Chapter 17 Mars - Son of the Wind

The house has a three-burner kitchen.There are three large pots on the stove that can cook several bags of rice at a time.Lifting the lid of the pot, steam and rice paste sprayed out together.If so many meals were eaten at once, there must be more than one hundred samurai, retainers and their families living in this seemingly quiet and sensible home. Hiyoshi has been watching since just now.Then he thought to himself, why Nakamura's mother and sister were still starving when there was so much rice, he couldn't figure it out.When I think of my mother, I think of food, and when I think of food, I think of my mother who is suffering from hunger. This has become a habit.

"It's so windy!" The head of the kitchen came from the opposite kitchen, looked at the fire in the stove, looked at the cooks and attendants and reminded: "It's getting dark, and the wind won't stop. Everyone should be careful with the fire. Also, when one pot of rice is ready, make another pot immediately. Those who don't have work to do, go to the side to knead the rice balls." "Understood." "Don't be lazy, don't sleep before dawn, don't slack off." "Yes, please rest assured." "Be safe." After speaking, the old man who was going elsewhere suddenly came back, walked to the stove, looked at the boy by the fire strangely and asked the person in charge of the water:

"Who is that monkey-like man over there? I haven't seen it much." "It's the person Jubei-sama asked him to resettle. Mataichi-sama over there is watching him to prevent him from escaping." "Oh, Master Juhei sent it?" The old man walked into the cooking room, and saw Mataichi in the corner where the firewood was placed. "Oh, you've worked hard." The old man flattered without knowing anything. "Is there anything suspicious about the people over there? Are they caught, or?" He kept asking. "I don't know the details, but it's just that Jubei-sama ordered it." Youshi only answered this, and didn't say anything more.The old man in charge of the kitchen immediately forgot about this, and then kept praising the master's nephew Jubei.

"He is really a thoughtful person who does not match his age. He is not like a mortal! He has mastered all kinds of knowledge, mastered a heavy stick, and can use a gun freely on a strong horse. Others will boast of these, Ten Soldiers Mr. Wei never did that. Every time he looked into his study, he studied knowledge quietly like a lake. Moreover, his ability to use firearms and the art of war is twice as high as others. He is really gentle, noble, and trustworthy. ’” he praised with all his might. Mataichi was a young samurai who followed Juhei, and he was very happy to hear that the master he followed directly was praised, so he agreed with the old man. "As you said, I have been following Jubei-sama since I was a child, and I have never seen someone who is gentler than him, and he is filial to his mother. Even when he is studying here or traveling around the world, give mother The news never stopped."

"Generally, people in their 24s and 20s, those who are reckless are always bold and bold, and those who are steady and focused are weak and lazy. They are all unworthy people who seem to have jumped out of a rock and don't know their kindness." "However, if you think he is gentle, you are wrong. Even a person like him is temperamental, but he doesn't show it often. If he is really angry, no one can stop him." "That's right, it's said that people with good tempers will be in trouble once they get angry." "Something's not right today."

"Huh? Today?" "When something happened, I carefully considered the right and wrong of the matter, and after I made a decision, I immediately issued an order like water breaking a bank. I also gave an order to my cousin Yaheiji-sama." "General, this is the so-called style of a general!" "Lord Yaheiji also admires Lord Jubei very much. According to the instructions, he has also made a decision, and immediately rode a fast horse to Jiushan Castle." "What's the matter?" "Is that the thing?" "'Cook more rice, knead it into rice balls for military rations, maybe there will be a battle in the middle of the night today!' Master Yaheiji left these words and hurriedly rode his fast horse to Jiushan Castle."

"It's to prepare for the eventuality." "If only it was just in case, it would be fine. In the battle between Jiushan Castle and Inabayama Castle, whoever we draw our bows to, no matter who we draw our bows to, we are all friends and blood relatives." "Well, that kind of thing won't happen. Lord Jubei has made up his mind to stop it, and he already has a plan to prevent it from happening." "We can only pray for the blessing of the gods. If we are fighting with neighboring countries, we old men will be at the forefront and it will be no problem."

It was already dark outside.Riji's heart was even darker. The wind blowing in crackled the fire in the stove, and the fire burned even hotter.Hiji, who was squatting in front of the stove, smelled the burnt smell of the rice. "Ah, the rice is burnt, the cook, the rice in the pot is burnt!" Everyone forgot to thank them, shouted "Back, back", extinguished the fire, quickly added a ladder, filled the rice into the bucket, People who don't have work come over to make rice balls.Hiji also mingled among them to help make rice balls, and of course he stuffed two or three into his own mouth, but no one said anything at all.

People who are concentrating on making onigiri say, "Is there a fight?" "It's fine if it doesn't work." Most people hope that the onigiri they make won't come in handy. It will be Xu time soon.Shibingwei called Youshi, and Youshi went outside and returned soon after. "Needle seller, needle seller!" he called Hiyoshi who was making rice balls among the crowd. Hiji licked the grains of rice in his hands and ran out.The wind outside was still fierce, howling in the night. "Are you looking for me?" "It's over there." "what?"

"Lord Shibingwei is waiting, follow me." Youshi walked ahead. Riji looked at it, and at some point, Nayoushi was simply equipped and put on neat shoes, as if he was about to go directly to the battlefield.Where are you going?Hiji didn't know where they were going, it was dark anyway.Finally, after going out the middle gate, Riji saw that they had been going around the inner courtyard of the mansion and came to the front.Coming out of the front door, I saw a man on a horse, waiting in the strong wind. "Is it another city?" It was the voice of Shibingwei, who was still dressed in daytime clothes, sitting on the saddle, holding the rein with one hand, and holding a spear under his arm.

"It's Youshi." "Where are the needle sellers?" "Brought it." "Let him come with you, you go ahead." "Of order. Needle seller!" Youshi turned around after speaking, and walked forward in the dark.Matching Mataichi's speed, Jubei followed behind.Every time they reach the intersection, Shibingwei will immediately show them the way.When he arrived in front of Changzai Temple, Hiyoshi realized that this was the place where people who sneaked into Gifu and caused chaos, led by Hachisuka Nanai, gathered at every moment. Jubei quickly turned over from his horse, "Youichi, you wait here, there is nothing difficult." He said and handed the reins to Youichi. "At this moment, you should be able to see Lord Yaheiji from Jiushan Castle. If you don't see him by then, everything will be over. This city will become a hell on earth. I don't know what will happen. " At the end of the sentence, worry was put away, and Shi Bingwei had a tragic look on his brows and eyes. "Needle sellers." "exist!" "You lead the way, go ahead." "Ah? Where are you going?" Hiji trembled in the strong wind, looking at Jubei's tragic face. "To the woods. To the woods where the thugs from Hachisuka village gathered tonight." "Ah? I don't know where the exact place is." "It doesn't matter if you don't know, they know your face." "what?" "Don't try to hide." "..." Hiyoshi wanted to deceive him, but was seen through by the wise Juhei.Riji knew right away that this would not work. This man obviously had a face that was easy to deceive, but he couldn't deceive him at all.So Riji stopped talking back and said "yes" and walked ahead.There was no light to be seen, and the leaves were blown by the wind against the roof of the temple like spray washing the side of a ship.The woods often behind the temple are like a turbulent sea, the humming of the trees and the howling of the vegetation are fascinating. "Needle sellers." "exist!" "We're in the woods, are the people already assembled?" "I don't know. After all, such a strong wind..." "No, they must be coming." "yes?" "It's just right, it's almost the time of Xu. You are the only one who has been missing, and your companion must be worried." Shibingwei said while sitting on the five round stone platform in the temple.The tip of the gun under his arm was worn by the wind in front of Riji's feet. "Go and meet your companions." Regarding Hiyoshi's thoughts, Jubei was always one step ahead of him. "Just go and say that Akechi Mitsuan's nephew, Jubingwei Mitsuhide, is waiting here. Then, say that I have something to discuss, and invite Hachisuka who can make the decision to come here to discuss." "Understood." Riji bowed his head, but did not leave immediately. "To the assembled people, is that all right?" "yes." "Is that why you let me go ahead all the way?" "Go!" "I will go. However, I may not see you since then, so please listen to what I have to say." "What? Your statement?" "I'd feel sorry if I left without saying anything. Because you act like I'm one of Hachisuka's subordinates." "That's right." "You are very wise, your eyes are very sharp, and you can see what you see clearly, just like you can grasp the size of a nail." "..." "As you can imagine, I came to Gifu with the people from Hachisuka, but my heart is not with them. I was born in Nakamura and sold needles. But I don’t want to live the life of local tyrants, and I don’t want to create chaos to repay their kindness.” "..." "If there is fate, if we can meet again somewhere in the future, I will definitely prove that what I said is not false, and prove that you sometimes misunderstood. Then, I will send a message to Hachisuka Nanai-sama right now, and then go straight away Well, I wish you well, and cherish your studies." While Hiyoshi, who is naturally eloquent, made a bold statement, Jubei didn't say anything.When he came back to his senses, Hiji had already walked into the dark woods with flying leaves, and his voice was not heard.Riji walked through the forest and found a small piece of flat land in the forest.Here, like a pond, the wind is not too strong.When I looked closely, there was a group of black people like wild horses, some were sitting sleepily, and some were standing aimlessly. "Who is it?" A person standing and looking around heard Riji's footsteps. "it's me." "Is it Hiji?" "Ok." "Idiot, you look like you haven't woken up. Did you have a problem there? You are the only one missing, and everyone is tidying up." Riji was scolded as soon as he came up. "Sorry, I'm late." Hiji timidly walked towards the group. "Where is Master Nanai?" "There, go over to me and apologize, but he is angry." "Ugh……" "Monkey?" asked Hachisuka Nanauchi who was surrounded by four or five people.Hiji goes over to apologize for being late. "What did you do?" "I was arrested by the retainers of the Saito family during the day." "Ah? You were arrested?" Not only Nanai, but everyone around looked at Hiyoshi in surprise, feeling that the matter might have been revealed, and began to waver. "You idiot!" Nanai grabbed Hiyoshi's skirt at once, pulled it in front of him, and asked in a panic. "Where is it? Who was caught? Got caught, did you tell us about our plan?" "said." "what?" "If you don't say it, you will die, and you can't come back here." "You bastard!" Nanai grabbed Hiyoshi tightly, "Damn idiot, you are afraid to die and tell the secret. Kid, blood will flow into rivers tonight." He let go of Hiyoshi, and was about to kick one foot up, Hiji stepped back lightly, avoiding his feet.However, the person next to him grabbed Hiyoshi's hands and carried him behind his back.While breaking free, Hiyoshi said in one breath: "Don't worry, listen to me first. Although I was arrested and told what happened tonight, it was because the person who arrested me was not the retainer of Saito Yoshiryu from Inaba Mountain, but Hachi Suga's ally, Saito Michizohide Ryu-sama's retainer." Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but they still asked with suspicious eyes: "In the end, who lives there?" "It is said that it was Ming Zhi Guang'an who entered the Tao, but it was not the master who caught me, but his nephew Shibing Wei Guangxiu." "Ah, it's a wise eater." Someone said. "Yes." Hiji looked at the person who spoke, and then at everyone, and said freely, "Master Juhei wanted to meet the leader here, so he came with me, Mr. Nanai, you are going to meet him?" "The nephew of Mingzhi Guangan who entered the Tao, Shibingwei Guangxiu came with you?" "yes." "Really?" "It's absolutely true." "Have you told Jubei about your plan for tonight?" "Even if I don't say it, he can see through it. He is a person with a good mind that makes people feel scary." "What is he here for?" "Then I don't know, he just let me lead the way." "Then will you lead the way?" "I can't help it either." "Ugh!" "Ah, the wind is strong again." Riji said.During the conversation between the two, Nanai listened to the nervous swallowing of the people around him, and finally, when those people were silent, he asked, "Where is that ten soldier guard?" Everyone moved, talking about Nanai It was too dangerous to go alone, so they went together, they hid around the place where Nanai-sama and Juhei met, played by ear and so on.At this time, a voice came from behind: "No need, everyone from Hachisuka, there is no need to go see, Shibingwei is here, please see Lord Nanai." Everyone was shocked, and looked back, it was a person who knew without asking. people.Jubingwei came in at some point, quietly watching the scene just now. "Ah, you—" Nanai was a little flustered, arranged her clothes, and stepped forward as the leader of the crowd. "Master Nanauchi from Hachisuka?" "Exactly." Nanei suddenly raised her head.This may be the relationship in front of his companions, but usually, he has an attitude of not letting them look down upon or flattering people with more status and some samurai, which is a common problem among wild samurai. In contrast to him, although he carried a gun under his arm, Mitsuhide Jubingei had a humble posture and courteous words. "It's the first time I've met. I've heard of Xiaoliu-sama and your daimyo before. This is Jubei Mitsuhide. Saito Michizohide Ryu-sama's Akechi Mitsuan is my uncle, and I'm a junior living in his house. "The other party's modest words made Qi Nei a little stunned. "Then, what's the matter with you?" "Come here for tonight." "What happened tonight?" Qi Nei pretended not to know. "I already found out the whole story from the needle seller over there, and I came here because I was so shocked. Tonight's atrocities, it's impolite to say that they were atrocities. From the perspective of the art of war, Saito Michizo Hidelong's plan is true. As a bad policy, can you give up?" "No." Qi Nei said proudly. "This is not my order, but the order of Master Xiaoliu who accepted the request of Lord Saito Michihide." "That's natural." Jubingwei did not refute, and said in the usual tone: "Of course, I can't give up just based on my personal opinion. I asked my cousin Yahei Zhiguangchun to go to Jiushan Castle to speak to Lord Saito Michihide Ryu, and we made an appointment to meet here. Before he comes back, can you please not Leave, and wait for him here with me?" Zhou was considerate and attentive, obeying the other party's reasoning, and often even thinking about the other party.This attitude is that of the rare man who can adapt to change.Jubei Mitsuhide's character is to be considerate and polite to everyone.In terms of kendo, it is always a posture with the point of the sword pointing down, but the heart is another matter.In Nanai's eyes, Shibingwei is just a young man who knows something, he is more or less knowledgeable, and he loves reasoning. "Can't wait! There's no need!" Nanai yelled, and then said coldly, "In any case, Master Shibingwei shouldn't meddle in his own business. You are just a diner, and you are still a sojourner in Zhizhi Guangan's Taoist school. " "This is no longer the time to consider status, this is a major matter for the master." "Since you know it's a big deal, then help us prepare enough rations, wait for us to set fire, and directly kill Saito Michizo Hideryu's enemy, Inabayama Castle." "I can't do that kind of thing. As subjects, we are in great pain." "why?" "Isn't Yoshiryu-sama the son of Saito Michihidelong-sama? Saito Michihide-ryu-sama is the lord, and Yoshiryu-sama is also the lord." "However, if you become an enemy—" "It's a pity, is it right for father and son to fight each other like this? No bird or beast in this world can kill each other like this." "Come on, go back, go back!" "not going back." "what?" "I can't leave until Yaheiji comes here." In the voice of the young man who had always been considered very courteous, Nanaui heard determination for the first time, and at the same time saw the murderous look of the spear under his armpit.At this time, "Juhei, where are you?" A panting young samurai rushed over, and it was the long-awaited Yahei Zhiguangchun. "Hey, here, Yaheiji, how did the castle decide?" "Unfortunately..." Yaheiji held his cousin's hand while panting, biting his lip. "My lord will not listen to advice no matter what. Not only Saito Michizo Hidelong, but also my father said that you are a diner. This is not something you should know." "Even uncle?" "Besides, I was very angry. But I still persisted until now. Now Jiushan has secretly prepared to send troops. It seems that the matter will not end well. I think the fire tonight is the key, so I hurried back , Jubingwei, what should we do?" "Hmm... so, Saito Michizo Hidelong-sama is going to get rid of Inaba Mountain no matter what?" "It's inevitable. In this way, we have only one death, in order to fulfill the way of courtiers." "No. Even if it is the lord, it is not worth dying for such a war against human relations. Such a death is lighter than a feather." "then what should we do?" "As long as there is no fire, Jiushan City will not send troops. Eliminate the source of the fire before it catches fire!" Shibingwei's tone seemed to have changed.Thinking he was just talking, suddenly Shibingwei pointed his gun at Hachisuka Nanai and the others.Juhei, who had always been considered to be just a weak young warrior, suddenly raised his gun at him. Nanaui and the others were taken aback, and a circle suddenly formed around him. "What are you going to do?" Nanai stood alone directly opposite the gun, her voice could catch up with the howling wind. "Do you want to fight us? Just rely on your weak gun?" "That's right." Ten soldiers guard said awe-inspiringly. "Never let a single person leave this place. However, if you are reasonable, accept your proposal, give up the atrocities tonight, and return to Hachisuka Village, you can save your life. Moreover, I can do my best to give everyone How about some money? Which would you choose?" "What did you say? Do you mean let's get out of here immediately?" "This is a crisis that will destroy the Saito family. Tonight's battle will destroy both Inabayama and Jiushan. To prevent..." "Stupid." It wasn't Nanai who spoke, it was someone around who said angrily. "Can you do it? Yellow mouth kid, talk too much here. If you get in the way of something important, I'll let your blood flow into rivers first." "I have already realized death." Before the battle started, Shibingwei raised his eyebrows like a white-faced yaksha, and he called his cousin behind him "Mi Heiji, Mi Heiji" without moving his body at all. "To kill, you know?" "Don't worry!" Yaheiji also drew out his sword, and stood back to back with Jubingwei, posing.However, Juhei still had a glimmer of hope for Nanauchi's rationality. "If you don't stop for a minute and return to Hachisuka Village right away, the unscrupulous Ten Soldiers are willing to be prisoners and go together. When I see Master Xiaoliu, I will personally explain right and wrong. How? It will become a purgatory on earth, and the matter between us can be resolved without bloodshed." His hard persuasion was regarded as cowardice by Hachisuka Kazuo.What's more, I have more than 20 people, and there are only two opponents. "annoying!" "Don't listen to him, the hour of Xu has already passed." The shouts of two or three people in the crowd made the crowd boil.Jubingwei was immediately surrounded by wild warriors.Laggers, guns and knives are like maces.Their tumult and the whirring of the wind merged into one, and there was a fierce and terrible picture of battle. "Ah, it's fighting!" Hiji watched.Broken knives flew horizontally, and spears were thrown at the blood-stained escapees. Because it was dangerous there, Hiyoshi hurriedly climbed up the tree and watched from the tree.Riji has seen several people hacking and killing each other, and this is the first time that such a small-scale war has occurred.And thinking that this result will determine whether Gifu will become a sea of ​​flames tonight, and then determine whether there will be a war between Jiushan and Inabashan, Hiyoshi is very excited.During the commotion, he heard the voices of "Miheiji" and "Juhei" calling each other.However, after two or three people died in this little battle, it reached the forest in an instant. "Ah? Have you escaped?" Feeling that it would be dangerous for them to return, Hiji cautiously did not get down from the tree easily, and was still observing the situation below from the tree.After being scattered by Juhei and Miheiji, if they really escaped, Hachisuka's people would be nothing more than a mob. Hiyoshi secretly despised them while listening attentively.The tree he climbed up just now was a chestnut tree. His hands and neck were cut, and chestnuts and twigs kept falling down.He and the tree swayed in the strong wind.After a while, "Ah? What is this?" Riji panicked.It was sparks like volcanic ash. Of course, Hiji was also flying around.He climbed up in fear.Hachisuka and his gang must have started the fire.The roof of Chang Zai Temple also appears to have been set on fire.Hachisuga, who was fleeing now, was setting fire while fleeing. "It's not good!" Hiji jumped down from the treetop like a chestnut and started running.In such a storm, with such a fire, if no time is spared, it will definitely be scorched in this forest.He ran to town with all his attention.The town is also on fire, and sparks, firebirds, and fire butterflies are flying in the sky.The white walls of Inabayama Castle were reddened by the flames, and red battle clouds were also surging there. "War is coming!" Hiji shouted and rushed towards the town. "The war has begun! Everything is over. Both Mount Jiushan and Mount Inaba will be destroyed. After the fire, new forces will emerge. I hope this time it will be just." People turned on their backs, and the refugees on the road trembled.In it, Hiyoshi ecstatically sang prophetic nursery rhymes excitedly and ran fast without any particular destination, but he didn't want to return to Hachisuka Village again.His character is most taboo of things like gloomy people, dark rulers, fratricide, closedness and conservatism, so he left the country in a hurry without any nostalgia.Then, he only wore a cotton coat in the following winter, selling needles and so on in the cold winter. I don’t know what the result of his hesitation was. Appearing on the streets of Hamamatsu, as always, is still a leisurely look.