Chapter 216: Chapter 104: Outside the Sakurada Gate, an Unbridled Era!

They started off discussing the grudge between Ii Naosuke and the Mito Domain.

As the conversation went on, the topic suddenly shifted to the training of Swordsmanship.

After exchanging insights on swordsmanship, the topic inexplicably shifted to the special delicacies of their respective hometowns.

Chokata and Yamanaka could be considered half-fellow countrymen, as they were both from the Northeast.

Chokata’s hometown was the Shirakawa Domain in Northeast Japan, while Yamanaka’s was the Sendai Domain in Northeast Japan.

However, even though Chokata’s hometown was the Shirakawa Domain in the Northeast, he was born and raised in Edo and had hardly ever returned to his hometown. He couldn’t speak a word of the Northeastern dialect; he could only speak the standard language of this era, which was Kantou dialect.

While everyone was deeply engrossed in conversation, a wine merchant suddenly entered the noodle shop, offering his liquor for sale.

The wine merchant claimed that his wine was a carefully brewed premium product with a taste and intensity unlike any other on the market.

This piqued Chokata’s interest.

Due to his personality, Chokata was never short of curiosity and a spirit of exploration for things he had never encountered before.

Upon hearing the wine merchant say that his liquor was unlike any on the market, Chokata’s curiosity was immediately aroused. Seeing that the price wasn’t expensive, he bought a bottle to try with Aoto and the others.

The wine merchant wasn’t lying, as the liquor he sold indeed had a most unusual "delayed" effect.

When first sipped, the drink did not seem particularly strong.

But after a while, an intense, overwhelming kick would come, leaving one feeling dizzy and flushed.

Aoto, Yamanaka, and the others had decent alcohol tolerance and could withstand the impact of this aftereffect. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

But Chokata couldn’t handle it.

Perhaps due to his young age, Chokata’s alcohol tolerance was quite average.

He was directly knocked out by the intense aftereffect, reverting to his state a few days prior after a celebratory banquet — so drunk he was "limp," and Aoto had to carry him back once again.

"Mr. Chokata is still sleeping now..." Yamanaka chuckled softly, "As long as he’s fine."

While conversing, the two had already reached a shopping street lined with stores.

The time was not yet eight o’clock, yet the shopping street was already showing signs of prosperity.

Shops opened one after another, and pedestrians cheerfully weaved through the street.

At a glance, it appeared to be a scene of peace and prosperity.

But upon closer inspection, one would discover shocking filth hidden under this facade of "prosperity."

Beggars could be seen everywhere along the roadside; penniless ronin wandered in from who knows where; merchants wore anxious expressions as businesses became increasingly difficult due to continuous economic downturn... These images hidden in the corners of "prosperity" silently cried out to passersby: This is not a time worth longing for.

Seeing this hidden filth in every corner of the street, Yamanaka suddenly murmured:

"The number of beggars and ronin on the street seems to be increasing..."

As soon as Yamanaka spoke, Aoto immediately responded with a joking tone:

"In times like these, it would be odd if the number of beggars and ronin didn’t increase, wouldn’t it?"

Yamanaka paused, then chuckled silently a few times: "You’re right..."

"Thinking calmly—it’s already quite an achievement for the Shogunate to maintain stability in this country at present."

Yamanaka looked up, casting his gaze toward the faint silhouette of Edo Castle visible from where they stood in central Edo.

"Even though I’m not fond of Ii Dairou’s excessively forceful governance style that ignores even the Emperor’s will, it’s undeniable that he is currently indispensable to this country."

"He has quelled numerous ambitious figures who harbored sinister intentions after the Shogunate’s authority was seriously undermined by the Western World’s ships."

At this moment, they happened to pass by the front of a shrine’s Bird House.

Yamanaka looked up, glancing at the sacred shimenawa wrapped around the Bird House.

"...Ii Dairou is like a Demon-Breaking Arrow, subduing countless spirits and demons."

Listening to Yamanaka’s metaphor, Aoto couldn’t help but laugh: "A Demon-Breaking Arrow, huh... that’s quite a vivid metaphor..."

Demon-Breaking Arrow: An item used in Japanese Shintoism rituals, meant for exorcism and blessing.

Aoto’s current knowledge of Ii Naosuke was almost entirely derived from the memories of the "Original Tachibana Aoto."

For some reason, perhaps because the "Original Tachibana Aoto" worked in the government, these memories portrayed Ii Naosuke in quite a positive light.

In the "Original Tachibana Aoto’s" memories, the image of Ii Naosuke aligned closely with what Yamanaka had just described—while he might not have been an exceptionally capable minister, his presence was certainly like a Demon-Breaking Arrow, sealing away numerous demons.

Unknowingly, they had arrived at an intersection.

Aoto was to go left, while Yamanaka was to go right.

"Mr. Yamanaka, I suppose we’ll part ways for now then."

"Yes." Yamanaka waved to Aoto, "See you later."

After bidding farewell to Yamanaka, Aoto briskly walked away with Saito.

Yamanaka did not leave immediately.

He stood still, quietly watching Aoto’s figure gradually shrink within his line of sight.

Once Aoto’s figure completely disappeared from his view, he murmured to himself in a voice only he could hear:

"At a time when the country is in peril... I have a wealth of knowledge, yet nowhere to apply it..."