"Our rule is that samurai are strictly prohibited from boarding the ship."

Shirataro, who was holding the small gold that Ogata had just thrown to him as if it were something fragile, added.

"So if you don't mind hiding your sword and pretending to be a civilian, you can indeed board the ship."

"But remember not to let the samurai's identity be exposed after boarding the ship, otherwise both you and I will be in trouble..."

"We have many hired guards on board to ensure the safety of the ship."

"Although I won't kill you or throw you off the boat, I will definitely teach you a lesson for not obeying the rules."

As soon as Shirataro finished speaking, Oconi said without thinking:

"No problem, I can hide the sword and pretend to be a civilian."

"As for the issue of identity exposure - please rest assured on this point, as I just said: I am not the kind of samurai with a brain problem. I will never cause trouble on the ship and will stay there until I get off the ship.

"

As a time traveler, Ogata is naturally not the kind of "demon samurai" who does not allow his sword to be touched by others, and must always wear the sword on his waist when going out.

For Ogata, hiding the sword and pretending to be a civilian was not an unbearable thing.

"In that case - then pay the money." Shirataro said, "The smuggling fee is 20 taels of silver per person. The landing place is a secret port in the Oshu area."

"We just have a ship leaving in three days."

"Now after paying the money, wait patiently for 3 days. Come back to us in the early morning after 3 days, and we will take you to take the boat."

"Then, after floating on the sea for another 5 or 6 days, you will reach the Japanese mainland."

As soon as Shirataro finished speaking, Oubono suddenly continued:

"In addition to carrying people, can your stowaway boat also carry horses?"

"Huh? Horse?" Bai Tailang's eyes widened.

"Well, that's right, horses." Ogata said, "We have two horses, and if possible, we would like to take them back. If your ship can carry horses, the price can be easily negotiated."

The two horses Ogata refers to are, of course, radish and grape.

It is quite inconvenient to bring a horse into the city, so Ogata and the others now hide the radishes and grapes somewhere on the outskirts of Matsumae Castle.

These two horses have been accompanying Ogata and Atachi for a long time. Radish and Ogata have a life-and-death relationship. During the battle with the shogunate army, Radish carried Ogata into the battle.

Therefore, Ogata did not want to give up these two horses until it was absolutely necessary.

"Horses...our ship can indeed carry horses, cattle and other livestock. We have also had many experiences of carrying livestock. But...the price is not cheap." Bai Tailang said in a tentative tone, "

If you want to transport horses, just give us your horses the day after tomorrow, and we will ship your horses in advance. The freight is 70 silver per horse."

Seeing that their ship could carry horses, Ogata secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

As for the expensive shipping fee Shirataro said...

"Since we can carry horses, everything will be easy. Then can you help take care of our horses when we carry them across the sea? You just need to help us feed them on time and clean up their excrement."

"This is okay...but you have to pay extra."

Ogata didn't say anything to answer Shirataro's words.

He just silently took out a bag filled with large sums of money from his arms...

Ogata, who now has enough savings to last him and Atachi a lifetime, doesn't take the money seriously at all.

…

…

That night——

Matsumae Domain, Matsumae Castle, inside a certain hotel——

"Ah...it's a tatami..."

As soon as he entered the room, Atachi leaned over and fell on the soft tatami in a "big" shape.

"It's more comfortable to lie on the tatami..."

Amachi pressed her body tightly against the tatami, as if she wanted to blend her whole body into the tatami.

"It seems... the news of the defeat of the shogunate army has really been blocked." Ogata sighed in a low voice, took off the saber from his waist, and sat by the window holding the saber.

After paying the money and leaving Sadaeya, because it was still early, Ogata and Atachi decided to take a stroll in Kazuto society after a long absence.

On the one hand, it is to kill time, and on the other hand, it is to inquire about the current "hot news".

After all, they have been away from Kazuto society for too long. During the time they left Kazuto society, some "big news" may have happened in Japan that needs to be understood carefully.

The two of them wandered from day to night, and after inquiring around for information, judging from the final results, the two of them gained a lot - after visiting more than half of Matsumae Castle, the two gained two gains.

The first gain: While they were living with the wind and snow in Ezo, nothing big seemed to happen in mainland Japan.

The second gain: The news of the defeat of the shogunate army's attack on the Red Moon Fortress seems to have been blocked.

Matsumae Castle still looks like it is peaceful with singing and dancing. Ogata asked many people about the "Shogunate Army's expedition" and found that almost everyone did not know what was going on with the war between the Shogunate Army and the Red Moon Fortress.

According to common sense, after such a long time, the news of the defeat of the shogunate army should have spread throughout the entire Matsumae Domain, and the news of the defeat should also have begun to spread on a large scale in Japan.

However, the people of Matsumae Castle had no idea that the shogunate army had been defeated.

The only clear explanation is that the shogunate deliberately blocked the news.

Ogata understood the shogunate's move to block the news.

After all, this battle ended with a disastrous defeat for the shogunate.

Not only failed to achieve the strategic goal of capturing the Red Moon Fortress, they also suffered heavy casualties.

The culprit responsible for their tragic defeat was Ogata Ittosai, who had repeatedly brought shame to the shogunate.

No matter which angle you look at it, the shogunate must try its best to block this vicious scandal. It can be blocked for as long as it can. The longer it is blocked, the better it is for the shogunate.

"The defeat of 10,000 troops - such a big scandal, even if we try our best to block the news, there is definitely no way to keep it sealed forever." At this time, A-Machi sat up from the tatami, showing a sly smile, "I'm really curious.

Ah…if the world knew that Ogata Ittousai had killed the tyrant and defeated Nijo Castle, and then defeated the shogunate’s army, what kind of reaction would the world have?”

"I will probably be regarded as an unprecedented national thief by those loyal supporters of the shogunate." Ogata continued in a half-joking tone, "I am actually more curious about my bounty after the news is completely blocked.

How high will it go..."

"It doesn't matter how much you raise it," A-Machi said. "There shouldn't be any bounty hunters trying to hit you on the head."

Having said that, Amachi lay down on the tatami again.

"The ship won't leave until three days later... Ayi, how will we spend the next three days?"

"How else can we spend it? Just spend it leisurely." Ogata replied without hesitation, "We have been busy these days."

"In order to find Xuan Zheng and Xuan Zhi, they first came to the Red Moon Fortress by mistake, and then got involved in the war inexplicably."

"After the war, I went all the way north to Kanto Village. After finally finding Xuanzhi, I didn't make any stop. Then I went all the way south and returned to Matsumae Castle."

Recalling the experiences of the past few months, Ogata couldn't help but sigh.

"To be honest: I have been too busy these past few months, which makes me feel a little tired both physically and mentally..."

"So - let's treat these three days as holidays and have a good rest."

"Then let's take a good rest for three days..." Atachi agreed softly, "Then what are you going to do when you return to Japan? Do you want to go straight to Mount Koya in Kansai?"

"No." Ogata shook his head, "I plan to find a skilled enough swordsman to help me repair the sword first."

Ogata slowly unsheathed the Daishiten in his arms.

Looking at the broken blade of Da Shitian, Ogata said slowly:

"Next... we'll probably have to face the man behind the study of 'immortality'."

"Since they have the means to organize such a large-scale 'immortal' experiment, it means that their power is definitely not small."

"If a fierce conflict breaks out with them...if we use the currently damaged Da Shi Tian and Da Zi Zai to fight them, I'm afraid they will be unable to cope."

"I'm used to these two knives. And it's not that easy to find qualified replacements."

"So - in order to prepare for the future, after returning to Japan, I plan to repair my sword first."

"We are looking for a swordsman to repair our swords...but where should we find a good swordsman?" Ating asked.

"At this time -" Ogata slowly smiled, "you have to find friends to help."

"After returning to Japan, let's go to Owari first."

"Owari?" Amachi realized something and opened his eyes slightly, "Are you looking for someone from Calabash House to help?"

"Yes." Ogata nodded, "Calabash House has a wide network of contacts. If you ask them for help, you might be able to find a swordsmith who has the ability to repair Da Shi Tian and Da Zi Zai."

"Anyway, if you want to go to Kansai, Owari is a must-stop."

"So - before heading to Mount Koya, let's ask Calabash House for help and see if they know any good swordsmiths."

After finishing speaking, Ogata slowly retracted the Daishiten into its sheath.

…
To be continued...