Shortly after Nobuya Ohno left, Shinji Hitoki and Jiro Fujiki began to study each other in the castle tower and learn about their ancient and modern songs.

Although this ancient and modern waka was only popular among the public in the early days, it also became popular among the samurai as the samurai began to gain power. In Japan, where the emperor and shogun ruled by the dual rulers, the samurai could not communicate with the people of the public family if they were not proficient in waka, after all, the public family had always despised the samurai culturally, despite their downfall.

I didn't want to gradually use the attainments of waka to distinguish between the elegance and vulgarity of the samurai even among the samurai, and waka, which was originally only about culture, became a stepping stone to diplomatic activities between the samurai along with the tea ceremony.

As a result, the importance of ancient and modern waka has greatly increased among the samurai, and it is not only about the face of the samurai, but sometimes it is also about the actual interests of the samurai. As a result, most samurai would sing one or two waka songs, which became an essential skill for samurai along with kendo. At this time, a dragon battle about waka started in this Miki Castle Imperial Hall, although it was just a mutual study, but in fact, it was also a face battle between the two families of Ohno and Renki.

I saw that in the Miki Castle Castle Tower at this moment, Shinji Nishiki and Jiro Fujiki, who were the main families, were sitting cross-legged with each other a few meters apart, and in front of them were pens, ink, paper, inkstones, and other things for them to write and make songs for each other to appreciate.

At this time, under the influence of the Central Plains culture, the Wakoku also paid attention to the etiquette between the host and the guest, so as a visitor, Fujiki Jiro naturally wrote a waka song first, and passed it to the opposite Niki Shinji to taste it. One person writes a commentary, which is also a more common way for people to study and compete with waka at present, after all, waka can be plagiarized, but the ability to appreciate waka can't be faked.

At this time, Shinji Nishiki immediately solemnly took the paper with the waka written in the hand of the attendant, and then sang in a crane voice: "The water is turbulent, and it goes straight to the rock." Takigawa~~~, the water is scattered, and it finally meets. ”

Shinji Niki's talent for waka is indeed outstanding, and if you don't say it, when he sings in the crane voice, the pure tone of several types of ministers is not comparable to ordinary singers. This made Fujiki Jiro, who originally had a strange mind, suddenly look a lot more solemn, and at the same time, his attitude towards studying ancient and modern waka in his heart was also immediately corrected.

"Hahahaha~~~" After closing his eyes and recalling Shinji Nitoki's waka chanting for a long time, Fujiki Jiro reopened his eyes and said with a smile: "Nishikiden's mastery and use of crane sound is really exquisite!" Although it is really inexplicable and distressing for those down-and-out ministers to talk to people in crane tones on weekdays, it is better to use this crane sound if you want to sing this song!

This waka song was composed by Emperor Shotoku during the Heian period when he met with the samurai Sato Yoshikiyo from the north. However, it is still a little difficult to understand the meaning of the song contained in it, which is also a lot of advice from Renmu Palace. With that, Fujiki Jiro lowered his right hand as a sign of seeking advice.

After Shinji Nishiki finished singing the song, he had been carefully understanding the true meaning of Emperor Shotoku's song, and then he saw Fujiki Jiro open his mouth to ask for advice, and then he opened his mouth to explain his understanding of this song.

"The torrent hit the rock and split into two streams. Although the two are separated by thousands of mountains and rivers, they will definitely meet again one day. Judging from the song, this seems to be a passionate love song. However, Emperor Chongde had already lost the right to participate in government affairs that day, how could he still have such leisure and elegance?

In addition, there seems to be another mind hidden behind the words, which is even more crazy, as if it is chasing something. I think that Emperor Shotoku may be looking forward to a reconciliation with Emperor Toba, who hates him! I am afraid that this is incomprehensible to people who do not know the world at that time. Judging from the meaning of the song, this Emperor Chongde is also an elegant and pitiful person. ”

At the end of the speech, Shinji Hitoki sighed deeply about the tragic fate of Emperor Shotoku, and although the two had different circumstances, he was afraid that he would not be able to participate in government affairs like that emperor in the future. (Different from the Han custom of respecting the elderly, once the Wa Kingdom has a son-in-law and adopted son, the head of the older generation must live in seclusion and become a vassal.) )

"I see! But isn't Emperor Shotoku the eldest son of Emperor Toba? In this way, why does Emperor Toba hate Emperor Chongtoku?"

"You don't know about that!" Seeing Fujiki Jiro's question, Shinji Hitoki continued to explain his confusion to him: "At that time, there was still a rumor circulating in the world that Emperor Shotoku was the illegitimate son of Emperor Shirakawa, the grandfather of Emperor Toba, and his empress Tokenmonin. The truth of this matter is still inconclusive.

However, before she got married, she was the adopted daughter of Emperor Shirakawa, and the two were indeed too close. I think that's why Emperor Toba hated Emperor Chongde so much after he held the world! But who can say anything about the royal family? Let's take a look at this song!"

As he spoke, Shinji Niki wrote a waka on the same piece of paper, and the attendant handed it to Jiro Fujiki.

Fujiki Jiro also hesitated and then sang in the same crane voice: "The king lives here, and the garden where he stays is full of chrysanthemums." If the fairy palace is Xi, it is a matter of course. ”

After reminiscing about it, Fujiki Jiro spoke again and commented: "This is the song that Yoshikiyo Sato composed when he visited the imperial residence of Emperor Toba. This place where the monarch lived, the courtyard where he lived was filled with gorgeous chrysanthemums. Is this where the legendary gods live? Isn't that something to be taken for granted? From Sato Yoshikiyo's songs, the luxury and power of Emperor Toba can be seen. ”

"Indeed!" Shinji Hitoki followed Fujiki Jiro's words and sighed: "At that time, wasn't the world just like a marionette in the hands of the emperor? However, it is precisely because of this that the government of the Yuan Xuan was able to die in three generations, and our samurai took over the world. Okay, Lord Fujiki, let's evaluate this waka song composed by the main hall. ”

"Haha."

......

......

"Lord, something is wrong."

"Lord, something has happened to Princess Hanako."

"The Lord's ,......"

......

Just as Shinji Nishiki and Jiro Fujiki were discussing ancient and modern waka with great interest, Princess Hanako's personal maid suddenly rushed into the castle tower anxiously.

Suddenly, the two people in the castle tower were taken aback, and Shinji Niki, who was originally preparing to compose a new waka, was even more shocked.

"Bastard! Who let you in. Suddenly, Shinji Nitoki threw the brush in his hand at the maid and reprimanded him loudly.