The two powerful samurai families in Azuma County, Ueno Province, were both from the Shino clan. One is the Habio family who took in the Umino family, and the other is the Kamahara family.
Azuma County is the ancestral home of the Nagano family. Later, the Nagano family built Minawa Castle and Umbashi Castle. The family moved its power to the southeastern part of Ueno Province and divided it into two branches: the Minawa Nagano family and the Ubashi Nagano family.
The northern part of western Ueno Country connects the Shinano Mountains and the Echigo Mountains, and most of the plain grain-producing areas are in the southeast. Once the West Ueno samurai family became powerful, they would long for the land of the Kanto Plain in East Ueno.
Putting aside these things, the Azuma River in Azuma County is a rare water source and grain producing area in the mountains, and it is also a water transportation hub leading to Shinano.
In order to compete for the important city along the Azuma River, the Habi-Kahara family fought openly and secretly for many years.
Both families are from the Shino family, and the Umino family has a good card in their hands, and they always have their own ideas.
As the Umino family's hope of returning to Toshin becomes increasingly slim, the Hao family begins to covet the Umino family's name.
There are three Shino clans in Nishi Ueno. Once the Hao family gets the name of Umino family and becomes Umino family, they can speak out in the name of the general leader of the three clans, and the Kamahara family will also be at a disadvantage in the struggle.
Just when the Umino family was gradually unable to bear the pressure, Sanada Nobushige came to Umino Rokuniang Riichi with a smile.
In the village house, Sanada Nobushige glanced at Sarutobi Sasuke with dissatisfaction, and saw her teeth chattering.
"Hey, the water in your cup spilled on my leg!"
Sarutobi Sasuke retorted.
"I don't want to either, but it's so cold that I can't help but shiver, and there's nothing I can do about it!"
The two of them were currently surrounding the fire in the house, with a tattered iron pot standing in the middle. There was not much firewood underneath, and the dilapidated house with air leakage from all sides could not withstand the harsh mountain wind in winter.
The flames were trembling, but they were no better than Sarutobi Sasuke's body. A pot of water hadn't bubbled for a long time, and he couldn't feel much warmth.
Looking at the two people shouting across from each other, Umino looked calm. A few strands of messy hair were picked up by the wind on her cold and pretty face, and she smoothed it down casually.
Sanada Nobunari glanced at her and said.
"Liu Niang, it seems that the Yuwei family is becoming more and more stingy. Can the children bear the mountain wind in this winter?"
Umino was neither happy nor angry. She had a small head and a long neck, and her figure became thinner due to years of malnutrition as a guest.
Wrapped in linen, the wind stuck to her body like a paper figure. Her beautiful, doll-like face, with a sickly whiteness, contained a hint of otherworldly open-mindedness.
"The children have their own rooms, which have been well repaired by the tribesmen, so there is no draft, and there is enough firewood."
After saying that, she drank her cold water silently, not responding to Sanada Nobunaga's words.
Sanada Nobushige was depressed by her sarcastic words. He couldn't get closer, couldn't open his mouth, and could only talk to himself.
Seeing the two people walking around in circles, Sarutobi Sasuke couldn't help but speak because he couldn't bear the cold.
"Sanada-sama, please tell the truth, I'm freezing to death.
We are just here to recruit people and take care of the rice. What’s the fuss about this! Who can say no to white rice? "
Sanada Nobunaga touched his head and said to Umino Riichi.
"Liu Niang, it's hard work in the mountains, why don't you come with me to Echigo to serve as an official. I'll be full of white rice, dried radish, and occasionally salted fish at the Kanto Palace."
Umino glanced at her and said coldly.
"I reject."
Sanada Nobushige shouted at Sarutobi Sasuke beside him.
"Look! Someone refused!"
Sasuke Sarutobi, whose lips turned white from the cold, had a bad temper. He didn't care about the boss who was already his assistant and scolded him back.
"I didn't know she was mentally ill! Instead of going down the mountain to eat white rice, she insists on consuming food on the mountain!
If she leaves, won't the children be able to eat a few more bites? "
Sanada Nobushige turned back to Umino Riichi and said.
"Liu Niang, what she said makes sense. Please think about it again."
Sarutobi Sasuke rolled his eyes and rubbed his hands and feet to warm them up. These days, she is almost unaccustomed to the feeling of surviving the winter in the mountains while eating well, drinking and not being cold at the Kanto Waiting House.
Umino Riichi looked at Sanada Nobushige playing tricks and said slowly.
"I heard that you saved the current imperial court in Beishin and rewarded Matsushiro with a thousand stones.
I congratulate you here.
The Umino family has been reduced to this, with only a little family name and dignity. For the sake of us growing up together, I hope you don't take them away. "
Sanada Nobushige choked, his face gradually became serious, and he bowed.
"Li Yiji, I was rude just now. But I really don't know how to face you.
When the Sanada family returned to Toshin, I was still a child and had no right to choose. "
Umino Riichi bowed in return and said.
"No need to apologize. The continuation of the family business is the highest priority of the Wu family. With the Umino family declining, there is nothing wrong with the Sanada family finding their own way out. I understand.
I also admire Mr. Sanada for his wisdom and bravery, and his skill in seizing Ishiki City and then building up his family business. "
Sanada Nobunaga glanced at her. Although her face was still that of a girl with no appearance, there was still a trace of flaw in her face.
"Riichi, you are really familiar with what happened in Shinano."
Umino Riichi was raising his hand to drink water. His movements stopped slightly for a moment, then returned to normal.
Sanada Nobushige was just about to feel proud, but she stopped him with a word.
"There are always some ignorant guys in the clan who come to show off their military exploits. It's hard not to know."
Sanada Nobushige said angrily.
"Tch, you're a dishonest guy. Hey, you're the same age as me, and you look like you just entered the Yuan Dynasty, right? Don't be so old-fashioned, okay?
The Umino family is dead now, but that doesn't mean it will be the same in the future. The Wu family should strive to reach the top, let us work hard together!
Li Yiji, come with me back to the Kanto Palace.
The imperial office has lofty ambitions and wants to calm down the chaos in the Kanto Plain. As long as you are willing to help me, I promise you that I will definitely help you revive the Umino family!
Please come out and help me, please! "
After saying that, Sanada Nobunshige bowed deeply and stopped getting up, waiting for Umino Riichi's answer.
Sarutobi Sasuke on the side looked at Umino Riichi with a cold expression, and then at Sanada Nobushige who was prone on the ground.
She gritted her teeth and kowtowed to the ground.
"please!"
Umino Riichi's cold eyes gradually became filled with waves, and she asked indifferently.
"Why should I believe you? Your Sanada family has abandoned the Umino family, hasn't it?
The Sanada family has already taken back the security certificate of Sanada Township, their ancestral home, and has become the leader of the Toshin sect of the Takeda family, right?
Why should I believe you? "
Sanada Nobushige straightened up, looked at her, and said.
"That's right! My grandmother has joined the Takeda family, and my mother will continue to consolidate the family business. Even my sister will still serve under the Takeda family.
But they are them! I am me!
I have left the Sanada family under Takeda. I am Sanada Nobushige, a member of Kenshin Shiba and a member of the Kanto Imperial Palace! "
As soon as Umino looked at her, Sanada Nobushige, who had been laughing and joking since childhood but had no formal appearance, suddenly gave her a different feeling.
It seems that there is deep sadness hidden in it, and this Ekihime warrior should not have the weird illusion of such emotions.
This sense of contrast made Umino Riichi a little strange, so she asked.
"What's the difference? Do you have higher ambitions? Look down on your grandmother, mother, and sister who are wandering in the mountains?"
Sanada Nobushige looked at her and revealed his true feelings to someone for the first time.
“I named myself Xinfan just to tell myself what sins I carry.
I have only one ambition in this life, I want to marry Sibo Yiyin as my husband! "
As soon as she finished speaking, she heard an ouch beside her.
It turned out that it was Sarutobi Sasuke who stood up in fright. The weather was too cold, the speed was too fast, and his waist was whipped by the cold.
She held her waist and pointed at Nobushige Sanada, her head dripping with cold sweat.
"You must be mentally ill!"
