Sure enough, these words came to Changjue and Yinrong's minds at the same time.
Due to Jue Qing's growing ambition, the two of them had to scrap all their previous plans and start over.
If the next Ashikaga shogun returns from the Shingon sect and returns to secular life, it will be a great good thing for the Shingon sect. The Shingon Sect can finally go to Kyoto to compete with the Tendai Sect.
But the risk in this matter was too great. Chang Jue looked at Yin Rong with hesitation.
Yinrong made a prompt decision and asked.
"Master Jueqing, if you intend to return to secular life, the Shingon Sect will naturally not stop you. But the road ahead is difficult. Have you considered it carefully?"
Changjue understood.
Yinrong was right. If Jueqing was determined to compete for the position of general, the Shingon Sect would not be able to stop him. Instead of blocking the relationship and creating a grudge, it is better to give her a ride and form a good relationship.
What Xingfukuji Temple will do depends on Kakuqing himself. These three letters are three choices. How should she choose?
Jue Qing said.
"The Miyoshi family is overbearing, and the Hosokawa family is hiding things. They don't treat me sincerely. In my opinion, Mitsuhide Akechi's words are the most kind."
The two nuns also nodded in agreement with Jue Qing's statement.
The attitudes of Miyoshi and Hosokawa are obvious, they want to capture Jueqing as a bargaining chip, and they are selfish.
Akechi Mitsuhide, however, told the truth frankly and put forward effective suggestions. She hoped that Kakukei would go to Minamiomia to find Wada Weimasa and Niki Yoshimasa.
In order to deal with the Rokkaku family, Ashikaga Yoshiteru sent Wada Weimasa to Koka County to negotiate with the Koka clan. He also sent Niki Yoshimasa to lead the Ashikama Hui people to station in Sakamoto Castle to intimidate Rokkaku Yoshimasa.
One of them is in charge of diplomacy and the other is in charge of military affairs. They are both the most trusted ministers of Ashikaga Yoshiteru. The Ashikaga Huizhu is the only remaining military force of the Ashikaga family.
If Jueqing has any ambition to participate in shogunate politics and seize the position of shogun, the best choice is of course to grasp the basic base of these Ashikaga family.
It was after reading Mitsuhide Akechi's letter and feeling that he had the possibility of success that he truly ignited his ambition to become a world leader.
Ashikaga Yoshiteru is dead and the Imperial Palace is burned down, but the Ashikaga Hui congregation is still there and Sakamoto Castle is still there. The Ashikaga family did not have nothing, there was still inheritance that Kakukei could inherit.
Her choice made Master Changjue feel very good, so he said.
"If you want to leave, go ahead. I will deal with all parties and buy time for you."
Yinrong said.
“When Master Jueqing travels, his personal safety must be ensured.
There is a disciple in the Treasure Academy named Ke'er Jichang, who has extraordinary spear skills. The Koji family is one of the three people in Mino and the retainer of Inaba Yoshichi.
The Oda family captured Mino Country, and the political situation was unstable. Her mother, Ke'erji, was worried about changes in Meinong and asked her to stay in Treasure House temporarily and never return.
If Master Jueqing doesn't mind, I'll ask Ke'er Yoshicho to protect you as you go to Minami Omi. This can be regarded as the Treasure House doing its best for you. "
Jueqing put his hands together and bowed, thanked Yinrong and said.
"I intend to write a reply to Akechi Mitsuhide and ask the host to forward it to me.
The road to South Omi must pass through the Shiba family's territory, and I need a reliable person to help me pass. "
Changjue nodded in agreement.
"No problem, I will send the letter to Akechi Mitsuhide as soon as possible, but can you really trust her?"
In the past two years, Tsutsui Junkei has been pressing hard on Kofukuji Temple. Nagakaku's requests for help from the Shiba family were blocked by Akechi Mitsuhide, who was close to Tsutsui Junkei.
Niko Katsuhisa wanted to help Kofukuji, but when Shiba Yoshigan left Konki, he gave the diplomatic power of the Shiba family to Akechi Mitsuhide, so it was inconvenient for her to take over.
Nagakaku didn't like Mitsuhide Akechi very much, and he disliked this sweet-talking and arrogant Shiba minister.
Jue Qing thought differently from her and said.
"I heard that during the shogunate's lifetime, the two most trusted aides were Wada Yaimai and Akechi Mitsuhide. I often praised them for their loyalty and their role models both inside and outside the shogunate.
Judging from the frankness of Akechi Mitsuhide's letter, we can see that she did live up to the shogun's kindness and was a good warrior loyal to the shogunate. "
In addition to the shogunate who had been loyal to the shogunate for generations, the shogun also often selected some available talents from the retainers of daimyo who stayed in Kyoto to participate in the shogunate administration.
Wada Weimasa was born in the Minami Omi Rokkaku family. He was once a retainer of Rokkaku Sadayori and was also the bridge of communication between the shogunate and the Rokkaku family.
Akechi Mitsuhide is similar. He is an important minister of the Shiba family stationed in Kyoto and is favored by the general.
In theory, all samurai families in the world are ministers of the shogun. Ashikaga shoguns often use their accompanying ministers to participate in shogunate affairs, which is also a means of restricting the shogunate.
Kakuei was not surprised that Akechi Mitsuhide showed goodwill towards the Ashikaga family, and even thought that he could try to reuse this loyal retainer in the future.
But Yinrong didn't feel good about it.
She looked at Chang Jue and then at Jue Qing. She always felt that these Gao Ni, who chanted sutras all day long, were too naive and took the politics of the Wu family superficially.
Nagakaku was already in a hurry to deal with Tsutsui Junkei. If it weren't for her unique religious status, she would have been killed by Tsutsui Junkei.
Compared with Changjue, Jueqing is more immature.
This Ichijoin clan member probably thought that the Ashikaga Shogun was some kind of lord of the world who kept his word and everyone expected him to return. If he goes out to climb the mountain and shouts, will the martial arts from all directions shout their loyalty?
If things were so simple, why did Ashikaga Yoshiteru die tragically in Nijo Castle? Miyoshi's family went to Luo and directly entered Kyoto. The general was at a loss and didn't know that the water behind him was deep.
The degree of shamelessness in the politics of the Wu family is far beyond the imagination of these two Gaoni who have been worshiping Buddha all year round. The death of General Ashikaga was closely related to the samurai family in Beijing, and perhaps not even a clean person could be found.
Yinrong shook his head but still didn't say anything. Jueqing's cheeks were filled with clouds and his eyes were shining. This was his longing for the future. It will do no good to Shingon Sect if you pour a basin of cold water on yourself.
No matter whether the Ashikaga twin girls can succeed or not, the Shingon sect can only say nice things at this time, and can never give advice or dissuade. In order to avoid damaging the relationship between the two parties and being detrimental to the sect.
The three of them discussed for a while, and Jueqing wrote a handwritten letter to Akechi Mitsuhide, waiting for her help.
———
When Jueqing's letter was delivered to Akechi Mitsuhide, she couldn't believe what she saw, and couldn't help laughing in the end.
Akechi Mitsuhide called Fujibayashi Mukuro over, gave her the letter, and said with a smile.
"This Master Jueqing is indeed a good person, and I found that I actually like her a little bit.
It would be a lot easier for me if there were more good people like her in the shogunate. "
After reading the letter, Fujibayashi also felt that this person was naive.
Master Jueqing actually regarded Akechi Mitsuhide as a trustworthy loyal minister because of his sanctimonious letter of advice.
She even entrusted her trip from Kofukuji Temple to Minami Omi to Akechi Mitsuhide, a foreign minister, which was incredible.
If Fujibayashi came to handle this matter, he would definitely hide it from everyone. Secretly take the guards disguised as civilians and leave Kofukuji Temple via mountain trails. The fewer people who know about it, the better.
Akechi Mitsuhide had a special regard for Master Kakukei. It seemed good for such a wonderful man to become the new Ashikaga General.
she said.
"Since Master Kakukei thinks that I am a loyal minister of the Ashikaga family, I can't live up to her expectations.
Leave this to you, give her a hand. Let her pass through Shiba Territory smoothly and arrive at Sakamoto Castle. "
Fujibayashi Muku couldn't laugh or cry. Although she didn't know what Mitsuhide Akechi and Fujibayashi did secretly, Mitsuhide Akechi was definitely not clean. Master Jueqing was simply the wrong person.
But she would not refuse Akechi Mitsuhide's order, she just asked carefully.
"Sir, do you want to hide this matter from Nizi Katsuhisa?"
Akechi Mitsuhide smiled, Fujibayashi Mukuro was not Fujibayashi Xing after all, he was still very cautious.
"To be honest, if you have any difficulties, you can always ask Team Yagyu for help.
I, Akechi Mitsuhide, work openly and aboveboard. If Nizi Katsuhisa has any doubts, let her ask me directly. "
Niko Katsuhisa is in charge of the internal affairs of the Konkishiba Territory. Mesuke Yagyu Munenomi and his subordinate Yagyu-gumi are under her control, and the affairs in the territory cannot escape the eyes of Mesuke.
If someone in the same group wants to deliberately avoid it, it's not impossible to hide it, but it's not necessary.
Akechi Mitsuhide has received a letter from Katsuhisa Niko, asking her and Maeda Yoshida to meet at Tamonyama Castle to receive the visiting Hosokawa Fujitaka.
This is a Hongmen Banquet, and everyone knows that Akechi Mitsuhide is playing tricks. Now that Kyoto is in chaos, Akechi Mitsuhide has to give an explanation.
The time has come for a frank, honest showdown.
———
Duowen Mountain City is Sipoyi Yinju City built under the supervision of Nizi Shengjiu. It is located in the Duowen Mountain area.
This is a typical mountain castle. Terraced earth ramparts are dug along the mountain and reinforced with stone walls. The Honmaru on the top of the mountain is the core of defense. The castle tower of Honmaru offers a bird's-eye view of the overall situation.
When Yoshigan Shiba ordered the construction, he left Kongo for Kanto. He had not returned until the mountain castle was completed.
This time, in recent days, the Big Three of Spurring received Hosokawa Fujitaka, the representative of the Hosokawa Mibuchi family. It was not appropriate for the formal meeting between the two parties to be held in Koriyama Castle, where Nizi Katsuhisa lived, so it was simply held in Tamonyama Castle.
Hosokawa Mibuchi and the Shiba family formed the main body of the powerful local faction in the shogunate. The power of Hatakeyama Gaozheng was declining and his status was getting lower and lower, almost becoming a subsidiary.
There was chaos in Kyoto, and everyone knew what Mitsuhide Akechi had done in the middle. But knowing is knowing. On the surface, no one wants to admit that they know.
If they knew that the Miyoshi, Rokkaku, and Ise families were colluding to harm the general, why didn't they warn him? To stand on the sidelines is to have evil intentions and to be rebellious!
Everyone is loyal to the shogunate, who is willing to admit that he is disloyal to the general? That must be a good martial artist who knows nothing and is kept in the dark.
The purpose of this meeting was to characterize the chaos in Kyoto before Yoshigan Shiba returned, and to let Akechi Mitsuhide take responsibility for taking the blame.
Mitsuhide Akechi was fully aware of these people's ulterior motives, but he also sneered at them.
Katsuhisa Niko may be innocent, but she didn't expect Mitsuhide Akechi to kill the general, but did Hosokawa Fujitaka and Maeda really have no idea about their interests?
These two bastards coveted the beauty of their master, and they stood by and watched Mitsuhide Akechi's actions, and even secretly contributed to it, just to satisfy their own dark desires. They were very shameless.
Really revealing the truth, who is cleaner than whom?
A few days later, Nizi Katsuhisa, Akechi Mitsuhide, and Maeda Yoshida received the representative of the Hosokawa Mibuchi family, Hosokawa Fujitaka, at the castle tower of Tamonyama Castle.
The two sides fully exchanged views on the issue of "three good things and great rebellion" and enhanced mutual understanding. Expressed concern about the current situation in Kyoto.
———
Duowen mountain city and castle tower.
The main seat in the hall is vacant, which is a tribute to Sibo Yiyin. The third official of the Shiba family sat on the left, and Hosokawa Fujitaka sat on the right. Both sides retreated and served the banners on the left and right, and could speak freely.
Hosokawa Fujitaka glanced at Ake Mitsuhide and sneered in his heart when he saw her careless look.
This scheming woman is really good at playing tricks on all parties. Ashikaga Yoshiteru probably didn't figure it out until his death. Where did he go wrong? She made the mistake of trusting this sinister man!
After Hosokawa Fujitaka greeted the three people, he said straightforwardly.
"In the Kyoto Incident, the general was killed, and the two governors of Hosokawa Mibuchi were very shocked. I came here mainly for two things.
First, the family of Ashikaga Shogun was in trouble, and his family business was about to collapse.
As a clan member of the Ashikaga sect, my mother hoped that I would take Master Kakukei from Kofukuji Temple home to protect him in case the Miyoshi family went crazy and harmed the Ashikaga orphans.
Second, the Hosokawa Mibuchi family has doubts and needs answers from Akechi Mitsuhide.
Mr. Gongfang entrusted Fushimi Castle to your protection. Why was your Fushimi Castle captured by the Miyoshi family without any blood on the day Miyoshi came to Luo?
Ninagawa himself was responsible for the defense of Nijo Castle, so why would her military force be far away in the territory of Tamba Kingdom, leaving Ashikaga Shogun to face Miyoshi's army alone?
Akechi Mitsuhide, can you give an explanation to the Hosokawa Mibuchi family?
The Shiba family is the leader of the powerful local faction in the shogunate. We respect the Shiba family very much, and please don't let us down with your answer. "
Nizi Katsuhisa was worried and looked at Akechi Mitsuhide, wondering how she would defend herself.
Yoshigan Shiba had outstanding military achievements in the last recent war, and gained great benefits for the Hosokawa Mibuchi family during the negotiations. Only the Spo family can convince the two families and become the leader of the local powerful faction.
The three groups of Shiba Hosokawa and Mibuchi are the core of the local powerful faction. If Akechi Mitsuhide cannot explain well, it will cause a lot of trouble.
What Hosokawa Fujitaka wants is Akechi Mitsuhide's poor answer. No matter how much Akechi Mitsuhide tries to quibble, Hosokawa Fujitaka will not let her pass.
Although everyone worked together to bring about the death of the general, everyone hopes that they are innocent and clean.
The filth of the Miyoshi family and the Ise family cannot be cleansed, and other families are more or less involved. At least they are guilty of refusing to save themselves, but everyone wants to wash themselves into pure white rabbits.
How to wash? That is to first accuse others of being bastards. As long as you can curse loudly, you must be a good person.
In addition, Hosokawa Fujitaka also has a little selfishness of his own.
The general is dead, and Mitsuhide Akechi is involved. So how will Shiba Yoshigan appease the powerful local factions when he comes back?
The three groups of Shiba Hosokawa and Mibuchi advanced and retreated together, which was based on the stability of the shogunate. Now that the general is gone and the shogunate is in chaos, the conditions negotiated before are no longer applicable.
If Yoshigan Shiba wants to stabilize the Hosokawa Mibuchi family, he must show sincerity. Since generals are short-lived and unlucky, shouldn't Yoshigan Shiba also consider others, such as Hosokawa Fujitaka?
Political marriages between the samurai family have always been commonplace. The future of the shogunate is unclear, so it is understandable that powerful local factions should marry to protect themselves.
Hosokawa Fujitaka's little thought, Akechi Mitsuhide hadn't spoken yet, but Maeda Benedict next to him had already noticed something was wrong.
She snorted and said.
"Lord Hosokawa Fujitaka, are you here to punish me this time?"
