Ogata was only a little more than two steps away from Matsudaira Sadanobu, who was kneeling in front of him.
When he first met Matsudaira Sadanobu in the Bayberry House just now, Matsudaira Sadanobu was nearly 6 steps away from him.
Because he was now closer, Ogata was able to see Matsudaira Sadanobu's face more clearly.
The first impression that Matsudaira Sadanobu's face gave Ogata was that of maturity and majesty.
According to Ogata's estimation, Matsudaira Sadanobu was about 30 years old.
In the Edo period, when medical care was underdeveloped and diet was casual, life expectancy was not very high. At this age, Matsudaira Sadanobu was already considered a "middle-aged man."
His skin quality was very poor. Just by looking at it, Ogata could tell that Matsudaira Sadanobu's skin was very rough and a little sallow.
There are faint dark circles under his eyes, and there are quite a few obvious red bloodshot in the whites of his eyes.
Although there was a hint of fatigue between his eyebrows, his eyes were quite sharp.
This sharp look made Matsudaira Sadanobu look extremely majestic. Although he was just kneeling on the ground without saying a word, Ogata felt as if a huge stone was standing in front of him.
He was the kind of person who could intimidate everyone in a meeting with just his eyes - Ogata concluded.
"The doors and windows are all tightly closed, so it's a bit stuffy as expected. Majima Goro-kun, do you mind if I open the window a little?"
"No problem." Ogata said, "I'll open the window."
After saying that, Xu Fang prepared to stand up.
But before Ogata could stand up, Matsudaira Sadanobu stood up first and said:
"No need, I'm closer to the window, I'll open it."
Matsudaira Sadanobu stood up and walked slowly to the window just behind him, leaving no room for Ogata to refute.
Seeing what Matsudaira Sadanobu said, Ogata obediently put down his left knee.
The night wind tonight was not strong, so weak that it couldn't even blow up a person's scarf.
The window was opened, and the cool night breeze flowed into the room through the open window.
The flames of candles placed in six different locations around the room swayed slightly.
The elongated shadows of Ogata and Matsudaira Sadanobu projected on the wall also began to shake.
After opening the window, Matsudaira Sadanobu did not rush back to his original position.
Instead, he put his hand on the window frame and looked out at the scenery with an expressionless face.
"…Yoshiwara is such a beautiful place."
Without any warning, Matsudaira Sadanobu suddenly spoke as if he was talking to himself.
"It was brightly lit, full of beautiful women and nice smells."
“But Yoshiwara is also a place that scares me.”
Matsudaira Sadanobu's hands, which were holding onto the window frame, slowly tightened.
"Mashima Goro-kun, you are serving in the Shirobei Club, so you should know that there are countless samurai lingering in Yoshiwara every night."
"Two hundred years ago, when Yoshiwara was first built, the samurai still knew what shame was and knew to wear bamboo hats to cover their faces when entering and leaving Yoshiwara."
"Now no one feels ashamed to go in and out of Yoshiwara anymore."
"Some people are not only not ashamed of it, but proud of it."
The corners of Matsudaira Sadanobu's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a sneer that made it difficult to tell what his specific emotions were.
"The warriors nowadays are really becoming worse and worse. It's really worrying..."
After saying this as if he were talking to himself, Matsudaira Sadanobu returned to the seat he had just sat in and sat down again.
"...Mashima Goro-kun, you are truly an amazing person." Matsudaira Sadanobu directed his sharp gaze towards Ogata.
Ogata raised his eyebrows: "Why do you say that?"
"I have seen quite a few young samurai." Matsudaira Sadanobu crossed his arms over his chest, "I have seen quite a few of them, whether they are daughters of noble daimyo, hatamoto samurai, or samurai of ordinary feudal lords."
"However, no matter what young people are, when they see me, they are either very nervous or have the words 'please use me, please appreciate me' written on their faces."
"It's not uncommon to be as calm and composed as you, but it's really rare."
Ogata couldn't help but smile when he heard what Matsudaira Sadanobu said.
- Do you think that someone who killed the feudal lord and destroyed Nijo Castle would be afraid of the shogunate's elders...
Even if the Shogun, who now holds the highest power in Japan, appeared in person before Ogata, he would be able to remain calm and composed, as he had done many earth-shaking things and had long since developed a big heart - Ogata was quite confident of this.
Ogata naturally couldn't speak out his true feelings. He smiled and said slowly:
"I am just an ordinary warrior. I have never seen any prominent figures in my life."
"I find it hard to understand what the big guys are like."
"When a big shot really appeared in front of me, I just felt a sense of 'unreality'."
"Perhaps that's why I can stay calm in front of Mr. Laochu."
"Just like a frog in a well doesn't know how vast the sky is."
Ogata's humorous answer seemed to make Matsudaira Sadanobu laugh, and a faint smile appeared on Matsudaira Sadanobu's face.
"I never thought that such a small Shirobei Club would have a person like you."
As Matsudaira Sadanobu spoke, he changed his originally sitting posture to a casual cross-legged sitting position.
"Mashima Goro-kun, let's change our sitting posture. If we sit seriously, we can't help but be serious when we talk."
"No need." Ogata said calmly, "I can just continue to sit upright. Sitting cross-legged in front of the old gentleman is really rude no matter what."
Matsudaira Sadanobu did not pay too much attention to his sitting posture.
Seeing that Ogata was still sitting upright, Matsudaira Sadanobu didn't say much.
"Majima Goro-kun."
Matsudaira Sadanobu, who had now changed to a casual sitting posture, spoke slowly.
"I am very curious about what I just saw in the Yangmei House. I hope you can help me understand it."
"When the hatamoto warrior rushed towards you with his sword raised high, I clearly saw that you had bent your body and raised your right hand, ready to draw your sword."
"That man is a hatamoto samurai, and his status is much nobler than yours."
"The connections behind them, the power and financial resources they hold, may be much stronger and more powerful than you think."
"You swung a knife at him. Even if you didn't kill him, it would definitely cause a lot of trouble."
"But even so, I still saw determination in your eyes as you were ready to draw your sword."
"Aren't you afraid of getting yourself in trouble after swinging your sword at the hatamoto?"
"Or did you not think too much about it at the time, and just wanted to swing your sword at a hatamoto samurai out of sheer recklessness?"
Until now, Ogata still doesn't know why Matsudaira Sadanobu, who should be in two different worlds from him, appeared in Yoshiwara tonight, nor does he know why Matsudaira Sadanobu suddenly summoned him, whom he had never met before.
Until just now, the atmosphere around the two of them finally became a little serious.
Ogata instinctively felt that Matsudaira Sadanobu might not have asked him this question in order to get closer to him or just to have a normal chat.
After listening quietly to Matsudaira Sadanobu's question, Obe slightly pursed his lips.
For no reason, Ogata suddenly thought - this seemed to be the first time someone asked him this kind of question: Aren't you afraid when you swing a knife at those who are high and mighty?
No one had ever asked Ogata this question in such a serious manner.
…
…
"...Of course I know what the consequences will be if I wield a knife against these hatamoto children."
After pondering for an unknown amount of time, the words in a calm tone slowly came out of Ogata's mouth.
"I'm just a 'former ronin' who finally found an ordinary job here in Yoshiwara a while ago."
"I also know the hatamoto who caused the trouble just now. His name is Takigawa Heiichiro, and he has a family salary of 3,000 koku. With the financial resources and power of his family, if I offend him and he decides to take revenge on me, I will definitely be in a lot of trouble."
"If a low-level warrior like me offends a high-level warrior, this will be the fate."
"Low-ranking warriors being bullied by high-ranking warriors...I have seen it long ago and experienced it myself."
A face and a picture appeared in Ogata's mind.
That face was Inoue’s face—the senior warehouse officer who was killed by Matsudaira Gennai’s sword when he accidentally bumped into him while inspecting the warehouse with him...
That picture was the tragic scene when Ogata returned to Sakakibara Sword Hall that night and witnessed his master and fellow apprentices being killed by Matsudaira Gennai...
"…If you knew the consequences, why did you act as if you were going to draw your sword?" Matsudaira Sadanobu asked.
A faint smile slowly appeared on Ogata's face.
…
…
"Because I don't want to give in like this."
…
…
Be brief and to the point.
The tone is flat.
But it also reveals a firmness as strong as a mountain.
However, after saying this, Ogata chuckled a few times and then changed his tone to a half-joking one:
"Of course - the reason why I was able to get ready to draw my sword against Takigawa just now was also because of my recklessness."
"That Takigawa is really annoying."
"I got angry when I saw his hysterical look."
"Thanks to Takigawa's annoying face, I had the courage to reach for the knife at my waist."
Matsudaira Sadanobu's eyes had never left Ogata since the beginning.
As soon as Ogata finished saying "Because I don't want to give in like this," a barely perceptible light flashed in Matsudaira Sadanobu's eyes.
“…Hahahaha.” Matsudaira Sadanobu laughed, although it was just a low laugh.
"Mashima Goro-kun, you really surprise me."
"Since we first met at Yangmei House just now, you have always brought me surprises and surprises."
"Mashima Goro-kun, I don't know if you paid attention to the results of the essay test last night. Did you know that you were the top scorer in the essay test?"
Matsudaira Sadanobu changed the topic suddenly from "serious discussion" to "chatting about family matters".
Although he didn't know why Matsudaira Sadanobu changed the subject so suddenly, Ogata immediately replied:
"Since I participated in the 'Imperial Examination', I naturally paid attention to the announcement of the results of the literary examination last night."
"To be honest, I still can't believe that I got the top spot in the written test."
"Then do you know who graded the written test papers?" Matsudaira Sadanobu asked.
Ogata shook his head.
Ogata had never paid attention to who was responsible for grading the papers.
As far as Ogata knew, the shogunate also kept the identities of the graders strictly confidential and did not let any outsiders know who was responsible for grading the papers.
"There are two groups of people grading the papers."
"The first group of people will be responsible for correcting the 'scriptures' in front."
"The second group of people will be responsible for judging the last question on the test paper."
Paste the scriptures - that is, fill in the blanks.
The "last question" mentioned by Matsudaira Sadanobu was naturally the essay question that asked everyone to write about their understanding of the phrase "knowing it is impossible but still doing it."
“But in fact, the so-called second group of people only had one person.”
"And that person..."
Matsudaira Sadanobu slowly raised his finger and pointed at himself.
"That's me."
"I am the one responsible for judging the last question on the test paper."
Matsudaira Sadanobu's words made Ogata's eyes involuntarily flash with surprise.
The second-in-command of the country, who is busy with all kinds of affairs, actually personally reviewed the composition topic - this was something Ogata had never thought of.
"And I was the one who gave you the top spot in the written test."
The words that Matsudaira Sadanobu said next made the surprise in Ogata's eyes expand at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"You actually got 21 of your previous 'scriptures' wrong."
"But it doesn't matter."
"In this written test, the truly important question is not the 'sticking scripture' at the beginning, but the one at the end."
"As long as you answer the last question well, you can get a good ranking in this written test. And vice versa."
"The top 10 in this essay test are all like this."
"And you are the one who I think answered that question best, so I gave you the first place in the written test."
"...Did I do that question so well?" Ogata raised his hand and scratched his hair, "To be praised so highly by you, Mr. Senior..."
In Ogata's impression, he just did that question on impulse...
"I can tell at a glance who is just following a script and who really has a deep understanding of the saying 'knowing it is impossible but still doing it'."
"Many people simply wrote down the explanation of this sentence that they heard in school on the test paper."
“Even if you use fancy words to embellish it, it can’t change the paleness of the content.”
"But—you're different, Mashima-kun."
Matsudaira Sadanobu's eyes became sharper.
“Through your words, I can really feel that you are not just reciting the words. You have your own unique and profound insights into this sentence.”
"After I finished reading your paper, my first thought was that a man who could have such a profound understanding of the saying 'knowing it is impossible but still doing it' must be a man of great integrity."
“I like your insights into ‘knowing it’s impossible to do something’.”
"So I've chosen you as the top candidate for the written test."
"In order to verify my guess that you are a man of integrity, I chose tonight when I have no other plans to come to Yoshiwara to see you."
"And you really didn't disappoint me."
"There aren't many warriors like you who have the guts to say 'I don't want to surrender'."
"Mashima Goro-kun. I admire you."
Matsudaira Sadanobu's expression gradually became serious.
"Don't stay in Yoshiwara anymore."
“Come and follow me.”
"That is to say - I will promote you to my junior surname."
call……
An evening breeze much stronger than the previous one blew into the room.
The streaks of light and shadows cast by the candlelight changed slightly along with the expression and look on Ogata's face.
…
…
"Ha ha……"
The words that Matsudaira Sadanobu just said were so shocking that Ogata didn't know how to respond for a moment.
In order to buy himself some time to think, Ogata laughed a few times and said in a half-joking tone:
"Before I participated in the 'Imperial Trial', I heard that Lord Rochu was going to select useful talents in this 'Imperial Trial' and promote them to be his own staff."
"So the rumor is true."
"No, this rumor is false." As soon as Ogata finished speaking, Matsudaira Sadanobu shook his head, "It's just a rumor that was spread by someone unknown."
"I never thought about choosing anyone from among the participants of the 'Imperial Trial' to be my staff."
"Until... just now."
"And I'm not promoting you to my staff."
"I just promoted you to my junior name."
"I can't just give a big job to someone I just met tonight and have no idea of ​​his specific ability to govern."
"So I'll just make all the ugly things clear here."
"After I make you my junior, I will observe and examine you carefully."
"If after my inspection, I find that you are indeed capable of great use, I will not hesitate to reward and employ you."
"But if I find that you are just full of energy and completely incapable of taking on great responsibilities... then I can only ask you to go back to where you came from."
Although Matsudaira Sadanobu's harsh words seemed terrible, Ogata was sure that most of the young samurai would still rush to agree to be Matsudaira Sadanobu's mistress after hearing his cruel remarks.
What's your surname?
At first glance, it seems to be just an ordinary errand, responsible for taking care of the monarch's personal life. If the monarch you serve likes many things, then you have to help your monarch vent.
But in fact - Xiao Xing, who looks like just an ordinary errand boy, is a profession that many people dream of.
At the end of the day, the time that the common people spend with the monarch they serve may be longer than the monarch's family members spend with the monarch.
The more time you spend with the monarch, the more opportunities you have to show off in front of the monarch and the more opportunities you have to develop feelings with the monarch.
Many famous people in history started out as humble people, and then rose to prominence with the appreciation and cultivation of someone else.
The most typical examples are Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the Warring States Period.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who came from a poor peasant family, was able to serve the Oda family due to various coincidences.
When Toyotomi Hideyoshi first served the Oda clan, although he was not a junior of Oda Nobunaga, he was a servant who often appeared in front of Oda Nobunaga.
Because he could frequently appear in front of Oda Nobunaga, Oda Nobunaga quickly discovered Toyotomi Hideyoshi's talent.
With the help of his mentor Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi began a "grassroots counterattack" that was even more exaggerated than the novel.
In ancient Japan, where hierarchy and class were extremely important, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who came from a poor peasant family, with the help of Oda Nobunaga, gradually became the "man of the world" who ruled all of Japan. He was unprecedented and will never be surpassed.
Throughout history, this kind of profession that allows one to frequently appear in front of senior leaders has always been the most sought-after and the one that most people are scrambling to get.
In the Edo period, when the degree of class solidification was even more exaggerated than in the Warring States period 200 years ago and it was almost impossible to cross the class barriers, becoming a minor official like Matsudaira Sadanobu was already considered a step to heaven and a meteoric rise.
Although according to what Matsudaira Sadanobu just said, becoming his nickname only qualified him to "reach the sky in one step."
Whether you can truly achieve success overnight depends on your future abilities.
But even so, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a pie in the sky, something you wouldn't even dare to dream of.
Most of the samurai would surely rush to accept the olive branch thrown by Matsudaira Sadanobu.
However, Ogata happened to be one of the few people who did not immediately nod in agreement.
After pursing his lips and being silent for a while, Ogata leaned forward and said respectfully:
"Master Laozhong, I am very honored to receive your appreciation. But please let me think about it."
A look of confusion flashed across Matsudaira Sadanobu's face: "Is there nothing to consider?"
After being silent for a moment, Ogata's mouth corners slowly pulled up and he smiled.
"Master Laozhong, I am too excited."
"I never thought I would have the opportunity to become your junior surname, Mr. Laozhong."
"Because I was too excited, my mind went blank all of a sudden."
"This is a serious matter. I want to think about it slowly after I regain my clarity of mind."
"...Yeah." Matsudaira Sadanobu nodded slowly, "Okay."
He didn't know if it was Ogata's illusion, but he always felt that when Matsudaira Sadanobu heard him say "let him think about it", there was a flash of smile in his eyes.
"Then I'll give you some time. You can go back and think about it slowly."
"I won't give you a time limit."
"When you have thought it through, come and find me at my mansion."
"My residence is easy to find. Just find someone who is familiar with Edo and ask him where is Matsudaira Sadanobu's home."
"Yes!" Ogata leaned over and responded loudly.
…
…
The secret meeting between Ogata and Matsudaira Sadanobu ended with Matsudaira Sadanobu trying to win over Ogata, while Ogata tried to drag things out.
Matsudaira Sadanobu left the room one step ahead of Ogata.
Ogata, who was in no hurry to leave, stayed in the room.
After confirming that Matsudaira Sadanobu and his follower named Tachibana had gone far away and there was no one else inside or outside the room, Ogata looked at the empty tatami in front of him where Matsudaira Sadanobu was no longer sitting, and smiled bitterly.
"When did I become so popular..."
Ogata whispered these words, and the sound hit the ceiling, formed into particles, and then merged into the air.
…
…
Edo, Shiranui's base.
“Hoo…Hoo…Hoo…Hoo…”
With his upper body exposed, Shuntaro, holding a straight-blade ninja sword in his hand, was meticulously practicing Su Zhen in the air in front of him.
Shuntaro is currently practicing swordplay in his dedicated training ground.
The open space was neither too wide nor too narrow, and there were several large trees planted around it. The dense branches and leaves made the open space not too hot.
In Shiranui, only Enma and the Four Heavenly Kings have the privilege of "enjoying exclusive training grounds".
“Hoo…Hoo…Hoo…Hoo…”
Shuntaro's inhalation and exhalation matched the rhythm of his sword swings.
The effective coordination of inhalation and exhalation makes every sword swing of Shuntaro full of power.
Every time he swung or raised his sword, it created a sharp sound of breaking wind.
Because Shuntaro's upper body was naked, one could clearly see his rock-hard muscles and the hideous scars covered with sweat.
When he raised the sword high again, Shuntaro suddenly stopped and did not chop down again.
Keeping the sword raised high, Shuntaro slowly turned his head and looked to his right.
"What a rare visitor. Shintaro, as far as I can remember, the last time you came to my training ground was last year."
Shuntaro's special training ground is located in a small forest.
After Shintaro turned his gaze to his right, a young man with a stern face and indifferent expression slowly emerged from the woods on Shintaro's right.
And this young man is none other than Shintaro, who is one of the “Four Heavenly Kings” together with Shuntaro.
"…Shuntaro, it's so late and you're still practicing. You're really hardworking."
After they walked to a distance where both sides could see each other's facial features clearly, Shintaro stopped.
"Shuntaro, this is the only thing I admire you for."
"You practice every day, regardless of the weather. The intensity of your practice is like torturing yourself."
“I asked myself if I could do this at all.”
Shuntaro slowly put down the ninja sword in his hand: "The only time I truly feel that I am alive is when I am practicing martial arts and fighting with others."
Shuntaro slowly walked to a tree stump nearby, picked up the cloth placed there, wiped his sweat, and asked Shintaro:
"Shintaro, what do you want from me?"
"Given your personality, you didn't come to me just to chat with me, did you?"
"Shuntaro, you are right. I came to your training ground to find you because I have something to ask you." Shintaro said seriously, "Shuntaro, I was ordered by Lord Enma to come and summon you."
"Hurry up and clean yourself up, then come with me to the Fire Demon's mansion."
"We have a visitor."
"Guest?" Shuntaro frowned slightly. "Is it another high-ranking official from the shogunate who has come?"
"No." Shintaro shook his head, "He is a much more interesting guest than the high-ranking officials of the shogunate."
"It's a ninja from Iga who's visiting."
"Iga?" Shuntaro's voice was a little out of control because he was too surprised. "Didn't Iga no Sato disappear 40 years ago?"
"Yes, so the people who are visiting now are the remnants of Iga no Sato from 40 years ago."
"The shogunate's 'former official ninja' is here to meet the 'current official ninja'..." Shuntaro's mouth twitched and revealed a smile, "He is indeed a very interesting guest."