At noon on February 25 in the 11th year of Keicho (1606), Akigetsu Castle in Chikuzen Province. Pen % fun % Pavilion www.biquge.info

The jodai of Akizuki Castle, Naoyuki Kuroda, is routinely dealing with the tedious government affairs in the city.

A few days earlier, on February 16, he had taken Jeonto and some of his entourage to Fukuoka Castle, where his seriously ill brother Rusui was located, to visit his brother, who had just woken up.

In the evening of that day, his brother Rushui called him and a group of old ministers to his side, told them a very surprising fact, and also explained a very important matter. This matter has reached a level of importance that can determine the future of the Kuroda family.

However, whether it was making such an important decision or facing a shocked minister, the elder brother was very calm. It's like dealing with a very ordinary family matter.

Naoyuki can't understand such a brother, but he admires such a brother incomparably. The old ministers probably thought the same way as him. Therefore, when the elder brother Rushui told the ministers about this decision, even though the ministers were shocked, none of them strongly objected.

Brother Rushui is seriously ill and his days are numbered. Naoyuki and the old ministers wanted to stay with him for a few more days, but they were driven back one by one.

“…… You still have government affairs to take care of...... Hurry up and give me back. I'm an old bone who is dying, and I still need you to accompany me? Hurry back, go back! It's not good if the government is delayed......"

These are the exact words of my brother like water. In the face of Rushui's extremely tough expulsion, although Naozhi and a group of old ministers were helpless, they could only leave.

So, on the second day of visiting his brother Rushui, that is, on February 17, Naoyuki rushed back to Qiuyue City non-stop and continued to deal with his backlog of government affairs. Today is the ninth day of his return.

In addition to worrying about his brother's illness and handling government affairs, Naozhi is also thinking about the affairs of the parishioner Quandeng.

He didn't seem to need to think too long, though.

"Nao-sama."

Because Jeon Deng returned to Autumn Moon City today. He stepped into Naoyuki's study, took down the hat of the far-away traveler, and looked tired.

"Oh, Quandeng! You're finally back! ”

Naoyuki put down the paperwork in his hand with some surprise and beckoned Jeonden to sit down.

"You've been gone for a few days, I thought you were going to leave with the Xiu family."

"No, no, my identity is too sensitive. If you follow the Lord Xiu, it will be even more dangerous. ”

Jeonden wiped his face, then walked over to Naoyuki's desk and sat down.

"How are Jing Xing and Xiao Saburo? Has he been in the city for the past few days? ”

"Ah, he's been fine, and Saburo is fine. You don't have to worry. ”

"That's good."

After Quan Deng inquired about the situation of his sister-in-law Jingxing, he then asked:

"I intend to stay with you for a while. This is both my consideration and the entrustment of adults. Naoyuki-sama, are you okay with that? ”

"Of course not. You can stay with me for as long as you want. But ......"

Naoyuki said that he didn't care about Jeonden taking shelter here. But he still has something curious.

"Quan Deng, the reason why you stay here, in addition to the reason for your more sensitive identity, there must be other more important reasons, right?"

"Haha, it's Nao-sama. That's true. I was entrusted with several important tasks, so it was more convenient to stay here. ”

"An important task?"

"One of them is to keep in touch with the Kuroda family, your old ministers. As for the others, I can't say it, but Hidemitsu-sama ordered that it was strictly forbidden to be exposed. ”

In addition to what Jeonden just said, the rest of these important tasks are probably to maintain contact with Nagasaki Daikan Murayama and Kamiya, and become a transit point for intelligence.

Naoyuki was a little concerned after hearing Hidemitsu's name.

"Jeonden, that Hidemitsu-sama...... Is it really the real Toyotomi Hidemitsu-sama? ”

"Well, that's right. It seems that Lord Rushui has already told you the truth. ”

"Hmm...... My brother made everything clear to us that evening, after seeing you off. ”

"Lord Rushui must have his own considerations. Alas, these days are really tiring. ”

"Speaking of which...... That adult is also amazing. How old is he? ”

"I heard it was ten years old. But the ability has surpassed us old guys. is worthy of being the son of the late His Royal Highness Taiko. ”

Jeon raised his arm and moved a few times with some difficulty.

"Speaking of which, where have you been these days?"

Naoyuki was a little curious. After all, it was Hidemitsu-sama who followed the Toyotomi family, so he must have come to Kyushu not only to play.

"Ah...... I went to Hakata and Hirado. …… But in fact, there are more than two things that have been dealt with. ”

Counting the places he has walked in the past few days, Quan Deng feels a little tired.

"Hakata and Hirado...... Could it be something about trade? ”

"yes. Naoyuki-sama, if you guessed it, don't say it. ”

"I see. By the way, since you're back, doesn't it mean that Lord Hidemitsu and Lord Hideya have finished their affairs in Kyushu and are ready to go back to Osaka? ”

"No, no, Hidemitsu-sama, they have to go to another place. But the business has been done, and the next thing I heard is just an intentional trip. ”

"Eh, aren't you going with Quan Deng?"

I thought that Hidemitsu and they should plan to go back since the matter was done, but Naoyuki was a little surprised.

"I don't have to follow all the time. If I continue to follow along, the first will be an easy target, and my identity may be exposed. The second is that the business is done, and there is no need for me to play in the future. Third, I'm tired too. ”

"That's right. That's really hard. ”

Quan Deng took a sip of the water cup on the table of the straight table, and continued:

"Compared to those of us who are older, it is true that young people have more energy to do these things. Whether it's Lord Xiuguang, or Lord Xiujia, or the close attendant Xiuzong, they don't look very tired, and they have obviously been walking for nearly a month. I still have the energy to go somewhere else......"

"Haha, after all, I'm still young. The Xiu family is only in his early thirties now. My family's Naoji is also full of energy every day. But speaking of which, what are they going to do, Lord Hidemitsu? ”

Naoyuki smiled and asked in passing.

Quan Deng thought for a moment, and then said:

"I don't know what Hidemitsu-sama is going to do, or who they're going to. However, according to Hidemitsu-sama, they plan to go south, all the way to somewhere in the southernmost part of Kyushu, to meet someone. ”