Dark-Haired British Doctor Chapter 492

Episode 492: The Great Famine [2]

"hmm?"

Naturally, the Japanese warriors were surrounding the place where the group from Yeonggili was staying and were keeping watch.

This was a strange thing, considering that they had previously enjoyed considerable profits from trade with Portugal.

Of course, it was not a complete opening, and Japan only allowed it in the outskirts… … .

In any case, the story was that Yang-i was no longer a particularly unfamiliar figure among the Japanese ruling class or intellectuals.

“Did you just see that?”

“I saw it.”

However, the situation was very complicated due to the Morrison incident that occurred a few years ago.

At the time, we felt like we had won against the enemy because we had bombarded and destroyed an American merchant ship.

How dare the shameful 'black ship' come so close to the nation's capital.

The shogunate even carried out a large-scale propaganda campaign, thinking that it had given a beating to the Yang who coveted Shinto, a land that even Genghis Khan had not been able to set foot on.

But… … .

-They say the Qing were defeated.

-It wasn’t just about opening the port, they even transferred the land… … .

Not long after that, a war broke out between the English and the Qing, and the results were truly astonishing.

The Qing Dynasty, which seemed to be nothing short of the emperor of mankind, was literally destroyed.

The Qing navy, which was said to be able to fill the West Sea just by launching its warships, collapsed without being able to destroy a single black ship.

Even port cities that had prospered for hundreds of years were burned by the Black Ships' bombardment.

Although it didn't completely burn down, it was more likely due to Britain's consideration than Qing's good deeds.

“What… how is that big guy doing?”

“Didn’t you see that earlier? He was just chopping down a tree.”

Such a powerful country demanded the opening of its ports.

He even ignored the instructions to come to the port below and went straight to Edo.

Naturally, there was tremendous backlash not only from within the shogunate but also from some radical groups outside their control.

Even now, there are more than a few people targeting them.

It was safe to assume that half of the samurai surrounding this building were not from the shogunate.

At a glance, dozens of knife wielders are aiming for this… … .

“Even so, why did you come out at this late hour?”

“I don’t know. What was that little thing behind me?”

“Watch your words… That guy… is probably the sorcerer who destroyed the Qing Dynasty.”

“Ahhh… Are you sure he’s the one who eats hearts? He doesn’t look like that….”

“Originally, big shots know how to smile gently.”

"but……."

Suddenly two guys popped out.

Even if you are inside the accommodation, it is difficult to guarantee safety, so you came out?

What is this…? It was something that could only be seen as a delusion of wanting to die.

but…….

If one of them was a rare swordsman and the other was the world's worst sorcerer, things would be different.

“Should I still follow?”

“Of course! If something goes wrong with those things… and the Black Ships come, the shogunate will be finished!”

The subordinate nodded at the samurai's words.

In the past, I would have thought, 'Surely not,' but now I just couldn't do that.

There were a lot of civil unrests of all kinds.

It was called the Itki, and was mostly a sporadic peasant revolt.

In Japan, where the ruling class was the warrior class, this was not a big problem in the first place.

It's not that it wasn't a problem, it's just that it was somehow possible to suppress it.

Even the ruling system was not that shaken.

Isn't it something that has happened since the beginning of time, when uncivilized people run wild without understanding the will of their superiors?

However, the rebellion of Oshio Heihachiro in Osaka a few years ago was a painful event for the shogunate as well.

Because it was a rebellion by the warrior class.

“Hi.”

The shogunate was already shaken by the recurring great famines and the resulting social unrest, and the policy of intentionally suppressing commerce to stabilize the chaos, which resulted in further chaos and poverty…

With the addition of the rebellion of the warrior class, the sense of crisis was bound to intensify.

This was because it was an incident that could shake legitimacy.

In that situation, you go to war with those powerful sheep?

Regardless of winning or losing, it seemed impossible to wage war itself.

Of course, it is possible that the samurai spirit will unite the enemies as one… … .

'These are not the days when officials ruled.'

The idea of channeling internal discontent outward is already very old and has already been used once.

I don't know if that worked out well, but…

Toyotomi Hideyoshi was clearly a failed ruler.

After the Imjin War, his son died at the hands of his subordinates in the castle where he was living, so doesn't that say everything?

Above all, Yang is not Joseon.

The point was that Jeong Han-ron was not an opponent that could be accepted.

The samurai leader, his head complicated, ran forward with his sword drawn.

He was followed by about ten subordinates.

* * *

“I came out, but… where am I going?”

“I don’t know. You know Japan well, don’t you?”

The accommodation we were given was in a place with a fairly high wall.

I thought Japan was all like this, but when I came out and looked closely, it didn't seem like that at all.

No, most of the buildings didn't have walls to begin with.

Come to think of it, all the Japanese buildings I saw in dramas and anime seemed to be like that.

Even those that appeared to be residential rather than commercial buildings usually had a similar appearance.

'Well… … It's not like I have that much free time, so what kind of a fence are you keeping?'

That meant our accommodation was a unique place.

Did they give us a place like that to make it impossible to see outside from inside?

As I was thinking about that, Liston, who was as perceptive as ever, tilted his head.

It was while I was twisting my right shoulder, which had been strained to lift me up onto the wall earlier.

“By the way, it looks even stranger now that I’m out there. That building. No matter how I look at it, doesn’t it look like a castle?”

"castle?"

“Yes, Seong.”

“Ah… no way…….”

Yeah, when I heard it, it sounded like a castle.

There was even a thin hole between the walls, which now I see looked like the muzzle of a gun.

Once that thought occurred to me, more and more things that seemed strange began to surface.

"Wasn't the path inside a bit like a maze? You said that's how Japanese gardens are, but…"

“It was a bit too much.”

“Aren’t you just talking without knowing?”

“That’s not it. A ryokan is basically an inn with a garden inside.”

The ryokan I saw on the blog was like that.

Of course, unlike what I saw, there didn't seem to be a hot spring in the current accommodation.

A wise person would have to correct his original incorrect knowledge based on what he observed.

But I didn't want to do that.

It's not like I have to do only the right thing.

“Really… Ugh.”

Isn't it?

Did I offend Liston?

As I was looking at him with the thought that he was a man who didn't know how to be grateful, Liston narrowed his eyes and fumbled with the Liston knife he always carried.

'Are you okay?'

Are you going to kill me for telling a lie once?

He even gave me a hair transplant and got syphilis… … No, he overcame that, but anyway.

At that moment, when I was shivering with betrayal, I finally heard footsteps.

No, I heard sounds.

There were more than one or two.

“There are things that follow me…….”

Liston tilted his head and continued speaking.

“Hey, do you have a gun?”

“There is.”

Finally realizing the situation I was in, I took out the two pistols I had in my arms.

It's a 5-shot rifle, but…

The reliability is very low.

It's called the Colt Patterson, and it's a famous revolver from Colt, but it's a bit like that because it was the first one they made.

“Can I protect myself?”

“If only there weren’t guys like you, hyung.”

“If there’s even one person like me in that number, both you and I are dead anyway.”

“There’s no way… that’s not possible?”

"maybe?"

“Phew.”

The sound of footsteps is coming from all directions.

Until just now, it was a distant sound, but now it's quite close.

Who knew the sound of wooden shoes clacking could be like this… … .

“But why us?”

“Just deal with it and don’t worry about it.”

"flaw."

Liston was right, but there was no time to argue, so I kept my mouth shut for now.

Before we knew it, there were over 20 guys surrounding us.

Slurp.

I thought this is what it would be like to actually hear the sound of a sword being drawn.

Really… … .

It's creepy.

“Be careful. They’re not a bunch of idiots.”

To me, they didn't seem much different from the ones I'd encountered so far, but Liston must have sensed something and gave me a warning.

Medical advice might be one thing, but advice about swords shouldn't be taken lightly.

Is he not called the greatest sword master in Europe for nothing?

It's been a long time since proper medieval swordsmanship was actually practiced, and even fencing competitions have been a sport for a long time, so there shouldn't be any rivals…

Even taking all that into account, I know better than anyone that Liston's swordsmanship is real.

“Ugh…….”

While I was lost in thought, a samurai suddenly rushed in and fell back with Liston's entire shoulder blade cut off.

“Nani……?”

“Huh…….”

Then, words I could understand burst out from all sides.

I thought they were no ordinary guys because they jumped in without saying anything, but as expected, seeing one of my colleagues get completely destroyed with a single sword seems to have dampened my courage.

And isn't courage, or rather, fraud, inversely proportional to the opponent?

Even I, who was sweating profusely just a moment ago, have now regained my composure.

‘This kid… … .’

As I was scanning the area with the gun in both hands, I began to feel a very strong emotion.

It's a powerful and yet very familiar feeling.

"awe……."

"huh?"

Liston asked back at my muttering.

Still looking ahead.

“Do these people know me?”

“I know you?”

“It’s been a few years since we were active in the Qing. Hehe……”

As I have said many times, I am not a witch doctor.

At least in front of people who don't know me.

But what about in front of people who know me?

“Lord……give me strength…….”

I suddenly started praying with my hands clasped together like a madman.

Any sane person would not have missed this opportunity, but the enemy was retreating instead.

Even though you probably don't understand my prayers, I feel a strange sense of unease.

If this happens, my magic will become a miracle.

“Brother, that guy!”

When I pointed to the one at the very front, he stopped in surprise.

Liston is always sane when he holds his sword, so he cuts the guy down without missing a beat.

He said he was a doctor and cut off two arms instead of his neck. Should I live like that?

That can't be possible.

“Kkaaaah!”

But the sight of blood spurting out and screaming would save the lives of those behind him.

“Hahahahaha. Now that guy!”

It might not be possible if he were just there, but it's possible because I am there.

“Eek!”

“Ah, my body has been aching since earlier!”

“Oh, it’s witchcraft!”

“This is the sorcery that destroyed the Qing Dynasty!”

Soon, the Abigyuhuan was produced.