Chapter 33 Section VI

Mibu Tadazen was wearing an old, faded narrow-sleeved dress, and was sitting upright in front of Seimei and Boya. Zhongcen is an old man, about eighty-five years old, with white hair above his ears, and looks like a monkey. Qingming introduced Boya to Zhongcen. After Zhongcen finished speaking, he said in a low voice, "It's the day of the waka competition, the reciter on the right." Mibu Tadazen used to be the attendant of General Izumi Fujiwara Jokuni, and he was also a singer in the Prince Sada Waka Competition, Kanpei Imperial Palace Harem Waka Competition, Tingziin Waka Competition, and was selected by everyone in the palace for his poetry talent. He is one of the editors of "Gujin Waka Collection".

During the Ping Zhenwen waka competition in the fifth year of Yanxi (AD 905), the first waka on the left was Zhongcen's work, and it was also the opening waka of "Supplements". In the same year, on the 40th birthday of Izumi General Fujiwara Jokuni, Zhongcen also presented a screen-wind song; two years later, Zhongcen also sang a Waka when he followed Emperor Uta to visit the Oi River; "One article. In the various waka competitions before "Ancient and Modern", although Zhongcen left a number of waka that rivaled Ji Youze and others, after the seven years of Yanxi's tour of Oigawa, after presenting his works, he did not create any more works that can be handed down to future generations up.

Of course, Boya has long admired the singer's name. "Yes, I was the reciter at that time." Boya replied. Boya's official position is the third rank, and Zhongcen's official position is the sixth rank. Logically speaking, it is impossible for them to sit facing each other in the narrow corridor. However, in Qingming's mansion, this is commonplace.On the contrary, Boya seemed to respect the Zhongcen who was older than him and a famous singer. "Lord Zhongcen..." Qingming looked at Mibu Zhongcen and said, "This Lord Boya also came for the same thing."

"Then, is it a matter of loyalty?" "Yes." Qingming nodded. "Since that's the case, does Lord Boya know that the emperor ordered to appease Zhongjian's soul?" "I'm here to report this to Seimei." "This..." Hearing what Boya said, Zhong Cen cried out, and then heaved a big sigh. "Is there a problem?" Boya asked. "Bo Ya, Master Zhongcen means, can we re-compete the 20th waka competition at that time with another waka? Master Zhongcen thinks this is the best way to appease the soul of Lord Zhongjian."

"Re-match?" Boya asked. "Of course it's a non-public competition. As long as Kansho-sama agrees, we three and Kansada-sama, a total of four people can participate. This time, Seimei-sama will be the judge, and the reciters will be the same as that night, and Boya-sama will come... " "But, why is this?" Boya asked. "Yes..." Zhong Cen bowed deeply, "I'll tell the whole story. To be honest, that song "I'm In Love with a Iraqi" is not Zhong Jian's creation." "Was it written by someone else?" "Yes." Zhong Cen nodded.

"However, creations written by other people are very common. So far, many people have participated in the competition with waka written by others. I don't think this can be a reason for re-competition..." Seimei said. As Seimei said, not all Waka contest entries in this period were the author's creations.Many singers competed with other people's works as their own. This behavior was very common at the time and was widely recognized by the public. "However, although it was written by someone else... I will bear the humiliation and tell the truth, the real author of that waka is actually a ghost." Zhong Cen replied.

"Ghost?" Boya screamed. "It's a ghost. Moreover, not only that waka, but all the waka contests that Tadami participated in that night... No, so far, the real authors of all the works that I and Tadami have submitted in the Waka competition are actually ghosts." Zhongcen It seemed that he had made up his mind to recruit them all, and after finishing speaking in one breath, he kept silent. "All are ghosts..." Boya said. "yes." "Why is that so?" "It's a long story, but I still have to say it. The first time I met a ghost was in the spring of the third year of Kanpei..."

"What era?" "Seventy years ago, when I was eighteen..." Zhong Cen replied, his voice mixed with phlegm choked in his throat.