The Samurai and the Long-Nosed Devils Read Free Page B

religion, which he calls Christianity.”
    â€œHe won’t be very successful if his religion is as barbaric as his clothes,” said Matsuzo.
    â€œI’m no authority on Christianity,” said Hambei, “but I’ve heard that a number of people, including several lords of high rank, have been converted. Nobunaga has received the foreigners several times and is very favorably impressed by them.”
    â€œNot everyone feels so cordial towards the Portuguese,” said Matsuzo, noticing some of the crowd below fearfully backing away from the two foreigners.
    â€œThat’s true,” said Hambei. “And it’s not just the superstitious common people. Lord Fujikawa, Chiyo’s employer, lives next door to the Portuguese, and he hates them so much that he has hired some bully swordsmen to harass the foreigners whenever they get a chance.”
    â€œWhy does Lord Fujikawa hate the Portuguese?” asked Zenta. “Is he against the foreign religion?”
    â€œThat’s one of the reasons. Another one is that a member of his household was converted to Christianity, and she left to work for the Portuguese.”
    Suddenly Hambei turned and stared at Zenta. “I have an idea!” he cried. “You have always liked unusual jobs. How would you like to be bodyguards for these Portuguese?”

Chapter 3
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    â€œWhat?” cried Matsuzo. “But we came to Miyako especially to enlist with Nobunaga!”
    He was insulted by the suggestion that they become mere bodyguards, and bodyguards to some long-nosed devils at that. He glanced at Zenta to see how he reacted to Hambei’s proposal, and he was surprised that Zenta did not look at all outraged, only interested.
    â€œGive me a good reason why we should take the job,” Zenta said to Hambei.
    â€œThere are many anti-Portuguese elements in the city, people who don’t hesitate at violence,” replied Hambei. “Nobunaga has a very high regard for the Portuguese, and if you take the job of protecting them, you will be already entering his service.”
    â€œWhy doesn’t Nobunaga order some of his own men to protect the Portuguese?” asked Zenta.
    â€œSome of the worst Portuguese haters are influential men,” explained Hambei. “Lord Fujikawa is one of them, and he is a favorite of the shogun . At the moment Nobunaga’s relation with the shogun is rather delicate, and he wants to avoid unnecessary friction.”
    â€œBut there hasn’t been a shogun with any power for generations,” objected Matsuzo.
    â€œThe present shogun is no more than a figurehead. How can he be a threat to Nobunaga?”
    â€œMany people still regard the shogun as the symbolic military head of the country,” said Hambei. “Very soon Nobunaga’s position will be strong enough so that he can challenge the shogun openly. But until then, he is afraid that many of the uncommitted warlords may unite and rally to the shogun’s support.”
    Zenta smiled. “If I understand you correctly, Nobunaga doesn’t want his own men to risk a fight with Lord Fujikawa’s bullies, but if we become involved, it will just look like a fight between some ronin.”
    Hambei smiled back. “I didn’t say that being bodyguards to the Portuguese would be an easy job.”
    From the window of the restaurant the three men could see the two Portuguese cross the Gojo Bridge. The man in half armor stopped and wiped the perspiration from his face.
    â€œThey suffer from the heat just like normal people!” said Matsuzo, surprised.
    â€œNobunaga personally ordered me to find bodyguards for the Portuguese,” said Hambei. “If you accept this position, you will attract his notice more than if you were one of hundreds of samurai with routine duties.”
    Hambei’s last argument had been unnecessary. To Matsuzo’s alarm, Zenta nodded agreement, his decision apparently