gnovel Chapter 1947 1417: I Don't Want This Kasaya Anymore!
Chapter 1947 1417: I Don't Want This Kasaya Anymore!
"Oh Hachiman Mahasattva! Stop! The Samurai and the fleet, halt! Form defensive formations!…""Misunderstanding! There must be a misunderstanding… Send out an Envoy, explain our purpose, show goodwill to the Shandan Chief!…!"
"Where are the gifts? Zou Jirou, bring those three sets of Silk Clothes! Yes, send them all, including my Vestment robe! Only precious Silk Clothes are worthy of such a powerful Shandan Chief!…"
As the sun rose to its zenith, the two armies stood across the Korobetsu River, both setting up defensive formations at the river's estuary. Trading such large quantities of gold involved enormous wealth. With no sufficient trust and constraints, each trade required the pulling out of military forces, setting up a scene of war.
Five large Japanese Ships anchored in Chuannan, each ship carrying six or seven Tiantai sect Monk Soldiers with Japanese Bows, along with some sailors wielding bamboo bows in light garb. More than two hundred Koyozaki warriors stood closely beside the Japanese Ships, forming a Spear Formation under the protection of the archers, nervously guarding against the opposite bank.
The army of the "Shandan Chief" also set up formations in North River. Three Oar-sail Ships lined up, filled with rows of armored archers. The Samurai Spear Formation, Hunter Scattered Formation, and Heavy Armor Vanguard adjusted their direction, facing the river's far side, towards the Japanese military formation.
The most numerous Ainu Tribe Soldiers, due to prolonged formation time, gradually shifted from a circle to a scattered formation and began clamoring. Ten or so Kingdom's Warriors leading them were reprimanding, thrashing with cane, ensuring the tribal soldiers maintained discipline. After enduring this actual combat training, the battle prowess of these tribal soldiers would significantly improve. If they could get blood on their hands and win a few battles, they might transform and grow into "warriors"!
The Priest bore witness! The Japanese seem not to intend an attack?… They've only increased their fleet and archers; the number of Samurai appears the same as last time?… This battle probably won't happen. Their strength isn't even sufficient for us to engage.
Warrior Captain Tamicao gazed for a moment, feeling the "momentum" of the opposite military formation. The other side presented a defensive posture, and the Warriors' faces were vigilant, showing no intent to charge. It did look like a trading party. And the goods for trade should be in…
"Heavenly Divine grant me Divine Eye! These five huge Japanese ships, with sharp bows and square tails, resemble sea dolphins chasing fleets... They seem nimble and excellent!"
Zuwaro held the "Divine Eye Glasses," instantly taking note of the five large Japanese ships. He scrutinized them carefully, assessing their design. The single mast with wide sail, flat bottom with a sharp bow, square tail, and rows of oar positions on both sides looked like excellent vessels!
"The Chief Divine bears witness! Are these large ships something the Japanese are willing to sell? If not, shall we seize two first, then toss them the gold?… By the way, this Five-color Flag, which major Japanese great tribe does it represent? How many populations do they have, how many warriors can they field?"
Zuwaro squinted, carefully examining the situation on the Japanese ships. On each ship, there were people with wrapped heads, clad in Doumaru armor, wearing black and white robes underneath, all Monk Soldiers. And the bows in their hands were particularly large, seemingly quite powerful, with long "long knives" at their backs.
"Hmm? That person wearing bright Silk Clothes with a black gauze hat looks prominent; could he be the Leader of the major tribe on the ship?"
Zuwaro's sharp gaze rested on Mori no Kiyoshi for a long time. Mori no Kiyoshi also looked over, gazing at the Shandan Chief who held a strange long tube, donned a Feather Crown, and wore armor clothes.
"Oh Buddha! What exactly is that long tube held by the Shandan Chief? Could it be the legendary far-reaching firearms of the Yuan Invasion? But I've never heard of such small firearms; could it be a secret of the Golden Clan from the Yuan Invasion?… No, have two people stand in front of me!"
"Zou Jirou, you are to go over personally! Present my gifts to that Shandan Chief!"
"Yes! House… House owner…"
Even Matsushita Zou Jirou, usually bold and steady, couldn't help but stutter facing the legendary cannibal demonic Yuan Invasion. Then, accompanied by an Ezo guide and a Flowing Arrow Horse Warrior, he nervously approached the opposite military formation slowly.
"Trade! Same trade as last time! No warfare! Goods for gold!… Rice, wine, tea, salt, cattle, horses, weapons, Armors, Craftsmen… many goods this time! Bit by bit trade! Exchange for gold!…"
The Ezo guide shouted loudly, conveying the Envoy's intent. The Flowing Arrow Horse Warrior held the reins, always watching the movements of those Heavy Armor Archers and Heavy Cavalry! As a seasoned warrior, he could clearly sense the most dangerous direction. And if the other side drew bows and arrows, or charged on horses, he would immediately pick Zou Jirou up, leave the Ezo guide behind, and ride away!
"Buddha bless! These are gifts for the esteemed, mighty Shandan Chief! We are merchants from the Kyoto Rice House, and we've brought many goods… The gifts are in the box, along with a personal letter from the house owner and a cargo list!"
A Kingdom's Warrior, wielding an ax, stepped forward and conversed with the Ezo guide for a moment. Then, receiving the exquisite wooden box handed over by Zou Jirou, he opened it for a check and then returned to the military formation.
Quickly, the wooden box was in Zuwaro's hands. He put down the "Divine Eye Glasses," looked at Mori no Kiyoshi on the opposite ship, walked out from the escort, smiled and bowed to him, then pointed at the wooden box, and retreated behind the escort.
"Ha! What an interesting Japanese Leader! Could it be, he isn't a chieftain of Japan's Great Tribe, but a nobility or priest?..."
Seeing Mori no Kiyoshi so cautious and dressed in such elegant attire without weapons, Zuwaro pondered. He contemplated while opening the gift box, seeing first a document written in square characters. He read it carefully twice; some characters he recognized, some he did not. Even those he recognized, when combined, didn't make sense...
"...Respectful greetings to your noble self, whose prowess inspires submission. Your distinguished clan, heir to the Golden Descendants, has a reputation that spreads across the seas... We, humble merchants from the Capital City's Omi, in service to the Tiantai Sect Temples, sell goods acquired from all directions..."
"Humble person, of low status, lacking in insight, not fit for comparison with the illustrious nobility... I wish to transport the produce of all countries to the Northern Ezo to assist your grand schemes, should you need it..."
"Meeting your esteemed clan for the first time, I bring a humble gift... Three silk garments, all fine products of the Mountain City Country... Attached is a list of goods, complete with pictures and words... Wishing to offer my slight assistance, praying for mutual trade between us for shared golden prosperity!..."
"Madam Bazi! I clearly recognize these characters, but together, what on earth do they say?!"
Zuwaro read it a third time, couldn't help but imitate Hu Nu, and blurted out a profanity. He roughly understood half of it—these five large ships bearing the five-color flags, along with the monk soldiers and archers on board, belonged to the so-called "Kyoto Merchant" mentioned by Kaozaki Mitsuhiro, with some relation to temples.
And this "Kyoto Merchant" brought a hefty load of goods on five ships, aiming to trade for some gold to take back. To show courtesy at their first meeting, they also gifted a present, "three silk garments"?
"Silk garments? What are they?..."
Zuwaro widened his eyes and picked up the first silk garment for a look. It was a blue "straight robe" in Tang style, a noble costume passed down since the Heian Era, with a loose, simple, and elegant design evidently inspired by the Tang Dynasty's round-neck robe. Embroidered on the surface of this straight robe were "cloud patterns" and "Tang grass patterns," the former representing the Heavenly Divine and nobility, the latter symbolizing earth and nature.
"Hm? This garment is rather beautiful!... Oh Chief Divine! Such a smooth texture, it's so light and thin?! On such a thin garment, they could embroider such mysterious patterns? ... But this color, so blue, doesn't seem auspicious! It resembles the sacrificial Maya Blue..."
Zuwaro examined it for a long while, unable to look away. For such bright, light "Chinese clothes," tropical Mexica people likewise had no resistance, and loved them dearly! According to Zuwaro's taste, it would be perfect if this silk garment had some "tassels"... no, "flowing feathers," like the beautiful Chager Feathers!
"Ahem... Let me see, what is the second one like!..."
Zuwaro carefully put the first one aside and took out the second silk garment for inspection. The second one was the noble hunting "hunting clothes," the same Tang style, simple and elegant. Initially inspired by the Tang Dynasty's narrow-sleeved robe, the sleeves were narrower, convenient for outdoor activities. This "hunting clothes" was light green, with a flying "phoenix bird" embroidered on the front. Zuwaro instantly took a liking to it, far more than the first one!
"Oh Chief Divine! Such a detailed flying bird? May the Chief Divine bless! Truly an exceptional auspicious garment!... And this jungle-like light green, with colors like grass and trees... Beautiful, truly beautiful!..."
For the second silk garment, Zuwaro couldn't bear to part, fondling it for quite a while before reluctantly putting it back in the box.
Of course, he wasn't aware that within Japan's noble culture, dark blue typically represented higher-ranked nobles, while light green was worn by the younger nobles of lower rank. The most noble would be clad in purple garments...
"May the Chief Divine bless! Let me quickly see, what does this third one look like!..."
Soon, Zuwaro couldn't contain his excitement and took out the third and final silk garment. After unfolding and looking at it for a while, the smile on his face froze, leaving only profound confusion, almost unable to think.
"May the Chief Divine open my eyes! What kind of garment is this? It doesn't feel right—it seems like a ritual robe? And such strange patterns?..."
Zuwaro widened his eyes, gazing at the final garment laid open in his hands. The garment was yellow on the right and red on the left, with blocks of "Blessed Field," within which were the delicate vertical patterns of lotus flowers... It suddenly dawned on him that this was a "Kasaya"!