I Was a Swordsman in Ancient Japan

"Sorry, please borrow it."

At this moment, an old man waved his hands and squeezed forward from the back of the crowd, all the way to Ogata's and the others.

"Master Shirobei?" Ogata exclaimed in a low voice, "Why are you here?"

"That's it..." Shirobei wiped the sweat off his face, and said with a wry smile, "It's a long story."

Just now, when the clubhouse learned that there was a conflict between the servants who went to the bayberry house for support and a group of banner warriors, Shirobei planned to go to the bayberry house immediately, check the details with his own eyes, and at the same time mediate by himself.

After all, conflicting with ronin and conflicting with banner warriors are two different things.

If there is a conflict with the Banner Samurai, if one is not handled well, it may cause a series of bigger troubles in the follow-up.

However, just as Shirobei was about to leave, Matsudaira Sadanobu, who came to their Yoshihara suddenly tonight, suddenly said coldly: "Master Shirobei, take me there too. I will also walk around in Yoshiwara by the way."

For all the requests made by Matsudaira Sadanobu, Shirobei naturally did not have any power and courage to refuse.

The first level of the official university crushes people, let alone Matsudaira Jonobu who is taller than Shirobei by who knows how many levels?

The bayberry house was built on the side of the road in Nakazhicho, not far from the Shirobei clubhouse.

Shirobei led several subordinates and led Matsudaira Sadanobu to run down the road, and soon arrived in front of the bayberry house.

After arriving at the scene of the dispute tonight, at the request of Matsudaira Sadanobu, they did not immediately step forward to mediate the dispute, but stood at the back of the crowd and watched Takikawa and others and Ogata and others quietly for a while. dispute.

Shirobei could only follow Matsudaira Sadanobu's request, and stood at the back of the crowd with Matsudaira Sadanobu, acting as a bystander.

There is no need to repeat what happened next.

Matsudaira Sadanobu, who had been watching quietly, suddenly asked Takikawa to withdraw the knife, and appeared in front of people, revealing his identity.

Matsudaira Jonobu, who suddenly appeared and revealed his identity, not only shocked everyone present, but also Shirobei who brought Matsudaira Jonobu here.

The one who came to Yoshiwara suddenly without saying hello was Matsudaira Sadanobu.

Arriving at the scene where the incident broke out, it was Matsudaira Sadanobu who expressed inexplicably that he was not in a hurry to step forward and asked to watch for a while.

It was Matsudaira Sadanobu who made a sudden noise and showed up, revealing his identity.

Shirobei felt that he was going to be unable to keep up with the rhythm of his immediate boss who was on the top of his head...

After Sadanobu Matsudaira first revealed his identity, Shirobei who had been standing at the end of the crowd with Matsudaira Sadanobu just now also squeezed his way out of the crowd and came to the side of Ogata and others.

Shirobei, the boss of the Shirobei clubhouse, also came, but the staff of the clubhouse present did not pay too much attention to their boss who also came here.

As early as when Uesaka called out "Master Laozhong", the surroundings fell into silence for an instant.

After all, anyone with a little brain knows what the word "Laozhong" stands for.

Takigawa and the others who caused trouble.

Ogata and others who came to mediate the incident.

The onlookers who came to join in the fun.

That's right, men, women, young and old, samurai of the townspeople, after Uesaka yelled "Old and middle-aged adults", they all stared at Matsudaira Sadanobu who suddenly appeared.

And after Matsudaira Sadanobu said the name "Mashima Goro", the scene was so quiet that you could even hear a needle drop to the ground, it seemed that the suspended magic began to flow, in a kind of not too much There was a commotion in Zhang Yang's state.

People who are unfamiliar with the name "Mashima Goro" look puzzled.

Those who knew who was "Mashima Goro" focused their attention on the person with this name.

Guasheng had the strongest reaction.

Guasheng opened his mouth slightly, his pretty cheeks were a little stiff, and he looked at Ogata standing beside her in shock.

Compared with Gua Sheng's reaction, there was another person who was even worse.

That is Takikawa.

Takikawa had never met Matsudaira Sadanobu.

So it wasn't until he saw Matsudaira Sadanobu's appearance and called out the honorific title of "Old and Middle-sama", that Takikawa finally realized what kind of a big man this person who suddenly appeared in front of him was.

If Matsudaira Sadanobu's appearance just now was like hitting Takikawa's head with a small hammer.

Then after Matsudaira Sadanobu said "Mashima Goro is my guest", Takikawa felt as if the whole Mount Fuji had hit him on the head from top to bottom.

With this strong impact, the consciousness that was somewhat chaotic due to drunkenness immediately regained its sobriety.

From some perspectives, Takikawa's reaction was stronger than Guasheng's.

Both of Takikawa's lips trembled in shock.

——Guest, guest? !

——Isn't he... just a rogue...?

No matter what, Takikawa has no way to equate "ronin" with "guest of old people".

Who is Lao Zhong? In addition to the shogun and the non-permanent post of elder, the person who holds the highest power in the shogunate.

How could a mere rogue who just found a job in the Shirobei Clubhouse not long ago become an old rogue?

The shock was so strong that Takikawa's mind went blank.

When Takikawa was still standing there blankly with a blank head, Uesaka who was standing beside him was the first to react.

Uesaka, who had just bowed to Matsudaira Sadanobu in the position of Dogeza, stood up straight away. Although there was still fear in his eyes, Uesaka still managed to maintain a neither humble nor humble posture, bowing to Ogata, Said in an apologetic tone:

"I don't know that my servant turned out to be the guest of Mr. Laozhong, I was confused, please forgive me."

Because Takikawa didn't tell anyone about his grievances with Ogata in detail, Uesaka didn't know what happened between Takikawa and Ogata.

Uesaka didn't know who "Mashima Goro" was until Takikawa's conversation before Matsudaira Josanobu appeared just now.

Uesaka was even less sure why a young samurai who appeared to be nothing more than working in a tea house in Yoshiwara would be the guest of the elder.

He has only one thought now - he must try his best to settle the current crisis at the lowest price.

In fact, let alone Gua Sheng, Takikawa and the others.

Ogata himself is now in a state of bewilderment.

guest? who? me?

The above are just what Ogata was thinking when he heard the mysterious man called "Old Middle School" say that Goro Mashima was his guest.

Ogata can guarantee that this is the first time he has seen this veteran.

For the current old middle school of the shogunate, his only impression is that his name is "Matsudaira Sadanobu", and now he is vigorously launching a large-scale reform of the shogunate, so as to move out many reform projects.

"What exactly happened, I already knew from his mouth just now." Matsudaira Sadakami said in an unhurried tone, still with his hands behind his back, "I didn't expect the cause of the incident, it was just because the handle of your saber was broken by a maiko. Be careful that the wine that comes out of the knocked-down wine bottle is just dirty."

Matsudaira Sadanobu turned his head, and looked at Takikawa with an indifferent gaze that seemed to contain no emotion.

The eyes are so calm that the word "stare" is too intense and inappropriate to describe it.

"It's really inappropriate to draw a knife just for this kind of thing."

Matsudaira Sadanobu did not say any long speeches.

It was just two sentences of Mandarin that were not too long.

But it was these two short sentences that made Takigawa's face, which was already as pale as if there was no blood at all because he knew that Ogata was Matsudaira's guest, become even paler.

Like a conditioned reflex, as soon as Matsudaira's voice fell, Takikawa turned his body to face the direction of Matsudaira's, bent his knees, lay down on the tatami, and assumed a very standard Dogeza.

"I'm confused! Please forgive me, my lord!"

Takikawa actually didn't feel that he had done anything wrong just now.

He drew his sword and cut the "samurai soul" dirty with a low-level maiko. What's wrong?

But now he dare not speak out his true thoughts.

He had just heard that Matsudaira Sadanobu was very dissatisfied with his behavior of drawing a sword at the maiko just now.

At this moment, he just wanted to quickly ask the old man for forgiveness.

Matsudaira Sadanobu holds great power, and is very trusted and reused by the young general who has just ascended to the throne and is only 17 years old this year.

No matter how much courage Takigawa was given, he would not dare to offend Matsudaira Sadanobu.

After hesitating for a while, Uesaka, who was standing beside Takikawa, and the rest of Takikawa's friends decided to kneel on the ground with Takikawa, begging for forgiveness from the elder.

After all, if the elders blamed it, they must bear some joint and several responsibilities...

Takikawa glanced at Takikawa with still indifferent eyes:

"Don't do anything to that maiko who accidentally made a mistake."

"Don't even think about getting revenge afterwards."

"I don't want to learn the news that this maiko died tragically on the street for no reason in the future, understand?"

"Understood!" Takikawa, who was covered in cold sweat and still maintained the Dogeza posture, lowered his head and pressed his forehead tightly on the tatami.

"Also, remember to compensate the shopkeeper. If you make such a fuss, the shopkeeper will lose a lot of money."

"Yes!" Takikawa said loudly again.

"And—your behavior should be regarded as disturbing the order of Yoshihara, and you will consciously report to the Shirobei Clubhouse later, and receive the punishment you deserve."

"Yes!" Just as Matsudaira Sadanobu had finished speaking, Takikawa hurriedly echoed again loudly.

Takikawa had already made up his mind.

No matter what Matsudaira Sadanobu said, he agreed to it one by one. Try to restore his image in Matsudaira Sadanobu's eyes as much as possible.

After silently stating the three conditions for Takikawa and others to fulfill, Matsudaira Sadanobu turned his head and looked at Shirobei who had just come with him.

"The dispute tonight was caused by nothing more than a trivial matter."

"So—let's call it a day. What do you think? Shirobei-sama."

"Of course!" Shirobei nodded hastily, "It's really a perfect solution!"

At the end of the story, Shirobei did not forget to flatter Matsudaira Sadanobu a little.

"Then let's do this." Shirobei slightly nodded, "That's the end of tonight's incident. You guys remember to go to Shirobei's clubhouse to receive the punishment you deserve."

...

...

Under Matsudaira Sadanobu's few words, the dispute that was about to erupt into violent conflict ended peacefully and perfectly.

After mediating the incident in person, Matsudaira Sadanobu led the young man who had been by his side and left the scene, where he went.

It's worth mentioning that before leaving, Matsudaira Joshin walked up to Shirobei and whispered something to Shirobei.

After whispering to Shirobei for a while, Matsudaira Sadanobu slowly left from the sight of everyone.

When Matsudaira Sadanobu whispered something to Shirobei, Shirobei kept nodding vigorously, and Shirobei nodded seriously, as if saying: Okay, I understand.

Because Matsudaira Jonobu was whispering in Shirobei's ear, so other people except Shirobei did not know what Matsudaira Jonobu said to Shirobei.

After Matsudaira Sadanobu finished whispering, Shirobei immediately said something to a subordinate who had followed him to the bayberry house just now.

After Shirobei's subordinate said softly "I see", he immediately followed Matsudaira Sadanobu and left the scene with Matsudaira Sadanobu.

Naturally, Takikawa, Uesaka and the others don't have the face to hold a banquet here anymore. After obediently following Matsudaira Sadanobu's instructions and paying Yangmei House a large amount of compensation, they slowly left the Yangmei House and walked towards Shiro Bingwei Clubhouse, ready to receive the punishment he deserved.

After Takikawa and the others left, Shirobei also left.

Because Takikawa's status is not low, Shirobei has to personally decide how to punish the group of people who disturbed the order of Yoshihara.

Before Shirobei left, Ogata asked Shirobei specifically what kind of punishment Takigawa and the others would suffer.

According to Shirobei, because of the faults Takikawa and the others made tonight, they only caused some property damage to the bayberry house, disrupted the management of the bayberry house, and insulted the servants of their Shirobei clubhouse. No greater fault was committed.

Therefore, the punishment they received was at best to pay a fine and then live in the prison of their Shirobei Club for 2 or 3 days.

The matter has been settled peacefully, and Ogata and the others who were sent to support Yangmeiwu's clubhouse will naturally go back to everyone. He will go back to wherever they were on duty before Takikawa and others made trouble.

However——Ogata did not continue to be on duty in Yangmei House.

When Shirobei left, he brought Ogata back to the Shirobei clubhouse.

...

...

Ogata: "Master Shirobei, take me back to the Shirobei clubhouse, what's the matter?"

Shirobei and Ogata walked in tandem on the road back to Shirobei's clubhouse.

"Well..." Shirobei smiled helplessly, "It's not convenient to go into details now, you will know later."

Because Yangmei House and Shirobei Clubhouse are not far apart, not long after leaving Yangmei House, Ogata and Matsudaira Sadanobu saw the lantern with the two Chinese characters "club" hanging at the door. A mansion of style.

Shirobei led Ogata into the clubhouse, turned through corridors and stairs, and came to the top floor, which is in front of a room on the third floor.

Ogata knew what this room was.

It is a reception room specially used to receive visiting distinguished guests.

Ogata had been introduced by Guasheng before - because there are very few distinguished guests, this room has not been used for a long time, but he still cleans the room carefully every day for emergencies.

"Mashima-kun, go in." Shirobei said seriously, "There is...a guest waiting for you inside."

"Guest?" Although Ogata was puzzled, he nodded vigorously, "I understand."

--guest……?

This is the second time Ogata heard this word tonight.

After hearing the word "guest" from Shirobei, Okai suddenly thought: Could it be that person...?

Ogata slowly opened the door of the room while thinking "could it be that person".

The room is very bright, with a total of 6 candles inserted in 6 different corners of the room, illuminating the room very brightly, like daytime.

On the tatami mat on the north side of the room, two people are sitting upright.

2... people that Ogata met just now.

Looking at the two people who were sitting upright, as if they were waiting for someone, the corners of Ogata's mouth twitched involuntarily.

——It really is that person...

The identities of the two people sitting in the room accurately hit Ogata's conjecture just now-the old Naka Matsudaira Sadanobu, and the young man who has been following Matsudaira Sadanobu all the time.

"My lord." Shirobei Asamatsudaira said in a respectful voice, "Mashima Goro-kun is here."

"Thank you." Matsudaira Sadanobu slightly nodded, "Shiroubei, you go down first."

"yes."

After a respectful reply, Shirobei turned and left.

But when he left, Shirobei whispered to Ogata beside him:

"Mashima-kun, go in quickly. It will be rude to stand at the door of the room all the time."

Hearing Shirobei's words, Ogata hesitated for a moment, then walked slowly into the room holding Dashiten in his right hand.

After Ogata entered the room, Shirobei who stayed outside the room helped Ogata close the door.

The light in this corridor also became dim due to the closing of the door of this room.

After closing the door, Shirobei let out a long sigh of relief.

Just now, the words that Matsudaira Tadashin whispered in his ear, if the content is simplified, the main content is: prepare a quiet room in your Shirobei clubhouse where no one will disturb, and then put Mashima Goro-kun brought it here.

After receiving this order from Matsudaira Sadanobu, Shirobei asked the reliable subordinate who followed him to Yangmei House to lead Matsudaira Sadanobu back to the club, and then took the highest-level room that was not used much but was always cleaned. The reception room was vacated to give Songping credit.

After successfully bringing Ogata in accordance with Matsudaira Sadanobu's instructions, Shirobei no longer stayed here, and quickly left from the door.

...

...

In the room—

Ogata knelt down in front of Matsudaira Sadanobu in a very standard posture.

Da Shitian lay quietly on the tatami on the right side of his body.

Matsudaira Sadanobu didn't speak to Ogata immediately.

Instead, he turned his head and said to the young warrior sitting next to him:

"Tachibana, you should go out first too."

"Stay at the door and don't let anyone approach here."

"Yes." The young warrior answered without any hesitation.

Nodding his head forcefully, he picked up the saber that was placed on the tatami on the right, and quickly exited the room.

With the young samurai gone, only Ogata and Matsudaira Sadanobu were left sitting face to face in the room.

It wasn't until the young samurai left that Matsudaira Sadanobu finally said to Ogata tonight... no, it should be said that it was the first sentence the two had spoken since they met.

"Mashima Goro-kun."

A faint smile appeared on Matsudaira Sadanobu's face.

"I finally saw you."

"Don't be so formal."

"Take it easy."

"Just imagine you're... chatting with a friend."

"Come with me tonight and have a good chat, Mashima Goro-kun."