I was a swordsman in ancient Japan

Edo, Edo Castle.

"My lord, please forgive me for speaking bluntly. You can use one word to describe the reforms you have made."

In Edo Castle, in a certain room specially used by senior officials to discuss matters, the sound of people's conversations can be heard constantly.

There are 5 people in total in the room.

Although there are only a handful of 5 people, these 5 people, without exception, are the 5 most powerful people in the shogunate except for the general.

These 5 people are the old Nakamatsu Taira Nobuo, and the only 4 Wakanen who are currently in the shogunate.

If the year is sent to the official position, it is only one level lower than the old middle school, and there are generally 35 people, who manage officials outside the scope of the old middle school's authority, and assist generals and old middlemen in governing the country.

It's just an extremely common thing for old middlemen and Ruonian friends to gather together to discuss state affairs.

Today, as usual, Matsudaira Sadanobu and the four Wakinians gathered together to start a new round of discussions on state affairs.

It's just that in the recent period, the number of discussions between Matsudaira Sadanobu and Wakonen sent significantly increased and became more frequent.

The reason is because of the recent events of Matsudaira Sadanobu's various reforms, large or small, one after another.

And Wakayoshi were also forced to discuss these reforms with Matsudaira Sadanobu in depth, either actively or passively.

"Instead of carrying out these fancy reforms, it is better to concentrate and focus on what can really revitalize the country."

The speaker was none other than Junji Beichuan, one of the four Ruo Nian sent.

Bei Chuan, who had just passed his 28th birthday, spoke in a low tone.

His dark pupils were full of confidence, with a bit of rebelliousness shining.

Let those who see it understand that these are the eyes that only a pair of doers who are determined to do practical things will have.

A talent honed through the harmony of hard work and talent, Kitagawa, who was so highly praised by his teachers and friends around him, leaned forward in the direction where Matsudaira Sadanobu was sitting, looking as if he would jump on Matsudaira Sadanobu at any time look like.

Although the status of the old middle school is higher than that of Ruo Nianji, there is no difference in height between the seats of the five people, they just form an irregular circle in a very ordinary way.

After quietly listening to Beichuan's sharp speech just now, the expression on Dingxin's face did not change at all.

It was as if Bei Chuan's sharp accusation just now was about someone else, not himself.

After Beichuan's voice fell, Dingxin asked in a calm tone:

"Then I'd like to ask Mr. Beichuan. Regarding the sentence you said just now, focus on what can really revitalize the country. Do you have any good ideas?"

"It's very simple! You only need to do one thing." Bei Chuan raised a finger, "Send envoys to the Nanman countries to investigate the Nanman countries!"

Beichuan's words not only made Dingxin frowned, but also the other Ruo Nianji around him.

"Can you tell me why?" Dingxin asked.

"My lord, you should have read the Fengshuo post submitted by the Dutch businessman George three months ago?" A device called a steam engine."

"The rest of the southern barbarian countries have also begun to gradually use steam engines."

"According to the Fengshuo post submitted by George, a small steam engine has the power of a hundred animals. Just one steam engine can increase the daily mining volume of a mine by several times, or even ten times."

As soon as Beichuan finished speaking, Dingxin let out a strong disdainful smile:

"Mr. Beichuan, do you believe this kind of rhetoric that is no different from the lies of a three-year-old child?"

"Of course I have read the letter you mentioned, which was submitted by the Dutch businessman George three months ago."

"I also remember the above content."

"It says: The steam engine is powered by steam."

"Isn't this nonsense?!"

When he said this, Dingxin's volume suddenly increased several times, and the necks of the other three Ruonianji besides Beichuan couldn't help shrinking.

"A mere steam can withstand the power of a hundred animals? Even a five-year-old child wouldn't believe this kind of nonsense."

"My lord!" Bei Chuan replied with a resonant voice that did not give in. "To be honest, I am also skeptical about what George wrote in Feng Shuo's post that the steam engine can match the strength of a hundred animals."

"But because we don't know the truth or falsehood, we should send people to the southern barbarian countries to investigate!"

"If George's post is correct, then the steam engine is definitely a weapon that will benefit the country and the people! We must also have steam engines!"

Although Kitagawa's tone was sincere, Matsudaira Sadanobu still showed no interest at all.

"Now I don't have the spare money and time to investigate the southern barbarian countries." Matsudaira Sadanobu waved his hand impatiently, "Instead of wasting this money to investigate the southern barbarian countries, it is better to use the money to investigate the movements of Lucia. "

"The number of expeditions sent by Lucia to Ezodi has become more and more frequent."

"Compared to the English country, the Lucia country, which is eyeing the northern gateway of our country, is more worthy of our attention."

Seeing that Matsudaira Sadanobu showed no interest in what he said just now, Beichuan's face immediately turned ugly.

Just when Bei Chuan was about to say something more, another Ruo Nian who was sitting next to him tugged Bei Chuan's sleeve.

This person is Yoshimoto Choemon, another of the four Wakanen Yosho.

Gibbon is the oldest of the five present and is 5 years old this year.

Not only the oldest one, but also the most useless one.

He didn't have much ability, and he got Ruo Nianji's position purely by his ancestor's shade.

When everyone was discussing government affairs enthusiastically there, he basically sat on the side like an immobile puppet without saying a word because he couldn't say anything penetrating.

But it would not be true to say that he was of no use at all.

When Lao Zhong quarreled with the rest of Ruo Nian, he was always the first to stand up as a peacemaker.

Because he is the oldest, even Matsudaira Sadanobu will give him face as an elder, and when he steps forward to be a "peacemaker", he will also give him face.

Thanks to Gibbon's blessing, Edo Castle has been spared a lot of bloody disasters.

After seeing Yoshimoto reminding him not to touch Matsudaira's bad luck with his movements and eyes, Beichuan pursed his lips, and after a moment of silence, he snorted coldly.

"Forget it, let's talk about sending envoys to the southern barbarian countries later."

Bei Chuan pulled his sleeve back from Yoshimoto's hand.

"My lord, let's discuss the next thing." Bei Chuan crossed his hands in front of his chest, "The next thing to discuss is also something that I have been very concerned about since I heard about it."

"This matter has something to do with the trial match before the imperial court that you insisted on holding, my lord."

Matsudaira Sadanobu narrowed his eyes slightly after hearing the word "gozen test match" from Kitagawa's mouth.

"My lord." Bei Chuan cast a meaningful look at Matsudaira Sadanobu, "I recently heard such an interesting rumor from other people."

"Everyone in the world knows that the reason why the old and middle-aged adults want to hold the imperial trial is to use this as an opportunity to encourage everyone to practice literature and martial arts, and to revitalize the martial arts."

"But an interesting rumor came out recently: this is just a superficial reason. It is specially used to fool some officials in the shogunate, so that the imperial trial can be held smoothly."

"Essentially, the old, middle-aged and lord held an imperial trial for another purpose."

"The real purpose is to accumulate experience in holding exams, and to find out the content and methods of the exam that are suitable for our people."

"To prepare for the revival of the imperial examination system in our country in the future."

"My lord, whether this rumor is true or not, can you give us a positive answer here?"

The rest of Ruo Nian Ji did not show any surprise after hearing Bei Chuan's words.

Their calm appearance silently announced to Matsudaira Sadanobu that they also knew about this rumor.

The four Wakonenyose, headed by Kitagawa, all focused their attention on Matsudaira Sadanobu.

Bathed in the eyes of these four colleagues, Matsudaira Sadanobu did not answer immediately.

He just continued to maintain a blank expression, silent.

after a short silence

"Hahaha." Matsudaira Takanobu let out a few chuckles, "Is there any need to talk about it? Of course this is a fake rumor."

"Reviving the imperial examination system in Tang Dynasty? Reviving the imperial examination system that has been extinct in our country for hundreds of years, what is the benefit to our country?"

"The reason why I plan to hold an imperial trial is just to better encourage everyone to practice literature and martial arts."

"No other purpose."

"The rumor you have heard is nothing more than malicious slander against me."

"You don't need to care about it."

"It's good that my lord doesn't want to revive the imperial examination system." After quietly listening to Dingxin's words just now, Beichuan said in a flat tone, "The demise of the imperial examination system in our country hundreds of years ago has proved that the imperial examination system The system only applies to Tang soil, not to our country."

"We have a large number of excellent warriors, and there is no need to revive the imperial examination system."

"Since you have personally said that your purpose of holding the imperial trial is very simple, then I am also relieved."

For some reason, when Bei Chuan said the sentence just now, he specially emphasized the tone of the group of words "speaking by himself".

Matsudaira Sadanobu smiled without saying a word, and lowered his head to grab the teacup by his lap.

When he lowered his head, there was a slight coldness in his eyes.

It's just because he just lowered his head at this time, and the coldness was fleeting, so the surrounding Beichuan and others didn't notice the coldness in Matsudaira Sadanobu's eyes.

Today is a long-lost update, with a total of 8000 words.

Starting tomorrow, the monthly pass will be doubled, so everyone save the monthly pass until tomorrow to vote!

Please see that for the sake of my explosive update today, start voting for me tomorrow!

In one of the previous chapters, I talked about popular science and the Japanese imperial examination system. Let me review it with you again in this chapter!

Chapter 392 Bring back that traitor! 【6000 words】

It has only been nearly two hours since the five of them went to the noon dinner together and started discussing government affairs.

The long verbal battle made even Dingxin and Beichuan, who were in their prime, feel a little tired.

Young people like Dingxin and Beichuan will feel tired, let alone middle-aged and elderly people like Beichuan who are already 50 years old.

The urgent and important government affairs that should be discussed have almost been discussed.

Now that the things that should be discussed have been discussed, it is not too early to see the time, and everyone is already a little tired, Matsudaira Sadanobu announced that today's talk will come to an end here.

With this order from Matsudaira Sadanobu, besides Beichuan, the other three Ruonian were granted amnesty.

Only Beichuan still looked like he hadn't talked enough and wanted to continue talking about government affairs.

Beichuan wanted to have a good chat with Matsudaira Sadanobu about "sending envoys to the southern barbarian countries for investigation".

But considering that it is really late now, and I am also a little tired, I can only give up and decide to postpone the matter. When the right time comes, I will talk about it in detail with Matsudaira Sadanobu .

The four Wakonian, headed by Beichuan, stepped out of this room specially used for the discussion of senior officials of the shogunate.

Not long after he walked out of the room, Gibbon let out a long breath as if he had unloaded some heavy object tied to his body.

"When people are old, not only their physical strength is weak, but their energy is also poor."

While feeling so emotional, Gibbon rubbed his thighs on both sides.

Kneeling for more than two hours in a row is no longer something the elderly Yoshimoto can do easily.

"Today's meeting took a lot longer than before." Another of the four Ruonian who spoke: Matsudaira Takashi.

"It's a pity that we couldn't discuss the matter of sending envoys to the southern barbarian countries in one breath." After finishing speaking, Beichuan let out a long sigh.

"Mr. Beichuan, I don't think it is necessary to send envoys to the southern barbarian countries." Gibbon said softly, "I think it is enough to keep this country as it is."

"Our country lacks nothing, and the world is at peace. Since the attack on Toyotomi's family, there has been no large-scale war in our country for nearly 200 years."

"Why do you need to communicate with Nanman?"

"So Mr. Beichuan, forgive me for not agreeing with your idea of ​​sending envoys to communicate with the southern barbarian countries."

"Master Yoshimoto" Bei Chuan sighed helplessly, "Have you forgotten the envoys sent to the Sui Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty thousands of years ago?"

"Thousands of years ago, the Sui and Tang Dynasties were powerful, and our country learned from the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and only then did we have the current my country."

"And now the southern barbarian countries have invented a device that seems to be quite powerful. Is it wrong for us to learn from the southern barbarian countries a thousand years ago?"

"If the steam engine really has the power of a hundred animals as George's wind said, then we can't miss it no matter what."

Speaking of this, Bei Chuan once again let out a long sigh.

"Forget it, let's not talk about this."

"If it's not that I'm a little tired now, or I will definitely have a good argument with you."

Seeing that Beichuan voluntarily gave up the debate with him, Gibbon let out a sigh of relief, as if he had just escaped a catastrophe.