Di Ming

Chapter 312 Frosty Trees at the Tomb, Leaves Falling in the Ninth Year

Zhu Yin heard the voice outside the window. Although it was clear and resonant, and the speaker referred to himself as "this humble one," it was clearly a woman. He was greatly puzzled.

He had just arrived at this place today, and Tiger Fang hadn't had time to relay any information, so he didn't even know who this woman was.

But she must be someone of great importance, definitely not a courtesan or a prostitute; she must be an extraordinary noblewoman, otherwise she wouldn't refer to herself as "this humble one."

Zhu Yin said casually, "May I ask your honorable name, and what brings you here so late at night?"

Zhu Yin would certainly not invite uninvited guests who had not made prior appointments, presented their visiting cards, or even whose names he did not know, nor would he take the initiative to greet them.

However, upon hearing this voice, the servants all bowed down.

Then the woman outside the window laughed and said, "How abrupt of you! I am Narita Kai, and I am honored to be a concubine of the Taiko."

Kaihime?! She was a famous female general of the Sengoku period, one of the most famous female samurai in the history of Japan's Sengoku period. She was as fierce as a man and was praised by later generations as "a flower in troubled times and an unfading soul".

Her father was originally a general of the Hojo clan, but surrendered to the Toyotomi clan after the Hojo clan was destroyed. Just last year, Hideyoshi took Kaihime as a concubine to appease the surrendered powerful clans of Kanto.

What is she doing here? Did Hideyoshi send her?
In Japan during the Warring States period, gender boundaries were not strict, a stark contrast to the strict separation of men and women in the Ming Dynasty, and not as strict as in the later Tokugawa Shogunate.

Although upper-class women mostly stayed in their homes, they could participate in activities such as tea parties, Noh theater, literary gatherings, archery, horseback riding, and were free to go out and meet guests.

The wives and daughters of military officers often accompanied the army, known as "wives in battle," and were responsible for logistics and other matters. They lived and interacted with men, only needing to maintain basic boundaries.

They can also inherit family businesses, have a wide range of career options, and even become military generals, city lords, or feudal lords. There are also many women among the various factions of ninjas and swordsmen of different schools.

Even so, Zhu Yin was still somewhat puzzled as to why Hideyoshi had sent his concubine to see him late at night. Could it be that the news had spread?
"So this is Kai-dono. I was not able to greet you properly. How rude of me." Zhu Yin certainly wouldn't actually greet him. He was the envoy of the Ming Dynasty, representing the face of the Celestial Empire. How could he possibly greet Toyotomi Hideyoshi's concubine?

"It's getting late. May I ask what brings you here, Madam?"

Kaihime was also one of Tiger Fang's bribery targets. However, Kaihime could not possibly know that she was Tiger Fang's master.

Kaihime smiled from outside the window: "Wakara-kun, you may not know, but this post town is under my management. They were also sent here by me."

Given Zhu Yin's status, she should have addressed him respectfully as "Envoy of the Ming Dynasty," but Zhu Yin was too young, and she was several years older, so she could only address him as "Young Tiger Lord."

Zhu Yin immediately understood. So she was the "hotel manager," in charge of this post town on behalf of Hideyoshi. Since he was staying here, couldn't she even come and see him?
now it's right.

There's no need to avoid suspicion.

Zhu Yin quickly stood up and said, "Please come in, Kai-dono."

The sound of wooden clogs could be heard, and then a noblewoman of about twenty years old entered the tea room with brisk steps. She had a round, snow-white face like a silver plate, with deep and three-dimensional features. In addition, she was poised and generous, with a katana at her waist, and had the demeanor of a heroic female general.

She has a bright and striking appearance. While her looks are indeed outstanding, she does not have the delicate and charming features of Japanese women, nor does she wear white powder, blush, or blacken her teeth.

Zhu Yin knew that Kaihime was an extraordinary woman skilled in both literature and martial arts. She was not only proficient in Japanese swordsmanship, but also very knowledgeable in waka poetry and tea ceremony.

Hideyoshi gave her a prominent position by appointing her to manage this large post town that hosted daimyo, court nobles, and envoys.

But her visit wasn't solely out of duty as the host of the inn; it must have been at Hideyoshi's behest.

As soon as Kaihime entered, the courtesans and the ladies-in-waiting knelt down and bowed, saying, "This humble servant greets Lord Kaihime."

Kaihime smiled brightly, holding her fan in both hands before her knees, she bowed slightly, her sleeves trailing to the ground, performing a shallow curtsy. She said:

"Nice to meet you, I apologize for disturbing you, Chikoro-kun."

Zhu Yin returned the greeting with a traditional Central Plains bow, saying, "You're too kind, Kai-dono. Please have a seat."

Kaihime deftly unfastened her sword (tachi) and placed it on the sword rack. Then the two sat down facing each other at the tea table.

After sitting down, Kaihime performed another deep bow. She touched the ground with her fingertips, bowed deeply, paused for a breath, and then sat up straight. Then, turning to the side, she held the teacup in both hands, twirled it twice, and handed it to Zhu Yin.

This is the "Shinrei" (真礼), one of the "Three Rites of Shin, Gyō, and Sō" (真行草三礼) in the tea ceremony, used to receive distinguished guests. Shin, Gyō, and Sō are forms of calligraphy, but the Japanese have evolved them into the three rites of the tea ceremony.

Zhu Yin simply returned the greeting with his hands clasped, and then accepted the teacup.

As an envoy of the Ming Dynasty, even in the eyes of the arrogant and condescending Japanese who belittled Ming envoys, his status was at least higher than that of an ordinary daimyo, no lower than that of a court noble of the third rank, and of course far higher than that of Kaihime. In addition, being a man, he was superior in terms of etiquette.

Although Kaihime was the master and Hideyoshi's concubine, she was subordinate in terms of etiquette.

Therefore, the two people's etiquette was asymmetrical.

Kaihime was only in her early twenties and had been married to Hideyoshi for less than two years, but she had a very strong aura. Every move she made exuded a powerful energy, like a female leopard that could leap up and hurt someone at any moment.

Ding Hongying and Wu You, who were standing in the tea room, were both a little nervous. They could tell that this was a woman skilled in martial arts, and by no means a weak woman.

Kaihime was also observing Zhu Yin, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Although the Ming envoy was just a young boy, his demeanor was simply too outstanding. He was like a gentle breeze emerging from the forest, or the bright moon shining down. He was truly a lovable person.

I don't know which woman gave birth to this boy. I also don't know which woman married this boy.

If there were many such young Ming Dynasty rulers, then it would truly be a Celestial Empire, unconquerable.

According to the latest intelligence from Otsuki and the ninja, Zhu Yin is a child prodigy who achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations (three times in a row) and is a minister who advocates peace. Moreover, he recently led an army to quell a rebellion by members of the Ming imperial family in the northwest.

He was the God of Literature, worshipped at a shrine in the Ming Dynasty, and was very famous among the people. It is said that such a genius prodigy only appears once every few hundred years in the Central Plains.

In short, he was an extremely unusual minister of the Ming Dynasty.

No wonder the wife (husband) wanted to keep him in Japan…

Originally, no further details were known. However, an hour ago, Okuzawa's leader, Asano Nagamasa, suddenly received the latest intelligence from Okuzawa regarding the Ming envoy.

According to Okuzawa's latest intelligence, while the Ming envoy was undoubtedly Han Chinese, he did indeed live in Japan before the age of six or seven. Specifically, he lived in Echizen Province before the tenth year of the Tensho era!

In the tenth year of Tensho, a major event that shook Japan occurred in Echizen Province: Shibata Katsuie, the most important retainer of the Oda clan, failed in his struggle with the Taiko for control of the Oda clan and committed suicide with his wife Oichi at the castle tower.

Although Oichi only had three daughters, she actually had an adopted son. Okuzawa's spies and Koga ninjas discovered that the boy Oichi adopted was actually the son of a Chinese merchant.

Although only nine years have passed, the wars have been fierce, many samurai families have been wiped out, and almost all those who knew about it back then are dead. No one knows about Oichi's adopted son.

A-Shi's eldest daughter, Cha-Cha, said that her mother adopted a younger brother to make up for the loss of her father, who died after she had no son. Cha-Cha raised him for six years.

But she didn't quite remember what the boy looked like, and she didn't know if he was a Chinese businessman.

Chacha also said that after her mother, Oichi, committed suicide, almost all of her servants and retainers died. Her adopted son also seemed to have died, or perhaps he did not, but she never saw him again.

The uncle, Lord Nobunaga, once held that child and promised to make amends to the mother by bestowing upon the child the title of daimyo in the future.

The most memorable thing was that the boy called her Tsubaki because she liked Wabisuke Tsubaki the most.

When they last met in the tenth year of the Tianzheng era, the child was only six or seven years old, with delicate features and exceptional beauty. He was also incredibly intelligent. It was because of these qualities that his mother made an exception and adopted him.

If that child were still alive, he would be a handsome young man of fifteen or sixteen now.

The Ming envoy previously mentioned that he had a Japanese foster mother during his childhood in Japan. Are these coincidences?
Moreover, Echizen was a coastal country with many seaports, and there were Chinese merchant ships there back then. It was not uncommon for Han Chinese merchants to be seafarers in Echizen.

Okuzawa's information shouldn't be wrong. Even if someone in Okuzawa made a mistake, could the Koga ninja have also made a mistake? Then, is it possible that the envoy is Oichi's adopted son?!

If the intelligence is correct, then the Ming envoy, having just returned to Japan where he spent his childhood, must have felt something, must have a deep affection for Japan, and must have expressed some sentiments. It's human nature; how could he remain unmoved?

His poem just now, which says, "Through the hazy mist, I see a kind face, and faintly, I see her dancing sleeves... It's still that arc from my childhood," already explains the point quite well.

Based on the information from Otsune and the ninjas, as well as Chacha's memories, there is at least a 50% chance that Zhu Yin is Oichi's adopted son!

If so, then this child could be linked to the Oda, Toyotomi, Shibata, and Asai families. Shibata Katsuie and Asai Nagamasa were both Oichi's husbands, but neither of them had any children left, and even their adopted sons with inheritance rights had died.

If Zhu Yin is indeed Oichi's adopted son, then according to the rules of propriety, he is also the adopted son of Shibata Katsuie and Azai Nagamasa, and has the right to inherit what the two of them can inherit.

Oichi was the woman Taiko loved but could not have, and she was hailed as the most beautiful woman in Japan. Even after all these years, Taiko still felt a pang of emotion when he spoke of Oichi. His marriage to Oichi's daughter, Chacha, was also a way to make up for his regret. Chacha's appearance and personality were remarkably similar to Oichi's.

Thinking of this, Kaihime smiled and said, "King Chikoroh must be wondering why I would visit so late at night? To be honest, besides being a good host to see my esteemed guest, I also want to convey the Taiko's greetings to King Chikoroh."

She came tonight to gather information, to find out about Taiko and Chacha.

Zhu Yin nodded and smiled calmly, "I am truly grateful for the hospitality shown to the delegation by Prince Kai and the care shown to the delegation by the Taiko."

He didn't even ask Hideyoshi's opinion, seemingly completely uninterested, treating it as if the other party had just come to offer greetings.

Kaihime couldn't help but gaze at Zhu Yin; the young man's face appeared somewhat ethereal and distant under the hazy lamplight and swirling tea mist.

She suddenly realized that the boy's expression also resembled that of a person.

Ashi.

Sometimes serene and cool, sometimes gentle and warm, giving people a feeling that is both leisurely and dashing, like a flower and leaf between movement and stillness.

She put down her teacup, used her closed fan to slightly shield her face, and spoke first:
"The Taiko says that you, Wakatora, spent your childhood in Japan with your foster mother. Japan can be considered your hometown. On this trip to Japan, would you like to see your foster mother again? If so, the Taiko is willing to send someone to invite her."

Zhu Yin chuckled inwardly, knowing that the false intelligence Tiger Fang had fabricated using Otsuki and the ninjas had already taken hold. Hearing Kaihime's words, his smile slowly faded, replaced by a faint sense of nostalgia and sadness. He said somberly:

"My adoptive mother has been gone for many years, and I don't know where she is buried. In the middle of the night, I dream that she is right in front of me."

Kaihime also looked apologetic, and bowed with a hint of sadness, saying:

"I see. I am truly sorry. Does Mr. Chizuru still remember your mother's name? I may ask the Taiko to erect a monument in your memory."

Zhu Yin hesitated, looking unsure, before finally shaking his head slightly and saying:
"I appreciate the kindness of Lord Kai and the Taiko. My mother would be grateful if she knew this in the afterlife. But there's no need to trouble her. She has passed away like smoke in the wind; why bother to carve her memory in stone?"

He refused to reveal his adoptive mother's name.

Kaihime, observing Zhu Yin's expressions, already knew what was going on. The more Zhu Yin tried to hide his true intentions, the more convinced she became.

Kaihime continued to probe, "I've heard that Prince Chikorō is a child prodigy of the Ming Dynasty, a reincarnation of the God of Literature, a fact known even to maritime merchants. When you left Japan to return to the Ming Dynasty, from which port did you depart? Do you wish to revisit that place?"

This time, Zhu Yin did not hide anything and said, "I remember that we sailed back to China from Tsuruga."

Tsuruga! Kaihime narrowed her eyes.

It matches up again. Tsuruga is indeed in Echizen Province, and it's very close to Kitanosho Castle, where Oichi lived, less than 100 li away!

Kaihime didn't press the matter further. She made a few more polite remarks and then stood up to take her leave.

Zhu Yin saw her off, and Zhong Ju and the courtesans followed her out.

After Kaihime and the others had all left, Zhu Yin remained standing at the door. He gazed at the bright moon in the sky and softly recited:

"On the castle tower, I saw daylilies sleeping. Frost chills the trees on the fragrant tomb, their leaves falling for the ninth year."

After reciting the poem, he said to himself, "Bearing a mission, I will never see it again."

On a tree near the entrance, a man in black was hidden in the canopy, seemingly blending into the tree, so much so that even the moonlight could not detect his presence.

He remained motionless, listening to Zhu Yin's words at the door, holding his breath as still as a blade of grass.

Zhu Yin sighed, turned, and went back into the house. He seemed completely unaware that the ninja was in the large tree in front of the door.

Once Zhu Yin entered the house, the ninja immediately and silently left the tree, disappearing into the night.

Soon, the ninja appeared in Kaihime's tea room.

There was already a female ninja in Kaihime's tea room; she was none other than one of the maids who had served Zhu Yin his evening meal earlier.

The female ninja was reporting: "...I have read all the waka poems and short poems he wrote, and I can see that he misses his deceased foster mother very much...and that short poem is like dew, born and gone..."

Kaihime raised an eyebrow. "This is Oichi's last poem! It's probably it!"

The female ninja continued, "The short sword he carried had the characters 'Yoshiko' on it, so it must be a treasured sword..."

"Yoshimitsu?" Kaihime smiled. "That's also Oichi's keepsake. It's indeed a treasured sword. Yodo-dono (Chacha) told me about it. Are there any more?"

The female ninja shook her head and said, "That's all. Oh, by the way, he is very familiar with samurai etiquette and is very particular about his evening meal, which means that his foster mother must have been a noblewoman and had a close relationship with the high-ranking families of Japan."

Kaihime fell into deep thought, then slowly nodded and said, "If they all match, then it must be correct."

She turned to look at the male ninja who had just entered. "And you? Did you find anything?"

"Lord Kai," the male ninja reported, kneeling, "after you left, he stood before the gate and recited a Chinese poem to himself..."

Kaihime pondered the poem, "...Frost chills the fragrant trees by the grave, leaves fall for the ninth year. Castle tower...the ninth year..."

Her expression gradually softened, and after sitting silently for a while, she finally spoke:
"It's confirmed! Zhu Yin is indeed Ashi's adopted son who disappeared nine years ago! I'll go report to the Grand Secretary right away!"

.........

Nagoya Castle, Honmaru Palace.

This place was the residence of Taiko, also known as "Senjakushiki". It had gold-leaf tiles and vermilion-lacquered pillars, and was Hideyoshi's palace in Nagoya Castle.

The entire population of Japan, numbering sixteen million, and its hundreds of thousands of troops, were all subject to the command of the lord of the Honmaru Palace. Toyotomi Hideyoshi was now one of the most powerful men in the world.

It was late at night, and the main palace was brightly lit and heavily guarded. But Toyotomi Hideyoshi still did not rest.

But at this time he was neither in the government office nor in the tea house, but in the inner quarters with his concubine Chacha.

These past few days, Hideyoshi has been exceptionally happy and has been even more fond of Chacha. Whenever he has free time, he likes to come to Oku to spend time with Chacha.

Chacha is pregnant and will soon be returning to Osaka Castle to rest and prepare for childbirth. He himself will continue to be stationed at Nagoya Castle, remotely controlling the Korean War.

At this moment, the most powerful old man in Japan is playing "fan throwing" with Chacha.

But he seemed somewhat distracted. Cha Cha was also a little absent-minded.

This older man and younger woman were both waiting for someone.

Kaihime.

Not long after, Kaihime arrived at the Honmaru Palace.

"What?!" Toyotomi Hideyoshi was still somewhat surprised when he heard Kaihime's report, even though he had already suspected it.

Chacha, radiant with beauty, showed even more excitement upon hearing Kaihime's words.

The boy who used to be my younger brother, actually found him? Was he really Zhu Yin, the Ming envoy?
Hideyoshi stood up, his aged eyes fixed on Kaihime: "Kaihime, is what you're saying true? The Ming envoy is Oichi's adopted son from back then?"

Kaihime nodded confidently and said with certainty, "If there are no surprises, it must be."

"If Your Excellency (husband) still has doubts, you may summon the leader of Okutsuki and hear his opinion."

Hideyoshi shouted, "Guards! Quickly summon Nagamasa to see me!"

Soon, Asano Nagamasa, one of the Five Commissioners and concurrently in charge of the Okutsuke, arrived.

"Your Highness!" Asano Nagamasa bowed and said, "Your Highness has been working so hard so late for Japan, for the great cause of conquering Ming and India. I am both moved and ashamed by your dedication."

He raised his head, his expression sincere and pleading: "But, for the sake of Japan, for the sake of the Imperial Court, please, Your Highness, take good care of your health! I beg you!"

"Enough, Nagamasa!" Hideyoshi sat up straight, a little annoyed. "Please don't say things like that again."

Nagamasa also had another identity: the brother-in-law of Hideyoshi's wife, Nene, making him Hideyoshi's brother-in-law. Hideyoshi didn't want to hear such flattery from him.

He threw the folding fan in his hand, which hit the fan-making platform squarely, and then clapped his hands and said:

"Okuzawa's intelligence suggests that the Ming envoy Zhu Yin may be connected to Lady Oichi. Nagamasa, what do you think?"

Asano Nagamasa was taken aback, glanced at Kaihime, and immediately reported:

"Your Highness, what I mean is that it's most likely true. If there's more evidence, then it can be confirmed."

Hideyoshi told Nagamasa about Kaihime's latest discovery and then asked, "Do you think the evidence is sufficient?"

Nagamasa nodded firmly, "Your Highness, the evidence is sufficient. I can confirm it."

Hideyoshi stood up and looked at his own shadow on the screen.

He loved looking at his own shadow on the screen. Because the shadow was tall and mysterious. And the shadow had no flaws.

Hideyoshi stared blankly for a while, then suddenly said, "Is it possible that Otsuke and the ninjas' intelligence was wrong?"

Asano Nagamasa looked up in astonishment, meeting Hideyoshi's deep and unfathomable eyes, and couldn't help but shiver.

"Otsuki and the ninjas' intelligence were all wrong? Your Highness, how is that possible? I find it hard to believe."

"Zhu Yin's mission to Japan was probably also because he missed Japan. Otherwise, why would it be him, and not someone else? The intelligence also says that he is a minister who advocates peace and had previously submitted a memorial advocating for peace negotiations. Is it really that much of a coincidence?"

"My lord," Kaihime shook her head with a wry smile, "That's impossible, Your Highness. I don't think Okuzume and the ninjas would make such a mistake."

Hideyoshi nodded and sat down again. "Alright. Well then, I guess I was overthinking it."

After saying that, he turned to look at Chacha and chuckled, "Chacha, the person who can be considered your brother has been found. He is Zhu Yin, the Ming envoy."

With tears in her eyes, Chacha said, "The Great God of the Nguyen Kingdom has blessed me. I am newly pregnant, and my younger brother has been found. I am so happy."

P.S.: Historically, there's no record of Oichi, the most beautiful woman of the Warring States period, having an adopted son. This book is fiction, so please don't take it too seriously. What do you all think were the uses of Oichi's adopted son's scheme for the young tiger? Also, many people guessed Ieyasu yesterday; they were wrong, weren't they?

(End of this chapter)