I Was a Swordsman in Ancient Japan

"I was a swordsman in ancient Japan ()"

Edo, southwest, a 3-story mansion that is inconspicuous because it is located in a remote area.

Edo has never lacked dignitaries.

Compared with those big houses of those dignitaries, this mansion looks so inconspicuous.

But anyone who knows a little about the identity of the owner of this mansion knows that the owner of this mansion is no worse than those dignitaries in Edo in terms of power.

At this moment, Lin and Yuanyi were staying in a certain room in this mansion.

Both of them took off their swords and placed them on the tatami on the right side of their bodies.

Lin knelt respectfully on the tatami in a very standard posture, with her back straight, her eyes closed, and she was meditating.

Compared with Lin, Yuanyi's sitting posture is much more casual.

Genichi just sat cross-legged on the tatami mat carelessly, yawning a few times from time to time.

The two have been in this room for a long time.

They are waiting.

Wait for someone to arrive.

After waiting for an unknown amount of time, the paper sliding door of this room was finally pulled open.

The one who opened the sliding door was a young man kneeling by the door.

"Miss Kinoshita." The young man said respectfully, "Master Dongcheng is here."

Hearing the young man's words, Lin, who had been closing her eyes just now, slowly opened her eyes.

As the young man's announcement fell, footsteps sounded from far to near in the corridor outside the door.

The sound of footsteps moved from a distant place to the door—a middle-aged man with an extremely strong figure appeared outside the opened paper sliding door.

Although the middle-aged man was wearing a black kimono, the top of the kimono was completely pulled away, exposing his upper body covered with rock-hard muscles.

While exposing the muscles of his upper body, he also revealed the hideous tattoo that almost covered his entire upper body.

The middle-aged man first looked at Lin and Yuanyi in the lower room with calm eyes.

After seeing Genichi who was sitting cross-legged casually, a subtle and strange light flashed in the eyes of the middle-aged man.

After withdrawing his gaze from looking at Lin and Yuanyi, the middle-aged man walked slowly into the room, and finally sat cross-legged in front of Lin and Yuanyi.

After the middle-aged man entered the room, the young man who was in charge of announcing to Lin that "Master Dongcheng is coming" gently closed the sliding door.

The paper sliding door blocked the light outside the room again, turning the room into a secret room again.

It's just that besides Lin and Yuanyi, there is the middle-aged man who just entered the room in this secret room.

"...Long time no see." Lin said to the middle-aged man first, "Master Dongcheng, you really made me and my uncle wait."

"I came to look for you in the morning, but I didn't finally see you until the afternoon."

"It's been a long time." The middle-aged man whom Lin called Dong Cheng smiled, "Miss Kinoshita, when was the last time we met? I forgot, but you still called Kinoshita this time." The adults brought it too."

"Please forgive me, Ms. Kinoshita, I have an absolutely irresistible meeting with Kanding Mori this morning. I'm really sorry to keep you two waiting for so long."

"It's okay. Anyway, I'm not in a hurry." Lin said softly, "Master Dongcheng, my uncle is here now, so for the convenience of addressing, you can call me 'Lin'."

"Should I call you by your first name?" Dongcheng shrugged, and then said in a half-joking tone, "That's a courtesy, you can also call me by my name 'Dawu' directly, I prefer to have my name rather than my surname." My acquaintances call me by my name."

"Compared with the surname 'Dongcheng', I always think my name 'Dawu' sounds better."

After saying some witty words in a joking tone, Dongcheng sat up a little bit, and then put on a more serious expression than before:

"Kinoshita...ah, no, Miss Lin, I know you are a person who likes to cut to the chase.

"

"And I also like to get straight to the point, and don't like to say too many irrelevant greetings."

"So, let's skip the greetings for now."

"Tell me directly why you are here."

"Lin, you actually brought Kinoshita-sama to Edo, surely you didn't come to sell rice?"

"Master Dongcheng. I hope you can mobilize your subordinates to help me find where the new base of Shiranui is located in Edo."

Seeing that Dongcheng expressed that he wanted to get straight to the point very straightforwardly, Lin stopped talking nonsense and went straight to her main topic.

Although Dong Cheng told Lin just now that he could just call him by his name, after all, he has been calling him "Master Dong Cheng" for so long, and Lin couldn't change it for a while, so she simply didn't change it and continued to call him by this name. The middle-aged man is "Master Dongcheng".

"Shiranui?" Dongcheng frowned slightly.

"Master Tojo. You should know that Shiranui cooperated with the shogunate and moved their new base to Edo, right?"

"Hey, hey, how could I not know about this kind of thing."

"It's good to know." Lin nodded gently.

"I'm more curious - what did you do to find the location of the base in Shiranui?"

"...The relationship between our Calabash House and Shiranui has always been quite bad."

Lin didn't directly explain what she was doing based on Shiranui, but as if she meant something, she said a sentence that seemed to have nothing to do with the question Dong Cheng asked just now.

But—even though he didn't directly answer Dongcheng's question just now, Lin's words just now made Dongcheng realize something instantly, and raised his eyebrows suddenly.

"...It seems that you are planning to do some great things here in Edo."

"hehe."

Dongcheng chuckled a few times.

"Miss Lin, you and Kinoshita-sama are worthy of being relatives, they both like to do messy things."

"Finding the location of Shiranui's base...it might be difficult."

"Although I don't know much about Shiranui, I also know that they are very persistent in keeping the location of their base secret."

"Few outsiders know the exact location of their base."

"Even for me, it's not easy to find out where their base is."

"It may take a lot of time."

As soon as Dongcheng's voice fell, Lin said:

"It's okay, I can wait."

"Miss Lin, if you're not in a hurry, then it's easy to talk."

"I will let the people under my hand go to investigate later."

Speaking of this, Dongcheng paused.

After a pause, a weird smile appeared on Dongcheng's face.

"Although I know that Miss Lin, you can't owe the money, but let me remind you, Miss Lin."

Dongcheng raised his hand and made a gesture of "Qian".

"Help you find the location of Shiranui's base - this is not a small favor that can be done for you."

"I'm sure I'm going to get paid."

"And—the price is not cheap."

"You don't have to worry about money." Lin replied without thinking, "This is not the first time that I, 'Gourd House', and your 'Dongcheng House' have cooperated. Is Kinoshita Lin's money-making ability?"

"I'm Kinoshita Rin—I have plenty of money."

"Hahaha." Dongcheng let out a series of bold laughs, "I just like dealing with a bold person like you, Miss Lin."

"Okay! I'll get everyone under my hand to move later!"

"Miss Lin, besides helping you find the base in Shiranui, is there anything else you want to entrust me to do? I will never refuse any profitable business."

"For now, there are two things I would like to ask you to do."

As Lin spoke, she reached into her bosom, took out a neatly folded piece of paper, and handed it to Dongcheng in front of her.

"First thing: Master Dongcheng, I hope you can help me buy what is written on this paper."

With some doubts, Dongcheng took the paper from Lin and unfolded it.

After moving his eyes and quickly scanning the words written on this piece of paper, Dongcheng's pupils shrank slightly:

"this is……?!"

"This is what I hope you, Mr. Dong Cheng, will buy for me." Lin said lightly.

"...Miss Lin, what do you buy these things for?"

"Do you still need to ask?" Lin said lightly, "Of course it is used to trouble Shiranui. I want to use it as our secret weapon against Shiranui."

When speaking of the word "secret weapon", Linte emphasized her tone.

"How much do you want?" Dongcheng asked.

"I'll buy as much as you can get." Lin's answer was straightforward.

"...Miss Lin, with all due respect—even if it's me, it's hard to get what you wrote on the paper."

"I know that what I have written on this paper is very difficult to come by."

"But I also know your ability, Master Dongcheng."

Speaking of this, a faint smile appeared on Lina's expressionless face since entering the room.

"Master Dongcheng, you are the leader of the largest Renxia faction in Edo—"Dongchengya". The highest authority in the "Renxia World" in Eastern Japan."

"The forces under your command spread throughout the entire Kanto and Northeast, and your hands and eyes are open to the sky. Many high-ranking officials in the shogunate have quite close ties with you."

"The thing I wrote on the paper, to you, is just 'difficult to get', not 'impossible to get'."

"Master Dongcheng, I know you just mentioned that these things are hard to get, but you just meant to imply that I need to spend a lot of money."

Seeing that his little thought just now was accurately exposed by Lin, Dongcheng didn't show annoyance, but grinned instead.

"Don't worry, Master Dongcheng."

Lin paused here.

After taking a deep breath, he said word by word:

"As I said earlier—what I have is money."

"Okay!" A bright smile appeared on Master Dongcheng's face, "I will try my best to get you the things you wrote on this paper."

"Miss Lin, you just said that besides asking me to find the location of the base in Shiranui, you also have two requests."

"One of the requests is for me to help you buy those things."

"What's the other request?"

"Another request is easier for you, Master Dongcheng." Lin said softly, "After you buy me the things I wrote on the paper, I hope you can lend me a batch of things that I can use your subordinates."

"I'm going to hire them."

"Ha, it's really an easy thing to do." Dongcheng smiled, "Okay, no problem! But—it also costs money to hire my subordinates."

"However, in order to show my apology for keeping you two waiting for so long today, I will pay you a little less for this employment fee."

"Thank you very much." After saying this in a flat tone, Lin picked up the saber that was placed beside her, "The matter to be discussed has been finished, Mr. Dongcheng, let's take our leave first."

"If you find the exact location of Shiranui, or buy the things I entrusted you to help buy, come to the hotel where I live now to find me and my people."

Lin quickly reported the address of the hotel where they are currently living.

"Miss Lin, Master Kinoshita, do you need me to see you off?"

"No need." Lin said without thinking, "Master Dongcheng, you should still have a lot of things to do, right? So I won't bother you any more."

"Hahaha! I just like Miss Lin's character! Hey! Zong Bing, send Miss Lin and the others away!"

As soon as Lord Dongcheng's words fell, there was a resounding echo from outside the door.

The paper sliding door of the room was pulled open, and the person who opened the door and the person who just responded was the young man who first informed Lin and Yuanyi that "Dongcheng is coming".

Under the leadership of this young man named Zongbing, Lin and Yuanyi left the mansion in Dongcheng.

After leaving the mansion and walking on an uninhabited path far away from the Dongcheng mansion, Yuan Yi stretched vigorously.

"The negotiation with Dawu Dongcheng was much smoother than expected." Yuan Yi smiled.

"The reason why it went so smoothly is because of your presence, Uncle." Lin said indifferently, "Dongcheng Dawu is a man who loves money like his life. As long as it is a business that can make a lot of money, he will not refuse."

"The reason why he agreed to all our commissions so happily just now is because you are present, uncle, and he dare not make mistakes."

"Uncle, didn't you notice that Dongcheng Dawu entered the room, and when he saw you present, his eyes changed immediately?"

"If you weren't there, believe it or not, he would have kept talking to me about everything, in order to get the most benefit from me."

"The reason why I brought you, Uncle, is to warn Dongcheng: 'Sword Master' Kinoshita Genichi is here too, so don't mess around."

"I feel like I'm about to become a powerful negotiating chip for you, Xiaolin." After making a little joke, Yuan Yi asked Lin, "Xiaolin, since you have successfully negotiated with Dongcheng Dawu about this mutually beneficial agreement The business is over, so what are we going to do now? Go directly to the hotel to rest?"

"...No." Lin said softly after being silent for a while, "I don't intend to go back to rest so soon."

"Although Dongcheng Dawu has been entrusted to help us find the location of Shiranui's base, it is still unknown how long it will take him to find the location of Shiranui."

"To be on the safe side, I want to entrust a few more powerful and trustworthy people in Edo to help me find the location of Shiranui..."

After finishing speaking, Lin turned her head and cast a questioning look at Yuan Yi beside her.

"Here in Edo, the only reliable and powerful person I know is Tojo Daigo."

"So - Uncle, I know that you have always had a wide network of contacts."

"Is there anyone in Edo who you think is reliable and can help us find the location of the base in Shiranui?"

"Is someone reliable and powerful enough..." Yuan Yi stroked the goatee on his chin.

After pondering for a while, Yuan Yi said softly "ah".

"There really is such a person."

"Who?"

"Xiao Lin, do you know the Shirobei clubhouse in Yoshihara?"

...

...

Edo, somewhere.

"There are a lot of people gathered in front." Ah Ding, who was holding a big blessing in his hand, said in a vague tone while nibbling the big blessing in his hand, "Ayi, let's go, let's see what's going on ahead."

After all, without waiting for Ogata's reply, A-Machi took the lead and walked quickly towards the crowd gathered in front.

Although it's a bit embarrassing to say this, Ogata has to admit - he and A-Machi seem to be a little more relaxed now.

To some extent, the two of them have become "playing first, supplemented by intelligence".

But—although he has realized that he and A-Machi seem to be a little too leisurely now, but Ogata does not intend to correct it.

From leaving Kyoto to now, Ogata's nerves have been tense almost all the time.

So Ogata is also willing to take this opportunity to let himself and A-cho relax a little bit.

However, the two returned leisurely, and the intelligence collection work did not actually fall behind too much.

After experiencing the little incident of "Yoshiwara Li Tongxin Gua Shengxiu catching the scum who ran away with arrears" at noon, and filling their stomachs at that sushi restaurant, the two successfully collected a piece of information in the afternoon. New information about the "Imperial Trial":

In the literary and military tests of the "Imperial Test", only the first place can get a bonus. The bonus for the first place in both the literary and military examinations is 20 taels.

20 taels - this is already a sum that is enough to make those ronin who live a poor life and warriors from poor families flock to it.

With such a high bonus amount, it was only natural that many warriors who were short of money were attracted.

The reason why the system is set up that only the first place can get the bonus is to motivate everyone to win the first place.

If it is set that there are bonuses for the top 3 or top 5, it will easily lead many people to have this idea: anyway, there are bonuses for other rankings, so it doesn’t matter if you don’t get the first place.

As far as Ogata knows—although only one person can get a bonus for both the literary and military examinations, there are still as many people who sign up for this "imperial examination".

It can be seen how amazing the allure of the 20 taels bonus is.

Those who are confident in their knowledge hope to get the 20 taels of the first place in the literary examination.

People who are confident in their martial arts are eager to get the 20 taels of the first place in the martial arts test.

There are also some people who are confident in their own knowledge and martial arts, and want to get all the 20 taels of the first place in the literary and martial arts examinations.

At the same time, there are also some people who are not interested in money, and the reason why they participate in this trial match is to compete with the masters.

In this way, a large number of people of all kinds gathered in the "Imperial Trial".

...

...

Ogata followed A-Machi and rushed towards the crowd in front of him.

After reaching the outermost edge of the crowd, the two raised their heads and looked into the crowd.

I saw a sedan chair in the innermost part of the crowd.

Everyone surrounded the sedan chair like this.

The sedan chair was parked in front of a magnificent mansion.

A few warriors dressed as guards guarded the sedan chair, preventing the spectators from approaching the sedan chair.

Looking at the sedan chair, Ogata muttered:

"Double waist cage... It seems that the person sitting in this sedan chair is from the Wu family..."

Japanese sedan chairs are also called "driving cages".

People of different classes can use different sedan chairs.

The double waist cage is a sedan chair that only warriors can use.

"What are you all doing here?" Ah-Ming turned her head and asked an uncle beside her, "Is there some important person sitting in the cage? Why are you all looking at this cage?"

"There is no big person sitting in the cage." The uncle replied, "Did you see that big mansion?"

The cage stopped in front of the gate of a magnificent mansion, and the big tree pouted towards this magnificent mansion.

"This is the home of a banner warrior with a salary of 7,000 shi."

"The eldest son of this family married the eldest daughter of another Banner warrior."

"Today is the day when these two families hold their wedding."

"The bride is sitting in the cage."

After listening to the uncle's explanation, Machi's face showed a strong interest.

He hastily turned his eyes away, focused his eyes on the sedan chair, and waited for the bride to come out of the sedan chair together with the people around her.

A faint look of curiosity appeared on Ogata's face at this time.

It has been more than a year since he came to the Edo period, but he has never seen a wedding in this era.

There are three main types of weddings in ancient Japan: weddings in front of gods, weddings in front of Buddhas, and weddings in front of people.

There are many differences between these 3 types of weddings.

The biggest difference is that the wedding in front of the god is held in a shrine, the wedding in front of the Buddha is held in front of a Buddha statue, and the wedding in front of a person is held at the groom's home.

Compared with the pre-god wedding and the pre-Buddhist wedding, the process of the pre-human wedding is much simpler.

The sedan chair on which the bride is riding is parked in front of the groom's house—this looks like a public wedding.

Under the expectation of everyone, a warrior standing next to the sedan chair finally opened the door of the sedan chair.

A young woman dressed in immaculate white walked out of the sedan chair slowly along the opened sedan door.

Bai Wugou—the wedding dress worn by ancient Japanese women.

Japan has believed that white is the color of sunlight and sacred since ancient times.

The white color of Baiwugou means cleanliness and cleanliness, and it also means that it can be dyed into various colors after entering the husband's house, which means it is easy to integrate into the husband's house.

The bride's face was lightly made up, and with Bai Wugou on her body, she looked extremely glamorous.

Immediately after the bride came out of the sedan chair, there were exclamations one after another from the crowd watching.

And when A-Machi saw the bride who finally appeared from the sedan chair, complex and weird lights flashed in his eyes.