In the past few months since Matsudaira Sadanobu left Edo and went to Ezo, Hasegawa has been working day and night with far more enthusiasm than ever before.
The reason was simple - Matsudaira Sadanobu had caught him with something.
Hasegawa still remembered vividly the scene in Edo a few months ago - on the eve of his trip north to Ezo, Matsudaira Sadanobu personally approached him and told him: I already know the secret that you embezzled the funds of the fire thief Kai to speculate in cryptocurrencies in order to earn money from the operation of the Ashiyaku market.
By then, Hasegawa's cold sweat had soaked all his clothes...
Misappropriation of funds allocated by the shogunate: This is a serious crime...
Being removed from his position as the leader of the fire thieves and stripped of his samurai status - this was the most ideal and lightest punishment.
However, when Hasegawa decided to earn money from the operation of the Akiyomizu-dera in this way, he had already made the corresponding preparations. After his clothes were soaked with cold sweat, he quickly calmed down and prepared to calmly accept the anger of Matsudaira Sadanobu.
But who would have thought - Hasegawa was ready to accept any punishment, but Matsudaira Sadanobu actually let him go.
Matsudaira Sadanobu acted as if nothing had happened and continued to let Hasegawa serve as the chief of the Fire Thieves Kai, and secretly allowed Hasegawa to continue to earn operating funds for the Renshoku Yorba by speculating in cryptocurrencies.
Hasegawa was not an idiot who didn't understand politics. He knew what Matsudaira Sadanobu was up to - Matsudaira Sadanobu wanted to use this incident as a handle to control Hasegawa's lifeline so that Hasegawa would continue to work hard for him and make contributions.
Matsudaira Sadanobu's actions could be described as an open conspiracy - if Hasegawa did not want to lose his official position and his head, and wanted the Ashiyome to continue operating, he had to listen to Matsudaira Sadanobu and work hard.
If he refused, Matsudaira Sadanobu could capture Hasegawa at any time and plunge Hasegawa and his beloved Ashiyaba into an abyss from which there was no escape.
Hasegawa had no choice.
In order to show his loyalty to Matsudaira Sadanobu and express his obedience to him, Hasegawa has not dared to slack off in the past few months. In the past few months, Hasegawa has hardly given himself a single day off.
But this busyness is still rewarding. In the past few months, among those well-known thieves and big gangs, the Fire Thief Kai has arrested two, which is a gratifying result.
Although logically speaking, Hasegawa should be grateful to Matsudaira Sadanobu for letting him go.
After all, it was Hasegawa who broke the law first, so any punishment Matsudaira Sadanobu could give him would not be excessive.
He was able to continue serving as the leader of the fire thieves without any punishment, all thanks to Matsudaira Sadanobu's kindness.
However, although this is the truth, Hasegawa really cannot accept the old Chinese who has the leverage over him and can kill him at any time. He cannot like him...
If possible, Hasegawa would never meet Matsudaira Sadanobu again in his life...
But things are so unpredictable, Hasegawa didn't expect that Matsudaira Sadanobu would appear in Kyoto...
So at this moment, Hasegawa's mood is very complicated...
Matsudaira Sadanobu looked at Hasegawa deeply with a gaze that seemed to be able to see through Hasegawa's body, and said with a smile:
"I just learned from Ota and Kamiyama that you are now in the magistrate's office in Kyoto, so I couldn't wait to summon you here."
"I have just heard from Ota and Kamiyama about the reason why you came to Kyoto."
"How is it? Have you found any clues about the Blood Mist Clan?"
When the topic touched upon his work, Hasegawa's expression instantly turned serious, and his tone became heated:
"We have now obtained accurate information from our informant - the Blood Mist Clan is now in Kyoto."
"We have confirmed that their base is located in the western suburbs of Kyoto. It won't be long before we can confirm the exact location of their base."
Matsudaira Sadanobu nodded gently: "Well done."
"I just heard Shenshan mention that several people in Kyoto have been killed by the blood mist."
"Counting the people who were killed by the Blood Mist before, the number of victims is countless."
"Hasegawa, you must arrest these scumbags as soon as possible."
"Yes!" Hasegawa shouted, "We will definitely risk our lives!"
As soon as Hasegawa finished speaking, the corners of Matsudaira Sadanobu's mouth curled up slightly, and a smile emerged from the corners of his mouth:
"I have seen all your achievements over this period of time. I am very satisfied with your efforts and achievements. Thank you for your hard work, Hasegawa."
"If only... every official in the shogunate could be as outstanding as you..."
At this moment, a trace of loneliness flashed across Matsudaira Sadanobu's eyes.
"I remember that you seemed to have reported that the funds for the Fufu Thieves were insufficient, right?"
"I will make arrangements to increase the funding for the Fire Thieves later."
When Matsudaira Sadanobu finished speaking, Hasegawa was stunned at first, and then an unconcealable joy and excitement appeared on his face.
"Thank you, Lord Zhong!" Hasegawa hurriedly bowed his head to express his gratitude.
Matsudaira Sadanobu smiled and nodded, then waved his hand:
"Well, seeing you still so energetic, I feel relieved. You can leave first."
"Ah, Kamiyama." Matsudaira Sadanobu turned his head and looked at the Kyoto Machi Bugyo who was sitting next to him, "You should also leave for now. Ota will stay alone."
“Yes.” Shenshan bowed his head.
…
…
Hasegawa and Kamiyama left the room one after another.
After getting a sufficient distance from the room where Matsudaira Sadanobu was, Kamiyama said to Hasegawa in a half-joking tone:
"Master Lao Zhong is getting more and more skilled at using his method of 'beating you while giving you benefits'. But it's good this way, because he won't just force you to work hard, but also know how to give you benefits."
Hasegawa had long ago informed his good friend that Matsudaira Sadanobu had caught him with his secret.
Hearing Kamiyama's joking remark, Hasegawa put on a complicated expression, smiled, and asked Kamiyama:
"Shenshan, why is Lord Laozhong here? Could it be that he...really came here to apologize to His Majesty the Emperor?"
As one of the officials of the shogunate, Hasegawa had long heard rumors that Matsudaira Sadanobu would go to Kyoto in person to apologize to the Emperor for the recent disastrous defeat in Ezo.
But rumors are just rumors, Hasegawa doesn't know whether they are true or not.
After all, his position in the shogunate was not high enough to know all of Matsudaira Sadanobu's actions.
"I don't know much about this either." Kamiyama said softly, "After all, I am just a small magistrate of Kyoto town."
"The elder minister summoned me just now only to ask me some questions related to the current situation and governance of Kyoto."
"But... I guess the reason why Lord Elder suddenly came to Kyoto is most likely to apologize to His Majesty the Emperor."
"After all, apart from this reason, I really can't think of why Lord Elder would come all the way to Kyoto."
"…Forget it." Hasegawa shrugged. "Anyway, why the elders came to Kyoto is none of our business. We just need to do our own thing."
…
…
As soon as Hasegawa and Kamiyama left the room, Matsudaira Sadanobu heaved a sigh of relief, and then said to Ota Sukeai, who was still in the room, in a tone that was neither sad nor happy:
"Ohta, the task of contacting the Emperor and arranging a meeting time is now up to you. It should be arranged as soon as possible, preferably within the next few days."
As the new Kyoto Soshidai, although Ota had not been in office for even a year, he relied on his excellent abilities to master all the tasks that the Kyoto Soshidai was in charge of in just less than a year.
The shogunate only controlled a quarter of Japan's land, and the other three quarters were divided among the various feudal domains.
Most of the land owned by the shogunate was in the east of Japan, so the shogunate had absolute control over the east.
But in the western regions, the shogunate's ruling power was much weaker.
Troublesome feudal domains like Satsuma and Choshu, which were powerful but had less-than-good relations with the shogunate, were mostly located in the western part of the country.
In order to better monitor and manage the western daimyo, the shogunate set up two special official positions: Kyoto Shoshida and Osaka Castle Daro.
The two cities of Kyoto and Osaka are very close to each other, and both are located near the border between the east and west, which means they are almost exactly in the middle of Japan.
The primary task of these two official positions was to monitor the daimyo of the western countries.
But in addition to monitoring the western daimyo, the Kyoto Shoshidai also had another important task, which was to monitor the emperor and the court led by the emperor, and act as a mouthpiece between the shogunate and the court.
"Yes!" Ota said loudly, "I will make arrangements immediately."
After arranging the task for Ota Sukea, Matsudaira Sadanobu let out another long sigh, then raised his hand to support his forehead, his face full of fatigue.
…
…
Hasegawa had just returned to his temporary office and picked up his brush again when he heard the voice of the newcomer who had just been promoted, Yamauchi, outside the room:
"Hasegawa-sama! Hasegawa-sama!"
"What's wrong again..." Hasegawa muttered, then shouted, "Come in!"
Yamauchi ran into the room happily.
As soon as he entered the room, Yamauchi said excitedly:
"Master Hasegawa! We have found new clues related to the Blood Mist Clan!"
Hasegawa raised his eyebrows, his eyes sparkling: "Hurry up and tell me!"
"The Blood Mist Clan has recently had very close ties with a Yakuza clan called the Great Buddha Clan in Kyoto..." Yamauchi talked freely.
…
…
Kyoto, the home of Fuma——
"...Brother Ogata, your experiences over the past six months are truly more exciting than some people's lifetime experiences."
Fuma shook the wine glass in his hand and joked to Ogata.
In response to Fuma's joke, Ogata just smiled and did not deny it - he himself felt that what Fuma said made sense.
Just now, while Ogata was having a simple dinner and drinking wine with Fuma, he briefly told Fuma about his experiences in the past six months since he left Kyoto.
Finally, he also told Fengma the purpose of his visit to Kyoto to find him.
"What a pity." Fengma sighed, with regret on his face, "I was unable to attend the wedding you and Komachi held in Edo..."
"Yeah. Atachi and I feel sorry about this, too." Ogata also sighed, "It would have been nice if you could have come to the wedding ..."
On the eve of their trip to Ezo, Ogata and A-machi held a simple wedding in Edo, hosting a banquet for their relatives and friends, including the people from Hyakuraya, who happened to be in Edo at the time.
At that time they also wanted to invite Fuma over, but Kyoto, where Fuma lived, was too far away from Edo, so they had to give up.
Fengmo then drank the wine in the glass.
"I understand the specific reasons."
"You want to find a good knife maker..."
Ogata nodded, then unsheathed the Daishakuten: "Master Feng, look - this is what my saber looks like now."
After taking a look at the current appearance of Dashitian's blade, Fengmo smacked his lips a few times and said, "Hmm... the damage is indeed very serious. It is indeed time to find a good swordsmith to repair it."
"Judging from the craftsmanship of your sword, an ordinary swordsmith really can't repair your sword."
Fengmo poured himself a glass of new wine.
"Great swordsmith... let me think about it..."
Fengmo half closed his eyes, looking thoughtful.
Ogata, Atachi and Azuki, who were sitting opposite Fuma, did not disturb Fuma, allowing him to think silently.
After an unknown amount of time, Feng Mo finally opened his eyes:
"Oh oh! I remembered someone."
"Brother Ogata, do you know Master Yoji?"
"Never heard of it." Ogata shook his head honestly.
A-Machi and A-Tsuku, who were sitting on Ogata's left and right, also shook their heads.
"It's normal that you haven't heard of it." Feng Mo said, "He is a swordsmith who is very low-key in his work and life."
"It is said that he is a master whose skills in both sword-making and sword-repairing can be described as superb."
"'It is said'?" Ogata keenly caught a word in Fengma Gang's mouth that he had to pay attention to, "Master Feng, haven't you seen that person?"
"No." Feng Mo shook his head, "But - the old man you and I both know, who only has swords in his eyes and drinks every day, has seen Yu Er."
Having said that, Feng Mo shook his shoulders.
And Ogata also smiled - how could he not hear who Fuma was talking about just now.
Apart from Genichi, there is probably no other person in this world who meets the characteristics that Fuma just mentioned.
"Although the sword used by the old man is also of extremely high quality, it is still a sword after all, and it will always be damaged after being used for a long time." Feng Mo continued, "The old man once found Yu Er and asked Yu Er to help repair the sword."
"According to that old fellow, Master Yu Er's skills are impeccable."
"The only flaw is that he is a knife fanatic. He is a strange man who has nothing else in his eyes except repairing knives, so his personality is a little weird."
"Is that so..." Ogata murmured, "Then it seems that this Master Yuer is really necessary to meet... Then Master Feng, do you know where this Master Yuer is now?"
"As far as I know—in Osaka."
"Osaka?" Ogata raised his eyebrows.
After hearing the name Osaka from Fuma, Ogata felt a little relieved - fortunately he didn't hear the name of a place that was a million miles away from Kyoto.
Kyoto and Osaka are very close to each other.
The straight-line distance between the two cities... converted into modern units of length, is only 40 kilometers, which is extremely close.
If you use fast horses to take turns, you can go back and forth between the two cities within a day.
While feeling relieved, Ogata also felt happy - because Osaka is very close to Koyasan.
Koyasan is located in the Kii region south of Osaka.
The straight-line distance between Osaka and Koyasan is about 50 kilometers, and the distance between the two is also very close.
Ogata's original plan was to go to Koyasan, which has a close connection with "immortality", to investigate after repairing the sword.
Since Yoji is now in Osaka, which is very close to Koyasan, it is convenient for Ogata.
After finding Yoji and repairing the sword, you can quickly set off and reach Koyasan.
However... Lord Fuma's next words made the slightly happy expression on Ogata's face quickly freeze.
"But I only know that Yuji is in Osaka. As for where exactly he is in Osaka, I don't know."
Ogata's eyes suddenly widened: "Master Feng, don't you know where that Yoji is in Osaka?"
"I don't know. After all, I've never met him. I just know that he lives in Osaka now and lives a very low-key life."
Ogata couldn't help but twitch his lips.
Osaka has a population of over one million, and its size is not inferior to that of the super city of Edo.
It's not easy to find someone in such a big city...
However, just as Ogata showed an embarrassed expression, Fuma suddenly laughed:
"Although I don't know where Yoji is exactly in Osaka, I can help you find someone to ask."
"There's an old friend of mine in Osaka. He knows everything about Osaka. If we ask him, he should know where Yoji is."
Hearing this, Ogata's expression became better: "Then Master Feng, what is the name of your friend and where is he in Osaka? I will go to Osaka to find your friend later..."
Before Ogata could finish his words, Fuma waved his hand with great pride:
"Don't bother. Can't I go to Osaka with you? I'll ask my old friend in person for you."
At this moment, both Ogata and Atachi looked at Fuma in surprise.
"Lord Feng, you want to go to Osaka with us?" Ogata exclaimed.
"Brother Ogata, you are very lucky. You came just in time." Fuma showed a gentle smile, "Just two days ago - Senbei, whom you also met, wrote to me and invited me to visit his home in Osaka."
After hearing the slightly unfamiliar name "Senbei", Ogata was stunned at first, then quickly remembered who this person was.
This person is Fengma's old subordinate.
On the eve of Fuma's official disbanding of Fuma Village, he had only three pitiful subordinates left under his command - this Senbei was one of them.
Before this, after the Battle of Nijo Castle, when Ogata was recuperating at Fuma's home, three of Fuma's old subordinates, led by Senbei, had returned to Kyoto together to visit Fuma. It was at that time that Ogata and Atachi met Senbei and the other two and had a brief encounter with them.
According to Fuma's previous introduction to his three old subordinates, this Senbei now lives in Osaka.
"I had been planning to visit Osaka in the near future at the invitation of Senbei."
"Since you are going to Osaka now, I will go with you."
"By the way, I'll also ask my friend who lives in Osaka, the 'Osaka Know-It-All', if he knows where Yoji lives."
"It seems that we are very lucky." Ogata smiled happily. "If we had come a little later, we would have missed you on your way to Osaka to find Senbei."
"That's why I said you are lucky." Feng Mo laughed, "How about it? Are you willing to let an old man like me go with you?"
"Do I even need to ask?" Ogata said quickly, "Of course I am willing."
Ogata has always had a good impression of Fuma, the humorous old man who has helped him and Atachi a lot.
As for Fuma, who was willing to help them find Yoji after they arrived in Osaka together, Ogata couldn't think of any reason to refuse to go with him.
And Ating, who had known Fuma for a long time and had a very good relationship with him, was also very happy and excited at this moment.
But at this moment... a discordant voice suddenly sounded from the corridor:
"Hmm... my head hurts... Hmm ? What is this?! Hey! Let me go!"
After hearing this voice that extremely destroyed the atmosphere, Fuma, Ogata and the others all froze in expression.
"Oh... I totally forgot about this person..."
Fengmo put down the wine glass in his hand and opened the door of the living room - a young man tied up was thrown casually in the corridor outside the living room.
This young man was the petty thief who broke into Fuma's house to steal, but was knocked unconscious by Fuma's chain in front of Ogata and others.
Because they were busy chatting with Ogata and others, they had no time to deal with him, so he was tied up and thrown in the corridor.
"Stop making noise." Feng Mo said calmly, "We will send you to the Executive Office soon, you can get some sleep."
When he heard the word "Bugyosho", a look of fear appeared on the young man's face.
"Hurry, hurry and let me go! Do you know who I am?! I am the younger brother of the boss of the Great Buddha Clan! I..."
Bang!
Before he could finish his words, Feng Mo slapped him on the back of his neck. The little thief's eyes rolled back and he fainted again.
"What is the Great Buddha Clan?" Ogata asked.
"It seems to be a Yakuza gang from Kyoto." Feng Mo sneered a few times, "It's just a bunch of thugs, don't pay any attention to them."