Chapter 17 Chapter Seventeen

On the morning of May 23rd in the 20th year of Keicho, Katagiri Katomoto learned that Toyotomi Hideyori's orphan, Kunimatsumaru, had been arrested and would be executed on the Rokujo River Beach.At this time, he was living in the home of Matsuda Shoemon in the Sanjo clothes shed in the capital. He was bedridden and would vomit blood every day.Shoemon's wife was afraid that his sick body would not be able to bear the blow, so she was trembling when she told him. Everyone thought that after Qi Yuan left Osaka, he went directly to the new territory of Yamato Er'an Temple to recuperate.Qi Yuan, citing Yamato's lack of good doctors as an excuse, dragged his sick body and stumbled to the capital, where he secretly lived in the home of Matsuda Shoemon in Santo's shed.

Previously, Qiyuan also had a mansion in Kyoto, but it had been lent to Tokugawa Ieyasu's son, Lieutenant General Tonoe.Qiyuan's reputation in the capital is not very good. People say: "The world is getting more and more confusing. That Mr. Katagiri, who has always been called the loyal minister and backbone of Osaka, managed to survive and was praised by the shogunate. Ono, who has always been notorious The governor and Lord Youfu committed suicide." Qi Yuan not only saved his life, but also increased his salary by 18,000 shi, and his territories were scattered in Shancheng, Yamato, Hanoi, and Hequan, and he became the target of public criticism for a while.

Everyone in the world thought that the master's family was defeated, and even if Yuan voted for Kanto out of helplessness, he should not offer his mansion to Lai Xuan and receive awards from the shogunate.Even Matsuda Shoemon looked down on him a bit.Matsuda's wife also knew what her husband meant, so she deliberately told Qiyuan about Kunimatsumaru's news. "When did this happen?" Qi Yuan continued to decoct the medicine without changing his expression. Because he was too calm, Shoemon's wife, Yu Yue, was slightly relieved, but also a little disappointed, "This afternoon, the news has spread all over the capital."

"This afternoon?" "The place of execution is Liujo River Beach. It is the place where Kanbai Toyotomi Hideji's family was executed 20 years ago. It is still called the animal grave. Everyone says it is the cycle of karma. Are you going to see him off? " "Send off?" "Yes, Lord Youfu only has such a son, it's really cruel." "Yeah, it's okay to go there. But, there must be so many people, I'm afraid I can't stand the torment. Besides, I have to go to get medicine." Shoemon's wife clearly showed dissatisfaction and contempt on her face, and said coldly: "Then I will go alone to see Mr. Kunimatsumaru off. Whether it is an enemy or a friend, the child is always innocent."

Qie Yuan pretended nothing had happened, slowly poured the medicine into the bowl, smelled it, blew on it, and drank it slowly. Matsuda Shoemon's house is three and a half rooms in front and about twelve rooms in depth. The house is not big.Qi Yuan lived in a hut in the courtyard and never went out. The neighbors did not know who lived there. Although Youemon looked down on Kaemoto in his heart, he never mentioned it to anyone. He had his own plan: if people knew that Kaemoto lived at home, the remaining forces in Osaka would definitely come.He originally wanted to gain Katagiri's trust and use it to make a fortune, but now it seems that everything has come to naught.Later generations said that Qi Yuan committed suicide in Dahe Er'an Temple, and others said that he died of illness. From this, it can be seen that the fact that Qi Yuan went to the capital was not well known at that time.Not much to say.

And Yuan's eldest son, Xiaoli, went to Fushimi City on behalf of his father to serve General Xiuzhong.Only he knew where his father was, and he sent someone to protect him secretly. Around Chen Shi, Qi Yuan put on a bamboo hat, sneaked out of the door, quickly hired a sedan chair, and arrived in front of the gate of the vows temple behind Xinjing Jisanjo.The Temple of Oaths was built during the Tensho period for Mrs. Matsumaru, the older sister of Jing Gaoji.At that time, Mrs. Matsumaru was not inferior to Mrs. Yodo in terms of intelligence and beauty, and was deeply loved by Mrs. Hideyoshi.

When Qi Yuan arrived in front of the mountain gate of the temple, he got off the sedan chair and went straight to the Huzhengyuan where the pagoda head was. "Please tell me little master." His voice was calm.He is trying to control his emotions, he knows that if he is a little too aggressive, he will vomit blood and block his mouth and nose.After he finished speaking to the young monk at the door, he took off his bamboo hat.The monk recognized Qie Yuan, responded and hurried in. Qie Yuan bent down, sat on the steps in front of the door, and waited.He whispered to himself, "I'm still too anxious. I forgot to water the morning glory at Shoemon's house."

The abbot, monk Zhixin, came out, took Qiyuan by the hand, and led him to the guest room.And Yuanyue adjusted his breathing a little.The abbot said: "My lord's complexion looks much better." "Master, have you heard?" Qi Yuan mentioned the matter of Guomatsumaru. "What do you mean?" "Master Guosong will be executed today." "This..." the abbot gasped, clapped his hands and called a young monk, "Who did you hear about Mr. Suo Sidai letting Mr. Guosong go?" "The disciple is listening to what Mr. Honami Koetsu said."

The abbot turned to Qie Yuan and said, "Are you sure, sir?" Qi Yuan said slowly: "Qi Yuan has something to ask the master, I hope the master can arrange it." The abbot glanced at the little monk who was waiting on the side, and said: "Go and find out. Wait a minute, ask someone to go to the Liutiao River Beach to have a look, and you will know the truth." He was a little flustered, and turned to Qieyuan again, saying: "Old man Although I had prepared, I still didn't expect Mr. Guosong to be executed so soon." Qie Yuan remained calm, and simply asked: "What was the name of the ring that the master gave him back then?" His voice was very low, as if he was stingy with every breath he took, "Qi Yuan is going to Gaotai Temple, and I haven't seen Madam for a long time. I'm going to ask her to enshrine the spirit of Mr. Guosong. I have to ask the master to help Qie Yuan confirm the ring name of Mr. Guosong."

"The old man will go to confirm immediately." "Where is the tablet?" "Ready." "The coffin?" "It's also ready. It looks like just a few pieces of wood on the outside, but it's painted with thick earth paint and family crests on the inside." "Thank you. Where is the tomb site?" "Temporarily bury him next to the tomb built for Mrs. Matsumaru. After the news passes, he will be moved to the tomb of Lord Amitabaka Taiko. If this old monk is no longer alive, he will leave his last words and entrust them to future generations."

That year, Mrs. Matsumaru died of illness in Kyogoku Prefecture in Saitoin.And Yuan Jian wanted to temporarily bury Guosongwan next to Mrs. Matsumaru's tomb, he felt relieved, and said: "Master, please tell him his name." He urged, not wanting to waste a moment. "Wait a minute." The abbot hurriedly got up, and took out a piece of Mino paper with a small piece of paper on it. When Yuan Jiexiao came, he held the piece of paper respectfully and made a bow, and Fang Nian said: "Young boy of Yunshan Zhixi in the Louxi courtyard." "Your Excellency thinks it is appropriate?" the abbot asked. Qi Yuan didn't reply, and turned around: "Take a word for the child who is about to sleep in Dongshan..." He bowed again, gently wiped away his tears, "There is no Buddha country or pure land in the world, and those who dream of making a comeback are not only Only Qingsheng is humane. And the hope that Yuan put on the morning glory is finally shattered." "Morning glory?" "Qiyuan is currently living in Shoemon's house, and in a corner of his yard, he planted a morning glory. Qiyuan once thought that when the morning glory blooms, the Toyotomi family's luck will come... Sigh!" Speaking of this, he shook his head, folded the name of the ring, and was about to get up, and said, "The funeral has been handed over to Xiaoli and Weiyuan, and the offerings of the deceased are entrusted to the master." "Your Excellency, you must also take care of yourself." The abbot quickly reached out to help.Qi Yuan just smiled and expressed his gratitude. "Toyotomi's bloodline has not been completely cut off, and there is another young lady. It was given to Qi Yuan by the Lord of the Imperial Palace..." Qi Yuan stopped speaking with a smile.He probably wanted to say that it was because of this that he accepted the seal of the shogunate. Before going out, Qi Yuan asked the abbot for another bowl of Ge soup to cheer up? The cicadas in Gaotai Temple hummed sadly, which made Kaemoto feel sad. He thought of the death poem sung by Hideyoshi when he passed away, and also thought of the ill-fated life of the person he was going to visit. 〖Lululu eliminates my Taige, there are more dreams of waves. 〗 When Qi Yuan heard this death poem, he also seemed to understand his own life. However, is it enough to understand?That endless dream is clearly a huge curse that fills the whole world.Qiyuan's life is like a nightmare, and the lives of Ishida Mitsunari and Ono Zhichang are also full of dust.Not only the men, but also Mrs. Yodo, Mrs. Kodaiin, Mrs. Matsumaru, and Mrs. Sanjo, the glory and wealth they enjoyed in Fushimi in the past also disappeared in a blink of an eye.In the depths of their memories, there may still be a faint remnant of the love and hatred of the past, but it has all turned into a fantasy. Qi Yuan tried his best to control his emotions, standing in front of the gate of Gaotai Temple, which is closely connected with Fenggong Temple, and did not call the door immediately.This small temple called Gaotai Temple is beautiful.The walls of the four small halls are all painted in gold and Makie, and the walls are hung with paintings by Mitsunobu Tosa.Sixteen Songs of Immortals.Under Hidetada's instruction, Kobori Enshu also repaired the courtyard to attract water from the Chrysanthemum Stream.A tree and a rock are arranged in a very reasonable and exquisite way.But all these are not relics left by the Taiko to his beloved wife, but a boast of the power of Toyotomi's old enemy. "Please inform me." Qie Yuan reported, unable to hold back his tears. Taiko's great achievements have disappeared like a dream, but Tokugawa Ieyasu is completely different.Although A Jiang and his wife and Mrs. Yodo are sisters, her fate is very different from that of her sister just because she married into Tokugawa.What exactly caused this difference? Hearing the door call, Qing Shuni came out from Tangsan Pavilion, a tea room in the temple, and said, "Which benefactor is it? Ah, Lord Katagiri! What's going on, I see that your face is pale." Qi Yuan tried his best to hold back his cough, and said, "I have something urgent to see Gaotai Yuan." "Come here." A serene voice came from under the Tangsan Pavilion, it was Gaotaiyuan.Qi Yuan's eyes blurred uncontrollably, and he said sadly, "Madam, it's not good...it's bad news." The Gaotai Courtyard is arranging flower arrangements in the tea room, and smoothing the ashes of the furnace. "What's going on? Such a rush." Gaotaiyuan's tone was friendly, as if he was talking to his younger brother or child.After finishing speaking, she gestured for Qie Yuan to sit down with her eyes.She showed a smiling face under the headscarf, looking much younger than Chie Yuan. "Let's hear it, did someone die again?" "Master Guosong has been arrested." "National Pine? It's..." "It's the child of Master Youfu and Ise's maid." "It's Shurai's child..." "Yes. He was arrested at the Kaga merchant's house in Fushimi, and will be executed at the Rokujo Riverbank near today's end." "How old is he?" "Eight years old, I grew up in a merchant's family." "Maybe because I haven't seen him, I can't imagine what he looks like. Are you here to ask me to save him?" Qie Yuan shook his head vigorously, and said, "If there was still a way to save him, I wouldn't have informed you in such a hurry. This matter is irreversible, it's really terrible." Qie Yuan seemed to be talking to his relatives.Probably because he followed Hideyoshi since he was a child and grew up under the guidance of Kodaiin.For a long time, Gaotaiyuan was like a sister or mother, taking care of him wholeheartedly. "Ichimashi, why are you still in such a panic after so many years of age? I know that Kunimatsumaru was arrested and beheaded at Liujo River Beach at this time. So what should the old nun do?" Speaking of this, Gao Taiyuan turned to Qing Shuni and ordered: "Serve tea, take it slow." "The old nun has long been used to the strangeness. Xiu Lai and Mrs. Dian died, wouldn't there be one more Guosong? We can't make such a fuss in the future." Gao Taiyuan said to Qi Yuan again. "It's so heartless for you to say so...to say so..." Qi Yuan was a little at a loss.Sure enough, Gaotaiyuan still hated Mrs. Dian.Because Guosong is Mrs. Dian's grandson, she is not sad.Thinking of this, he became even angrier, and said, "Ma'am! Mr. Guomatsumaru may not be related to you by blood, but he is the only grandson of Lord Taige after all. He is about to be beheaded, but you think it has nothing to do with you, so you intend to laugh Is it over?" Gao Taiyuan nodded vigorously and said: "Okay, let's continue. Don't worry, calm down and speak slowly." Gaotaiyuan is still so strong.He gritted his teeth with vitality, and couldn't control himself even more, "Thank you Madam for your concern. Although the child is not your own grandson, he is in the blood of Lord Taige after all, so please go to Liutiao River Beach with me to see him off by chanting Buddha's name. " "So that's what you wanted to say." "Taige must be crying under the nine springs. You should not refuse it. Looking at today's weather, it should not snow. The sun is so bright in the morning..." "Mayor." "What is it?" "I'll go there with you." "You want to go with me?" "However, what's the use of going? Still can't let the dead rest in peace. How should we deal with the funeral?" Qi Yuan said: "I have already arranged this matter." "Oh, and where is the burial?" "Buried at Goshoin Temple in the Temple of Oath." "Oath Temple? Is that Matsumaru's temple?" "Yes. Mrs. Matsumaru will be buried there in the future, and secretly built a tomb." Gaotaiyuan did not reply to Qiyuan, but said to Qingshunni: "Qingshunni, it will be noon soon. Order someone to prepare two sedan chairs, we can't go late." Then she turned to Qiyuan: "The market Right, what you said is very good. However, I didn’t go for Guosong.” "what?" "You said that Taige might cry under the Nine Springs. After hearing your words, I decided to go. I went for Taige." "Ashamed." "I don't like stupid people the most. After the Taige left, those stupid people fought back and forth and wiped out the Taige family property. Look, what is left now?" "It's all incompetent." "I'm not blaming you. The rest, only this tea room and residence, I asked the Great Imperial Palace to help me build them. You have to remember these well." "yes." "The real offering to the dead is lonely and desolate." At this time, Qing Shuni came to report and said that the sedan chair was ready. "Qingshunni, help Shizheng, a big man with such a weak body." Gaotaiyuan scolded and walked out.The sun outside was dazzling, and she couldn't help squinting her eyes. What appeared in front of her was not the Kunimatsumaru whom she had never met before, but the lovely Hideyori whom she had seen in Osaka Castle back then. "Not only for Taiko, but also for Xiu Lai." She murmured in a low voice, then walked across the courtyard and came to the mountain gate. Taking a sedan chair to the Gaotaiyuan on Liutiao River Beach, my mood at this time is more complicated than that of Qi Yuan.Her hard work when she and the Taige built the Osaka Castle together are like a dream now, everything is so illusory.Isn't life like this?Thinking of this, she suddenly had a doubt in her heart: Is Xiu Lai the real son of Taige? Back in the inner chamber, the Taige would always nag her: "Ning Ning, I must have a child. I want a son!" At that time, Ningning also wanted to satisfy her husband's wishes, and would pray to gods and Buddhas every day.However, for some reason, Ningning never gave birth to a son-in-law for Hideyoshi.Because of this, she scolded Hideyoshi, and sometimes even quarreled until dawn. "It's all because you're always promiscuous outside. Can't you be patient and recharge your batteries?" The one who knows the quarrel best is Kato Kiyomasa.Not only is he upright, but all the servants who grew up beside Ning Ning are also very clear about it, and they have taken great pains.When they went to North Korea, they often went to the pigs during the war to search for the secret recipe of strengthening yang for Hideyoshi. At that time, Ningning himself had given up trying to conceive and have children, and pinned his hopes on Mrs. Matsumaru and Mrs. Sanjo. Although there would always be some knots in his heart, there was nothing he could do about it. Hideyoshi must have repeated the same words in their room.Thinking of this, Ning Ning would make a sarcasm to Taige: However, Ning Ning was not the only one who couldn't conceive. Mrs. Kaga and Mrs. Himeji, who were much younger than her, were also not pregnant. The side chambers are also always empty inside the abdomen.Mrs. Matsumaru and Mrs. Sanjo also have the same doubts as Ningning. "Adults are afraid that there may be some problems." They began to mutter in low voices: the problem may not be with women, but with Taige. But at this time, Mrs. Dian was pregnant.At that time, there were many rumors behind the scenes. The first person to be suspected was Ishida Mitsunari, and then the famous Nagoya Yamazo.The rumors were definitely not groundless, because among all the side rooms, only Mrs. Dian was in contact with other men unscrupulously and acted recklessly.Not long after Shemaru died, she became pregnant again, for Hideyori.Hideyoshi's background is even more suspicious, because Mrs. Yodo seems to be pregnant when Hideyoshi went to war. Is Kunimatsumaru, who will be executed today, really Taiko's blood? Doubts about Hideyori's origin make Kodaiin feel like falling into hell.Twenty years later, nothing matters anymore.But having said that, as a woman, she still can't let go.However, she thought again, no matter who the child of Hideyori was, he was born in Toyotomi's family anyway, so he should be regarded as adopting an adopted son.Every time she thinks about this, she will fall into self-blame: this is all arranged by the gods and Buddhas, and she cannot be dissatisfied.Taiko believes that Hideyori is his child, and he gets satisfaction from it. This is enough, why bother to challenge his doubts?This can also be regarded as Gaotaiyuan's sympathy for her husband.However, when Kodaiin saw that the Toyotomi clan was in danger, cruel and strange expectations suddenly arose in his heart. Since the gods and Buddhas bestowed Xiu Lai on Taiko, they will take him away one day... She became a cold bystander unknowingly. In the depths of her heart, Xu also had a more cruel pleasure that was close to revenge.If Xiu Lai is really the son of Taige, the gods and Buddhas will never watch him go to ruin.This is a letter, and the letter is true, and this true letter took root in her heart, which made her quite at ease. On the way to Liujo River Beach, Kodaiin said to herself over and over again: "I went for Taiko, not for Kunimatsumaru." However, when she reached Liuji River Beach, her heart could no longer be calm.Seeing the animal grave where the thirty-eight members of Xiuci's family were buried, and the bustling crowd of onlookers, she was greatly moved. A green bamboo fence blocked the onlookers: the crowd moving forward, as if they had made an appointment beforehand, counted prayer beads and chanted words: "Namo Amitabha, Namo Amitabha." It was as if they were experiencing their own misfortune. Poor, why am I so selfish?The Gaotai Court secretly blamed it. "Ah, look, that's Tanaka Rokuzaemon, and after that is Kunimatsu-kun." "What about the kid in the back?" "That's the son of the Kyogoku Clan, Kuran Morishinho, who was arrested with Mr. Kunimatsu." "What a pity! Let's get closer and pray for them in the afterlife." While reciting Buddhist scriptures silently in Gaotaiyuan, she was still introspecting and trying to control her inner wavering. At this time, the conversations of several businessmen nearby came to the ears of Gaotai Courtyard: "It's really retribution. Twenty years ago, the Taige killed Guan Bai's young sons here one by one. Alas! The things in this world , It’s all karmic reincarnation, and they all say that good will be rewarded with good, and evil will be rewarded with evil, and I really obeyed this sentence..." Katagiri Katomoto also faintly heard this, was startled, and stood on the spot in a daze. 〖Everything has a cause and effect, Good and evil have their own rewards. 〗 Qi Yuan heard another person talking about the tragedy of that year, so he supported the high platform courtyard and pushed aside the crowd in front, "Here...you can see clearly from here. Let's take another step forward." The weather was fine, cloudless, and the hot sun was shining on people's heads. "Several untouchables approached the fence. Are they going to execute the sentence?" "How is it possible? Let the untouchables behead the grandson of Lord Taige?" As long as there are people, there will inevitably be such discussions.Gaotaiyuan and Qiyuan couldn't stop their ears. "Look, that kid has a lot of integrity." "That's right, the older child kept crying, but the younger one was as still as a tree and stone. Alas! Namo Amitabha, Namo Amitabha..." Later, according to the "History of Christianity in Japan" written by the missionary Basel, Kunimatsu angrily reprimanded Tokugawa Ieyasu for his treachery and killed him calmly.But according to common sense, how could an eight-year-old child say such words!Xu Shi knew that the executioner was a pariah, not a samurai, and Guosong might say: "I am the young master of Osaka, a disrespectful person!" Regardless of what future generations think, the executioner is indeed a pariah. Qi Yuan was very surprised by this: "What's going on?" After saying that, he hurriedly shut up again, he already understood the reason: this was not disrespectful to Taige, it must be from the painstaking efforts of his deputy Itakura Katsushige.He wanted to tell the world that the child executed today was not the Empress Dowager Taige, but a pretended troublemaker.In this way, even if Ieyasu blames him, Suo Sidai can shirk responsibility. Qi Yuan continued to squeeze forward with the high platform courtyard, and finally squeezed to about a distance from the fence.He whispered: "Madam's health is still good? She is sweating profusely. I want to see what they will do with the son's body, so I came here." Gao Taiyuan didn't say anything, and continued to squeeze forward a step or two, just wanting to look at Kunimatsumaru. Kunimatsu Maru can be seen clearly here.He cut his hands back, and a small face clearly came into the eyes of the two of them.Across the straw mat laid on the ground, the hot stones burned Kunimatsu Maru's calf.He looked bitter, frowning from time to time, and looked at Tanaka Rokuzaemon next to him.Tanaka Rokuzaemon closed his eyes tightly, the sweat was dripping down uncontrollably, he was motionless, as if dead. The supervisor is a samurai in his thirties, and neither Yuan nor Gaotaiyuan have seen him.He sat opposite Guomatsumaru, handling the case with one hand and wiping his sweat with the other. Gao Taiyuan tightly held the rosary beads on his chest, held his breath, and looked carefully.How is Guosong similar to his grandfather Taiko? But even if the young Kunimatsumaru looks like Taiko, what's the use?Now, the butcher's knife hangs high above the child's head, exuding a dazzling light... No, he is not like Taige, how can he be similar?Xiu Lai is not the son of Taige at all. The heart of Kodaiin seems to have turned into two people.One person drives away the distracting thoughts in his heart and prays for Kunimatsumaru, but the other person turns into a ghost with malicious intentions. "It's not like..." Gao Taiyuan gently wiped the sweat that flowed into the corner of his eyes, and said in a low voice, "It's not like Taige at all, but it's like Mrs. Dian." Xiu Lai is Mrs. Dian's biological child, there is no doubt about it.This son is Hideyori's own son, so it is only natural that he resembles Mrs. Dian. At this moment, another child suddenly bent down and burst into tears.He was afraid that he saw someone he knew well among the crowd of onlookers. The samurai who supervised the beheading said something.A pariah drew a knife, walked towards the crying child, and then scolded loudly.But because there were too many onlookers and the noise was too loud, it was impossible to hear what he was cursing clearly. "It seems to be about to execute." Qi Yuandao, "First Kunimatsumaru, and then that child." "..." "Just now they told Tanaka Rokuzaemon that his wife and Kunimatsumaru's nurse were innocent." Gaotaiyuan remained silent. The pariah put the knife in the bucket and dipped it in some water.The other two untouchables put the big knives in their hands into the bucket one after another, and then took them out to shake the water drops.The three of them smiled at each other, their smiles were ferocious.Then they walked behind the beheaded man and raised their swords. It was only then that Qi Yuan discovered that there was a small hole in front of the prisoner, probably to prevent blood from splashing everywhere. The samurai who supervised the execution stood up while talking.Asked at this moment, Kunimatsu Maru glanced back, then tightly closed his eyes. "Ah—" there was a scream.The knife was the first to strike Kunimatsumaru's immature neck: Gaotaiyuan heard a click, and at the same time, the head fell to the ground and rolled on the stone.The headless body fell forward, and blood gushed out. "Ah—" There was another scream.Gaotaiyuan suddenly felt dizzy, staggered a few steps, and fell down on the hot stone floor, moaning inarticulately. "What's the matter, ma'am?" Qie Yuan squatted down and stretched out his hand, trying to help the high platform courtyard up. Gao Taiyuan hastily pushed his hand away.She hesitated to speak, her breath was uncertain, and the voice in her throat was neither a moan nor a prayer.Why? Kodaiin's physical body had dried up, but when she saw the blood spurting from Kunimatsumaru's body, she seemed to suddenly come alive, and she felt like a woman again.Still panting, she tried to stand up.Right now, from the tip of her hair to her toes, she is filled with a pleasure that has been long forgotten.She was numb all over and couldn't stand up, feeling at a loss in her heart: Why is this happening? "My lord, I'll help you up." Qi Yuan stretched out his hand again and placed it on her body. Gaotaiyuan's body shook violently, as if being burned by fire. "Tanaka Rokuzaemon... went very leisurely." Qi Yuan said without words.People around have already chanted Buddha, like the sound of frogs at night in early summer. After a long time, Gaotaiyuan woke up.Kunimatsumaru's body has been removed.Qi Yuan murmured, hoping that the monks from the vow temple took away the corpse as ordered. "Is your lady better?" "Okay, I can go by myself, let me go." While Gaotaiyuan replied, he supported the scorching stone ground and stood up.At this time, she realized that her whole body was already drenched with sweat. Could it be that this is the destiny of a woman and the doom of a human being?She stood up staggeringly, closed her eyes and recited the Buddha. When the execution was over, people dispersed.Only the bloody corpse of the beheaded body still clearly appeared in front of the High Terrace Courtyard. Qi Yuan held Gaotaiyuan's hand again, and said, "It's really a blessing for Mrs. Guosong to be able to recite and pray for Mr. Guosong. For this, I also want to express my gratitude." "Namo Amitabha...Namo Amitabha..." "Let's go, be careful where you step. The sedan chair is on the embankment..." "Namo Amitabha...Namo Amitabha..." The people cleaning up the execution ground washed the bloodstains on the ground, and the Liutiao River Beach gradually calmed down... As soon as Katagiri Kamoto returned to Matsuda Shoemon's house, he lay down. Shoemon's wife heard the sound of the door opening and tiptoed over to look inside the room, only to see Chigen lying on his pillow with the half-burned incense still burning. "You... What's wrong with you?" She went in to help Qi Yuan up.She didn't know that Yuan had already been to the execution ground, so she just said: "Come, drink some medicine and cheer up." "Thank you." Qi Yuan took a sip honestly, and then said, "Let me be alone for a while. It's just that I walk too much, just take a short rest." "You still have to report to Ibaraki." "No, it's still early." "Your family members say that if there is any abnormality, they must send a letter." "Oh, it's still early." Qie Yuan shook his head and said with a smile, "In your opinion, I won't live long?" "No, no, you are overthinking." "You're still worried, huh?" "Yes." "Thanks for taking care of me, Qi Yuan is very grateful. In fact, you guessed right, I am afraid that time is running out, so I give you the box, incense burner and tea set in this room. I will write a suicide note, Just help me remember." "My lord, don't say such discouraging words." "It's too late when I can't speak. You promise me. While I can still speak, I have something to ask you." The woman helped Qieyuan to lie down, sat on the side, and said: "As long as the servant can do it, please just order it." "You can do it, and it's for the good of your family." "Please speak up, my lord." "Go and report to the Chief Secretary, saying that more than ten days ago, a strange person who claimed to be Katagiri City Masa sneaked into your home and asked him if he should blame this person." "Report to the Secretary?" "Yes." Katagiri Kasumi smiled wryly, "Just say that I want to see Itakura-sama. You pretend not to know me, and tell him: Although this person claims to be the magistrate of Katagiri City, he doesn't know the truth. If you say that, Itakura-sama will come to see me in person." "..." "Do you understand, if I can meet Itakura Daisuke for the last time, you will not have any trouble. Now the rumors are getting tight, everyone is looking for the remnants of Osaka, and notices have been posted outside, prohibiting strangers from staying overnight." "yes." "Okay, if you understand, then back off. I want to rest for a while, I've walked too much today and I'm tired." That night, Shoemon discussed with his wife for less than half an hour about whether or not he should follow what Kazumoto said, and reported to Suoshidai.In the end, Shoemon decided to take a trip, because Kanto's pursuit of the remnants of Osaka really made them fearful. After Kunimatsumaru was beheaded, Keizaka's pursuit of the remnants of Osaka intensified.The relatives of Chang Zeng and our tribe have been arrested, but the whereabouts of Ono Zhifang and Daoquan brothers are unknown.There are still rumors that Hideyori is still alive in the market, and it is not known where the rumors come from.It is said that on the day when Osaka Castle was broken, the person who committed suicide was not Hideyori, but a close vassal who replaced Hideyori. Under the protection of seven people, they escaped from Daban City.They arrived at the Oda Youle Zhai Army near Renban Castle, took off their clothes, wrapped them in rough straw mats, and drifted away along the Yodo River like garbage: the rumors were told in a serious manner, as if it was true.Others said that Xiu Lai was carrying a seven-inch five-cent knife with him at that time, and was ready to commit suicide at any time.He drifted all the way to Haikou and boarded the boat of Kato Higomori.At this time, only Hirata Hanzo, Naomori, Ichibei, and Yoneda Kihachi remained among the seven servants.Kato Higomori prepared a double-plank boat, and the master and servants hid under the boat plank, went into the sea, changed to Fukushima's boat at sea, and headed towards Higo and Satsuma... … This rumor has been circulating in Keizan for a long time. It is also said that Hideyori, who arrived in Higo, changed his name to Kikumaru Zisai, dressed up as a wealthy businessman, and lived in seclusion in the mountains. A boy and a girl were born for him, the elder sister was called Achen, and the younger brother was named Juwan... These rumors are mostly attached, not much to say.And when Yuanshen was in the capital, the rumors hadn't spread yet.But Xiu Lai said that he was still in the world, which made the investigation even tighter.There are even people who say that Hideyori is not the only one who is still alive, but that Hideyori, Mrs. Yodo, and the Dazang Bureau were no longer in the city on the first day they broke down in Osaka Castle, and have already fled to other places... However, the investigation in Kanto became more urgent because Ieyasu said he would stay in the capital until after autumn.The world believes that the reason why Lord Ieyasu stayed for a long time is to wipe out the remnants of Fengchen and sweep away the source of chaos in the world.Shoemon went to Itakura Mansion and reported that there was a man at home who called himself Katagiri Kamoto.When Itakura Katsushige heard this, he was very surprised, and hurried to the three clothing sheds. It is still a mystery that Katagiri City is in the heart of Itakura Shengzhong, and he cannot be called a cunning person, nor can he be called a loyal person, let alone an ungrateful villain who only strives to get ahead.Sometimes Katsushige thinks that he is calculating, and sometimes he feels that he is very honest.Regarding Osaka, Qi Yuanzi is a person who gnashes his teeth and has uncertain thoughts.But such a Katagiri Kimoto won the sympathy of Ieyasu, and after he voted in Kanto, he was also granted a seal: "In your own territory, you can do whatever you like, so you can live and take care of yourself." But why didn't Qiyuan accept Jiakang's kindness, but instead sneaked into the capital secretly? With doubts, Katsushige only brought one entourage, and pretended to go to Shoemon's house.Passing through the courtyard and entering a courtyard, he was stunned suddenly: a ghostly shadow crouched in the narrow courtyard, digging mud under the scorching sun, and buried things at the base of the wall.He is the mayor?Why is it so old?The last time I saw Shizheng, he was still a general in uniform. "Is it the mayor?" "Oh..." Qie Yuan raised his head in surprise, and said, "Your Excellency has really come." His voice was a little hoarse, and he quickly covered the bowl beside him. "What are you doing? It's hot, in the sun." "I was seen by an adult..." "What's in the bowl?" "It's the leek porridge cooked by the hostess of this house." "Oh, it doesn't seem to suit your taste. But..." Shengzhong smiled wryly, "Do you think that someone's good intentions will not be good enough, so you throw them away?" Shengzhong thought that according to Qiyuan's temperament, he will do so. "My lord, look at this." Qi Yuan pointed to the morning glory with vines growing at the base of the wall, "This flower...Qi Yuan hopes that it can bloom. This flower belongs to Lord Taige..." "Master Taige?" "Yes. When I first arrived in Changbin City, Taige-sama, who was always used to getting up early, said to Qieyuan: Assistant, I will leave the matter of raising morning glory to you." Said, Qieyuan covered up and fell down in the corner He stood up, "This is the place where Qi Yuan's sickness lies, and it is unavoidably dirty. Please don't be offended. Please, Mr. Suo Sidai." He staggered, leaned on the wall, and moved to the corridor. Sheng Zhong's eye circles became hot, and he was on the verge of tears. "When Mr. Taige planted the morning sun flowers, it was like the sun was shining." Qi Yuan staggered to the door, put down the bowl gently, and entered the room.The sandalwood scent in the room was lightly diffused, he must have known that the victory was coming, and it had been lit early. "Your Excellency must find it strange, and since Yuan has received the conferment of the Imperial Palace, why did he come to Beijing secretly?" "Exactly. Why is this? Is it possible that you are not satisfied with the titles of the leaders?" "Don't dare...and Yuan went to the execution ground with Gaotaiyuan yesterday to see off Mr. Guosong." "That's not Mr. Guosong, he should be a troublemaker pretending to be Guosong." "Whether it is or not, it doesn't matter much. Although Kodaiin is still alive, the Toyotomi family has been exterminated." Sheng Zhong didn't dare to interrupt, he still had doubts in his mind: Why did Qi Yuan invite himself here? "Qiyuan will not resent the Tokugawa shogunate for this matter." "Oh." "All misfortunes are due to Kazumoto's incompetence. Kamoto also knows that the Great Imperial Palace and Itakura-sama have worked hard for the survival of the Toyotomi clan. But it is precisely because of this that I suffer even more, like roasting on fire." Qi Yuan pointed to the morning glory in the courtyard, his withered fingers were like dead branches in winter, "look at that, my lord. When Qi Yuan saw that wall, it was like seeing the city wall of Osaka, and when he saw the morning glory, it was like seeing that." I saw the heroic spirit of Taiko-sama..." "Oh." "How can things be reversed now! Qi Yuan doesn't care what happens to him, but he always wants to keep the incense of the Lord of Youfu." "..." "Up to now, Toyotomi's family has been ruined, but Katagiri Kamoto has got three cities. The Imperial Palace ordered me to choose one of them to enjoy my old age. Sir Suosi, now, can Yuan be able to enjoy his old age safely?" Sheng Zhong stared at the person in front of him in surprise, and only then did he understand why Qi Yuan went to Beijing secretly. "Your Majesty, do you want to die for the Taige?" "My lord thinks, if... if Yuan died somewhere in the city, not only would he have no face to see the Taige under the nine springs, but he would also be denounced by future generations as a traitor who betrayed his master and begged for glory..." Speaking of this, Katagiri Kazumoto Grabbing the wrinkled clothes, weeping loudly. Itakura Katsushige turned his head away, wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes. “且元有一事相求，大人。”且元大哭了一场，有气无力道，“希望大人能明白且元的心思：片桐且元不想死在大御所所赐城中。” 板仓胜重不点头，不摇头，单是紧紧盯住院中的牵牛花。花藤已经沿着墙边的竹子往上爬，茎上已有了小小的花骨朵。 “且元不能死在大御所所赐城中，绝非心怀怨恨。请大人多多体谅，且元将感激不尽。”且元双手伏地，向胜重深施一礼。 胜重所见，已非一个武士的坚韧，而是一个寻常人的良心。 “且元对德川感激不尽，但却不敢死在所赐居城，请大人体谅且元的苦楚。且元死时，对大御所和德川无一丝怨恨。” 胜重扭过头来，看住且元，道，“市正已决定死在此处了？”且元苦笑点头，“原本是想切腹，但这样一来，外人会以为且元是对关东心有怨恨。命贵命贱，都是一命，舍弃性命时必须慎重。故，且元欲不食而去。” "Oh?" “因此，且元才把粥埋下，刚才却被大人看见了。且元希望将粥食供奉太阁的英灵，不食而去，望大人能明白……” “我明白！”胜重感慨如咽。寻常武士往往会一边喊着豪言壮语，一边走向死亡。在他们看来，且元这种死法真不体面。但胜重却知，且元之苦，常人不明，且元之境，常人不及。“胜重明白，大御所于您有恩，但您亦不敢忘了太阁的恩情与嘱托。” "yes." “胜重愚笨，却能理解您的苦楚。” “多谢。”且元将手置于膝上，哈哈大笑道，“日后，且元仍会用这家女人给我的粥食为花施肥，看看是那花先开，还是且元先到太阁大人面前受他的训斥。多谢了，多谢了！” 胜重无语，起身离去。 此后四日，大坂城陷落二十日后，亦即庆长二十年五月二十八，板仓胜重接到片桐且元的死讯。孝利的家臣从茨木城赶了来，带走且元的遗体。片桐家对外宣称，且元公逝于大和额安寺内，享年六十岁。