Chapter 39: Ronin

  Snow had accumulated a thin layer on the ground, and it seemed that it would melt and disappear soon. A pair of wooden clogs stepped on the thin snow, making a "dada" sound, which was quite different from the sounds made by the worn-out cloth-soled shoes or leather boots of the people around. The owner of the clogs was a thirty-year-old ronin from Japan, whose height was exceptional among Japanese people at that time. His tall body was wrapped in a deep-colored Japanese garment, as if the chill of the city did not bother him.

  Apart from the chill, everything else seemed to be on his mind. This was the most modern and prosperous area of Xuanwu, where the ruffians wore a faint, enigmatic smile as they strolled along, taking in the sights and sounds around them.

  This is a nightclub called "Ye Jinling". His Toefl score wasn't good, but he basically guessed the general idea. This nightclub seemed to have something happening today, inside and outside were bustling with lanterns and streamers. He walked to the door and also wanted to join in the excitement.

  A man with a middle parting and slicked back hair came forward at the entrance, first bowing deeply, then beaming with a smile: "Sorry, sir, this nightclub is booked for a private event today, sorry for the inconvenience, please forgive us!" After that, he bowed again.

  "Yo Xi, your ambiguous words are well said." The ronin's face broke into a smile, and the light brown beard on his ancient copper-colored face was slightly raised.

  "Thank you, sir, for your compliment. To be frank with you, I am a cryptographer translator at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the National Government. My name is Hu Xiao. This 'Night Jinling' has also been booked by the government tonight to host a New Year's tea party."

  "The National Government..." The ronin thought for a moment, "Hu Sang, I am Takamoto Jo, I just arrived in Genbu from the country of Koku. I'm very interested in your country's culture and city life. That's why I came to Genbu, but unfortunately, I don't speak To language. If you're interested, Hu Sang, would you be willing to spend some free time with me and introduce me to all the good food, drinks, and entertainment here?"

  "This..." Hu Xiao sized up the tall, dark-complexioned foreign man in front of him. He looked sincere, not like he was joking around. But from head to toe, he did have a rogue's appearance. However, with the current complicated situation, it was impossible to discern his true intentions. Should he agree or not?

  "Ah, Hu Sang, I see you're hesitating," said the tomb owner. "How about this: if you agree now, starting tomorrow, I'll formally hire you and pay you ten yuan a day. What do you say?"

  Hú Xiǎo thought to himself, if he were to convert his current salary into RMB, it would be around 10 yuan per day. If he were to take on this task, according to the meaning of the tomb owner, it would mean accompanying him and serving as a guide, easily earning double his salary, which was a good thing. He might as well agree first and then try to get out of it later if he didn't like it. So he smiled and said: "Salary is a small matter, meeting you today, Mr. Mausoleum, is fate, let alone that you are interested in the culture and customs of China, which should be my job as a translator, no problem."

  "Thanks in advance, Mr. Hu," said Okamoto, producing a card from his pocket, "this is my address; tomorrow being Sunday, I wonder if you would be free to come and visit me at home?"

  Hú Jiē took the card, the address was a residential house on Huì Rén Street. "No problem," he said, also taking out his own business card with both hands, "This is my card, tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock sharp, what do you think, Takanobu?"

  "Tomorrow at 9:00 am, I will be waiting for Hu Sang at home." Yamamoto's smile was warm and gentle, concealing the sharpness in his eyes.

  People arrived one after another, and the grand Golden Nightclub was gradually filled to capacity. Even the second floor, which was rarely open on ordinary days, was fully decorated. The private rooms on the second floor, directly facing the stage, were also meticulously arranged. After countless checks inside and out, everything was ready for use by government officials and distinguished guests from abroad.

  The early arrivals had already formed groups of three or five, entertaining themselves. With melon seeds, sunflower seeds and poker cards, they could make a lively table, with everyone chatting and laughing, the year hadn't arrived yet, but the atmosphere was already rich.

  Dong Zhiyu wore a white cloud brocade cheongsam with subtle gold embroidery, sitting alone in the backstage. She would be the first to appear on stage soon. Since the program was set, her war with the makeup artist had begun. First, it was about the attire. She refused the red feathered evening gown provided by the makeup artist, who thought that this was an opening performance and also a New Year's celebration, which required such intensity to match the grandeur of the occasion. Dong Zhiyu believed that the dress did not match the atmosphere conveyed by the song at all, so either change the clothes or change the performer. She won the first round and found a cheongsam she rarely wore from her trunk, with a color that was simple yet elegant, and also met the makeup artist's requirements for stage effect.

  Then there was the hairstyle, this war started in the afternoon and just ended now. Originally, her hair was high up in a bun, Dong Zhiyu thought it was good, clean and neat. The makeup artist said that the stage effect would be very poor like this, and must be matched with some exaggerated hairstyles. So he tried to put on the feathered headpiece that came with the red feather evening dress for her. Dong Zhiyu stared at his eyes in the mirror, the red feathered headpiece was not only mismatched with the cheongsam she wore, but also its huge and exaggerated shape seemed to swallow her own head. After several discussions, both sides compromised, and chose a small white feathered headpiece for her to wear, which finally ended.

  There's still half an hour before the show, Dong Zhiyu was lost in thought when suddenly someone patted her shoulder, startling her so much that she lost her composure. On the side, Zhou Biqing burst out laughing, "So beautiful! No wonder Ye Shao is so infatuated!"

  "How dare you come and make a racket, it was all your idea."

  "Aren't you willing yet? This is a great opportunity, it's the first annual meeting after our government was formally established, all the big shots are coming, and I heard that Chairman Wang is also coming! Make a good impression!"

  Dong Zhiyu didn't bother with her and thought for a moment on his own. "Hey, you said people from the other side of Dingjia Bridge are coming too?"

  "That's natural, I just saw Huai Canmou, she went to the second floor VIP room with several Japanese military officers, so majestic!"

  Dong Zhiyu's face flushed slightly as she looked at herself in the mirror, her lips painted a bright red, and she couldn't help but jump in fright.

  "Let's talk about this beautiful advisor," said Zhou Biqing, seeing that Dong Zhiyu didn't respond, and continued to speak on her own, "She is also a rare beauty, unfortunately she wears military uniform every day, indeed she looks majestic and refreshing, but not as good at dressing up as other girls, one day wearing a cheongsam, the next day wearing a skirt, what a pity for her figure."

  Dong Zhiyu's face turned even redder, and she suddenly burst out laughing, "You let a military officer wear a cheongsam today and a skirt tomorrow, how can he bear it?"

  On the other side, Huai Jin followed several Wu Jun's military officers into a decorated private room on the second floor. As soon as they entered, they saw several Wu Guo geishas standing by the door with their heads bowed. It turned out that the General Affairs Department had thought of everything and had invited these most popular geishas from the wine tower where Wu Jun's military officers often went to serve the Wu Guo people.

  The several Japanese military officers who accompanied them were very happy, it seems that the flattery was in place. Then I heard Imamura's staff officer call out happily: "Miss Shinji, it's been a long time since I've seen you!"

  Hua Jin heard this name and was taken aback in her heart. She didn't expect to run into her at this gathering. Would she recognize herself?

  "Yes, Kon'nichiwa, I'm Maiko. Today, I'll be serving you all at any time. I hope you can spend a pleasant night here." After that, she picked up the teapot and poured tea for everyone one by one.

  As he walked up to Huai Jin's side, seeing that she was just sitting coldly in her chair and not looking at him, Makoto said softly: "Huai strategist, if there is anything you need, please don't hesitate to instruct me."

  Huai Jin pretended to return to his senses and nodded slightly at Zhen Ji, which was considered a response.

  Dong Zhiyu and Zhou Biquan chatted for a few sentences, seeing that everyone had found their seats and sat down, Zhou Biquan also returned. Taking advantage of the empty space, Dong Zhiyu came to the side window of the dressing room, pulled open a sliver of curtain, and looked towards the second-floor VIP room. From afar, he saw that in one of the rooms, several people wearing military uniforms were seated. Upon closer inspection, it was clear that at the front was indeed a woman sitting. Although she couldn't be seen clearly from afar, her demeanor and appearance seemed to resemble Huaijin's. And beside this woman, surprisingly, stood a courtesan, bowing her waist, saying something to her.

  Dong Zhiyu thought back to that night's events, and couldn't help but furrow her brow. Could this be the woman named Jingji from the country of Hei? What was their relationship, exactly? Would Huaijin know about the old mansion and Dong Xun's affairs? All of this seemed obscure and confusing to her.

  At this moment, the whole audience stood up, and then a burst of applause shook the sky. Dong Zhiyu followed the sound and looked around, a group of people surrounded several people in bright clothes walking in, the leader had a few points of elegance, but it was like being covered with a layer of gray tone, which was out of harmony. Dong Zhiyu recognized that it was Wang Zaoming.

  "Miss Dong, it's almost time for you to go on stage!" The makeup artist came in and shouted at her.

  Dong Zhiyu pulled up the curtains and turned around.

  The makeup artist gasped in surprise, "Indeed not bad, you do have a good understanding of yourself." For the first time in two days, she completely agreed with Dong Zhiyu's opinion. The woman in front of her was as delicate as a porcelain doll and as light as a white feather.

  The author has something to say: Do you still remember Hu Xiao by the side of Xuanwu Lake? It's been idle for a long time, and now it's on stage again.

  There's still one more tomorrow, I must get it right!!

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