22. A turning point in life

“…… The Oda family is an advanced samurai family with a fine tradition...... It is a consistently glorious, great, wise, and correct 、...... In the face of the severe tests from inside and outside, we ...... In several major ******** within the Oda family, two ...... led by Oda Nobuyo and Oda Nobuyuki were excluded It shows that our Oda family is capable of ...... Especially in the last ten years, we have been wise in Lord Nobunaga...... You should be proud to be part of the Oda family! It should be the Oda family......"

I and 11 other meritorious service personnel are kneeling in the assessment room of the castle tower of Cheongju Castle at this moment.

Oda Nobunaga sat upright on the main seat, and Niwa Nagahide had been talking on the side for half an hour! It's not an easy job either.

*****************************************************************

One night, Xianzhi was concentrating on the clothes I was going to wear the next day. The cloth was a basket of narrow grid fine weave, which was personally delivered by the owner of Sanlyemon. He was going to give me a piece of silk, but I politely refused! In this era of extreme emphasis on birth and status, I really don't fit my identity when I wear it! By the way, at this time, Seonzhi and I had already moved to a small courtyard in the outer city of Cheongju.

I sat bored not far away, flipping a acknowledgment back and forth in my hand. It was sent a few days ago by Toshiie Maeda and has Oda Nobunaga's signature on it. The content is to the effect that I will commend my "merits" in the Battle of Barrel Narrows, and burn down the enemy camp to deter the enemy's courage; In the face of danger, he is not afraid to shoot the enemy; Loyalty, righteousness, and courage to touch the enemy's horse; …… What a place to be! Finally, I wrote that I will be recruited as an official retainer samurai of the Oda family!

"Xiao Zhi! You...... Do you really want me to be a samurai? I looked at Xianzhi and said. She has been busy for my swearing-in ceremony these days.

"Not really!" Xianzhi replied with her head down, and did not stop the needle and thread in her hand.

"Yes...... I've been looking at you for the past few days, really happy, huh? "I'm a little confused.

"As long as you achieve something and work well, I will be happy!" Xianzhi raised her head and looked at me tenderly. "Whether you are a samurai, a merchant, a painter, a doctor, a craftsman, a farmer or a woodcutter, as long as you can be silently by your side, I will think that you are the happiest!" A hint of blush crept up her face.

"Where...... You ......"

"I'm glad that you've been recognized by everyone and you'll have the opportunity to show your talent to more people!" Xianzhi replied shyly but firmly.

"I ...... My talent? Are you sure I have it? "My faith is a little lacking.

"Of course!" Xianzhi nodded, his eyes full of light. "The first time I saw you, it was when Shinhachiro rescued you. Even though you were unconscious, it looked so different! Later, although Ah Zhong's outfit and demeanor looked weird, it made people feel a kind of ...... A kind of kindness and freshness! ”

"Maybe I should wear gold armor and step on the colorful clouds!" I muttered to myself.

"What did you say?" Xianzhi didn't hear clearly, or didn't understand.

"I didn't ...... It's nothing! And what about later? "I decided to tell her the story of "Journey to the West" in the future.

"Later...... You've told me and my brother so much! Xianzhi recalled. In addition to the stories, I heard that many things were real, but they were all unheard of! Of all the people I've ever met, Ah Zhong is the most knowledgeable besides my grandfather! ”

"Maybe!" After all, I have more than 400 years of knowledge, and the means of education and communication in this era are too poor. I'm not a person to be proud of, but I'm glad to hear Senzhi's compliments.

"And...... And I think...... Ah Zhong, you ...... You are very gentle and kind! Xianzhi lowered her head again, her face even redder.

"Xiao Zhi! Didn't you think I had bad intentions for you at first? I asked with a wink.

"Where...... You can be so careless about my insignificant little girl, shouldn't I be happy? Xianzhi replied cleverly.

"Hahaha!" Once again, I deeply felt her sincere affection. Looking at Xianzhi, I suddenly felt my responsibility. "I won't let you down!" I'll say it word for word.

"That's it! Let's try it to fit or not! ”

I didn't have a big mirror, but I felt that my clothes were very carry-on. Xianzhi is really ingenious.

"Tomorrow Ah Zhong will definitely be the most imposing samurai!" Xianzhi himself is also very satisfied. "Ahh From tomorrow it's time for me to change my name to you, sir! ”

"Xiao Zhi!! If you always do this, I will immediately thank His Highness Nobunaga! "I pretended to be angry.

“……”

*******************************************************

“…… You can begin to take the oath! Niwa Nagahide-sama finally ended his speech. My legs were numb on my knees.

"When we join the Oda family, we will be loyal and honest and never betray! Hard work is not afraid of sacrifice, do your best to fight for the great cause of the Oda family for life! The 12 of us said in unison.

"Good! Thank you for your trust in the Oda family! Welcome to my Oda Nobunaga's subordinates! Oda Nobunaga said aloud. From today onwards, you will take up the position of the head of my Oda family......"

This is how my new life began......

———————————————————————————————————

Bears in Winter: I solemnly declare here! There is no insinuation or irony in this section. It's just that I personally think that the content of the joining ceremony of all organizations is much the same.