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Just when all Akashi Deng was leaving Sakaki for Nagasaki, a messenger arrived in that Nagasaki with a single letter.
And the letter was delivered to the largest and most splendid Nagasaki temple.
"I have received a letter addressed to Dear Valignano"
and offered to hand it to an old man whose secretary, a Japanese youth, called it Valignano.
"Thank you, Constantino. Put it around there."
and the Italian Valignano replied in fluent Japanese. But his eyes never turned toward Constantino youth, and never moved from the top of a book piled up on his desk.
His name is Alessandro Valignano. Being a Jesuit patrol officer, he held the role of an eye-catcher, so to speak, confirming the progress of preaching in East Asia and helping to turn around everywhere.
As he traveled around the countries of Asia, what he feared in particular was Japan, which he was now visiting, and the Ming of the next great power, but of which Mateo Ricci, his friend for Ming, was finally familiar with the culture of Ming around this time, and preaching is proceeding around Nanjing.
However, here in Japan, Jesuit preaching was not progressing very well due to the rise of the Franciscan congregation and the ban imposed by Hideyoshi Tai, who endangered the invasion from Spain.
In the past, to train Japanese missionaries, he advocated a visit to Europe by the boys who would be sent by Tianzheng Europe to make it happen, but in a turbulent Japan, it was only transitory.
When he came to Japan two years ago, he was trying to reconcile himself with the Franciscan congregation in order to advance his preaching in Japan, further confirming the state of preaching throughout Japan.
I have to say, however, that the situation is rather harsh.
Because the number of powerful Christian masters had greatly reduced that number before and after the battle of Sekigahara.
I felt that the departure of Governor Konishi, who was a leading figure in the days of Hideyoshi Tai, in particular, had had to have a huge impact.
In Kyushu, where Nagasaki is located, all the leading masters, such as Sorin Otomura, Junzho Omura, Haruhin Arima, and Governor Konishi and Subao Maori, were under his influence and enthusiastically focused on Christian preaching in the realm, of which Haruhin Arima is no longer the only survivor. And his possession is also a small part of the island plains, and his influence is scarce. In addition, in front of Kimae, son of Junzhong Omura, there is also a suggestion by Kiyoshi Kato, whose occupation is next door, and he is beginning to fall for the Nikitori Sect.
This was not confined to Kyushu alone, and he felt a temporal wave of preaching in Japan as a whole.
I mean, he was in a hurry.
I don't feel like what I've been piling up is making some noise and breaking down.
- It can't end like this.
In the half-life in which we have devoted our hearts and minds to the development of the Jesuits, it is the establishment of this preaching in Japan that can also be described as its assembly.
He had so firmly sworn that he had looked through the missionary progress reports coming from all over the world and had returned the exact advice in his writings.
That number was enormous, and from the time I was at my desk, it would have been as long as the Tokugawa Jiayang, who was now a man of the day.
That's why he instructed me to keep it on my desk in an attempt to put the letter the secretary had brought behind him.
However, the Constantino youth did not try to move the spot, only to hand the letter directly to Valignano. Valignano looked up at him like that.
"What's up? Constantino. Put the letter there and leave there quickly.
Your job, like mine, is to have mountains. "
"No, Master Valignano. You may want to see this letter soon, so you won't be able to leave until you have it in your hands."
Valignano wrinkles between his eyebrows,
"Why not?
And when it was short, Constantino youth also answered briefly.
"Jesuit General, because it's a letter from Master Aquaviva"
"What!?
And, Valignano, with one eye wide and yet on the face, received a letter from the Constantino youth, and opened it immediately.
"Hmm..."
And, when he finishes reading the script, he roars and looks up to heaven. Constantino youth understood that the contents of the letter were not very interesting.
What is the contents of that letter…
- Concentrate on the preaching of Japan and Ming. The Pope is eager for good news. I will also supervise the battle of your Lord's preaching in Goa, East India.
It was concise.
From this content, however, is enough to convey the impatience of the General Director of the Jesuits, which was heavily felt in Valignano's heart.
"Something must have happened with the Pope...
Anyway, first we have to rebuild this Japanese preaching somehow... "
And Valignano felt stronger once again and headed to his desk again.
………
……
5 Years of Celebration (1600) November -
Around that time when the fierce battle of the Willow River saw an end, all the boards that arrived in Nagasaki headed straight for the Nanban temple with Valignano to fulfill their mission.
Pushing the big door all the way, you can make a noise and open it slowly.
To echo the sound, one young man… Constantino ran to be drawn to the light that came in by the door being opened.
All the boards thank the young man for one thing.
"That's Akashi Joan. All aboard."
Then the young man turned his eyes round,
"Are you Master Akashi Joan..."
And the young man who welcomed him had a surprising look on his face when he saw all the boards.
"... however, it is in Akashi Joan. But why would you do that?
"What are you talking about! The bravery of sending the twenty-six saints to Nagasaki to see them executed with perseverance will be known to all Christians in the Sun Book."
"... was it..."
And, all the boards looked embarrassed, and when he turned red, he lowered his head small.
"I'm late for my application. I am the master of this church. My name is Constantino, and I am being asked to be the secretary of Lady Valignano.
But after the Eastern Wars, I heard you left Ukido's house, but now which way?
"We now serve Hideyoshi Toyotomi"
"Oh, my God! Serving His Highness's son... the boulder is Akashi-sama"
"No, there is something I would like to ask Valignano to do… by the way, could you please give me some time?"
In response to the inquiry of all the boards, Constantino appeared with an inventive face, but he immediately returned it to his original glowing face and answered.
"I have a busy visitor, but if it means that Mr. Akashi Joan is here, he will be happy to stop that hand and come here.
I'll be speaking to you right now, please wait here for a moment. "
"Never mind."
All Deng deeply thanked him. No, Constantino disappeared into the back.
All boards are left alone on the spot.
It was clear that there were many rows of chairs going on in front of us and that worship was taking place in this place.
And beyond that, there is an altar that has been raised a step higher, and a large cross is crossed at the far back.
The light pouring down there over the stained glass is just fantastic, and all the boards shouldn't feel their minds washed just watching it.
As he sat back in the back seat, he held hands together on the spot, squeezed it tight and closed his eyes.
"It is in heaven, our Father... Wish..."
And when he utters the words of prayer he is accustomed to saying, he repents in his heart of his previous footsteps in this prayer time, as usual.
He wasn't always good at getting out in front of people.
Still, the general greed as a man, such as being popular and admiring the "raspberry" florist show, held together. But because of his intrusive character, he never acted pronounced.
It was his lord, Hideyoshi Uchita, who drew him up like that.
Hideyoshi found the strength of his heart to go straight ahead without feeling the ordeal as an ordeal for all that he believed, and left him to the lead elder to leave any of the Uchita family's commodities to him.
- How could my lord not let me die...
The only thing that really overshadows Sekigahara's battle is his head.
He had come to the battle with the intention of dying as Sujia's captain, but as he drew them from the armies of all the boards surrounded by enemies, Hideya's armies moved their armies toward the waiting men of Sansei Ishida.
As a result, I have to say, his army has made it possible for all the boards to leave the battlefield in an isolated fashion, both from the enemy and from his allies.
And the matter was still a gray cloud in him, covering it up.
He came out of the "nest" after a single ride with Hanayo Shou. And now he's taking on a major role in creating a college under heaven.
Still, there is no day when he does not remember his master, who became a parting man.
Because there was a time when Hideyoshi Uchita grabbed the hand he reached out to, when he could now live as "All Akashi Deng".
- If I may, I hope you are well...
The only thing he could do against the now missing Xiu family was to pray for his health.
When I finished praying like that, Constantino came back before all the boards.
"Thank you for waiting. Master Valignano is going to see you. We'll show you to the office, so when you're done praying, please let us know."
"We're just finishing up"
"Well, let's talk about me later"
"Yes, sir."
In a quiet church, the tricks and footsteps echo. If you look at it, Constantino is wearing unfamiliar shoes, and that sounds like a board on the church floor. In the dry air of winter, the sound is felt extra high.
There is a door on the wall in front of you that goes up to the altar, and as you creep through it, a dim hallway follows. The corridors, somewhere stinking, completely different from the colorful stained glass and the large cross, seem to indicate that those living in the church live qualitative lives in addition to things.
And when he was passed into the deepest room of the hallway, all the boards were immediately visible to Valignano with glasses.
"Hi, Joan. Long time no see. Looking good and above all."
And, when Valignano got away from the desk he was headed for, he headed towards the door to greet all the boards, urging all boards to put them in chairs.
When all the boards bow their heads, they sit quietly down to follow it.
And Valignano also sat on the chair in the form of facing all the boards again.
Organtino and Valignano, who met in Sakai, are so different in their modus operandi and character that they do not seem to be the same Italian.
Would that be something like "yang" and "yin" if I were to analogize?
To the vibrant atmosphere released by Valignano, all the boards answered reflecting the colour of determination that was strong in their eyes so as not to be flattened.
"Yes, it's been a while"
"Well... as you can see, I'm busy. Can I ask you a quick question?"
"Thank you."
All Deng, as required, talked about the construction of a school in Kyo and the gathering of researchers, and on top of that, asked him to cooperate with the gathering of researchers.
Staring into the eyes of all the boards, Valignano, who was listening in silence, slowly opens its heavy mouth when all the boards are finished talking.
"It's Joan. Building schools to enrich the lives of the poor is a great concern"
"Bye!"
And, unexpectedly, all the boards try to get their bodies on, but Valignano took control of it with one hand.
"But it is not bread or rice that enriches the lives of the people.
It is the word of God.
Even if you are poor, if you are rich in heart, people feel happy.
That is why the Lord has entrusted us with His Word.
Words that lead people to happiness...
O Joan, it is to deliver the word of the Lord to one and many people that enriches the people, and worry. "
To Valignano's words, like slashing and throwing away, all the boards blued their faces and couldn't move. Let's just say that, as Organtino's concern suggests, it was unexpected that they would say no so far.
But in the light of current Western European circumstances, it was "inevitable" to say the least.
That was never acceptable in the context of the weakening of Portugal, the rise of the Franciscan and Dominican Societies due to Spanish haste, and the entry into the oceans of England and the Netherlands, where the Jesuits of the Catholic Church could be described as "regressions of origin", when they had to push through faithism and weigh in on their missionary activities.
"But… it is only by following the Lord's teachings and acting to enrich the people that we do what we will, and I think it is!
And, it should be noted that all the boards still ate down. This is his strength.
But now, it is Valignano, arguably a heavy Jesuit town, that he confronts. Such enthusiasm on his part did not resonate in his heart at all.
"It's Joan. The very essence of the Lord's teachings in the first place is to increase his disciples and reach out to the people for salvation.
If you have time to ask me such questions, speak to one and many people.
And in the midst of the war, do you think it's 'action' to give charity to the poor?
"Dear Valignano! Word is, that's not it!
Saving the people in front of you is not the only way to spend it! Can it also be called a charity to enrich the children and grandchildren of its people, and the children who later live!
Now, the words it is given are not enough for that.
Making the future rich is also the hand of salvation, and I think it is!
Words come out of my mouth amazingly myself.
The feeling of talking too much and thirsty mouth was my first experience for all the boards and I was a little confused. And where he cut the words like that, Valignano showers all the boards with cold water in the same sober language.
"Joan, calm down.
How many comrades will agree with that idea of yours in the first place?
I am responsible for overseeing the preaching in the Sun Book.
We do not have the authority to speak out about things that are not directly related to preaching.
Besides, Jesuit members who agree with you first… No, I don't care if you're from another congregation, but it's the order that brings them here and then asks you to decide whether to allow it or not. "
"But... I was wondering if you needed Valignano's back shield to get that endorser..."
"Don't be sweet, Joan.
If you believe that your idea is right, nature and people will gather without my back shield or anything. Didn't I? "
On the chest of all the boards, Valignano's theory pierces.
But how many southern barbarians would agree with this attempt without the back of the Asian Jesuit director Varignano...
And the bad news is, assuming we get together and we don't get any more forgiveness from Valignano, we won't be able to bring those people into the academy.
All the boards felt dizzy at the height of too many walls.
- But you can't stop here.
Because he had sworn to his heart that he would have to play this major role at all costs in order to protect his family in Osaka Castle and reward him for his benevolence towards Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who is treating me dearly.
"... then we will collect it exactly as you wish…
But... "
"But?"
"If… those who are in tune with the idea of doing so gather together, forgive them to do all they can for the people in the school."
And all the boards inquired, showing in their eyes a strong determination not to pull a single step.
But his eyes were not defeated, and Valignano answered as he had done.
"Let us then turn to the General Director of the Jesuit, Lady Aquaviva, for judgment.
Joan, with that passion, I sincerely hope that we will not save one or more people.
There is no great protection for Joan... "
And when he cut the cross, Valignano joined hands. All the boards bow their heads deeply to that appearance.
"… Now if you'll excuse me at this"
All Deng left the room behind with a sinking voice.
………
……
That foothold of all the boards that left the Nanbanji Temple is heavy in a situation where even a single hope was denied.
His heart was in a situation where the cold winter wind blew relentlessly on his cheeks, but he could not see ahead of the cold.
"... how did you feel..."
The sky of Nagasaki in winter was clear without clouds, but its colour was never blue for all the climbs…