Prime Minister Bizen

Chapter 182
Hideka thought it would be an ordinary night for the couple, and because it was too late to return to the mansion in Kyoto, they went to bed early, but when they were about to sleep, they were woken up by Sarutobi Asma.

"Your Highness, Ishikawa Goemon, please see me."

Through the wooden door, the business of Sarutobi Asma spread to Xiujia's ears, which made Xiujia's movements stagnate. Xiujia did not expect to hear that familiar name after so many years.

As a traditional Genji samurai, Zhuang Zhiqing, who was guarding the door, was very prejudiced against the ninjas who were born at the bottom.Even though Asuma Sarutobi has been granted the status of a warrior by the Xiu family and possesses knowledge, he still looks down on him.

Therefore, when Asma Sarutobi brought an unknown person in the middle of the night, he immediately scolded him, "Presumptuous, Your Highness has already rested, and we will wait until tomorrow to talk about seeing you."

Seeing that there was no movement between the two, he said again: "If you don't take him down yet, there are no rules at all."

According to the general plot of film and television novels, the protagonist will always block this discriminatory retainer at this time, and properly receive the arrival of the "celebrity".

But the real situation is that the Hide family knew that Ishikawa Goemon must have something important to do when he came to see him, and he did condescend to kneel down to see him for some reason, but the Hide family also knew that his rule was not based on civilians, but on Samurai.

At any time, the Xiu family's priority must be the interests of the samurai class, and what Zhuang Zhiqing did was within the scope of his authority, and the Li Xiu family had no reason to stop him from scolding him.

If the Xiu family really did what they did in the literature, it would really hurt the heart of the loyal minister.

As far as Yuxi's family is concerned, if an individual can come to meet Xiu's family in the middle of the night through another person's referral, then it is a violation of the rules.

Therefore, even though the Xiu family had heard the request in the house, they still did not say a word, and secretly wrote down the matter, preparing to inquire again the next day.

Ishikawa Goemon and Sarutobi Asma, who were waiting outside the house, both cast their eyes on the wooden door 5 meters away, but after a long time, there was no response from inside the house, thinking that the Hide family might really have rested, so they had to go to Sho Naoki's Gaze away.

Early the next morning, after a brief wash, the Xiu family ate some rice, and asked casually, "What was the noise outside last night, do you have something important to report?"

Zhuang Zhiqing, as a child taught by traditional martial arts, has obvious advantages and disadvantages. Although he has colored glasses for ordinary people, he will not conceal any information because of these reasons, so he truthfully stated what happened last night.

After Xiujia heard about it, she said, "Call Asma over."

Ever since Asma Sarutobi was awarded the status of samurai for his meritorious service in protecting the Hide family, he has tended to become the second in command among the Ninja soldiers of the Hide family. Concentrate on the intelligence work of Yuxi Family.

After Asma arrived, he reported to Xiu's family, "I don't know what the left and right guards are asking for. Last night, I suddenly visited His Highness, and I brought him here out of fellowship. I'm guilty of disturbing Your Highness."

Xiujia sighed and said, "Where is he now?"

"Your Highness left after seeing him yesterday, and I don't know where he is now." Sarutobi Asma replied.

Although Hideka was a little curious about the arrival of Ishikawa Goemon, but he would not rush to post others. Today's Hideka doesn't have the idea of ​​having to gather generals, so he no longer takes this matter to heart.

After all, the status of the Xiu family is different now. If it is said that the Xiu family who has just inherited the Yuxi family with a family property of 35 shi, is a little nervous about the withering of the capable ministers in the family. For the reward, the Yuxi family is now strong and strong, and Shi Gao, who owns 70 shi, should be the identity of Neng Chen who took the initiative to approach.

Xiujia finished the tea and rice in his hands, and said to Zhuang Zhiqing, "Is everything ready?"

Zhuang Zhiqing reported to Xiujiahui, "Everything is ready. I have found a new porter in Kyoto, carried the globe to Sakai Port, and sent someone to Minato in advance to inquire about the merchant ship that will open Okayama the day after tomorrow."

As mentioned above, Okayama Town has gradually developed into the largest town in the Josai Kingdom after Hirado. Business travelers from all over Japan will choose to transit through Okayama when they trade between the East and the West. Therefore, there are different merchants almost every day. The boat departs from Sakaimachi via Okayama to Hirado.

The Xiu family had no doubts about Zhuang Zhiqing's ability to handle affairs, and now they nodded secretly after hearing his arrangement, so they ordered everyone to set off.

Unexpectedly, just as Xiujia and the others got on their horses and were about to leave, they heard a commotion. Xiujia followed the sound and found that several pairs of soldiers and horses were searching from house to house.

The architectural pattern of Kyoto refers to the architectural style of Chang'an in the Tang Dynasty. Along the central axis, there are different squares on both sides. There are archways and gates between the squares.

It’s just that because the emperor has been out of power for a long time, the samurai court’s positioning of Kyoto is more of a center of culture and experience, and they have no interest in repairing these buildings that symbolize the authority of the emperor.

Nowadays, each district in Kyoto is managed by itself like a community in later generations. The rich, the ministers, or those with spare money hire a ronin townsman to be the night watchman and fire extinguisher in the district.

After Kyoto was taken under the control of the Oda family, the Kyoto honour, appointed by Oda Nobunaga, was one of the few officials who had done practical things in decades. Relying on the military power of the Oda family, he regained control of the violent institutions that manage public security in Kyoto.

Although the towns are still allowed to hire the town guards and the town fire fire, there is still a Kyoto garrison force of about 1200 people. As an official in Kyoto, it is similar to the mayor of Kyoto and the police chief of Kyoto in later generations. It manages Kyoto from both civil and military aspects. .

Today, Kyoto and Yamashiro are the fief of Hashiba Hideyoshi, and Hashiba Hideyoshi also inherited the policy of the Oda family, and Masuda Nagamori was practicing in Kyoto at this time.

Sanjo Town, where Ukido’s residence was originally located, was originally the fang where Takato, the Minister of Kyoto, was located. The public security in the square was originally in charge of the domestic servants raised by the ministers. Later, with the move-in of Uki’s family, various ministers came to visit. The family undertakes the security work of Santiaofang.

This is a matter of little effort. The Xiu family's mansion in Kyoto already has a team of 50 people for daily maintenance. There are no special tasks when the Xiu family is away. After the Xiu family moves in, security matters are also handled by a dedicated team of attendants Responsible.

Therefore, Xiujia deliberately expanded the number of left-behind people to 100, 80 of whom took care of Santiaofang's public security, town fire suppression, and night patrol work.

At this time, Sanjofang and the outside world seem to be two worlds. Dongshanfang on the opposite side of the road was brutally rushed into by a hundred and fifty soldiers under the Kyoto government. While guarding, the soldiers rushed into the workshop and searched for a while, causing a panic in the workshop.

On the Santiaofang side, although there were only two Ukido warriors in military uniforms and leather spears in front of the gate, there was not a single soldier or warrior rushing over.

When the search of Dongshanfang on the opposite side was completed, a short-sighted ashigaru wanted to rush towards Sanjofang, but was beaten to the ground by the samurai leading the team with the back of his sword, punched and kicked and scolded.

This is the normal state of the Warring States Period in Japan. As the bottom-level military force, the ashigaru has not yet become the ruling class in essence, and still exists like serf soldiers in front of the samurai.

The Xiu family was not surprised by such things, and wanted to lead the team to leave, but was stopped by Sanjo Mixiu, "Is the governor from the left gate going on a long trip? My father is here to invite His Highness to have a cup of tea."

Sanjo Mihide is the 20th generation family governor of the Sanjo family in history. His father is Sanjo Gonghiro, the son of the Sanjo Principality, and the nephew of the former family governor Sanjo Mioka.Because Sanjo Mioka has no sons to succeed the Sanjo clan, if nothing else happens, Sanjo Mihide will also succeed the Sanjo family governor in 1609.

The Hide family was able to bury a mansion in Sanjofang, a prime area in Kyoto, and it was also the face of the Hide family that was sold by Sanjo Gongguang.

The Xiu family knew that Santiao Gongguang was afraid that the rebels would rush into Santiao Fang to smash and loot, so they impatiently asked their son to stop the Xiu family from leaving.

It is impossible for Xiujia to tell Sanjo Mihide in a foolish way that he is going back to serve as the chief general in Changzong's department, so he said, "I'm going to Sakai, it's not too late to drink the tea when I come back. "

Unexpectedly, Sanjo Mihide held Hideo's reins but would not let go, Hideka had no choice but to have the sword piece and the Sawajiri Shimo flag that had just been put away hang again in front of the gate of the workshop, and Sanjo Mihide let go.

Masuda Nagamori knew about the fact that Yuki's family residence was in Sanjofang. As the military force that manages Sanjofang, Yuxi's family's flag with the character pattern hangs on both sides of the gate all the year round. Sanjofang is also a rare place in Kyoto to rebuild the arch The area of ​​Hefangmen.

When the Hide family lived in Kyoto, the gate would only hang the Erzimon flag, telling everyone that this place is managed by the Uki family, and when the Hide family moved to Kyoto, they would hang the Sawajiri Shimon, which represents the identity of the Hashiba family, on both sides. As well as the sword piece of the flag of Yuxi's family governor.

Although no matter what flags are hoisted, most of the security officials in the square will not participate in the management, but once they encounter robbery and arrests, etc. and need to cooperate, their attitude towards the guards in the square is completely different.

Just like today, in the face of the Sanjobo that hangs the sword blade and the Sawajiri Shimon, those sergeants Hashiba who seem to be hunting for something have no intention of setting foot here.

But they obviously also saw the vassals who were putting away the two flags, and the samurai who led the team were already gearing up in front of the square gate, ready to enter the search after the Xiu family left.

Unexpectedly, the banner representing the Xiu family was hung up again, the samurai had no choice but to leave two people staring at Sanjofang, and then lead someone to search the other side of the Shijofang. Uki warriors with bright armor came out in a file. It's the signal that Hidetoshi Hashiba's family is going out!

If Xiu's family didn't leave Beijing, but only went out temporarily, then I don't know how long this patrol will be delayed, so I can only bite the bullet and come to the square gate to wait for Xiu's arrival.

After seeing the Xiu family come out, the samurai who led the team and a dozen or so low-level warriors knelt down on one knee, without any arrogance like the arrogance they had just hit Dongshanfang, or the arrogance they had when they beat Ashigaru, and respectfully told the Xiu family, " Lord Yuchai, please stop, the ministers have something to report to him."

The Xiu family parked their horses, but did not speak. Zhuang Zhiqing, who was also riding a horse behind the Xiu family, said, "His Royal Highness the guard of the left gate specially stationed his horses here. If there is something wrong, please report it as soon as possible."

This is the real class span.

To be honest, this is really not the Xiu family pretending to be coercive. The Xiu family would not choose to pretend to be so aggressive in normal times. Even speaking, others will speak for them. It's just that this is the capital under the foot of the emperor, and every move of the Xiu family is watched. .

As the four lower palaces and upper ministers, the Xiu family not only represented their own face, but also represented the face of the Heavenly Royal Family in such a thorough public place on the street.

Hideka can disregard etiquette, but Hideka can't ignore the face of Hashiba Hideyoshi, Hidecho and the Emperor, who have higher official positions.

The samurai raised his head and wanted to face the Xiu family to report, but Zhuang Zhiqing drove his horse in front of the man, blocked his sight and scolded, "Presumptuous, where are you looking?"

The samurai hurriedly lowered his head and said submissively, "Santiaohe used to be a rebel who robbed the prisoner. My lord ordered me to search all the towns and make sure to bring the prisoner back. I was ordered to search Santiaofang, Dongshanfang, Karasumafang, and Sijofang. Waiting for the workshop, please find a convenience, Your Highness, let me enter the workshop and search."

Many people are familiar with the term Sanjo Kawara. It is true that this is the place where famous criminals were beheaded many times in history, including the family members of Toyotomi Hideji and later Ishida Mitsunari.

Sanjo Heyuan is actually not a place name in the strict sense, because the Kamo River passes through Beijing, and the south side of the imperial palace used to be the fiefdom of the Sanjo family. This plain adjacent to the Kamo River is called Sanjo Heyuan.

This place has been Japan's execution ground since the Heian period, because when the capital was planned in the Heian period (it was still called Heian-kyo), it was not planned very well. Treated here as a farm.

So it became an excellent execution ground. After all, the nobles in the urban area don't want to dirty their homes.

After the Genpei battle, the root here was endowed with a certain political significance, and non-important political figures would not be executed here.

During the era of the Muromachi Shogunate, due to the heavier criminal law, the number of beheadings here increased sharply. Originally, only samurai heads were beheaded here, and the heads of ordinary criminals were gradually beheaded here.

The one with the largest number of beheadings was the "Change of the Forbidden Palace". At that time, a man named Yuguang Hino conspired to restore the Southern Dynasty. He not only attacked the Emperor of the Back Garden, but also robbed the three artifacts that symbolized the power of the royal family and fled to Mount Hiei.

Then the shogunate was furious, and after arresting them, they beheaded more than 50 members of their family here. This record was not broken until the 39 members of Toyotomi Hideji's family were beheaded here.

So much to introduce here, in fact, I still want to remind everyone that Sanjo Heyuan is not a precise geographical location, but refers to such a vast land on the south side of Sanjobo, Kyoto, and on the west side of Kamogawa.

With the development of the millennium, the former farmland area has become a rare and wealthy area in Kyoto. As the Sanjo family moved their residence from Ryuzenbo in the west of Beijing to this place to avoid the war, other noble families continued to build houses here. .

With the relocation of Gongqing's family, their servants, craftsmen and merchants living around Gongqing also gradually established new homes here, and finally formed Jingnan 13 Fang with Santiao Fang as the core.

The execution ground once used for beheading has long been covered by private houses built over the years. Although the execution ground used by the imperial court for beheading is still called Sanjo Heyuan, the location has been repeatedly changed to the south.

When the man was reporting, Xiujia had to maintain a paralyzed expression the whole time, without looking at him, and staring straight ahead. No matter what kind of shocking event he broke out, Xiujia had to keep calm on the bright side. shock.

Don't look at the indifference that Xiujia maintains on the surface, but inwardly she was astonished as if she was overwhelmed.

Prisoners!This is a move that only chivalrous people can do in literary works, but I didn't expect it to happen in front of the Xiu family.

But you must know that this was in the Azuchi Momoyama era. Although Hashiba Hideyoshi, who inherited Oda Nobunaga's hegemony, was not fair, he was still a little better for ordinary farmers than the nobles of the old era.

Hashiba Hideyoshi has been laying the groundwork for himself. The most important thing is to shape his image of "benevolent king" on the surface. After the Nobi battle, he released a prisoner with a minor crime in the name of a big victory. Now Those who will be executed must be serious criminals.

(I have never understood why the ancient monarchs used to release prisoners to create an image of themselves as benevolent monarchs, and let the criminals go out to harm the villagers?)
In addition, as the de facto overlord of Kinki, the Hashiba family has 1200 subordinates in Kyoto. These are all Hashiba Hideyoshi's standing troops. How dare someone dare to rob prisoners in Kyoto.

This is a naked slap in the face of Hideyoshi, no wonder Masuda Nagamori was so excited, he ordered the soldiers to rush into the workshop to search for the bandits regardless of his appearance, and out of consideration for the power of the Hideyoshi family, this is why Sanjofang was treated with more courtesy .

Surprised by the incident, Xiujia tilted his body slightly, whispered to Zhuang Zhiqing for a moment, and finally asked the warrior through Zhuang Zhiqing's mouth, "Who is the criminal who is going to be executed today, and who is the one who dared to rob the prisoner?"

The samurai bowed his head and replied, "The one who will be executed today is the key criminal who stole the official food, but Ishikawa Goemon led people to rob him."

　This one is from yesterday, there is another chapter in the evening, and there will be two changes tomorrow, making up for what was owed on Thursday.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)