Volume 6: Edo Castle Imperial Court Test Chapter 389: Hasegawa is frightened
The east is filled with morning glow.
The rows of golden clouds seemed to be waiting for the sun, just like ministers welcoming their king.
Today is quite nice weather.
Hasegawa woke up at dawn.
In order to facilitate his work, Hasegawa moved his residence into the headquarters of the Fire Thieves Kai.
As soon as he woke up, Hasegawa climbed out of the quilt and slowly walked to the window not far away.
After opening the window, beams of sunlight immediately poured into the room like a flood.
Looking at the sun rising from the horizon and the light blue sky, a satisfied smile slowly appeared on Hasegawa's face.
As he grows older, Hasegawa likes sunny days more and more.
Because once it was cloudy or rainy, Hasegawa would feel some pain in his knees and elbows.
And the pain is getting worse and worse.
About two years ago, the pain was mild.
But gradually, the pain reached a level that made Hasegawa very upset.
I saw many doctors but there was no improvement.
At the end of last year, after receiving treatment from a Dutch doctor in Edo, the disease finally showed some improvement.
But the good times did not last long - not long after, the elder councilor Matsudaira Sadanobu issued the "Prohibition of Heretical Learning", prohibiting all heretical learning, headed by Dutch learning.
The Dutch medical school was designated as the exclusive property of the shogunate, and the spread of exotic medical skills such as Dutch medicine was also curbed.
In order to avoid being affected by the "Prohibition of Heretical Learning", the Dutch doctor who had a way to cure Hasegawa's disease moved out of Edo overnight. Hasegawa didn't know where he lived now.
The only doctor who could cure his disease is no longer with us, and Hasegawa doesn't know what to do with his disease in the future.
Looking at the good weather outside the window, he thought of his illness, and then thought of the Dutch doctor who had a way to cure his illness. After thinking of this Dutch doctor, he thought of Matsudaira Sadanobu's "Prohibition of Heretical Learning" - after his thoughts jumped like this several times, a helpless sigh came out of Hasegawa's mouth.
Since Matsudaira Sadanobu took over the position of "former elder councilor" Tanuma Okitsugu and became the new elder councilor of the shogunate three years ago, he has carried out many reforms in the name of "revitalizing the power of the shogunate."
Hasegawa himself could not count how many areas Matsudaira Sadanobu had carried out reforms in the past three years.
The promulgation of the "Prohibition of Heretical Teachings" is a new reform announced by Matsudaira Sadanobu in recent times.
Hasegawa agreed with some of the reforms promulgated by Matsudaira Sadanobu over the past three years, but also opposed some.
Hasegawa was opposed to the promulgation of the "Prohibition of Heretical Teachings".
Hasegawa felt that at the very least, even foreign medicine should not be banned.
Although many people say that Lan medicine is useless, after trying to have Lan medicine treat him several times, Hasegawa feels that Lan medicine is not a useless medical skill.
It’s a pity that although Hasegawa opposed some of Matsudaira Sadanobu’s reforms, he did not dare to give his opinions to him.
First of all, his official position was not high enough to allow him to give advice to Matsudaira Sadanobu in person.
Secondly, because of the incident at Hitoshiyomachi, Matsudaira Sadanobu now dislikes Hasegawa very much.
He didn't want to provoke Matsudaira Sadanobu at this critical juncture.
Hasegawa stood in front of the window and stretched his muscles for a few times. Just as he was about to leave the room to wash up and then devote himself to today's official business, Yamazaki's voice suddenly rang out from outside the door:
"Master Hasegawa."
"It's Yamazaki, what's wrong?"
"The Makimura Yahachi from last night is here again. He brought a companion with him, and they are now outside the main gate of the headquarters."
"Hmm?" Hasegawa frowned, "Makimura Yahachi? Did he explain his purpose?"
"Yes. He said he wanted to talk to you again about what happened last night. Makimura Yahachi also said he wanted you, Hasegawa, to go to the main gate of the headquarters to find them."
After hearing the words "what happened last night", Hasegawa's pupils suddenly shrank.
"...I understand. Yamazaki, tell Makimura Yahachi to wait for me for a moment."
…
…
Hasegawa completed a series of necessary things to do when he just got up and was ready to meet people, such as washing .
After arriving alone at the headquarters gate, Hasegawa saw the burly figure of Makimura not far away from the gate.
As for the young samurai standing next to Makimura, Hasegawa didn't recognize him.
He was a young warrior with an ordinary appearance, looking like a simple farmer.
The handles and scabbards of the two swords at his waist were covered with handle covers and scabbard covers, so people couldn't even see what the handles and scabbards of the two swords at his waist looked like.
It was not uncommon to see people who cherished their swords and installed handle covers and scabbards on their swords, so Hasegawa did not think there was anything strange about the young samurai wrapping his sword tightly, and simply regarded the young man as a friend of Makimura.
After quickly walking up to Makimura, Hasegawa immediately started greeting him.
After exchanging pleasantries with Hasegawa for a while, Makimura introduced Hasegawa to the young samurai standing next to him.
"Master Hasegawa, didn't you say yesterday that you wanted to see what the genius of the Sixth Division who single-handedly wiped out your entire team looks like?"
"This is the talented friend of mine, Goro Majima, who recently came to work at the Shirobei Club because he was short of money."
As soon as Makimura finished speaking, the young samurai standing next to Makimura bowed slightly to Hasegawa in front of him.
After Makimura finished speaking, Hasegawa was stunned for a moment, then said in a tone that contained some joy:
"Are you the Majima Goro? I've heard a lot about you."
The young samurai standing next to Makimura said nothing in response to Hasegawa's enthusiasm.
"Master Hasegawa, my friend is shy and doesn't like to talk much. He is usually very quiet and can only say a few words a day, so please forgive me."
After hearing what Makimura said, Hasegawa nodded, and the expression on his face seemed to say "I understand."
"I have always wanted to personally apologize to you for what happened in Yoshiwara last night. It was my subordinates who took the initiative to cause trouble last night, causing you trouble."
The young warrior nodded in response.
"Okay, Master Hasegawa, let's stop here for the pleasantries." Makimura pointed to the fire thief Kaidaimon in front of him, "Can you take us to a quiet room like the one we had last night? Let's continue talking about what happened last night."
…
…
Hasegawa took Makimura and the young samurai directly back to the quiet room where he and Makimura had conducted secret operations the night before.
As soon as they sat down in this quiet room, Makimura said directly to Hasegawa:
"Lord Hasegawa, although I don't have the ability to participate in the 'Imperial Trial' and wish you a helping hand, my super-strong friend: Mashima-kun is willing to help you with this."
Makimura emphasized the word "super strong" and raised his hand to pat the shoulder of the young warrior next to him.
Hearing this and seeing this, a look of joy immediately appeared between Hasegawa's brows.
However, just after this hint of joy appeared on his face, Hasegawa's expression froze.
"Mucun, you should..."
Before Hasegawa finished speaking, Makimura guessed what he wanted to say and spoke first:
"Don't worry, Master Hasegawa. I only told these friends of mine that the Fire Thief Kai Hasegawa Heizo wanted to have more masters participate in the 'Gozen Trial' for some reason."
In order to allow the conversation to continue smoothly, Mucun told a small and insignificant lie.
Seeing that Makimura did not reveal the real reason why he wanted as many masters as possible to participate in the "Imperial Trial", Hasegawa's slightly stiff expression relaxed.
"Although I can allow my good friend to participate in the 'Imperial Trial', we have some conditions."
"Conditions?" Hasegawa raised his eyebrows. "What conditions?"
"Master Hasegawa." Makimura's expression became a little more serious, "We hope you can tell us the exact location of the base in Shiranui."
"And in the future, help us keep an eye on the movements of the Shiranui ninjas. Especially the movements of their leader, Enma."
After hearing what Makimura said, Hasegawa's face was filled with astonishment.
"... Makimura." Hasegawa said in a deep voice, "What do you want the information from Shiranui for?"
"...Lord Hasegawa." Makimura said with a wry smile, "I won't hide it from you either."
"The reason why I and some of my companions came to Edo was because of Shiranui."
"As for what it's for... that's up to you to imagine."
Makimura responded to Hasegawa 's question with a vague answer.
Hasegawa looked Makimura up and down several times with a strange look, then sighed softly:
"...Even if you didn't tell me, when I heard that you wanted to know the exact location of Shiranui and wanted me to help you keep an eye on the movements of the ninjas in Shiranui, I roughly guessed what you were going to do..."
"Makimura, do you have a grudge against Shiranui?"
"There is actually no hatred between me and Shiranui." Makimura shrugged, "The reason is hard to explain to you..."
"...Forget it, if you don't want to explain, then I won't force you." Hasegawa sighed again, "I'll tell you the exact location of Shiranui, and help you keep an eye on Shiranui's movements..."
"It's easy to help you keep an eye on Shiranui's movements... It's not difficult to do."
"But I'll tell you the exact location of Shiranui... I don't know the exact location of Shiranui's base, I only know its approximate location."
"Lord Hasegawa, you don't know the exact location of the Shiranui either?" Makimura looked puzzled.
Hasegawa nodded slightly and said:
"Shiranui is under the direct jurisdiction of the Shogun. Even the Lord Elder cannot give orders to the ninjas in Shiranui."
"As far as I know, it was Enma, the leader of the Shiranui, who asked the general not to disclose their exact location."
"I heard that because Shiranui's base was attacked by foreign enemies, Shiranui has been very careful to keep the location of his base secret since then."
"And the general agreed to them."
"The only people who know the exact location of Shiranui are probably the General and a few high-ranking officials headed by Lord Old Lord."
"But even though I don't know the exact location of Shiranui, I still know their approximate location."
"Approximate location..." Makimura said in a joking tone, "Lord Hasegawa, I also know the approximate location of Shiranui. It's near Edo."
"The approximate location I mentioned is not that broad." Hasegawa said in a helpless tone, "The approximate location of the Shiranui base that I know is much more specific than what you just said."
Having said this, Hasegawa paused.
After looking up at Makimura and "Majima" beside Makimura, he said in a deep voice:
"Makura, if you don't want to elaborate on why you want information about Shiranui, then I won't ask any more questions."
"Whether it's telling you the approximate location of the base in Shiranui, or helping you take the initiative to pay attention to the movements of the ninjas in Shiranui, it's not difficult for me."
"If you want to use these two points as conditions for Mashima-kun to participate in the 'Gozen Trial', then I would be very happy to do so."
After hearing what Hasegawa said, Makimura and "Mashima" looked at each other at the same time.
"Mashima" nodded first.
After seeing "Mashima" nodded, Makimura also nodded.
" Then..." Makimura turned his gaze back to Hasegawa, "Lord Hasegawa, thank you for your help."
"After that, please tell us the approximate location of Shiranui and help us take the initiative to keep an eye on the movements of the ninjas in Shiranui. Especially the movements of Enma and powerful ninjas like the 'Four Heavenly Kings'."
"It's just a few small favors. Compared to being able to allow a master like Majima-kun to participate in the 'Gozen Trial', it's just a trivial matter that is not worth mentioning."
Having said this, Hasegawa looked at "Mashima" who was sitting next to Makimura with a smile on his face.
"Masters like Mashima-kun are the ones I have always hoped would be able to participate in the 'Gozen Trial'."
Hearing Hasegawa's words, Majima couldn't help but smile.
Then——
"It's been a long time, Mr. Hasegawa. How should I put it... We really have a lot of fate. This is the third time we've met this year. It's really once a quarter. I suspect we might see each other again somewhere at the end of this year."
"Mashima" finally spoke his first words since meeting Hasegawa just now.
As soon as "Mashima" finished his words, Hasegawa's eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost, and his eyeballs seemed to be about to fall out of his sockets.
The original kneeling posture turned into an almost paralyzed posture.
He looked as if he was terrified.
The reason for such a big reaction was that this voice was quite familiar to him.
"You, you are?!" Hasegawa's voice trembled slightly due to surprise.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Hasegawa." Makimura smiled helplessly and with a hint of apology, "Until you agree to mutually benefit us and get Mr. Ogata's consent, I can't tell you Majima-kun's true identity."
"...I see." Hasegawa was silent for a while, then smiled bitterly, "No wonder my Sixth Division was completely wiped out...it turns out that the opponent they met was you..."
"Makimura, you were lying to me last night... I really thought Ogata Ittosai went to Aizu..."
"Mr. Hasegawa, it's been a long time since we last met in Kyoto." Ogata said with a smile.
"Yes." Hasegawa, who had regained his composure, nodded. "Ogata Ittosai, since we parted in Kyoto, I have always wanted to thank you in person. It's a pity that I was knocked unconscious by the explosion and I have never been able to see you again."
"Thank me? Thank me for what?"
"If you hadn't intervened in time and injured the person who threw the explosive grenade at us, I might have died."
Hearing Hasegawa's words, Ogata immediately remembered this incident.
Ogata and Hasegawa can be said to have a life-and-death friendship.
We were traveling together in Kyoto 3 months ago.
When the bald man was being interrogated, if Ogata and Makimura had not been quick-witted and worked together to throw back the bomb that was thrown into their room, Ogata would have been killed together with Hasegawa and ascended to heaven together.
"It's just a trivial matter." Ogata said softly, "I just saved you while saving myself."
Ogata had been thinking about whether or not to reveal his true identity in front of Hasegawa since last night.
Finally, Ogata decided that if Hasegawa agreed to cooperate with them, he would tell Hasegawa that Majima Goro was Ogata Yosei.
As for why he had to confess directly to Hasegawa, the main reason was very simple - he couldn't hide it anyway.
Hasegawa knew Ogata's voice and recognized Ogata's Sakakibara Ittoryu.
It is impossible for Ogata to remain silent and not use Sakakibara Ittoryu at the venue of the "Imperial Trial".
Hasegawa will mobilize his subordinates and friends to participate in the "Gozen Test Fighting", and the possibility of him going to observe the "Gozen Test Fighting" is extremely high.
Since Hasegawa knew his voice and the swordsmanship he used, it would be impossible to keep the secret from Hasegawa for long.
It would be better to just admit it directly.
Of course, there are other reasons: Ogata believes that Hasegawa will not do anything to him at this juncture, and - even if Hasegawa has bad intentions towards him, there is no way he can do anything to him.
"Lord Hasegawa, let me add one more condition." Ogata said in a half-joking tone, "Please do not come to arrest me before I leave Edo."
Hearing Ogata's words, which were full of joking meaning, Hasegawa looked at a loss whether to laugh or cry:
"I see. Anyway, I wanted you to participate in the 'Imperial Trial'."
"Besides, most of my elite fire thieves are not in Edo right now."
The helplessness on Hasegawa's face became even more intense.
"With most of the elite troops not in Edo, I have no chance of catching you..."
