Chapter 532: The Root of Decline

Matsuura Takanobu was indeed a smart man. Knowing the direction Li Miao was exploring, he outlined the relationship between swordsmanship, Shinto, and the Emperor in a few words.

Venerated God swordsmanship originated from the gods, or monsters, worshipped by Shinto. And the main deity worshipped by Shinto, and the deity worshipped in the largest shrines, was the ancestor of the Emperor.

However, just based on what he said, it was in hidden conflict with the current situation in Japan that Li Miao understood. For example—

"According to what you said, Shinto holds the root of Venerated God swordsmanship and has the endorsement of the Emperor's status. It is powerful and famous, and as a religion, it can be considered deep-rooted... How could it be beaten to a pulp by Buddhism?"

Li Miao looked into Matsuura Takanobu's eyes and asked.

Matsuura Takanobu shook his head slowly.

"I don't know this, my lord."

"Although I am a Daimyo, Japan is divided into Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. I am just a Daimyo living in a corner on Kyushu Island. The real struggles and secrets happen in Honshu, which I cannot set foot in."

He carefully observed Li Miao's expression. Seeing Li Miao's eyes narrow slightly and his fingers stop twisting, his hair stood on end, and he hurriedly opened his mouth:

"However, I know some peripheral things."

"For example, Shinto has only shrunk in the scope of believers, and in recent years it has been trying to regain its dominant position. The civil war currently happening in Honshu is related to the struggle between Shinto and Buddhism."

"The reason Kotesashi Yasutsune came under my command and became my minister was the result of Shinto's layout... They seem to be using these swordsmen who practice Venerated God swordsmanship to deepen their influence on various Daimyos step by step."

"As for why Shinto declined initially... of course, there was the reason that the Emperor at the time supported Buddhism, but as far as I know, the root cause is not that simple... I can only tell you a few times."

Matsuura Takanobu took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"One thousand and ten years ago."

"Seven hundred and ninety-three years ago."

"Two hundred and seventeen years ago."

Li Miao frowned.

"So precise?"

Matsuura Takanobu nodded.

"Yes... because these few times were not discovered by me, but news passed down from my ancestors. It's just... Japan has been in war for many years, Hirado City has been invaded many times, and my father's generation had several successions that were extremely hasty, so some information was lost."

"But these three times were passed down extremely accurately, which is clearly extremely important... I have investigated the news because of this, but I still don't know much."

Matsuura Takanobu extended three fingers.

"Shinto fell into decline step by step at these three points in time, and was pressed under Buddhism step by step. Of course, decline is a process spanning decades, and what my father's generation passed down is the precise time."

"So, what my ancestors really wanted to tell me was the three things that happened at these three points in time, but they were lost, leaving only three times."

"So, I can only tell you 'on the surface' what happened around these three points in time."

Matsuura Takanobu retracted his fingers one by one.

"One thousand and ten years ago, Buddhism was introduced to Japan."

"Seven hundred and fifty-four years ago, Master Jianzhen crossed the sea to the east."

"Two hundred and seventeen years ago, Shinto completely declined."

Lu Wushuang, beside him, muttered:

"Wei and Jin, Tang, and the end of the Yuan Dynasty."

With Lu Wushuang's words, Li Miao suddenly smoothed his eyebrows.

He sighed rarely, shook his head, and his laughter carried a hint of self-deprecation and emotion.

"So that's it."