Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Echigo’s Sad Geese

The first year of Yuanhe is a leap year, and there are two Junes. Therefore, the winter comes early in Echigo, and the frost falls before October. Mr. Matsudaira looked at the darkening tide, savored the winter frost, and thought about the strange situation he was in.He was no longer as uneasy as when he returned to Gaotian, but watching the monotonous ebb and flow, he suddenly felt that everything in the world was like a dream. Father really wants to punish me?So far, he has not heard Ieyasu talk about this matter with his own ears.What surprised him at first was Katsutaka Matsudaira's sudden visit, followed by the secret envoy sent by his father-in-law.The secret envoy said that once he returned to Edo, he might be imprisoned by the general involuntarily. It is better to go back to the territory first and wait for the official envoy sent by the general.There are people and horses in the collar, so the general must have scruples and will not do it lightly.Insects and ants are greedy for life, let alone humans?It's better to get out of danger first and wait and see the changes.

"Master Date will send someone to inform you about the situation in Edo. You go back first." Zhonghui changed his mind after hearing what the emissary said, and returned to Takata.But when he returned to Gaotian, he was really worried: If the general really sent an envoy, what should he do?Therefore, he was anxious and unbearable every day. However, the general's envoy has not yet arrived, but Zhonghui has received news that Zhengzong has also withdrawn to the territory.He couldn't help thinking: two months have passed, what is Madam doing in Edo? Back in Takata, before meeting Tokusatsumaru, Zhonghui felt extremely excited and excited, but after seeing the baby, he felt extremely ordinary, that is, "his own child".How can a newborn baby expect to communicate with him without knowing his appearance?If I had known this, it would be better to go directly to Edo.

The farmland in the territory has almost been harvested, and the people are happily celebrating this year's bumper harvest.But now Zhonghui has been deprived of the right to have fun with the people.It was his father who made him a man with a salary of 600,000 shi, and now he is also the father who wants to take back all these; it is the father who gave him his life, and it is also the father who will punish him and promise to take his life.May I ask the world, what the hell is I, Matsudaira Zhonghui?Why was he born, why did he live, why did he practice martial arts, and why was he scolded in every possible way?

When the weather is fine, Zhonghui's doubts will often disappear without a trace, but on a gloomy day, his doubts will haunt his heart like the gloomy sky and sea in the north.At this moment, Zhonghui was also in a state of gloom. "My lord, the elders of Santiao City ask to see you." Aju, who gave birth to Tokusatsumaru not long ago, put her hands on the ground at the door and whispered. "Let him not be restrained, come in. You don't come here after that." Zhonghui said.His words were not out of consideration for letting her stay with the child, but out of indifference born of missing Mrs. Ida.

"Yes." Aju replied, and left cautiously.This made Zhonghui feel an unbearable depression. "My lord, how have you been?" Came the voice of the elder appointed by his father for him, the lord of Santiao City, Shigekatsu Matsudaira, from behind: Zhonghui silently stared at the direction of the sea, without saying a word. "I'm here today to report something about Junfu and Edo to my lord." "Has Edo issued a disciplinary order?" Chong Sheng didn't answer, and changed to: "There is a rumor that is not very good in Edo." "Does it mean that Tadaki Matsudaira conspired against him?"

"Not exactly, it's a little bit different." "What's the difference, tell me?" "Rumors say that there will be another war in the first month of next year. For this matter, the Imperial Palace will leave Junfu in the near future and go to Edo." "Who will start the war?" "It's Date. In order to raise troops, Date returned to the territory without even reporting. Therefore, rumors spread that a war was inevitable." "Oh, so Date's accomplice is me, Matsudaira Tadaki? I've heard enough of that!" But Chong Sheng is not young, nor is he a fool, he did not back down.He seemed to be riding a horse, and while slowly wiping the sweat from his neck, he said: "My lord, you should relax your mind a bit, so you can think about it."

"Shall I relax?" "Yes. You just need to open your eyes and see that all people in the world are born equal. Not only you, the adults, have experienced big winds and waves, but everyone has experienced twists and turns and faced difficulties. Don't let a cup of soil rise to its height." "Hmph, you're here to teach me again. But it's okay, I'm bored anyway, so go ahead." Zhonghui looked at Sheng Sheng angrily, and couldn't help laughing out loud.He saw Matsudaira Shigekatsu's upper body bent, his forehead was dripping with sweat, like a toad that just crawled out of a hot spring, so he smiled and said: "Old man, you seem to be in a hurry."

"Yes. I am afraid of being overtaken by wild geese behind." "Gan?" "Inuzi Katsutaka was sent to Takada by order of the Imperial Palace." "Shenglong is coming from Junfu?" "Exactly. I was afraid that the General was unable to make a decision at the Imperial Palace, so he personally sent an envoy. Look at the sweat on my body." Chong Sheng snorted suddenly, and wiped away his sweat and tears. "Oh, did father go out in person?" Zhonghui heard Chongsheng talk about his concerns, and the knot in his heart gradually untied, "Old man, don't cry, I have seen a glimmer of sunshine from the gloomy sky."

Chongsheng didn't answer, and said, "However, there is another rumor, that the rumor of the war is just a rumor." He began to sniff. "Are the rumors just rumors?" "Yes, this is another rumor that there will be no more wars. This rumor does not come from the market, but from the mouth of the general's cronies." "Oh, and rumors of no war." "Yes. Ketsuna Katakura in Date's territory... is in his fifties this year, and it is said that he is critically ill and will die soon." "Kojuro's elder..." "No matter what happens, Masamune will always go to the film warehouse where he retired to discuss. If Jing Gang is critically ill, Masamune will give up the idea of ​​​​raising the army. This is the basis of the rumors."

"Not without reason." "But what do you plan to do, my lord?" Hearing this question, Zhonghui widened his eyes and said, "What plan?" "Inuzi will come to Takata within a day or two with the order of the Great Imperial Palace. Please make a decision before then, my lord." "Hahaha!" Zhonghui couldn't help laughing, "Stop pretending to be confused, old man." "yes." "Father sent you to monitor me. I'm just your prisoner. How can I have any decision-making power? You are the jailer, and I'm just a prisoner in the prison. How can I, a prisoner, dare to defy the jailer and my father? Hahahaha. "

"So, your lord just wants to obey the orders of the Imperial Palace?" "Aside from obediently obeying, what else can I do? You don't want to talk nonsense and mess with my mind." Matsudaira Shigekatsu cried with his shoulders drooped. "Don't cry! I don't need your sympathy." "grown ups……" "What is it?" "My lord, do you know why the old man came here in such a hurry?" "You're not here to persuade me to raise troops, are you?" "No, of course not. But, if your lord really has such determination, then..." "what?" "I've thought a lot about it too. From the day I followed your lord under the order of the Imperial Palace, my fate is already doomed." "I don't understand! Are you complaining, or trying to persuade me?" "It's all. At that time, the Great Imperial Palace gave the next dagger, and he said, if you find out that you have treasonous intentions, I will use this dagger to kill you." Shengzhong said, taking out the dagger and putting it on the Zhonghui walked up to him, crying loudly, "The Great Imperial Palace has entrusted you to my subordinate. Naruse Masanari followed Mr. Yoshinao, and Ando Naoji followed Mr. Laishou. Both of them got a short sword from the Great Imperial Palace just like my subordinates. .” "Are you asking me to commit suicide?" Zhonghui lost the smile on his face, and veins popped out on his forehead. "No. Please calm down, my lord." "Bastard! Why isn't Matsudaira calm until now? I'm just a fish right now, a fish on someone else's chopping board!" "That's why the old man decided to give your lord the dagger given by the Imperial Palace." "Knife?" "Yes, the old man finally understands that there are two meanings for the dagger sent by the Imperial Palace. First, if you really have the intention of rebelling, I will kill you. But behind this meaning is trust, which is also the most important thing. "Matsudaira Shigekatsu didn't care to wipe the tears on his face, and continued, "The meaning of the Great Imperial Palace is that he believes that I will not train you to be a traitor, so he entrusts you with life and death." "Oh." "Chongsheng has two responsibilities. It seems to be two, but it is actually one. As long as I serve the Lord faithfully and diligently, there will be no such evil results." "..." "Of course, there is a mess now, which is completely unexpected. But since there is an accident, it must be that the old man is not cultivated enough. My lord, the old man has already figured it out, so I will give you this knife." Zhonghui still looked angry, looked at the dagger, then at Chongsheng, "I don't know yet, I don't understand!" Chongsheng said: "I gave you this knife because I was incompetent and failed to fulfill the entrustment of the Imperial Palace: I have already failed the Imperial Imperial Palace, if I continue to be unfaithful to my lord, how can I still have the qualifications to be a warrior?" "What did you say? I don't know. Are you crazy?" "My lord's words make my heart hurt. If you say that your lord is someone else's fish, then I can only follow you to cook the fish. This old man has already made a decision. My lord, please make a decision and kill the person who came from Junfu on the spot. It doesn’t matter if the dog raises an army to rebel, or rushes to Oshu to meet Lord Date, you must make a decisive decision. Today, the old man will give you this dagger. From now on, Shigekatsu Matsudaira will be your servant. Follow the instructions of the adults." Zhonghui's expression changed suddenly, and he said: "You gave me the dagger, so you will no longer be the old man sent by your father?" "Exactly. The old man is the retainer of Mr. Shang Zongjie alone. Mr. Boils and roasts me, so please do as you please." "Is it okay to kill your son?" "No problem!" "For the sake of caution, I'll ask you again. You have to speak your mind. Even if I want to kill your son and lead my troops to Sendai, do you have no objection?" "Of course! Follow your lord's will." Zhonghui suddenly fell silent.Matsudaira Shigekatsu said that although he failed the expectations of the Imperial Palace, he would be loyal to Zhonghui.These words hurt Zhonghui deeply: the old man is pitying me for being in trouble, but even so, he is really shocking. He even said that he could kill his son or form an alliance with Date, and he also said that he would lead the army and obey Scheduling, this is a betrayal of the father and the general.Both Yizhi and Laixuan grew up step by step under the care of their father and elder brother, but I, Zhonghui, have today.That's all, this old guy is really incomprehensible. Thinking of this, Zhonghui didn't have to worry that what he said might not come from his heart.The old man's words are probably just his strategy.He may feel that he will go through fire and water for me, no matter what kind of stigma he bears. When I hear it, he may be very moved and accept the punishment honestly.In this way, his son was safe and sound, he also performed his duties, and his father and elder brother also got their wishes. With doubts on Zhonghui's brows, he said, "Have you changed your mind?" "yes!" "Hey, then I have to think of a new way." Zhonghui tentatively said, "Actually, I have already made up my mind. I thought that with you by my side, I was just a prisoner who couldn't move my hands and feet. But, Now that you have this thought, things will be different. There is only one life, and I have no complaints or regrets." "Yes, exactly what the old man thought. You only have one life, so don't be confused." "You stay here, I've made up my mind." Zhonghui stood up.Feeling that he couldn't stay in the room any longer, he went out to the porch, toward the baby's room.He felt that he doubted Chongsheng face to face, and he couldn't bear it. The baby is in Aju's room at the end of the corridor.Zhonghui strode into the room, stopped gently, and looked at the baby in the nurse's arms, he was like a piece of red meat. "Ah, my lord!" Aju, who was sitting opposite the nurse watching the child sleep, hurriedly lowered her head; she put her hands on the ground. "Yeah." Zhonghui turned his head coldly.Does this baby have only one life?He paused and said, "Aju, do you love this child?" Aju raised her head in surprise.Her facial features are well-proportioned, but her face is bloodless, and her eyes are full of panic. "I ask you, do you love this child? Come back to me." "Ah... yes. My concubine loves him." "If I want to kill him now, what will happen to you?" Zhong Hui said cruelly and coldly. The moment he walked into this room and saw the sleeping baby, he suddenly understood what kind of order Shenglong would bring—it must be seppuku!When Chong Shengding heard the news, he ran over in a panic.Thinking about it this way, is everything the old man said somewhat true? Zhonghui was thinking about something on his mind when he heard Aju's melancholy voice: "My lord, I have something to ask my lord." "Ask me? I'm asking you. If I kill this child with my own hands, what will happen to you?" "Ok……" "Will you hand over the child to me without saying a word, or..." He felt anxious for a moment, paused, and continued, "Go to death with this child?" Aju's eyes suddenly stopped on the sleeping baby's face, the eyes were not blurred, but had a kind of creepy coldness. "The concubine will beg you, please let the child go." "What if I don't want to?" "My concubine has been begging you..." "No! Now my father is angry with me and wants me to cut seppuku. So, how can this child stay in the world and suffer? It's too pitiful. I want to take him away." Aju suddenly ran between Baby and Zhonghui.She stared at Zhonghui closely, without any emotion in her eyes. "What do you mean by looking at me like this? Could it be that you don't want to obey my orders?" "..." "You mean, you want to die with him?" "..." "Well, since you care about the child so much, you can die with him. Anyway, killing one is killing, killing two is also killing..." "Ah!" The nurse let out a mournful cry, and took a step back.She thought Zhonghui was really going to draw out his knife. "Don't make noise!" Zhonghui sternly shouted, and then said to himself, "In Junfu, mother must be begging father too. But father has unshakable reasons in his heart, and he has made a decision." The baby was still sleeping soundly, and the nurse curled up beside him tremblingly.Aju raised her head and looked at Zhonghui without blinking.Under her calm and cold expression, a tense flame burned. "But even the old man Chongsheng couldn't understand my father's reasons. That reason has nothing to do with me." Zhonghui continued to talk to himself, "Because of this, my brother couldn't punish me, so my father came out personally. He The reason is that as long as my Zhonghui is gone, it will be fine. So, I won this old man..." Zhonghui shook his head vigorously again.Zhongsheng suddenly said that he could lead his troops to Sendai, but this change still made him at a loss: If Chongsheng followed him to raise troops to rebel, what would his son Shenglong do?If he really led his troops to Sendai, Shenglong who came from Junfu would not be able to stay.Even if he didn't kill Shenglong, according to Shenglong's temperament, he would commit suicide on the spot.Since the old man said that, he must have made preparations. "Aju!" Zhonghui suddenly shouted.Aju's shoulders trembled, and Zhonghui said softly: "Our son... I will leave it to you. If there is any emergency, you can take the child back to your mother's house." "yes!" "Then, you say that the child died or was given to the farmer, as long as his life can be saved." Aju remained silent, but nodded vigorously.This woman who can't express her feelings in words is afraid that she has a shrewder plan in her heart than ordinary people. Zhonghui strode along the corridor to the courtyard where the autumn wind was bleak.In a corner of the yard, there is a dilapidated ship model, which he ordered people to make before the Battle of Osaka. "It will be buried when it snows." Zhonghui whispered, "It will be buried in a white hell. Winter! Yes, my winter is here..." He closed his eyes and smelled the cold Mixed with frosty taste. There are no more carps in the pool. To prevent them from freezing to death, they were all moved to fish cages, waiting to be taken onto the cutting board one by one, and then turned into delicacies.The same goes for people in the world... My father, elder brother, old man Shigekatsu, and Shenglong, who made me hara-kiri, are nothing more than carp living in this fish cage in the world, waiting to die. Zhonghui shrank his head, returned to the corridor, and then went directly to the room.Only then did he know that sailing in the ocean in a big ship was just an illusory dream. "Old man, I have made up my mind." Back in the room, Zhonghui saw Matsudaira Shigekatsu open his eyes melancholy, and said, "No matter what my father orders, I will commit seppuku. I was suspected and accused by my father, no matter what the facts are, based on these alone, I It should be cut open." Chongsheng immediately opened his eyes wide.His eyes were lined and red. "You understand, you help me think about it. I don't want to live anymore, this can't be the reason for seppuku. By the way, you just say that, being suspected by his father and brother, Zhonghui is immoral, so he feels ashamed and decides to commit seppuku .” "No matter what order the Imperial Palace issued?" "Yes, I have lived enough. But if I leave here, it will cause trouble for you and mother. You have to deal with it. As long as I die..." Zhonghui said and sat down, "You and mother Shenglong doesn't have to be sad because of this. You have to remember, don't rush to commit suicide, one more day is one day..." "grown ups!" "Don't worry. I don't mean to cut seppuku now. I want to wait quietly for Shenglong to arrive. Do you understand, I want to listen to my father's will honestly. Yes, after listening to my father's will honestly, you , me, and Shenglong, the three of us had a good time to drink, with carp as wine. I spent the last banquet with you leisurely, and I committed seppuku. If necessary, you may as well send my head to Edo , and burn my body and the boat in the courtyard, and burn it clean. I order you to do this." Zhonghui felt that the melancholy in his heart was swept away. Thinking about it carefully, all the chaos in his heart before was so ridiculous.Isn't it the difference between early death and late death?People in the world often make it difficult for others and themselves for such a small matter, it is really stupid! "Old man, don't cry. As you said, a person has only one life. I will leave voluntarily according to my own wishes." "This...but..." "I didn't do it out of sorrow, but out of joy. Come on, go down and rest. There's nothing to worry about, and don't say anything." Chongsheng was speechless, and went away crying silently, while Zhonghui paced around the room alone, laughing loudly.He thought about it again, this world is not worth being confused and suffering.Isn't leaving this world like throwing away a piece of dirty paper? On the second day, Zhonghui welcomed the envoy from Junfu. Takata was not as nervous as Matsudaira Katsutaka imagined.Just in case, he brought more than 60 infantry and 16 muskets to Gaochao, but did not encounter any disturbance. "Shenglong, I'm sorry. After meeting last time, I originally wanted to go back to Edo, but I wanted to see the newborn baby, so..." Before Zhonghui finished speaking, Shenglong interrupted him with a relaxed face, waving his hand: "We will talk about this in detail later." "Then you come here with me first. Your father is also here." Zhonghui went to the gate in person and welcomed Shenglong into the new hall that still smelled of wood. Chongsheng put his hands on the ground at the entrance of the hall to welcome the envoy.Although Shenglong is a son, he is now the envoy of the Great Imperial Palace, and he cannot mess up the etiquette.Seeing his father with red eyes, Shenglong heaved a sigh of relief. When he came to the hall, Zhonghui still said without hesitation: "It's a long journey, you have worked hard. Before conveying father's will, can we talk about some private matters first?" "Of course." Shenglong replied quickly, "This envoy is not a formal person. Let's drink some tea first and talk slowly." "Oh." Zhonghui's eyes widened in surprise, and he smiled, "But last night in the city, in order to welcome the arrival of the noble envoy, the elders gathered together to discuss until late at night." Shenglong still had a smile on his face, and said: "The Great Imperial Palace is still in good health. He said he would stay and go back to Edo. Mrs. Cha'a also went together." "It's the best. I've prepared a banquet tonight. The three of us will eat carp from the Snow Country and drink it to our heart's content. How about it?" "How can I have any objections? I also have a lot of things I want to say to adults." "Hearing you say that, I feel very relieved. I'll call all the elders here, and let the envoy convey the order of the Imperial Palace." "No, anyway, father's presence is enough." "Is it enough for the old man and me?" "Yes. My lord already knows the meaning of the Great Imperial Palace. Does my lord still want me to say those three things again?" "Haha! Those three things. Kill the general's retainers when he goes out to fight in Daban, go fishing without authorization when he goes to Beijing to meet the saint, and the third thing is arrogance and arrogance..." Zhonghui finished in one breath and laughed. Matsudaira Shigekatsu watched the two talking happily, but was worried on the side.He knew Zhonghui's decision, but he still wanted to hear whether the Imperial Palace would allow Zhonghui to harakiri.He felt that he had to work with Shenglong to save Zhonghui's life. "Since my lord knows all about it..." Shenglong straightened his clothes, straightened his posture, and continued, "Let me first convey the punishment of the Great Imperial Palace to my lord, and then enjoy the delicious food." "Zhonghui respectfully listens to the edict." Shenglong glanced at Chongsheng and said, "Father, listen to me too." "yes!" "Supervisor Zhonghui listened to the order: I want you to leave Gaotian as soon as possible and go to Wuzhou Shengu City to live in seclusion." Shenglong said with a smile, then turned to his father and said, "The city and retainers are temporarily entrusted to Songping Chongsheng, please be careful Take care." Zhonghui opened his mouth wide in surprise, and took a look at Chongsheng.Zhongsheng also looked at Zhonghui suspiciously. "I don't know." After a long time, Zhonghui whispered, "Qingchang seven years ago, we stayed in Shengu City in Wuzhou, which is now an abandoned city. Where do you want me to go?" "Yes. Although it is an abandoned city, it has been repaired briefly, and there should be no problems in daily life." "Oh..." Zhonghui looked at Chongsheng again, and said, "What's going on?" His words were neither to Chongsheng nor Shenglong, but to himself. "I think..." Chongsheng bowed respectfully beside him, and said, "The meaning of the Great Imperial Palace is to let the lord go back to Wuzhou Shengu City to live in seclusion and wait for his fate. Because Wuzhou Shengu is after the lord inherited Matsudaira Yuan Qilang's family business. , the city where I first stayed..." Before Zhongsheng finished speaking, Zhonghui interrupted him: "You are right. When I was there, the territory was 10,000 shi, and then when I arrived at Xiazong Sakura, the territory was 40,000 shi... Yes, I I was twelve years old when I arrived in Sakura. Let me go to the deep valley city and wait for my punishment?" Zhonghui thought of the decision he made yesterday.And now the reason why father made such a decision was because he was afraid of his resistance, so he gave him a chance after taking back the city?Father wants to take back the city and soldiers first, and then punish him?He was still worried that the child would start a riot in a fit of anger?Father, father, the child has already thought about it.How can I still live, live in such a world? ... Zhonghui regained his smile on his face. "Shenglong, it's alright, that's it, I get it. Come on, let's relax." Because Zhonghui's performance was too relaxed, Shenglong suddenly became worried.He respectfully handed Ieyasu's letter to his father.Chongsheng showed it to Zhonghui, and then left.At this time, Shenglong turned to Zhonghui with a serious face, and said, "Master Shang Zongjie, you must not be impatient." Zhonghui pretended to be confused, and said, "Impatient? Shenglong, what do you mean?" "There are two things." "Oh?" "One is seppuku suicide, and the other is the same as Hideyori in Osaka." "Hahaha, Shenglong, what you said is really interesting. Do you think Matsudaira Zhonghui is the kind of person who betrayed his father and brother?" Shenglong ignored it, and simply said: "Dayu said to stay and go back, so he went to Edo himself." "You've said that just now. Mother is going too, isn't it?" "The Battle of Osaka has made the Imperial Palace feel exhausted, and it still hasn't recovered. But do you know why he went to Edo in person?" "Do you want to discuss with the general how to punish me?" "It's to make Date give up his desire to fight." Shenglong said decisively, "The Imperial Palace is seventy-four. At such a young age, he still worries day and night, worrying about another war. Could it be that when you sleep at night, you never hear The cry of the Great Imperial Palace?" "Hahaha! Shenglong, you are so funny. Will father cry every night because of this?" "Exactly!" After Shenglong finished speaking, he fell on the ground, "I have a request." "Loyal to me?" "Yes. I would like to ask my lord to follow the orders of the Imperial Palace, go back to the deep valley, and keep sending letters to the Imperial Palace and the general to appeal to them." "I appeal?" "Yes. On the surface, my lord is justifying the three items to the general's cronies, and appealing to them by the way. In fact, it is my filial piety to my father." Zhonghui was surprised by these words, he couldn't help leaning forward, and said, "Let me be cheeky..." "Yes! Oh, why are you so cheeky?" "I don't understand! Shenglong, I don't understand! The reason why I am so miserable now is not because of those three sins." "That's why you should go to the deep valley, sever ties with the Date family, and deal with the crimes later." "I still don't understand. What does this have to do with filial piety?" "Master Shang Zongsuke, do you think there will be fathers who hate their children in this world? Katsutaka can clearly see the suffering of the Great Imperial Palace this time. As long as the Lord goes to the deep valley safely, the Great Imperial Palace can be relieved from the sorrow." "Is it because of my relationship with Date?" "Yes. As long as your lord cuts ties with the Date family, the following three... jumping into the snare that others have withdrawn is not filial piety. My lord should put down your face and appeal to the shogunate, don't be confused!" Zhonghui tilted his head in contemplation, with a confused look on his face: What is Shenglong thinking?Is it filial piety to defend oneself with the cheek and appeal to the shogunate, or is it filial piety to simply die and let the father have no worries?I don't resent my father anymore, does Shenglong think that I am still in distress, so I say this kind of sympathetic words? "Master Shang Zongjie!" Shenglong said firmly, "You want to commit seppuku?" "What did you say?" "This meaning has already been written on the face of the lord. The lord thinks that the only way to reassure the Imperial Palace and the general is to die, and you think this is the best policy?" This boy Shenglong has really sharp eyesight!Zhonghui was a little at a loss. "But I think that as a general, this move is really cowardly." "cowardly?" "Yes. Even if it is not cowardice, it is evasion. This is not what a samurai did." "Oh." "Adults don't want to fight, but they shouldn't escape." "Shenglong!" "grown ups?" "With the friendship between you and me, I shouldn't argue with you. But, if you say I'm cowardly, I should argue with you." "That's why I suggest that my lord go to the deep valley, and then make excuses." "..." "Da Yuli is about to be seventy-five years old, and he is still dragging his old body to Edo, working tirelessly for the peace of the world. Don't you think that is real diligence and real bravery?" "Pretend to be smart!" "But even the one who thinks he is smart, can see the good intentions of the Great Imperial Palace. As long as the Great Imperial Palace is alive, he will not retreat and always think about the common people of the world. It is because of this kind of courage that he has achieved today's great cause .” "..." "But my lord, you are still so young, but because of a small setback, you are discouraged, and you even want to die. Don't you feel ashamed of the Imperial Palace? I think that Mr. Shang Zongjie, who is braver and wiser than ordinary people, can forgive me. This is why I am trying to persuade you because I think I am smart. The Imperial Palace is also working hard. Only by working as hard as your father can you be called true filial piety. This is what I firmly believe, so I made a request to my lord." At this time, Zhongsheng came in with a three-sided platform with a piece of paper on it respectfully.Shenglong closed his mouth. "This is a reply to the Great Imperial Palace. I will arrange for you to leave as soon as possible and go to the deep valley. Please be sure to speak well for your Sir in front of the Great Imperial Palace." Chongsheng knelt in front of his son and handed the reply to his son. Shenglong looked at the reply, then at Zhonghui, but didn't immediately reach out to take it.Zhonghui's face was a little distorted, "Shenglong, why didn't you answer?" "I think that the boss should know the reason." Chongsheng was taken aback, and his panicked eyes wandered over the two of them.Zhonghui's face became pale again, "Shenglong!" "grown ups?" "Accept the reply letter. We are so solemn, why do you refuse to receive it?" "My lord agrees with what I just said?" "It's two different things." "No, it's the same thing!" "No!" Zhonghui roared, "You are father's emissary, and Zhonghui also accepted the order. Didn't the old man just say that he would arrange for me to go to the deep valley as soon as possible? Your mission is over, you should be honest Answered." "No." Shenglong smiled faintly and shook his head, "The facts of the world are unpredictable. If I just go back like this, something unexpected will happen. If I say that this matter has nothing to do with me, I will be ridiculed. Farewell to the Great Imperial Palace? I beg your lord again, please agree." He refused to budge and pushed the Sanfangtai back. Zhong Sheng finally seemed to understand a little bit, and was immediately nervous and frightened.The room suddenly fell into silence, but it was not a suffocating murderous look, but a trace of mutual understanding and warmth.Zhonghui and Shenglong seem to be about to cry. Zhonghui said sadly: "Shenglong." "exist." "Have you made up your mind? If I don't change my mind, you will commit suicide." "I don't know." "Why did father go to Edo? Date is already far away in Sendai, shouldn't he send troops to Sendai?" "I don't know! The Imperial Palace has always been far-sighted and far-sighted, and our minds are beyond the guesswork of stupid people like us. However, the Imperial Imperial Office said that if Mr. Shang Zongjie can go to Shengu City and think carefully, he will be able to come out in the future to serve the peace of the world." "Oh?" "The Ogosho told me that it was the same in Osaka at that time. Hideyori can no longer stay in Osaka Castle, that's all. But, Katagiri City Masa did not explain this to Hideyori. Katsutaka..." Zhonghui stopped sharply: "Okay! Don't talk about it anymore!" His voice trembled, his eyes were red, "You mean, you understand better than Shizheng, and you will risk your life to convince me?" "Forgive me for being rude." "Old man." "exist." "I lost to the son. No, I must have lost, I fell into his trap, it's just a postponement..." "Postponement? What does your lord mean..." "Stupid! What's the use of arguing here?" "yes." "This is my father's last wish in this life. How dare I not give in?" Zhonghui said, and pushed the Sanfangtai to Shenglong. It’s okay, you can do seppuku on the spot.” "I have thought so too." "I originally thought that people are just passers-by in this world. From the day they land on the ground, they are rushing towards death. Although there are fronts and backs, no one dies?" "yes." "Thinking of this, I thought, why bother arguing with my father and brother, it's better to leave this world one step earlier." "Although it is not unreasonable for the adults to say this, but when you think about it carefully, it is a big mistake." "Don't say it: Zhonghui doesn't know that although people will die eventually, the way of death is also the way of life. Some people will succeed in it, while others will blindly avoid it and end up frustrated." "yes." "That's why I decided to accept your suggestion for the time being. After arriving in the deep valley, I will continue to defend myself, and the intensity may be beyond human imagination. I want to see how my father fulfills his final wish, and also how the general and his cronies inherit Father's great cause." "Thank you, sir, for following my advice." "Don't be in a hurry to thank me." "yes." "If I find out that the people in charge of the world have done something stupid, I will say it mercilessly. I'm afraid they will regret raising a viper." Shenglong shook his shoulders and burst into tears, "This... this is exactly what the Imperial Palace wanted. The Imperial Imperial Palace also told me this way..." "Father? What else did father say?" "Dayu said that no matter whether it is life or death, father and son will meet each other one day. When that time comes, they will have to compete with Mr. Shang Zongjie to see who can be said to be worthy of the heaven and the earth." Zhonghui's face twitched, and he fell on the ground, crying too. Zhonghui originally wanted to laugh, but just as he opened his mouth, he fell into the abyss of sadness, and infinite sorrow poured into his heart.This is life, where blessings and misfortunes depend on each other, and joy and sorrow share the same journey. He knows that he will die too, but when he dies, if he can confidently say that he has no regrets in his life, this life will be enough.Zhonghui was like a child, crying unceasingly.Shenglong and his son, who had put away their tears, looked at him without saying a word.Shenglong thought in his heart, let him cry for a while, it's time to answer. "Master Shang Zongsuke, I accept this reply. The Great Imperial Palace will set off for Edo when it sees this. When the Great Imperial Palace arrives in Edo, there will be no reason for chaos. In a few days, maybe the Great Imperial Palace will meet you in Fukaya City ..." "Shenglong, thank you for understanding my thoughts now. I am not as secure as you think. Although I obey my father's orders, if possible, I will see the world with my own eyes." "Yes. I won't persuade you to do things that my lord can't understand. If my lord has thought about it clearly, I won't talk too much. I just hope that my lord will come to Shengu City as soon as possible, so that I can think about it and don't leave any regrets." "Stop talking. My heart is as calm as water." "yes." "I have nowhere to go except to go to the deep valley. I understand, and I think so too. When I get to the deep valley, if I still want to die, I won't trouble anyone. Old man..." He looked at the worried Chong Sheng , "You should also rest assured. Your son has convinced me." "I'm terrified." "Okay, that's how I'm saved. Tell me to go down and bring up the carp. Yes, before it snows, burn that model boat in the yard. It always makes me wonder." After Zhonghui finished speaking, he began to cry again in a low voice.