Madam, don't do this!

Chapter 150 The Emperor? (3)

Many modern people, influenced by television and anime, believe that wooden clogs were invented by the Japanese, but in fact, they were invented by the people of the Central Plains.

The Zhuangzi (Chapter 13, "Tianxia") records: "The followers of Mozi made wooden clogs."

Wooden clogs were invented during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. However, because wooden clogs were too hard and not comfortable enough, people later discovered that hemp could be used to make shoes, and hemp shoes came into being. Later, as the amount of hemp cloth increased, cloth shoes also became popular.

It was during the Tang Dynasty, when Jianzhen traveled eastward, that the technology of wooden clogs spread to the small island opposite.

By the Song Dynasty, although wooden clogs still existed, they were basically used only as rain boots.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, wooden clogs were also called mud clogs and were used when it rained. In the southern regions, however, due to the humid and hot weather, wooden clogs were used as sandals.

Although the Central Plains haven't yet developed to that level, the number of wooden clogs is already quite small. Moreover, the wooden clogs in the Central Plains are mostly slip-on clogs, quite different from the clogs worn by the Japanese. On the contrary, the group of Japanese pirates who were burned to death earlier almost all wore these kinds of clogs. Coupled with their distinctive bowlegs, it wouldn't be difficult to determine the identity of the man opposite them.

Song Yan was curious: what did a Japanese man want with him? After all, in the eyes of the Japanese pirates, he was probably a demon, having burned thousands of people alive.

Thinking this, Song Yan took another look at the man in front of her. He was short and thin, with hair standing on end. His face was tanned dark red from years of being at sea. He had a respectful and humble expression, but his eyes were constantly darting around, as if he was thinking about something.

That does fit the stereotype of Japanese pirates.

"You're Japanese, aren't you?" Unable to guess the man's purpose, Song Yan went straight to the point.

As soon as the voice fell, Gu Banxia and Yang Siyao, who were standing next to her, both changed their expressions. As if by instinct, they stepped forward and protected Song Yan behind them.

Although they didn't think a Japanese pirate would dare to make a move in Ningping County, they had to be cautious. Dealing with the pirates and the disaster victims were enough to prove how important Song Yan was right now. Even if they themselves were injured, they absolutely couldn't let Song Yan be in any danger. This sight made Song Yan feel helpless. He was a grown man, yet he could only hide behind a woman, which was truly embarrassing.

Fortunately, there were Zhang Long and Zhao Hu. The two of them quickly separated Song Yan and the Japanese man from the left and right. Their calloused fingers had already quietly landed on the hilts of their swords. If the Japanese man made the slightest move, the two curved swords would instantly cut his neck.

The Japanese man's throat bobbed, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes, but his smile grew even more obsequious: "Your Excellency, I am Horikawa Sousuke. Please believe me that I have no ill intentions, but simply wish to make a deal with you."

Another transaction.

Song Yan laughed, making no attempt to hide the disdain in his eyes: "I don't think you can make any kind of deal with a bunch of Japanese pirates. Are you perhaps planning to sell me the things you've stolen?"

"Sorry, the only thing I'm interested in is your heads."

Horikawa Sousuke's expression froze. Song Yan's rudeness and contempt made him angry, but he was a man comparable to a ninja turtle. He could control his emotions well. His expression did not change at all. He was as obsequious as before: "Please do not misunderstand, my name is Horikawa Sousuke, the Emperor's bodyguard."

"Our Emperor also deeply hates those Japanese pirates and would never harbor any ill will towards you because of that fire."

Song Yan raised an eyebrow. "Emperor"—that's a title that makes one want to vomit. Originally, "Emperor" was the highest honorific title for emperors in the Central Plains, but due to the changing times, the value of those two words has been steadily decreasing.

If we calculate it this way, Japan today should still be in an era where the Emperor has real power and has not yet been completely sidelined by the Shogunate.

Song Yan was rather curious. What could a bodyguard of the Emperor possibly want with him?
Is this person really the Emperor's bodyguard?

How could the Emperor's guards have contacted him in private? That's ridiculous!

A slight smile played on his lips as he silently watched Horikawa Sousuke. For some reason, under Song Yan's gaze, Horikawa Sousuke felt an indescribable unease, as if everything about him had been seen through by the other man.

Goosebumps rose on his neck, but remembering his mission, Horikawa Sousuke suppressed his fear and slowly began to explain. Essentially, while the Emperor was the supreme ruler of Japan, his position was not secure. The powerful Soga clan was gradually eroding and undermining the Emperor's authority. The Wokou (Japanese pirates) in the coastal regions of central Japan were supported by the Soga clan, who used the wealth plundered by the pirates to recklessly cultivate relationships with various factions.

Song Yan's burning of thousands of Japanese pirates was a great boon to the Emperor, who wanted to cooperate with Song Yan to completely eradicate the pirates. Once the Soga clan lost its source of wealth, its followers would decrease, making it easier to eliminate them.

Song Yan wore an indescribable smile, a smile that sent chills down Horikawa Sousuke's spine: "I'm a little interested, but I'm curious, how exactly do we plan to cooperate?" "You should know that I don't have any warships and can't fight the Japanese pirates at sea."

Horikawa Sousuke hurriedly said, "Of course I can't let you fight the Japanese pirates at sea. I'm not afraid to tell you that His Majesty the Emperor has spies among the many Japanese pirates in the nearby waters, so I know all about their actions."

"When the Japanese pirates take action, I will inform you of their landing location, so that you can set up an ambush in advance and easily annihilate the Japanese pirates who land on land."

"In this way, the power of the Soga clan will be weakened, and the coast of Ningguo will no longer be harassed by Japanese pirates. This is a great thing for both of us, isn't it?" Horikawa Sousuke tried to make his voice as seductive as possible.

However, this guy really has no talent for persuasion. He didn't offer any benefits whatsoever, just a pie in the sky and he expects me to do his bidding? Does he think I'm stupid?

Thinking this through, Song Yan smiled and said, "Let me think about this matter carefully."

"Of course, of course." Horikawa Sousuke nodded vigorously. He hadn't expected Song Yan to agree immediately; as long as she didn't directly refuse, it would be a victory.

"In that case, I will take my leave now. I will contact you again in a few days."

After bowing to Song Yan, Horikawa Sousuke retreated and left.

The bowing posture was quite standard.

They truly are a family of craftsmen.

Only after Horikawa Sousuke left did Gu Banxia frown and ask, "Young Master, do you really want to cooperate with these Japanese?"

"The Japanese are cunning and deceitful. Cooperating with them is like asking a tiger for its skin, which is probably not a good idea."

Even Zhang Long scratched his head: "I've heard that the Japanese live on some small islands. Isn't the Emperor Fuxi? A bunch of dwarfs dare to call themselves Emperors?"

In the Central Plains, the legend of the Three Sovereigns has been widely circulated, with many different versions. Some say it was the Heavenly Sovereign Suiren, the Earthly Sovereign Fuxi, and the Human Sovereign Shennong, while others say it was the Heavenly Sovereign Fuxi, the Earthly Sovereign Nuwa, and the Human Sovereign Shennong.

In Ningguo, the latter version is generally accepted.

However, no matter what, the title of Emperor will never be given to that group of short people from the island nation.

Therefore, Zhang Long and Zhao Hu's faces were mostly filled with disdain and resentment.

Song Yan smiled and said, "Do you really think that Horikawa Sousuke is the Emperor's bodyguard?"

Yang Siyao's eyelashes trembled slightly: "What do you mean?"

Song Yan stretched his arms to ease his stiff body, then looked up at the distant sea: "Those Japanese are a bunch of extremely crazy guys."

"The Emperor is the supreme ruler. To become the Emperor's bodyguard is considered the highest honor by most Japanese people, but when Horikawa Sousuke mentioned his status just now, his tone was calm, and there wasn't a trace of pride on his face?"

After thinking about it for a moment, it seemed that what Song Yan said was true.

"Moreover, if he were truly the Emperor's bodyguard, he would most likely be someone who frequently accompanies the Emperor, or at the very least, someone who guards the Imperial Palace. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he would live a life of luxury. But look at Horikawa Sousuke, his skin is dark red and rough, which is obviously the result of frequently drifting at sea."

"So, Horikawa Sousuke is definitely not some Emperor's bodyguard, but rather..." Song Yan's lips curled into a cold smile, his eyes icy:

"Japanese pirates".

(End of this chapter)