I Was a Swordsman in Ancient Japan

Keep everyone waiting for a long time (Leopard Head Crying)

The reason why today's chapter is released so slowly is actually because today's chapter is a large chapter of 11,000 words, so it took a long time to write.

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"I used to be a wanted criminal who made a living by catching wanted criminals and receiving bounties!"

Grandfather Jiang tried to explain.

For his own life, and for the gold sand that would save him from having to worry about food for the rest of his life, grandfather Jiang had already decided to go all out.

"In the summer of last year, I saw Ogata Itsuki with my own eyes at Nijo Castle in Kyoto!"

"At that time, I was obsessed with ghosts and had a fluke mentality. I felt that I also had a chance to take the head of Ogata Itsze, so I rushed into Nijo Castle with the rest of the people."

"I saw Ogata Yishi's appearance and sword skills with my own eyes."

"I also heard Ogata Yishi's voice with my own ears."

"So many people rushed up, there was nothing they could do about that Ogata Yishi. I was completely frightened, so while Ogata Yishi was still beheading the rest, I fled Nijo Castle in a panic and survived. down."

"Even though this happened more than half a year ago, I still remember Ogata Itsuki's voice and sword skills clearly!"

"I just saw Ogata Yishi rescue the man you are looking for from the wolf's mouth just now!"

"Although I don't know what Ogata Itsue has done to change his appearance. But because I still remember his voice, sword skills, and body shape! I recognized him immediately!"

"After Ogata Yishi rescued the person you were looking for, he took that person away! I don't know where they went, but I remember which direction they went when they left!"

"Changed your appearance?" Kitano interjected and asked, "What do you mean?"

"I don't know what technique Ogata Yishi used to change his whole face." Grandfather Jiang replied,

"Now his appearance has become ordinary, and he is completely different from before. It is probably through this method of changing his face that he has been able to escape like this until now, and he has not been caught until now!"

"...to change your appearance..." Kitano sneered a few times, "Why do I think you mistook someone? You mistook an ordinary good citizen for Ogata Yidaosai."

"I won't admit my mistake!" Grandfather Jiang said anxiously, "That person must be Ogata Yidaosai! I will never admit my mistake!"

Grandfather Jiang and Beiye looked at each other without any dodge in their eyes, and their tone was firm.

Looking at his grandfather Jiang, who claimed in a firm tone that he had not mistaken him, Kitano frowned so tightly that he could pinch a mosquito to death.

What Grandfather Jiang said just now was too powerful. Kitano's mind couldn't turn around for a while.

If everything that grandfather Jiang said is true, then the amount of information is too great.

The most wanted man of the shogunate actually saved the current second in command of the shogunate?

Speaking of this kind of thing is afraid that it will be regarded as crazy talk by others.

Countless questions popped up in Kitano's mind.

What concerned Kitano the most was whether Ogata Ittosai was really here.

If Ogata Yidaosai is really in this Snow Country right now——then this information really hopes to make them a fortune or a big reputation.

Those who pay a little attention to current affairs now, who doesn't know the famous executioner Yidao Zhai.

Kitano was born in the banner family of Edo, and at the same time, he was a senior general with a high status in the army. He obtained all the news related to the government much faster than ordinary people.

Prior to this, he had received definite information-the emperor was dissatisfied with the shogunate's delay in catching Ogata Isai, and put pressure on the shogunate. In order to deal with the emperor, the shogunate had to further increase the bounty of Ogata Isai. Nowadays, Ogata Yidao Zhai's bounty has reached as high as 800 taels, which is unprecedented, and there should be no one in the future.

If he could manage to take down the head of Ogata Ittosai, then this huge bounty would be enough for the entire family to live a few lifetimes leisurely and unrestrainedly.

Of course, Kitano is not the kind of person who is good at martial arts, he doesn't think he has any ability to take down the head of Ogata Ittosai.

It's just that - even if the head of Ogata Ittosai cannot be removed, if he can report the relevant information about the current most wanted criminal in the shogunate to his superiors, the corresponding reward will certainly not be small.

Maybe his name will appear in future history books—the reason why Ogata Yidaosai was defeated in the end was because a general named Kitano Shuki discovered his traces.

Seeing that Kitano remained silent for a long time, grandfather Jiang couldn't help emphasizing again:

"Please believe me! What I just said is not half a lie."

Kitano, who had been bowing his head and meditating, slowly raised his head at this time.

After taking a deep look at his grandfather Jiang in front of him, he asked:

"You ran into Ogata Isaitosai and the man we were looking for just now, in that direction—right?"

Kitano raised his finger and pointed in the direction his grandfather Jiang pointed just now.

"That's right." Grandpa Jiang nodded his head.

After another moment of silence, Kitano turned his head and shouted to the subordinates beside him:

"Let's go! And - tie this man's hands and take him with him." Kitano pointed at his grandfather Jiang.

Afterwards, Kitano said to his grandfather Jiang in a nakedly threatening tone:

"You have to come with us."

"If what you just said is true, I will keep my promise, let you go, and return your gold dust to you."

"If I find out that you're lying to me—I'll let you know that there are worse things in this world than having your head chopped off."

Grandfather Jiang's body trembled with fear.

But the matter has come to this point, and grandfather Jiang has no room to retreat or repent, so he bites the bullet:

"I see!"

The two subordinates next to Kitano raised their chins, and then the two subordinates quickly stepped forward, tied grandfather Jiang's hands tightly with a thick and long rattan, and then held grandfather Jiang from left to right to prevent grandfather Jiang from escaping.

...

...

In the cave where Ogata and the others lived——

Ogata had been quietly listening to Matsudaira Sadanobu's narration just now.

When Matsudaira Sadanobu was hanging Tiger Tetsu back to his waist, Oo said softly with a faint smile:

"My lord, although you don't have much chance to travel around now."

"But it's okay to try to realize your youthful ideals after you retire in old age."

Matsudaira Sadanobu stared blankly at Ogata: "When I am old and retire? When I am old and retire, how old will I be?"

Speaking of this, Matsudaira Sadanobu put on a half-joking tone.

"By then, I should no longer have that physical strength and energy, and I can only live a life of seclusion in my hometown."

"It's true to say that." Ogata shrugged with a smile, "But—compared with "can it be done", "should it be done" is our top priority."

Matsudaira Sadanobu was stunned.

Matsudaira Sadanobu, who usually doesn't have much expression, laughed out loud after a brief moment of stupefaction.

"Well said! That's right!" Song Ping calmed down, "Don't ask 'can', first ask 'should'"

After laughing out loud, Matsudaira Sadanobu let out a sigh of relief as if he was tired from laughing.

"Mashima-kun, you are such an interesting person."

"At the beginning, after I saw the article you wrote in the "Yuqian Trial" essay test, I discovered that your thinking coincides with mine."

"At the beginning... I was attracted by your thoughts that are extremely close to me, so I wanted to accept you as my surname."

After all, Matsudaira Sadanobu suddenly looked straight at Ogata in front of him with meaningful eyes.

"I don't like people who break their promises very much."

"If it were someone else, after making the mistake of 'forgetting my promise', I would definitely not give him any good looks."

"But now—I'd like to make an exception once in a while."

Matsudaira Sadanobu sat up straight, his face became solemn, and said solemnly to Ogata in front of him:

"Mashima-kun, are you willing to join me and become my surname?"

Matsudaira Sadanobu asked Ogata the question he had asked Ogata a few months ago.

Because Aizan and Ahili didn't know the identity of Matsudaira Sadanobu and the relationship between Matsudaira Sadanobu and Ogata, they couldn't get into the topic just now. I can only become a "melon-eating crowd", look at Ogata, and then at Matsudaira Sadanobu, and stay silently eating melons.

As for A-Machi——after hearing what Matsudaira Sadanobu said just now, he was shocked.

She originally thought that after Ogata released Matsudaira Sadanobu's pigeons for a few months, even if Matsudaira Sadanobu said that the past was wiped out, he must still have a grudge.

Unexpectedly——Matsudaira Sadanobu once again threw an olive branch at her husband.

Looking at Matsudaira Sadanobu who threw an olive branch at him again, Ogata was only taken aback, then smiled and said:

"Thank you, my lord, for your kindness. But the life of a ronin is more suitable for me."

Ogata threw back the olive branch thrown by Matsudaira Sadanobu in a tactful tone.

Jonobu Matsudaira's expression changed several times in an instant, and a puzzled look slowly appeared in Jonobu Matsudaira's pupils.

Ogata then went on to say:

"I'm not interested in official career. I don't have the ability to enter official career."

"I still prefer the free wanderer life now."

"Although I can't live in such a luxurious house or eat such exquisite food, but because I have a wife and friends by my side, I don't feel pain, and I don't want to make any changes to this kind of life."

"So--Master Laozhong, thank you for your kindness."

After Ogata finished speaking, the puzzlement on Matsudaira Sadanobu's face gradually turned into regret.

"... Mashima-kun, you are the first young samurai to explicitly reject my invitation since I became a senior middle school." Sadanobu Matsudaira showed a faint wry smile, "In the past, whenever I admired young samurai When the samurai invited them to serve in the shogunate, they were all ecstatic."

"I have never seen someone who directly refuses like you and expresses that he wants to continue being a ronin..."

Nobunaga Matsudaira sighed.

"...Forget it. Since you don't want to join me, I can't force you..."

"However—whenever you change your mind, you can come to me at any time."

"It's not hard to find my mansion in Edo. You can find out where my mansion is if you ask someone."

"If you change your mind in the future, you can come to me as my residence in Edo."

"I will tell the servants of my mansion in the future: If a person who calls himself 'Mashima Goro' visits in the future, let that person come in immediately and let that person come to see him."

Ogata knew that even if he arrived, he would not become an official under Matsudaira Sadanobu's command, so Ogata just nodded and said casually:

"Well. I will."

"Even if you haven't changed your mind, you can come to my mansion to find me." Matsudaira Sadanobu added, "You saved my life. I have to return this favor."

"If you encounter any troubles and need help in the future, you can come to my mansion in Edo to find me. If I can help, I will definitely help."

"Thank you." Ogata said very politely, "If there is a chance in the future, I will bother you. But for a long time in the future, I probably won't have the chance to go to Edo."

"...Let me take the liberty to ask, how long do you plan to travel here in Ezo?" Matsudaira Sadanobu asked this question very abruptly.

"Huh? This kind of thing depends on the situation." Ogata said, "I feel that I have traveled enough here in Ezo, so I will naturally leave Ezo."

"...I think it's better for you to leave Ezo as soon as possible." Matsudaira Sadanobu said seriously, "At least wait until next year to travel here. The flames of war have already ignited in Ezo, which is not a place suitable for travel. place."

"War?" Ogata's pupils shrank suddenly, "Did something happen?"

At this time, Machi who was on the side was also attracted by the words of Matsudaira Sadanobu just now.

"Since just now, I've noticed that you don't seem to know what's going on in Ezo." Sadanobu Matsudaira said softly, "I didn't expect to be guessed right by me."

"Fortunately, I asked you specifically, otherwise you would continue to foolishly travel around the land that has already ignited the war."

Matsudaira Sadanobu picked up his water glass, took a sip of water, and said slowly:

"Do you know the Red Moon Fortress?"

"The Ezo living in the Red Moon Fortress encouraged the naturalized Ezo in Matsumae Castle to start a riot, which resulted in heavy casualties in Matsumae Castle and countless civilian casualties. It was not until the army was dispatched that the riot in Matsumae Castle was quelled."

"The ezos of Red Moon Fortress have gone too far this time."

"So in order to punish the ezos of the Red Moon Fortress, the shogunate formally declared war on the Red Moon Fortress, assembled a large army and marched northward, vowing to bring down the Red Moon Fortress."

"The ezos of the Red Moon Fortress encouraged the naturalized ezos of Matsumae Castle to set off a riot?" Xu Fang was startled.

Aizan, who has already evolved into a qualified "translation tool person", has been translating what Matsudaira Jonobu said sentence by sentence to Ahili who doesn't understand Japanese.

After listening to Aizan's translation, Ahili showed the same shocked expression as Aizan.

Although neither Aizan nor Ahili wore the iconic red costumes of the Red Moon Fortress, they are now residents of the Red Moon Fortress.

What Matsudaira Sadanobu just said was like a blockbuster to the residents who had just become Red Moon Fortress.

"This, my lord!" Aizan hurriedly said, "Did you make a mistake? As far as I know, he...ah, no, it doesn't seem like the people in Red Moon Fortress would do such a thing people!"

"I'm not lying." Matsudaira Sadanobu said calmly, "If you don't believe me, you can go to Matsumae Castle to have a look."

"Until now, there are still quite a few people wearing sackcloth and mourning mourning for their relatives who died in the riots."

"And those thugs who were captured alive by us also confessed with their own mouths - it was the Eizumi of the Red Moon Fortress who supported them, and they were able to set off such a large-scale riot."

"Now the army has penetrated deep into the interior of Ezo."

"It won't be long before the army can reach the Red Moon Fortress."

"If you don't want to be implicated by the war, get away from here quickly. It's best to go back to Japan first."

Until the words of Matsudaira Sadanobu fell, A-Machi, Ahili and Aizan were still immersed in the impact of Matsudaira Sadanobu's words just now. Because they were too shocked, their brains did not turn around for a long time.

Ogata's reaction was quick.

Ogata, who had seen many storms and waves, quickly came back to his senses, and then softly said to Matsudaira:

"...Master Laozhong, thank you for your reminder. Without your reminder, we really wouldn't know that such a big thing happened in Ezo..."

"You're welcome." Matsudaira Nobuo nods his head, "I already know that the Ezo land is not very peaceful, so let's leave quickly."

"If you insist on staying here and traveling...then I can't stop you."

"But my suggestion is to leave here as soon as possible. After the war subsides, if you want to visit Ezo again, then come to Ezo."

"...Well." Ogata nodded, "But... my lord, I have a question - are those thugs who set off the riot really instigated by the eizumi of the Red Moon Fortress?"

"The evidence for this matter is conclusive." Matsudaira Sadanobu replied without hesitation, "Those thugs who were captured alive by us all pointed out that the instigators were the Ezos of the Red Moon Fortress."

"If we didn't have conclusive evidence, we wouldn't send troops to conquer the Red Moon Fortress."

Ogata didn't speak any more.

Just staring at Matsudaira Sadanobu, silent.

"...Master Lao Zhong! Master Lao Zhong!"

At this moment, whether it is Ogata or the old middleman, they all heard "Master Laozhong" coming from outside the cave.

"It seems that my people have finally found this place..." Matsudaira Sadanobu's eyes flashed with joy, he stood up quickly, and walked towards the entrance of the cave.

Ogata also got up together, and followed Matsudaira Sadanobu to the entrance of the cave.

After coming to the entrance of the cave, Matsudaira Sadanobu shouted loudly to the outside of the cave, "Here I am!"

"Ah! It's the voice of the old middle-aged man!"

"Quick! Go!"

"I found the old middle-aged man!"

The dense sound of horseshoes gathered towards the entrance of the cave.

After a while, many people with torches and horses came running towards the entrance of the cave from all directions.

Among the people who gathered around, there was also someone Ogata knew - Matsudaira Sadanobu's nickname: Tachibana.

It was Tachibana who rushed to the entrance of the cave for the first time.

"My lord!" Tachibana leaped off his horse and threw himself in front of Matsudaira Sadanobu, with an expression on the verge of tears, "Finally found you! Are you not injured?"

"I'm fine. I was rescued by Mashima Goro-kun."

"Mashima Goro?" Tachibana was stunned.

And Matsudaira Sadanobu turned his body to the side at this time, so that Tachibana could see Ogata who was standing not far behind him.

Looking at Ogata, Tachibana's face was full of shock.

"Old, old lord, what's going on?" Tachibana stammered and asked.

"I'll explain it to you later." Matsudaira Sadanobu said, "Anyway—it's hard work for you to come to me."

"It's our negligence that caused the old middle-aged and adults to encounter such an accident!" Tachibana's tone was a little excited, "Please punish us later!"

Matsudaira Sadanobu waved his hand: "We'll talk about these things later."

After finishing speaking, Matsudaira Sadanobu turned around and looked at Ogata and the others inside the cave.

"Everyone, thank you for your hospitality. My people have found me, and it's time for me to leave."

"Are you leaving now?" Ogata asked.

"Yeah." Matsudaira Sadanobu nodded, "Since my subordinates have found me, I have no reason to stay here anymore."

"And——I have to go back as soon as possible. My subordinates have to see that I am still alive, so they can be at ease. Moreover, my subordinates were attacked by wolves this afternoon, and I have to quickly check the casualties and loss."

After finishing speaking, Matsudaira Sadanobu stood up straight and bowed solemnly to Ogata.

"Today, thank you very much."

"See you in the future."

"If you change your mind in the future, or if you need help with something, remember to come to me."

At this moment, a faint smile appeared on Matsudaira Sadanobu's face.

"This time, don't forget my words again."

When Matsudaira Sadanobu's voice fell, Tachibana had already pulled his horse over, and led it behind Matsudaira Sadanobu.

Matsudaira Sadanobu turned over and sat on Tachibana's horse.

"Let's go." Matsudaira Sadanobu ordered Tachibana.

"Yes!" Tachibana sat in front of Matsudaira Sadanobu, then raised the rein of the horse, and led Matsudaira Sadanobu into the depths of the woods not far away. The rest of Matsudaira's men followed closely behind.

Ogata stood where he was, watching Matsudaira Sadanobu all the way until his figure completely disappeared from his field of vision.

"Hey..." At this time, A-Machi walked to Ogata's side with a worried expression on his face, "The things that Matsudaira Sadanobu said just now... are they true or not...? Chanup and the others really encouraged Are the naturalized eizu of Matsumae Castle starting a riot?"

Aizan and Ahili also focused their flustered eyes on Ogata at this time.

On the emotional side, he turned his head expressionlessly and glanced at the panic-stricken A-Ming, Aizan, and Ahili——

"...The matter of going to Xi Village has to be temporarily postponed."

After a long silence, he said so.

...

...

"Hey! Is it really in this direction?!" Kitano growled towards his grandfather Jiang.

Hearing Kitano's roar, grandfather Jiang shrunk his neck.

"Yes, it is indeed in this direction, there is no mistake!"

"Tsk..." Kitano's face was full of impatience.

At this moment, he felt that the account on his right hand was a little hot.

He turned his head and looked - it turned out that the flame of the torch made of straw held by his right hand had almost reached his hand.

The torches used by Kitano are simple torches made of grass and wood.

Although it is simple to make, it is not very resistant to fire.

He had been concentrating on looking for Matsudaira Sadanobu and Ogata Itsuki just now, and he was so inattentive that he didn't notice that the torch in his hand was almost burned out.

Kitano quickly pulled out another torch from his waist, lit the new torch, threw the old torch that was about to burn out on the ground, and then stamped it out.

"Damn it..." Kitano looked up at the sky, and spat out a dirty word, "It's almost dawn..."

According to Kitano's judgment, it will be dawn in less than an hour.

They searched for nearly a whole night, but they couldn't find either Matsudaira Sadanobu or Ogata Itsue.

Whether it was Kitano or the subordinates beside him, they were all tired from staying up all night and trying to find someone.

But before he found Matsudaira Sadanobu and confirmed Matsudaira Sadanobu's current situation, Kitano did not dare to slack off.

Ogata Itsuki may not be found, but Matsudaira Sadanobu must be found.

"The terrain here is rather complicated..." Grandfather Jiang said tremblingly, "So..."

Before Grandfather Jiang finished speaking, Kitano interrupted him roughly:

"Shut up!"

After being yelled at by his grandfather Jiang, his grandfather Jiang hurriedly shut his mouth, not daring to say another word, for fear of offending Kitano, who is now very irritable and impatient.

Grandfather Jiang is actually more anxious than Kitano now.

If you can't find Matsudaira Sadanobu or Ogata Yishi, grandfather Jiang can believe that Kitano, who doesn't seem to be very patient, may really treat him as a "liar" and kill him with a single knife.

Grandfather Jiang worshiped all the gods that could be worshiped in his heart, praying to the gods that they would find Matsudaira Sadanobu or Ogata Itsuki quickly.

At this moment, grandfather Jiang suddenly saw a little fire emerging from the depths of the dark woods in front of him.

A light of fire was approaching them.

This light should be a torch.

But because of the darkness, grandfather Jiang couldn't see who was holding the torch.

Kitano also noticed the fire that was approaching them for the first time.

"Who?!" Kitano shouted in the direction of the torch.

As soon as Kitano's voice fell, "Torch" shouted in a joyful tone:

"Ah! Kitano-sama! I finally found you!"

"Torch" approached Kitano and their speed suddenly increased a little.

As the "torch" approached, the appearance of the person holding the torch finally gradually emerged from the darkness.

He was a soldier in armor like Kitano and the others.

"Master Kitano!" The soldier yelled at Kitano as soon as he showed up, "Master Tachibana has found him! He is safe and sound! Now he has returned to the camp safely under the protection of Master Tachibana!"

"My lord, is he safe and sound?!" The big rock that had been hanging in Beiye finally fell to the ground at this time.

As long as Matsudaira is safe and sound, even if the superior punishes him for his lack of protection, he will not be severely punished.

At this time, Kitano suddenly remembered what happened to Ogata Itsuki.

"Where did Tachibana-kun find your lord?" Kitano asked.

"Tachibana found your lord in a cave." The soldier replied, "Your lord was rescued by a certain samurai after he rolled down the snowy slope, and he was taken to the cave by that samurai to heal his wounds."

"Rescued by a certain samurai?" Kitano's pupils shrank slightly.

What the soldier said just now was exactly in line with what grandfather Jiang said just now.

"What's the name of that samurai?" Kitano asked, "Where is he now?"

"The name of that samurai... I don't know much about it. After Tachibana-sama brought him back, he seemed to be separated from that samurai."

Kitano pursed his lips tightly.

The soldier in charge of reporting the letter didn't understand why Kitano was so concerned about the samurai who saved Lao Zhong, and he didn't pay much attention to it.

"Master Tachibana is now recalling all the teams sent out to look for him." The soldier said, "Master Kitano, hurry back to camp!"

"...I see." Kitano turned his head and shouted to the subordinates around him, "Have you heard it? My lord has found it! Let's go back to the camp!"

As soon as Kitano's words fell, the subordinates of Kitano, who had been exhausted for a long time, immediately let out a louder cheer.

Kitano was not as happy as his subordinates.

He turned his head expressionlessly, and looked at the two subordinates who had been standing on the left and right of grandfather Jiang, holding him.

"Continue to be optimistic about this person!" Kitano ordered, "Bring this person back to the camp!"

...

...

The first thing Matsudaira Sadanobu did after returning to their camp was to check the total losses suffered by their team after being attacked by wolves.

Matsudaira Sadanobu's team paid a total of 4 deaths and 8 injuries before successfully repelling the attacking wolves.

These injured or dead people were all Matsudaira Jonobu's guards, and most of them were the 50 elite shogunate troops sent by Inamori to Matsudaira Jonobu. Of the original 32 red cavalry, only 2 people suffered minor injuries.

In addition to people, horses also suffered certain losses.

Some horses were unfortunately killed by wolves.

Some horses were frightened, and then ran away in a hurry, and have not been found until now.

There are a total of 13 missing and injured horses that can no longer move.

In addition to Matsudaira Sadanobu, two people who were responsible for carrying the sedan chair for Matsudaira Sadanobu fell down the hillside.

These two people did not have the same conditions as Matsudaira Sadanobu. When they fell down the hill, they could rely on wakizashi to slow down the speed of the fall. At the same time, they did not have the good luck of Matsudaira Sadanobu.

When Tachibana and the others went down the hillside to look for Matsudaira, they had already found these two people before they found Matsudaira.

Very unfortunate - when these two people were found, they had already become cold corpses.

When one fell down a snowy slope, it seemed that his head accidentally hit a rock, and his skull was directly shattered.

The other was attacked by wolves, and the corpses were bitten beyond recognition.

Compared with the two people who fell down the snow slope, Matsudaira Sadanobu who survived without any injuries was really extremely lucky.

After confirming the casualties of the team, Matsudaira Sadanobu went to rest.

After experiencing so many things, Matsudaira Sadanobu was also very tired, lying on the bed, closing his eyes, and quickly fell asleep.

When he woke up again, it was already light.

Getting up from the bed and stepping out of the tent, strands of warm sunlight hit Matsudaira Sadanobu's face.

The sun rising slowly from the eastern horizon, the sunlight it emits reflects the white clouds covering the sky, uncovering the black veil covering the sky, and the sky is gradually dyed in the color of sunrise.

With such fine weather, it is hard to imagine that such a terrible snowstorm happened in the same place yesterday.

Matsudaira Sadanobu is not a person of Taoism, and has no interest in Taoism.

Some people who do not exclude others, their small surnames are not only responsible for personal service, but also for soothing the loneliness of their lord.

And Tachibana is only responsible for personal service, not for other things.

Therefore, Matsudaira Sadanobu and Tachibana, who have different identities, naturally sleep separately.

The tent where Tachibana lived was located next to that of Matsudaira Sadanobu.

Last night, Tachibana first led people to search for Matsudaira Jonobu, and after receiving Matsudaira Jonobu, he was busy sending people to inform the rest of the search team that "the old man is safe and well, and he will return quickly", and deal with other miscellaneous things . She has been busy working until very late before falling asleep, and falling asleep late coupled with exhaustion makes Tachibana still sleep soundly.

After pricking up his ears and listening carefully, Matsudaira Sadanobu could still hear Tachibana's faint snoring constantly coming from the tent next door.

Just when Matsudaira Sadanobu was thinking about whether to go back to the tent to rest and refresh himself while it was still early, a familiar male voice sounded from his side:

"My lord."

"It's Kitano-kun, you're back."

The owner of this sudden male voice was Kitano Shuki.

When Tachibana brought back Matsudaira Sadanobu and sent people to recall the search teams, the search teams turned back to the camp one after another.

After Kitano received the news that Matsudaira Takanobu had returned, he quickly led his people back to the camp, and finally returned to the camp after the light of the sky.

"Yeah." Kitano nodded, "I just came back. It's great that you are safe and sound, sir."

After all, Kitano took a few steps quickly, rushed to the front and back of Matsudaira Jonobu, then knelt down on the ground with very skilled movements, and posed the standard Dogeza posture to Matsudaira Jonobu.

"This time, I waited for the guards to let you suffer such a suffering! We waited..."

"Okay." Matsudaira Sadanobu waved his hand.

Before Kitano's apology was finished, Matsudaira Sadanobu waved his hand first, and interrupted Kitano's conversation.

"This accident is not to blame." Matsudaira said softly, "This accident is purely an accident that no one expected. Get up."

Hearing Matsudaira's words, Kitano secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and after thanking Matsudaira in a loud voice, Kitano stood up from the ground.

"You worked hard last night. You must have suffered a lot in order to find me." Sadanobu Matsudaira glanced at Kitano's eyes that were red from not sleeping all night, "Go down and rest now."

Kitano: "Yes!"

Matsudaira Sadanobu turned around and returned to his tent with his hands behind his back.

Kitano raised his eyes and glanced at the back of Matsudaira Sadanobu, a little hesitation flashed across his face.

It wasn't until Matsudaira Sadanobu was about to lift the curtain of the tent and enter his own tent that Kitano finally made up his mind——

"grown ups!"

Kitano stopped Matsudaira Sadanobu.

"What is it?" Matsudaira Sadanobu turned around.

"I, I caught a gold prospector in the wild yesterday. The gold prospector told me...an important piece of information that I don't know whether it's true or not. I think it's very necessary to tell my lord this information."

"Information?" Matsudaira Sadanobu frowned slightly, "Let's hear it."

"My lord. Let's talk about it in another place." Kitano looked around, "I think... this information... it's better not to let too many people know."

"……come in."

After Matsudaira Sadanobu took a deep look at Kitano, he turned and entered his camp, and Kitano hurriedly followed.

In the small camp, there were only Matsudaira Sadanobu and Kitano at this time.

"Tell me." Matsudaira Sadanobu stood with his hands behind his back, "What information?"

Kitano swallowed a mouthful of saliva. Then he lowered his volume, and whispered the "important information" he just claimed in a volume that only he and Matsudaira Sadanobu could hear clearly.

Matsudaira Sadanobu was originally expressionless.

But while listening to the "important information" from Kitano, Matsudaira Sadanobu slowly widened his face in shock.

After Kitano closed his mouth and stopped speaking, the shock still remained on Matsudaira Sadanobu's face, and it did not dissipate for a long time.

After a long time, Matsudaira Sadanobu rearranged his expression and expression.

He asked Kitano with a heavy face:

"Where is the gold digger now?"

"I brought that person back!" Kitano said hastily.

"Bring him over to me."

"yes!"

...

...

Grandfather Jiang was taken tremblingly into a simple tent.

As soon as he was pushed into the tent, grandfather Jiang saw a person in the tent.

And this person is the middle-aged man he saw yesterday who was rescued by Ogata Yidaosai.

The middle-aged man standing in front of grandfather Jiang was naturally Matsudaira Sadanobu.

At this moment, there are only Matsudaira Sadanobu and grandfather Jiang in the camp.

After seeing his grandfather Jiang, Matsudaira Sadanobu didn't say any nonsense, and asked directly:

"Are you that grandfather Jiang?"

"Yes, yes!" Grandfather Jiang hurriedly replied, "My name is Grandfather Jiang Sanlang!"

As Grandfather Jiang replied, he thought to himself: Who is this person?

He wears a knife that looks expensive at first glance, and there are so many soldiers in the army who only follow him.

While grandfather Jiang was still guessing the real identity of the person in front of him, the new question that Matsudaira Sadanobu asked directly interrupted grandfather Jiang's thoughts.

"I've heard of it. Yesterday you witnessed the whole process of me being rescued by a certain samurai, and then you recognized that samurai as the executioner Yidaosai. Am I right?"

As soon as Matsudaira Sadanobu finished speaking, grandfather Jiang nodded abruptly.

"That's right! That person must be Yidao Zhai, the executioner! He can't be wrong!"

Grandfather Jiang quickly told Matsudaira Sadanobu how he met Ogata Issai, and how he recognized that person as Ogata Isai yesterday.

To sum up what Grandfather Jiang said - the samurai who rescued Matsudaira Sadanobu yesterday, except for his appearance, his voice, sword skills, reminders, hairstyle, saber style... In short, everything else except his appearance The place is no different from Ogata Yidao Zhai.

When Matsudaira Sadanobu listened carefully to his grandfather Jiang's narration, various memories of "Mashima Goro" began to emerge in the depths of Matsudaira Sadanobu's mind...

He remembered—when he first met "Mashima Goro", he had an accent from Izumo, and when he introduced himself, he also said that he was from Izumo.

He remembered—"Mashima Goro" once defeated more than 20 official servants reformed by fire bandits in Yoshiwara with his own strength, and his swordsmanship was extremely superb.

He remembered—"Mashima Goro" suddenly appeared in Edo after the "Nijo Castle Incident" in Kyoto ended.

The period from the end of the "Nijo Castle Incident" to the appearance of "Mashima Goro" in Edo is enough for a person to walk from Kyoto to Edo.

Memories continue to emerge from the depths of my mind.

The expression on Matsudaira Sadanobu's face was also changing rapidly.

After grandfather Jiang finished speaking, Matsudaira Sadanobu lowered his head slightly and remained silent.

Grandfather Jiang didn't dare to disturb Matsudaira Sadanobu, so he kept his mouth shut and let the atmosphere of the camp fall into silence.

After a long time in the past, Matsudaira Sadanobu slowly raised his head and looked directly at his grandfather Jiang.

The way he looked at his grandfather Jiang...it's hard to describe in words.

Looking at Matsudaira Sadanobu's eyes, grandfather Jiang felt that for some reason, an ominous premonition was constantly popping up in his mind...

Matsudaira Sadanobu didn't say a word to his grandfather Jiang Da.

Instead, he walked out of the tent quickly and shouted at the guards not far outside the tent:

"Detain this man in my camp! Then call Kitano!"

...

...

Suddenly receiving an order from Matsudaira Sadanobu, Kitano hurried to the camp where Matsudaira Sadanobu lived.

As soon as he entered the camp, Matsudaira Sadanobu didn't say any unnecessary nonsense, and directly angrily said:

"I just interrogated the gold digger myself."

"That guy is a complete liar!"

"He just pretended that the samurai who saved me yesterday was Ogata Ittosai just to save his own life and Jinsha."

"The samurai who saved me yesterday is just an ordinary samurai! It's not Yidao Zhai at all!"

"Kitano-kun, you should take care of yourself in the future, don't be fooled so easily again."

Listening to the words in Matsudaira Sadanobu's eyes, Kitano turned pale with fright, and quickly knelt down on the ground.

After working in the army for several years, Kitano has developed a skill - if the superior beats and scolds you, don't fight back, let alone fight back. Even if you don't know whether the superior is right or wrong, just keep apologizing.

"Yes, the subordinate is stupid!" Kitano said loudly, "I mistrusted a gold digger!"

"This person had committed a serious crime of panning for gold before, but then he deceived us and cut off his head! His bag of gold dust will be returned to the state treasury!"

"Yes Yes!"

"Go down." Matsudaira Sadanobu waved his hand.

Seeing that Sadanobu Matsudaira asked him to retreat, Kitano immediately left as if he had received an amnesty, and there was only Sadanobu Matsudaira left in the tent again.

After Kitano left, Matsudaira Sadanobu slowly raised his head and glanced at the tent above his head.

"Ugh……"

Then he let out a long sigh.

His eyes are full of complex colors, and his expression is unpredictable, making it difficult to guess what he is thinking now.

_