Chapter 2 second quarter
Shengzhisuke was born in the 12th year of culture (1815).Hearing Jihei say——
"It happened that the cultivation of morning glory was very popular in Edo City at that time. Some people who were keen on this way paired different kinds of morning glory and tried to cultivate new varieties of different colors or shapes. At the beginning, I relied on the introductory guidebook on this aspect to get a lot of attention. Make a fortune."
The birthplace of Shengzhisuke-Taogenfan of Shangzong Kingdom, I have never heard of the popular planting of morning glory at that time.Even if it was really popular, his father Furuhashi Sozaemon probably wouldn't know about it.He works in Xiaonahu, and his main job is to manage clothes and daily necessities. He has some knowledge about kimono, ceramics, and lacquerware, but he is not specialized in any of them.Speaking of his hobbies, he is keeping dogs. As soon as he hears that someone's dog has given birth to a puppy, he immediately goes home to raise it. When he sees a scrawny dog, he involuntarily feeds it with food, and finally keeps it at home. In the courtyard, his wife Lijiang scolded him severely.
Shengzhisuke is the second son in the family.His eldest brother, Katsunosuke, who is two years older than him, follows the style of the Taogen Fan, has a brave personality, and has devoted himself to swordsmanship since childhood.After many years of hard training, he has acquired superb swordsmanship, and at the age of twenty, he served as the acting master of the dojo in the feudal domain.
The main family, Chiba, learned from the Kashima Shinin-ryu at the beginning, incorporated the breathing method of Iai sword drawing technique, and created the unique sword technique "Toga Bunen-ryu", which has been passed down to this day.As the swordsman who is the founder of the Duhe Sword School, his surname is "Bu Nian", which means "no distracting thoughts when you use your sword".When fighting with swords, if you have too many distracting thoughts in your mind, you will often lose.It means that there are no other thoughts in the mind, and all the attention is focused on the swift and lightning-like cut.This is not a simple Iai sword drawing technique, there are two or three rounds of confrontation skills, and it also incorporates body skills.
In other words, this is a sword technique that is completely suitable for actual combat.The generation of Sozaemon's father, Shinosuke's grandfather, focused on spear skills.Because in the past on the battlefield, the power of the gun surpassed that of the knife.Good at this genre of swordsmanship, fully showing the strength of his own personality.Katsunosuke is a man with a strong personality and full of samurai spirit.
As for Shengzhisuke, to put it bluntly, he is cowardly.He is also not good at swordsmanship, his face, hands and feet are red and swollen from being beaten with a bamboo sword, and he has been trained by Lijiang after returning home from the dojo.He used the scarecrow erected in the courtyard as a target, and asked his elder brother to guide him in swordsmanship, but there were many cases where he was scolded bloody.Although it has turned into an infinitely nostalgic memory now, it still hurts when I think about it.
However, rather than saying that Shengzhisuke is not like his elder brother, it is better to say that Shengzhisuke is a different kind of Guqiao family.Because Sozaemon's swordsmanship is completely incompetent.When he was young, there was a hungry wild dog barking at him on the outskirts of the city. Although Somon Yoshiemon drew his saber, not only did he not kill the wild dog, he didn't even dare to approach it, and fled.In the end, the dog was beheaded by his friend, and he became the laughing stock of everyone. Everyone said, "Guqiao's swordsmanship is not Bu Nian Liu, but Bu Quan Liu, which even a dog can't kill."
Father should feel ashamed.However, even if someone remembered the past and talked about this scandal, my father never got angry or defended, just kept silent with embarrassment on his face.
Sheng Zhisuke likes such a father.
The fact that the father was unable to kill the wild dog was not because of cowardice, but because of pity for the wild dog.However, if the dog contracted rabies, it would be dangerous to let it go unattended, and the dog itself was suffering, so my father would have killed it considering this.He is just so responsible.
—that even the wild dogs are hungry, which means that those who govern the land have no leadership.
Father said this to Sheng Zhisuke.The mother and elder brother disagreed with the father for different reasons.
There are also problems of compatibility between parents and children.In the eyes of Katsunosuke, who is upright and aggressive, he should feel that his father's gentleness is cowardice, and his father has had scruples about his eldest son who has a personality that is completely different from his own.There was nothing alike in appearance or physique between the two.
When Katsunosuke was a child, he heard others laugh at his father as "not a dog", and felt very reconciled, so he practiced swordsmanship diligently.After many trials and tribulations, after people looked at him differently, he began to look down on his father.The military ethos in the feudal clan further encouraged this kind of thinking.Sheng Zhisuke believes that the discord between the elder brother and his father stems from this.It's an unfortunate cycle.
As for her mother, Li Jiang, the reason for her discord with her father is obvious at first glance.Lie's natal family is the Nishima family, which is far higher in rank than the Furuhashi family, and even has relatives who serve as important officials in the feudal domain, so they would not marry into the Furuhashi family.
Then why did Lijiang marry into Guqiao's family in despair?All because Li Jiang scored three goals.Her first husband died young, and after marrying her second husband, she was deeply troubled by the problems of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. The two had constant quarrels, and they never had children. They divorced two years later.
Lijiang, who has returned to her natal family twice, even her family members don't know how to deal with her.Originally, women from the Wu family should not stay in their natal family.They wanted to find a home for Li Jiang.But Li Jiang was a shrew who dared to scold her mother-in-law. After the news spread, some people even said that Li Jiang's first husband was killed by her, so it was not easy to find someone to remarry.
Sozaemon, who had just inherited the Furuhashi family business, was selected.Maybe it was because they saw that he was not very promising, so people just sent Lijiang and him together.This was twenty-four years ago.
Sheng Zhisuke loves his father's gentle personality.But he believed that his father should have put aside his natural gentleness and rejected the marriage at the time.But having said that, if this was the case, Sheng Zhisuke would not have been born in this world.
Ironically, after Li Jiang married into Guqiao's family, he gave birth to Katsunosuke not long after, and then Shengzhisuke.
Lijiang has always carried the identity of a descendant of a famous family.Although her natal family has no place for her, but because of this, she sticks to this reserve even more.Facing her third marriage, which has been degraded a lot, she certainly doesn't feel happy.And in the eyes of the victorious Lijiang, her husband looked more and more like a bereaved dog drenched in the rain.She can't see everything.
However, her eldest son actually has a resolute personality.As he grew older, his talents gradually emerged, forming a sharp contrast with her husband.Li Jiang loved the child very much.Katsunosuke naturally respects Lie very much.He also gradually developed the idea of despising his father.The mother and son are congenial.
When Sheng Zhisuke recalled his hometown, it wasn't all unpleasant memories.Although he has a strong personality like his father and is worthless compared to his elder brother, Lijiang will not treat him badly.The mother seems to want to make up for the regret of the alienation between herself and her husband, and bets a lot of love for the brothers.However, when the innocent child began to have his own opinions and gradually developed his personality, Shengzhisuke understood from it that his mother was full of expectations for his elder brother, but almost asked for nothing from him.In fact, it should be said that he didn't have any of what his mother asked for.
The eldest brother inherits the family business.On the contrary, Sheng Zhisuke was much more relaxed.However, when I leave home in the future, I don't know what will happen to my father: I can't help worrying.The father kept a low-key job at the grassroots level, kept a dog at home, chatted intimately with the servants, and planted vegetables and sweet potatoes in the self-built vegetable garden in the garden. Every time he looked at his father's back, he felt a faint sense of loneliness and was unable to speak for a long time .
Looking back now, that level of uneasiness and loneliness is nothing compared to the feelings that hit him in reality.
On July 1st of the fifth year of Tianbao (1834) the year before last, Furuhashi Zongzaemon was suddenly summoned by Mutsuke from the feudal domain.
It is said that he is suspected of taking bribes from the royal shop "Hanosen".The merchant lodged a complaint.The other party said that he had been cooperating with Lord Guqiao's request five years ago, but the bribes he paid every year continued to increase, and now he couldn't afford it.
So Yoshiemon was completely unaware of such a thing.
The Guqiao family has always lived a frugal life.When it comes to more extravagant actions, it should be that Li Jiang misses the life of her natal family in the past, and at the same time, in order to boast of her family background, although the family does not have much salary, she hires many servants.By the way, my father is not farming in the courtyard to supplement the family, he just likes farming.A samurai family with low salary like the Furuhashi family employs mostly not samurai, but the children of farmers in the territory. Zongzaemon learned farming from them.He seems to think that this is the source of Fenglu, and it is best to have some understanding of the actual situation.But Li Jiang hated him for doing this.This is indeed not something that ordinary small farmers would do.
Minami's accusation has strong evidence.The documents given to him by Zongzaemon recorded the bribes received and granted, the amount, and the method of hiding them.There are as many as five years of documents with different details, all of which are preserved.Bo Yeqian's shopkeeper should have kept these documents secretly just to guard against such a day.
So Yoshiemon was greatly astonished.Because he doesn't remember such a thing at all.
But the handwriting on the document looks like he wrote it himself.
Katsunosuke, as his father's successor, was working as a junior official in Xiaonahuli at that time.The 20-year-old Sheng Zhisuke is studying at the Fan School "Yuexiangkan".The teacher here, Saeki Kamonnosuke, appreciated him very much, let him study, and at the same time arranged for him, and wanted to promote him as the right pen.
In Daogen Fan, the right pens serving the lord are hereditary from generation to generation, and there are few changes.However, for samurai who hold other positions, if the son becomes a talent, Mr. Saeki always cultivates him carefully and arranges suitable positions.At such a time, the most trouble-free way is to let the important officials in the feudal clan recruit a surrogate as an adopted son, and Sheng Zhisuke also has a marriage, and the most senior Youbi Garner family in the feudal clan has no son to inherit the family business, and desperately wants to find a surrogate for his daughter.
For Sheng Zhisuke, this is what he wished for.Although martial arts is not good, but Wen Dao is his strength and his favorite.Although I haven't seen the marriage partner yet, this is a small feudal country, and I have heard a little about it.It is rumored that the other party looks like the manjusri that blooms on the seaside of Daogen in summer, which is naturally a plus.Sheng Zhisuke's parents are also very happy.
But at this moment, suspicions about Zongzaemon's bribery suddenly appeared.
The superior interrogated him for several days, but there was no progress, and he was always going around in a dead end.Soyoemon didn't remember such a thing.But the documents are so iron-clad that they look like his handwriting no matter what.But he didn't write it at all.No matter how the superior asked for an explanation, he could only say that he had never written such a thing.
On the other hand, Bo Yeqian's rhetoric is consistent, and the shopkeeper's uneasy appearance also feels true.He said seriously that he came to lodge a complaint with the consciousness of being sentenced to death in order to protect the signboard of Bo Yeqian and other royal merchants of the Takune clan.
Five years ago, it was indeed the year when this store was allowed to enter and leave the city as a merchant of the feudal kingdom.According to the results of the bidding, this store will replace the previous royal merchant.It was Furuhashi Sozaemon who was in charge of arranging the bidding at that time.Minami said the bribery started from then on.
Now Zong Zuoweimen has no way to retreat.
After an in-depth investigation, something unfavorable to Sozaemon came to the surface, that is, the flow of his bribes.
Konato can be regarded as a civil servant, so he is very suitable for Sozaemon.But Katsunosuke, who inherited the family business, is a famous swordsman in the domain.He actually wanted to be a military officer, and everyone around him knew what he was thinking.Like Katsunosuke, his mother Lie hoped that he could serve as a military officer.
According to the tradition of Dao Genfan, those who obtained the positions of important ministers by strength, not hereditary inheritance, have always been military officers.Although this kind of atmosphere is a little out of date with the trend of the times, it has been a habit for many years under the traditional atmosphere of advocating martial arts.
Lie asked her natal Niijima's family to help, and secretly asked people to help.This requires spending money.Lijiang sent a lot of money, and the Guqiao family's Fenglu was not capable of doing so, and now the superiors are investigating where the money came from.
If you find out the reason, you will understand that it must be Lijiang's natal family who is helping behind the scenes.At that time and now, Sheng Zhisuke thought so.Other than that, there is no other possibility.It is not surprising that the Shinjima family, who has always been indifferent to Lie, is also looking forward to Katsunosuke.
However, secretly using money to seek positions is despised by samurai.Since it was revealed under such circumstances, it is naturally impossible for the Niishima family, who are closely related to the important officials in the domain, to admit it.
Li Jiang was forced into a dead end.At this point, Zongzaemon finally recruited.He admitted to taking bribes, saying that he did it all by himself, and that the money was used to hire people to replace him as a matchmaker and military attache.
Sheng Zhisuke was not surprised when he heard his father pleaded guilty.Under such a predicament, my father must have been psychologically prepared to do so.He only wanted to protect his mother and Katsunosuke.
However, no punishment was issued from above.I heard that the lord can't accept such a result, and thinks that the matter is too simple, and it's hard to hide his displeasure.
Chiba Yuchang, the lord of Daogen, was forty-five years old at the time.His retainers didn't think he was a wise and wise king.But he's not stupid at all.According to Mr. Saeki, on the surface there is no internal strife in the Chiba family of the Togen Fan, but there are secret rivalries between blood relatives and in-laws, and power struggles are not something that only happened in the past few days.The Lord knows this matter better than anyone else.This time the bribery scandal is actually the same kind of entanglement that surfaced, Furuhashi Sect Left and Right Gate is just a sacrificed chess piece, or a scapegoat.The lord has already seen through that there is another story behind this matter.
Zong Zuoweimen was dismissed from his post and ordered to think behind closed doors.Bamboo thorns were erected around the house and guarded by guards.Sheng Zhisuke firmly believes that this is not the final punishment, but a temporary disposal before the truth of the case is found out.
However……
After contemplating behind closed doors for three days, before dawn, Furuhashi Sect Yoshiemon performed seppuku in front of his own courtyard.
The dazzling summer, like a nightmare, is over, and the dawn is approaching, and the autumn insects are singing softly in the vestibule.
No fault of anyone.Katsunosuke was the first to notice the abnormality. Seeing that his father was bleeding profusely from his abdomen and in great pain, he hurriedly swung a knife and chopped off his head.This is post-mediation.When Sheng Zhisuke, who arrived one step later, jumped down the courtyard, Zong left and right gate had died.
--why?
Sheng Zhisuke heard the pale elder brother holding a blood-stained long knife, whispering in such a low voice.
—Why didn't you ask me to intervene for you in the first place.
Dad probably thinks this is too cruel for you.Shengzhisuke answered involuntarily.When Katsunosuke heard the words, he rushed towards him, as if he was going to kill him with a knife.
——Isn’t that cruel?Isn't that tragic?
It's too ugly.Katsunosuke said disdainfully.
Sheng Zhisuke had nothing to say.
The name of the Guqiao family was abolished.Katsunosuke and Shengzhisuke were under the care of the Niijima family, and Lie obeyed this punishment.The shopkeeper of Bo Yeqian was punished, his wife was expelled from the domain, and a fine of three hundred taels was added. Only the signboard of Bo Yeqian remained.It is not surprising that their property was confiscated this time, but because the shopkeeper sued the case himself, his behavior was respectable and the crime was reduced.
The incident ended and the turmoil subsided.
Katsunosuke and Shengnosuke spent a month thinking behind closed doors at Niijima's house.Afterwards, the superior allowed Katsunosuke to return to the dojo, and Shengzhisuke returned to Yuexiang Pavilion.Katsunosuke should rely on the Niijima family to arrange a way out, while Shengnosuke will be managed by Mr. Saeki.Tsukishokan was originally a private private school run by Mr. Saeki, who is a Confucianist. It was established as a feudal school when the previous feudal lord was in power, and it was backed by the Kuroda family who had been the elders of the Chiba family for generations.Now the teacher official worships the position of "Guide to Learning in the Fan", and has the status of a Fan Confucian.He still has close contacts with the Kuroda family.The teacher took advantage of this opportunity and asked Shengzhisuke to be an assistant scholar.
"You should also be very clear that your road to Qingyun has been ruined."
The teacher ordered Sheng Zhisuke to sit in front of him, knowing the righteousness.Of course, the right-hand Ghanaian family's recruiting affair also fell through.
"If you think it's useless to continue to pursue learning, there's nothing wrong with it. Assistant scholar sounds nice, but from now on your status will be no different from that of a servant. Your peers will definitely look at you with contempt. Even so, if you still want to pursue Learning, I am still your teacher."
Shengzhisuke shed tears and was scolded by the teacher.
Then every day is busy.It is an exaggeration to say that he is no different from his servants, but more than 30 vassals are all attending classes at the Yuexiang Hall, and they have a lot of business to do. Shengzhisuke can only open the book early in the morning and late at night, and write in front of the inkstone.The rest of the time is chased by chores.
When the north wind blows, Shengzhisuke moves from Nishima's house to Saeki's house to take care of the teacher's daily life.His identity is an assistant scholar.The teacher's wife died young, and he had no children. He lived alone as a widow, and a hunchbacked maid took care of it.The maid named Ah Tim taught Shengzhisuke to cook, boil bath water, and clean the toilet.She is a strict teacher.
Although we can't see the future, after falling asleep, morning will come and it will be a new day.The new day is the same as yesterday, repeating over and over again, but Sheng Zhisuke still has expectations in his heart.
The key lies in the mind of the lord.Without the living witness Furuhashi Zongzaemon, the matter of Konato hooking up with Nanaqian was finally ignored.But the lord should still have doubts in his heart.His suspicions were not quite allayed.
Maybe there will be some action in the future.
The owner of the shop was sentenced to punishment. Although the signboard was left behind, the supposedly empty shell of Haminosen was allowed to reopen in Tianbao Six Years the following year, which made Shengzhisuke feel that something was wrong.And the new owner is the younger brother of the former owner who was a criminal before.
Such a punishment is far too light.There should be something else hidden in it.But, am I the only one who thinks so?Shengzhisuke often asks and answers himself in this way.Isn't anyone else suspicious?How does the lord view this matter?
The matter is not over yet.There are also inside stories that have not been made public.Shengzhisuke couldn't help thinking so.
Time flies, never stopping to review the concerns and small hopes hidden in people's hearts.Sheng Zhisuke works in the Yuexiang Pavilion, and the days are fleeting like running water.In the blink of an eye, it is a new year again, the new plum blossoms are about to bloom, and the mirror cherry blossoms will wither after a short period of time, and the foot of the Taogenfan mountain will be covered with new greenery.When the rainy season came, Ah Tim strictly taught him how to prevent the books from growing moldy. After several torrential thunderstorms, the annoying dark clouds cleared, and the sweltering summer came.
Sheng Zhisuke is slightly thinner than when he lived in his hometown, and his eyes are more energetic.One day in summer, Shinosuke's mother Sato came to visit unexpectedly.
The mother, whom I hadn't seen for a long time, looked much better than when my father had just passed away.Although the shoulders are still thin, the once thin cheek lines have returned to their original roundness.
In the past, people often criticized Li Jiang for not helping her husband and being a shrew. At that time, because of her beauty, she often fell into the trap.I heard that when she was young, she not only dominated the Tao Genfan, but even claimed to be the number one beauty in the Shangzong Kingdom.Now old and fading, the lingering rhyme still exists.
He was glad his mother was back to life.Although his own reaction was a bit childish, Shonosuke was overjoyed to reunite with his mother.
After Sosoemon's seppuku, Lie no longer showed any expression on his face.Of course there is no need to mention the smile, and the tears will never be seen.His eyes were as cold as frost, and the skin seemed to be completely frozen, and the corner of thick ice was exposed from between the two eyelids.She rarely speaks.Occasionally speak, full of fixed greetings and words of thanks.After mentioning this, it occurred to me that my mother never called Shengzhisuke's name after the incident.
On the other hand, he calls his elder brother—Katsunosuke-sama in various situations.Sometimes it seems to be timid, sometimes it seems to please him, and sometimes it seems to be reprimanding. Mother will change her tone and call eldest brother, but she just never called Sheng Zhisuke.
Mother came here on foot today.The frost in her eyes has melted.Sheng Zhisuke was so happy that he didn't think about what happened to his mother at all.
"Mother hasn't changed at all... No, her complexion looks better. My elder brother..."
Sheng Zhisuke asked eagerly, Li Jiang immediately interrupted him.
"Katsunosuke-sama and I are the same. You are the same."
Although the ice in Lijiang's eyes melted, they were as cold as before.
"I came to you today because I have something important to do. I don't have time to talk about unnecessary things."
Sheng Zhisuke was halfway through speaking, his mouth was still and he was speechless.Because the paper door was open, Ah Tim's voice came from the corridor.Lie and Shengzhisuke are the wives and children of the criminal. Although they are mother and son, they still try their best to avoid talking in private.
"Hello." Ah Tim, a hunchback, arched her back even more. She put her hands on the tatami and brought hot tea.Li Jiang looked at Ah Tim sternly without even nodding his head.Ah Tim didn't even look at Li Jiang.
Seeing the solemn atmosphere of silence at the scene, Sheng Zhisuke said:
"Ms. Tim, this is my mother."
Ah Tim lowered his head, and although he saluted, he left without saying a word.Lijiang never said a word and turned his face away.
"That's the maid of this family, right?" Li Jiang asked in a low voice after Ah Tim left.
"yes."
"You actually called the maid 'Ms. Tim'?"
It's too embarrassing - Li Jiang bit his lip tightly.
Sheng Zhisuke suddenly panicked, he said that the teacher didn't ask me to do this.Since Tim taught me so many things, it was only natural for me to call her that.
"It would be different if the other party was Mrs. Saiki's wife, but isn't she a maid?"
Li Jiang's tone was strong and forceful.This is the voice of scolding.This is the mother Lijiang.
Shengzhisuke has been taken care of by you——has mother greeted Ah Tim like this?Absolutely not.
"I heard you cook and draw water here. Is that true?"
Sheng Zhisuke almost nodded, but he tried his best to hold back, raised his face and replied loudly: "That's right."
Li Jiang frowned. "Working with the maids, right?"
"This is also one of the jobs of the assistant scholar."
"Didn't you stay here to study?"
"Taking care of the teacher's daily life is also a kind of learning. Walking, living, sitting, lying down, everything about the teacher is worth learning."
Li Jiang bit his lips again, until his lips turned white.
"Don't you feel very unwilling?" Li Jiang asked in a low voice, then shook his head as if to cancel the question just now.
"It's no use talking about it now. It's a waste of time."
It's actually like this... Lijiang leaned forward and said in a low voice.
"Shonosuke, I want you to go to Edo."
Shengzhisuke was dumbfounded.Because it happened suddenly.
"Want me to go to Edo?" His voice was trembling. "for what?"
"A visit to Sakazaki-sama who is staying behind in the mansion. Sakazaki Shigehide-sama."
Staying in residence is a permanent residence in the Edo feudal residence, responsible for negotiating with the shogunate on behalf of the feudal state, and liaising with important positions in various affairs.For Shengnosuke, who can't be independent, always stays in his hometown and has never been to Edo, he knows nothing except the name.
"I've made a deal with Sakazaki-sama. It's too troublesome to send letters back and forth, so why don't you go directly to Edo, this is Sakazaki-sama's order."
Having said this, Li Jiang straightened his back and smiled slightly.That expression is like saying - so you understand it all.
Sheng Zhijie Zhang Er King Kong couldn't figure it out.
"What should I do after I go to Edo and meet Sakazaki-sama?"
Li Jiang immediately put away his smile, just like the light snow in early spring before the ice and snow melted.
Shengzhisuke suddenly remembered that in many things, as long as Shengzhisuke was inferior to his elder brother, his mother would always show this expression.The expectant smile disappeared suddenly, and then showed disappointment, as if to say...
——Well, it was exactly as I expected.
Mother moved her knees forward and gestured for Shengzhisuke to approach.
"I want you to ask Mr. Sakazaki to help rebuild the Furuhashi House. Discuss this matter with him."
Sheng Zhisuke was taken aback.This is not a surprise shock, but a shock caused by things that were originally messy and clueless, suddenly completely wrapped up.
Re-establishing the Furuhashi family, of course means that Li Katsunosuke is the head of the Furuhashi family, please coordinate with the people of the Edo domain...
Rie looked into Shengzhisuke's eyes and nodded heavily.
"Sakazaki-sama is willing to help us. I can't find such a powerful helper anymore."
Now Shengzhisuke finally understood that the power to melt the ice in his mother's eyes originally came from this.
The left-behind residence in Edo holds powerful power, and sometimes can even influence the rise and fall of the vassal state. Therefore, not everyone can take up the position. Wisdom and experience are required, and connections are also very important.The Sakazaki family has been in charge of the Dagen Fan from generation to generation, especially the current left-behind residence Sakazaki Shigehide is a well-known and powerful figure.Sheng Zhisuke has heard people's evaluation of him.Moreover, Shigehide Sakazaki and Lie were not strangers.Although she has no connection with her natal Niishima family and the Furuhashi family, she has a relationship with Lie.
Shigehide Sakazaki and Lie's late first husband were uncles and nephews.Although there was a round age difference, they were as close as brothers since childhood, so Li Jiang knew him very well.He also treats his nephew's beautiful daughter-in-law as his younger sister, and loves him very much.
As for why Shengzhisuke knew about this past, he naturally heard it from Li Jiang.Lie, who was deeply dissatisfied with the Furuhashi family and Zongzaemon, always skipped the second marriage in which mother-in-law and daughter-in-law disagreed every time he talked about the past, and talked about the first happy marriage that was shattered purely because of a trick of fate. .Lijiang often talks about the past with infinite nostalgia, and is proud of it, and then complains about the desolation in front of him.Lijiang may also understand this very well, and he always picks people when talking about this matter.Sheng Zhisuke was often her pick when she was young.
Lijiang wants to revive the Guqiao family through his old connections.
"But..." Shengzhisuke said this first, and he tried his best to think in his mind before continuing.
It is indeed an important job to stay behind in Edo.The Sakazaki family is also a famous family with a long history, and has great power in the feudal domain.However, because of his job as a stay-at-home residence, Shigehide Sakazaki stayed in Edo for many years and was not very familiar with the situation in the feudal domain.For example, the incident of the small Nahu accepting bribes took place in the Togen Fan from the beginning to the end. Shengzhisuke didn't think that the details would reach the ears of Shigehide who lived in Edo.
"Master Sakazaki is not omnipotent after all." Finally he replied. "And it's too early to do that."
Li Jiang's eyes suddenly turned up.
"You should also know that Bo Yeqian put up the signboard again, and the party who gave the bribe was forgiven by the superior."
It's too early to forgive the party who took the bribe, how can there be such a thing--Lijiang said.
"Mother, I understand how you feel. I also think the punishment is too lenient. But this..."
Li Jiang didn't listen to Sheng Zhisuke's words at all, her eyes were full of light, and the cold water in her eyes showed a faint coldness.
"Your father committed seppuku, and the crime of accepting bribes has been confessed. Katsunosuke still has a bright future waiting for him. Not only him, but you too."
She only added Shengzhisuke's name later.
"Sakazaki-sama is very sympathetic to what happened to us. I have a letter from him, saying that the Furuhashi family will definitely be re-established, and it should be re-established."
It seems that the mother went back and forth with the Edo fish goose many times.The target is Sakazaki-sama.
"Regarding this matter, what does the Niijima family think?"
Li Jiang was a little timid and blinked frequently.Sheng Zhisuke noticed something strange in her expression.
"Mom, could it be..."
"The Niijima family doesn't know anything." Lie said quickly without looking at Shengzhisuke, looking down at his knees.
"Even if they notice something, I'm doing it for the good of Katsunosuke. They should acquiesce in my doing so."
How could he not notice.Whether Lie sent someone to deliver a message, or entrusted a messenger to deliver a letter, she was in the eyes of Niijima's family with every gesture she made.
Sheng Zhisuke was quite discouraged.
He still firmly believes that his father Sozaemon's bribery scandal was fabricated and framed.Father suffered injustice.However, there was evidence against the father at that time, and what was closely related to this evidence was none other than the mother's action to seek an official.
You obviously have tasted the bitterness once, so how can you still not learn well?If the Niijima family were aware of this, why did they acquiesce in her doing so?Is it because they think that their mother asked the Edo left-behind house for help, and she found the wrong person at all, and finally let her do it for nothing?Is there no one to reprimand and dissuade her?
"Does my brother know about this?"
Facing Shengzhisuke's question, Lie nodded vigorously.
"Master Katsunosuke is very pleased after reading Mr. Sakazaki's letter. I look forward to your performance."
The Nishima family is Lie's natal family, and they took in the two Shengzhisuke brothers who were punished by closing their doors and thinking about their mistakes.It is not impossible for them to put forward the request to re-establish the Guqiao family, but it will take time.Before this turmoil subsides, it is not appropriate to act rashly.The most effective way is to speak out on behalf of an important official in the domain who has no blood relationship with the Guqiao family and has nothing to do with this incident—Li Jiang's plan is not difficult to understand, but it is just her wishful thinking after all.
However, what happened to the firm gaze in the mother's eyes at this time?Does your brother have the same look?
Please, don't you care about your father's grievances?Isn't it the same thing that mother and eldest brother expect to rebuild the Guqiao family and to wash away father's stigma?
"Brother, he is looking forward to my performance..." Shengzhisuke whispered to himself.
This is not confirmation, but hoping that Li Jiang can feel his thoughts, and deliberately lowered his voice and said slowly.
But Lijiang didn't realize it. "That's right. Your time to serve Big Brother has finally come."
No—Lijiang hastily changed his words.
"It's for the Guqiao family."
It's so far away... Sheng Zhisuke thought to himself.
Originally, his mother and elder brother were extremely far away from him.Even so, they were on the same road when my father was alive, but at a great distance from each other.But it's different now, they're on different paths.Perhaps they are both in the same position of being afraid of the world, so they are close to each other, but the paths they are walking on are completely different.
Mother, father committed seppuku to protect you.That is the greatest consideration for you from a man you think is useless and has never accepted it sincerely.You don't know it at all, do you?what do you thinkIs there a trace of guilt?Have you ever been grateful?
Sheng Zhisuke wanted to ask clearly, but when the words reached his throat, he pressed his lips tightly, and put his fists on his knees, unable to speak for a long time.
He was afraid of his mother's answer after being pressed.
Lie also seemed to sense something from Shengnosuke's silence.She said something very contrived.
"If the Guqiao family can be re-established, your father will be the happiest person. Sheng Zhisuke, you know that?"
Since just now, Lijiang has always used the way of speaking "your father".
Isn't he your husband?
"Mom, you seem to have forgotten." Sheng Zhisuke said slightly sarcastically. "Now I am here under the care of Teacher Saeki. Without the teacher's permission, let alone going to Edo, I can't even step out of the territory."
Li Jiang's expression was extremely cheerful. "You don't have to worry about this. Sakazaki-sama will ask Kuroda-sama to arrange it."
"How do you say that?"
"Master Kuroda will give Mr. Saeki an order to let you go to Edo to work for the Tsukishokan."
That's why I asked you for help, Shengzhisuke—— Lie's voice seemed very excited.
"Katsunosuke can't find an excuse to go to Edo, but you have."
Mr. Saeki used to study at the Shoheizaka Institute of Learning in Edo, and now he still asks people to send many books from Edo, and there are many acquaintances there.As Li Jiang said, there are plenty of excuses to make.
Sheng Zhisuke was deeply astonished.In this way, mother and Shigehide Sakazaki directly skipped Mr. Saeki and promoted this matter without authorization.
Shengzhisuke couldn't hold back anymore, "Mr. Saeki felt sorry for me when I was punished behind closed doors, so he asked to hire me as an assistant scholar. This is a great kindness. I must not use the teacher in this way. "
Li Jiang didn't take it seriously at all, "Isn't the teacher and Master Kuroda very familiar? It's very easy to accept you as an assistant scholar. If that's the case, isn't it the same situation this time?"
Hopeless.Shengzhisuke suddenly realized.Mother can't be saved.She has a wanton disease.It's like a fever, to calm her down completely, it's useless to persuade her with good words.Only by letting her try it with a bruised nose and a swollen face will she understand.It feels like even the so-called powerful character Shigehide Sakazaki seems to have given up. He was played around by Lie, obeyed, and gave Lie the reply he wanted most. Is a man like him reliable?
I see—Sheng Zhisuke responded.Right now, he could only do so, and he just wanted to ask Li Jiang to leave earlier.
Watching the back of Lie leaving with brisk steps, Shengzhisuke didn't even bother to sigh, and packed the tea set directly to the kitchen.
Tim is in the kitchen.She was squatting on the ground with her hand in the pickle bucket.
After confirming that it was Shengzhisuke from the corner of her eye, the old woman pointedly said:
"What a proud woman, the rumors are indeed true."
This was obviously criticizing his mother, but Sheng Zhisuke couldn't refute it.Ah Tim pulled out the dried pickled yellow radish and rubbed it vigorously with his bony hands.Just like her vigorous movements, Ah Tim continued to say unceremoniously:
"It's obvious that there is only so little woman's shallow knowledge, and she loves to play tricks. No wonder the Guqiao family will collapse."
Ms. Ah Tian—Sheng Zhisuke called out in shame, "Please do me a favor and stop talking."
"The teacher already knows about this."
"Huh?" This made Sheng Zhisuke even more ashamed.
"Because Kuroda-sama sent someone to deliver a message yesterday. When I served tea, the teacher was still smiling."
Saeki-sensei laughed at this.
"Are you talking about sending me to Edo?"
Ah Tim put the lid on the pickle bucket, and got up with a whoosh.Whether she squatted or stood, her back was always bent the same way.
"That's not a happy smile. It's a wry smile."
One can imagine.
"The teacher said, if Mrs. Guqiao continues to be like this endlessly in the future, it might be a good idea for Sheng Zhisuke to go to a farther place."
Even if what Ah Tim said was the same as what the teacher said, there should be a difference in how he expresses it.Shengzhisuke hopes to be different.
"Ask for knowledge, no matter where you are." Ah Tim said to the pickle bucket, "Go outside and think carefully about what you are facing. It will be helpful for the future."
This time it should be imitating the tone of the teacher.
"My mother wants to secretly send me to Edo, but it seems that I can't keep it secret."
Niijima, Kuroda, Saeki knew about this, even Ah Tim knew about it.
"Who told her that her knowledge is shallow. She thinks that she will not be discovered by her secret actions."
Didn't my mother do the same thing when she started seeking an official for her elder brother?
——so it caused that result.
She must have been used.
"Mr. Sheng Zhisuke." Ah Tim called out.
"exist."
"You really are 'Sakura Fallen Chaos'."
What did she say?
"There is a saying in Koshu that goes like this."
阿添那张脸，活像是洗得皱巴巴的皱绸直接晒干，满布皱纹，很难判断那究竟是笑脸还是怒容。此时，她眼中带着笑意。
“因为经历了各种风风雨雨，备尝艰辛，引发轩然大波时，人们都会这么说。”
阿添出身甲州韮崎。佐伯老师在江户求学时，阿添便以女佣的身分服侍他，跟着他到捣根藩。阿添为何离开生长的地方到江户又有无亲人，笙之介一概不知。也许老师也不清楚阿添的来历。
“落樱纷乱是吧。”笙之介试着重复一递。“这句话听起来真美。”
虽然心情并未因此轻松，但略感安慰。
Notes:
Notes: