I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Although unscrupulous merchants and shady dealers still occasionally appeared, prices in the Edo period were relatively stable under normal circumstances, thanks to the coordination of the Kabu-Naka-no-Machi (a local business).

In other words, the old man who is now standing in front of Suzune and the others is the head of the sake merchants' guild in Edo.

Why would such a top business tycoon appear here and at this time?

The reason is quite simple—the main person who organized the invitation to Aoto for dinner today was Echigoya Bunzaburo.

"Mr. Echigoya".

Qingdeng nodded to the old man, then half-jokingly said:

"You seem to have gotten even younger since I last saw you."

Echigoya Bunzaburo laughed heartily.

"Haha, I wish I really had the ability to turn back the clock!"

As he spoke, he looked around, a look of doubt gradually appearing on his wrinkled old face:

"Lord Tachibana, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, just something that happened that made me quite unhappy."

Aoto concisely explained to Echigoya Bunzaburo the details of "Hayakawaya Danshichiro bullying a woman".

Upon hearing this, the old man's face immediately darkened.

He walked slowly and silently to Hayakawa-ya Danshichiro.

"Tan Shichiro... I have a connection with your Hayakawa-ya, as I have visited your residence several times. Do you remember me?"

"I remember, I remember, I remember..."

Hayakawa-ya Danshichiro nodded vigorously.

His knees bent uncontrollably, his legs trembling, as if he might collapse to the ground at any moment.

Although he was an incorrigible playboy, he still possessed the level of intelligence expected of a normal human being.

He knew perfectly well that he couldn't afford to offend not only "King Ren," but also this frail old man in front of him!

Let alone him, who could only flaunt his power by relying on his family's name, even if his father, Hayakawa-ya Shotaro, were here, he would have to be extremely respectful in front of Echigo-ya Bunzaburo.

The beverage industry was the most profitable and influential industry in Edo, second only to the rice industry, without exception.

In this oppressive society lacking entertainment, alcohol has become the best medicine for the lower and middle classes to soothe their souls and alleviate their physical and mental pain.

It's no exaggeration to say that Kabuka-no-ma, the head of the Edo sake industry, wielded immense power.

Offending Echigoya Bunzaburo was tantamount to indirectly offending the entire Edo sake industry.

Such a severe price would be difficult for even the Jacha to bear!

“I have called on all the sons of wealthy merchants to set an example, not to become superior people, but to be kind people.”

"However, there are still some people who ignore my honest advice."

"Tuan Shichiro, your performance today... no, your performance all along has really disappointed me."

At this moment, Qingdeng interrupted.

“Mr. Echigoya, you are a businessman, and there are some things that are more convenient for you than for me to do.”

"Could you please do your best to persuade the pampered sons of Edo to rein in their unruly nature and become law-abiding citizens in the coming period of time?"

"It just so happens that the town magistrate of the Hokuban-sho has been complaining to me lately, saying that some young masters are too arrogant and domineering, and the despicable behavior of some of them has even had a very bad impact on the security situation in Edo."

Given Qing Deng's current status and position, it would be beneath him to personally confront these insignificant characters who only know how to eat, drink, and have fun.

Let someone else do this little thing.

Qing Deng believed that these business tycoons, eager to build a relationship with him, would be happy to help him with these simple, not-too-troublesome matters.

Sure enough, no sooner had he finished speaking than Echigoya Bunzaburo hurriedly replied:

"Lord Tachibana, please rest assured, leave this matter to me, Bunzaburo!"

Does the old man really care about the mess made by the spoiled young men of the Edo business district?

That's not necessarily true.

All he wanted was to make a good impression on Qingdeng and gain his friendship.

Reorganizing the entire Edo shopping district—the elderly certainly don't have that capability.

However, it wouldn't be a problem to teach Hayakawa-ya Danshichiro a lesson—and that was exactly what Aoto wanted.

As a seasoned veteran who had been navigating the business world for decades, how could the old man not understand Qing Deng's subtext?

Playing dumb and performing appropriately are essential social skills for adults.

So, the old man tacitly followed Qing Deng's lead, saying "Leave it to me!" but in reality, he would only focus his attacks on Hayakawa-ya Danshichiro.

The question and answer between Aoto and Echigoya Bunzaburo struck Hayakawaya Danshichiro like a thunderbolt.

He knew his father's personality well.

Whether it was spending money extravagantly or indulging in womanizing without restraint, his father could turn a blind eye.

But when it comes to major events concerning the future of the family... there is absolutely no room for compromise!

If his father were to find out that he had inadvertently offended the "King of Benevolence" at such a critical juncture when the country's situation and social conditions were extremely unstable... Heaven knows how his father would punish him!

The best outcome he could imagine... was to be beaten up first, then "exiled" to a remote rural area, where he would live a lonely life for at least the next few years, where he would not have to worry about food and drink, but would be so boring and maddening that it would drive him crazy...

Upon thinking of this, his face turned ashen, his thin body swayed violently, and then he collapsed to the ground like a mushy noodle.

Qing Deng didn't even glance at Hayakawa-ya Danshichiro, who was already paralyzed with fear, and turned to leave.

Echigoya Bunzaburo stepped half a step to the side to make way, then walked behind Aoto, intentionally lagging behind him by half a step.

Just then, a timid and delicate female voice suddenly attracted the attention of Aoto and Echigoya Bunzaburo.

"Tachibana, Tachibana-sama!"

Qingdeng paused for a moment, stopped in his tracks, turned around, and faced Lingyin.

"Thank you so much... I really don't know how to thank you enough..."

As she spoke, Suzune tightened her grip on the shamisen, her gaze wandering, her pretty face flushing, and her adorable toes, encased in cloth socks, scratching incessantly at the tatami mat.

The fierce look she had just displayed when she refused Hayakawa-ya Danshichiro's excessive demands had vanished without a trace.

Upon seeing this, Qing Deng gave a polite yet distant smile.

“Miss Suzune, you’re too kind. I was just doing what I was supposed to do. There’s no need for you to thank me.”

"If you feel bad about it... please play a piece for me on the zither when you have the chance in the future."

After saying that, Qingdeng withdrew his gaze from Lingyin and left quickly without lingering.

"Ah, orange..."

Lingyin wanted to say something more.

But the other person had already left her sight.

The spacious room was reverted to a configuration of two men and one woman.

However, compared to before, the expressions and states of the three people had undergone a complete transformation.

Ji Jiulang, who had been unable to get a word in since Qing Deng suddenly appeared, was still in shock and his mouth was agape, as if his jaw was about to drop to the ground.

Hayakawa-ya Danshichiro looked like he had lost his soul. His face was as white as if it had been painted with white paint. His eyes were fixed and empty. His body was slumped on the tatami and he didn't move at all.

Lingyin stood there for a long time, staring blankly in the direction Qingdeng had left, her eyes filled with a complex and unfathomable emotion.

After a short while, she let out a long sigh, and the corners of her slightly upturned lips curved into a helpless yet self-deprecating smile.

"That's true... His woman is that Chiba Sanako..."

……

……

For Qing Deng, "standing up for Lingyin" was nothing more than a trivial, everyday incident, no different from "buying a skewer of grilled squid on the street."

After saying goodbye to Suzune, he and Echigoya Bunzaburo went one after the other to the reserved private room—all the guests had already arrived.

With Qingdeng's arrival, today's banquet can finally begin in earnest.

Qing Deng sat in the main seat as a matter of course.

The guests, led by Echigoya Bunzaburo, took their seats on either side of the Qing Deng according to their rank.

It's truly astonishing how many guests were in this room.

Even those who sat at the very end were prominent figures in the Edo business community.

However, Qingdeng remained calm, showing neither fear nor frivolity.

He sat there, just like a sturdy pine tree standing there, unyielding to the wind and unyielding to the rain.

In the past year and eight months, Qingdeng has participated in countless occasions like this... and even more prestigious and enchanting ones.

At such moments, onlookers can intuitively feel that this young man, who once had nothing but a sword at his waist, has now become a hero capable of influencing the course of history!

The dishes served at ryotei are usually kaiseki cuisine.

Kaiseki cuisine, or kaiseki ryori, originated in social gatherings among the upper class and soon began to influence the more affluent urban population.

Kaiseki cuisine was originally called "tea kaiseki cuisine," and it is closely related to the final formation and development of the tea ceremony.

The term "怀石" (huaishi) originates from Buddhism, primarily from Zen Buddhist rituals and practices.

During the 12th and 13th centuries of the Kamakura period, Zen Buddhism was formally introduced to Japan from China through Eisai, Dogen, and others.

At the same time, the rules of Zen Buddhism and the precepts for Zen monks were gradually established in Zen temples in Japan.

In terms of diet, not eating after noon has become an ironclad rule for Zen monks.

However, sometimes the continuous practice of chanting scriptures from afternoon to late at night often leaves some monks physically exhausted and unable to continue.

So some people put preheated stones into their clothes to ward off their rumbling hunger.

Such stones are called "warm stones".

Later, the rules in the temple were relaxed, and some people began to make some light food to temporarily fill their stomachs. This simple and unpretentious food was called "kaiseki," which was similar to sweets but had a stronger Zen flavor.