Volume 4: The Undead Chapter 262 "Become the best in the world!"
There was no way that Inamori could be as indifferent to the soldiers who landed on the island as Matsudaira Sadanobu.
Although Matsudaira Sadanobu raised his hand to signal him to be quiet, Inamori still whispered to him unwillingly:
"Master Lao Zhong, there are many doubts about what this monk just said."
"I think we should interrogate him more carefully."
However, Matsudaira Sadanobu did not think it was important what happened to the soldiers who landed on the island, and simply said:
"We'll talk about this later."
Hearing what Matsudaira Sadanobu said, Inamori's heart immediately sank.
He is very familiar with this kind of official language.
Considering Matsudaira Sadanobu's indifferent look, I'm afraid he won't spend too much energy in the future to find out the truth behind the deaths of all the soldiers who landed on the island.
After sighing silently, Inamori continued to speak to Matsudaira Sadanobu:
"Master Laozhong, if what this monk said is true, then I think we should immediately pursue those who killed our soldiers. They are prisoners after all, and we cannot let those six prisoners get away with it."
Matsudaira Sadanobu did not object to Inamori's suggestion and nodded slightly.
"Hey!" Inamori shouted to Zong Hai, "Which direction did the six prisoners who escaped by boat go?"
Zong Hai pointed to the west and said, "He fled towards that direction."
After taking a look at the direction Zong Hai pointed, Daosen immediately gave orders to the generals and soldiers beside him, asking him to organize his troops to chase in the direction Zong Hai pointed.
Of course—Inamori was skeptical of everything Zong Hai said from beginning to end.
So Inamori did not stupidly send pursuers only in the direction pointed by Zong Hai, he sent pursuers in all directions.
Of course—not only were the number and appearance of the prisoners nonsense, but the direction Zong Hailian pointed to was indeed the wrong direction.
Ogata and his companions did not flee to the west at all.
Inamorimoto also wanted the soldiers to check the prisoner list to see which prisoners met the physical characteristics that Zong Hai had just mentioned.
But after thinking about it, Inamori gave up his idea.
If we really check according to those extremely common physical characteristics that Zong Hai just mentioned, at least half of the prisoners on the list meet these characteristics.
As for Matsudaira Sadanobu, after he agreed to let Inamori send out pursuers to chase the escaped prisoners, he said to Munehi in a slightly joking tone:
"Since you have already learned from those prisoners that our shogunate has decided to massacre Choujima, how dare you come to us?"
"You just said that you came here to tell us important information about the cannibal ghosts - I'm afraid this is false, right?"
"You've come here to convince us to let you islanders live, am I right?"
After listening quietly to what Matsudaira Sadanobu said, the smile on Zong Hai's face turned bitter.
"...You are right. I came here hoping to find a way out for the common people of Butterfly Island."
"...Then tell me about it." Matsudaira Sadanobu stood with his hands behind his back, "Try to tell me the reason that will make me decide to let you go."
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself."
"After chatting for such a long time, I am so rude for not introducing myself yet."
"My name is Matsudaira Sadanobu, please give me your guidance."
After knowing the name of this middle-aged man, both Zong Hai and Matsumoto's expressions changed.
Needless to say, Matsumoto.
Even Munemiya, who lived a secluded life in seclusion in a remote place, had heard of the name of the new shogunate's elder brother.
Neither of them had expected that the person they were going to negotiate with would be the elder councilor of the shogunate.
Although Matsumoto was a well-known doctor, this was the first time he saw such a high-ranking official. He was already a little nervous, and his face became even paler.
Even Zong Hai felt his heartbeat quicken slightly.
After taking several deep breaths and trying to slow down his heartbeat a little, Zong Hai spoke fluently the words he had prepared long ago.
Zong Hai briefly described to Matsudaira Sadanobu and others what he had experienced before the outbreak of the "Ogre Rebellion".
It tells the story from the time when the strange master and apprentice pair of Kazuyo and Kazunao moved to their Butterfly Island, all the way to their sudden departure and how on the eve of their departure Kazunao specifically warned him not to drink the water of the Linong River.
However, in order to avoid unnecessary trouble, Zong Hai concealed the fact that "He Zhi also gave him the medicine that could suppress the immortal poison."
At the end of the day, Zong Hai gave a summary evaluation:
"The instigators of this series of changes on Butterfly Island are most likely the mysterious master and apprentice, Kazuyo and Kazunao."
Having said this, Zong Hai paused, raised his eyes and observed the reactions of Matsudaira Sadanobu and others at this time.
Whether it was Matsudaira Sadanobu or the other important officials beside him, their faces were filled with surprise at this moment.
Especially Matsudaira Sadanobu—the expression on his face suddenly darkened.
Was the disturbance on Die Island natural or man-made? The difference between the two is huge.
If the riot on Chou Island was really caused by the suspicious master and disciple, then Matsudaira Sadanobu would have to re-evaluate the extent of the harm caused by this "cannibal rebellion."
Seeing that people like Matsudaira Sadanobu all had serious expressions on their faces, Zong Hai felt a little relieved.
Making Matsudaira Sadanobu and others feel a sense of crisis - this was considered a preliminary achievement of Zong Hai's expectations.
After clearing his throat, Zong Hai continued:
"If this cannibal disaster is man-made, then I think we must be prepared. We must speed up our research on cannibals."
"We, the islanders who will become cannibals after death, are the best subjects for research and observation!"
"Keeping us here will definitely benefit our research on man-eating ghosts!"
This was the argument that Sokai and the villagers led by Chikanosuke came up with after discussions, which might convince Matsudaira Sadanobu to give them a way out - to let Matsudaira Sadanobu keep them as research subjects for cannibal ghost research.
That's the only thing of value in them.
Apart from this card, they have no other cards to play.
It is better to be the subject of an experimental study than to die in obscurity.
Although life as an experimental research subject may not be much better, and may even be worse than death...but driven by the instinct for survival, the islanders led by Chikanosuke decided to give it a try.
Matsudaira Sadanobu did not immediately respond to Zonghai's words.
Instead, he frowned slightly, pursed his lips, and began to think.
At this moment , Hanai, the famous doctor standing next to Matsudaira Sadanobu, said in a deep voice:
"Master Laozhong...if the cannibal ghost chaos on Butterfly Island is man-made...then I think we must restart the research on cannibal ghosts."
"While keeping the inhabitants of Die Island, thoroughly investigate the source of the Linong River."
"If the reason why the islanders of Die Island turned into cannibals was really because they drank the water of the Linong River, then this means that there must be something wrong with the source of the Linong River."
Seeing that Ban Jing was speaking for them in disguise, Zong Hai and Matsumoto Qingren both showed joy on their faces.
However, Matsudaira Sadanobu did not express his opinion immediately.
Matsudaira Sadanobu's reluctance to express his opinion made Zong Hai gradually anxious.
——Let’s take a gamble!
After shouting loudly in his heart, Zong Hai gritted his teeth and said loudly to Matsudaira Sadanobu:
"Lord Rochu! Don't you want the shogunate to master this power that can make people immortal?"
Zong Hai's words made everyone present look surprised.
After hearing what Zong Hai said, Matsudaira Sadanobu raised his eyebrows and a strange light flashed in his eyes.
"Although I don't know much about cannibal ghosts."
Zong Hai continued.
"But - I am sure that the culprit that caused the residents of Butterfly Island to become cannibals is definitely not a disease!"
"Ordinary diseases don't have the power to make people immortal!"
"I would like to make a bold guess here - the culprit that caused the residents of Butterfly Island to turn into cannibals is a special power!"
"Similar to the special power of the mermaid meat that made Yaobikuni immortal."
"A special power that can rival the power of gods, demons, devils, and Buddhas!"
"Don't you want to hold this powerful force in your hands, so that the Edo Shogunate can continue for thousands of years?"
This set of rhetoric was just something Zong Hai came up with on the spur of the moment.
Although Munemiya didn't know much about the new senior councilor Matsudaira Sadanobu, he had heard some rumors about him.
As far as Zong Hai knows, Matsudaira Sadanobu is a man who is extremely loyal to the general and the Edo shogunate.
He is a person who will do anything to protect the Edo Shogunate.
The major reforms he is currently carrying out with the Shogun are aimed at revitalizing the Edo Shogunate.
So Zong Hai came up with this set of words to persuade Matsudaira Sadanobu on the spur of the moment.
The culprit that caused the residents of Butterfly Island to turn into cannibals was a special force - this was actually something Zong Hai said casually.
The reason why he casually said that the "Ogre Rebellion" was caused by a special force was simply to make it easier for him to convince Matsudaira Sadanobu to make up his mind to study the Ogres and leave the inhabitants of Choujima a way out.
After saying this, Zong Hai immediately couldn't wait to observe the changes in Matsudaira Sadanobu's expression.
Although it was very subtle, Zong Hai indeed noticed that after Matsudaira Sadanobu heard what he had just said, his expression was indeed slightly different from before.
Matsudaira Sadanobu cast a meaningful look at Munehi.
After a long while, Matsudaira Sadanobu finally opened his mouth, which had been tightly closed since a while ago.
Amidst his anxiety, Zong Hai finally received the answer from Matsudaira Sadanobu...
…
…
After Sokai and Matsumoto Kiyohit set out to negotiate with the shogunate, Kinnosuke and others all lay on the fence of the warship, waiting for Sokai and others to return.
After anxiously waiting for nearly an hour, they finally saw Zong Hai and Matsumoto appear in their field of vision again.
The two men returned to the warship in the small boat they had set out in.
As soon as they stepped onto the deck of the warship, Chikanosuke and others surrounded Sokai and the others with nervous looks on their faces.
"Soukai..." Chikanosuke took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. "What did the people from the shogunate say?"
Sokai did not immediately answer Chikanosuke's question.
Instead, he looked around at the islanders around him with an expressionless face.
Then--
Smile slightly.
"Fortunately, I have accomplished my mission."
As Zong Hai finished his words, cheers that seemed to lift the entire sky apart immediately erupted on the deck.
Zong Hai briefly told everyone the conditions that Matsudaira Sadanobu offered them - he could give them a way out.
But they will be placed on an uninhabited desert island not far from Butterfly Island.
Although they lost their freedom, the shogunate would guarantee their daily food and safety.
Their obligations were to obey the arrangements of the shogunate, not leave the island without the shogunate's permission, and cooperate with their research on cannibals.
For Chikanosuke and the others, as long as they can continue to live, that's enough.
Even though life may be very frustrating, as long as you can continue to live, it's enough.
As long as you can stay alive, these obligations are not a problem at all.
Because he was too excited, Chikanosuke hugged Sokai directly.
"Zong Hai...thank you for your hard work..."
In response to Chikanosuke's thanks, Sokai just smiled and said nothing.
Zong Hai raised his head.
I looked at the sky which had been dyed orange by the sunset.
Then he whispered in a voice that only he could hear:
"Donor Ogata... we... survived..."
…
…
After the warship carrying Chikanosuke, Sokai and other islanders left Choujima, Ogata and his four companions boarded one of the small boats on the warship and parted ways with Chikanosuke and his companions.
The direction Ogata and his companions left was - heading south towards the depths of the sea.
The plan of Ogata and his men was to make a big circle near the coast, land at a place far away from the shogunate army camp.
However, after parting with Chikanosuke and the others, Ogata and the others did not leave immediately.
Instead, he kept a distance from the warship that Chikanosuke and his companions were on so that he could always see the silhouette of the warship.
The main reason why they did not leave immediately was because Ogata and his men wanted to know whether Chikanosuke and his men had successfully persuaded the officials of the shogunate.
Even though they were quite far away, Ogata and his companions could still clearly hear the huge cheers coming from the warship.
Hearing the cheers, a gratified smile appeared on Mucun's face and he said:
"It seems... Kinnosuke and the others succeeded..."
"Yeah." Mamiya also sighed, then took the two oars beside him, "Then - let's go too."
After inserting the two oars into the sea, Mamiya rowed the boat with extreme skill, and the boat moved rapidly on the sea at a speed that was somewhat frightening.
"Mamiya, you can also row a canoe?" Ogata couldn't help but ask Mamiya.
"I once learned the techniques and skills of rowing a canoe in Satsuma."
"I don't know if the people from the shogunate will really keep their promise and never take the lives of Chikanosuke and others again..." Atachi, who was sitting next to Ogata, couldn't help but mutter.
"Who knows..." Ogata couldn't help but shrugged, "This kind of thing is beyond our control."
"I can only hope that the officials of the shogunate will really keep their promises and wish Chikanosuke and his men good luck..."
Having said that, Ogata couldn't help but turn his head and glance at the warship that was rapidly shrinking from his field of vision.
"I feel a little sorry for Chikanosuke and Sokai..."
Ogata said softly.
"If you want a way out, you have to negotiate with others humbly."
"You have to say something like 'use us as experimental subjects' to get out of this situation..."
Before they parted, Sokai told Ogata and the others about the argument he was going to use to persuade the shogunate to give them a chance to live.
"There's nothing we can do about it." Mucun replied expressionlessly, "No matter how the times change, these helpless civilians will always be the ones who suffer the most."
"Ordinary people like Chikanosuke and Sokai who have no one to rely on have to do their best just to survive, and they may even have to give up self-esteem and freedom, which are extremely precious to others."
After hearing what Makimura said, Ogata couldn't help but lower his eyes to look at his hands covered with calluses.
"...How strong do I have to be so that I don't have to beg for a way out like Chikanosuke and Sokai..."
The tone of Ogata's words sounded as if he was asking someone else, but also as if he was asking himself.
"Become unrivaled in the world!"
Mamiya, who was sitting beside Ogata and operating the boat seriously, said casually.
"When you become as unrivaled as Master Genichi, and can fight against thousands of troops with your own strength, you will be able to treat the shogunate as nothing."
"Unparalleled in the world..."
Ogata chewed over the words that Mamiya had just uttered and looked up at the orange sky.
His face looked thoughtful.
But I just don't know what he is thinking.
