Only about two hours had passed since the five of them had lunch together and began discussing government affairs.
After a long battle of words, even Ding Xin and Beichuan, who were still in their prime, felt a little tired.
Young and strong people like Sadanobu and Kitagawa would feel tired, not to mention middle-aged and elderly people like Yoshimoto who are already 50 years old.
All the urgent and important government affairs that need to be discussed have been discussed almost completely.
Since everything that needed to be discussed had been discussed, and it was not early, and everyone was a little tired, Matsudaira Sadanobu announced that the meeting for today would be over.
With this order from Matsudaira Sadanobu, the other three young no Yoshiru except Kitagawa were pardoned.
Only Kitagawa still looked like he had not talked enough and wanted to continue discussing government affairs.
Kitagawa wanted to have a good talk with Matsudaira Sadanobu about the matter of "sending envoys to the southern barbarian countries for investigation."
But considering that it was really late and he was also a little tired, he had to give up and decided to postpone the matter until the right time came and he would discuss it in detail with Matsudaira Sadanobu.
Four young no Yoshiro, led by Kitagawa, walked out of this room which was specially used for meetings of high-ranking officials of the shogunate.
Just after walking out of the room for a short distance, Yoshimoto let out a long breath as if he had unloaded some huge weight tied to his body .
"When people get old, not only do they lose their physical strength, but they also lose their energy..."
Yoshimoto sighed like this while rubbing his thighs.
Kneeling for more than two hours continuously - this is not something that Yoshimoto, who is already old, can do easily.
"Today's meeting is indeed taking much longer than usual." Another one of the four young men who spoke was Matsudaira Takaki.
"It's a pity that we couldn't reach an agreement in one go to send envoys to investigate the southern barbarian countries." After saying this, Beichuan let out a long sigh.
"Kitagawa-kun, I don't think it's necessary to send envoys to the southern barbarian countries." Yoshimoto said softly, "I think it's enough to let this country continue to remain as it is."
"Our country lacks nothing, and the world is peaceful. Since the conquest of the Toyotomi family, there has not been a large-scale war on our land for nearly two hundred years."
"Why bother communicating with the Nanman?"
"So - Beichuan-kun, I cannot agree with your proposal to send envoys to communicate with the southern barbarian countries."
"Master Yoshimoto..." Kitagawa sighed helplessly, "Have you forgotten the envoys to the Sui and Tang dynasties a thousand years ago?"
"Thousands of years ago, the Sui and Tang dynasties were powerful. my country learned from them and thus became what it is today."
"And now the southern barbarian countries have invented a device that seems to be quite powerful. Is there anything wrong with us following the example of a thousand years ago and learning from the southern barbarian countries?"
"If the 'steam engine' really has the power of a hundred animals as George said in his post, then we can't miss it at all costs."
Having said that, Beichuan sighed again.
"Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore."
"If I wasn't a little tired now, I would definitely have a good debate with you."
Seeing that Kitagawa had voluntarily given up debating with him, Yoshimoto breathed a sigh of relief, looking as if he had just escaped a disaster.
"Beichuan." At this moment, a question suddenly sounded, "Why did you suddenly want to ask Mr. Laozhong whether the rumor was true?"
The person who asked this question was another young man named Matsudaira Kimizan.
Kitagawa Toshiki, Yoshimoto Suzeemon, Matsudaira Takaki, and Matsudaira Kimizan - these four people are the current four young novices of the shogunate.
As soon as Junshan finished asking the question, Beichuan immediately replied:
"No particular reason."
"I just heard this rumor from other friends, so I came to verify it with Mr. Laozhong."
"After all, this kind of rumor can't be just a joke."
Having said this, Beichuan showed a hint of contempt.
"How can we allow the imperial examination system, which has long been extinct, to be revived in our country?"
"There are a large number of excellent samurai in our country. These excellent samurai in our country are enough to fill all the vacancies in the shogunate and major feudal domains."
"It's absurd to ask a bunch of peasants who were carrying hoes not long ago to serve as officials in the shogunate and the feudal government."
"I also think that reviving the imperial examination system is not advisable." Junshan said, "But I think the examination method of 'Imperial Examination' is worth continuing."
"Thanks to the 'Imperial Trial' by Lord Laozhong, I have an idea that will definitely benefit the country and the people. I wonder if you are willing to listen to it."
Beichuan, Yoshimoto and Takashi, who were walking in front of Junshan, turned their heads and looked at Junshan, who was walking at the end.
"I'm all ears." Beichuan said.
"I plan to make a suggestion to the general in the future - let Changpingzaka Academy recruit a large number of children of shogunate officials and teach them the Four Books, Five Classics, Three Rituals, history, and poetry."
“We will train the sons of the shogunate officials who enter the Changpingzaka Academy into talented people who can assist the shogunate.”
Junshan told the story with great excitement.
Changpingzaka Academy - also known as "Changping School", is a high school directly under the Edo Shogunate.
The highest institution of Confucian education during the Edo period.
The predecessor of the school was the Kobun-in Institute founded by Hayashi Razan. In 1691, the Tokugawa shogunate authorized the Hayashi family to guide the worship of Confucius and took Kobun-in Institute under the direct jurisdiction of the shogunate. At the same time, the name of "Kobun-in Institute" was changed to "Changpingzaka Gakumonso".
"While recruiting a large number of shogunate children to study at Changpingzaka Academy, we also conduct regular examinations to see how well the children have learned."
"Give generous rewards to the children of the shogunate who achieve good rankings in this assessment."
As soon as Junshan finished speaking, Beichuan nodded.
"I see... Is this the inspiration you got from the 'God's Trial' you just mentioned..."
"Allowing the children of the shogunate members to attend the Changpingzaka Academy and taking regular exams... is a good idea," Yoshimoto also agreed.
"I have already thought of a name for this regular assessment of the children of the shogunate." Junshan smiled with a hint of pride, "It's called 'Academic Appreciation'."
"'Xue' in 'learning'."
"The 'ask' of the question."
"The 'chant' of chanting."
“The ‘flavor’ of miso.”
After reciting the word "Genwei of Learning", Junshan cast his expectant gaze on the three people from Beichuan who were walking in front of him.
"'Gakumon Ginmi'...not a bad idea." Kitagawa was the first to give a positive evaluation.
The other two people also echoed and praised the name that Junshan came up with.
"Then I would like to make a small suggestion." Beichuan crossed his arms over his chest, "Don't let 'Gakumon Ginmi' be limited to the Changpingzaka Academy."
"'Gakumon Ginmi' is held regularly in Edo so that all the children of the shogunate can participate."
"Whether or not you are enrolled in the Shoheizaka Gakumon-sho, you can participate in this 'Gakumon Ginmi'."
Hearing Beichuan's suggestion, Junshan's eyes lit up and he muttered:
"That's a good idea... There's really no need to limit 'Gakumon Ginmi' to the Changpingzaka Academy..."
After getting a good suggestion from Beichuan, Junshan hurriedly thanked Beichuan.
"Junshan, I think your idea is really good." Yoshimoto smiled, "The general will definitely agree with your idea."
Because two of the four young novices had the surname Matsudaira, in order to distinguish them by address, with the permission of the two parties involved, Kitagawa and others called Matsudaira Takaki and Matsudaira Kimizan by their names.
"I just got some good advice from Kitagawa-kun, and I'm very motivated now." Junshan said in a half-joking tone, "If I didn't care about etiquette, I would rush home and start writing a petition right away."
"I just don't know whether Lord Senior will agree with your idea..." After saying that, Beichuan gave a wry smile.
…
…
The four young men headed by Kitagawa had already gone far away, but Matsudaira Sadanobu remained in the room where he had just discussed matters with Kitagawa and others.
In the room where he was the only one left, Ding Xin no longer knelt respectfully as he had just done when he was discussing matters with Beichuan and others.
Instead, he sat cross-legged very casually.
His back was not as straight as it was when he was discussing matters with Beichuan and others just now.
Ding Xin's previously straight body was now bent, as if there was no bone in his back.
The flesh on his upper body seemed like it would slide off his spine at any moment.
His appearance made his entire body posture appear to be exhausted.
The expression that appeared on Dingxin's face at this moment was consistent with his current exhausted appearance - his head was lowered, his eyes were closed, and his face showed a strong look of fatigue.
Ding Xin at this moment was completely different from the one who had just been discussing government affairs with Beichuan and others.
“…I’m really tired.”
Although he was the only one in the room, Matsudaira Sadanobu still whispered in a low voice that only he could hear.
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom…
There were footsteps coming closer and closer outside the room.
Hearing the footsteps, Ding Xin quickly opened his eyes and slowly stood up.
As he stood up, his originally bent body straightened up again and his head was held high.
The look and expression on his face returned to that oppressive, expressionless look.
As Matsudaira Sadanobu stood up, the voice of his nickname, Tachibana, was heard outside the room.
"Master Laozhong. It's me."
“You’re here.”
After responding to Tachibana in a calm tone, Sadanobu slowly walked out of the room.
Just now, after Kitagawa and others left, Dingxin asked a waiter to call Tachibana back.
When he opened the door, he saw Tachibana's face, which was so familiar to him, kneeling on one knee beside the door.
"let's go."
Ding Xin, who was still very frugal with words, murmured lightly, "Let's go," and without any hesitation, walked to the end of the corridor under his feet.
Tachibana naturally stood up quickly and followed closely behind Sadanobu.
Tachibana, who was walking behind, quietly looked at Sadanobu's face in front of him, and said in a joking tone:
"Master, you are still as energetic as ever. You are still in high spirits after such a long meeting. I am ashamed of myself."
Sadanobu and Tachibana have a good relationship, and Tachibana often makes such insignificant jokes from time to time in private.
And Sadanobu was tolerant of the witty remarks that Tachibana made from time to time.
After hearing what Tachibana said, Sadanobu did not make any response.
After only revealing a shallow and meaningful smile, he continued to walk forward.
…
…
At this moment, in Shiranui, somewhere in Edo—
…
…
"Shuntaro, you must obey the rules of ninja."
…
…
"Shuntaro! What are you doing! Have you forgotten the rules of ninja?!"
…
…
In his dream, Shuntaro heard words he had heard long ago.
The words that should have been buried deep in his mind echoed in his ears again, making Shuntaro feel a little nostalgic.
Shuntaro wanted to continue listening to this long-lost sound, but suddenly he heard a sound coming from afar.
"……Awake."
The sound is getting closer.
“…Wake up.”
A familiar voice.
"Master Shuntaro, please wake up."
The dark world was filled with white light.
"……Um?"
As Shuntaro regained consciousness, he slowly opened his eyes.
As soon as I opened my eyes, the first thing that came into view was the familiar ceiling.
The voice that woke up Shuntaro came from behind the door of the room.
Its master is Naruto, who is responsible for serving Shuntaro and handling various chores.
Naruto was originally a Genin, but because of some crimes he committed, he was demoted to "Ku" and sent to Shintaro, becoming his servant.
After being awakened by Naruto, Shuntaro first yawned loudly, then slowly sat up.
"Murataro, since you woke me up so suddenly, something important must have happened, right?"
"Shuntaro-sama, yes. Enma-sama has just issued an order - requesting the 'Four Heavenly Kings' to come to his room immediately."
As soon as Naruto finished speaking, Shuntaro showed an unhappy expression.
"What a hassle... I'm not going to ramble on about boring things again."
Although he complained, Shuntaro still stood up obediently and changed into the women's kimono he had just bought a few days ago.
A few days ago, out of curiosity, I bought a women's kimono that I really liked.
After buying this clothes and trying it on, he was pleasantly surprised to find that it was quite comfortable to wear. So no matter what he did over the past two days, Shuntaro always wore this clothes.
After quickly changing his clothes, Shuntaro walked quickly to the door and opened it, then walked out of his room quickly and walked quickly towards the small house where the Enma lived.
As soon as he entered the small house where Enma lived, Shuntaro saw Gokutaro who was already waiting there.
After seeing Shuntaro, Gokutaro curled his lips first, and then said in a cold tone that was neither salty nor bland:
“You’re here.”
"Um."
Shuntaro's attitude towards Gokutaro was equally cold. He just replied with a "hmm" and ignored Gokutaro.
The relationship between Shuntaro and Gokutaro is very bad.
Because the two of them had fought each other before because of some incident.
Since then, the relationship between the two has been quite bad.
Neither Shuntaro nor Gokutaro has any desire to repair their relationship.
Neither the Flame Demon nor the other one of the "Four Heavenly Kings" had arrived yet.
In the past, the two people with a bad relationship would definitely not even talk to each other, allowing the awkward atmosphere to linger in the air, and just silently wait for other people to arrive.
But now, because of some things, and because it was a rare opportunity for him to be alone with Gokutaro, Shuntaro decided to go against his usual routine and talk to Gokutaro more.
"Gokutaro." Shuntaro said in a cold tone with almost no emotion or eroticism, "You can go wherever you want to play, and I won't bother you. But if you go to Yoshiwara, remember to behave politely."
"I've heard from others that your bad character and temper have made many prostitutes cry."
"Where did you hear that?" Gokutaro frowned.
"Don't worry about where I heard it from." Shuntaro continued, "Anyway - when you go to Yoshiwara to play next time, be polite to me."
"Don't make up any more bad rumors about me."
"If you do something bad in Yoshiwara, it will also affect Shiranui."
The tone of Shuntaro's words was quite strong.
The tone didn't sound like a negotiation with Gokutaro, but more like an order.
This tough tone naturally made Gokutaro extremely unhappy.
As soon as Shuntaro finished speaking, annoyance appeared on Gokutaro's face.
However, just as he opened his mouth and wanted to say something to Shuntaro, he seemed to remember something and his whole body froze.
A hint of fear appeared in his eyes.
After several rounds of fighting between fear and anger, fear finally prevailed.
She closed her slightly opened lips again and snorted heavily .
"I'm sorry I'm late."
Just then, a young male voice was heard outside the door.
Immediately following the male voice, there was the sound of the door being opened and footsteps entering the room - it was a young man.
And this young man is none other than the last of the "Four Heavenly Kings" - Shintaro.
Ever since Kotaro died in Nijo Castle three months ago, Shiranui has not been able to find a ninja qualified to replace Kotaro.
So after Shintaro came, the "Four Heavenly Kings" in Shiranui are now complete.
Not long after Shintaro arrived, the person who had gathered everyone here—Enuma—finally arrived.
Although he is old and his hair and beard are gray, the appearance of the Flame Demon is still far from the word "old and frail".
When Shuntaro, Gokutaro, and Shintaro all arrived, Enma didn't say much to them. He just sat cross-legged in front of the three of them and said to them directly:
"I have an urgent task to tell you."
"But before I tell you about this urgent mission, I have to say a few words that I have said many times before."
The Fire Demon raised his hand, touching the vertical scar covering his left eye, and continued speaking.
"From now on in Edo, remember to be careful with your words and actions."
Hearing what Enma said, a look of helplessness immediately appeared on Shuntaro's face.
Shuntaro has heard similar words too many times since they moved their base to Edo.
Although Gokutaro did not show obvious helplessness like Shuntaro, there was still a flame called "impatience" flickering in his eyes.
Only Shintaro knelt respectfully, listening to Enma's lecture with a very serious look.
"There are many officials in the shogunate who dislike us, Shiranui."
Touching the scar on his left eye - this is Balrog's personal habit.
Once my left hand is free, I can't help but raise it to touch the scar on my left eye.
"Those officials who don't like us are now waiting for us to make mistakes, and then use them as an excuse to attack us."
"Since we showed such an ugly appearance at Nijo Castle three months ago, the general's favor towards us has greatly decreased."
"We must never again do anything that would damage the image of our Shiranui."
"Especially you! Gokutaro!"
Enma fixed his gaze on Gokutaro.
"You guys have been going to Yoshiwara every night these days to have fun."
"In a place like Yoshiwara where there are many people and eyes, you must remember to be careful with your words and actions. Don't do anything that will cause gossip."
"In a word - act more like a samurai than a samurai."
After hearing something from Enma that was similar to what Shuntaro had just said, Gokutaro showed a hint of displeasure on his face.
But Gokutaro still suppressed his displeasure and responded respectfully:
"yes!"
"Well, I've said enough of the same sort of thing, so I won't go on any further."
Hearing what Enma said, Shuntaro immediately looked relieved.
Enma, who was sitting right in front of Shuntaro, could naturally see Shuntaro's rude look.
But the Fire Demon pretended not to see it, and after clearing his throat, he said seriously:
"Now let me tell you about the urgent task I just mentioned."
"According to the reliable intelligence we just collected, the traitorous ninja from Shiranui who betrayed us some time ago is now in Edo."
"A famous Chunin saw that guy in Edo this morning."
"Rebel ninja?" Shuntaro raised his eyebrows. "Which renegade ninja? There are so many renegade ninjas in our Shiranui."
"That's the Jonin who defected a while ago." Enma said coldly.
"Jounin... Ouch!"
Hearing Enma's words, Shuntaro immediately remembered who it was.
"It's that guy..."
Then he said this in a meaningful tone.
"Shintaro, this mission is up to you."
Enma looked at Shintaro.
"You take a group of people to search Edo from now on. You must find that guy!"
"Understood!" Shintaro responded loudly.
"When you two are in Edo in the future, you should also pay more attention to that guy's face." Enma turned his gaze to Shuntaro and Gokutaro, "Once you find that guy, don't hesitate to capture him or kill him directly."
"Although that guy is quite powerful, he is definitely no match for the three of you."
"clear!"
"clear."
Gokutaro's response was powerful.
But Shuntaro's response was weak.