"I am a soldier, from the common people, bathed in the emperor's grace..." When the Taohuaji military song was loud and clear, in the far east, on the other side of the sea, the Matsuura family of Hirado, Hizen Province, Japan, decorated with lights and lanterns, and built 20 arenas in the family training ground. On each arena, two short, barefooted warriors fought with Japanese swords, and the red blood on the arena flowed to the bottom of the arena...
A viewing platform was built in the training ground. The head of the Matsuura family knelt on the second seat and served tea and wine to a young man with a sinister and cunning face and a body as fat as a bear. The young man was only in his twenties. In the Matsuura family's base, he knelt in the first seat and enjoyed the hospitality of the head of the Matsuura family. This was a reflection of his strength. This young man was the current guardian of Hizen Province—Ryuzoji Takanobu.
Ryuzoji Takanobu's childhood name was Chang Boshimaru, and his nickname was Hizen no Kuma. He was the legitimate son of Ryuzoji Shuke, the Mizue branch of the Ryuzoji family. When he was 19 years old, the Ryuzoji family died out, and Ryuzoji Tsuyoshi married Tsuyoshi's widow and inherited the Ryuzoji family. He inherited the family as the legitimate son of the branch, which naturally caused dissatisfaction among many retainers of the family. However, with the support of Ouchi Yoshitaka, the most powerful daimyo in the western part of Wa, Ryuzoji Takanobu successfully suppressed the opposition of his retainers and became the head of the Ryuzoji family.
The year before last, Ouchi Yoshitaka, who supported Ryuzoji Takanobu, was killed by his retainer Sue Harukata. Ryuzoji's retainers such as Tsuchihashi Eimasu seized this opportunity and united others to start an uprising, suddenly launched a siege on Ryuzoji Takanobu, and supported Ryuzoji Kankan.
Takanobu was forced to flee to Chikugo Province, where he received support from Kamachi Kenmori and successfully returned to Hizen with borrowed troops. He defeated the coalition forces of the rebellious retainer Tsuchihashi Eimasu and others, exiled Ryuzoji Kankan, and established absolute control over the Ryuzoji family.
Under the efforts and promotion of Ryuzoji Takanobu, the Ryuzoji family, which was originally inconspicuous in Kyushu, Japan and weak due to family division, flourished and grew wildly, becoming a daimyo who could compete with Bungo Otomo and Satsuma Shimazu. In the land of Hizen Province, the Ryuzoji family is the uncrowned king!
The Ryuzoji family was the uncrowned king of Hizen Province, and the Matsuura family was only a powerful family in the southern and northern Matsuura counties of Hizen Province, and could not be compared with the Ryuzoji family. In addition, because the Matsuura family's land was in a very advantageous location, facing the sea and owning the famous Japanese trading port of Hirado, its economic strength was very strong. Because of this, the Matsuura family was like a piece of fat meat, and was always coveted by powerful daimyo such as the nearby Arima family and the Omura family. In order to protect themselves, the Matsuura family decisively surrendered to the guardian of Hizen Province, the Ryuzoji family, to obtain protection.
Ryuzoji Takanobu was the founder of the rise of the Ryuzoji family. He was known as the Bear of Hizen. His abilities and strategies were naturally extraordinary.
Therefore, the head of the Matsuura family was willing to sit in the second seat and entertain the guests with great hospitality.
Ryuzoji Takanobu arrived at the Matsuura family yesterday at the invitation of the Matsuura family head. In order to entertain Ryuzoji Takanobu well, the Matsuura family head even sent his concubine, who was famous in Hizen Province, to Ryuzoji Takanobu's bedroom last night to serve him. In the morning, when the Matsuura family head heard his concubine say that Ryuzoji Takanobu had made it rain three times last night, he was overjoyed and rewarded his concubine with 100 taels of gold, asking her to have a good rest and continue to serve Ryuzoji Takanobu tonight.
"Hey, Master Matsuura, the warrior on the right side of the ring is quite skilled. He is so skilled that no one can stand up to him."
After drinking a glass of wine, Ryuzoji Takanobu pointed to a samurai on the ring to his right and said to the head of the Matsuura family.
At this time, the warrior on the ring had put away his sword, and his opponent had already died on the ring. This was the second opponent to die on the ring today.
"Your Highness, he is my nephew, named Matsuura Sanbanro, and he has the sharpest sword in my Matsuura family. The sword in his hand is a famous blade handed down from our Matsuura family's ancestors, named Matsuura Kiyokiri. It has been passed down from generation to generation in my Matsuura family that my ancestor Matsuura Maru once used this blade to kill a ghost dragon in the sea, hence the name." The head of the Matsuura family diligently filled Ryuzoji Takanobu's glass with wine and explained in detail.
"Matsuura Kiyokiri..." Ryuzoji Takanobu recited it softly, seeming to have some interest.
"There is a famous saying in the Ming Dynasty: A precious sword worthy of a hero. Matsuura Sanbanlang is not worthy of Matsuura Kiyokiri, and no one in my Matsuura family is worthy of Matsuura Kiyokiri. Matsuura Kiyokiri can only show its full power in the hands of Your Highness, so please don't despise it."
When the head of the Matsuura family saw that Ryuzoji Takanobu was interested in the Matsuura Kiyokiri, he bowed and offered the sword to him.
"Haha, thank you for your kindness, Master Matsuura, but this is a famous sword passed down from Master Matsuura's ancestors. How can I take away someone's beloved sword?"
Ryuzoji Takanobu chuckled.
"Your Highness, the Matsuura Guijiaoqi has fully demonstrated its prowess in your hands and has become famous throughout the world. This is the greatest honor for my Matsuura family. The ancestors of my Matsuura family can also smile and celebrate in their graves."
The head of the Matsuura family insisted.
"Haha, thank you Lord Matsuura for your kindness, but I already have the famous sword passed down from my Ryuzoji family in my hand." Ryuzoji Takanobu said with a smile.
"Alas..." The head of the Matsuura family felt regretful after hearing this.
"Don't be sorry, Master Matsuura. Your nephew Matsuura Sanbanro is quite good and I love him very much. When he returns from his trip to the Ming Dynasty, you can have him go to the Ryuzoji family and follow me around to help me unify Hizen and spread military power throughout the country. In this way, Matsuura Guijiaoqi will also become famous in his hands..."
Ryuzoji Takanobu held a wine glass in his hand, looked at the head of the Matsuura family with his scorching eyes, and spoke slowly.
In the eyes of Ryuzoji Takanobu, the head of the Matsuura family was overjoyed and bowed to express his gratitude, "I thank you on behalf of Sanbanro!"
Seeing this, Ryuzoji Takanobu narrowed his eyes slightly, smiled and helped the head of the Matsuura family up, "Matsuura-sama, thank you for your courtesy."
"My lord, the 'Assassination of Ming' competition has ended. A total of 560 warriors participated, 120 died, 180 were injured, and in the end, 100 warriors were left standing."
At this moment, a samurai from the Matsuura family knelt in front of the viewing platform and reported to the head of the Matsuura family.
In the ring match among 560 people, 120 people died, and 180 people were left in the palace. Such casualties show the cruelty of this ring match. The 100 warriors who won in the end must be tough guys with good skills.
"Your Highness, look..." The head of the Matsuura family looked at Ryuzoji Takanobu.
"Master Matsuura, why don't you call them over so that I can take a good look at these one hundred victorious tiger warriors."
Ryuzoji Takanobu said with a smile.
"Good! Call Sanbanrou and others here immediately, and have Your Highness inspect and lecture them." The head of the Matsuura family nodded in agreement, then turned and gave orders to his retainers.
"Yes, sir!"
The retainers of the Matsuura family took the order and left.
Soon, Matsuura Sanbanro and a hundred other victorious samurai came to the viewing stand with their belts and swords, knelt on the ground respectfully, and kowtowed to Ryuzoji Takanobu and the head of the Matsuura family on the viewing stand.