Chapter 17 third quarter

The next day, after breakfast, Moshichi immediately went to the Gokaku Bathhouse in Kitamori Shitamachi.One of Moshichi's subordinates, Seiji, works in this bathhouse. Xiji is a young man who is only twenty years old.Usually, they are almost the same as dormitory helpers, and they all live in Maoqi's house.But in the current leisure time, Xiji himself seems embarrassed to live a life of doing nothing.I don't know where he found the way, but he recently discovered this bliss bathhouse and said that he would work here in his spare time. "In the bathhouse, there are a lot of things to do, such as boiling water and chopping firewood, right? If all the living is on the second floor of the men's bathhouse, there is no need to find a place to sleep. Besides, it is also helpful for business affairs."

The bathhouse is indeed a place where news circulates in the town.In particular, the second floor of the men's bathhouse is an open playground, regardless of social status, and many people often come in and out.Maoqi inquired, and it turned out that the Bliss Bathhouse also seemed to want Xiji to show his face in the past, probably because he was using Xiji as a bodyguard. In this way, when Moshichi strolled to the bathhouse, Shikichi was lying on the second floor of the men's bathhouse reading an illustrated novel.After the men of Badingqu came to take a bath in the morning, now is the time to relax.

"Why are you reading about women and children?" Mao Qi spoke, and Xi Ji got up with a smirk. "Hey, boss, why are you here at this time?" Mao Qi first explained that it was not an urgent matter, and then said about Ridao.He thought that the sharp-eared Seji might hear something. "Ah, that," Xiji said with a twinkle in his eyes. "Everyone said it was great." "Where is it great?" "That Himichi is the son of Miyoshiya, a grain wholesaler behind Mifunezo, and he should only be about ten years old." "Well, my wife said the same thing."

"Actually, his name is Changzhu. He started to say strange things when he was about three years old. His parents were also taken aback, and finally helped him choose the name Ridao." "Is the thing about the whole body in white attire true or false?" Xiji chuckled and said, "Probably he dressed like that when he started charging people to exorcise evil spirits or find lost items. It can also be said to be similar to stage costumes of actors." Mao Qi looked around, pulled the tobacco basin to her eyes, and took out the pipe from her arms.The tobacco basin was cleaned very clean without any soot.This is probably the job of Seiki as well.

"Why were his parents so startled? Actually, I don't know exactly what amazing tricks that kid Ridao did." Xiji changed his sitting position, like a newspaper vendor talking about the opening remarks, and began to speak with gestures. "From the very beginning, he was able to tell the harvest of red beans and soybeans half a year ago." He is indeed the son of a grain wholesaler. "Ask him why he knows, and he said he doesn't know why he does. He also said that he can know the weather ten days later, and it really hit the mark." Mao Qi breathed out a puff of smoke. "Should it be accidental?"

"I heard that he was right about the shower and thunder in the evening. That's right, that's right. About three years ago, the street tree near the gate of Sensoji Temple was struck by lightning. I heard that Himichi was also right. During lunch, it was said that tomorrow evening the fourth cherry blossom in the street tree of Sensoji Temple will be struck by lightning." Mao Qi said with a wry smile: "What else?" Xiji suddenly pointed out his finger and said, "This is amazing, he can bend the poker." "That sumo wrestler knows it, right?" "It's not bent hard, but just rubbed with fingertips, like this... As a result, the poker bends softly."

"What about the exorcism?" "The proprietress of the shop that had business dealings with Miyoshi House was possessed by a fox, and her family locked her in a tatami room. As a result, it took him one night to cure her." "What about the missing item?" The more Xi Ji talked, the more vigorous he became. "The Banner Zhaixie, who was directly under a certain general, lost a pair of family heirloom hanging scrolls. Because it is a major event that is critical to the family's survival, they can't find it anywhere." "Uh-huh." "The other party heard the rumors about Ridao, so he asked him to look for it without hesitation, but it turned out that the young lady changed the place where she kept it and forgot it. Even so, I heard that Ridao went straight to that place as soon as he entered the house. Point it out, it's on top of the closet. There is a follow-up to this matter, this lady was originally a commoner, a wealthy businessman's daughter, she first became the adopted daughter of the relatives of the banner family, and then married in."

When a samurai wants to marry a commoner's daughter-in-law, he usually does so first.Since the woman became an adopted daughter first, she was considered the daughter of the Wu family. "The Banner family was already living very poorly, and they probably married the merchant's daughter because of the dowry. However, the old secluded man was very angry about the family heirloom incident, saying that he put a family heirloom that was more important than his life into the top of the closet. Decent? As a result, Madam was divorced because of this. The other party also said that she was lucky not to be beheaded to death. Madam was kicked out empty-handed like that. Everyone said that the young couple had a very good relationship, which is really pitiful."

Mao Qi played with the pipe and nodded slowly.Seji said sharply: "Boss, do you hate people like Ridao?" "I always feel uncomfortable." "But, the proprietress who was possessed by the fox just mentioned was saved because of him." "Isn't the daily fee very high?" "Now Miyoshi House is handing over the business to the shopkeeper, and both parents are by Himichi's side. They obviously just inherited it not long ago, but even so, I haven't heard that the shop is gradually declining. Himichi is always dressed in white, I can't find any dirt on my body, and I heard that I take sedan chairs everywhere, and it seems that it is really profitable."

Maoqi felt more and more unhappy.He knocked off the cigarette ash, and said to Xiji while tidying up the pipe: "Nowadays, you should pay more attention to the news of Ridao. The other party is still a kid, and it should be his parents who are behind the manipulation. If there is news of Ridao's failure, Or someone was deceived or something, can you help me find out the details?" Xiji agreed without saying a word.Mao Qi ordered Xi Ji to go home for dinner occasionally, and then went downstairs. Maoqi left the Bliss Bathhouse and walked towards the river, and when he came to the North Bridge, he heard the shout of "Boss, Boss" from the right, it was Quan San.The hem of his casual clothes fluttered with his steps, and he was walking towards this side quickly.

"I asked Mrs. Boss, and she told me that you went to Xiji's place." Quan San is also Mao Qi's subordinate, but he is in his early forties. He used to be a servant in a big shop, but now he rents a house in a courtyard next to Mao Qi's residence, leading a free single life.This Quan San is not only good at abacus but also keeps accounts, he is good at dealing with people and dealing with the world. The manager of the courtyard relies on him very much. "What's wrong?" "It's a murder case." Quan San answered briefly. "A man was killed in the boat rental hotel next to the Kamehisa bridge. The name of the hotel is Yangliu. I hope it's private. The proprietress is looking for the boss like crazy." Kameku Bridge is a bridge over the Sendai Canal, located slightly south of Kitamorishita Town.Mao Qi turned around and walked side by side with Quan San. "Although I sympathize with the other party, the murder case can't be private. You can't find the murderer." "This," Quan San said in a naturally cheerful voice. "The murderer has already been arrested." Maoqi couldn't help but stop. "what?" "Simply put, after the murderer killed someone, he went downstairs to the account room and said that he had just killed someone. It is said that he has been obediently waiting there since then." After Kameku Bridge is Yamato Town, the boat rental hotel "Yangliu" is located in a corner of the town; it faces the river and is surrounded by two-story tall slender willow trees. I don't know if this is the origin of the name of the hotel.These willow trees should be beautiful when they are newly green, but in this season when the dead leaves are falling, Maoqi feels that it is very disappointing to see panicked and bloodless ghosts. The proprietress Yang Liu is a petite woman with piercing eyes and a victorious look. She is in her early forties, but her voice is so shrill that her age is not commensurate with her age. "Please, boss, if we get involved in this kind of thing, the business won't be able to continue. I'm in debt, and my husband's whereabouts are unknown..." Mao Qi raised her hands to appease the proprietress, and then asked, "Where are the dead and the murderer?" "Second floor. The tatami room at the front on the right when you go upstairs is the best room in our place. The tatami has just been replaced..." The proprietress seemed to complain at every opportunity. "Who else is in there?" "One of our boatmen was watching. Although he didn't seem to run away, he was always worried. He temporarily tied his hands with a belt, but he didn't resist. He just closed his eyes and lowered his head, without moving." Before Mao Qi stepped up the stairs leading to the second floor, he urged Quan San to go up first.Quan San also moved up the stairs skillfully without making a sound of footsteps. "Are there no other stairs here?" "Yes, not at all." "Then, it should be fine for the time being. Ma'am, let me ask you something first. Who was the guest who was killed?" The proprietress closed her lips tightly, and was about to say "I don't know", when Mao Qi interrupted her with a smile: "Although this is my first time stepping here, I have heard rumors that Yangliu is not a place where strangers can enter casually. At least, lady boss, you should know the deceased or the murderer." The proprietress lowered her eyes.She frowned slightly, licked her lips, breathed out and said: "It's useless to lie anyway. Yes, I know Mr. Seijiro from Manya." "Wanwu?" "A wholesaler of cosmetics and groceries near Sarue Shrine. Mr. Seijiro is the clerk there, and he probably knows how to do business. The boss seems to think highly of him." Just a chap who dared to leave the shop and go to the charter hotel during the day!Indeed, he was either very pleasing to the boss, or extremely thick-skinned, otherwise it would not have been possible. "His first time here?" "No, today is the fourth time." "Every time at this time?" "Yes, roughly." "He's all looking for the same woman?" The proprietress smiled slightly. "It's the same every time." "So, that woman killed Seijiro?" As a result, the proprietress opened her eyes wide. "No, it wasn't a woman who killed Seijiro." "Not a woman? Then, a man?" "Could it be something else?" "Are there only two people in the room?" "Yes." After the proprietress calmed down a little, she said, "Mr. Seijiro brought his brother here today." "It's brother..." The proprietress nodded and said: "Mr. Seijiro is from Kawagoe. Since he is the second son, his parents sent him to work in Edo, and his elder brother inherited the family business. I heard him say that it is better to work in Edo because he is a poor peasant anyway." "So, the poor brother came to Edo to look for the younger brother?" "Probably. That brother, he is dressed poorly, and even his bun seems to be soaked in muddy water." Oh, what a nuisance—— said the proprietress, shaking her whole body.In the eyes of the proprietress of the boat charter hotel in Edo, perhaps the farmers in the suburbs all have this kind of virtue. The next question is more convenient.Mao Qi went upstairs two steps at a time.The paper door of the room at the murder scene was open, and it could be seen clearly from the corridor.Quan San sat at the door, and the young boatman leaned against the window, looking like he didn't know what to do.In the center of the tatami room, a man neatly dressed in a coat and with a businessman’s hair bun was sitting on the ground, with his upper body lying on the low table. At this time, only the back of his head and back could be seen, but his hands stretched forward His fingers were bent like digging a table, which shows that he was in pain before he died. Something caught Shigeru Shige's attention; beside the corpse was a box with the lid off and overturned, which seemed to be a snack box.The contents are scattered on the tatami mats, dim sum in various colors and shapes. As soon as Mao Qi looked away, he saw the elder brother who killed his younger brother. He was sitting in front of the paper door of the closet with his feet stretched out, his hands tied behind his back, his head hanging down and his eyes tightly closed.Quan San nodded silently to Mao Qi. Mochi thanked the young boatman and asked him to leave the room.After closing the paper door, Mao Qi squatted down next to the man, her eyes were at the same height as the man, Mao Qi shouted: "Hi, what's your name?" The man opens his eyes.They were cloudy, lifeless eyes. "I'm the catcher here, and my name is Moshichi. I came here after hearing the news that you killed your brother here. Is this dead man really your brother Seijiro, Manya's buddy?" The man shook his neck slowly and nodded. "I heard that you are Seijiro's older brother, and you came from Kawagoe to find your younger brother. Did you make an appointment to meet here?" The other party nodded again.Sure enough, as the proprietress said, the clothes and thin trousers on his body were very dirty and almost worn out, and the end of the towel hanging around his neck was also tattered, and there was a bad smell on his body. "What's your name?" He took a deep breath, opened his dry lips forcefully, and finally answered, "Asataro." "Did you kill your brother?" "yes." "After that, you told the proprietress that you killed someone?" "yes." "Why did you kill your brother?" Asataro's eyeballs slowly moved sideways, shaking his neck with great difficulty and shaking his head. "You don't want to say?" Chao Taro nodded, and then said: "I killed it, please don't ask me why. I killed it, please take me away." His tone, like a stick of dough, has no cadence.Moshichi moved her knee forward slightly. "That won't work. Why did you kill your brother? If you don't find out why, there's no way to close the case. The coroner will probably be here soon. They won't ask you as nicely as I do. Tell me now, yes You are better." Asataro seemed to be deaf, looking down with a slack gaze, and kept talking dreamily: "I killed it, please take me away." At this time, a woman's noise came from downstairs.The proprietress seemed to be arguing with someone.Mao Qi motioned to Quan San, Quan San stood up and walked towards the stairs, but immediately there was the sound of light footsteps going upstairs, Quan San backed up to the tatami room. A young woman rushed into the tatami room as if she was about to knock Konzo down.Maoqi didn't know who she was at first.The woman is wearing a narrow-sleeved gown with a black collar and hemp leaf geometric pattern, revealing a gorgeous Kyo-yuzen inner skirt at the hem.When Mao Qi secretly thought that this is really a fashionable girl, she opened her mouth wide: "Mr. Seijiro!" Then he jumped at the man lying on the table.As soon as Mao Qi heard this voice, she immediately realized that she was A Ling, the daughter of Shang Zongwu. "Aren't you the lady of the upper house?" Why are you here, Moshichi said as he approached her, and in the blink of an eye, Asataro got up quickly.Until just now, he, who was as clumsy as a cow, rushed to the window at lightning speed. The movement was so fast that there was no time for people to scream "Oops".Quan San was one step ahead of Mao Qi and wanted to grab his sleeve, but the thin clothes only fluttered slightly, and Quan San missed it. "It would be great if it wasn't a brother." Asataro roared towards the mid-air outside the window, and jumped down from the open window.The willow leaves swaying in front of him, and the figure of Asataro flying to Qiuyang clearly left a dark shadow in Maoqi's eyes. There was a heavy bang outside. Maoqi ran to the window.I thought it was only two floors high, so it might not be possible to fall to death, but after a quick glance, I knew it was hopeless.Perhaps Asataro landed on the head first, twisted his neck into a situation that is impossible for a living person, and looked at Moshichi with the same dull eyes as before. Quan San, who ran downstairs, knelt beside Chao Taro, immediately raised his face and shook his head to indicate that there was no hope. Ah Ling burst into tears beside Moshichi.