Chapter 350

"Uesugi Muneyuki-san has arrived!"

When Uesugi Muneyuki rushed to the NHK Taiga Drama filming location in Hikari City, Wood Prefecture, the production crew was currently filming there.

The NHK staff still treated Uesugi Muneyuki with relative respect, calling out to him from outside, but Uesugi Muneyuki gestured with his hand indicating he wanted to inspect the filming site, so the NHK crew also followed his lead.

Ikeda Erena, like Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden, was astonished by the luxurious set design and various gold, silver, and lacquerware on site, as well as the splendid, newly painted military earthen lacquer armor and the flamboyant attire of that era.

Inside the filming set, a "post-war assessment meeting" was underway, with biting cold winds slicing across the bluish-gray stone walls of the set like knives, the air filled with piercing chill and the icy breath of rust, heavy clouds hanging low, occasionally leaking a few strands of bleak winter sunlight, which not only failed to bring warmth but instead deepened the shadows on the stone walls even further.

The light snow from the previous night had left stubborn thin ice in low-lying areas and stone crevices, and the production crew had deliberately left much of the residual snow,

in order to restore the site to a corner of the brutal battlefield of the Warring States era—specifically, a key scene from 《Gunshi Kanbei》 was struggling forward in the severe cold.

At the center of the frame, the white breath exhaled by Okada Junichi, portraying Kuroda Kanbei, was clearly visible. Wrapped in a heavy, deep black robe, his posture remained upright, but his tightly pressed lips and slightly bluish finger joints revealed the erosion of the bitter cold; he was engaged in dialogue with several actors portraying senior retainers, his lines resonant, his gaze sharp as a hawk or falcon.

Uesugi Muneyuki stood nearby watching, thinking this actor's performance level was actually rather average, mainly because Okada Junichi is a member of the idol group V6 (Nagano Hiroshi, who played Ultraman Dyna's human form Daigo, is also a V6 member), and his immense popularity could boost ratings.

The biggest problem with idols becoming actors is that no matter what role they play, they end up portraying themselves—typical example being Kimura, the great god.

After the relatively serious historical drama 《Aoi-Tokugawa Three Generations》 in the year 2000, NHK began reforming the Taiga Drama, attempting to "idolize" it, starting with 《Inoue and Matsu》, after which the Taiga Drama gradually shifted from historical serious drama to various handsome men and beautiful women, also becoming more fictionalized—namely, whoever is the protagonist becomes the positive character, good deeds are done by the protagonist, major events always feature the protagonist, and negative publicity is either brushed off with the "Spring and Autumn annals" approach or simply pinned on someone else's head.

This idol drama formula and clear-cut black-and-white character design quickly gained favor with young audiences, but also rendered the Taiga Drama entertainment-oriented and childish.

The filming location in January was extremely cold, and Uesugi Muneyuki noticed that the background extras—specifically the "ashigaru"—were suffering greatly. They wore thin costumes (with as much thermal clothing as possible stuffed inside), shivering violently, their cheeks and nose tips reddened. To portray "exhaustion after fierce battle," they had to sit or lie on the icy stone ground, their bodies nearly frozen stiff. The assistant director's commands in the biting wind sounded somewhat fragmented, and the extras mechanically shifted positions, their movements stiff and sluggish due to the cold. Props crew members wore thick gloves, carefully inspecting the icy metal props and armor straps, their white breath swirling around the cold weapons.

"Quiet! Prepare—Action!" the director's voice came through the megaphone, carrying a hint of barely noticeable fatigue.

The set fell instantly silent, save for the sharp whistling of the cold wind slipping through the stone wall cracks and the sounds of argument on site.

The camera glided silently and smoothly along its track, the cinematographer fully focused, capturing every subtle expression and movement through the lens, the large boom mic like a silent giant bird, cautiously probing from above yet skillfully avoiding all camera angles.

Uesugi Muneyuki stood in place for a while, then heard the director shout "CUT, this one's good."

As if a spell had been lifted, air began to flow again, the extras exhaled in relief and slightly relaxed their tense bodies, someone secretly wiped ice crystals from their face, Okada Junichi instantly broke character as "Kanbei," a gentle smile appearing on his face as he nodded in acknowledgment to the veteran actor he had just performed with. Johnny's assistant immediately rushed forward with a hand warmer and outer coat to drape over him.

The makeup and costume staff quickly gathered around the lead actor to check his appearance. The production assistant, holding a notice sheet, briskly walked toward the director, softly confirming details and transition timing for the next scene. The props team began clearing the area, returning scattered bamboo spears to their places.

Not far away, in the temporary rest area set up by the production crew, several actors yet to appear in the "daimyo family scroll" were dressed in splendid yet equally heavy kimonos, gathered near the heater, silently awaiting summons.

Filming a Taiga Drama is arduous and poorly paid, yet its significance is immense—it serves as proof of an actor's skill and status.

Thus, the production crew on site shouted again: "Uesugi Muneyuki-san has arrived!"

"Hello everyone, I am Uesugi Muneyuki. Today I am here to guest-star as Uesugi Kagetora. Please look after me." Uesugi Muneyuki greeted the crowd, then began searching for his brother.

"Heya~ isn't this Uesugi Muneyuki-kun? Nice to meet you!" At that moment, an old man in a golden kimono, sporting a shaved crown, stepped forward to greet him.

"I am Uesugi Muneyuki, come to pay respects to Lord Taikō Toyotomi Hideyoshi! Seeing you in good health brings me great comfort!" Uesugi Muneyuki immediately recognized who he was.

This was the previously mentioned Takenaka Hanbei, who portrayed Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the 1996 Taiga Drama 《Hideyoshi》; now, twenty years later, he again plays Hideyoshi in 《Gunshi Kanbei》, and also appears as Hideyoshi in other dramas and films—truly a specialist in the role.

Moreover, this man is indeed short in stature, with a monkey-like face, dry eyes, and a hint of shrewdness—indeed matching the historical image of Hideyoshi.

"Heya, I never thought NHK could actually get both of you brothers here! Oh my, this must be that judo beauty policewoman who performed outstandingly in the Kabukicho case, right? You two really are inseparable, just as the rumors say!" Takenaka Hanbei laughed, then, with an air of old-man superiority, patted Uesugi Muneyuki on the shoulder: "No wonder you're the grandson of Kuninori-san—Uesugi Kagetora seeking you out is perfectly fitting!"

Uesugi Muneyuki could only endure it, aside from the fact that the other party was a respected elder, the Uesugi family indeed owed gratitude to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's mercy in not killing them.

In fact, before the Honnō-ji Incident, the Uesugi family was already in dire straits, with Fish Port Castle in Echigo Province—the eastern gateway—already captured by Shibata Katsuie, and Uesugi Kagekatsu had prepared himself to commit seppuku at any moment; fortunately, luck turned dramatically when the Honnō-ji Incident erupted.

The Uesugi and Oda, allied through Nobunaga, were mortal enemies, as were the Uesugi and Shibata Katsuie, but the Uesugi and Toyotomi Hideyoshi had no grudge whatsoever!

Eager to unify the nation, Hideyoshi thus accepted the surrender; otherwise, it is highly unlikely the Yonezawa Uesugi clan would exist today.

This is also one of the reasons why the Uesugi firmly sided with the Western Army in the Battle of Sekigahara.

"Senior, you overpraised me."

"I am serious—young handsome men should be played by handsome men!" Takenaka Hanbei also greeted Ikeda Erena, who politely replied but said nothing more; seeing her attitude slightly disappointed, he swaggered away.

Uesugi Muneyuki continued searching, greeting the actress Kuroki Hitomi, who portrays Asano Nene, the North Political Lady,

who was also a great beauty in her youth, but now over fifty still trying to look young, her face caked with heavy makeup, still appearing strained.

"Sister, why is the skin on your face a bit loose?"

This is also one of the flaws of Taiga Dramas: actors' ages are often noticeably advanced—Okada Junichi is 35 yet began portraying the 16-year-old Kuroda Kanbei, Takenaka Hanbei is already 60 yet must play a 30-year-old Hideyoshi, and this issue was most severe in 《Aoi-Tokugawa Three Generations》, where the actor playing the early-twenties Tokugawa Hidetada, Nishida Toshiyuki, was already 54 at debut, and the actress portraying the twenty-something Oe was even over sixty.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the surrounding cast, Uesugi Muneyuki finally found his brother, Uesugi Sadanori.

At that moment, Uesugi Sadanori had just finished makeup, styling, and dressing, and to avoid issues, sat motionless.

"Brother." Uesugi Muneyuki called out.

"Hmm, Muneyuki, you came? This early?" Uesugi Sadanori gave a slight nod; his brother appeared somewhat tense, his character steady and solemn, also somewhat introverted and unaccustomed to the production environment: "It's not your turn yet."

"Just came to check on you." Uesugi Muneyuki sat beside his brother, speaking softly: "When will you let me be an uncle? Give me a nephew?"

"——." Uesugi Sadanori had initially been pleased to see his brother arrive, but upon hearing this, his face instantly flushed to the color of pig liver: "None of your business!"

"How is it not my business? Speaking of which, you and your sister-in-law have been married for two months now, right?" Uesugi Muneyuki asked casually: "

Didn't you put in extra effort over New Year?"

So satisfying! A certain Muneyuki thought maliciously in his heart.

Pressuring to marry! Pressuring to marry again, then pressuring to have children! After giving birth, pressuring for a second child, third child—turns out this is so enjoyable!

Watch me really lay into my brother!

"....

..... 」」

Uesugi Sadanori's face alternated between red and white, then bluntly said: "You didn't return to Yonezawa for New Year with us—why ask this—"

"Hey!" Uesugi Muneyuki hastily gestured for Uesugi Sadanori to lower his voice.

Indeed, Ikeda Erena's face behind him showed a confused expression.

"Brother, I came today mainly to see you, and also to ask you some questions about archaeology." Uesugi Muneyuki swiftly changed the subject: "Do you know, in recent years, regarding the excavation of ancient tombs in Kansai—"

Uesugi Sadanori furrowed his brow, thinking, I this foolish odo odo, how did I become interested in archaeology, and always wanting to pull out some weird new tricks.

However, at this very moment, a sudden sound of a heavy object falling to the ground came from within the production crew.

"Someone! Nishimura-kun! Nishimura-kun fell down!"

"Come quickly! Nishimura-kun! Nishimura-kun fell down!"

Not even a minute passed before the personnel who had gone to check the crime scene suddenly shouted: "Call an ambulance! Call an ambulance!"

"What's going on?" The communication between Uesugi Muneyuki and Uesugi Sadanori was interrupted, and they both looked toward the warehouse, and at that very moment, the Qinghui Stone lit up.

Uesugi Muneyuki: "???"

No way? Did they get it wrong?

How come even cameoing in a Taiga Drama gets me involved in a case???

Moreover, it seems like we don't need to call an ambulance anymore—