I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"I have nothing to add."

"If I had to put it into words... it would probably be 'collaborating with famous geishas or courtesans'."

"If we let famous geishas or courtesans use our silver mirrors, our publicity will be twice as effective!"

"Lord Niou, do you know any famous geishas or courtesans?"

Qingdeng paused for a moment, then murmured:

"What a coincidence... I actually know a geisha who has a minor standing in Gion..."

……

……

That night--

Wenjiu three years (1863), January 11th——

Kyoto, Gion——

Qingdeng lowered his straw hat and looked around suspiciously, like a thief.

He repeatedly looked behind him, trying to make sure no one was there... or more precisely, to make sure the three girls weren't following him...

********

********

Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets! (Leopard crying.jpg)

Sakamoto Ryoma is a name that has been around for a long time.

Those who have forgotten him can search for "Sakamoto Ryoma" throughout the book.

Chapter 614 Remembering Qingdeng of Tianzhang Academy and the Tragic Ziyang [4500]

Entrusting the important task of "promoting the silver mirror" to Ziyang was definitely the right choice.

In terms of fame, as the "most beautiful woman in Kyoto" and the "most famous geisha in Gion," she certainly has a certain level of recognition.

Given Ziyang's influence, if we could bring her on board and persuade her to help promote the Silver Mirror, the effect would be far more than just achieving twice the result with half the effort.

Because of the time constraints and the fact that it wasn't anything particularly important, Qing Deng didn't bring any attendants or tell anyone his destination, and went to Gion alone.

However, he regretted it as soon as he set off—he should at least let Sanako, Kinoshita Mai, and Souji know about it.

It's one thing if it's someone else, but if Sanako and the others find out that he went to Gion without telling them... that would be a very serious problem!

The thought of this made Qingdeng shiver several times.

Out of caution, he raised his eyes and carefully looked around.

The talents "Sharp Eyes +5" and "Wind Perception +1" are activated!

Eyes wide open, ears perked up.

He finally breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that no one was following him.

Seito was no stranger to Gion.

He had visited Gion once before, when the Komaki couple took him and Sanako on a trip to Kyoto.

However, that visit took place in broad daylight.

Gion, this decadent and extravagant den of iniquity, only reveals its true form after nightfall!

At this moment, just as the moon is rising.

The clear moonlight poured down from the sky, illuminating the winding Kamo River and also the Gion Garden, which sits on the east bank of the Kamo River.

Under the moonlight, the scattered lights dimmed, and the surrounding scenery became clearer.

The black tiled roofs of the houses, the willows on the riverbank that have not yet sprouted new buds, the babbling brook, the decks and canopies of the sailboats sailing along the river... as far as the eye can see, everything is covered with a layer of silver frost.

The sounds played by the shamisen, biwa, and drums were carried in all directions by the night breeze, sounding pleasant and melodious.

Upon entering Gion, a dazzling and vibrant world unfolds before your eyes.

Every street and every house in Gion was adorned with bright red lanterns.

The hazy, alluring red light created an atmosphere of extravagant feasting and lavish banquets.

On the river, sailboats come and go, bringing new tourists from time to time. Whenever the oars move, the shattered moonlight ripples and leaps like snakes on the crystal-clear water.

On the streets, geishas with their swaying waists and full hips can be seen everywhere, and men of all ages can be seen casting lecherous glances at them.

The cheerful laughter, the hushed chatter, and the melodious music melted into the night breeze.

The vast Gion Garden is like another Qinhuai River.

In the past, upon witnessing this scene, Qingdeng would at most utter a sigh of "How prosperous!"

But now...

Qing Deng turned his gaze away expressionlessly.

The red light of the lantern illuminated its pupils.

Gradually, his brows furrowed.

Suddenly, he recalled a famous poem: "Beyond the mountains, green hills rise; beyond the buildings, more buildings stand. When will the songs and dances of West Lake cease? The warm breeze intoxicates the tourists, making them mistake Hangzhou for Bianzhou."

This poem is the perfect way to describe what I am seeing now.

—So many poor people are suffering right now, yet these guys are indulging in pleasure as if it were none of their business…

Qingdeng couldn't remember exactly when it started... In short, a long time ago, he had become increasingly disgusted with that kind of decadent and dissolute place.

This is not because he has a mental obsession with cleanliness.

Qingdeng does not consider his "symptoms" to be obsessive-compulsive disorder.

He simply... had witnessed far too many human tragedies and atrocities.

Having experienced a complex life where he caught petty thieves and solved major cases, worked for the magistrate's office and frequented Edo Castle, he had long seen all aspects of life.

The poor people lying around the Edo health center like a swamp of mud, unable to afford medical treatment; the pitiful people driven to despair by the persecution of the Fa-ju-dang; the insatiable and wicked...

Whenever he witnessed the extravagant splendor of Gion and Yoshiwara, and then thought of the tragic scenes he had personally witnessed, he felt a sense of loss that he couldn't quite describe...

Qing Deng took a deep breath, composed himself, cleared his mind of the chaotic thoughts, and hurried towards the "Geisha Agency" to which Zi Yang belonged—Hyakuya.

Gion has two types of buildings.

One meaning refers to an institution that specifically trains and manages geisha, similar to a "geisha agency".

Very few geisha work independently.

Generally speaking, even the most famous geisha must be affiliated with a "geisha agency".

Only in this way can one have the opportunity to serve high-level guests and thus achieve better development.

The second one is the "teahouse".

The "teahouse" provides a place for eating, drinking, and playing.

If guests wish to have geishas perform, the teahouse usually acts as an intermediary, and the general process is as follows—

First, find a teahouse, book a room, order food, and then tell the teahouse staff which geishas you want to entertain. The teahouse will then notify the "geisha agency" to which the geisha belongs and ask them to send someone over immediately.

Thus, the "Geisha Training Center" and the "Teahouse" can be considered to have a complementary and mutually reinforcing relationship.

Those high-ranking "geisha agencies" often only cooperate with high-class teahouses.

In other words, if you want to enjoy the service of high-level geishas, ​​you can only go to those top-class teahouses where "even a cup of green tea is priced in silver."

This not only increased the income of teahouses and offices, but also subtly raised the status of geisha.

According to custom, Aoto's approach of going directly to the "geisha agency" to find someone is definitely not in accordance with the rules of Gion.

But he didn't care about any of that.

After rushing to the Hundred Flowers Shop and pushing open the door, a woman dressed as a madam immediately greeted me with a smile:

"Oh, sir, who are you looking for?"

Qingdeng didn't waste any words and immediately said:

"I'm looking for Miss Ziyang."

Someone who can work as a madam in a place like Gion must have exceptional eyesight.

The other party immediately recognized that Qing Deng was no ordinary guest, so they dared not be negligent and quickly said:

"Ziyang has work tonight! She's currently entertaining guests at the Hirata-ya!"

"Hirataya? Where is this shop?"

"After you go out, turn right, walk through two intersections, turn left at the third intersection, and walk straight for a while until you see the store."

"Thanks, madam."

After offering a brief thank you to Madam, Qingdeng immediately rushed out.

However, just as he stepped out of the shop, the madam suddenly called out to him.

The madam's eyes subtly moved downwards, glancing at the sword at Qing Deng's waist—to conceal his identity, Qing Deng did not wear the Ding Gui Shen sword, but only the Pi Lu Zha Na sword and the Wakizashi sword at his waist.

Despite a hint of fear on her aged face, she still mustered her courage and said:

"Guest, guest, may I ask what business you have with Ziyang? Ziyang is currently working. If you need to see her, please wait until she finishes her work..."

Before she could finish speaking, Qingdeng smiled slightly and interrupted:

"Don't worry, madam. I'm not an unreasonable person and I won't do anything reckless."

Having said that, he didn't linger any longer and disappeared like the wind into the bustling street.

……

……

Qingdeng followed the route indicated by Mama-san and searched all the way there.

Before long, an exquisite plaque bearing the three characters "Hirata-ya" came into view.