On the morning of February 16, 1606, under the gallop of fast horses, the people of Naoichi soon arrived at Fukuoka Castle, where the head of the family, Nagamasa, and the old lord Rusui lived. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 ｉｎｆｏ

Fukuoka Castle is located on the west side of Hakata Port and the Naka River. At first, the Kuroda family was given 523,000 koku in Chikuzen for their contribution to the Battle of Sekigahara, and the castle where they lived was Nashima Castle. Later, because the area around Nashima Castle was difficult to develop, the Kuroda family found another place to build a new castle in Naka County in the Fukusaki hills, which is now Fukuoka Castle.

The fortifications of Fukuoka Castle began in earnest in 1601 and have not yet been completed. However, the fortifications are nearing completion, and they are expected to be completed in the 12th year of Keicho (1607) next year.

By the way, the Ishigaki of this castle is Sasuke Noguchi Issei, one of Kuroda's twenty-four horsemen, and Masuda Masakin, a retainer of the Kuroda family.

Now, Rusui lives in Ninomaru, a castle that is about to be completed.

Just when Xiuguang was about to enter the city, he had received a long-awaited message from Irizawa Shinnai, and immediately let go of his worries about Irizawa's safety and breathed a sigh of relief.

After receiving the news secretly, they had already arrived at the castle tower in Fukuoka Castle.

Because it is a member of the Kuroda family, it is easy for Naokachi to enter Fukuoka Castle.

The castle has a three-story castle tower.

It should be noted here that there was no castle tower in Fukuoka Castle, but it is basically confirmed that Fukuoka Castle once had a castle tower.

Hosokawa Tadashiko, the lord of Bunzen Province, sent a letter to Mio Tadashi in the 6th year of Motowa (1620), in which he mentioned that the Kuroda family had dismantled the castle tower because they were concerned about the shogunate.

It is said that after the castle tower was demolished, most of the materials used in the construction were sent to Osaka Castle, which provided a large amount of materials for the Tokugawa Osaka Castle of the shogunate.

Hidemitsu had also seen this kind of argument in books when he was in another era. However, when Hidemitsu is now standing at the bottom of the castle and looking up at the triple castle, it seems that Fukuoka Castle did have a castle tower, although it may be demolished in the future.

Thinking that this tall and beautiful continuous castle tower will be dismantled in the near future, Hidemitsu feels a little pity.

The construction of the city can also be regarded as a manifestation of aesthetics. This is the best evidence of the character, taste, and vision of the daimyo of the occupants. When he was in middle school, Xiuguang had studied the aesthetic concept of castles and other things, and found that it was indeed a very interesting and authentic aesthetic experience.

"A city is like a person, and a person's character creates a city."

This incisive sentence that Xiuguang can't remember clearly now which city research book it is marked in, can be said to be the best summary of the aesthetics of the city.

Whether it's Osaka Castle, Edo Castle, or other castles large and small, you can't escape this interesting concept.

In short, the aesthetics of the city is a very worthy study, and people can't help but want to dive into it.

……

……

The morning sun shines harmoniously into the oars, casting long shadows on the smooth wooden floors of the railings of the windows.

Hidemitsu is now following Jeonto, walking down this long wooden corridor inside Fukuoka Castle.

To be precise, it is now Xiuguang, Xiuzong, Xiujia, and Jeonden, and the four of them follow behind Naoyuki as his attendants.

"We're going to pay a visit to Lord Changzheng next."

Walking into the depths of the uninhabited corridor, Naoyuki spat out these words softly, but his walking speed did not slow.

“…… Ladies and gentlemen, try not to speak as loudly as possible. If Lord Nagamasa asks about your identity, I will find a way to help you get through. ”

The four of Xiuguang didn't reply, but after hearing it, they all nodded slightly, indicating that they had understood.

Naoyuki didn't look back, but kept looking forward.

In this way, the five of them walked down the winding corridor to the place where Honmaru was.

Under the guidance of Nagamasa's small surname, they were brought into the main hall and waited for Nagamasa's arrival.

“…… Remember what I just told. ”

Naoyuki took advantage of the time before Changzheng arrived, and whispered to the four of Xiuguang again.

Although Naoyuki looks calm now, he is actually very worried that things will come out in his heart.

Naoyuki sweated a handful of sweat in his heart for himself and the whole Dengxiu family, and there were waves in his heart, and it was a little difficult to calm down.

At this moment, the sound of unhurried footsteps on the wooden floor came from outside, getting closer and closer.

“…… Lord Nagamasa is here. ”

Naoyuki hurriedly lowered his head and reminded the four Xiuguang who were sitting behind him again.

With the sound of the door being pulled open with a "hiss", Nagamasa, dressed in ordinary homely clothes, walked in leisurely and sat down in the upper seat.

"Uncle, I haven't seen you for a long time, don't come here to be harmed?"

In a slow voice, Changzheng opened his mouth to greet Naoyuki.

Naoyuki immediately replied:

"Thank you for your concern. Recently, although there has been a slight illness, there is no major problem. I guess it's because I'm older, so it's not as good as a day. ”

"What are you talking about? Uncle, if you're old, then I'm not the same? ”

Listening to Naoyuki's words, Nagamasa frowned with some dissatisfaction.

Although Naoyuki and Nagamasa are uncles and nephews, in fact, Naoyuki, who was born in the 7th year of Eiroku (1564), and Nagamasa, who was born in the 11th year of Eiroku (1568), are only four years apart in age.

"Let's get back to business, uncle."

Nagamasa shook his head boringly and brought the topic back to the point.

"Father's adult woke up a few days ago, and although his current state is not very good, he still stays in Ninomaru's room, but compared to the previous coma, at least he is still awake now, so you can go and see him later."

"Yes, I see, Lord Nagamasa. Naoyuki came to visit his brother. ”

Naoyuki responded immediately. Nagamasa nodded slightly, and was about to ask them to step back when he saw Xiuguang and his party behind Naoyuki. No, to be precise, he saw Quandeng.

"Quan Deng, I didn't expect you to come here too."

Changzheng immediately pursed his lips, a little unhappy.

"Lord Nagamasa, I asked Lord Naoto to go with me, and I want to accompany him. I was once cared for by Lord Rusui, so I wanted to come and visit you. ”

Although Jeon Deng was a little panicked by Changzheng's sudden question, he immediately stabilized himself and replied.

Changzheng narrowed his eyes, and then said a few words to him in a warning tone:

"I don't have a problem with you coming to visit your father. However, in the future, you should try not to appear in the castle tower of Fukuoka Castle. You have to remember who you are now. My Kuroda family sold you a favor because of my former religion, so you have been hiding. If it had been someone else, I would have handed him over to Tokugawa-sama a long time ago. ”

"Yes. I must keep in mind below. Thank you for your kindness. ”

"Stand down, stand down."

Changzheng got up from his upper position impatiently, and after glancing at Hidemitsu and the others, he immediately left the main hall.