Tokyo Swordmaster Online Dealer

"It is said that the Lord of Hell is in charge of the matter of reincarnation?"

"We should find out what happened if we have a chance."

"What did I do in the beginning, what kind of power did I possess, and what happened in between?"

"I always feel like Fuyao wouldn't tell me this."

"."

"Let me figure it out on my own! Do you want me to guess the riddle?!"

For some unknown reason, Uesugi Kiyoshi felt irritated.

With a flick of his finger, he eliminated the sword energy at his fingertips, and walked sullenly to the main seat at the long table in the middle of the Mirage Tower and sat down.

He stretched out his hand and a scroll fell into his hand.

"Forget it, let's talk about that later. There will always be a way out when the car reaches the mountain. I can't just dig my own grave."

"Anyway, let's unlock all the memories that can be unlocked first."

On the scroll in his hand, the three words "Qingxingdeng" were clearly written.

These are bits and pieces of memories about Aoandon from The Tale of Genji.

He is about to meet Li Fuyao, and Uesugi Kiyoshi cannot possibly have forgotten anything about Qingxuande.

He was also very curious.

What kind of grudges and hatred do he have with the Lord of Hundred Tales?

It can make her stay by his side without leaving him even after a thousand years.

Chapter 280 First Encounter

The sky was dim, and Uesugi Kiyoshi, no, it should be said that Minamoto Kiyoshi, was standing in a wilderness.

The wind was quite strong and I couldn't tell whether it was autumn or winter. The surroundings were very desolate.

However, looking into the distance, Yuan Qingya could see faint smoke from cooking in the distance.

Now, Uesugi Kiyoshi exists in this body in a very strange state.

He cannot control this body, but he can see, hear and feel.

It's like a dream.

He was not unfamiliar with this situation, but he just accepted it as it came.

Yuan Qingya was wearing a samurai outfit, with a sword on his waist. He was alone and stopped to look at the smoke from the cooking fires in the distance.

"Well, there should be a village there. It should be the last scattered village in this area, right?"

"Anyway, go check it out."

After muttering to himself, Yuan Qingya ran towards the direction of the village.

He was fast on his feet, and although it was normal to run to the top of a mountain while running, this distance was not a problem for Genji's strongest swordsman.

After a short journey, Yuan Qingya arrived at the vicinity of the village.

In Japanese history, from the Nara period to the Heian period, land annexation was very serious. In the era in which Minamoto Kiyomasa lived, it was almost impossible for farmers to own their own land.

The manor land system was prevalent, the country's wealth was concentrated in the hands of the nobles, farmers went bankrupt in large numbers, and the people were living in dire straits.

Coupled with the harsh taxes in ancient Japan, the common people here really lived in dire straits.

Before Minamoto no Kiyomasa, the ruler of Musashi Province set the tax rate at seven for the dukes and three for the common people.

Seventy percent tax.

Such harsh taxes were enough to crush most peasant families. After working hard for a year, they would suffer from famine or even starve to death, which was a common occurrence.

Therefore, you can often see some scattered villages in the wilderness. They cultivate the uncultivated land and hide in the wild mountains and ridges. Although they live in constant fear, at least the harvest is theirs and they can fill their stomachs.

Of course, they will also become targets of ghosts, gods and bandits.

Therefore, the lifespan of such villages is generally not very long.

After Minamoto no Kiyomasa succeeded as the lord of Musashi, he personally took care of everything, gradually reducing taxes to attract refugees and villages to gather. He also personally went to various places to inspect and persuade the leaders of the refugees to open up fertile land near Edo Castle to increase the population.

This should be his last stop.

As soon as Uesugi Kiyoshi stepped into the village, he was met with many different and complicated looks.

There was surprise, envy, hostility, and deep fear.

That is the fear that the people have of the officials, which is deeply engraved in their bones in this near-slave society.

Uesugi Kiyoshi was dressed in gorgeous samurai clothes, with a sword at his waist, and he looked very imposing. These country folk who had never seen the world naturally regarded him as a "big shot".

The women and children nervously returned to their thatched houses and closed the doors. The men in the village gathered together, not daring to approach. They looked at Yuan Qingya from afar and whispered to each other.

Yuan Qingya was very familiar with this kind of gaze. Every village of nomads would greet him with this kind of gaze.

Having visited many villages before, he was already familiar with the route, so he didn't say anything nonsense. He just said loudly, "Who is the village chief? I have something to ask."

Soon, an old man with gray hair, an obviously old face and wrinkles all over his face squeezed out of the crowd at a not slow pace and bowed to Yuan Qingya with a respectful expression.

"Sir, I am the village chief. What can I do for you?"

Uesugi Kiyoshi could see a hint of murderous intent in the old man's eyes.

He was not surprised. To make a living in this wilderness, kindness towards outsiders was the most deadly poison. He had seen too many such vicious eyes.

"Okay, stop being so afraid of me."

"I'm not a robber or a tax collector."

"I know why you built a village here. If it were me, I would want to escape from such harsh taxes."

"But, there are also many dangers, right?"

Looking at the dwindling village, Yuan Qingya chuckled.

"If nothing unexpected happens, your village won't last for a few years. If there are passing bandits or wandering monsters, this process may be accelerated."

After saying this, the old village chief's eyes immediately became somewhat sad.

Naturally, he understood these principles.

But people have to live, and it is good enough to be able to survive now. The future is an unattainable luxury for them.

Yuan Qingya paused deliberately and continued: "I bring you good news."

"The new ruler of Musashi has issued a benevolent policy to reduce taxes. From today on, the tax rate for Musashi is 30% for the public and 70% for the people. The good farmland around Edo Castle has been collected by the ruler and will be distributed uniformly. If you don't get any land, you can find wasteland around Edo Castle and reclaim it on your own. There will be no tax on new land for five years. There are many new laws, so I won't go into detail."

"I am a herald, and I have delivered the message."

"It's up to you whether you believe it or not, but this place is not too far from Edo Castle. If you don't trust me, send someone to take a look and you'll know."

"I know that life is not easy. Everyone wants to live a better life, right?"

How does Yuan Qingya Shenyun deal with these not-so-kind farmers? As long as you lure them with benefits, they will willingly follow your instructions.

Because they had lived such a hard life before.

As expected, there was an uproar as soon as these words were spoken.

The 30% tax is a blessing from heaven for these hard-working farmers.

At least, no one will starve to death anymore.

Settling down near the city means safety is guaranteed, trading in the town is more convenient, and life is countless times better than wandering in the wilderness.

Yuan Qingya ignored the noisy discussion.

If things go as planned, someone will come to gather intelligence in a few days, and in a few days more, the entire village will migrate and gather around Edo Castle.

Today's Japan can be said to have a vast territory and a sparse population. There is a lot of uncultivated land, but the shortage of population is a big problem.

Yuan Qingya was about to turn around and leave when he suddenly sniffed his nose.

“Strange taste”

"What is this, a demonic aura?"

"Not quite right. It's different from ordinary youki. It doesn't smell of blood."

"A monster that doesn't hurt people?"

"Not really. This evil spirit is too weak."

"Hidden in this village?"

Yuan Qingya glanced at the village again, hesitated for a moment, and sighed.

"Forget it. There are dozens of people at least, nearly a hundred laborers. If I leave them alone and let them be eaten by monsters, I will be the one who loses."

“Being a leader is really tiring”

He paused and pretended to look at the sky.

It was indeed approaching evening, the setting sun casting a sunset glow and the twilight was deep.

"Well, it's late now. I don't think I can go back to the city. Can you find me a place to stay for the night?"

"I'm leaving early tomorrow morning, and I'll pay."

Yuan Qingya took out a dozen "ferry money" from his sleeve, spread them out in his hand and stretched them out.

The development of Japan's currency is very tortuous and bizarre, so I won't go into details here. During the Heian period, the purchasing power of the currency was greatly reduced because the quality of the coins minted by the country was too poor.

On the contrary, the "imported money" from the Celestial Empire during the same period became hard currency.

The copper coins given by Yuan Qingya were not much, but they were definitely not too little either.

Although greed flashed in the eyes of many villagers, no one dared to act rashly.

They are still deeply wary and fearful of Yuan Qingya.

For example, in modern times, if you live in a small village in the wilderness, and suddenly a stranger with a gun who claims to be a policeman comes and wants to stay for one night, and offers a reward that is neither generous nor meager, would you dare to take him in?

It is not right to accept it, and it is not right not to accept it.

It's dangerous to accept it, but there may be a quarrel if you don't.