sbdcsierra Chapter 1354, Chapter 1363: Why did you eat me?!
Chapter 1354, Chapter 1363: Why did you eat me?!
Chapter 1354, Chapter 1363: Why did you eat me?!
The ancestral temple is located on a hillside in Qingshui. Members of the Yongshan clan who come to pay their respects are scattered in several sections, arranged according to their individual households, and their groups extend along the winding stone path.
Walking up the stone path, Naoki Nagayama, holding Natsuka, said with a smile:
"Hua Jiang, you've actually been here before!"
"?"
Xia Hua looked at her father with a bewildered expression, then looked around, and finally shook her head.
"Never been here before~ Don't remember~"
“You really shouldn’t remember,” Naoki Nagayama said with a smile. “You were still in your mother’s belly back then!”
"??!!"
Natsuka, who didn't quite understand the concept of trying yet, glanced at Akina subconsciously, then her expression became conflicted.
"Mom, why did you eat me?!"
Akina overheard this and couldn't help but pinch Naoki Nagayama's arm. Then she gently explained the basics of childbirth to the little one.
Of course, it's all vague stuff like, "Dad gave a little, Mom gave a little, and then they combined to form a little summer flower, which slowly grew inside Mom's tummy," and they even tell the little one that there's already a younger brother or sister in Mom's tummy.
In short, this explanation was confusing to adults, but Xiaoxiahua seemed to accept it completely, and her expression became curious, wanting to touch the little brother or sister in Akina's belly~
Naoki Nagayama shrugged, surprised that Akina could explain how a child is born so logically.
When he was a child, he asked his parents where he came from, and they all said he was picked up from a trash can.
After walking for more than ten minutes, we arrived at the ancestral temple. The temple's welcoming monks were very hospitable and waited at the main gate to greet us and lead us inside.
This family temple is entirely supported by the Nagayama family. Even though the Nagayama group has disbanded, the temple's offerings have increased dramatically since the Nagayama family joined, and are now comparable to what they were before.
Inside the solemn hall, the Buddha sat serenely, his half-open, compassionate eyes seemingly having witnessed the entirety of cause and effect in this world. This was also the place where Naoki Nagayama and Akina held their wedding, so both were quite excited to revisit this familiar location.
After offering incense, the monk led everyone to a side hall, which was where the ancestors of the Nagayama family were enshrined. There were not many scattered memorial tablets, the newest of which was for the grandfather, Nagayama Hayato!
After offering incense again, Naoki Nagayama seemed to see that carefree old man again, and a wave of melancholy washed over him.
On the other side, the eldest uncle, Nagayama Kumahara, and the father, Nagayama Ken, had red eyes, as if their emotions were turbulent. So the younger generation left the side hall to let them spend some time alone with their grandfather.
The children had no worries. After paying their respects, Xiaoxia and Xiaoyecao explored the family temple, while Akina and the others chatted with Xiaosaihe and Xiaodongwu.
Naoki Nagayama, Aoki Nagayama, and Kaede Nagayama were chatting idly together in the corridor.
"I can't believe how fast time flies."
"Yes, I went to check the study in the old house yesterday. Nothing has changed."
Just then, Naoki Nagayama suddenly saw a familiar face: a monk in simple robes was sweeping across the corridor with a broom.
"Akimoto Masashi. Is that guy the one who secretly filmed my wedding with Akina?!"
Nagayama Kaede also looked over, and some memories flooded back:
"Oh, so that's the reporter who was caught by the abbot?! My grandfather instructed that he be kept under house arrest in the family temple?"
The eldest brother, Nagayama Aoki, also spoke up:
"Has he been staying here the whole time? Isn't that a bit much?"
The eldest brother, Aoki, is still a very simple and kind person. For the matter of secretly filming, a punishment is enough; he can't be imprisoned here indefinitely.
As the thin figure approached, Naoki Nagayama felt a pang of emotion. He had heard some things from his grandfather, who said that this guy had "voluntarily" stayed at the family temple to become a monk?!
"donor."
The monk, with his eyes lowered, bowed slightly to the group and then continued sweeping, seemingly unaware that even Naoki Nagayama had been recognized.
"Autumn bean sack. You are..."
Naoki Nagayama's mind was racing with memories.
"Kotaro Ohara?"
"Ah, that's my lay name."
The monk, whose original name was Kotaro Ohara and whose current Buddhist name was Hirochi, clasped his hands together and looked up to see Naoki Nagayama.
"I am now a monk, and my Dharma name is Guangzhi."
“Oh, Master Guangzhi.”
Naoki Nagayama asked,
"Is it smooth to practice Buddhism in a family temple?"
"Thank you for your concern, Benefactor Yongshan. This humble monk is now penniless and at peace."
Seeing Master Guangzhi's indifferent expression, Naoki Nagayama felt slightly uncomfortable and cleared his throat with a couple of coughs:
"Ahem. That Master Guangzhi..."
"Actually, my grandfather was in a fit of anger, which is why he sent the monks from the family temple to Tokyo to invite you back."
"Now that my grandfather has passed away, if Master Guangzhi wishes to return to secular life..."
Naoki Nagayama pointed to Kaede Nagayama next to him.
"Brother Feng and I will definitely not stop us."
"After all, it was just taking pictures back then."
While taking photos without consent is despicable, there's no need to punish someone by making them a monk for life!
"Good, good, good~"
A smile appeared on the monk Guangzhi's face.
"Naoki Nagayama, please don't take it to heart. The abbot and other fellow disciples did not restrict my decision to stay or leave. I stayed to continue my practice voluntarily!"
"The cause of the past has led to the effect of today. It is truly a great blessing for this humble monk to receive your forgiveness today!"
Watching the monk Guangzhi bow slightly, then pick up the broom again and begin sweeping the temple, Naoki Nagayama was momentarily speechless.
Nagayama Kaede nodded slightly:
"This monk is quite something!"
Although he didn't know much about monastic practice, this Guangzhi was clearly different!
Could it be that my grandfather's past actions really did shape him into a future eminent monk?!
As the three of them watched Hirochi, the door to the side hall opened, and Nagayama Kumahara and Nagayama Ken came out, both with relieved expressions on their faces, presumably having poured out their thoughts and feelings.
"Alright, let's go back to the old house in Qingshui!"
Nagayama Kumahara said with a smile,
"I've already asked someone to cook. Let's have a family reunion dinner together!"
1954 (Showa 63) was the year the bubble economy peaked!
Having escaped the stock market crash, Japan now faces an unprecedented surge in national confidence amidst a sluggish economic environment in other parts of the world.
Japanese people can be seen all over the world, from Hawaii to the United States to Europe, and high-end luxury stores are practically owned by Japanese women.
Even Japanese companies are starting to look outwards and are expanding aggressively, throwing money around everywhere, though they are being a little more cautious in New York!
Holidays in big cities always seem to fly by.
The snow hasn't melted yet, and Tokyo's main roads are already jammed with cars of all sizes. The congested highways have become the first New Year's gift for migrant workers returning to the city from home.
The office lights gradually came on, and the department stores and shops glittered in the night. The Night City, which had been resting for a few days, was bustling again.
The entertainment industry, so closely intertwined with Tokyo, has naturally started to buzz again.
Busy Tokyoites chatted briefly during their work breaks, then effortlessly tackled their already limited workload while also planning their upcoming vacation.
Is anything different this New Year?
"It seems not," said an anonymous citizen. "It's still the same people on TV. Oh, and we have a new prime minister!"
"Oh? Is this prime minister any different from the previous ones?"
"Except for gender, everything else is the same!"
"Ah, I see~"
"."
New Prime Minister Tagako Doi had no rest during the New Year; she was busy forming a cabinet, allocating benefits, and mediating conflicts between political parties in the House of Representatives.
And then, I wanted to make my voice heard in politics!
"Anyone who touches the consumption tax is doomed!"
Doi Tagako set aside her staff's opinions, because since the party had suddenly gone from being an opposition party to the ruling party, she didn't need to rush to fight for the old interest groups in the short term.
"The country's economy is currently in good shape, and we should focus on economic development."
In front of her staff, Doi Tagako made no attempt to hide her intentions and directly stated her goals:
"I want to achieve results during my term that can be sustained, so as to solidify the Social Democratic Party's ruling position."
"My fellow advisors, what aspects do you think we should begin with?!"
"."
Shuichi Itō is also part of the staff team, but he is now just an ordinary member and no longer holds the important position he did during the election campaign.
Back then, he held the reins of the Film Association, which was crucial for his campaign. Now that he's been elected, he's ready to start governing!
The staff members chimed in with their opinions, some suggesting support for the automotive industry, others for shipbuilding, and still others for semiconductors, electronics, and light industry, among others.
These are all mature and prudent opinions. Japan does have advantages in these industries, but most of them are achievements that the previous ruling party had built up over decades, and each one took a long time to complete. They are not of much use to her, the newly appointed prime minister.
What Doi Tagako needs is a "achievement" that can be remembered by the public in a short period of time!
Her eyes swept over the staff team, which was mostly composed of middle-aged and elderly people, and she immediately spotted the youngest figure among them. Indeed, to break with convention, you still need young people!
"Shuichi-san, do you have any objections?!"
"Ah I?!"
Shuichi Itō felt like a student caught daydreaming in class, momentarily flustered.
"I'm just a newcomer to politics."
"It's okay, sometimes you just need some fresh perspectives! Feel free to speak your mind!"
In fact, Doi Tagako did not expect to get any useful advice from Itō Shuichi; she was just using this opportunity to express her desire for new ideas to the team.
While Itō Osamu was racking his brains, he suddenly remembered some ideas that Kensei had discussed with Nagayama Naoki when they used to chat.
"Doi-san"
Itō Shuji steadied himself.
"Japan's economic development is currently in a very good state. Its light and heavy industries are world-renowned, and the Japanese stock market is also performing well."
"At this stage, it's time for Japanese culture to also go global."
"I propose that the development of the cultural industry be an important part of your governance, with a focus on supporting the cultural content industry and exporting Japanese culture overseas to build a major cultural power."
"This will enhance public pride and gain more voter support; it will also increase employment and boost consumption."
"."
Doi Tagako's eyes lit up. She had just randomly picked someone, but she didn't expect that Itō Shuichi would actually offer such a constructive suggestion!
However, criticisms arose from within the staff at this time, with comments such as "not distinguishing between important and unimportant matters," "putting the cart before the horse," and "young people lacking experience" popping up from time to time.
Because culture has always been considered a form of soft power, few people have realized its significant role. Perhaps only the Tang Dynasty a thousand years ago, and the United States a decade or so later, has demonstrated the importance of soft power.
Doi Tagako did not immediately support Itō Shuichi's opinion, but instead continued to let her staff discuss other policies.
However, after the meeting ended a few hours later, she kept Shuichi Itō behind:
"Shuichi-san, how's your work going lately?!"
"Being in charge of the Social Democratic Party's propaganda work is a great responsibility, and I am still learning from my predecessors."
Besides his part-time position as a staff member, Shuichi Itō's official position is the publicity officer within the election strategy committee, which puts him in the middle management level.
"Yes, Shuichi-san will adapt quickly!"
Doi Tagako offered some words of encouragement, and then brought up the suggestions she had made earlier.
"Tell me about the proposals from the meeting just now. A major cultural industry nation."
"Hi!"
In reality, Japan's decision to build its nation on culture was a reluctant choice after the bursting of the economic bubble, because at that time the real economy had completely stalled, leaving them with no choice but to place their bets on the cultural industry.
The bubble hasn't burst yet, so this is naturally a policy that adds icing on the cake!
Shuichi Itō slowly recounted the ideas he had discussed with Naoki Nagayama, interspersed with his reflections as a director and president of the film association over the years. Tagako Doi listened with nodding approval.
She particularly agreed with the last point.
"Mr. Doi's point is that the cultural industry is a place where results are easily achieved, such as Naoki winning an international award like the Palme d'Or."
Shuichi Itō said,
"If Japan's cultural development achievements are welcomed abroad, it will greatly enhance Japan's national self-confidence!"
"At that time, public support for Mr. Doi will definitely increase significantly!"
"very good!"
Doi Tagako nodded.
"Shuichi-san, organize your proposal and write a formal opinion report for me."
"Hi!!"
Having finished discussing the important matters, Doi Tagako felt she should bestow more favors upon this capable assistant, and thus said:
"Kenta Nakai of Shuyu Capital is stuck in New York, right?"
“Hi! It’s because of some stock market investment matters,” Shuichi Itō explained, “because of Naoki-san’s foresight, Shuyu Capital made some money during the stock market crash, which attracted the attention of the US regulators.”
"Yes, I will inquire about the relevant situation when I visit the United States after I take office!"
"That"
Shuichi Itō was surprised.
"Thank you so much!"
As a junior partner of the United States, and especially during this era of economic prosperity in Japan while the US economy is declining, Japan's importance to the US is very high.
One sentence from the new prime minister can save so much trouble!
(End of this chapter)