Outside Fukuoka Castle at dusk, Hidemitsu and his party were resting by a forest. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

"Good work, Irisawa. Nothing happened inside or outside the city, right? ”

"Yes. Nothing particularly noticeable happened. ”

After Hidemitsu leaves the castle, the first thing he does is to rendezvous with Irizawa Shinnai, who is hidden near Fukuoka Castle.

"We're in good shape on our side as well. In a sense, it's a bit of a mutual benefit. ”

Casually patting the letters lying peacefully on his chest, Xiuguang felt a sense of relief.

"So...... Your Highness, what did you say to the old man like water? ”

Xiuzong was a little impatient to know the specific situation. He had already been curious since Xiuguang had just come out of Rushui's room, eager to know what his Royal Highness had said to Rushui.

In the eyes of these young people who were born after the arrival of the Toyotomi era, Rusui and the older generation of predecessors are definitely legends in their eyes. I usually have a strong sense of longing and reverence, so I am naturally curious about the conversation just now.

"Well...... Actually, I didn't say anything particularly important. ”

In retrospect, it seems that nothing was said.

Rushui is like an ordinary old man, chatting with himself about the so-called truth of life and death that many young people find difficult to understand, as well as his feelings.

Although it felt a bit nonsense at first. However, after hearing this, the image of Kuroda Kanbei Takataka as an ordinary person became more and more vivid in his heart, rather than just a legendary and conceptual figure as before.

In fact, if you think about it this way, maybe whether it is the late Taiko Hideyoshi or the late Nobunaga, in some ways, they may just be ordinary people, rather than some "Toyokuni Great Myojin" and "Sixth Heaven Great Demon King".

But Xiuzong doesn't eat this.

"Huh?! No, Your Highness, that's as famous as water, and Your Highness doesn't say anything more to him? ”

"That's a lot. It's just small talk. ”

Xiuguang waved his hand and got to the point.

"Most of the time it's just a matter of chatting...... But there are still gains. For example, these handwritten letters from Lord Rushui. ”

Xiuguang poked out a small portion of the letters in his arms and tapped them gently.

This letter is the most important of all. Although Rusui didn't say it explicitly, I could probably know what he was trying to say. Lord Rushui would never do anything that was not beneficial to him. That's why I just said 'mutual benefit'. ”

“…… Mutual benefit? ”

"Hmm. In the future, if there is a war between Toyotomi and Tokugawa, no matter which one wins, the Kuroda family will survive. I guess that's what Rusui Lady is going to do. And we have help from there, so it's a great deal. ”

It's an interesting deal. It's the same for both parties.

"Is there really a war going to ...... in the future?"

Quan Deng was a little worried,

"But judging from Ieyasu-sama's actions and character, I don't think I want to tear my face with the nominal lord Toyotomi family......"

This is Quandeng's estimate.

"Lord Scavenger, war will definitely break out."

As a person who can see the direction behind him, Xiuguang will not agree with this statement.

"Don't think too much of Ieyasu."

With a hint of coldness, Xiuguang did not hesitate to refute Jeonden's speculation.

This can't help but remind Xiuguang of a certain novel he read when he was still in middle school.

Ieyasu is a very interesting person described in the novel. During the Battle of Osaka, he kept inducing his heir Hidetada to preach the iron-blooded extermination of the Toyotomi family, while he kept pretending to be a good man and kept saying that he wanted to forgive Hideyori. But he has only one purpose, and that is to kill Hideyori.

You can trust anyone, but Xiuguang will never believe the words of this famous old fox who pretends to be a good person.

Noticing Xiuguang's mood changes, Jeon Deng nodded and said no more.

"Then it's a good result, worthy of Your Highness."

Hearing this result, Xiuzong was still quite happy.

"This is the first letter. There is also a letter that is relatively important...... Well, in fact, a few letters are very important. ”

Xiuguang took the envelope back into his arms,

"I'm going to have to go tonight."

“…… You're on your way again, Your Highness. ”

At the mention of hurrying, Xiuzong's whole person immediately collapsed.

"We've been running around here for a few days...... I'm really tired......"

"Calm down."

Seeing Xiuzong's pale face, Xiuguang couldn't help but want to laugh, and then patted him on the shoulder.

"It's just going to Hakata Port, it's close."

Hakata Port is located on the west side of Fukuoka Castle, and is very close to it. When the Kuroda family chose to choose the location of their new residence, it was obviously for the sake of the continued development of the business.

The distance from Hidemitsu's location to Hakata Port is estimated to be no more than a mile. If you set off now, you should be able to get there before it gets completely dark.

"Port of Hakata...... There are Nanban people there, right? ”

"Hmm. The port area on this side of Kyushu has strong foreign trade, and there are many Nanban people. But now is not the time to go to the Southern Barbarians. ”

"Looking for a merchant?"

"Hmm. Rusui-sama's second letter was written for this purpose, and it was specially requested by me. ”

"Hmm...... So, my lord, what are you looking for is the Kuroda family's royal merchant? ”

Quan Deng thought about it for a moment and came to this conclusion.

"That's right. Those two big businessmen in Hakata can't be missed. And finally, the sweeper. ”

"Yes?"

"You stay with us a little bit. Although Hakata's side is good, he is the royal merchant of the Kuroda family after all...... I can only ask him not to reveal it, but it is even more difficult to ask for certain things...... After all, every businessman is an old fox. ”

Xiu disc raised his arms, and the corners of his mouth curled.

"When we leave Hakata, I'd like to ask you to come with us to Nagasaki Port."

"Well, that's fine...... Do you have any reason for going to Nagasaki, sir? ”

"Well...... There are definite reasons for that. And especially need the help of you, a Catholic, to contact someone. ”

"I see. Listen to your commands. ”

Jeon Deng nodded in understanding.

"Next, it's time to hurry. It's going to get dark if we talk any further. ”

Hidemitsu looked at the sky and felt that it was not too early, and it was time to leave for Hakata Port.

"Let's go. Let's get to know Hakata, one of the great ports of the era. ”

The sun is setting and night is about to fall.