Chapter 168 Chapter 21 The Eagle and the Woman

Before the Qingcho Five-Year Rebellion, Kokura, the residence of Mori Ichi Shoushin, was also called Katsuno Castle. After the Qingcho Rebellion, a new city was built, and white walls and pillars were added to make the city even more magnificent. After two generations of Tadake Hosokawa and Tadori, Kokura Castle has become the residence of the lord. Iwai Sasaki Kojiro went to the castle the next day to teach Tadori and the clansmen swordsmanship.His swordsmanship originated from Tomita Seigon's Tomita style. After Zhong Juan Zizhai's guidance, and then combined his own creativity and the kung fu of his second ancestor, he became the Yanliu sword style.Since he came to Fengqian, in just a few years, he has become very popular in the feudal clan, even popular in the Kyushu area. People from as far as Shikoku and China often come here to live on the edge of the city to ask him for advice. Enter his school to study and return home with a certificate.

His swordsmanship seemed to be what everyone expected.Even the lord Zhongli said happily: "I know a hero with my eyes." Everyone in the family also praised him—— "It is indeed a talent." This is what everyone agrees with him. Son Shiro of the family was a martial arts instructor of the Xinyin school in the clan before Kojiro took office.However, under the light of Yanliu, a rising star, Sun Silang lost his style and had no place to stand. However, Kojiro begged Mr. Tadori: "My lord, please don't abandon Mr. Sun Silang. Although his swordsmanship is relatively inconspicuous, compared with a young man like me, he always has some advantages."

Kojiro affirmed him and proposed to take the post of coach on duty with Sun Shiro of the family. Once, Duke Zhongli said: "Kojiro said that although Sun Shiro's sword is inconspicuous, he has something special about him. Sun Shiro also said that Kojiro's sword skills are extraordinary, beyond his own ability. It seems that only two people can distinguish between them. high and low." The two immediately said after hearing this: "Obey!" He took the wooden sword and walked up to the master.Kojiro took the opportunity: "I'm terrified." Saying that, he put down the wooden sword first, and saluted at Sun Silang's feet, and Sun Silang quickly returned the salute:

"No, you are too polite, I am by no means your match." The two are humble to each other. In this way, Kojiro's reputation is even more enhanced. "As expected of Master Yanliu." "He is so great!" "It's also profound." "It's just bottomless." After winning everyone's admiration, he is now on the coaching throne.There are always seven followers with spears by his side.When going to the city to teach martial arts, some people would go to the horse and salute him on the way to show his respect. However, no matter how magnanimous Kojiro is to Sonshiro, the family whose reputation has fallen, if someone mentions——

I don't know what happened to Musashi recently? As long as you mention the official version or the name of Musashi, or even mention Kiniso and China's praise for Musashi. what!Musashi? Yanliu's tone immediately turned cold, turning into a narrow-minded person. Recently, that guy has become famous all over the world, and he even calls himself a two-sword style!Originally, he was just a little bit brute force, maybe no one in Kyoto and Osaka could match him. Although Kojiro neither slanders nor appreciates, he often restrains himself from showing hostility towards Musashi. Once, a samurai visited Iwai's mansion in Hagi no Koji.He said:

"Although I have never met Musashi. However, Musashi is not in vain. Except for Yagyu's Zhongxing Shizhouzhai, Kamiizumi Tsukahara has become a celebrity today-if he is a celebrity, it is an honor. Said he was a master." This person is not clear about the knot between Kojiro and Musashi for many years, and they talked with great interest and eloquence. "Is that so? Hahaha!" Kojiro Iyanryu didn't hide his expression, he smiled bitterly and said: "There are so many blind people in this world. Some say he is a celebrity, some say he is a master... In fact, in terms of military art, his level is not enough; in terms of style, he is too decadent and only good at selling fame , showing off his cleverness. Not only that, but there is also evidence that he used to be violent. Many people don't know, but I Yanliu once witnessed him showing off his name in Kyoto, competing with Yoshioka, but killing a man in Ichijo Temple Village Twelve or thirteen-year-old children can be said to be extremely cruel and despicable. At that time, Yoshioka was indeed a large number of people, and he resisted alone, but quickly escaped. In addition, observing his behavior, his Ambition is disgusting. This is my opinion... Hahaha, if he is said to be a master in the art of war, I reluctantly agree, but I don't think he is a master in swordsmanship. The world is too easy to be deceived gone."

If the person who talked with Kojiro further praised Musashi, it would sound like mocking himself to Iwairu, and his face would flush red, but he still said: "Musashi is not only cruel, but also despicable, not qualified to be a strategist." Before others knew about Musashi, Kojiro had already attempted to frame him, expressing his dislike. Even so, there are still people in the clan who respect Musashi. "Musashi was a man of noble character." They were all surprised by Kojiro's criticism, and some people couldn't help guessing at the end—— It appears that there may be a feud between Musashi and Mr. Sasaki.

Soon, it even came out—— Recently, under the order of the lord, the two competed in martial arts. Over the past few months, Fanli has been paying attention to the date and place of the contest. At the same time, among the rumors in and outside the city, there is a person who will visit the Iwaryu mansion in Hagi no Koji every day and night, and that is the old fan of Iwamon Kakuhei. Because Kakubei recommended him to the lord in Edo, he and Kojiro are now like family members. Today is the beginning of April. The double cherry blossoms began to fall, and the red azaleas were dotted between the springs and stones.

"Is he there?" Iwama came to visit, and he followed the little samurai who led the way to the backyard. "Oh! It's Lord Yanwen." The sun is shining in the living room, and the owner Iwaru Sasaki is standing in the courtyard. On his arm stands an eagle. This eagle looks very docile, and is pecking at the food in Kojiro's palm. In the name of his master Tadori, after the match with Musashi was finalized, Kakubei Iwama discussed with his master and decided that Kojiro would not have to go to the castle to teach swordsmanship for the time being, and he was allowed to rest at home quietly.

"Mr. Yanliu, the master has decided on the location of the contest today. I will inform you immediately." The corner guard stood and spoke. The little samurai had prepared a seat in the academy, and said to Kakubei: "Please." Kakubei only nodded to him, and continued: "At first, someone proposed to be on Wenchangbin or the Zichuan River. Later, everyone thought that these two venues were too narrow. Even if they were surrounded by ropes, they would not be able to prevent the spectators from mixing in..." "I see." The rock flow feeds the eagle on its arm, studying its eyes and beak.

With his detached attitude, he seems not to care about the rumors and comments in the world. Kakubei specially came to inform this matter, but he didn't expect that the other party didn't care. "Don't stand and talk, hurry up, come into the house..." As if Kakubei is the master. "Please wait a moment." Yanliu had no other thoughts. "Wait until I finish feeding the food on hand." "Is this the eagle the master gave you?" "Yes. Last autumn, I accompanied my master to hunt the eagle. He personally rewarded me and named it Tianbow. Now it is docile and lovable." He discarded the food in his hand and grabbed the red rope. "Tatsunosuke, bring the eagle back to the hut." He turned around and handed the eagle to the boy behind him. "yes." Tatsunosuke took the eagle back to the hut.The house is spacious and built along the hill, surrounded by pine forests.The outside of the wall is connected to the river bank of Tsu, and there are many houses of feudal lords nearby.They came to the study and sat down. "excuse me." Yanliu said. "No, no, we are not outsiders. When I come here, it's like returning to my own home or my son's home." The corner guards were relaxed. At this time, a young maid came in with tea in style. She glanced at the visitor. "It's just crude tea." The corner guard turned around: "Oh! It's Ah Guang, you are getting more and more beautiful." He took the teacup, Ah Guang blushed with shame. "Please enjoy." She avoided the eyes of the guests as if running away, and hid behind the paper door. "If the eagle can be kept tame, it is also very cute, but it is a fierce bird after all. Compared with the eagle Tiangong, it is better to keep Ah Guang by my side. I also want to find a time to talk to you, Ah A thing of light." "Have you ever been to Yan Jianda's mansion and told you what's on your mind?" "Although she told me to keep it a secret, I don't think there is any need to hide it. To be honest, she did come to discuss it with me." "This woman is tight-lipped to me, she didn't say anything." Yanliu stared at the white paper door. "Don't be angry, don't blame her." Kakubei Iwama appeased Kojiro's anger, and after Kojiro calmed down, he said: "I can't blame the woman for thinking this way. It's not that she doubts your intentions. It's just that if you continue like this, you don't know what will happen in the future. Other people will think the same way." "So, Ah Guang told you everything... Oh! It's really embarrassing." "No--" Seeing Iwai's embarrassed expression, Kakubei hurriedly helped him out. "This is a common thing between men and women. And you have reached the age to marry a wife and start a family, especially if you live in such a big house and have so many people at your disposal." "But, I just wanted to keep her at home as a little maid, but I didn't expect her to be scary." "So now you can't abandon Hikari even more. If she is not qualified to be a wife, you still have something to say, but she has a good background and a noble status. I heard that she is the niece of Edo Ono Jiroemon Tadaaki." "That's right." "I heard that you went alone to challenge Jiroemon Tadaaki's martial arts school, and in the end let Zhongming know that his Ono School One Sword Style has declined. At that time, you became acquainted with Hikaru." "You're right. I'm ashamed. I've been hiding it from you, my benefactor, and I'm uneasy. I always want to find an opportunity to explain to you... As you said, after the martial arts competition with Mr. Ono Tadaaki, it was already dark. That little girl—who was always by the side of her uncle Jirouemon Tadaaki, who is now Hikari—carrying a small lantern, accompanied me through the dark road of Sapona Slope, and sent it to the street.” "Oh...that's what I heard." "On the way, I was just joking with her, but she didn't expect her to believe it. Later, after Jirouemon's funeral, she came to the door by herself." "Well! I see. That's the way it is! Hahaha!" The corner guard smiled and waved. However, when Kojiro moved to Kokura from Iwarako, Edoshiba Ward, this woman was already by Kojiro's side.Until a while ago, when Kakubei, who had been kept in the dark, learned of this incident, apart from blaming himself for the accident, he also admired Iwaryu Kojiro's talent and skill in this area. "Hey! Leave this kind of matter to me! Anyway, now is not the time to talk about marriage. Let's discuss this matter after the martial arts competition!" Kakubei suddenly remembered the martial arts competition. For Kakubei, the opponent Musashi is not an opponent of Yanliu at all, and even thinks that this can be used to improve Yanliu's status and reputation, and make a great performance. "Just now I mentioned that the venue for the contest has been decided. It was too crowded on the edge of the city, so someone suggested that it would be better to hold it at sea, that is, to hold it on an island. It is best to decide on a small island between Chiwenguan and Mosiguan— —That is, Xuemen Island, also known as Boat Island.” "Ship Island?" "Yes. Before Musashi arrives, it may be helpful to explore the terrain of Nawei first." Before the competition, it is of course beneficial to go to the venue to explore the terrain. Check the terrain first, plan the actions and moves of the day, and whether there are trees nearby, know the position of the sun first, and decide from which angle to attack the enemy. These have subtle effects on the victory or defeat, and you can take the lead in combat mentality . Iwato Kakubei suggested hiring a fishing boat tomorrow and going to the ship island to familiarize himself with the terrain.But Yanliu said: "In the art of war, the emphasis is on taking the initiative. And I already have a well-thought-out plan. In some cases in the past, it was easy to make mistakes when predicting the moves to defeat the enemy in advance. I think it is more important to adapt to the situation." Kakubei nodded and stopped insisting on going to the island. Yanliu ordered Ah Guang to prepare food and drinks, and the two drank until evening. Iwama Kakubei saw that Iwamura, whom he single-handedly pulled out, has become famous, has won the favor of his master, and is sitting in a luxurious house.Now I can drink a glass of wine in this mansion, so taking care of him will also pay off, it's worth it.He drank like he was having a good time. "I think it's better to keep Ah Guang by your side! In short, after the competition is over, invite your relatives and friends in Wei, your hometown, to hold a wedding. Although you must be persistent in the way of swordsmanship, it is also important to consolidate the reputation of the family. If you can even do this If you can help me, then I, Kakubei, have taken good care of you." He thought he could take the place of his father, and was secretly pleased.Yanliu remained awake. Throughout the day, Yanliu hardly spoke.The closer the day of the competition is, the more people come and go. Although there is no need to go to the city to guide the next day, it is too complicated to receive guests and cannot meditate. Even so, he could not refuse the guests.Because he was worried that people would say: Mr. Yanliu avoids visitors.Yanliu is very concerned about this. "Tatsunosuke, bring the eagle out." He was going to go to the wild, and he took the eagle sky bow on his arm, and decided to go out early in the morning. In the fine weather in early April, walking with an eagle in the wild can recharge your energy just by walking. With amber eyes, the eagle soars through the air in pursuit of its prey.Yanliu's eyes were fixed on him. Bird feathers flutter from the air as the eagle's talons grab the prey. Yan Liu held his breath and watched all this.He felt as if he were the eagle. "...Yes, there." He also knew how to tame a falcon.On this day, he added a lot of confidence to his face. However, when I returned home in the evening, I saw Ah Guang still tried to cover up his swollen eyes with makeup.This made Yanliu Xinwei feel very sad.Originally, he was full of confidence and firmly believed that he would not lose to Musashi, but when he saw Aguang, he was so upset. If I say goodbye to her forever... He even thought about the afterlife.What's even more amazing is that now I think of my dead mother who I seldom recall. There are only a few days left. Every night before going to bed, he always thinks about it.In his mind, the amber eagle eyes and the sad and swollen eyes of Hikaru alternated with each other, and the mother's figure intertwined.