Zhao Yanhao stayed one night at Xiang Shengzu's house. The next morning, Xiang Shengzu personally led several militiamen from the village to act as guides, plus several Ryukyu officials and naturalized soldiers to go to Imagai.
Went to Rencheng for inspection.
It is said that Nakijin Castle is actually in ruins after the Battle of Satsuma Landing decades ago. The road to Nakijin Castle is now in very poor condition because it is rarely used. A group of people circled along the mountain road
While on the way, Zhao Yanhao could see some unknown shrubs suddenly appearing in the middle of the road from time to time, blocking the way. There were dense woods on both sides of the dirt road, and the tall and low trees formed a natural line.
In the green barrier and among the treetops, from time to time, Noguchi Woodpeckers are looking for food, pecking at the tree trunks with their sharp beaks, making a "ding-ding-ding" sound, and then fall silent again.
After walking seven or eight miles along the mountain road, Zhao Yanhao saw some collapsed houses starting to appear on the roadside. The surrounding stone walls also collapsed. The front door was overgrown with weeds because it was uninhabited. It looked quite old.
Xiang Zu pulled the reins, and then the horse meekly slowed down its pace and came to Zhao Yanhao's sedan chair.
"This is the old ruins of Nakijin Castle," Xiang Shengzu explained through Zheng Jue's translator. "It was abandoned due to fire during the war more than 20 years ago. The Qinbo Village we are going to pass ahead is different from today's
The situation in Quy Nhon Village is roughly the same." Then he glanced meaningfully at Binh Qi Xiang, who was at the end of the team.
"My brother Xiang Shengwu's wife, Si Yijin, is the daughter-in-law of the God of Fire Temple in front, which is in the Ayingli House Hui Hall." Xiang Shengzu did not forget to show off the honor he had won.
Although there are many Buddhist and Taoist temples in Ryukyu, most of the people still believe in primitive animist religions similar to Japanese Shintoism. The history of Ryukyu civilization is relatively short, and the influence of matrilineal forces is profound. Zhu Nu, who serves as a priest,
Their status is roughly similar to that of priests in Japanese shrines, rather than shrine maidens who perform chores. The Zhunu group is very powerful. Among them, the highest-ranking Lord Wende even takes over the power of religious affairs in the country, and even the King of Ryukyu has to shun it.
Naturally, the choice of Zhu Nu is not just a religious issue, but more of a political issue.
The status of Aying Riya Eden in Ryukyu is second only to the Lord Wen De, and is the second highest position among women. Because it has the religious power in the Kitayama area, it is often held by members of the royal family. The previous Aying
In the Riwuhui Palace is the eldest daughter of King Shangyong. In contrast, the current Zhunu Xiangshengzu's sister-in-law, Si Yijin, was just a daughter of Zhong Zonggen, Yunshang, who was able to hold such an important position.
I'm afraid there won't be too much intrigue behind the scenes.
"Oh? I didn't expect that Ryukyu's congratulatory daughter can still get married!" Zhao Yanhao was quite surprised, because although the Ise Jingu Shrine and Kamo Shrine in Japan also have princesses as Saiwang, it is clearly stipulated that they cannot get married during their reign.
.
"Although it is now heard that the Maharaja is basically single, there is no strict rule that Zhu's daughter is not allowed to get married."
While he was talking, Zhao Yanhao saw a low outer wall made of gray volcanic rocks that stretched for more than a mile at the end of the ruins of the village. This was probably Nakijin Castle. At regular intervals on the outer wall, there were
There are several diamond-shaped tributaries protruding outwards, which are probably simple horse platforms built to attack enemies from the side.
Judging from the structure and terrain, the defense measures here are quite adequate and can cope with low-intensity armed conflicts. However, it is not enough when facing a small Sengoku power like Satsuma. Ryukyu is a small country after all, with scarce resources and limited weapons.
Zhao Yanhao looked at the inside of the city. Nakijin Castle was built on the mountain and looked particularly majestic. In terms of momentum, it was even better than Shuri Castle. Unfortunately, even though Nakijin Castle was like this, it was almost destroyed due to loose defenses.
It was captured by the Satsuma clan without any resistance, and the subsequent fire burned down to only ruins.
The glory of the Ryukyu Kingdom in the era of King Shojin was only left in ruins. Zhao Yanhao was filled with sadness when he looked at it.
Xiang Shengzu led a group of people through the outer wall and continued towards the top of Nakijin Castle. There were also many ruins of buildings destroyed by the fire of Nakijin Castle scattered inside the outer wall, and a desolate and desolate scenery came into view.
After walking for a while, a five or six-meter-high stone wall blocked the way of Zhao Yanhao and his group. Under the leadership of Xiang Shengzu, everyone walked along the stone wall and came to a narrow narrow path with archery equipment on both sides.
In front of the stone gate in the room, Xiang Shengzu came over and explained: "This is the Hirang Gate. Entering this gate means officially entering the city."
Entering Nakijin Castle, the road is a little more regular. Follow the steps and spiral up through a stone wall. At the end, you will find a spacious and large courtyard with trees.
With a sad and depressed expression on his face, he pointed to the remains of a large stone pillar base and said: "This is the Nakijin-den where I lived when I was a child... This side is the South Temple... The slightly higher ground over there is the North Temple.
temple……"
Continuing upward along the road to the courtyard, passing a five-six-meter-high stone wall, we arrived at the highest point of the entire Nakijin Castle - the main point. The main point is also desolate, with many scattered among the overgrown vines.
Huge stones. Some of the stones are large bluestones that are not produced locally and should be imported from China.
When Zhao Yanhao asked what kind of building this place was, he couldn't even tell Xiang Shengzu himself.
Or maybe this was once the royal palace of the Buksan Kingdom? Or maybe it was the seat of the Yeongjo Dynasty now? Zhao Yanhao could only let his imagination play with the glory of the nearby past.
Standing by the city wall of the main castle, Zhao Yanhao looked far into the distance. The East China Sea, the sky and the sea blended into each other and shone brightly. The ruins of the entire Nakijin Castle, Nakijin Village at the foot of the mountain, Yuntian Port, and even the islands in the distance were all beautiful.
All can be seen.
"Where is that place?" Zhao Yanhao said, pointing to a small area separated by a stone wall next to the north hall of the court and accessible under the main palace.
The houses in this area are complete, and judging from the cleanliness of the surrounding area, they seem to be inhabited.
"Sir, this turns out to be the female official's house." Xiang Shengzu continued to introduce it through Zheng Jue.
"Oh? Let's go take a look?"
After listening to Zheng Jue's translation, Xiang Shengzu suddenly looked embarrassed: "Sir, this is the imperial mountain in the city where the God of Fire is worshiped. It is governed by the Ayingli Househui Hall. As a rule, men are not allowed to enter..."
"So can I make an exception and go in today?" Zhao Yanhao said half-jokingly.
"If you don't dislike women's clothing, of course it's okay, but it's a pity that I didn't bring it with me today." Xiang Shengzu replied with a harmless expression on his face.
"Pfft!" Zhao Yanhao almost choked on his saliva, "I'm not a perverted uncle... let alone Mizuho or Hideyoshi... Boku
no
pico!" He quickly motioned to the confused Zheng Jue to stop trying to translate these strange complaints.
"Master Kanashi went to Kudaka Island, which is under the jurisdiction of Lord Kanashi, and he also wanted to wear women's clothes to go to the island." Xiang Shengzu added.
"..." The shameful picture of y appeared, and I couldn't help but feel a chill.
"Forget it..." Zhao Yanhao thought of this and shrugged without forcing it.
Then Zhao Yanhao and other people, led by Xiang Shengzu, went down the stairs and inspected the large corner near the court that was used for military training and the "Cawabao" defense pond built using natural conditions. Then the group went
Returning to Nakijin Village, the one-day inspection ended amidst the cries of Yamahara water chickens foraging for food in the forest.
Domain Lord Hall:
The new leaves are turning green, and the orioles are singing more silently. I am reading this book at a time when the feudal lord is very busy, and I feel very guilty because of the trouble. Thanks to the grace of the feudal lord, I traveled on a huge ship, and everything was safe. Please explain to me.
The huge Australian ship looks like a mountain when you look at it. Just like what Yamada said on the waterside, it swallows smoke and spits out mist, and moves on its own without wind. The mechanism of this thing, or it can be said to be driven by a fire wheel, has never been known below.
In the Australian army, people from the Dominion country fled to Qionghai and were used by the Australians. The Australian soldiers wore feathered fabrics and had helmets that looked like cymbals and were made of rattan. Australian firearms were far superior to those of the southern barbarians with red hair. The name of the iron cannon was "ホル".
I don’t know what it means, but the pill enters from behind, without a match rope, and has a range of hundreds of steps, which is the most precise. The Australian barrel is made of blade gold. The Australians have never used it, so they don’t know its power. All these things are vividly remembered below.
.
The Australian envoy arrived at Quy Nhon on the evening of the 18th and stayed at the Si Chao Palace in Quy Nhon for the night. From the residence, he walked along the mountain road for more than ten miles and climbed to Quy Nhon City the next day. As he walked down the stone wall, he could not stop sighing at the strength of Quy Nhon City in the past.
In this way, it was also obtained by the previous feudal lord, and this is the great contribution of Kayama Mino Mamoru and all the princes. I have been naturalized in Ryukyu, but I still have no significant contribution. I apologize again, but I will sacrifice my life to explore now to thank the feudal lord for his great kindness.
The summer wind is blowing, and the rainy season is approaching. I was supposed to go to Tsurumaru Castle in person to pay my respects, but now that I am on official business, it is difficult to make the trip, so I send you a letter to express my greetings. There are many things that I want to express my gratitude to the feudal lord, but how can I deal with the things in Australia?
It’s not enough, I can’t write it down unless I have seen it in person. I pretended to make a sketch to capture all my thoughts, so I will just put it down today. I am waiting for good news, but I am afraid to speak with caution.
Immediately on the cloud
April 20
Repeat (Monogram)
The wood wax made from the cotinus fruit gave off a dim light, illuminating the room in half-darkness. Ping Qixiang sighed, opened the drawer of the small maki-e box he carried with him, and pulled out a piece of white hanging paper as a seal.
After that, he put the note he just wrote and the few sketches attached to it into a sealed book, opened another drawer, took out the beeswax, and sealed the letter. Then he cleared his throat:
"Sanlang!"
"Hmm," a young Ryukyu servant hurriedly ran into the house, walked over and knelt down in front of Ping Qixiang, "What are your orders, sir?"
"Send this to Lord Zaemon at Unten Port and ask him to deliver the letter to Tsurumaru Castle tomorrow morning."
"Hmm," the Ryukyu servant took the letter respectfully and walked backwards out of the room.