Chapter 314 Kitahara Sosuke, the Dragon Among Men

This year, the number of people coming to Nanzen Temple for New Year worship is obviously much less than in previous years. The sluggish economic situation has greatly reduced people's joy for the New Year. Kitahara Sosuke and others who were mixed in the crowd followed the flow of people to the main hall of the temple. , the incense burner outside burns the strong smell of sandalwood. Under the winter snow, men and women in kimono hold hands and wait for the ringing of the end of the year bell.

"Kitahara Sosuke!" A powerful shout came through the crowd.

Kitahara Sosuke was stunned for a moment, looked up and saw a black figure running down the steps quickly. It was Shuichiro Kaneshiro who was still tied with gauze. Not long after, he appeared in front of him alive and kicking.

Shuichiro Kaneshiro's eyes first fell on Chino Rin, and then on the other four girls. He quickly averted his eyes, as if he didn't see anything, and continued to say to Kitahara Sosuke: "Come to visit in the New Year?"

"Well, that day, thank you very much." Kitahara Sosuke nodded. Kaneshiro Shuichiro was seriously injured in order to help himself and Chino Rin, so he didn't have time to see him, but he still had to at least say thank you.

Shuichiro Kaneshiro waved his hand: "It's not a big deal, you don't need to express your thanks."

"I still have to say thank you. Thank you so much for that day, Kaneshiro-san." Kitahara Sosuke shook his head and smiled, "How is your injury?"

"Haha, look at me, do I look like I've been hurt?" Shuichiro Kaneshiro laughed, but his eyes occasionally wandered to Chino Rin not far away. She was chatting softly with a few girls nearby, a beautiful figure in kimono. Fascinating, "When are you going to get married?"

"We should get married in 1991. You also know that until the problem of the Chino family is resolved, the two of us will never be able to truly be together. Although Rin doesn't say it, she still cares about it in her heart." Kitahara Sosuke sighed, as detached as Rin , still unable to completely ignore her family's views on her.

Especially for such a strong person like her, it must be very sad not to be recognized by her family.

"Then what are your plans? The Qianye family's reputation in Kyoto has dropped to the lowest level now. If nothing else, the agriculture and forestry industry will completely collapse, and their most important Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has also been hit hard. If you want to take action, now is the best time. Opportunity." Shuichiro Kaneshiro whispered, "I know you are troubled by something, maybe I can help you."

"Oh? Jincheng-san still knows business?" Kitahara Sosuke looked at him in surprise, "I don't mean anything else, I'm just curious."

"I don't understand, but I know what you are worried about. Come with me, my father wants to see you." Shuichiro Jincheng looked towards a high platform in the distance of the temple. There was a pavilion, and a figure could be vaguely seen inside. , and a heavy bell.

"Okay." Kitahara Sosuke didn't know what kind of medicine he was selling in his gourd, but Shuichiro Kaneshiro risked his life to help him, so there was no need to rake it up now.

The two came to the girls. Shuichiro Kaneshiro said with a smile: "Everyone, I will borrow Kitahara Sosuke and I will be back soon. No matter what happens at Nanzen Temple, just tell me my name and you will be there immediately." The monks came to help.”

"Okay." It was Qianye Rin who agreed.

Kitahara Sosuke and Kaneshiro Shuichiro immediately headed towards the pavilion. On the way, Kaneshiro Shuichiro began to introduce to him the local Buddhism and sect system in Kyoto. They talked about it in great detail, many of which were hidden contents that were not released to the public.

As they talked, the two came to the pavilion.

Standing silently inside was Kinjo Shuichiro's father, Kinjo Genichi, the abbot of Nanzenji Temple.

Kinjo Genichi is about the same age as Kitahara Masao, but he looks quite old. His temples are full of white hair, his expression is solemn, and he looks like an eminent monk.

They are all monks who lead Buddhist monks. The Kinjo family has inherited the position of abbot of Nanzen Temple and is also very famous in the Buddhist circles in Kyoto. Kinjo Genichi has even received the emperor and is famous.

"Father, he is Kitahara Sosuke." Shuichiro Kaneshiro stopped smiling in front of Jinjo Genichi, saluted respectfully, and then stood aside.

Jinjo Genichi and Kitahara Sosuke greeted each other, then he clasped his hands together and suddenly asked: "Sosuke, can you ring the bell?"

"No." Kithara Sosuke looked at the big clock behind him and shook his head.

Who has nothing to do to learn this stuff?

Jincheng Xinyi led him over and patted the huge wooden gavel, his face full of nostalgia and regret: "This bell is older than our Nanzen Temple. During the Warring States Period, it was used as a war clock. Whenever a war started, soldiers would ring the bell day and night to cheer. Later in modern times, wars continued and every household wanted to pray for peace. It became a blessing bell, praying for the people around it and bringing peace and happiness. Life."

"After the atomic bomb incident, mourning was everywhere, and people were surrounded by tragic deaths. After death, the soul is immortal and haunts the living. It became an exorcism bell. At the end of every month, our monks at Nanzen Temple would ring the bell to exorcise demons. Demon, bring peace to the world."

Kithara Sosuke listened quietly without speaking.

Jinchengxuan glanced at him, and then smiled lightly: "Now, it has become our evil bell. Only at the end of every year, I will ring it to remove filth and bad luck for countless people in Kyoto, and welcome a new era. Have a wonderful new year.”

"That does have a long enough history." Kitahara Sosuke agreed.

"Yes, but as monks we know better than anyone else that no matter what era it is, it is just an ordinary bell. Playing it only contains our beautiful expectations, and whether these expectations can be realized depends on It depends on those who control the resources and power." Genichi Kaneshiro smiled bitterly, "I ring the bell at the end of every year, but I never feel that I have done anything to these people who sincerely pray for blessings."

"Uncle Jincheng, you are very impressive in that you can persist in doing this. People earn their lives by themselves. If you can get everything you want by just praying like this, then for those who work hard to live, How unfair? Ringing the bell is your job and responsibility, as long as you do it, as for other things, leave it to fate." Kitahara Sosuke replied with a smile.

"Leave it to fate? Haha, yes." Jinchengxuan looked at the clock tower in the distance and saw that it was almost midnight.

"Aosuke, I invited Tsukichi-san, the president of the Kyoto Buddhist Association. He has the highest prestige in Kyoto. As long as he speaks, even without the support of the Chino family, the people in the shrines and temples will obediently obey the orders. Your tourism industry The plan will be implemented very smoothly." Kinjo Genichi suddenly said, "I am a family friend of Yuechi-san. I can't say that he trusts me 100%, but as long as I open my mouth, this matter can still be done."

"Chairman Tsukiike is a big figure who firmly opposes the Kitahara clan's entry into Kyoto, and is also a leader who opposes the reform of the tourism industry. I am really worried about how to negotiate with him." Kitahara Sosuke nodded truthfully.

Strictly speaking, the Buddhist Association is only under the jurisdiction of the emperor, and the government has no power to interfere with their affairs. If Chairman Tsukiike is determined to go against him, then Kitahara Sosuke will have no choice but to find another way to open up the tourism industry.

High-tech industries can be implemented through special financial support plans approved by Congress, and Kyoto Prefecture has given the green light and no one can stop it. Only the tourism industry, which is closely related to temples and shrines, has been unable to develop because of the crazy obstruction from the Buddhist Association.

Even with the foreshadowing of "The Fairy Tale of Time", it is still very difficult to get these old diehards to break their old ideas and agree to let Beiyuan Services settle in.

He did not immediately thank Kaneki Genichi for his helping hand. Kitahara Sosuke firmly believed that there is no free lunch in the world, and everything has its own price. Kaneki Genichi specifically called him to come over and said so much, without any intention. It was impossible to help him.

Jinjo Genichi took a deep look at Kitahara Sosuke and said in a deep voice: "Sosuke, let them go."

"Who should I let go?" Kitahara Sosuke smiled.

"These people below have suffered so much. Once Kyoto's economy collapses, they will all sink into the endless abyss. You have already won the victory, why bother to kill them all and force them to the last step?" Kaneki sighed. , "Prime Minister Miyazawa steps down and the Chino family loses power. Sooner or later, Kyoto will be conquered by you. But if the current problems in the banking industry continue like this, is a messy Kyoto what you want?"

Kithara Sosuke looked at him, and after a while he replied calmly: "Uncle Jincheng, do you think I am trying to kill everyone? Because I didn't reach out to help the crumbling Chino family, because I allowed the situation to worsen, and because I didn't invest money to rescue the market, you just Do you think I am trying to kill them all?"

"The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility. Aosuke, you now have the ability to shake up Kyoto's economy. During the shutdown some time ago, the entire Kyoto has seen the horror of Kitahara's investment. Now Kyoto's economy is unstoppable and about to collapse. Only your Kitahara investment can save it!"

Jinchengxian looked at him, his eyes full of expectation.

"It shouldn't die like this."

"You think too highly of me." Kitahara Sosuke shook his head, "The economic downturn is forced by the general environment, and no one can save it. If so, it should have been the previous and previous prime ministers. It’s a pity that they were obsessed with some messy things and didn’t do what they should do.”

"If it's yours, there will always be."

Before Jincheng Xunichi finished speaking, twelve o'clock arrived.

January 1, 1991 arrived, and 1990 was completely submerged in the torrent of history.

Boom!

Jinchengxuan, who paused the second half of his sentence, began to push the gavel to hit the bell.

The heavy and long-lasting bell rang in everyone's ears.

The first hit, the second hit, the third hit.

The bell in the temple rings 108 times, which means that everyone has 108 wishes in the new year. Listening to the bell will also purify people's hearts, heal the trauma of the past, and prepare for a beautiful new year. .

As Kitahara Sosuke continued to look, he could see countless people suddenly bowing their heads, clasping their hands together, and performing New Year worship. He could feel the impact of the wonderful sight, as if everyone's wishes turned into a torrent and poured towards him. .

The bells are still ringing.

Shuichiro Kaneshiro, who had been standing aside, also listened to the bells devoutly and secretly made a wish.

It seemed that only Kitahara Sosuke was left watching all this silently in the whole world.

The flying snow is getting bigger and bigger, covering the ground of the pavilion.

After sixty strokes, Jincheng Xianyi was a little exhausted, but his expression was still determined, and he was vigorously striking the big bell to remove filth and bad luck for the people below.

At the eighty-eighth stroke, Kinjo Genichi suddenly shouted loudly and turned to look at Kitahara Sosuke: "Sosuke, come here!"

As soon as his voice fell, his hands left the gavel. As long as Kitahara Sosuke, who was standing aside, took over the gavel, he could seamlessly succeed him as the bell ringer and complete the twenty bells that started in 1991.

But Kitahara Sosuke didn't move.

The gavel shook once, lightly touching the big bell that was still humming and shaking, and gave off the last faint chime that only the three of them could hear.

Kaneshiro's face turned red when he looked at Kitahara Sosuke. Because he kept ringing the bell, heat rose up from his body, like mist.

The two stared at each other for a long time, but did not hear the bell. Shuichiro Kaneshiro suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Kitahara Sosuke in confusion.

No one spoke.

At first, everyone thought it was a temporary stop. It was not until five minutes passed and ten minutes passed, and the familiar bell in their memory still did not ring, that people realized that something might have happened, and they all looked up towards the pavilion.

Chino Rin and the others were also looking around on tiptoe, very worried about Kitahara Sosuke who was taken over by Shuichiro Kaneshiro.

Three figures could be vaguely seen, but the snow was too heavy to see clearly what they were doing.

Riots began in the square. The people were confused, uneasy, and angry. After a while, some people began to curse and curse in low voices, and then one after another people left Nanzen Temple.

There were also people who were dissatisfied and wanted an explanation, but the monks, who also had no idea what was going on, could only use clichés to excuse them. Fortunately, they would not cause trouble here on the first day of the new year.

On the pavilion.

Kitahara Sosuke was still looking at Kaneshiro. After a while, he smiled and patted the snowflakes on his body: "It's such a pity that I couldn't hear the perfect one hundred and eight bells in my first year in Kyoto. , I hope I have a chance to hear it next year.”

"Next year, Shuichiro will succeed me." Kaneki Genichi looked at him and finally sighed deeply, "As for President Yuechi, I will try my best to intercede for you."

"Thank you, Uncle Jincheng." Kitahara Sosuke bowed slightly and walked towards the pavilion. When his figure was submerged in the snowflakes, Jincheng Genichi suddenly turned around and looked at his son.

"Shuichiro, you usually look carefree, but I didn't expect that your vision is better than bad old men like us. You said that he would never compromise, but I don't believe it. Kitahara Sosuke is indeed a dragon among men!"

"They will all lose, father. Kitahara Sosuke, even I can feel his power. The fact that he was chosen by Rin is the best proof!"