Chapter 25 third quarter

Fukagawa is a newly developed land reclaimed from the sea. The closer it is to Okawa, the busier it is. The houses on the street are also very crowded, and the bustling teahouses and brothels in Monzencho attract crowds.However, the closer to Xiazongguo to the east, the number of merchants gradually decreased, and the vegetable gardens were adjacent to each other, revealing the true face of the vast land reclamation. This place, commonly known as 100,000 ping or 60,000 ping, is full of fields as far as the eye can see, occasionally scattered landlord houses and daimyo ① Equivalent to the princes of China.

Landlord Tanachiemon's house is located on the west side of 100,000 ping. ①The shogun candidate family whose ancestor was the great-grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu. "so big!" Seji was amazed as he staggered along the field path. "Is this your first time here?" "Yes. I'm more familiar with Muzhichang. This is a completely rural place." On the way, when he passed a cart carrying manure, Seji frowned and sniffed.Mao Qi stopped the old man pulling the cart and asked him if he was looking for Kakuda Qiemon. The old man looked at Maoqi and then at Xiji curiously, and then let go of his tanned cheeks.

"You also came to congratulate?" "Congratulations? Is there a happy event for the Kakuda family?" "Yes. Miss decided to recruit a new wife. We are engaged today, and the wedding will be held in half a month. I heard that we will also have wedding wine to drink at that time." The two watched the old man leave. "We came just in time." Mao Qi said. "Shichiemon must be in a good mood." Gradually approaching Kakuda's house, you can see the trees in the yard from a long distance, and there is a tree on the west side of the main house that you can tell is the tall weeping cherry tree, with graceful branches fluttering in the wind like messy hair.The impatient Seji ran over, but no matter how he stood on tiptoe or jumped up, he only said:

"I can't tell if the dirt near the roots is new or not." The weeping cherry tree was originally a tree in Kyoto, but it is very rare in Edo.However, compared with the cherry blossoms that Moshichi and the others usually see, its flowering period seems to be later.At this time, half of the petals can't be seen, but it looks like the whole thing is dyed a light red. At any time, the arresters usually do not enter and exit through the main entrance.The two walked around from the side of the stable to the back door of the kitchen of the main house, and told the visitor that they were here for interrogation on official business. The visitor led Mao Qi and the two of them to the back room. The tatami mats were changed, and there was a scent of rushes.Immediately, an elegant middle-aged woman who was completely different from Ah Taki came over with tea.

Served with sakura tea ①Hey tea for guests to drink during weddings.In today's weddings, guests are given cherry blossom tea in the waiting room. "I heard that today is my lady's engagement. It's really a bad luck to disturb you on the day of the wedding." "No, that's not the case. Please use it, it's just a little thought." The servant girl left for a while, and then brought food and wine.Although Mao Qi and two declined, but the other party said it was a happy event, please Mao Qi and two to congratulate together. "The master will come right away. Please eat first while waiting."

Xiji said that it would be rude not to eat, so he started to eat.He looked very happy. After a quarter of an hour, Shichiemon came.Because it was a day like this, he was wearing a culottes dress with the family crest on it.He was quite tall, with handsome facial features, and his half-white hair added to his demeanor. It is not difficult to see that he must have been very popular with women when he was young. The culottes let out a whoosh, and Nanaimon took the seat, with a generous attitude that was used to being admired by others. "It's a happy event in your residence, congratulations." Mao Qi put his hands on the tatami and greeted solemnly. "I'm really sorry to disturb you on the day of the wedding, and let us have a wedding drink... I should have come to visit another day, but because I was busy with business and the matter was a little urgent, I knew it was impolite, but I still waited here."

Even if there is nothing wrong with the arrester's visit, it would be very unpleasant. I don't know if Moshichi greeted him first, so Shiachiemon didn't show his anger. "Since it's official business, there's nothing you can do about it." He said bluntly and bluntly. "However, because of today's relationship, please finish it as soon as possible." Mao Qi bowed and said "Understood", and then explained about A-Xia.Upon hearing Asha's name, Shichiemon, who had been very happy just now, immediately sank.As soon as he wrinkled his face, which was flushed from the wedding wine, he hummed like the second general.

"That girl is crazy." Nanaiemon said in a pooh. "Do you really believe what the girl said?" Mao Qi said calmly: "We don't just believe in A-Xia's words, there are other things." Nanachiemon snorted roughly like Katsuzo's men. "Do you also believe what that kid named Ridao said?" "No, it's not what Ridao said, but it's more important that Ridao was attacked and almost died recently." Shichiemon was a little shocked.Asha once said that when she came here for the first time, as soon as Seiichi's name was mentioned, the complexion of the maidservant who came out to greet her changed. The maiden at that time was probably the same as Nanaimon at the moment.No matter what the nature of the Kakuda family is, and no matter what they have done in secret, they should be quite upright.

"What does that have to do with us?" "What we care about is not the unsubstantiated killing that Axia mentioned, but the incident of Ridao who was almost killed. We just want to find out who hired someone to do that kind of thing. As long as we find out the right person For those who are slightly hostile in Hidori, we will visit each house like this to find out the reason." Shichiemon laughed. "Since this is the case, it has nothing to do with us. Because it is too ridiculous, we also find it very annoying. Having said that, it is not serious enough to want to do something to people who spread rumors everywhere."

"Don't you even care about people saying that there is a dead body buried under that weeping cherry tree?" Nanachiemon's smile disappeared. "The soil around the tree roots seems to have been turned over. Have you dug it?" Shichiemon's lips were as thin as a blade, and he seemed to be smiling at the moment. "The weeping cherry tree is the tree over there in Kyoto." "Yes, I know that too." "It's much warmer there than in Edo. The early spring here has not only frost, but also cold wind. If we want weeping cherry blossoms to bloom in Edo, we must often pay for someone to take care of them. Sometimes it is to fertilize the soil, and to prevent the frost from hardening the soil." , you have to dig up the roots and add new soil. If you don’t believe me, you can ask the gardeners who come and go from our place.”

Afterwards, no matter what Shigeru Shige said, Nanaiemon didn't take it seriously, just repeatedly said that it had nothing to do with it, that he didn't know, and finally even made the skirt pants stand up again with a whooping sound during the conversation. "It's meaningless to repeat the same words. I'm sorry. If you think it's necessary, you can ask my family members, but today is my daughter's engagement day after all. Since it's an only child looking for a new wife, I also have a banquet, and it's lively. Fan. Please try not to interfere with the engagement ceremony." Although I don't know where the guests are gathered, I can't hear any lively noise at all, which shows that the house is very big. Xiji seemed bored, with his elbows resting on the plate, which still had leftovers. "Boss, it's all your fault for talking to him in a solemn tone. You should frighten him." "The other party is a big landlord, and his status is different from Kajiya's." Moshichi finished the cold food slowly.Xi Ji said that he would use the toilet to stand up, and then the maid just now came to clean up the dishes.Seeing that Mao Qi and the others were still there, she seemed surprised. "I'll come to disturb you next time." Before Mao Qi finished speaking, the maid looked very unhappy. On the way back, Xiji urinated in the field avoiding his eyes and ears. He said that the house was too big and he almost lost his way. He couldn't find the toilet at all.He fluttered his nostrils frequently. "I still hate the countryside." Saiji complained. "The house was very luxurious, but even the house smelled of manure, and I almost suffocated when I walked to the end of the corridor." Mao Qiming Xiji went to Kakuda's house every two days to let them know that they were being watched here.If someone asks, there is no need to answer anything, just say hello and come back. On the other hand, he also ordered Quan San, who didn't show up that day, to carefully investigate the people around the Kakuda house, and ask the merchants and tenant farmers who came in and out of the Kakuda house, whether there were any strangers coming in or out of the Kakuda house or any suspicious things when Qingyi disappeared. .The two of them—Xi Ji, who hated the country and kept chattering—started to act immediately, and Mao Qi put his hands in his arms and began to think again and again. Due to the lack of key evidence, no action can be taken at present.Kakuda Nanachiemon's appearance is indeed strange, but whether it has something to do with Seiichi is completely unknown. At this time, it is better not to act rashly. Kajiya still hasn't brought any news.Moshichi temporarily wanted to go to the sushi stall.After Xiji and Quansan come back at night, take them out together. Tonight is suitable for viewing flowers. The stalls beside the Tomioka Bridge are crowded with people, and the business of pig assistants selling wine is also booming.Mao Qi introduces Quan San and Xi Ji to the calm and taciturn boss as usual.The boss was very happy, and specially vacated a long bench for Maoqi and the others, and served dishes one after another. "The cooking skills are quite good." Quan San said this while eating salt-baked earthfish.Shikichi ate all the dishes with a very satisfied look, and chatted and laughed with other guests, looking very happy. "What do you think of the boss? Do you think he was born to be a cook?" Quan San's gentle face broke into a smile. "I was originally a shop merchant. Even though I am under the boss now, I still have the smell of a shop merchant, right?" "Well. Anyway, your face looks like abacus beads." Quan San laughed out loud. "The boss also has the smell of the past." "What do you think he used to do?" After a while, Quan San said: "The kitchen knife is similar to the samurai sword." Sure enough, I also think it is a samurai.Moshichi was very satisfied with this answer. After drinking a cup of yellow soup, the surrounding area of ​​the stall became lively, and someone said frivolously: "There are not enough flowers for viewing. I will go find flowers." After a while, the person stole a large branch of cherry blossoms from nowhere.However, Mao Qi and his group just drank quietly, and finally these noisy guests gradually dispersed, and when it was almost late at night, finally only Mao Qi and the three of them were left. "Don't drink any more?" the boss said. "I made clam soup." The three of Mao Qi went to the long bench in front of the boss to taste the hot clam soup and rice.Inosuke was getting ready to close, with a hood over his bald head. "Isn't it good that the wine barrel became lighter when we went back?" Mao Qi smiled.Zhuzhu bowed before leaving. As if waiting for this moment, the boss said for Xi Jisheng's second bowl of rice: "How is the matter with that kid Ridao going?" Xi Ji looked up at the boss in surprise, while Quan San looked at Mao Qi.After Mao Qi nodded to the two of them, she answered the boss. "Well, it's getting weird." Seiji waited and watched with an expression of "can you really tell me?" Moshichi told the boss what happened.The boss listened quietly while he was busy doing things, and finally raised his eyes and said: "It's really inhumane to beat a child." The boss said in a rare and severe tone. "Yes. However, Ridao's behavior is not worthy of encouragement. The retribution of making a lot of money is indeed a bit heavy, but it should be restrained." The boss smiled wryly, and deep wrinkles appeared on his forehead. "As long as the boss mentions that child Ridao, he will become indifferent." "Really? I'm not a sentimental catcher." "Does the boss think that child really has the ability of spiritual vision?" "I'm not sure about this." Mao Qi finished drinking the clam soup, put down the bowl, and looked up at the boss. "Honestly, I don't know." "What do Mr. Quansan and Mr. Xiji think?" The two looked at each other.Xi Ji elbowed Quan San. "I think that maybe there are people who can see spiritually." Quan San replied. "It's just that Ridao's words are a bit too exaggerated. Even if you can see spiritually, it's still a question of whether you can see in such detail." The boss sat down behind the booth and nodded slowly. "I think so too. Boss, have you found out? Hanjiro from Miyoshiya used to be a catcher's subordinate." Maoqi, Quansan and Xiji were so surprised that they almost jumped up. "Ah! Really?" Xijidi rolled his eyes. "But he is obviously the heir of Miyoshi House?" "When he was young, he was too dissolute, and he was expelled from the house at one time. He probably specialized in dealing with some bad elements. In the end, he was arrested because someone reported the casino, so he became the catcher's subordinate. I remember it seems to be from the hometown. catcher." Mao Qi and these two subordinates are another matter, but generally speaking, most of the catchers and their subordinates are people with ghosts in their hearts.In other words, it was the identity of the whistleblower at first.As the boss said, if you are arrested for gambling, you have to do something for your superiors if you want to be convicted and released-this example is very common in the arresting profession. Moshichi thought of Miyoshiya Hanjiro's eyes that often looked around.He thought he had seen that look somewhere, but it turned out to be the catcher's look.Because the distance was too close, it was impossible to think of it immediately. "But, boss, why do you know?" Quan San asked in a naturally pleasant voice.The boss smiled and said: "I heard it by chance." The boss replied. "What's more important is that I think most of what that child Ridao saw with his spirit vision was probably found out by Hanjiro." "why?" "Didn't that child, Ridou, see immediately on the spot? He always speaks the oracle after a few days. For Hanjiro, who is familiar with search techniques, it should be easy for him to spend a few days to roughly check the matter of the person who was seen by the spirit." Right? Besides, he used to be in this line of work. Of course, it doesn’t mean that Hanjiro did all the investigations alone, I think he probably asked his former partners.” Mao Qi thought about the boss's opinion carefully, and felt that it was indeed convincing.That's right, hunting for lost property or missing persons is the job of the catchers, and it's easy to find out the inside story of being troubled by others because of resentment, as long as it takes a little time.The only difference is that the jobs that Ridao took over were often things that the arresters didn't take seriously at the beginning, or it was because the requesting party didn't want the matter to be publicized. Once the inside story is found, it will be simple afterwards; one is to help the other party find the lost property or the missing person, and the other is to give the other party clues. okay. "Having said that, we still need clues from the beginning, right?" Xi Ji said with his eyes wide open again. "If there is no clue, Hanjiro will not be able to find out." The boss nodded and said, "Yes. So, if that kid Ridao can see, it should be this part, right?" At this time, Quan San turned his head to look at the dark place opposite the stall, and Mao Qi then looked there.Someone is approaching. "Hey! It's Kajiya..." Seiki murmured. It is indeed Katsuzo.He looked like he was lost in thought, with his thick head lowered, he didn't seem to notice Mao Qi and his party, walking towards this side stepping on bamboo leather shoes. "Hey, are you here for a drink too?" Mao Qi asked. "There are still vacancies. However, the wine is sold out tonight, and the old man Inosuke has gone back." Katsuzo looked a little funny in surprise, and Seki even snickered because of it.The vendor owner lowered his hands, as if seeing something dazzling, and squinted at Katsuzo who was standing in the dark.Quan San looked at the boss. Katsuzo stopped in his tracks, shrugging his shoulders.Maoqi felt that they stayed too long and disturbed the two of them.In short, Shengzang came to find the boss tonight, and because he was preoccupied with this matter, he didn't realize that Maoqi and the others were here. Shengzang glared at Xiji fiercely, and Xiji stopped laughing. "That group hasn't been found yet." Sheng Zang stared at Xi Ji, and said to Mao Qi. "However, there are already clues. It will probably be done soon." He didn't seem to intend to come over again.Mao Qi replied: "Thank you very much. Everything is left to you." Shengzang turned back, his pace was faster than when he came.When he was hidden in the darkness, the boss who had just moved like a chrysanthemum puppet suddenly moved. "Bosses, do you want dessert?" "I like sweets." Quan San said. "What is it?" "It's something for the occasion, Sakuramochi." "The boss did it?" "Yes. However, I don't have time to make pickled sakura leaves. I bought some from the dessert shop. I should be able to make them all by myself next spring." The boss brought out a plate containing Kosakura mochi.After ordering crude hot tea, Maoqi and his party ate dessert.The boss made another two packs of sakura mochi. "One pack is for the boss's wife, and the other pack is a gift for that child of Ridao. Boss, will you go to Sanhao House?" "Well, of course I will go. I will keep the things first, and the child should be very happy." Xiji broke off a slender twig from the cherry blossom branch stolen by the guest that fell on the ground just now. He said that since he was going to visit the sick, he took this with him.