and there was no emotion in his pupils.

Toyotomi was facing away from the window at this moment.

The outdoor sunlight hit Toyotomi's body through the window, casting a long shadow.

The shadow fell on Gao Qing's body like a mountain.

"Master Feng, Toyotomi..." Gao Qing couldn't speak smoothly because of her nervousness, "I'm waiting for my life..."

"Don't talk about such useless nonsense." Before Gao Qing finished speaking, Toyotomi interrupted him directly, "Just tell me if there are any new results found."

After Toyotomi's words fell, the cold sweat on Gao Qing's forehead became more intense.

After taking a deep breath, showing an expression as if he was about to go to the execution ground, he mustered up his courage and said:

"No……"

"Did the shogunate find out who was the prisoner in the ruined Shiranui?" Toyotomi continued to ask.

"As far as we know, the shogunate has not found out who destroyed Shiranui."

"When the shogunate learned that Shiranui was attacked and sent officials to investigate, the people who destroyed Shiranui had disappeared."

"There is too little information, so there is no result from the shogunate."

After all, Gao Qing closed her eyes.

In any case, they haven't found out who attacked Shiranui until now-this is an iron fact.

Gao Qing has followed Toyotomi for many years and understands Toyotomi's temperament: rewards and punishments are clear. Never treat the meritorious people badly, and at the same time never spare the incompetent people lightly.

Gao Qing, who closed her eyes tightly, was already mentally prepared to be punished by Toyotomi.

But who knows—the imaginary punishment did not come.

"...That's all." Toyotomi said softly, "It's really difficult for you to find out who destroyed Shiranui with so few clues."

"So I won't pursue you."

Toyotomi's words made Gao Qing feel as if she had received an amnesty, her eyes that had been tightly closed opened suddenly, and the cold sweat on her forehead finally stopped.

Toyotomi walked slowly to the window.

After looking at the scenery outside the window, he said in a still calm tone:

"I originally came to Edo for the convenience of commanding the subordinates who were lurking in Shiranui and successfully completed the control of Shiranui."

"Since Shiranui is destroyed now, there is no point in continuing to stay in Edo."

Gao Qing raised her eyebrows: "Lord Toyotomi, are you planning to go back?"

"Well, there is such a plan."

"But—" Toyotomi changed the subject.

"It's rare to come to Edo."

"If you don't do anything, isn't it a waste of time?"

After finishing speaking, Toyotomi turned his head and smiled at Gao Qing.

It's just that the smile on his face didn't look warm at all.