It turned out that the Fujiwara family was a famous weapon family in Japan. Their ancestor, Fujiwara Muramura, was a famous swordsman in the Edo period. He was good at forging all kinds of weapons, especially swordsmanship. The katana he forged was not only gorgeous, but also extremely sharp. It was deeply loved by the nobles and the samurai class at that time. Because his name "Muramasa" was engraved on the blade, everyone called the blade he forged "Muramasa Blade." Because it took a long time to forge a good blade, there were not many of them, and it was difficult to find one. As a result, many people who could not afford the blade he forged carved the word "Muramasa" on their cheap blades to express their love for the Muramasa blade. Fujiwara Muramasa's most famous blade was called "Chiko Muramasa". It was extremely sharp, and it had easily cut a huge stone millstone. It became famous for a while.
Although they were both weapon families, the Fujiwara family was different from the Ye family. Fujiwara Muramasa's weapon forging technique was not only passed down to his family, but also to his last disciple. In the generation of Fujiwara No Chiko's father, Fujiwara Kaga, the forging technique had already produced three branches. As for Muramasa Blade, there was no one in Japan who did not know him. Especially the famous blade "Mystic Technique Muramasa" forged by Fujiwara Kaga was the most famous.
Fujiwara Kaga believed in Buddhism, so when he was forging the blade, he asked his good friend, Huilian, to recite the "Lotus Sutra" for three days and three nights beside the knife furnace to resolve the hostility of the blade. On the day the blade was completed, Auspicious Clouds shrouded it. When the blade was unsheathed, white light was everywhere. There was a clanking sound, and a faint dragon pattern was wrapped around it. Fujiwara Kaga was overjoyed when he saw it. Unexpectedly, Huilian frowned slightly and told Fujiwara Kaga that although the blade was supported by his chanting, it was still a blade after all. It still had a trace of murderous intent. It was best to carve a sutra on the blade to suppress this murderous intent. Fujiwara Kaga listened to Huilian's opinion and carved a sutra of the Lotus Sutra on the blade. He named the blade "Mystic Technique Muramasa".
After Fujiwara Kaga obtained the blade, he played with it every day and was very happy. Unexpectedly, this matter was found out by Tokugawa Ieyasu's retainer, Matsumoto Takeyoshi. This Matsumoto Takeyoshi was an expert in sabers and swords. After learning about this matter, he personally paid a visit, hoping to have a look. When he saw the Mystic Arts Muramasa, he was immediately fascinated by the blade. On the spot, he wanted to buy it with a lot of money, but Kaga Fujiwara was unwilling to part with it. Even in the face of Matsumoto Takeyoshi's sky-high price, he was unmoved. When Matsumoto Takeyoshi saw that he had failed to buy a knife, he suppressed his anger and left resentfully.
After returning, Matsumoto Takeyoshi stayed up all night. His eyes were filled with the shadow of the Mystic Arts Muramasa. He was a narrow-minded person who would seek revenge for the smallest grievance. This time, he had come in high spirits but returned in disappointment, which made him very angry. He pondered for a moment and came up with a plan. Matsumoto Takeyoshi immediately wrote a letter and sent it to Tokugawa Ieyasu's hands overnight. In the letter, he said that Fujiwara Kaga had the intention of usurping the throne and was forging a demon sword at home, preparing to assassinate Tokugawa Ieyasu.
After Tokugawa Ieyasu read the letter, he was furious. He had been disgusted with the Muramasa Blade for a long time. He once called the Muramasa Blade "Demon Sword." The reason was very simple.
First of all, when his grandfather Matsudaira Kiyoyasu was fighting with his arch-enemy Oda family, he was cut in half from his right shoulder to his left abdomen by his retainer, Abe Mishichiro, who suddenly went crazy for no reason. After the investigation, the long sword in the hands of his retainer, Abe Mishichiro, was the famous "Chiko Muramasa" of the Fujiwara Muramasa!
Since then, the nightmare of the Tokugawa family began.
In the 14th year of astronomy, Tokugawa Ieyasu's father, Matsudaira Hongzhong, was cut in the thigh by his retainer, Iwamatsu Bami. Blood flowed like a stream.
Coincidentally, Tokugawa Ieyasu's son, Nobuyasu, was suspected of colluding with the Takeda family, Tokugawa Ieyasu's arch-enemy, and committed seppuku. The knife he used to commit suicide was also the Muramasa!
Even Tokugawa Ieyasu's finger was cut by the Muramasa spear in the hands of the enemy's general when he was resisting the enemy.
All signs indicated that the Muramasa Blade was an ominous object, an evil blade. Since then, Tokugawa Ieyasu was very disgusted with the Muramasa Blade and called it the "Muramasa Demon Sword." When those who opposed Tokugawa Ieyasu heard about this, they all asked to buy the Muramasa Blade. Those who couldn't get it carved the word "Muramasa" on their blades, hoping to be able to kill Tokugawa Ieyasu in the future.
Tokugawa Ieyasu originally wanted to find an opportunity to ban the forging of the Muramasa Blade. Now that he knew that Fujiwara Kaga wanted to rebel and kill the emperor, he was furious and immediately issued an order to put Fujiwara Kaga in prison and immediately execute him after interrogation. The "Mystic Art Muramasa" was destroyed. In addition, the name of the Muramasa was abolished, and no one was allowed to use the Muramasa Blade. Otherwise, they would be killed without question.
Tokugawa Ieyasu's order was like a stone that stirred up a thousand waves. The top officials, the middle noble warriors, and the bottom civilians all handed in the Muramasa Blade and destroyed it. Even those who secretly carved the word "Muramasa" on the blade immediately erased these two words.
At that time, Fujiwara Chiko was only eight years old. Because she was too young, she was spared the death penalty. However, she could not escape punishment. At such a young age, she was still sent to the palace to be a servant.
Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered people to compile a story and spread it out, saying that the Muramasa Demon Sword was extremely ominous. There was a person who got the Muramasa Demon Sword and sleepwalked in the middle of the night to kill his sleeping wife. There was a thief who stole a Muramasa Demon Sword and was found dead at home the next day with the Muramasa Demon Sword in his body. There were countless similar stories. In short, the Muramasa Blade was a demon sword!
Under the nurturing of the shogunate and the people, the Muramasa Blade was crowned as a demon sword and became a taboo in everyone's mouth.
After this great change, Fujiwara Chiko had also changed from a spoiled rich girl to a lowly servant. At such a young age, she had to clean the toilet and wipe the floor every day. Not only did she have to do tiring work like emptying the toilet and wiping the floor, but she was also bullied by those senior servants. Every night, she washed her face with tears. There were several times when she wanted to die. However, when she thought of her father, Fujiwara Kaga, who usually regarded her as the apple of his eye, being framed and killed, her young heart was filled with the flames of revenge. She couldn't die. She had to live! One day, she would avenge her father with her own hands and kill the enemy with her own hands!
Since then, the young Fujiwara No Chiko began a life of enduring humiliation. No matter how bad the food was, she had to eat it. No matter how much scolding and beating she received, she had to endure it. In the blink of an eye, two spring and autumn passed.
However, God was fair. When he closed a door for you, he would naturally open a window for you. By chance, she met someone in the Imperial Palace, an acquaintance.
The appearance of this person ignited hope in her heart. This person was dressed in a monk's robe and had a dignified appearance. This person wasn't anyone else. He was the Tantric expert who discovered the Blood Phoenix Spirit Jade. Her father, Fujiwara Kaga's close friend – Master Kong Wen.
Because Fujiwara No Chiko was a lowly servant, she had to stop in her tracks and bow when she saw an important guest. When she saw Master Kong Wen, she immediately stopped in her tracks. Suppressing her thumping heart, she retreated to the side and bowed her head. When Master Kong Wen passed by, she said something that made him extremely shocked.
"I'll let Master take nine pieces, how about that?" Fujiwara No Chiko said this sentence in an extremely low voice. However, this sentence made Master Kong Wen's heart truly shocked.
Apart from diligently practicing Buddhism, Master Kong Wen's biggest hobby was playing Go. In the past, he had a pleasant conversation with Fujiwara Kaga who was also a Buddhist. What made him even happier was that this Fujiwara Kaga was also a Go expert. Every time the two played Go, Fujiwara Kaga would jokingly say, "I'll let Master take nine pieces, how about that?"
After hearing this sentence that couldn't be more familiar, Master Kong Wen immediately stopped in his tracks. He carefully sized up this ten years old little girl in front of him.
"You are?" Master Kong Wen looked at Fujiwara No Chiko who bowed her head in greeting and asked suspiciously.
"Master," Fujiwara No Chiko saw that there was no one around and whispered, "It's me, Fujiwara No Chiko."
"It's actually you." Master Kong Wen's face was full of shock, "You're really here!" He immediately pulled Fujiwara No Chiko to an empty pillar at the side of the palace and lowered his body. "Buddha bless you! You're still alive! "Master Kong Wen exclaimed in surprise.
"Master, please save me. Think of a way to get me out." Fujiwara No Chiko held back her tears and whispered. She didn't dare to cry out loud. Otherwise, it would arouse suspicion.
"Don't worry, I'll think of a way." Master Kong Wen looked around vigilantly and said, "Now is not the time to talk. Just do what you need to do as usual and wait for my news." Looking at the only daughter of his former good friend, Master Kong Wen couldn't help but sigh in his heart. When the Fujiwara family was in trouble, he was out traveling. After hearing the news, he hurriedly rushed back. Unfortunately, when he arrived at Fujiwara Kaga's home, it was already empty. After asking around, he found out that Fujiwara Kaga had been killed. Although his only daughter Fujiwara No Chiko was spared, she was taken to the palace and became a servant. Master Kong Wen wanted to save her, but the palace was strictly guarded. How could he enter as he wished? Helpless, Master Kong Wen could only silently pray for Fujiwara No Chiko in front of the Buddha statue every day, hoping that the only child of the Fujiwara family could live on safely.
On this day, Master Kong Wen was chanting scriptures in front of the Buddha. Suddenly, he felt his inner thoughts churning. He was no longer as calm as before. Just when he was puzzled, Fujiwara Kaga's figure suddenly appeared in front of him. After bowing to him, he suddenly disappeared.
He, who had practiced Buddhism for many years, understood that Fujiwara Kaga's spirit must have a request for him. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to appear in this solemn hall.
After chanting, he returned to the monk's room and carefully thought about what had just happened. Just when he was deep in thought, there was a knock on the door.
The knock on the door was very urgent. It seemed that there was something urgent.
"Master, General Tokugawa sent someone to invite you over," said the servant outside the door.
Sure enough, there was something! Master Kong Wen immediately got up, opened the door and walked out of the hall.
"What's the matter?" Master Kong Wen asked the servant.
"General Tokugawa was disturbed by a nightmare last night. Master, please go over to interpret the dream and pray for blessings," said the servant.
"Oh, I see," said Master Kong Wen. "Got it. Tell them that I'll go now." After Master Kong Wen finished speaking, he waved his hand and dismissed the servant. The servant bowed and retreated.
After the servant left, Master Kong Wen turned around and entered the hall again. He put on his kasaya and took his staff. After tidying up, he walked out of the temple. As soon as he walked out of the temple, he found a very small whirlwind following behind him.
"Brother Fujiwara, I understand what you mean," Master Kong Wen stopped and turned to the small whirlwind and said, "Don't worry, I will do my best to save Chiko." As soon as his voice fell, the whirlwind seemed to understand and disappeared.
"Okay." After hearing this, Fujiwara No Chiko nodded and immediately pretended to be as usual. She picked up the water basin in her hand and went to wipe the floor. Master Kong Wen also immediately got up and continued to walk into the palace as if nothing had happened.
After seeing the pale and bloodless Tokugawa Ieyasu, Tokugawa Ieyasu waved his hand and dismissed the guards around him. He personally invited Master Kong Wen into the inner room and told Master Kong Wen about what happened last night. Only then did Great Master Kong Wen know that Tokugawa Ieyasu had a nightmare last night. In the dream, those people who had been killed by Tokugawa Ieyasu surrounded Tokugawa Ieyasu and attacked him with punches and kicks. What left a deep impression on him was that Kaaga Fujiwara was among them. He looked at him coldly with a smile that was not a smile, making people shudder.
"So that's how it is." Master Kong Wen frowned after hearing this. "The General's sin of killing is too heavy. Many innocent people have died under the General's sword. The ghosts in the dream last night must have come to take the General's life." Master Kong Wen continued, "If it wasn't for the General's lifespan, he would have been taken away by these ghosts."
"At first, I thought it was just an ordinary dream. Who would have thought …" Tokugawa Ieyasu said as he unbuttoned his clothes. "Master, please take a look."
The scene in front of him made Master Kong Wen gasp. Tokugawa Ieyasu's body was covered with bruises. What was even more shocking was that there were many black handprints. At first glance, it was obvious that he had been pinched and beaten.
"When I woke up this morning, I found these bruises. It's very obvious." Tokugawa Ieyasu put on his clothes. "It was done by the ghosts last night."
"Did they say anything to you in the dream?" Master Kong Wen asked.
Tokugawa Ieyasu shook his head.
"It seems that the General needs to perform a ritual to release those ghosts," Master Kong Wen said.
"Everything will be arranged by the Master." Tokugawa Ieyasu said. "If you have any requests, please do not hesitate to ask."
"Releasing the ghosts is only a temporary solution." Master Kong Wen said. "The most important thing is that the General must not kill again. You must be merciful and do more good deeds. In this way, you will be able to avoid disasters and everything will be auspicious. "
"Please enlighten me, Master," Tokugawa Ieyasu said respectfully.
"The General has killed countless people in his life, resulting in too much killing." Master Kong Wen said. "Now that there is no war, the General can reduce and exempt taxes, care for the suffering of the people, and grant amnesty to the world. In this way, the General's merit is boundless, the people love and respect you, the world will be peaceful, and the gods will protect you. All calamities will naturally vanish like smoke in thin air. "
"Master Kong Wen is right." Tokugawa Ieyasu was enlightened. "Tomorrow, I will issue an order to reduce and exempt taxes and grant amnesty to the world."
"The General is wise." Master Kong Wen said. "Tomorrow, I will hold a water and land assembly to release those ghosts."
"Thank you, Master." Tokugawa Ieyasu was relieved.
After leaving Tokugawa Ieyasu's inner room, Master Kong Wen felt gratified. This time, not only did he save Fujiwara No Chiko, but he also did a good deed for the people. It was really Buddha's blessing.
After meeting Master Kong Wen, Fujiwara No Chiko had been waiting at the entrance of the Imperial Palace, anxiously waiting for Master Kong Wen's good news. Whether or not she could leave this place depended on this.
Master Kong Wen's reappearance made her heart jump to her throat. She suppressed her beating heart and once again retreated to the side and bowed.
"I will come to pick you up tomorrow." When Master Kong Wen passed by her, he whispered something that made her extremely excited.
Free! I will be free tomorrow! Fujiwara No Chiko couldn't hold back her excitement. She secretly ran to a place where no one was around and burst into tears.
Two years, two whole years. She had been starving and being bullied in this place for two winters and summers. Now that Master Kong Wen had saved her from the abyss of suffering, all the grievances in her heart suddenly came out.
After crying, she once again pretended as if nothing had happened and went back to work. Although she didn't know how Master Kong Wen did it, she knew that Master Kong Wen was an eminent monk. Since he said that he would pick her up tomorrow, he would definitely do it. Today was the first day that she felt the happiest in two years. When she went to bed at night, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep, anxiously waiting for the arrival of the next day.
The long night finally passed.
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