Gabriel couldn't help complaining in his heart, these Eastern warriors are all so stupid, do they have to get together for some meaningless things? Isn't it just a knife? Just keep it for now. Are you still afraid of being stolen? There's no point in being stuck here just for something as trivial as sesame seeds and mung beans.
The French businessman wiped the sweat from his forehead and advised Zhang Heng, while someone on the other side walked up to the maid and whispered a few words.
Finally the maid said, "You can take the ribs with you, but you must leave the knife behind."
Zhang Heng knew that this was the biggest concession the other party could make. He certainly didn't want his trip tonight to be ruined because of this incident, so he nodded and agreed to the other party's request.
However, Zhang Heng did not hand the knife to the maid's hand. Instead, he inserted it into the open space in the courtyard and said, "Don't touch it. I will take it with me when I leave."
The maid had no objection to this. After hearing this, she bowed again and said, "Welcome our distinguished guests to Youji. Please allow me to make up for my previous disrespect."
Without waiting for Zhang Heng to say anything, she took out the sword from her waist and stabbed her chest.
All this happened so fast that the French businessman didn't even realize what had happened. The tip of the knife had already pierced the maid's delicate skin and was about to pierce her heart. However, at this critical moment, he was struck by a scabbard. Frame it.
"No need, I have already forgiven you." Zhang Heng said, holding his ribs.
Gabriel on the other side was stunned to the spot! God, these guys are all crazy. He had complained about the maid's troubles before when he persuaded Zhang Heng, but compared to this, the other party's current remedial measures frightened him even more.
It's just a small mistake. No, it's not even a small mistake. This maid is just performing her duties. Is it necessary to do this? The French businessman shook his head.
Zhang Heng knew very well that the people in this tea house were probably not just warriors, but also dead soldiers raised by the Overthrow Sect.
Because only a dead man can be so indifferent to life, not only the lives of others, but also his own life.
"Please follow me." Although there was such a small episode in the middle, the landlady remained calm and led the way in person.
Zhang Heng had also withdrawn his head and followed him as if nothing had happened. On the contrary, Gabriel was stunned for a while before quickly following up.
The proprietress opened a shoji door, and there were already some people sitting there, most of them samurai, and there were some accompanying geishas beside them.
One of them was playing the shamisen, a traditional Japanese musical instrument, while two others were dancing, and the rest were serving drinks to the guests.
Seeing the French businessman come in, one of the older samurai stood up to welcome him, and at the same time introduced Gabriel's identity to the others. Taking this opportunity, Zhang Heng also glanced at everyone sitting, and suspected that he was Hanjiro Nakamura. The guy didn't see it, but he accidentally met an acquaintance.
——Takeuchi Shinji.
The latter once came to the small mountain dojo with Yamada to provoke. After Yamada had one of his hands cut off, Zhang Heng originally thought that Takeuchi would stand up and avenge his companions, but unexpectedly this guy claimed that he was not his opponent and left silently. However, It was precisely because of this city that Zhang Heng remembered him.
Takeuchi's expression suddenly changed when he saw Zhang Heng, as if he didn't expect the latter to appear here tonight, but in the end he managed to squeeze out a smile and nodded to Zhang Heng.
"Takeuchi, did you know each other before?" The older samurai saw this scene in his eyes and asked curiously.
"It's considered a one-time encounter." The smile on Takeuchi's face was a little forced, because what happened at the Xiaoshan Dojo was too embarrassing, and he obviously didn't want to elaborate here.
After the introduction by the older samurai, Zhang Heng roughly figured out the identities of the group of people in the room. They were generally samurai from the Choshu and Satsuma sects, but Zhang Heng did not see Matsuo and Gao among them. Qiao, I guess he is not of a high level and cannot participate in tonight's banquet.
Zhang Heng did not forget his own job. After sitting down, he translated other people's questions for Gabriel, and then translated Gabriel's answers one by one. However, at this stage, it seems that the two parties are talking about unnutritious things. The polite words included Gabriel's impression of Kyoto, the current situation in France, and some situations in Europe. The older samurai apologized to the French businessman and said that the master would have to wait a while before arriving. Gabriel nodded to express his understanding.
I have to admit that at this time, many people in Japan have begun to work hard to learn from the West and understand the world. The overthrow faction no longer hates Westerners like the early king-respecting and alien faction, but instead began to compete with the shogunate for the support of the great powers. This also made the shogunate, headed by Tokugawa Keki, increasingly worried.
But these things have nothing to do with Zhang Heng.
The two parties chatted for a while, and food was gradually served to the table.
During the Edo period, the only edible meat in Japan was fish and poultry (even for fish, the ruling class valued fish with less fat, which was not delicious at all). The shogunate also promulgated regulations for this purpose. According to the regulations, it basically had four legs. They were not allowed to eat anything, and some people were even exiled for abandoning sick cows and horses in wasteland... Of course, this law is not completely absolute. For example, weak mothers and patients can still get tacit permission to eat some venison and pork. What.
In addition, it turns out that no law can stop foodies. Although there are regulations in place, people all over the country are secretly eating meat. The places that sell meat are called monster houses, and meat sellers usually only say to others that they go to buy it. Medicine, it is said that the shogun Tokugawa Yoshiki himself also likes to eat pork. Of course, the emperor, as a spiritual idol, probably cannot eat these good things.
Most of the samurai here tonight are those who advocate Western learning and do not have many taboos about this. In order to entertain Gabriel, who came from the original way, the teahouse also specially prepared a red leaf hotpot.
The so-called Momiji is the slang term for venison. Momiji hot pot is also venison hot pot. It is served with tofu, meatballs and green vegetables. It tastes quite delicious and is very popular in Kyoto. Just the look of it makes people want to eat. Plus, The beauty is in his arms, and the French businessman obviously takes advantage of it.
The older samurai extended his hand and said with a smile, "Please use it."
Gabriel grabbed the chopsticks awkwardly, but before starting, he asked, "Don't we have to wait for the master to come?"
"It doesn't matter. I've been told that we can start here first." The older warrior smiled and said, "As for the big business, it's not too late to discuss it later."
"In that case, I won't be polite."
