249

Actually, I'm not the kind of person you think likes to write short stories.

In the previous chapter, I joked through Keiji Maeda and Yoshio Kobayashi that since this book doesn't have a main line, let's just collect Dragon Balls or become One Piece as the main line.

Of course, this is not true, and if there is no main story, it is impossible for this book to get to where it is now.

Every time I finish a short story, I have the illusion that this kind of giggling, laughter, and warmth will last forever.

Just like the fairy tale "live happily ever after", it will not only make people comfortable to watch, but also produce a beautiful reverie.

But this is not a fairy tale, it is a Warring States.

Even the Middle Ages, set in fairy tales, was full of killing and fighting.

Every time I write the main line, I feel a pang of heartache.

There's always a feeling that "this good life won't last long."

This is not only because many people have to quit in the next plot development, but also because ......

During the French Revolution, a man once asked:

"Why is the Revolution so romantic before the destruction of the dynasty, but why is it not at all romantic after that?"

This question is not difficult to answer at all.

Because before that, everyone had only one goal - to overthrow the dynasty.

For the sake of an ideal, everyone can abandon all factions and support each other in the same boat, how romantic it is.

But once the dynasty fell, everyone lost their common enemy, and began to regard each other as rivals.

When everyone starts falling in love with each other, what romance is there?

In the end, even the woman who asked this question was guillotined by her former comrade-in-arms Robespierre.

Actually, I don't want to write about the disappointing plots of these group infighting, but where there are interests, there will definitely be fights, and there will always be fights within interest groups.

Even the Tokugawa retainers, who were known for their unity, were divided between the Mikawa Senators and the Edo nouveau riche.

I always wanted to write this book more realistically, but the more real it is, the more people don't want to write about it.

Even in the ending that I had already written, even the main character was ......

"That's it! All right! Isn't it just a few pieces of meat, worthy of a big fight between the two of you? ”

Seeing that the atmosphere of eating was gone, the old man hurriedly came out to play a round.

"Lord Bingbu, it's not that I'm stingy, this guy is too much, he doesn't care about other people's feelings at all, I really want to eat more......"

"You still want meat?"

"I'm ashamed."

Yoshio Kobayashi and Keiji Maeda can be said to be two extremes.

One is too polite, polite to the point that everyone else is embarrassed.

The other is completely self-cooked, and he doesn't know what "politeness" is at all.

"Haha, what's the matter?"

The old man said happily:

"Considering the amount of food for the three of us, the crane meat in this hot pot is only eight taels, so I'll let someone cut another eight taels, and I will definitely let you eat enough."

It's completely a child-like tone.

"So there's still meat!"

The two of them suddenly became excited......

"It's so slow"

After waiting for a while, I couldn't stand it a little and said Maeda Keiji.

Kobayashi rolled his eyes at him.

"Are you looking forward to crane meat so much? Speaking of which, there is no portion of your food this time. ”

"But, if you have a piece, you can always ---"

"No more nonsense! It's enough for you guy to eat the core of the cabbage."

“……”

Driven by a strange sense of obligation, Kobayashi muttered while guarding the pot.

"Then again, I've always had a question...... Why did you call this guy to this meal? I can't believe that Lord Bingbu would really invite you to dinner. ”

"That's what I want to ask, too"

"If I had known that you would come, I would have declined the invitation of the military department."

"To each other"

"Maeda Keijiro's interests, you are really a master of ancient and modern China and foreign countries, who cheats and eats and drinks!"

"You're the one who you are.

Although he is a doctor, he has even made a mess of his own food life, and he still shamelessly runs to beg for food from others......"

“…… Oooh. The hand slipped a little."

Kobayashi threw a bunch of cabbage into the pot.

The splashes of hot pot soup splashed on the face of Keiji Maeda, who was sitting opposite.

“…… There don't seem to be enough mushrooms."

Keiji Maeda poured the mushrooms into the pot vigorously.

Kobayashi, whose face was covered with red hot pot soup,

"Ahh

With that, he threw the enoki mushroom at Keiji Maeda.

"Please eat this, too. You're welcome. ”

Keiji Maeda retaliates with vermicelli.

"Eat more, how about the fish?"

"Green onions suit you very well"

"Do you want some tofu too?"

Above the pot, you come and go with food.

Just when the two of them couldn't hold back and said, "Xiaolin, do you want to fight?!" And "Hit and fight!" Am I going to be afraid of you?! When I got up from my seat.

"No wasted food!!"

From the beginning, the old man Hosokawa, who had been silent, roared out.

The two stopped in amazement.

"I can't stand it, you two still like to cause trouble to others just as much!

But it's so over-the-top, is it really when I don't exist!? Hurry up, all the points! Took things to the kitchen and washed them clean"

“……”

"You young people who don't know how to cherish food! I don't understand that food is hard to come by! ”

Old man Hosokawa said bitterly:

"When I was young, I didn't say I ate hot pot, and I was thankful that I could usually eat a full meal, but the two of you ...... Alas! The world is going down...... Hurry up and clean up the two of you! Otherwise...... Hum! Let's fight with me first! ”

Old man Hosokawa usually gives people the feeling that he is a useless scholar, but in fact, he

There is history that when General Jianhao learned swordsmanship from Kamizumi Nobutsuna, the old man, who was still very young at that time, also learned a few tricks on the side.

When Akechi Mitsuhide was a short-term official in the general's family, he had to learn swordsmanship with him many times, and in the end, he didn't know whether he won or lost.

During the Battle of Sekigahara, the old man also personally went into battle to command the defense of the city...... Of course, it didn't hold on.

The old man's command ability is not good, and his martial arts are still worth seeing.

This is also something that can't be helped, living in a Warring States where life safety is not guaranteed, you have to be able to have three punches and two kicks.

The two had to be quiet......

Life goes on.

Half a month later, the Wise Legion began to attack Youma County, intending to seize the county, which is also the most valuable strategic important point in the country - Iwami Ginzan!

Because the Maori army had placed heavy defenses here, the Wise Army's operation was unsuccessful.

And...... As a military advisor, the old man Hosokawa actually fell ill.

The army had no choice but to retreat......

"I heard that you have all wiped out the bandits and disciples of the Saga people, which is really amazing."

A messenger was sent from to express condolences to the old man Hosokawa.

"Haha, this is nothing, although the Zaga people are a little famous, but they are just a bunch of bandits, and it is quite easy to deal with, but you are the father...... My eldest brother and I miss you very much. ”

Yes, this person is the old man's son whose style of doing things always makes him cry and laugh.

Hosokawa and Ichiro Tadashi are also!

After listening to his son's cheerful account of the deeds of the "bandits", the old man nodded and said:

"After chasing and blocking in front, deploying layer by layer, the master's mind is really more delicate than ours."

"Of course, the eldest brother not only eliminated the Saga people, but also tied Saga Sun City in front of the general...... The general was overjoyed, and immediately gave the ribs around his waist to his eldest brother, and then gold, silk, and animal skins...... What a reward! ”

"Well, I can understand that Sagasun City has obstructed the unification of the Oda family many times, and the general has long hated him...... By the way, how did the general deal with Sagasun City? ”

"This, the general is eager to cut Zaga Sun City with a thousand knives, but the eldest brother is against this."

"Against?"

"Yes, the eldest brother said, now that the family of Zaga Sun City is ruined and disfigured, it can be said that he is suffering the greatest suffering in this world, if the general executes him, won't it let him be relieved...... So I think that locking him in a dark cell for the rest of his life, and immersing him in the painful memories of missing his wife and children, is the greatest torture for him. ”

"Ah, the lord is really bold, isn't this just pleading for Zaga Sun City?"

"Yes, the general was not happy when he heard this, he asked the eldest brother, don't kill this guy, Kogoro, you don't want to let him go, right?!

The eldest brother was not afraid at all, he said, General, you once told us that the most painful way to erase is not to kill a person's body, but to kill a person's heart......

I think that now to wipe out Saga Sun City 10,000 times, it will not relieve the resentment in your heart, general, on the contrary, Saga Sun City now has nothing, and his heart is like ashes, and death can let him reunite with his wife and children on Huangquan Avenue, so ......

The general waved his hand and said, "Okay, don't say any more, I understand what you mean...... Indeed, I didn't hate this guy for killing him, but I cheapened him...... Just lock him up until he dies! ”

"My lord is amazing! It was possible to save the life of the general's mortal enemy! ”

"Hmph, that's not much...... The general said, it has been seven or eight years since the original crusade against Echizen, and you were still a child at that time, and you can still remember my words so clearly, I really should praise you! ”

Spicy sarcasm.

"The eldest brother said, the general has won the award, my efforts are really insignificant, everything is the result of your good teaching, General...... But without your teachings, I wouldn't be where I am today! ”

After being an official for so long, I have slowly mastered Oda Nobunaga's temper.

The general said, "Hmph! You deserve a good credit for your eloquence compared to my teachings...... Forget it, you have made a great contribution, I will go to the court to declare, you are ready to become an official and become a knight! ”

"So, the lord's official position has been promoted?"

"Yes, the eldest brother is now the right guard major general under the fifth rank, listen, what a majestic official name!"

Speaking of this, Hosokawa Tadashi suddenly grinned:

"Father, you have to work hard!"

"Huh?"

"I've also made great achievements as a lieutenant general, and now I'm a squire from the five, and I'm about to catch up with you, Daisuke-sama of the military department, haha......"

"The official position or something, I didn't take it too seriously, twenty years ago I was the Daisuke of the Ministry of War, twenty years later I am still in this official position, with my qualifications, promotion is a matter of course, but I turned down all the opportunities, because I am not a high-level of the shogunate, and it is not appropriate to have a too high official position."

This is true, in history, Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi both wanted to give Old Man Hosokawa a higher official position, but he politely declined.

"By the way, the eldest brother heard that your father was sick, and he was very concerned."

"Thank you, I'm almost fine now."

"Big brother wants me to tell you, since you're old, don't work so hard."

"Hmm."

"Pay more attention to your body, rest more when you're tired, and forget if you can't do it."

“……”

"They are all old people, what are you still fighting on the front line, wouldn't it be good to retire honestly...... Earth! What are you doing, old man?! ”

Old man Hosokawa threw the teacup out and smashed it at his son.

"Is this the word of the lord? Bah! Do you think I'm really old enough to hear it?!

All right! You guy thinks it's great to follow the lord to do a few little things, and you can usurp the throne......"

"Old man! I am your own son! Taking your shift is not a usurper! ”

"Less nonsense! You must have not been beaten for too long, and your skin is itchy! ”

250

"Big brother asked me to bring gifts of condolences to my father, you and other adults, during this time, everyone was busy conquering the city, and they all worked hard...... However, there is a gift for you, father. ”

"The lord really has a heart."

Hosokawa Tadashi, who was beaten by his father because of his cheap mouth, slowly took a water tank next to him.

"It's ......"

"Big brother said, you're going to like this!"

"Yes...... I do love ............

Eight silver-white shrimp swim freely in the tank.

These are eight white shrimp from Lake Biwa, and the market price is no lower than that of Ise lobster.

Old man Hosokawa's eyes lit up, and he was reluctant to let go of his hand holding the water tank.

Please don't get me wrong.

The old man is definitely not so excited because there is shrimp meat to eat.

If you are interested in the art history of the Warring States period, you will know that Mr. Hosokawa Fujitaka was a very accomplished calligrapher and painter.

He is good at drawing, and his specialty is to draw shrimp!

"I haven't started to draw for a long time, and when I see this white shrimp, I feel a burst of itchy hands......

"Then father, you can draw slowly, I have to go!"

"Nani? Why did you just come here and leave? ”

"There are also a lot of things to be busy over there in Osaka, and the eldest brother is now sweating and directing the laborers to build the city, but I am drinking tea here leisurely, which is unreasonable."

"Hmmm......"

Old man Hosokawa nodded, satisfied with the maturity that his son had shown.

"That's right, since that's the case, I won't keep you...... Anyway, there's nothing to do right now, I'll take you to the port. ”

Old man Hosokawa stood up, still holding the water tank in his hand.

This is called "love and affection".

"Father, will anyone hold this thing to see someone off?"

"Hahaha...... I was overly complacent for a moment...... Moji, you can help me take care of this tank. ”

Moyoshi is the small surname of the old man Hosokawa.

"I'll take care of everything."

Moji carefully took the water tank......

"How's the progress of the project on the lord's side?"

"It's going very well, the money, labor, and building materials are all in place, and the main castle of Osaka Castle is expected to be completed in the spring of next year."

"yes, that's fast."

"Of course, there are now more than 50,000 laborers working to repair the castle, and the number is still increasing, and stone and timber are constantly being shipped from Kii and Ise provinces."

"The lord is amazing, to build such a huge castle that has never been seen in ancient times, it will go down in history in the future...... It seems that I was not wrong in my original choice, and following the Oda family is the only way to revive my own family! ”

In fact, the old man Hosokawa in history is famous for "knowing current affairs".

"Yes, when I was a child, when I listened to my father tell me the story in "The Tale of the Taira", I was thinking that if I could become the Kurou Judge Yoshitsune or be able to ascend the Shou Sutra (Hei Jiao Sutra, No. 1 Den Shou, the first fierce general of the Taira clan, jumped into the main ship of the source army in the Battle of Tanzhipu, and was so frightened that the source Yoshitsune escaped eight boats in a row. In the end, with dozens of wounds, he jumped into the sea with the general of the source army and committed suicide...... The author's favorite is such a man who died on the battlefield for his family and beliefs, and if you want to compare, Gen Yoshijing is grinding, pedantic and stubborn, and is always swayed by inexplicable feelings, so that he misses the fighter, is forced into a desperate situation by the shogunate, and finally ends up with a tragic ending of self-destruction, and even, as the world's first military general in that era, he can't even protect his wife Jing Yuqian, which really makes people don't know what to say about him. It would be nice to have a famous player like that......"

Hosokawa Tadashi rarely said in a more serious tone:

"When the envoy of the imperial court promoted me, I realized that I had ......."

"Yoichiro, I told you,"

The old man said earnestly:

"Official position and reputation are not as important as you think, as a military general, what you should really pay attention to is your own territory and castle.

The Ashikaga shogunate, where I worked back then, was in decline because of the glitz and depravity of life, and I befriended the ministers, and finally went into decline step by step.

And our ancestors also lost the ...... of power because they stayed in Kyoto for a long time and indulged in a rich and prosperous life of drunken dreams and death."

"I know this, before I came here, my eldest brother warned me, don't take these things too seriously, we are samurai, not ministers...... He also said that unless it was a document addressed to the shogunate and the imperial court, he would not add the official name of 'Right Guard Major General' to his signature. ”

"Well, the lord is really an understanding person...... Okay, that's all there is to say, you can continue to follow the lord in the future......"

Speaking of this, the old man suddenly grinned:

"You guy, maybe I'll have to retire in a few years......"

"Hmph, the old man is finally old...... "......

Let's talk about that over there.

Moji stared at the tank

"It's a white shrimp, it's really rare...... The old man was so weird, it looked so delicious, he only thought about it for painting. ”

At this time, he remembered something, and the dark color changed greatly!

"That's right! I forgot to tidy up my master's study, and when my master wants to paint, I find that my study is a mess, and I will be scolded! ”

Without further ado! Hurry up and get to work!

But before he could take two steps, he remembered that he seemed to have another task.

I just left, who will take care of the white shrimp in this tank?

You can't bring this thing full of water to the study, how can you work like that?

What should I do? I won't be a "shadow clone".

About ten seconds later, the little surname made a decision that triggered the next series of laughable things.

"What a fool I am! There are so many people living in the city, so I wish I could find someone else to take care of it! ”

Explain.

The "division of residence hierarchy" in Songjiang Castle is like this, the lord of the castle (I, now I am temporarily replaced by Wise Chang'an, but then again, how many people still remember that I once said that I would give Songjiang Castle a reward to him?) The elder or other high-ranking samurai lived in the castle, and the middle- and lower-ranking samurai could only live in the castle town......

"Wow! It turned out to be Kyoto white shrimp! ”

The chefs in the kitchen widened their eyes when they saw the contents of the tank.

"It's definitely from Lake Biwa! I can guarantee it! ”

One of the masters said:

"When I was studying cooking at a restaurant in Kyoto, a merchant from Omi Province sent me ten catties of white shrimp, and this is what it looks like!"

Another master said:

"Cut! You're not the only one who's seen it, I've seen it too, and this thing is as valuable as an Ise lobster! ”

"Yes, I heard that this thing is exquisite, and only chefs with more than ten years of cooking experience are qualified to process it."

"Haha, so you don't have a chance." ……

Moji listened and sweated profusely.

The group of people all took the white shrimp for food.

However, these people talked for a long time, and finally noticed him.

"Moji, you brought this to us...... Does Hosokawa-sama want to drink shrimp soup? ”

"It's not."

"Where's the grilled shrimp?"

"Not really."

"That's going to eat shrimp rice."

(The author ate Japanese-style crab rice at Yoshinoya, but what is this shrimp rice?) ）

"How is that possible?"

"I can't imagine that Boss Hosokawa is the most picky, what does he want to eat?"

Moji thought that it was better not to mention the matter of painting shrimp, otherwise, these people who only had food in their minds would definitely say:

"Hahahahaha...... Hosokawa is such a weirdo, lobsters are used for eating, and he actually uses them to paint...... I've heard of painting flowers and grasses, snakes and eagles, this painting shrimp...... What is there to draw about this shrimp, it is nothing more than the shrimp head, shrimp body and shrimp tail, by the way, and that beard, what's so difficult about this? Children can draw, and Hosokawa is really an idle egg......"

Right! That's what these guys would say!

In order to protect his lord's reputation (this...... You must not tell the truth!

"Ladies and gentlemen, the master has not yet decided what to do with this thing, he originally asked me to take care of this thing, but I have something very important to do now."

Everyone still didn't understand what he meant, but seeing his serious face, they had to continue listening.

"So, I'd like to ask you to take care of this thing, and I'll treat you to a drink later! Please! ”

As he spoke, he also solemnly bowed to everyone.

"Moji...... You don't have to be like this, everyone is usually together, they are very familiar, do you still need so much politeness to each other? Just say a word and we'll help. ”

"Moji, this thing has no food value aside, it ...... Is it important to your grandfather? ”

"Absolutely important!"

In order to allow these people to take care of this thing more carefully, Moji gritted his teeth and said:

"You may not believe it, if this thing is lost, the master will definitely punish me severely!"

"So serious? ……”

"Punish people for a few lobsters? That's too much, isn't it?! ”

"Forget it! Don't be angry, this is the fate of us civilians...... Moji, don't worry, everyone is a friend, we will definitely help! ”

"Thank you so much! Thank you! ”

"No thanks! With precious dishes like white shrimp aside, we will be more motivated to cook! ”

Huh?! Why did I suddenly feel a little uneasy when I heard you say that......

After thanking everyone repeatedly, Moji left the water tank and hurried out of the kitchen.

He still has the work of "tidying up the study" to do, and if he can't get this done before his master comes back, then he will really have to be tidied up.

On the kitchen side, the water tank is placed squarely on top of the stove.

Because he is responsible for the food of dozens of "noble lords" in the city, everyone is very busy.

No one paid any attention to this tank either.

Ten minutes later.

A man in charge of buying groceries ran in sweaty.

"Everyone, go and help!!"

"What's wrong?!"

"The cart carrying vegetables has overturned at the city gate!"

"Nani?!"

"Don't just be surprised, hurry up and help pick up the vegetables! Delay the old man's lunch, and we will be miserable! ”

said that this crime could not be afforded, so everyone quickly stopped what they were doing and ran out.

That's where it all began.

"What a disappointment!"

Keiji Maeda, who was called "the first stranger of the Warring States" by later generations, was a little unhappy.

This morning, he was originally hunting outside the city, and when he heard that his good buddy Hosokawa Tadashiko, whom he hadn't seen for more than half a year, was coming, he rushed to the city in a hurry.

Although it is said that "the friendship of gentlemen is as light as water, and the friendship of villains is wine and meat".

However, most of the friends that Keiji Maeda identifies, including me, have built relationships at the wine table.

I wanted to have two drinks with Hosokawa Tadashi, but I didn't expect that the people were already gone.

It's so unpleasant!