Di Ming

Chapter 311 Clear as the dawn sky, the heart is utterly cleansed.

After discussing the matter in secret for a while, Zheng Guowang left Zhu Yin's "academy building" and returned to his own residence.

As she left, Zhu Yin whispered four words to her: "Beware of the ninja, and act according to plan."

Some of the performance routines were planned before leaving the Ming Dynasty. Nurhaci and other Jurchens, as well as the Buddhist monastic community, had all given instructions on them.

It was already late afternoon. Zhu Yin, wearing a cloak, stepped out of the house and saw a biting wind and the sky threatening snow.

Not far away, Nagoya Castle, under the gray sea and sky, looks like a gloomy coastal castle, or a huge monster crawling out of the sea.

The sounds of shakuhachi, dragon flute, conch shell, taiko drum, and shrine bells drifted in, faintly accompanied by the sounds of Noh and Kyogen plays and the lapping of the sea, filling Nagoya Castle with a mysterious, exotic atmosphere.

It was desolate and chilling, clear and profound, filled with sorrow and grief.

A flock of seagulls was startled and took flight, soaring into the distant ocean, like a group of messengers on a mission.

Many members of the delegation gazed at Nagoya Castle, listening to the uniquely meaningful voice, their expressions filled with curiosity.

Zhu Yin's gaze pierced through the gloom, fixed on the city a hundred paces away, his eyes turning a leaden gray, just like the sky at that moment.

I swear to God, as long as I, Zhu Yin, live, Japan, this evil neighbor of a thousand years, will never be able to cause trouble again!
Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu, under the heavens, you all just wait, I'll let you be arrogant for a few years first.

A large, sleek black dog crouched at Zhu Yin's feet like a tiger, lazily gazing at the land.

It keenly sensed that its master harbored strong hostility towards the humans on this land.

“Uncle Tiger.” Ding Hongying walked to Zhu Yin’s side and pointed to Nagoya Castle. “What are the Japanese leaders doing? Are they putting on a grand opera? Or is someone dying and having a funeral? It’s so mournful.”

Zhu Yin was exceptionally patient with his eldest niece and replied:

"It's not as simple as a grand opera performance, nor is it a funeral procession. They are performing a ritual called a 'warrior's mound,' where they cut off the ears of Koreans and bring them back to offer sacrifices to their fallen warriors."

"However, the Japanese value sorrow. Even when it's not a ritual, their music is very mournful and desolate. They believe that cheerful and exciting music is just bluster and empty bravado. Sorrowful music is the source of strength."

"They're really sick in the head." Ding Hongying shook her head. "They really are those damned Japanese pirates, completely unreasonable."

Zhu Yin cautioned, "Hongying, some Japanese can understand Chinese. Never say such things in front of them, as they are very vengeful. Also, be careful, walls have ears."

Zhu Yin was a former spy, so how could he not be cautious? He had made preparations and taken precautions long ago. When he had a secret meeting with Zheng Guowang, he was extremely careful, for fear that the Japanese ninjas would find out.

Hongying chuckled softly, "Uncle Tiger, be careful. I'm not stupid. You reminded me before we left, and I haven't forgotten."

Wu You, already made up, walked over lightly and stood naturally beside Zhu Yin, whispering:

"Brother, I've discovered that ninjas have infiltrated this building..."

Zhu Yin nodded slightly. "I know. I already have a plan, and it's time to start the performance. Let's play along."

Wu You said, "Then we don't need to worry about the ninjas who infiltrated the building?"

"Don't worry about it," Zhu Yin said. "With them lurking here, we can turn the tables on them. As long as they don't carry out assassinations, just pretend they don't exist."

Although peace talks were definitely out of the question, Zhu Yin would not leave empty-handed. He intended to use this trip to Japan to lay the groundwork for a grand, far-reaching strategic plan!
He's not just playing the long game; he's serious!
Seeing her brother's confidence, Wu You, a former ninja, couldn't help but feel a little worried. She was unaware that Zhu Yin was holding a "tiger tooth," so her concern was understandable.

As Huya grew stronger, Zhu Yin became extremely knowledgeable about ninja organizations and various daimyo.

Huya has been developing in Japan for three years and has a relatively complete organization. Many Japanese people have been recruited by Huya as "family members" and as agents or informants.

Ninjas were always active in Japan. At this time, the ninjas serving Hideyoshi were mainly from the Koga and Iga regions.

But in addition to the hired ninjas, Hideyoshi also had a special intelligence agency exclusively for the Toyotomi clan: Okuzawa.

The head of Okuzawa was Nagamasa Asano, and it was a well-organized special intelligence agency, similar to the Special Higher Police and the Military Police in later Japan.

Otsuki's intelligence operations were more professional and effective than those of the Ming Dynasty's secret police and the Uigeumbu and Byeokwushi of Joseon.

However, compared to Huya, Otsuki's professional level is far inferior; they are not even in the same league.

Tiger Fang was personally trained and established by Zhu Yin. Its organizational ideology and professional skills belong to the modern intelligence agency. How can it be compared to the ancient intelligence department, Ou Jie?
Coupled with ample funding and the advantage of operating in the shadows, it was practically a game-changer for Otto.

As a result, major Japanese intelligence agencies such as Okuzawa and Koga-ryu have now been infiltrated by Tiger Fang and have no secrets left.

Even core members of Otsuki and ninja organizations, as well as Western missionaries in Japan, have "family members" with Tiger Fang, making it virtually impossible to guard against.

However, assassination is Huya's weak point, a significant shortcoming.

Because modern intelligence agencies prioritize intelligence over assassination. Although they conduct assassination training, they rely heavily on modern equipment and information technology.

In the ancient environment, due to the lack of hardware and software, the assassination techniques that Zhu Yin learned in later generations were of little use.

Otherwise, wouldn't it have been simpler to assassinate Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and others?
Even for ninjas skilled in ancient assassination, assassinating a powerful figure like Hideyoshi would be extremely difficult. Moreover, failure would mean the complete annihilation of their entire force.

Zhu Yin pondered that since he was currently staying here, Tiger Fang's organization in Japan would soon find out, and intelligence would flow in continuously.

He lives here discreetly, yet he can command Tiger Fang's entire intelligence network in Japan.

It is estimated that intelligence will be delivered to us within three days.

"Uncle Tiger, I'm hungry," Ding Hongying said, her voice a little loud. "We've come here for peace talks, with the utmost sincerity. Why hasn't His Highness arranged a welcoming banquet?"

Zhu Yin smiled and said, "Japan is also a country of etiquette. Toyotomi Hideyoshi was a great man. How could such a thing be taken lightly? The welcoming banquet will be arranged only after the letter of credence is delivered in three days. Even if there is no welcoming banquet today, the host will not let the guests go hungry."

As luck would have it, just as Zhu Yin was saying this, the meal bell in the inn rang.

The "Itamae (chef)" in charge of the mission's catering began serving unique Japanese dishes.

Zhu Yin then returned to the Japanese-style house and sat upright. Apart from his clothing, he looked no different from a young Japanese nobleman, which fit his claim that his adoptive mother was Japanese and that he had lived in Japan during his childhood.

Moreover, a jade-handled dagger appeared in his hand, which he used to cut the paper.

This item is no ordinary thing; it's the most important prop for the actors at this moment, and it was something that Huya managed to obtain with great difficulty.

Then, Zhu Yin asked Wu You to grind ink and lay out paper, and he began to write waka poems.

With his expression perfectly adjusted, the young man began.

The exquisite handwriting, born on a special type of Japanese paper, is:
"Time flies, several autumns have passed since I left my hometown, but my childlike heart remains. The fragrance of cherry blossoms fills my sleeves, and the bright moon hangs over Biwa Lake in the distance."

"The daylily is covered with dew, where I once nestled in my loving mother's arms to shelter from the rain. Cherry blossoms fall on the courtyard, and the cicadas sing in the empty air, their sleeves stained with tears. I call my son from the castle tower."

Although these two waka poems are quite ordinary (I'm not good at them), the emotions in the poems are deeply moving, and the sorrowful and poignant thoughts are palpable.

What's even more remarkable is that Zhu Yin's calligraphy at this time had already reached a high level of skill, absolutely no less than that of contemporary Japanese calligraphers.

Then, Zhu Yin wrote: "Where is it, where is it, where is it?"

The nine characters are written in a very hasty and sparse style, with a melancholic tone.

Then, he wrote a short poem that already existed but was little known in Japan, with a sense of despair:

"Born like dew, gone like dew, fleeting past events, all like a dream."

Unlike the previous two waka poems, this short poem was not an original work by Zhu Yin, and the handwriting also changed, becoming slow, quiet, and austere, with a sense of wabi-sabi.

Wu You was grinding ink on the side. She was wearing a kimono, and having spent six or seven years in Japan, she looked just like a Japanese girl.

Before Zhu Yin's handwriting was dry, a group of "Zhongju" (female attendants) dressed in orchid-patterned kimonos arrived outside Zhu Yin's residence.

The first person bowed and said, "Your Excellency, we are presenting our evening meal. May we enter?"

Zhu Yin said in Japanese, "Please come in."

Immediately, these "attendants" carrying food boxes, tableware, and hand-held water bowls entered in single file.

"Ming Dynasty envoy, please have dinner in the evening."

They glanced discreetly at the paper on Zhu Yin's desk, then carefully opened the food box and placed the food and wine on the table with elegant and composed movements.

Japan has a strict hierarchical system, which is reflected in its food and other aspects.

As soon as Zhu Yin and his entourage arrived at their lodgings, the dietary standards for the mission were quickly established.

The guards in the mission were the lowest-ranking, first-class, in terms of treatment. They lived in a large communal room, and their meals consisted only of rice balls, buckwheat noodles, and a spoonful of sauce. The portions were rather generous, only enough to fill them up to about 70% of their capacity.

For the Jurchens, who had large appetites, they could only eat until they were about 50% full.

What's worse... there's no alcohol!

The second-to-last rank consisted of the mission's subordinate officials, such as interpreters and clerks, as well as the head of the guards. The Japanese only provided sushi and tempura, but also a small amount of sake.

Japanese sake has a low alcohol content, so these three ounces are just a token amount.

The monks of higher rank suddenly received much better treatment. Japanese monks had very rich vegetarian meals, and Hideyoshi specifically ordered that the monastic community be well taken care of.

Then, based on the list of monks provided by Zhu Yin, the monks' meals were also divided into different grades.

The two highest-ranking Dharma Kings used top-grade vegetarian dishes such as four bowls and three sauces, shochu (a type of vegetarian dish), and shochu (a type of vegetarian dish). Even the tableware was monastic items full of Zen spirit.

This demonstrates the importance attached to details.

Of course, Zhu Yin and Zheng Guowang received the highest level of rations. As envoys of the Ming Dynasty, they naturally deserved a high standard of service. The Japanese, at least on the surface, placed great importance on etiquette.

The black lacquered food box currently being sent to Zhu Yin contains tempura, which was learned from the South (Western) style, as well as delicacies such as grilled eel, chrysanthemum-patterned sashimi, and a plate of roasted crane.

A Japanese proverb says, "Lords eat cranes, samurai eat geese, and townspeople eat sardines." Zhu Yin's enjoyment of roasted cranes indicates that his treatment as a Ming envoy was equivalent to that of a "noble."

The dishes are arranged carefully according to the principle of "dishes on the left, soup on the right" and the concept of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, which is very particular.

Of course, without understanding Japanese aristocratic culture, one wouldn't be able to see this kind of refinement.

There are two types of sake alone: ​​in addition to the top-grade shiro sake "Kenbishi", there is also "Kaga Kiku-shu" which is supplied to court nobles.

These two types of wine represent yin and yang. However, the wine pots are very small, they are a pair of tin jars, each with a capacity of only three ounces, and they are kept warm on a small stove burning pine charcoal, where the aroma of the wine is fragrant.

Japanese nobles had a tradition of pairing specific sake with specific dishes, a practice known as "sake and food as one."

Therefore, the food box also includes salted squid specially served with "kabiki" (a type of seaweed) and steamed matsutake mushrooms served with "Kaga kiku sake" (a type of sake). But they are all served in small dishes.

Discerning diners should know what wine to drink and what dishes to eat.

Meanwhile, Ding Hongying, Wu You, Kangxi, Murong Gou Dan, and others in the same "academy-built" school received much worse food. They were given third-class rations.

...

Once the food and wine had been arranged in an orderly and leisurely manner, the "entertainers" stepped back three paces, stood quietly, and said in a gentle and respectful tone:
"Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality, Your Excellency."

What left Zhu Yin speechless was that, without him even having to remind them, even Xiao Hei and Fei Hu, who accompanied him on his visit to Japan, were given dog food and eagle food.

"Ming Envoy, this is food for your beloved dog and hawk. Shall we feed them now?"

The food given to Xiao Hei was "Ei-yo-shi" served in lacquerware, and the food given to Fei Hu was "eagle feed." This was dog food and eagle food from a noble family, which was much better than the food of ordinary townspeople.

That's why people say the Japanese are meticulous.

Zhu Yin said, "I have servants to feed them. Just leave the dog food and hawk food here. You don't need to trouble yourselves."

After saying that, he took out a handful of golden beans and said, "One for each of you. Thank you for your hard work."

"Thank you for your generous gift, Envoy Ming." The servants bowed together. Although they were pleased with Zhu Yin's generosity, they remained calm and could only feel happy inside, not showing any obvious joy on their faces, let alone smiling.

They obediently accepted the golden beans, and one of them glanced at the short knife used for cutting paper on Zhu Yin's desk, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Her subtle movements, which seemed unnoticed to others, were clearly captured by Zhu Yin.

When Zhu Yin sat down at the dining table, two attendants immediately presented him with a "hand-washing bowl," a vessel for washing hands, which originated from the Yi Pan (a type of basin used in the Chinese ablution ritual).

Washing one's hands before meals is a matter of etiquette for Japanese nobles and must be followed unless there are no other options.

Zhu Yin seemed quite accustomed to picking up the water ladle, scooping three scoops of water in succession, and then washing his hands. This ancient ritual, called "Sandu Jimi," also originated in China.

Seeing how familiar Zhu Yin was with these etiquettes, the guests became even more curious about this exceptionally handsome young man.

They wondered: Does this noble young man, who seems like a figure from a painting, really know so much about Japan? What is his connection with the Japanese elite? And what's next?

Soon, they found out the answer.

Next, Zhu Yin did not immediately enjoy the evening meal, but instead performed the "divine offering ceremony".

Zhu Yin stood up, faced the shrine behind him, and performed the "two bows, two claps, and one bow" ritual, bowing and clapping while muttering words of thanks to the gods for the food.

This was also a custom of the samurai and noble families, rarely used by townspeople and farmers. It was a sacrificial food ceremony passed down from China, which was the pre-meal ceremony before the Yuan Dynasty.

The Book of Rites, Quli, states: "When eating, one must offer sacrifices to show that there is a precedent."

Although the details differ, the essence is the same: to thank the gods and cherish blessings.

However, Japan retained it, while the Central Plains region basically disappeared.

After performing the perfunctory pre-meal ritual, Zhu Yin solemnly sat down and began his evening meal.

But the details are not yet finished.

The first bite of rice was sprinkled with a little salt, symbolizing cleanliness. Then he picked up the kelp and chestnuts, which were offered as food to the gods, and placed them on the left corner of the dining table.

This ritual of sharing a meal with the gods is a continuation of the pre-meal offering and is also a tradition passed down from China.

Before that was all, it started with "箸渡し" (chopsticks crossing).

Zhu Yin picked up a small dish of pickled vegetables, dipped it lightly in the broth, and placed it on the right corner of the dining table as a sign of respect to the chef.

It means "Thank you for your hard work and for cooking."

The officials were even more impressed when they saw how skilled Zhu Yin was.

At this moment, they were certain that this noble and handsome young man from the Ming Dynasty must have some connection with a certain high-ranking family in Japan!

After Zhu Yin finished these performative and formulaic rituals, he began to eat.

But you must not make a sound.

Not only should chewing be quiet and movements elegant, but there is also a so-called "chopstick noise ban": chopsticks should not make any clanging noises, otherwise they are considered rude and vulgar.

Zhu Yin had a firm grasp on this aspect of the character. Showing off was definitely one of his strengths.

As soon as Zhu Yin picked up his chopsticks, the other guests present were greatly impressed.

He's as elegant as a white crane in early summer! This dashing young nobleman, even his meals are a feast for the eyes. Which lucky lady marries him will surely weep with happiness.

At that moment, a silver bell rang softly, and a pair of flamboyant Japanese women entered, their hair tied up in a Shimada style, wearing tsukiyaki and high-toothed wooden clogs.

They were courtesans and prostitutes skilled in singing and dancing.

Japanese nobles were accustomed to enjoying song and dance performances while dining. As an envoy of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yin was naturally entitled to such treatment.

Zhu Yin certainly wouldn't refuse; refusing would only seem like meddling.

The song and dance was "The Egret Maiden," with one person performing a solo dance as a white egret spirit in the snow, graceful and ethereal. Another person sang with a clear, melancholic voice.

Zhu Yin would take a sip of wine, eat a bite of food, and then look up to enjoy the performance, nodding and smiling. He absolutely could not just keep his head down eating and drinking without watching the singing and dancing; that would be both uncouth and lacking in refinement.

I'm sorry, this is also an ancient Chinese custom.

It took Zhu Yin a good half hour to slowly finish his meal and drinks, and he was genuinely feeling a bit tired.

Not only am I mentally exhausted, but my legs are also numb. The Japanese, despite their kneeling posture, don't even use heel supports; they're so stubborn.

After finishing the meal, we washed our hands again, and then a courtesan stepped forward to demonstrate her exquisite tea ceremony skills.

"Envoy Ming, please come into the tea room. Sorry to disturb you."

Zhu Yin stood up and said, "Please."

This is after-dinner tea, a daily habit of nobles and warriors.

The tea room was very elegant, with painted screens and a sword rack. Although Sen no Rikyu was executed by Hideyoshi, the "wabi-cha" (tea ceremony) he created had already become very popular.

The tea ceremony of this courtesan is called "wabi-sabi," which emphasizes harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility, the so-called "tea and Zen are one, life and death are one."

Her movements were undeniably elegant, each gesture like a performance, imbued with a strong sense of routine and ritual, making one want to ponder the nuances of every movement.

The tea ceremony is essentially a performance art, but every movement is meticulously crafted, with variations within similarities.

If you don't think about it, it's boring to watch. But if you're willing to think about it with your mind and hands, you'll discover many hidden meanings in the movements.

When observing a tea ceremony, one should be thoughtful and serene. This is also a matter of etiquette. One should not appear absent-minded or indifferent.

Therefore, Zhu Yin naturally had to continue pretending.

The tea is a famous native Japanese tea: Tsugao.

Toshio is a precious Zen tea. Ordinary people cannot afford it.

The teacup is also quite exquisite, surprisingly being a "Song Dynasty artifact." Although not a national treasure like the Tianmu teacup, it is a relatively common Song Dynasty artifact, yet it was still an object that only nobles could enjoy.

With teacups of this caliber, there are naturally many rules to follow when drinking tea.

You can't drink indiscriminately.

When holding a bowl, use both hands. First, rotate the bowl counterclockwise twice. When drinking, support the bottom of the bowl with the base of your thumb and forefinger, and do not let your fingers touch the rim of the bowl.

A soft slurping sound is also required to show appreciation; the sound should be elegant and subtle, not too loud. Otherwise, it is considered "dog-eating," a breach of etiquette.

Zhu Yin drank tea alone, without any distinction between host and guest, so there were far fewer rules and taboos, but he still felt uncomfortable drinking it.

He hates showing off! Even though he's very good at it!
Just as there are special dishes to accompany alcohol, there are also special snacks to accompany tea. Now that it's winter, it's customary to pair it with "pomelo cakes".

Zhu Yin took a few sips of tea, ate a piece of pomelo cake, and somewhat insincerely praised it:

"Clear as the dawn sky, the worldly heart is utterly cleansed. The beauty of the tea ceremony can awaken past dreams."

Yunji rose from her seat and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your praise, sir. Although I am so happy that I am about to cry, I am also so ashamed that I have nowhere to hide."

Actually, Zhu Yin was mainly praising the tea.

At this stage of tea drinking, we're pretty much done. But it's not quite perfect yet.

Ideally, one should recite a new waka poem on the spot, expressing their feelings about tea drinking. Only then can it be considered complete.

Japanese nobles often do this when drinking tea.

At this moment, a bright moon rises outside the window, its light shining like water in the tea room.

So Zhu Yin put down his teacup and, with a slightly sorrowful expression, recited:
"Where the tea smoke curls, a kind face is vaguely seen through the haze, and her elegant sleeves seem to dance. Gazing at the moon with a cup in hand, I see that same lonely moon from my childhood."

Just as a waka poem was finished, a clear and resonant voice came from outside the window:

"Young Tiger is a man of exceptional talent and elegance, like a fairyland shrouded in mist, where flowers and trees seem to dance. He is truly a prodigy of the Ming Dynasty. Is it presumptuous of me to visit you under the moonlight?"

P.S.: This chapter contains three original waka poems, but they're poorly written because I'm not good at waka. Please bear with them and don't take them too seriously. This chapter focuses more on cultural etiquette and less on plot, but it's definitely not filler, so please don't criticize it harshly. Thank you, goodnight! Requesting monthly votes.

(End of this chapter)