It's already a little chilly on the island of Kyushu in September. Yao Fang turned back from the dock of Hakata Port (present-day Fukuoka City East) and was immediately frozen by the wind blowing from the sea.

The group sailed from Tsushima Island, a short voyage, heading southeast, and soon arrived at Hakata Port after Iki Island.

The envoy is not Yao Fang, but Qian Xili, a civil official of the Pedestrian Division, in addition to more than ten people such as hundreds of military generals, guard soldiers, translators, and officials. As a businessman, Yao Fang did not have any identity, so he was not allowed to come; But Yao Fang insisted on coming.

Yao Fang knew Hakata's military attache Ouchi Katsu, as well as Han monks in various temples. He secretly made up his mind, and just took advantage of this trip to meet those people and learn more information.

Qian Xili was a jinshi who was only admitted during the Wude period, and was born as a second-class jinshi. Because the official position of the pedestrian division was vacant the most, and he did not want to be a magistrate, he temporarily served in the pedestrian division, and then took the initiative to ask for orders and came to Tsushima as a foreign affairs officer; He also made it clear in his words that he hoped to achieve some political achievements so that he could take over more important power in the DPRK and China. From this point of view, he was a relatively straightforward man of letters.

Everyone just arrived at the pier and was quickly received by the Ouchi family, and everything was very satisfying. The man in charge of receiving them was a samurai, small but very sleek, who explained the situation in fluent Chinese, calling himself "Mori Sadacho".

Mori Chanden bowed many times, and he bowed very respectfully, and he and his entourage also bowed every time, very politely. Yao Fang and the others were a little worried before, but seeing such a scene at this time, everyone was much more relieved.

Hakata Port is a lively port, with a variety of small wooden boats coming to the port, and the busy scene of many rifu carrying goods makes the docks seem busy.

Maori also brought some mounts, a kind of dwarf horse, and let the people ride to the city. The tension was gone, and people looked around, watching the scenery of the exotic land of the East China Sea, and talking to each other with increasing interest.

Qian Xili in front of him asked Maori beside him: "What is your official position?" ”

Maori said: "In the lower is the retainer of the Ouchi clan, and he is a person of the Zhou Defense State. ”

Yao Fang heard the content of the conversation, and she also had a rough idea of the other party's position in her heart. The place where they are currently located probably belongs to the territory of "Chikuzen Province", and to the east is "Bunzen Province", both on the southern shore of the Kanmon Strait, which belongs to the Kitakyushu region; On the other side of the Kanmon Strait, to the south of the strait is Zhou Fangguo, and to the north is Nagato Province. These four so-called kingdoms are currently under the territory of the Ouchi clan.

As for the Iwami Kingdom that Emperor Zhu Gaoxu of the Ming Dynasty was concerned about, it was in the northeast of the Nagato Kingdom, and the two places were adjacent to each other.

Mori thoughtfully continued: "After the 'Mingtoku Rebellion', the Ouchi family once owned the territory of the Nine Kingdoms because of their meritorious efforts in pacifying the Daimyo, which was the strongest in the Western Kingdom, and was called a hall in the 'Luoyang'. Later, something happened, and when the Ouchi family was in the most decline, there were only Zhou Fang and Nagato two countries. After the current governor (Ouchi Morumi) went to Luo, the shogun was satisfied with the governor's loyalty and obedience, and let the governor take the land of Shikoku.

Zhou Fangguo's Yamaguchi Castle is the foundation of the Ouchi family. However, in recent years, the head of the family has mostly lived in Hakata. If you have any business, you can tell me first, and then you will be introduced to the head of the house in a few days. ”

The group rode for a long time, and finally came to a walled city backed by a mountain. This city is much more generous than the walled city captured by Tsushima Island, the city wall has a stone foundation, and the rammed earth has bricks on the outside, but compared to the city wall of the Ming Dynasty, it is still

It appears low, just like a courtyard wall.

Maori introduced the group to a large mansion in the city. After settling down, Maori sent someone to invite Qian Xili to meet him, and allowed Qian Xili to bring two retinues. Yao Fang asked to accompany him and became one of the three of them.

Led by an attendant, they entered an enclosed hallway with lattice walls on either side. The attendant walked to a place, knelt down in front of the lattice wall, stretched out his hand to open a wooden door, and then bowed down and said two words in Japanese. Then the attendant asked Qian Xili and others to take off their shoes and enter.

Maori had knelt in the upper position. Qian Xili and the others stepped forward in accordance with the etiquette of the Ming Dynasty, bowed their hands, and said: "Daming pedestrian Qian Xili, meet the Maori general." ”

At this time, the sliding door at the back was closed by the attendant.

Maori knelt on the spot, bowed and said, "Please take a seat." ”

Next to Maori, there was a woman wearing a kimono and carrying a pillow on her back, but she just knelt there. Maori is tinkering with the tea set and continues to make tea there.

The smell of tea fills the room, the surroundings are very quiet, and the straw mats on the floor are very clean. It's a cozy place, but it's a bit enclosed, and the house is very low, which makes it feel a little oppressive.

Maori has been tinkering there for a long time and is doing it very seriously. Yao Fang felt a little uncomfortable in his legs, because he was also sitting on his knees, and occasionally looked at Qian Xili next to him, and the civil official estimated that he had similar feelings to Yao Fang. But they all endured it so as not to be rude.

The etiquette of kneeling should come from China. However, since the Central Plains Dynasty developed more comfortable furniture, this posture has not been popular for many years. So everyone feels unaccustomed to sitting on their knees for a long time.

Maori finally made the tea. The woman next to her respectfully handed a few dark tea bowls to the guests one after another. There was only a little tea in it, and Yao Fang took it and tasted it.

It doesn't taste very good. Yao Fangxin said: Mother, is this kind of tea so careful and serious?

When Mori picked up the tea bowl, he took it in his hand and spun it slightly, and took a sip with great enjoyment. He glanced at Yao Fang and said, "Tuo tea, it was originally from the Central Plains. However, the etiquette and meaning are very different. ”

He probably meant that Yao Fang was a little rude just now? Yao Fang didn't say anything, but she didn't understand this meaning at all, after all, everyone is a martial artist, what are you pretending to be?

Qian Xili said: "The general is actually an elegant person, admire and admire." ”

Maori said: "I don't dare to be elegant, I just want you to be able to experience the meaning of 'harmony' and 'respect'." ”

When Qian Xili heard this, his emotions were exposed, and he seemed a little embarrassed. According to the way of communication in the Ming Dynasty, others respect themselves and they should be grateful.

Qian Xili immediately said very sincerely: "My dynasty used troops against the Tsushima Island Zong clan because of the trouble of the Japanese invaders, and the Zong clan really protected the Japanese invaders. The attitude of the Holy Lord and the princes of the imperial court towards Japan is still to value peace. Yuan Yiman, the former general of Zhengyi, was willing to accept the canonization of the imperial court and sincerely communicated; However, General Minamoto Yoshichi treated diplomatic relations a little strongly. The lower officials and others came this time, and Yu Gong also wanted to resolve the misunderstanding, and the two countries sent envoys again to discuss the etiquette of the monarch and ministers. ”

Maori nodded solemnly: "My country is far away from Jinling, and it is indeed easy to misunderstand. ”

Qian Xili said in a deep voice without hesitation: "I'm right."

Ouchi, especially close. Annoyed with the Maori general, he must convey the sincerity of the imperial court to the governor. ”

"Qian Lingjun is well versed in the deep meaning of Tuo tea, and he values harmony as much, and he looks at the important family so much, which is really 'respect' righteousness." Maori said politely, "Why does Da Ming think so highly of the big family? ”

Qian Xili said: "The Ouchi family attaches great importance to commerce and trade, and is in urgent need of copper coins, and has also obtained the right to pay tribute for many years, and has obtained real profits from 'exploration trade'. Such an appeal is consistent with the national policy of diplomatic relations with the Ming court. ”

Maori sighed and said, "It's not a secret, this time the Muromachi Palace wants to cut off the tribute, and the governor is not satisfied with this. ”

Qian Xili pondered for a moment and asked, "Is it possible to admonish the Muromachiden?" ”

Maori said: "Let you stay at ease for a few days, and when the governor arrives, you can talk to you in detail." He then whispered a little mysteriously, "The next time you send an envoy to come, you can wear a kimono instead of an official uniform." The Ouchi family and the money envoy may be able to establish some friendship in private. ”

Qian Xili suddenly showed a hint of joy, and he immediately nodded and said, "This matter is not difficult. ”

If Qian Xili establishes a relationship with the Ouchi clan, then regarding the affairs of Japan's diplomatic relations, Qian Xili, a newly promoted jinshi, will inevitably have the weight to speak in the court. No wonder he couldn't hide his joy at once.

Maori said: "Don't be anxious, this matter is not simple, let's take our time." ”

Qian Xili nodded yes.

At this time, Maori said: "You settle here for a few days and wait, and the next time you meet, the governor himself will come." ”

"There is General Laumori to mediate it." Qian Xili said.

After he said that, he beckoned Yao Fang and the other two entourages to get up, and then clenched his fists and arched his hands: "Farewell." ”

Maori still sat on his knees and bowed in return.

They went to the door, put on their shoes, and still went out of the narrow closed hallway, back to the room where they had been staying. After the attendant who saw them off left, Yao Fang immediately went to Qian Xili's room.

"I think something is wrong." Yao Fang said in a deep voice.

Qian Xili said: "What's wrong? ”

Yao Fang took a breath from his teeth, "I can't say it for a while, maybe I think things are going too well." ”

Qian Xili smiled: "Calm." The Maori general is very good, modest, polite and courteous, I think it is much more exquisite than many martial artists in our Ming Dynasty. If the Ouchi clan doesn't want to see us, why bother? ”

Yao Fang glanced at Qian Xili and felt that although this guy could be admitted to the Jinshi, he really didn't have much experience in the world. When he drank tea before, he couldn't hold his breath at all, and when others were a little more polite and respectful, all his thoughts were revealed on his face.

"It's better to be careful." Yao Fang sighed.

Qian Xili said: "Don't be impatient, wait a few days, and visit Ouchi Shengjian." ”

Yao Fang had no choice but to return to her room. He wanted to go out to visit Ouchi Katsu, but his intuition might not be allowed, so he listened to Qian Xili's wishes and rested in the room for the time being.

After nightfall, Yao Fang couldn't sleep. This place is said to be in the city, but it is not the same as the city of the Ming Dynasty, and it always feels a little gloomy.

(End of chapter)