Chapter 7 Section VII
Kanoya, a pottery shop in Isecho, Kanda, held a cherry blossom viewing party and a big appetite contest.
Seats for flower viewing parties are reserved for customers, but the "competition" can only be done with crowds.It's not difficult to visit with a laid-back attitude - so East Valley said.What kind of store is Kanoya, and who are the people who are regarded as guests of honor, you might as well find out.
"It would be great if you could get acquainted with the people in Kano's house by the way, but it's too much for you to do so many things at once."
For this reason, before the flower viewing party held at noon on March 10, Shengzhisuke did not make special preparations in advance.The cherry blossoms in Edo City gradually bloomed, 50% of them bloomed, and then 80% of them, step by step approaching full bloom.The cherry trees on the riverbank behind the Fukan longhouse are also blooming more and more, and the orange branches are drooping, as if they are not bearing petals but fruits, which looks heavy.The posture of the cherry tree reflecting on the water has a lazy beauty.
Zongzhisuke was troubled by Murata Yajibei's difficult request. After all, this is not a simple explanation that can answer "I see, I understand".When he didn't know what to do, when he rested his chin on one hand and stared at the cherry blossoms in a daze...
—Let the protagonist and his wife stand under such a cherry tree.
At most he thought of this level.It's all well and good to have them stand under the cherry tree, but what to say?After thinking of such a scene, I fell into a dead end again.If he was stuck in it all the time, his mood would be very dull, so he pushed the copy aside and tried to copy the Babaishanqie.He gradually mastered the trick, and then he plans to start from the beginning of the Sichuan fan.This work was much more interesting, and the copying work was naturally put on hold.
Worked until the morning of the ninth.Taichi, who had just returned from burning firewood at a nearby bathhouse, showed Shinosuke an advertising leaflet.He ran all the way, panting, and specially handed the flyer to Shengzhisuke.
"Mr. Sheng, there is such a thing."
It was given to me by a guest at the bathhouse—the flyer that Taichi was talking about came from Kanoya.
"There is also the Big Eater Competition. I heard that anyone can participate. Is this really written on it?"
Taiyi is busy earning money every day, doesn't go to private school very much, and doesn't know a few big characters.
"Well, it says - those who think they have a chance to win the championship, please participate enthusiastically."
Taichi's cheeks flushed, his eyes lit up, and he kept approaching Shengzhisuke.
"I heard that there are dim sum and plain rice groups, is that true?"
The competition is divided into groups, and the contestants themselves decide what they want to eat.
"Everyone said that if there is a snack group, I should be able to win the first place."
The advertising flyer says "Dim Sum Group", "Rice Group", "Eel Group", and "Wine Group", there are four groups in total.
"There are even eels?" Tai clapped his hands, almost jumping up. "Wow! I want to participate! Can you eat as much steamed fish as you want?" After screaming for a while, he suddenly became anxious. "But, is there a fee to participate?"
Sheng Zhisuke looked down at the advertisement flyer, shook his head and said:
"It's all free. And no matter which group you participate in, if you win the championship, you will get a reward of five taels."
"Five taels!" Tai Yi really jumped up this time. "I want to participate! It's tomorrow, right? I'm going! I must win the championship!"
Taichi kept yelling, and Shengnosuke looked at the advertising leaflet carefully.That's right on the top...
"What a luxurious event." Shinosuke unabashedly showed surprise in his heart, and frowned involuntarily.
"It won't be a problem, will it?"
"What, Mr. Sheng, don't pour cold water on the sidelines."
"Don't you think the conditions are too good? What's the benefit of spending so much money on the host Kanoya?"
Shengzhisuke thought that this "big stomach king competition" was a small gathering, just a side show for viewing flowers, and the target was the guests of Kanoya and the residents of the nearby Kanda area. This alone was luxurious enough.This is impossible in the feudal kingdom, and Sheng Zhisuke was inexplicably surprised.
"It's not cost-effective to find so many people to hold such an event."
Not to mention the Kanda area, the advertising leaflets even span the area from Okawa to Fukagawa.If you can do this, the whole Edo city should know that there is a big stomach king competition.How many people will gather and how much money will be invested at that time is completely impossible to guess.
Taichi spit secretly, and Yokoshengosuke took a look.
"That's why everyone can't stand country bumpkins. Edo merchants are rich and powerful. The more lively the celebration, the more they like it. This kind of 'competition' is not unusual at all."
"Taiyi, it's not unusual for you to say it, but you're also surprised."
What's the matter - Taiyi spat inwardly again.He has a straightforward personality, and he can't help showing embarrassment at this time.
"I'm a little surprised; because I haven't seen much of it lately."
"It used to be a lot, right?"
"I heard that when my father was my age, it was held once a month on average, and it was held in various places."
It's really a celebration.
"My father said that these activities have decreased a lot as the economy has deteriorated. The rich have become preoccupied and guard the money they earn. In the past, the rich used this method to share happiness with the poor."
Usually Tai is always strict with his lazy father, but he respects Tonzang's words very much.Fu Kan, the manager of the longhouse, often said that the gap between the rich and the poor is getting bigger and bigger, and the money in the world is getting less and less in circulation. Even Tai Yi, who is too young to be busy earning money, feels the same way.
"I feel the same way about the inequality of the rich and the poor."
If you compare the life in Edo Town with the feudal kingdom, you really have this feeling.When I was in the feudal kingdom, I could feel the difference between life in the city and the countryside—but I could only hear it.The life gap between Edo and Dagenfan is simply not comparable.
In the Fukan longhouse where poor families gather, at least one meal a day is plain rice.However, in feudal states, even though they are noble vassals, it is natural for lower-ranking samurai to eat white rice mixed with grain in their homes, and when there is a bad harvest, the mochi they eat during the New Year will be replaced by millet cake or barnyard cake.The "ordinary" life of the Dagen Fan was considered "poverty" by the standards of Edo City.
"In that case, why don't you join, Mr. Sheng?" This kind of fun should not be missed.
"If you have the opportunity to be a rich man, you have to do it well. You can join the dim sum group. Mr. Sheng, do you like sweets? If so, I will join the rice group."
The two of us join forces to win a bonus of twelve taels!Tai Yi with high fighting spirit is extremely cheerful, without showing the slightest inferiority complex.
"I'll let it go, but..."
Since Taichi wants to participate, he is no longer just a visitor, and can get closer to Kanoya.
"Then I'll go and see your good performance."
"Okay!" Taiyi clapped his hands vigorously and said—then take my sister with me.
"What about Mr. Tozou? Do you want to join the drinking group?"
"No, no, my dad can't do it. Mr. Sheng, you should also know that my dad can't drink well. Although he likes to drink, his drinking capacity is extremely poor. He has no chance of winning."
Taiyi already showed an expression of wanting to compete with others.Sheng Zhisuke thought to himself, then I will show the appearance of a military adviser.
Things that surprised Shengzhisuke happened one after another.When he went to Nihonbashi, Katsuroku of Katsubundo also knew about the Big Eater Competition, and he also had the flyer.It is said that a well-dressed man was shouting and handing out leaflets near the store.
"It seems to be a gang. It may be under the care of the boss of Kanoya a lot."
In order to let more people know about the Big Eater Competition to be held tomorrow, they even spread the word everywhere.
"Mr. Sheng, you rarely see this kind of situation, right?"
This is the gorgeous running water mat in Edo.
"Well, I want to see you."
Shengzhisuke mentioned that Taiyi was willing to participate. After Shengliu heard the words, Loofah showed a leisurely smile on his face, and then said————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
At sunset, after the people who went out to work returned, this topic was also being discussed in the Fukan longhouse.Someone heard about it from Tai Yi, someone got the flyer on the road like Shengliu, and someone heard the gossip.What's even more exaggerated is that the manager, Kanemon, waved the advertising leaflet in his hand and called all the tenants to the well.
"Let's go to Ise Town together tomorrow morning. It looks like the weather will be fine, and the cherry blossoms are all in bloom. You should be able to enjoy the flowers."
Axiu, who was holding Kayo in one hand, leaned towards Sheng Zhisuke and whispered, "The manager has never been worried about money, that's why he speaks so nicely."
"Have you ever gone to enjoy flowers together before?"
Axiu wrinkled her nose and said with a smile, "How is that possible? We enjoy the flowers, at most, the cherry tree by the river. This is the first time." Since the opportunity is rare, let's enjoy it——Axiu Chao Shengzhisuke and Kayo smiled.At this time, Jiadai said something amazing.
"Takebu-sensei will also go."
Takebu teacher-Takebu Gonzaemon is Kayo's private school teacher.Like Sheng Zhisuke, he is a ronin, but his identity is a private school master, and he is admired by many students.
"I heard that he is going to participate in the wine group competition." After Jiadai finished speaking, Axiu whispered, "The teacher seems to be a big drinker, but he can't usually drink."
Takebu Gonzaemon supported his wife and five children with tuition fees from his private school.
"The teacher said that you can drink as much as you want there, and there will be a bonus for winning the championship, as if it is inevitable. Five taels is a lot of money."
Everyone thinks the same.
"It seems to be very lively. Can everyone really visit empty-handed?"
"It's not like going empty-handed, don't worry."
Suddenly regaining consciousness, Fu Kan was at the side.The clothesline of his short coat is still the same length today.Thick eyebrows form a soft arc.
"Because I booked the checkered seats early."
"Grid seats?"
"It's the seats for the audience. By the way, I paid some money out of my own pocket, and I will provide lunch boxes anyway."
Fu Kan slapped his chest hard, and Axiu smiled and said—oh, it will be a blessing then.
"However, the checkered seats you mentioned..."
"That's a special arrangement by Murataya." Fukan looked at Shengnosuke. "Mr. Jihei specially reserved a large square seat for showing guests. He heard that there were still vacancies, so he told me about it. Perhaps this is Mr. Tokohashi's blessing."
Is it the money from Jihei?
"Sure enough, you have to pay for the visit."
"Of course. However, Kanoya is not doing this event to make money. They do it in such a grand style, how rich. Ah——I would like to be like them if I have the chance."
This dream may not come true one day——Fu Kan sighed.
“We are all very grateful for the kindness of the steward.”
"That's right, it's free if there's only kindness. By the way, Mr. Furuhashi."
"Ah, what's the matter?"
"Tomorrow, please take everyone to Ise Town. I'll wait there. There should be a sign of Murada House on the checkered mat. Please don't find the wrong seat." Everything is up to you——Fukan stepped briskly after finishing speaking footsteps to leave.Axiu made a face at his back, raised her little finger and said:
"Look at his happy face. It seems that tomorrow he may meet with the manager's current girlfriend."
"Huh? So, don't you have to keep it secret and let Madam know?"
Kanemon should have a wife.Shengzhisuke heard from Zhibingwei.
"Yes. Of course."
"Sister Axiu, have you met Mr. Fu Kan's wife?"
"I haven't seen it. Maybe even Grandma Duojin doesn't know about it." Mr. Sheng, this means——Axiu turned into a big sister-like expression.
"When the time comes, the woman brought by the administrator will be his wife. Just treat it like this, understand?"
Kayo ignored the adult's conversation, puffed out her round cheeks, and whispered innocently:
"I don't know if Mr. Wubu will win."
The next day was also a fine day with clear skies.The sun is shining brightly, and the spring breeze brings warmth.On the cherry tree by the river, the petals of the branches are quietly falling.
Everyone was full of joy and brought home food into boxes or wrapped into rice balls. The women were busy early in the morning.For the first time, Ajin and Axiu put on belts in front of Shengzhisuke, and put hairpins on their heads.A Lu and Lu Zang couple said that they wanted to do business by the way, and they were dressed as peddlers as usual.There are only five households where all the members are present, but Chenji has not been seen for a long time.After finally seeing others, he was sweating profusely.
"My mother still doesn't want to go out." It's rare for everyone to agree to enjoy the flowers together, I'm so sorry--Chenji said in shame.
"It's okay, then trouble her to look after the house."
After Axiu said this, Chenji immediately blushed.He crouched down as if to hide his embarrassment.
"Jiayo, your kimono is so beautiful."
After mentioning this, I found out that Kayo's kimono is a bright Genroku pattern.Although it is modified from old clothes, it should be Kayo's outing clothes.
"Taichi, where is Mr. Tozo?"
Hearing Shengzhisuke's question, Ah Jin and Taiyi immediately replied: "Don't worry about my father!"
"Do not care?"
"We tied him to the post beforehand."
Sheng Zhisuke was dumbfounded, but everyone took it for granted.
"If he gets drunk at the flower viewing party and sticks his head into the latrine, then I'll be ashamed to death." A Jin finished speaking like a cannonball, then added "Come on, let's go", and walked away.Taiyi whispered to Shengzhisuke - my sister was still very concerned about what happened last time.
"Uh...then let's go, be careful not to get separated."
Nobody worried about getting lost at all.The person who is least familiar with Edo City is Shinosuke.But after all, it was Kanemon who entrusted him to lead the team, so he still led everyone to the destination.A group of people walked through the city streets under the spring sun. On the way, Lu Zang and A Lu were stopped by someone, and they were really leisurely to start a business.
Ajin and Shengzhisuke walked side by side.
"Good morning, Mr. Sheng." She smiled softly. "Fortunately, the weather is fine today."
"Ok."
"Mr. Sheng often admired flowers when he was in the feudal kingdom, right?"
The flowering season of the root cherry blossoms is later than that of Edo City.However, a kind of flower called Shanhua will bloom at this time.
"Rather than enjoying flowers, it is better to talk about building a walk in the mountains or in the wilderness."
"Are you going out for a hike together with your bento?"
Even Ah Jin's words were different from usual, and he seemed to be wearing light makeup.It may be because of the flower viewing that it is different.
"I made omelettes this morning."
Ah Jin's face was very close.That's it - Sheng Zhisuke responded, quickening his pace slightly.
"I heard you like fried eggs."
"Ah, thank you." Sheng Zhisuke realized that he had never walked side by side with a woman.His mother and housemaids would not travel with him, and he did not know the young girl who would travel with him, so there was never a chance.
— That's why I don't understand.
In the revenge story of Oshigome Mirou, he wanted to add or rewrite the dialogue between the protagonist and his wife and the scenes of the two being together, but it was not as good as how to write, and it was all due to his lack of experience.
A Jin leaned close, and Sheng Zhisuke moved away immediately.He turned around inadvertently, and found that Lu Zang and his wife, Chen Ji, and Axiu who was slowly following behind all met their eyes and exchanged secret winks.What's going on?Just when he was wondering, Ah Jin pulled his sleeve.
"Mr. Sheng, if Taiyi wins the championship and wins a reward of five taels, we..."
A rough voice came from behind, overshadowing A Jin's soft voice.
"Hey, good morning."
Looking back, it turned out to be Takebu Gonzaemon.He had just come out of the alley to the road and waved to them.
"Are you going to Ise Town? Let's go together."
He was a big red-faced man whom students secretly called "Red Ghost", accompanied by a slender, fair-skinned woman and five children.
"Ah, madam." Ah Jin called out. "Xiao Zhe, Xiao Yi, the small group, Xiao San, Xiao Shi, good morning!"
The five children and Taiyi got together immediately, and Kayo happily joined their circle.
"They are my wife and my children. Please advise."
It was the first time for Shengzhisuke to meet Mrs. Takebu.While they were greeting each other, the children made loud noises.
"We're going ahead!"
Tai Yi took the lead, and a group of children rushed forward in unison.
"Don't get lost." Wubu teacher shouted.
"Who would get lost!" Tai Yi looked very high-spirited.It's easier to get hungry when you run, which is just right.
"Do you want Jiadai to follow?"
Taiyi seemed to be aware of Axiu's worry, he squatted down at the corner ahead, picked up Axiu on his back and ran forward.
"A rare opportunity and the kids have been excited since last night."
Takebe Gonzaemon has lived as a ronin for many years, and it is said that it is almost ten years.However, his wife Congmei's speech and manners are very elegant, without showing a trace of poverty.
"It's nice to enjoy the flowers." Mr. Takebe took a big step, his badly worn sandals rustled, and he looked happy.Even though he didn't drink, Mr. Chigui, whose face was still flushed, actually had an extraordinary capacity for alcohol.If he opened his stomach to drink, he didn't know what face he would have.
"I used to think that Mr. Jihei of Murataya is a generous person, and he is really generous. I am really grateful."
Private schools need textbooks, so Mr. Wubu and Zhibingwei have a long history of contacts.The private school he opened also used Shengnosuke's manuscript.
"Are the other students off today?"
"Well, many children are planning to go to Ise-cho."
"I'm a countryman, and this is the first time I've seen such a lively festival. Edo is indeed a luxurious place."
Shengzhisuke and Takebu-sensei walked side by side naturally, at this moment Akin squeezed in between them.
"But Mr. Sheng, this is the first time even we have seen this kind of big stomach king competition."
"It used to be quite a lot."
Mr. Wubu is not only tall, but also has a stronger physique and a thick chest.Ah Jin, who wanted to squeeze in, was immediately bounced away.
"It would be great if this kind of activity can become more and more with this opportunity. This is the fastest way to improve the reputation of the store, right?"
Ajin insisted on squeezing between the two, and bumped into the teacher and Shengzhisuke one after another, staggering suddenly, almost falling into a tumble.
"Ah Jin, why are you still acting like a child. There is no need to be in such a hurry."
Facing Mr. Wubu who was laughing loudly, Ah Jin cast a resentful look at him.This was the case all the way, and Sheng Zhisuke walked very unsteadily.
After a group of people crossed Okawa to Shenyu Town, the brisk drumbeat came along the spring breeze.
The sight in front of me was truly spectacular.
Kanoya is not a large-scale store as Shengnosuke imagined. The storefront is nearly four meters wide and the store is deep and long.That is to say, it is a narrow and long building like an "eel hole", and the long and narrow first floor is almost a store for displaying goods.
Customers do not pass through this long and thin store, but shop in an alley about two meters wide on the right side of the store.There are stepping stones on the ground, long benches are installed, and even trees are planted. It is more appropriate to say that it is a slender courtyard than an alley.On the other side of the alley, there is a building similar in appearance to Kanoya, which does not seem to be a shop.Today, all the windows on the first and second floors of the building are open, revealing smiling faces.
Passing through the alley surrounded by these two buildings, there is a cherry blossom in full bloom in front of you.This is the garden of Kanoya.If you don’t walk in the alley, if you detour from the left and right sides of the house, you can look across the wooden wall that surrounds the courtyard, overlooking a dozen cherry trees ranging from the old trees that are full of style to the new trees with graceful postures. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
That's right, the spaciousness is enough to be described as "overlook".
The wooden door of the wall with a strong latch was completely open today without any scruples. Visitors like Sheng Zhisuke all entered and exited the courtyard through that wooden door.A group of young guys, wearing jackets and bibs with Kanoya's name on them, kept shouting "Welcome" to the crowd.
The brisk drumbeat that has been radiating into my ears since just now is the drum played by a man who walked around the outside of the courtyard and announced that there was a big stomach king competition.The man was dressed in Southern barbarian style clothing like a sugar seller, and shoes with pointed fronts. He looked very interesting, and a large group of children followed him.
A rope is pulled up in the courtyard to separate the visitors' positions, and the big eater competition seems to be held in the center of the field.There are several long tables and folding stools inside, and a large water tank.There are two rows of chairs in front of the long table, with small cushions on them, which should be prepared for invited guests.Ordinary visitors began to find places to sit in the courtyard by themselves.The scene was chaotic.
"Wow..." Ah Jin looked around. "Should have come earlier. It's so crowded, there's no place to sit."
At this time, Teacher Wubu laughed loudly. "There's no need to worry. Here, isn't the owner of Murataya just waving there?"
The tall Takebe-sensei crossed the crowd of people standing and watching, and found Murata Yajibei's pair of charcoal eyebrows.
"You all come together."
Ji Bingwei came forward to welcome the crowd diligently, and led them to a square mat surrounded by ropes.There is a red blanket on it and a small brazier.
"The grass is very soft, you can sit directly. Come on, everyone, don't just stand, come in quickly."
"Where's Mr. Fukan?"
"He should arrive later. Don't worry, it doesn't matter if he is late. The checkered table comes with a lunch box and good wine."
Jihei greeted everyone very diligently.
"Ah Jin, what is that bag in your hand? Put it here. Ah, Mrs. Alu, you have been doing business along the way. You are really hardworking. If this is the case, give me the whole barrel, and I will sell it to Kanoya The kitchen. By the way, help you sell it, saying that this is the pickle you made."
Guests in other grid seats began to take their seats, and cherry blossom petals fluttered down as the children played happily.Sheng Zhisuke looked up fascinated.I don't know how much money Jiayeya has such a beautiful garden.It's really not easy, they must often go in and out of the big names who have a higher status than Tao Genfan.
——What kind of connection does Minanochi have with them?
Sennosuke's impression of Nanaqian is quite powerful.
——If it's just a business transaction, there's no need to investigate.
Even though I thought so in my heart, looking at the beautiful spring scenery, my mood naturally became happy, and the muscles on Shengzhisuke's face relaxed: I thought to myself-let's not worry about it.
On the other hand, Takebe-sensei and Taichi were not in the mood to appreciate flowers at all.The two are very motivated.
"I want to participate in the Big Eater Competition!"
"How to participate?"
"I'll lead the way for you two."
Jihei was about to take them to another building that was not a storefront, so Shengnosuke said quickly:
"Please let me see how they go through the formalities for future reference."
Ah Jin followed closely. "Boss Murata, there are really many people."
She clutched Shengzhisuke's sleeve tightly, blinking her eyes and looking around.
"Does Kanoya have another house? Do these two houses belong to Kanoya?"
"It's not just these two, they live elsewhere. It's the house on the south side of the courtyard." Jihei pointed to the brick roof opposite the cherry tree. "When it's raining, you have to use an umbrella to go between the store and your house. It's quite impressive."
"What about this side?" Sheng Zhisuke looked up at those windows, and there were smiling faces inside, which should be people who came to visit.
"It's a banquet. It's a guest who brings food from his favorite restaurant to hold a banquet or perform a talent show."
One of Kanoya's businesses is renting out utensils for such banquets.
"Kanoya is best at Imari burning. They also invited many customers today, and they should put them out for entertainment. For example, a large plate worth five taels."
After talking about it, he realized that the costumes of the people looking out from the windows of the mat were far better than those in the courtyard.
"It's amazing..." Ah Jin let out a lovely sigh. "Mr. Sheng, there are actually people living such a life in this world."
Hmm - Shengzhisuke responded, feeling at a loss for Ajin's behavior of constantly approaching him under the pretext of having a large number of people.
On the first floor of the loan seat, there is a registration window specially set up for those who participate in the Big Eater Competition.The person in charge of contacting men, women, old and children for registration wears a white turban on his head.Those who have completed the registration procedures rolled up the red, blue, white, and polka-dot hand towels they received and wrapped them around their heads for grouping.
Shengzhisuke and Akin watched Taiyi sign up.The person in charge neatly asked about his name, address, age, whether he had participated in the Big Eating Competition in the past, and what was the record for eating the most so far. Taiyi answered proudly, but the other party told him:
"Little brother, you have no chance of winning. It's best to quit now."
Hearing what the other party said, Taiyi pouted. "why!"
"Because there are a lot of big eaters and celebrities here today. No laymen are allowed to appear."
Edo has not held such a large-scale big stomach king competition for a long time, and all the famous big stomach king celebrities from the past came to participate.It is surprising that this kind of "competition" can become a kind of entertainment. I did not expect that there are so-called celebrities.Sheng Zhisuke was dumbfounded.
"Isn't it enough to be a celebrity this time?"
Tai Yi was very unconvinced, bared his teeth and cracked his mouth.Jihei smiled and intervened.
"Please treat it as if you are joining in the fun and let him participate. This child is a member of Murata House in Saga Town."
When the person in charge heard the name of Murata House, his expression changed drastically.
"Oh, so that's the case. The owner of Murata House has ordered so, so it's no problem. Little brother, you just work hard."
"Okay! Then I want to join the eel team!"
"Oh my god, this is not allowed. The eel group and wine group are only for adults. Please choose the rice group or the dim sum group."
Taichi puffed up his cheeks and shouted "No, I want the eel group, I want the eel group", even Jihei tried to dissuade him.
"At your current age, eating too much steamed fish is harmful to your health. And it's your first time participating, so let's choose the white rice group."
Taichi took the polka dot hand towel.In the Big Eater competition, the rice group was first compared, followed by the dim sum group, then the wine group, and finally the eel group.Takebe-sensei returned with a red handkerchief in his hand. Although he hadn't touched a drop of alcohol yet, his red ghost-like face turned even redder.
"Looks like it's going to be a real showdown."
Sheng Zhisuke asked, "In a situation like this, is it better to make some preparations in advance? Or is it better to stay hungry and keep an empty stomach?"
Wubu teacher laughed out loud. "I will drink it well. Because I am here to enjoy the flowers." He swaggered back to the square seat.
Shengzhisuke looked at Taichi's face. "What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to have some fried eggs."
"Not yet! Wait until the manager arrives!"
Ah Jin stopped, but Tai Yi ignored it.In the courtyard, there is a lively flower viewing feast.
"Oh—I really can't do anything about him."
"Brother Sheng, you guys go too. The Big Stomach King Competition is a sideshow. You have to appreciate the cherry blossoms in front of you first."
There are other things that Sheng Zhisuke really cares about. "Mr. Jihei, you seem to have a good friendship with the boss of Kanoya."
"That's right. The other party also said that since the boss of Murata House has ordered so." A Jin also nodded aside.
Jihei looked calm. "For my kind of business, I have customers everywhere. He is trying to save my face. Speaking of which, the man in charge just now is not from Kanoya, but the shopkeeper of a nearby human agency shop. He should be sent today. Come help."
Indeed, there were quite a few men and women wearing Kanoya jackets and bibs, and they couldn't all be their shop assistants.
"However, you are well-known here in Okawa. Murataya is a famous store."
Facing Jin who calmly showed admiration, Jihei's charcoal eyebrows raised and he smiled.
"That's right. Our Murata House is considered a famous store. Although the financial resources are not even one-tenth of Kano House, but if it has a wider range than anyone else, I will not lose to him."
"Mr. Jihei, what kind of people are the guests you invited to the square table?"
Akin's question reminded Shengzhisuke of this incident.The checkered mats were not reserved for the residents of the Fukan longhouse.
This time Jihei's eyebrows drooped.
"Well...the other party said that he felt embarrassed to sit with us, so he went to the loan seat. I will change it there later, so you can use the square seat as much as you want."
Ah, that's right—Jihei patted Shengnosuke on the shoulder.
"The boss and his wife of the Yokokawa Town Bookstore of our office should come together. They are very familiar with Shengbundang. Mr. Shengliu said that he would bring them here. Brother Sheng, you can make good use of this opportunity."
Bookstore?Shengzhisuke's eyebrows twitched - no, they shouldn't have moved.Jibei's charcoal eyebrows also moved.
"I see. Thank you."
Jibingwei walked towards the loan seat, Ajin was still holding Shengnosuke's elbow.
"Mr. Sheng, it's rare to have this opportunity. Let's go to Jiaye House. It's a plate worth five taels. I don't know what it looks like."
Sheng Zhisuke thought that such an expensive product would not be displayed in the store, but his guess was completely overturned.
The products displayed at Kanoya are gorgeous and gorgeous, which is not inferior to the cherry blossoms in front of you.Some have a price list attached, some don't, but the ones that don't should have a higher price.Those are the products that only customers who can negotiate the price with the store after picking out the goods will look at.
The ceramic shops that Shengzhisuke knew would pile up the products in front of the store, and sometimes they were covered with a layer of dust, but Kanoya was different.Some are stored in paulownia wood boxes, and some are generously displayed, allowing people to see clearly the five painting plates with continuous patterns.As Jihei said, there are many excellent Imari ware, but not only that, there are also works such as Kasama ware, which is close to the well-known ceramic production area of the Tsune clan.
Glass items are also sold in the shop.Such as brightly colored goblets, items like slender lanterns with wicks attached to the inside, and so on.When I asked the staff in the store, I learned that it was a "Yo-lamp" from Nagasaki.
What fascinated Ah Jin and gave him a lot of admiration were the thirty or so wine glasses placed in wooden frames, each with different colors and patterns, and they were not sold separately.It can be directly used as accessories to match different seasons.There are also wine glasses of a similar style with pictures of the Chinese zodiac and lacquered wooden frames.Sheng Zhisuke's gaze was attracted by a large plate with a diameter of more than one foot inside.This is a brightly colored indigo-dyed plate depicting a flying dragon soaring through the clouds.
——It’s Thang Long.
The mane of the dragon and the front of the beard are painted with gold mud, and the floating clouds flow to both sides as if to clear the way for the dragon to ascend. The golden dragon is in sharp contrast with the dark cloud color. I don't know which painter it is from.If there is a slight mistake in the painting, the price of the large plate will be greatly reduced. It is a difficult job.Even drawing such a lifelike dragon on paper is not easy.
The flying dragon's eyes are full of light, which is vivid.It is indeed like a dragon swimming in nine days.
"I don't know what kind of food this plate is used for?" Ah Jin whispered.
Shengzhisuke smiled and said, "It won't be used to hold anything. It's used as a display for appreciation."
"That's right. Can't be used to pack candied sweet potatoes?"
It can't be used to hold fried eggs either, can it?If it is Kabayaki eel, it should be okay, right?What about the whole tail of sea bream sashimi?Ah Jin thought about this question seriously.She seemed to say what she wanted to eat one by one, and she looked very cute.
Not all of the goods sold here are items that residents of Fukan longhouses cannot afford.There is a large fence in the corner of the store, which contains tea bowls and soup bowls, which are sold to passers-by.Among them, there are absolutely no flaws that are often seen in pottery shops in the main office or in the Fukagawa area.
"Taichi's tea bowl is full of gaps around the edge." Akin looked at it carefully with his fingers in his mouth, and Shengzhisuke decided to show a little masculinity at this time.Fortunately, I just received the wages for making Ki-e from Jihei.
"Just treat it as a return gift for treating me to fried eggs today."
You can choose three bowls that you like--as soon as Shengzhisuke finished speaking, Ajin's cheeks flushed immediately.
"Is it ok? Is it really ok?" I shouldn't have clamored for Mr. Sheng to buy something for me—A Jin bit his sleeve and kept bouncing around, looking excited as if his back was on fire.
"This is my return to you."
"In this case, then I will accept your kindness first. We will go to the Fourth Eye Night Market together next time. Then please buy me something for me, okay? I will accept this kindness first."
Both the clerk and the customer laughed, and Shinosuke left in a hurry with embarrassment.Ah Jin's cheeks became even redder, and she pulled Sheng Zhisuke's sleeve.
"Hey, it's announced. It seems that the big eater competition is about to start. Let's go quickly."
Taiyi worked very hard, but unfortunately he met these opponents.The strength of the two sides is very different.
In the big eater competition of the white rice group, the contestants showed a level that was not human.Before the man in Nanban uniform beat the drum one hundred times, the competition was to see who would eat the most. Among the 15 contestants, the man who ate the most was served with ten cups of boiled water and ate a total of seventy-seven bowls of rice. , it is surprising.Taiyi ate twenty-two bowls of rice, respectfully accompanied the last seat, and fell down.
"What. Is that guy a monster?"
After questioning, I learned that the winner was Shigeru Yoshiemon of Asakusa, fifty-five years old.Ten years ago, he won the championship in the Big Eater Competition held locally. At that time, he ate 82 bowls of soup and rice, which was amazing.The structure of the stomach is fundamentally different.Whenever visitors cheer in disbelief or surprise, the cherry blossoms in full bloom fall and scatter.
As for the dim sum group, each made their favorite combination of buns, yokan, and pancakes, and competed to see who could eat more.The winner was Hikozaburo Yoneya from Koji Town. He ate eighty steamed buns, twenty pancakes, and thirteen sticks of yokan.This man not only ate a lot, but his speed was even more astonishing.The snacks were stuffed into the mouth one by one, and they were swallowed almost without chewing.
"I feel full just by looking at it." Ah Jin pressed his chest and whispered.Sheng Zhisuke felt the same way.
The Yokokawa-machi generation couple who were invited by Jihei went to the latticed seats during the confectionery competition.The loofah-faced Shengliu also happily greeted everyone.
"This is Lord Igaki Kosaburo from Daishuya, and Mrs. Alu."
Shengliu introduced it solemnly, but the couple had no airs at all.
"I am a royal family who became a ronin. I was poor before being a ronin, and I am still poor after becoming a ronin. I owe a whole lot of debt to Murata House and Shengwentang."
He didn't show a trace of embarrassment when he spoke, and he and the residents of the Fukan longhouse watched the jaw-dropping big eater competition and got along well.The couple are both in their sixties.Mixed with white hair, there are a few petals on the sparse hair bun.Old clothes and worn sandals, but the couple had a cheerful look on their faces.
他们的代书屋没有屋号也没店名。听说在市街里，人们都称呼他“井垣老师”。他主要办理长屋或出租房屋的字据，很多顾客是长屋管理人。他还从事附近市街的邮务工作，所以不光是代写书信，还会提供信件内容的建议，也常有人委托他代念来信内容。
“你在村田屋底下誊写抄本吧？”
“是的。大多是教科书，不过最近也经手读物。”
井垣老先生闻言，面露微笑，一副心领神会的神情。
笙之介眨眨眼。“这么说来，井垣大人您也是如此？”
井垣的妻子早他一步笑出声，朝笙之介颔首。
“村田屋老板就是这样四处找擅长处理读物的写手。”
“村田屋老板想找到村田屋的马琴老师。我老早就请他另请高明了。”
年轻人，你要多加把劲，成功的话可能大赚一笔呢——井垣说得一派轻松，虽说他是浪人，但身为武士说起赚钱的事竟然脸不红气不喘，这在藩国里是不可能的事。
笙之介见这对夫妻为人和善，鼓起勇气问道：
“井垣大人，我想请教您另外一件事……”
您可曾模仿过别人的笔迹？您开设代书屋，应该有承接过这种委托案的经验吧？面对笙之介的询问，井垣老生先并未太惊讶。
“毕竟这世上无奇不有。”他那老迈的皱纹与笑纹充分融合，眼角带笑，态度沉稳地回答。“就生意上来说，我没接过这样的案子，但就算有也不奇怪。况且，模仿他人笔迹的事，大家应该都做过吧？”
“您这话的意思是？”
“看着范本习字。你不也做过吗？不断练习，想尽可能写出和范本一模一样的字。”
“哦……话是没错，不过，不可能完全一样。”
“没错。每人都有不同的个性和特质。字各有不同。兄弟姐妹也都是不同的笔迹。”
笙之介与大哥胜之介的字截然不同。这也是因为个性、体格、爱好不同使然吗？
“在下认为笔迹的不同，在于每个人眼睛的不同。”
"Eyes?"
笙之介试着瞪大眼睛，井垣老先生似乎觉得有趣而呵呵轻笑。
“人们描绘出自己见到的事物。就这点来说，字和画都是同样的道理。看到的事物不同，照着抄写、仿画的结果也不同，这应该很自然。”
“那我请教一下。”笙之介前进一步问，“如果有人可以将他人的笔迹模仿得微妙微肖，就连被模仿的当事人也难辨真伪，那此人会是何方神圣呢？”
这个嘛——井垣老先生轻抚下巴。“此人应该能配合模仿笔迹的对象，更换自己的眼睛吧。”
更换眼睛。
笙之介沉思时，阿金朝他伸长脖子说道——可以别再聊这些艰涩难懂的事吗？
“大酒王比赛要开始了。”
十三名参赛的男子登场，围观群众欢声雷动。武部老师将红色的手巾绑在头上，威风凛凛之姿宛如要报仇杀敌。
“武部老师还算是年轻的呢。”
难怪辰吉会发出惊讶的声音，因为参赛者当中还有名驼背老者。
“酒量的深浅是天生的。与年纪无关。”井垣老先生的解释，令众人大为吃惊。
“这么说来，我也会像我爹一样，很容易喝醉喽？”
“打从一开始别喝就行了。一旦成了酒鬼，要戒就难了。”
听太一与阿金的对话，武部老师的夫人聪美嫣然一笑。
“懂得适可而止就行。也有人说，酒是百药之长。”
“听说武部老师很会喝酒。”
“是的，在我们的藩国，都称呼我相公这样的人是'笊'。”
不管再怎么喝，都像用笊汲水般，酒只会从中穿过，完全不会醉。
“既然这样就赢得冠军，拿下五两赏金！”
聪美温柔地望向兴奋的太一，以及向父亲加油的五名孩子，微微低头说道：
“就是因为具有像笊一样的体质，我相公才会失去奉禄。”
听到这声低语的只有笙之介与井垣老夫妇。其他人的注意力全放在比赛上。聪美似乎也仅告诉和他先生一样是武士身分的笙之介等人。井垣夫妻互望一眼，夫人阿陆先开口道：
“这真是……是因为喝太多酒而造成职务疏失吗？”
聪美的微笑转为苦笑。“如果是那样，就能怪自己疏忽而就此看开。”
听说干杯不醉的武部老师，见一名酒品差的上司因喝醉而欺负同僚，出面阻止，把这名上司打倒在地，招来怨恨。对方喝得酩酊大醉，根本不知道适可而止，因此要加以阻止，非这么做不可，但被他打倒的上司又恼又怒。醉鬼向来都是醒来后完全忘了丑态，所以他恨透武部老师。
“在工作上常被挑剔，被当牛马使唤，但因为对方是上司，只能默默忍受，结果对方嫌他这样的态度看了凝眼，甚至暗中偷袭他。所幸当时逃过一劫。”
——再这样下去，不是我杀了对方，就是被杀。
“我相公苦思良久，决定抛弃身家和职务，带我们一起逃离。”
那是八年前的事了。原来他们吃过这样的苦。笙之介重新端详聪美那楚楚可怜的身影。
“从那之后，我相公说，再也没有比酒更无趣的东西，就此不再碰酒。这次不知道吹什么风，连我也很惊讶……”因为五两的赏金可不小啊——聪美的低语带有一丝不安。她望着开心的孩子们，眼中闪着泪光。
“他一定会赢的。”井垣夫妻安慰聪美，和孩子们一起为武部老师加油。参赛者各自坐在折凳上，负责击鼓的人手持鼓棒。这时笙之介突然感到某人的眼神。在摩肩接踵的人群中有这种感觉委实奇怪，但有人正注视着他。
他猛然抬头，环视四周。视线停向贷席二楼的窗户，蓦然一惊。
Notes:
Notes: