Although we wanted to go to Naiya, it turned out that because Imai Munehisa went to visit Senshoyi, we had to go to Uoya instead.

Uoya was in the warehouse business, and the office was quite large, and after he became a monk, Senshoyi slowly faded out of the business and was managed by his son-in-law Tanaka Yoemon (Sendoan) and nephew Tanaka Yoshizaemon (Tanaka Sokei). And he himself lived in seclusion in the town with his mother Yuecen Miaojun and his wife Baoxin Miaoshu, which was quite a bit of a quiet mood.

After the explanation of the fish house guy and the guidance of the nearby townspeople, we found the residence of Qian Zongyi, which was a courtyard-style house.

"Please let me know that Kira Nobuyi of Tsuya in Mie Town has come to visit." I knocked on the door of the courtyard and introduced myself to the people who had come to receive me.

"It's from Mie Machitsuya?" The porter had a look of surprise on his face, obviously having heard of Tsuya's reputation, "But the owner has long since stopped asking about business......

"How about you please inform me first? If Master Zong Yi is unwilling to give him a meeting, he will not disturb him more. I smiled and insisted.

"Then please wait." The subordinate turned around and went into the house to report.

"Really! Actually have such an attitude towards the lord! "Fujitang Gaohu was angry.

"Yokishi, this isn't Ise, so don't worry." I say.

"Why does Your Highness use your business identity?" Xiao Xia asked strangely.

"Communicating with such an identity and position, it should be easier to convince Senmune Yi and Imai Munehisa. Also, this is Sakai Town! It has been self-governing for nearly a hundred years, and even the generals and the people in charge of the family don't care, and when the identity of the Isehao clan moves out, people don't necessarily pay attention to it. You see, the people in this family have obviously never heard of my name. I replied in a playful tone.

"That's too humble," Natsu said to me, "they won't see it that way!" ……”

Before the words fell, the previous subordinates hurried out: "His Royal Highness Kira, my master is invited!" ”

"I'll let you lead the way." I motioned for Yasutoshi Yamauchi and Fujido Takatora to stay outside, and then followed the housekeeper with Konatsu who was holding Senju Ji to meet Senshoyi.

Qian Zongyi was dressed in a simple black monk's robe and received us in the main hall. It was a concave house, and the surroundings of the house were very quiet, only the sound of the autumn wind could be heard, and occasionally a few crows chirped, which added a bit of loneliness.

In the middle of the house, there is a dry landscape-style garden that is unique to the company.

The so-called dry landscape is that there is no water flow, and the landscape scenery arranged only with garden stones, fine sand, etc., and the water feature is all in the hearts of the viewers.

As a master of the tea ceremony, the dry landscape that Qianzong Yi arranged is naturally very charming. In the most slightly left position in the courtyard, almost at the golden section point, there are one large, two small and three feldspars leaning against each other, forming the peak of the word "mountain", the peak shape is beautiful, fascinating, and it also represents the water source of "dry landscape"; Under the rocks, there is a series of triple stone ridges, as if it is a three-layer waterfall, and the white sand and gravel between the ridges are delicate in texture, as if they have been washed by the waterfall; Then the "water flow" flows out of the stone island according to the texture of the sand and gravel, and joins the "sea"; When the seaside is calm, it gradually becomes waves, until it forms the cascading giant "Qinghai waves", and then slowly calms down to form a relatively large circle, which is what Zen Buddhism calls "cosmic" and "harmonious".

In the background, the entire courtyard is a façade covered with vines and colorful trees. Due to the deep age, a layer of moss has been attached to the garden stones, and there is also a glow of green between the stone ridges, so that the entire dry landscape shows vigorous vitality. What's more ingenious is that the main hall and the two columns of side halls are set up with a view door to the courtyard scene, but from the three halls, the scenery is different, which is in line with the artistic conception of Su Dongpo's "looking horizontally into a peak on the side of the ridge".

The main hall where I am now is focused on the peaks in the shape of a mountain and the entire island surrounded by fine sand. In addition to Qian Zongyi and our party, there was another monk in the hall, and a tacky merchant with a silk belt all over his body. The monk must have been Imai Munehisa for a long time, and that merchant should also be one of the ten.

"Is it really His Highness Kira behind Mie Machitsuya? What proof is there? "The merchant looked at me and Natsu with suspicion, as well as the wide-eyed and curious Senjuhime in Natsu's arms. In his opinion, the person in front of him probably didn't look like a big businessman!

I didn't answer, and sat down in the guest seat with Xiao Xia. After looking at the court seriously for a while, I understood Qian Zongyi's idea, and exclaimed: "What a Penglai!" ”

"You haven't answered my question yet!" The merchant got impatient.

"This highness has a good bearing, he will not be a person who speaks falsely," Qian Zongyi stopped the merchant's questioning, and turned to look at me, with a slight surprise in his eyes. "It's just that I didn't expect His Royal Highness Kira to also know the way of dry landscapes!"

"I know a little," I nodded, "but Master Zongyi's dry landscape seems to have a hidden sense of painting...... Did any of the painters ever participate? ”

"Exactly, at Daitokuji Temple in Kyoto, I got acquainted with Kano Prefecture Shin and talked to each other, but I had a lot of feelings...... May I ask how His Highness Kira can see it? Qian Zongyi's attitude became more solemn.

"Looking through the gate from here, it looks like a hanging scroll! Moreover, the composition in the "painting" is not only very ingenious, but also very meaningful. I laughed.

"His Royal Highness Kira, it's really impressive!" Imai Munehisa on the side couldn't help but exclaim, "The contemptible person is also a frequent visitor here, but it is not as clear as His Royal Highness Kira, who sees it for the first time!" ”

"This must be Master Zongjiu, right? It's over. It was an honor for me to meet these two masters. I nodded to him and said humbly, but I felt a little smug in my heart. The knowledge of these dry landscapes is not profound in modern times, but it is enough to suppress these people now.

As for the merchant, he was obviously not a man of the way, so I didn't say anything.

"His Royal Highness Kira is a Yake, and it is really heartbreaking to come lightly this time. It is also a blessing for us to be able to see such a demeanor and bearing. Qianzong Yi, as the master, hurriedly saluted me back. Then he changed his words and got to the point: "It's just that I heard that His Royal Highness is stationed in the suburbs of Beijing and is responsible for guarding Kyoto. It's rare to come here, I don't know why? ”

I took out the warrant from Nobunaga and handed it to Senshoyi.

"What is this?" Looking at the "World Buwu" seal and the monogram above, Qianzong Yi asked suspiciously.

"To tell you the truth, I came to Sakai to convey the order of His Royal Highness Oda Danmasa, asking everyone in Sakai to come up with 20,000 kan as military expenses to assist the shogunate in pacifying the world; In addition, the Ashikaga Warra-sama will soon be appointed to the shogunate, and a grand tea ceremony will be held, and I hope that you will be able to provide several kinds of famous tea utensils...... It may be a bit rude to ask for such a request, but that's what His Highness and the Warden meant. ”

"That's a ......!" Hearing my words, Imai Munehisa didn't know what to say for a while.

"It's too much!" When it comes to such a topic, the merchant finally has another chance to play.

"His Royal Highness Kira may not know that Sakai Town has already obtained autonomy from the shogunate, as well as the qualification to invite underground. Moreover, this year's annual tribute has already been paid, and it was transferred to the shogunate by the Miyoshi family...... I also ask His Royal Highness Kira to report this situation to Oda, presumably Danmasa-sama and Waren-sama can understand. Qian Zongyi explained.

Although they had already become monks, and Qian Zongyi had faded out of business, their status among the ten people had not weakened, and their fame had risen a lot. Correspondingly, they naturally have to plan for Sakai Town.

The so-called "underground invitation", also known as "village invitation" or "people's invitation", is relative to the "lord request" annual tribute collection system, the town or village that has obtained this qualification, the annual tribute is paid by the party on its own initiative, and the payment period is also determined by the party, and it can also be increased or decreased according to the quality of the year. This is a very important power, and many peasants do not refuse to pay grain and tribute like the peasant uprisings in China, but only for this "underground invitation" and the right of "the lord does not enter".

Even so, for the daimyo and lords in general, this is already extremely bad. Imagine not being able to punish the people, not to arrest fugitives, not to conduct land seizures, and perhaps even to conscript...... So what else can this daimyo and lord do!

A person as strong as Nobunaga is absolutely unacceptable. That's why he forcibly demanded military expenses from Sakai Town, just to break this high degree of autonomy. The money of 20,000 guan is not much for today's Oda Nobunaga, and what he asked for from the major temples in Nara is even only 1,000 kan. Because what he values most is not money, but an attitude of submission...... Probably seeing that I fell into silence for a short time, Imai Munehisa felt that it was negotiable, and continued to persuade: "Don't hide it from His Royal Highness Kira, I was discussing this matter with Zong Yi just now...... We are willing to pay the Oda family the annual tribute, or even pay this year's share, but the autonomy of Sakai Town must not be violated, after all, it has been a practice for a hundred years. ”

"Both, speaking of which, I'll just say it," I reached out and took Nobunaga's warrant, pointed to the seal of "Tianxia Buwu" on it, and said, "This is the ambition of His Highness Danzheng!" The time has come to an end to the wars of the past century, and in order to create a new situation, the old rules of the past must be broken...... Don't hide it from the two of you, His Royal Highness Danzheng didn't explain anything specifically, but he just needs me to give the result. That is, I am not restricted from using any means. ”

"Your Highness Kira, is this a threat of war?" The merchant stood up suddenly, "In that case, my Sakai Town is also defensive, and there is also an armed army!" Even the Oda family should weigh it! ”

The armed forces of Sakai Town? Outer trench fortifications? Seriously, those don't even pay attention to Nobunaga. In addition, Osaka Bay has been controlled, and Sakai Town is the lifeblood of Sakai as a trading port. As long as I block the sea trade routes and prohibit the entry and exit of merchant ships, Sakai Town will soon lose most of its vitality.

Imai Sojiu had a clear understanding of this, and when he saw that the merchant was disrespectful, he hurriedly started a round: "Please be calm and don't be impatient!" Calm down! Things can be discussed! ”

"Master Zong Jiu, Master Zong Yi, I don't want to use military power in my heart, otherwise I wouldn't have come lightly and expressed such sincerity." I looked at the two of them, "However, after all, I am under the strict orders of His Highness Danzheng, and His Highness Danzheng has limited patience and extraordinary determination. Of them, please understand all of you in Sakai-cho. ”

"In this case, please ask His Highness Kira to stay for two days, and I will give a definite answer after discussion. How is it? Qianzong Yi thought about it.

"Then I'll wait for your reply." I nodded in agreement.

Ended the conversation, and Xiao Xia walked out of the courtyard gate, and before he walked far, a voice came from behind him: "This adult!" Please stay! ”

I stopped, and when I looked back, I saw a townsman I didn't know, walking briskly towards me. Seeing this situation, Yasutoshi Yamauchi, who was next to him, immediately went on alert.

The townspeople noticed Yasutoyo Yamauchi's movements, stopped a few steps away, and said with a deep salute: "This adult, the villain is a guy from Naya, and he was waiting outside just now...... Please tell me about it! ”

"Is it Master Zongjiu?" I nodded, "Then please lead the way!" ”

"Yes. Please come with the villain. The townsman nodded again, then retreated to the side of the road and led the way in front of my side.

After walking more than 500 meters and watching the surroundings become more and more secluded, I gradually felt that something was wrong.

"Wait! Who are you? I shouted.

"The villain is a fellow of Nawu......" his attitude was still so respectful.

But I interrupted him impatiently: "Is this the way to the house?" You probably don't know, but I just came from Naya! …… Tell me who you really are! What is the purpose? ”

"Brush", "brush" twice, Yasutoshi Yamauchi and Fujido Takatora respectively pulled out the knife.

Seeing that the matter was revealed, the "machito" quickly pulled out two shurikens and threw them at me, then pursed his lips and whistled sharply, and quickly rushed forward.

Shuriken is separated by Yasuhiro Yamauchi. Then, he was about to step forward to arrest and interrogate, when two hundred meters in front of him, more than a dozen black-clothed ninjas suddenly popped out one after another. They joined up with the impostor and turned to kill me.

I see, it must be the merchant in Qianzong Yi's mansion just now! He is the only one who knows who I am and who harbors malicious intentions!

Probably after I said goodbye, he also left Qianzongyi's mansion soon after, and then sent someone to set up such a murderous situation.

But if you extrapolate it this way, there is a big doubt. I was able to arrange the manpower in just about ten minutes after I left, and such a high efficiency was definitely not something that could be done in a hurry, it must have been planned in advance.

And here's the problem: how could the merchant know in advance about my arrival?

(To be continued)