On the seventh day of the seventh month, people also celebrate the Qiqiao Festival. Zhang Yin has been in Iwami Province for almost two months and has long been familiar with Takasaki. Early in the morning, he was invited to attend a banquet and participate in the local people's festival.
Zhang Yin put on a futou and a robe, dressed up, and came out of the unfinished construction site tent to pay a visit to Zan Jurun first. Zan Jurun, the Minister of Works, was a high-ranking bureaucrat even in Tokyo, and he was the highest-ranking person in Dongdao, and he was also a colleague of the civil servants.
Civil officials usually have a hobby of traveling and making friends, and Zan Jurun is no exception. When Zhang Yin saw Zan Jurun, he invited him and said: Today is the Qiqiao Festival, this place is not very interesting, would you like to go to Gaoqi Mansion with me
After hearing this, Zan Jurun looked regretful, put his hand on his abdomen and frowned, saying: It's a coincidence that yesterday, Brother Zhang, the commander-in-chief Zhang Jiankui, and everyone agreed to treat me to a drink here, and I don't know how I got a stomachache, and it's inconvenient for me to go to the toilet at someone else's house later.
Zhang Yin asked after hearing this:
Zan Jurun said: It doesn't matter, maybe it's just because of the unfamiliar climate. If it doesn't get better today, ask the doctor to prescribe some medicine.
Zhang Yin did not force it. Seeing that it was still early, he chatted with Zan Jurun about business. The trip to the east was very smooth. There were no storms on the sea, and they got along well with the locals in Gaoqi Village. It was said that the right time, right place, and right people were all there.
The construction of Iwami Castle was not a big project. After all, the walls were relatively low and the castle was relatively small. In more than a month, most of the foundation and wall work had been completed; only the artificial canal was still far from being completed.
However, looking at the current smooth situation, everything is just a matter of time. The two talked about it and were very optimistic. There is no problem in gaining a foothold in Japan. In the future, if they properly manage the interests of the locals, develop mines and establish trade, they can achieve the emperor's intention without bloodshed.
Zhang Yin smiled and said: “When we return to Fengchi, we will reward the people for their merits, and then we will have a drink together with Lord Zan.”
Although Zhang Yin was born a minor official, he now holds the position of Privy Councilor. His position is lower than Zan Jurun, but they are still colleagues after all.
Zan Jurun did not put on airs and clasped his fists and said: It’s a deal.
Zhang Yin then said goodbye and left the simple tent, and together with Liu Jin and others from the Military Department, they went along the familiar road to Gaoqi Mansion for the banquet.
There is a stream on the mountain behind the manor, flowing from the side of the mansion to the front of the mansion. Today, many people came out of nowhere and hung paper signs on the bamboos beside the stream in front of the mansion. There were many young women. Some young women also folded paper boats and put them in the stream. For a moment, this place with green mountains and clear waters was a pleasing scenery.
When a few people arrived in front of the mansion, Gao Qijun personally went out to greet them, bowing continuously, and was very polite. When everyone came to the yard, Gao Qi introduced two village officials and some samurai leaders who managed the land. The atmosphere was very harmonious, and those who could not speak Chinese bowed to greet them.
Soon, the heavily made-up singing girls came on stage, holding paper umbrellas, singing and dancing. The locals applauded, and Gao Qi and Zhang Yin chatted and commented: Their skills are very good, even if Zhang Jun went to Heian-kyō to see performances, they would not be much better than theirs.
Zhang Yin agreed casually, and naturally he didn't want to spoil Gao Qi's interest, but he really didn't think it was too restrained and had strong traces of performance. Of course, maybe people from different places just have different interests.
Later, a monk and a clown with a white painted face came on stage, making everyone laugh. Zhang Yin finally figured out what was going on. This show was the military drama that became popular in the Tang Dynasty, and the locals learned it. The Tang Dynasty had a profound influence on them. And the singing girls just now also had traces of Tang Dynasty court makeup. No wonder Zhang Yin felt so awkward.
Zhang Yin didn't understand Japanese, so he could only watch their funny actions, and he enjoyed it very much.
At this time, a young girl came to pour wine, and Takaki said: She is Miko.
The young lady named Meizi put down the wine pot and knelt down to greet Zhang Yin. Zhang Yin also politely clasped his fists and bowed in return. Meizi said slowly and awkwardly: "I apologize for the poor hospitality of our distinguished guest who has come from afar."
Zhang Yin thought to himself that Gao Qi specially introduced a maid, so this maid must be someone very favored by him. He did not dare to neglect her and said hurriedly: "I am honored to be entertained by Mr. Gao Qi and Ms. Meiko."
Meizi moved her lips, quietly looked at Zhang Yin and smiled charmingly. Zhang Yin thought: This woman is really wild, she did this in front of her master.
The performances on the stage were one after another. Some of the songs and dances were just the same people changing clothes, but they were still quite interesting. Zhang Yin and others in Gaoqi persuaded each other to drink and talked about anecdotes and interesting things in their hometowns. They were very happy.
In the afternoon, Gao Qi took Zhang Yin and others to soak in the hot springs, and there was a dinner party in the evening. Gao Qi's hospitality was really amazing, and Zhang Yin felt that he was not worse than Han Er in hospitality.
The red paper sticks Zhang Jun saw during the day were wishes made by young people, mostly for marriage. Gao Qi smiled.
Zhang Yin laughed and said: I guess so. The Chinese Valentine's Day was originally the festival of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.
Gao Qi nodded: Zhang Jun, what do you think of us Yamato people
Zhang Yin said: The people are very nice, their customs are simple, and the girl is affectionate.
Haha, a few people laughed teasingly. When it comes to beauty, it seems that there is no distinction between countries.
The cool night breeze blew on his face. Zhang Yin looked up to admire the moon. A round of upper black moon hung in the sky, which was particularly beautiful. Under the moon, there was a black shadow. Zhang Yin raised his head and stared at the shadow, feeling very strange.
Gao Qijun Zhang Yin couldn't help but remind him.
As soon as he finished speaking, an arrow suddenly pierced Liu Jin's forehead, who was sitting next to him. A woman's scream suddenly sounded, and the scene was immediately in an uproar.
Zhang Yin hadn't reacted yet, staring blankly at Liu Jin falling to the ground, with an arrow in his forehead, without even a cry. This person who was very familiar to him just died like this.
Liu Jin and Zhang Yin cried out in despair.
Go quickly Gao Qi pulled Zhang Yin. Zhang Yin then followed him and bent over, following the noisy crowd to flee. There was already chaos all around, with whizzing sounds in the night sky, arrows flying down one after another, and people being shot by arrows screaming loudly.
Zhang Yin had no idea what was going on. In the chaos, several men were protecting them. But looking at the scene, the murderer should have nothing to do with Gao Qi, and Gao Qi had no motive to do such a thing.
A group of people quickly rushed into the hall door in the courtyard. At this time, Zhang Yincai asked: Who is it
Takaki answered as he ran: There should be scouts also called ninjas, and warriors who can use bows and arrows.
Zhang Yin asked again: Who sent you
I don't know, but ordinary people can't use such people, Gao Qi said loudly.
At this moment, a man rushed into the hall holding several samurai swords. Gao Qi and several other men hurriedly took a sword from the man's arms. Gao Qi handed another sword to Zhang Yin.
Zhang Yin was a civil servant and was not familiar with weapons at all, but he still accepted the self-defense.
With a loud bang, the wooden door was kicked open and several arrows flew in. A man was shot and screamed in pain. In an instant, two black shadows appeared at the door. They held something in their hands and threw it forward from five or six steps away. The two Takasaki warriors in front screamed and fell to the ground.
Ah, the other two warriors rushed forward bravely with their swords raised high in their hands. The flashing of the swords, the sound of the sharp weapons splitting flesh and blood, and the screams were terrifying.
The samurai stepped forward to resist, but Gao Qi did not rush forward to fight, but turned around and walked away with his samurai sword. Zhang Yin also hurriedly followed. The two walked into a narrow corridor from the back door. Just after walking a few steps, there was a sudden clang, and a wooden window in front was broken. A masked man dressed in black jumped out.
Gao Qi turned and ran again, and the people behind him chased after him. The shouting seemed to be right next to Zhang Yin's ears. Zhang Yin was extremely nervous and his mind was blank.
He was not a fool, but he was born in a wealthy family and was not a warrior, so he had never experienced such an embarrassment. However, he only recognized one way, to follow Gao Qi, otherwise he would not be able to find the way if he was alone.
But Gao Qi seemed a little panicked. He was a little fat and old, so he couldn't run fast at all. He quickly broke open a door and got inside.
Suddenly there was a woman's scream, and a panicked young girl rushed up with a dagger in both hands.
Miko Takasaki reacted quickly and shouted immediately.
The young lady finally calmed down a little and stopped. The few people didn't have time to talk because the pursuers had already rushed up. Before Zhang Yin could see what was going on, he heard a violent metal collision and sparks flashed before his eyes.
Blood splattered, and there was a scream. Zhang Yin saw clearly that the person who was stabbed was not Gao Qi. Unexpectedly, this old guy's swordsmanship was quite good, and he was able to beat the assassin.
But immediately two more people jumped in.
Gao Qi seemed to have a lot of experience in fighting. He knew he was outmatched, so he retreated in a panic and stood beside Zhang Yin, wanting him to support him on one wing. Zhang Yin glanced at the small window behind him and shouted to the trembling Meizi: Run through the window!
The assassin was already approaching. Zhang Yin yelled and swung his samurai sword with both hands, using all his strength to swing it wildly in front of him to prevent the enemy from getting close.
After swinging several times, the knife was in the air and hit nothing. Suddenly, there was a flash in front of his face, and Zhang Yin's heart skipped a beat, and a chill rose from his heart. The stinging pain extended from his cheek to his chest. He knew he was stabbed, and it seemed that all the strength in his body was drained away.
A moment later, he let out a loud cry, and the man in front of him stabbed at him again, holding the knife handle with both hands, and the sharp blade pierced Zhang Yin's abdomen. A moment of despair surged in his heart, everything was over, it was over.
Chacha Gaoqi was outnumbered and stabbed several times, falling to his knees in a pool of blood.