Chapter 307 Qing Deng Is Promoted! Increase Salary by 250 Shi! Grant a Set of Precious Armor! [5000]
There were 31 bandits captured by the expeditionary army, among whom the highest-ranking one was the third leader of the Soma clan, a tall, skinny man.
The bamboo cages used to hold the captives were the kind used to hold fruits and vegetables and livestock, and they were very breathable.
The criss-crossed bamboo strips were woven into diamond-shaped "ventilation windows" as big as fists, so that people outside could clearly see the scene inside the cages. The miserable appearance of the captives was clearly visible under the gaze of the people lining the streets.
The bandits in the cages were disheveled, dejected, and listless, exuding an unpleasant odor that was almost the same as that of livestock. Where was the arrogance they had when they used to bully the people?
I don't know who started it, but they grabbed the mud and sand on the ground and threw it at the bandits in the cages.
There was no need for any incitement. For the people of this era, the disgust and hatred for the bandits was deeply rooted in their bones.
Seeing someone take the lead, the rest of the people immediately followed suit.
No matter who it was, as long as they saw someone in a bamboo cage, they would immediately bend down and pick up mud and sand and throw them at him.
For a moment, mud, stones, rotten vegetable leaves and other things rained down on the captured bandits.
Soon, the bandits' bodies looked like a dyeing factory, red, white, black, gray... all kinds of colors.
The bandits, who looked even more embarrassed, shouted and yelled, causing the people on both sides of the street to applaud.
Those bandits who were arrogant and domineering in the past in everyone's impression would actually cry and shout, beg for mercy at the top of their lungs, be scared to death, and look like a coward.
It was so refreshing.
In fact, many people standing on both sides of the street at this moment were just here to watch the fun.
Many of them had no idea where the Soma clan was based, or even who was in the bamboo cage.
Some even didn't know which army the triumphant army belonged to or what they had done.
But what did it matter?
In the eyes of ordinary people, all of the above matters were irrelevant - they just needed to know that the people in the bamboo cage were evil people who could be "retaliated" by them.
The extreme solidification of classes had already brought the oppression and exploitation of Japan to an outrageous level.
The shogun and the daimyo of the feudal states oppressed the people.
The wealthy merchants who were as rich as the kings and princes oppressed the samurai.
The samurai oppressed the ordinary people.
And the ordinary people... although in theory, they could oppress the Eta who were listed as the untouchable class, but the Eta were not so easy to bully.
The low social status made the Eta very good at... or had to survive in groups.
The predecessor of the Yakuza was the Eta who formed groups.
If they make trouble for Eta, who will be the unlucky one in the end?
Moreover, in the social concept of this era, Eta is an "unclean thing" that cannot be touched. Therefore, no ordinary person would go near Eta when he has nothing to do.
So in general, ordinary people in the Edo period did not have any "oppressible objects". They were "oppressed objects" who could only silently endure the oppression and exploitation of others.
Most of the time throughout the year, the meals were watery porridge and dry pickled radishes; the lowest-level okana had to hesitate again and again before they could make up their minds to consume once; the only spiritual enjoyment on weekdays was to listen to the storytelling on the street - life was dull and depressing.
At this moment, there was a group of people who could be beaten and scolded by them, neatly arranged in front of them... Such a great opportunity to vent their emotions, how could they not enjoy it?
Who are the people in the bamboo cages?
What crime did they commit?
Are these questions important?
These questions are not important at all!
No matter who the people in the cages are, it does not prevent the people from using them as "vents" to vent their emotions.
Those guys who were held in bamboo cages were used to the tyrannical life of local tyrants. Even if they were captured, it would be difficult for them to change their nature for a while. Some of them shouted at the top of their lungs because they could not bear the humiliation.
"You fools are worthy of throwing vegetable leaves at me? What virtue do you have? Ah?!"
"Kill me with a knife if you have the guts! Kill me with a knife if you have the guts!"
"I remember your faces! You better pray that I am sentenced to death or sentenced to a lifetime of prison food! Otherwise, when I get out, I must kill you all! Not only will I kill you all! I will also strip your wives and daughters of their clothes!"
Not to mention, they are indeed bandits who make a living by oppressing the people. Years of arrogant life have made them all develop a very arrogant temperament that can scare people, and a very intimidating tone.
After they shouted a few times, they really scared a lot of people.
However, these arrogant elements soon suffered the physical "shut up".
"You are already prisoners, how dare you be so rampant?"
After a certain Yuli shouted this, he led several of his comrades to beat up this group of ignorant and arrogant people through the bamboo cage with undrawn swords and spears in scabbards. They stopped only after they were beaten until their noses and faces were swollen and their teeth were on the ground. The "dyeing workshop" on their bodies became more and more "colorful".
After that, no one dared to make any sound except screaming and wailing.
The people who were frightened by the "desperate barking" of the arrogant just now breathed a sigh of relief, and then quickly plucked up their courage to pick up mud, rotten leaves and other things again, and continued to laugh and throw the things in their hands at the bamboo cage, at the stray dogs who would be tried and convicted soon.
The return of the expeditionary army today caused a great response - it is not an exaggeration to call it "the whole city of Edo was shocked."
More and more people came from various towns to watch the triumphant return of Qing Deng and others. The crowds were so crowded that the streets were almost overloaded.
The magistrate's office did not expect that the expeditionary army would be so popular, and was caught off guard by this. In order to avoid accidents such as stampedes, more people were urgently transferred from the surrounding self-ban to the scene to maintain order.
Why is this so... There are mainly two reasons -
First, the expeditionary army won a beautiful victory in this westward expedition, which made people feel proud.
From the departure of the troops to their triumphant return, the total time was less than one month.
Excluding the time for marching and reorganizing the army, the total number of days used for fighting was only 2 days - 1 day for removing the checkpoints on the mountain road, and 1 day for launching a general attack on the mountain stronghold.
With only 300 troops, it took only 2 days to wipe out more than 200 mountain bandits with excellent geographical advantages... Whether it was the time taken or the number of beheadings, the final result was astonishing.
Since the "Black Ship Incident", the people of Edo have not heard of the news of "military victory" for a long time, so they are naturally excited.
Although this military victory was just a victory over a group of mountain bandits, and the scale of the battle was not large, it was enough to bring some comfort to the people of Edo who were used to hearing all kinds of bad news.
As for the second reason... the reason is more interesting: there was Tachibana Aoto in the expeditionary army - to be more precise, there was Tachibana Aoto who had made unrewarded contributions.
How did the soldiers kill the Soma clan in just two days when the troops were still resting in Inawa Village... Especially the heroic deeds of Aoto, which had already begun to spread among the streets of Edo.
The spread of news in this era was sometimes so strange.
Aoto, who is now respected as "Niou", is undoubtedly a big star in Edo, with countless fans.
Until now, many people still discuss Aoto's feat of "rushing straight to the settlement alone and fighting against the anti-barbarian group" a few months ago.
As a result, before the previous wave of heat has subsided, Aoto has stirred up a new wave of heat with his extraordinary strength!
Attacking the city and the enemy's carefully constructed pass is a triple test of courage, strength and luck.
Therefore, since ancient times, no matter which country it is, "first to climb" is a first-class merit.
Looking back at the entire battle between the expeditionary army and the Soma clan, whether it was the initial "level attack and defense battle" or the final "mountain stronghold final battle", the first person to break through the gate and kill into the enemy camp was Qing Deng.
In other words, Qing Deng made three consecutive achievements in just two days...
At the same time, in the final stage of the battle, he personally led his soldiers to pursue the enemy and brought back the head of the bandit chieftain Yokokura Keinosuke.
Three times of being the first to reach the enemy + beheading the general and seizing the flag... This achievement is so great that the listener would doubt whether there is something wrong with his ears.
Qing Deng has become famous again.
The kind of young hero who is invincible and sweeps through thousands of troops like a roll of cloth has always been more popular. That's why people often wishfully beautify Zhao Zilong into a handsome young man with a white face and no beard.
And Qing Deng's personal image is very much in line with the taste of the common people - young, good-looking, and strong.
Therefore, Qing Deng, whose popularity rose again after the Western Expedition, naturally attracted the most attention and discussion on the streets and on the way into the city.
At this moment, Qing Deng, who was riding a black warhorse and marching at the front of the queue with my grandson and Kanazawa Tadashi, had been wearing a stiff smile since just now.
"Ah, I found it! Look! He is the 'Niwang' Tachibana Qing Deng!"
"He is so tall..."
"I feel that he doesn't look like a swordsman at all. Aren't those martial arts masters supposed to be big and strong?"
"It is said that he killed more than 50 bandits by himself!"
...
Qing Deng has heard such words and such remarks countless times along the way...
The imagination and rumor-mongering ability of the people are as powerful as ever.
During the entire Western Expedition, the number of bandits who died under Qing Deng's sword was only about 30 at most.
As a result, three people make a tiger, and the rumor spread, and the number swelled to 50 in such a short time...
In the past, when he heard people spread such outrageous rumors, Qing Deng would try to resist a little.
But now, he has given up "struggling"-how can he stop the mouths of the masses with his own strength?
Qing Deng's mentality at this time is already like this:
As long as there are no outrageous rumors such as "Tachibana Qing Deng is a person of the public" and "Tachibana Qing Deng likes to visit Yoshiwara", let the people talk!
Although Qing Deng has long been accustomed to the feeling of "being recognized by others on the street" and "being pointed at by others", this kind of riding a horse and strolling on the street like a "personal touring exhibition" for passers-by to see is the first time.
There is an inexplicable sense of shame...
What’s even more strange is that Qing Deng doesn’t really hate this kind of shame. He just can’t help but look stiff because he’s not used to this kind of thing.
According to the current speed of information dissemination, Qing Deng’s name should not be known to everyone nationwide.
However, at least in Edo, it is true that “everyone sings the name of the king”!
At this time, my grandson, who was riding a horse in front of Qing Deng, suddenly turned around and smiled at Qing Deng:
“Tachibana, look~ a lot of uncles and aunts are staring at you with sharp eyes~ You have to pay more attention~ After a while, the matchmaker who comes to propose to you may flatten your door frame~~”
As soon as my grandson finished speaking, Kanazawa Tadashi, who had just proposed to Qing Deng a few days ago, suddenly became intriguing.
After hearing this, Qing Deng raised his eyes that were sinking in front of him, and his eyes went a little way up and down before sweeping straight to the left and right.
It can’t be found at a glance.
But after a closer look, Qing Deng suddenly found a lot of sharp-eyed uncles and aunts...
These uncles and aunts looked at Qing Deng from head to toe with a look like they were examining a commodity.
Some of them were accompanied by a young girl. While "tasting" Qing Deng, they would occasionally look out and say something to the girl next to them.
The girls either looked indifferent, as if they had heard the most boring joke in the world; or looked shy, with their cheeks flushed, and their hands folded in front of them were tightly entangled.
A few girls were lucky enough to meet Qing Deng's eyes. But in just a moment, they took the initiative to look away quickly. While looking away, their faces became redder - Qing Deng had seen this kind of expression and this kind of action countless times at Kinoshita Mai.
"Hahaha..."
Qing Deng's mouth twitched slightly, and a helpless dry laugh leaked from his throat.
Who are these uncles and aunts?
Anyone with a little social experience should have come to the answer immediately - they are here to "catch a son-in-law from the list"!
Although the information retrieval ability of this year is far inferior to that of the Internet era in later generations, sometimes we really can't underestimate the current intelligence network and people's ability to collect information.
For a celebrity like Qing Deng, basic information such as age, family situation, and marital status must have been thoroughly checked long ago.
If it is said that whether Qing Deng is a worthy "investment" object is still a question that makes people suspicious, then from now on, this doubt has been completely dispelled.
Qing Deng's outstanding performance in this Western Expedition proves one thing - even if he is demoted to the fire-paying thief reform, he can still mix like a fish in water in this new world! Make great contributions and make a lot of money!
18 years old, not married, no fiancée, outstanding talents, and rising rapidly... These words are put together to form a brand new word: golden son-in-law!
The best golden son-in-law!
The best steamed bun!
With the overall degeneration of the samurai class, samurai with outstanding talents, bright future and at the right age for marriage have become like giant pandas, and are extremely popular in the marriage market.
These uncles and aunts who are staring at Qing Deng with sharp eyes are here to screen their girls.
Some people even bring their unmarried daughters with them.
To see Qing Deng's true appearance with their own eyes.
To consider whether it is worthwhile to take Qing Deng as a son-in-law.
Judging from the expressions on their faces, they should have a high opinion of Qing Deng.
It can be predicted that for a long time in the future, the matchmakers who patronize the Shiwei Hall will be full of pits and valleys...
When Qing Deng thought of this, he couldn't help but feel a little numb...
It must be said that some of the girls brought by these uncles and aunts who are bent on finding a son-in-law are quite suitable for Qing Deng.
However, due to the preconceived influence of Sanako and Kinoshita Mai, it is difficult for ordinary girls to have a strong attraction to Qing Deng now.
——I really am devoted to Sanako and Mami!
Qing Deng, who was proud of his loyalty, thought to himself with a confident and somewhat excited tone.
The corners of his mouth rose slightly uncontrollably.
…
…
Rewards for meritorious service and punishment for faults - this is a matter of course.
After the expeditionary army returned, the soldiers were nervous and waited for the rewards from the shogunate.
While waiting, they could not help but discuss actively.
The content of the discussion was nothing more than "Hey, how much reward do you think we can get this time?", "How much reward do you think XXXX can get?"...
Qing Deng, who had the most achievements, naturally became the center of discussion.
The shogunate did not let the soldiers wait too long.
Just a few days later, a long list of rewards was sent to the government office of the fire thief Kai.
The content of Qing Deng's reward, which everyone had been looking forward to, was finally revealed - an increase of 250 koku in family salary! Give me a set of armor!
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The author has been suffering from "fake post-syndrome" recently, so the number of words is a little unsatisfactory.
But please rest assured! Starting tomorrow, the author will try his best to restore the update to the conscientious mode of the past!