As the saying goes, hearing is false and seeing is believing. Huang Chen ordered the brothers Hikojiro and Hikoshiro to demonstrate martial arts. The two of them bowed and obeyed the orders. It was very inconvenient to perform in the tavern. A group of people followed the steward Yaxing to the backyard of the tavern. As far as they could see, there were fragrant grasses.
The old banyan tree, the fence, and the earthen house are simple, not beautiful, but pleasant nonetheless.
Huang Chen and others stood on the stone steps. Brothers Hikojiro and Hikoshiro bowed again and turned and walked into the arena. Huang Chen couldn't help but laugh at this. Japanese people have always had the same virtues in ancient and modern times. They have not changed at all. Their superficial etiquette is impeccable.
, As for the inner thoughts, God only knows. Huang Chen is no stranger to Japanese swordsmanship. Qi Jiguang's book on war has very detailed records. His late friend Wang Yong was also proficient in this art, but what he came into contact with may not be the authentic Japanese, and his experience in Japanese kendo
The baptism of the Warring States Period gave rise to so many schools that the Japanese themselves may not even be able to count them.
Hikojiro took out the Odachi sword that was about the same height as him from his waist, slowly pulled it out two-thirds of the way, then suddenly unsheathed it, flipped his wrist, flicked the blade upwards, turned it upside down with all his strength, raised the sword with both hands and slashed diagonally.
, followed by locking the wrist, stepping forward, and thrusting, all in one go. Huang Chen couldn't help but nodded repeatedly. Wang Yong once told him that Japanese swordsmanship is heavy on slashing, and the victory or defeat is often within ten moves. People who are not familiar with Japanese swordsmanship even have three moves.
It is possible to be killed with just two moves. Hikojiro has three moves in one move, which are interlocking and murderous at every step. It is extremely difficult to defend, which confirms what he said before, that he is indeed capable of killing ten with one.
In addition to the electric and wind-turning moves, which are unparalleled in speed, Japanese swordsmanship also has another well-known feature - footwork. Japanese people are good at leaping, either leaping forward or jumping left and right. They are so cunning and cunning that no one can predict them.
.This leap does not refer to how high or far the jump must be, but refers to the vertical and horizontal steps that match the direction of the sword. It can be one foot, or several feet, one step, or continuous movement. The Japanese use special lengths to jump.
The sword is combined with deceitful footwork to dance and strike. The opponent cannot catch the short weapon and is weak with the long weapon. Very few people can escape their sharp chops. Hikojiro is a Japanese warrior who perfectly combines the two, which is commonly known in China.
The man and the sword are one.
"Swish, swish, swish!"
Hikojiro's steps were in sync with each other, and the blade drew strange and fierce arcs. The light and shadow were chaotic, giving people a dazzling feeling. Hikoshiro screamed, jumped into the arena, and advanced and retreated side by side with Hikojiro. You can see Hikoshiro's martial arts skills.
Not as good as his brother, it can only be regarded as good. However, the two brothers seem to have learned the art of combined attack. One person attacks the left, the other attacks the right, one attacks the upper plate, and the other attacks the lower plate. They cooperate seamlessly and are invincible, forming one plus one.
An amazing effect that is far greater than two.
Huang Chen was quite confident in his martial arts, but if he was attacked by two people, he would have to answer three or five moves. Then he became suspicious. With the skills of the two of them, they should not worry about the superior ones. Why has no one hired him yet?
Could it be that the problem lies with them? Huang Chen turned his eyes to the manager of Yaxing and expressed his doubts.
Huang Chen was not the first person to ask. I wonder if he was the last one. The manager smiled bitterly and said: "The problem is not with their brothers. There are still fourteen Japanese under their command. The only way to recruit them is to recruit them all. You see,
That's them." The steward raised his finger and pointed at the dozen Kuntou Japanese who came in from another courtyard, and said: "They are different from us Ming people. It costs a lot of money to hire them. The Yan brothers have to pay thirty
Ordinary Japanese people need to pay fifteen taels of silver every year, totaling two hundred and seventy taels."
Huang Chen suddenly realized that the Ming Dynasty lacked everything except people. As long as they provided some food and drink, they could basically recruit as many as they wanted. Two hundred and seventy taels of silver was not a small amount of money. Instead of hiring a dozen Japanese, it would be better to add one more.
The bird ship came in real time. Huang Chen said: "This money may be a lot of money to others, but it is a drop in the bucket to Master Zheng. Why doesn't Master Zheng recruit them?"….
The steward hesitated and replied: "Look, I think you are really interested. I won't hide it from you. There are over a hundred Japanese people under the Zheng family, and there is no shortage of Japanese warriors. In addition, there were some small incidents between the Japanese leader and the Yan brothers.
Dirty.”
"You want to harm me?" Huang Chen's face changed drastically. Being an enemy of Zhou Lao was enough to give him a big headache. If he provoked Zheng Zhilong again, would he still have a way to survive?
The steward smiled dryly and said: "Stop your anger, calm down... The two sides are not really enemies of life and death. Otherwise, eight of us would not dare to take in the Yan brothers even if I had the guts. It's just a little grudge from the past, and we don't like each other. Zheng
The master and Shibazhi did not want to recruit the Yan brothers because they took care of that person's face. I am an outsider, so if I take them under my command, the other party will most likely not care."
Huang Chen had a gloomy face and said nothing.
The steward added: "I know very well what Master Zheng's plans are for the future. Don't blame the villain for talking too much. If you are not careful, you will lose your life. The Japanese have always been naive, brave and loyal. If you accept the Yan brothers and others, let them serve as
Guards, the villains beside me can’t guarantee that, unless they all die in battle, as long as there is one person left, I can sit back and relax.”
Huang Chen still remained silent, constantly weighing the pros and cons. Almost all of his best men were sent out to control the ship, and there were not many people left around him. The future of the trip to Fujian was uncertain and full of dangers. It was urgent for people with outstanding martial arts skills like the Yan brothers to protect their safety.
He was unable to judge the authenticity of what the manager said, and the consequences of offending Zheng Zhilong were definitely beyond what he could bear now.
Hikojiro and Hikoshiro put away their swords after the performance and walked back to Huang Chen. Huang Chen asked: "I heard that you have some grudges with the Japanese leader under Zheng Zhilong?"
The Yan brothers looked at each other, and Yanjiro bowed and replied, "Yes. He was defeated by me when he was in China, and he has a grudge against me."
Huang Chen asked again: "In that case, why do you force yourself to stay here?"
Hikojiro said helplessly: "Our father was once a brave samurai who fought against the Tokugawa. Later, the master's family was destroyed, and my father committed seppuku. My brother and I became ronin, and were forced to travel overseas and wander around the world. We have
We cannot return to our country, and we cannot return to our home. After losing its owner this summer, we originally wanted to follow Hamada Yabei on the ship, but we were ruthlessly rejected."
The steward informed Huang Chen that Hamada Yahei was the owner of the Japanese Zhuin Ship and was subordinate to Sue Heizang. The latter was the Acting Official of Nagasaki and held the municipal and trade power of Nagasaki. He was one of the top large merchants in Japan, and his merchant ships were all over the East China Sea and Southeast Asia.
.
Hikojiro continued: "If we are not hired again, we will go south and join Yamada Nagamasa."
This time the steward's face showed confusion. Apparently he didn't know who Yamada Nagamasa was.
Hikojiro explained to the two of them that Yamada Nagamasa was born in the Baba Town of Suruga Province and was also a ronin. He took a red seal ship to the Kingdom of Siam more than ten years ago. It is said that he now has a very high status in Siam, with as many as 800 people under his command.
He was a Japanese samurai who fought in all directions for the King of Siam and made countless achievements. He himself called himself the "King of Six Kun" and was the best-successful Japanese overseas.
Huang Chen couldn't help but feel surprised. He didn't expect that there were such talented people in Japan, but he didn't take it too seriously. The two of them were incompatible with each other and it was difficult for them to interact. He asked: "Let me ask you one last time, what is the relationship between you and that person?"
Will the grievances between us affect me?"
Hikojiro paused and replied: "No."
Huang Chen was surprised: "Why are you so confident?"
Hikojiro said: "I believe that although he has lost his identity as a samurai, he has not lost his heart as a samurai."
Huang Chen couldn't help but laugh, what kind of reason is this? If you say it, it means you haven't said it. In fact, before he asked, he had already made up his mind and nodded: "Okay, I believe what you said. Hikojiro, Hikoshiro, you are me from today on.
of people.”
The faces of the Yan brothers were so numb that they were almost stiff, and a look of joy appeared on their faces. They gathered all their subordinates and knelt down to bow down.
Huang Chen nodded, motioned for them to get up, and turned to the steward: "When will the other hundred people get together? It's best to get the matter done today."
The steward said with a grimace: "I am too eager. I will try my best to make it before dusk..."
"Let them go directly to the dock. I will send someone to pick them up at that time." After that, Huang Chen ignored the manager and left with a group of new and old subordinates.