Tokugawa Ieyasu sighed.
"Then what happened in Sanhe Country?"
Honda Tadakatsu spread his hands and said.
“The old conflict has been going on for many years. In the winter, the fields are secretly encroached a little beyond the boundary, and the villages are preparing to grab water for irrigation before spring plowing. It’s just that little trouble.
How can it be complete without killing dozens of lives every year? This time, a dispute broke out in the village between the Honda family and the Sakai family, and blood relatives were killed.
It's just that Ishikawa Shusei went too far and came out to defend the Sakai family in the name of Nishi Mikawa's banner, which angered my cheap aunt. "
Tokugawa Ieyasu frowned. Honda had conflicts with Ishikawa Sumasa many times?
"What exactly happened?"
Honda Tadakatsu said helplessly.
"How would I know.
Honda wrote to me many times, all of which were full of accusations that Ishikawa Mimasa was unfair. I can’t believe these one-sided accusations, do you?
The Honda clan doesn't look like cowards who dare not resist when they are beaten, right? "
Tokugawa Ieyasu shook his head and said.
"You should have some respect for the two flag-bearers. They are both elders and should be addressed as adults!"
Honda Tadakatsu said perfunctorily.
“Hey, what you’re teaching is Mr. Ishikawa Sumasa and Mr. Honda multiple times.
Alas, there's no one else here, so I'm just saying it briefly, don't worry about it. "
The two of them were talking, but no one took Hattori's mother and daughter who were waiting respectfully below them seriously. The Ninja people are nothing more than hawks and dogs. If they don't save the people, they will never be on the stage and they won't be considered human beings.
Tokugawa Ieyasu thought, the letter from Mikawa Kingdom would be arriving soon. She felt a headache just thinking about it.
The Tokugawa family started in Nishi Mikawa, swallowed up the big ones with their small ones, and took over Higashi Mikawa and the Tokugawa Kingdom.
In order to absorb the new territory, Tokugawa Ieyasu had to move his residence to Hamamatsu Castle, and handed over the management of Mikawa Kingdom to his trusted relatives and important ministers.
Honda was the leader of the Higashi Mikawa flag many times, and Ishikawa Shumasa was the leader of the Nishi Mikawa flag. They were both her loyal ministers.
The Sakai family and the Tokugawa family are related, and their eldest daughter's line and the second daughter's line are two branches. They are an important force that Tokugawa Ieyasu relies on to stabilize the local rule of the Tokugawa family in Mikawa Kingdom.
The conflict between the east and west flags concerns the two wealthy families of Honda and Sakai. How can it not give Tokugawa Ieyasu a splitting headache? She shook her head. In the end, she just wanted to be with Xini. What else could she do?
Tokugawa Ieyasu was in the Toe country, and it was already very difficult to suppress and win over the Toe people. No matter how chaotic the country is in Sanhe, there will still be no big problems if there are only 30 cronies each playing a big role, right?
Tokugawa Ieyasu had a headache and didn't want to think about these bad things anymore. She looked at Hattori and her daughter below and said.
"His Majesty Oda invited me to go to Luo together, and I intend to mobilize for battle.
Hattori Bouchou, you Hattori family are from Iga country. Are you willing to set up an outpost for me to explore the current situation in nearby countries to cope with the coming and going of my army? "
Hattori Baochang kowtowed to the ground and said.
"I am willing to serve His Highness."
There was a hint of pain in her heart.
Iga country was isolated by the shogunate, its economy collapsed, and the people of the country were worse than dead. The Hattori family tried to open up the situation several times, but failed.
Hattori Baochang himself went to Luo to seek service to the general and find a way out for the Iga people.
It's a pity that the ministers got too many premiums from daily necessities transactions by blocking Iga country, and no one was willing to give up this benefit.
After Hattori's efforts failed, he made up his mind to lead his people to leave the death place of Iga country and join the Tokugawa family in Mikawa.
But who would have thought that Igazhong would one day turn around. Shiba Yoshigan took over the Iga Kingdom and led the Iga people to make a wonderful turnaround.
Today, the Iga clan is no longer a barbarian of the country, but a retainer of Shiba, and has become a well-known samurai family within the guardian system.
On the other hand, the Hattori family is still struggling in the Tokugawa family, and they don't know when they will finally grow up.
Hattori Chief felt bitter in his heart. He went back to Japan to run errands. If he met his old subordinates from Iga Country, he would be completely embarrassed.
However, she had no choice but to go back to eat the emperor's salary and share his worries.
Tokugawa Ieyasu gave some instructions and waved for Hattori and his daughter to leave.
Hattori Chief went outside and said to his daughter Hattori Masashige.
“This time I went back to Koji, mainly to explore obstacles and collect intelligence on the marching route of Minami Omi.
You take people to lurk in the Suzuka Mountains, and I'll find old friends from the Koga Fifty-three family to find out the details. "
Hattori Masashige kowtowed slightly, and the girl spoke as crisply as an oriole.
"Mother, aren't we going back to Iga?"
Hattori's expression froze and he shook his head.
"talk later."
———
After Hattori and his daughter left, Tokugawa Ieyasu rubbed the letters in his hands and wondered what he was thinking.
Honda Tadakatsu, who was nearby, looked at the master strangely. It was rare to see her with such a melancholy expression and asked.
"What are you thinking, Your Highness? The letter is almost torn."
Tokugawa Ieyasu glanced at her, peeking into Junshang's thoughts, which was taboo everywhere. Even if this guy can say it casually, he still has a big heart.
But at this time, she was indeed flooded with thoughts and remembered some past events.
"Did you know? Before I went to the Imagawa family to be a hostage, I stayed at the Oda family."
"Oh, I know that."
Honda Tadakatsu nodded, this matter is not a secret, there are many people who know about it.
When the Tokugawa family was fighting against the Oda family, in order to get help from the Imagawa family, Tokugawa Ieyasu, the heir, was sent to the Imagawa family as a hostage daughter.
Unexpectedly, the escort had other thoughts midway and took Tokugawa Ieyasu around to Owari Province and handed it over to the Oda family.
The governor of the Oda family at that time was Oda Nobhide, and her daughter Oda Nobunaga was not a big name with millions of stones, but a big fool known to all Owari.
Tokugawa Ieyasu sighed.
"I was sent to Qingzhou City, and everyone else was hostile and wary of me. Only Master Ji's sister often came to play with me.
There were also a few times when she was so bold that she took me out of the city to play, and I had the chance to meet Brother Yiyin. "
How could Honda Tadakatsu be willing to listen to such old memories, but if her master wanted to talk, she had to be patient and listen.
Master Yoshi's sister refers to Oda Nobunaga, so could it be that Brother Yoshigin is? . .
Honda Tadakatsu looked at the letter in Tokugawa Ieyasu's hand in surprise and asked.
"His Highness and the world-famous Yutaisuo have known each other for a long time?"
Tokugawa Ieyasu raised the corners of his mouth and smiled.
"Yes, we have known each other for a long time.
He was also an interesting nobleman. When he was a child, he didn't look like a noble man from a famous family, but rather a little bit. . Like a woman. "
Honda Tadakatsu touched his head, does he look like a woman? Is this a compliment or a dismissal?
Tokugawa Ieyasu said with deep eyes, looking into the distance.
"At that time, I just felt that this little brother was not like an ordinary young man. He had a more delicate appearance and behaved independently. He was not like the men in the inner courtyard who depended on women for their lives.
But the man has changed a lot, and now the world is spreading rumors about his beauty. I am also very curious, wondering what he looks like now. "
Honda Tadakatsu always felt that her master's smile was a bit nymphomaniacal, but she wasn't really stupid. Of course she wouldn't say it out loud, she would just compliment her.
"There's always a chance to see you again."
Tokugawa Ieyasu smiled at her and waved the letter in his hand.
"Yes, if we are destined to meet again, we will meet again. He is coming soon."
"Um?"
Honda Tadakatsu's little face was blank, as innocent as a child.
———
In the Gifu Castle Castle Tower, Oda Nobunaga is half-lying on the main throne.
She looked at Maeda Toshiie who entered the room and bowed respectfully, and smiled without saying a word. After being silent for an unknown amount of time, she picked up a letter on the slip and asked.
"Inuchiyo, guess where the letter in my hand comes from?"
Maeda Toshiie said without changing his expression.
"I guess they're probably from Echigo."
Oda Nobunaga straightened up and asked.
"Oh? Why do you see it?"
Maeda Toshiie said.
"If it hadn't been for the letter from my master, who is as busy as you, how could you have time to specially invite me to come for questioning?"
Oda Nobunaga sighed and said.
“Smart people, smart people.
I've been busy mobilizing the military and organizing supplies these days, and I've been so busy with the matter of going to Luo that I can't even keep my feet off the ground. But I have a doubt at this time, and I would like to ask you, a smart person, to help me solve it.
Why? Why would Shiba Yoshigan, who was far away in Echigo, know that I was going to Luo? "
Maeda Toshiie said seriously.
"Of course I told the Lord.
I am the acting officer of Owari Shiba and a retainer of Shiba. The affairs of the Oda family going to Luo will involve the interests of the Shiba family. I must inform the lord and ask him to know what he knows.
In addition, I kindly ask His Majesty Oda to pay attention to your honorifics and refrain from calling the head of my family by his first name. "
Oda Nobunaga's expression changed drastically, he stared at her and said.
"Odaisuo? Lord Kenshin? Well, what a great Inuchiyo, you let me down so much.
I thought you were mine. Unexpectedly, you are his from beginning to end. "
Maeda Toshiie kowtowed to the ground and said.
"Your Majesty Oda, I am doing this out of duty and for your consideration."
Oda Nobunaga's smile was full of anger and a little twisted. She felt a little hot, took off her kimono with one hand, exposed half of her jade arm, pointed at Maeda Toshiie and said.
"Yes, it's my duty. Lord Qianxin is so lucky to have such a loyal minister like you.
It's a pity, what does this have to do with me?
I gave you the opportunity to make meritorious deeds and rewarded you with twenty thousand stones of territory. Is this your reward for me? Inuchiyo, why don’t you die? "
Maeda Toshiie said solemnly.
"I am willing to devote myself to the peace of the Shiba Oda family and the friendship between you and my master until my death."
Seeing the maeda Toshiya's appearance of not being afraid of being scalded by boiling water, Oda Nobunaga's wanton laughter echoed in the room. She waved the letter and said.
"I have been so blind all these years that I didn't realize that you are still a Marquis Zhuge Wu?
I dare to ask the wise Lord Wuhou, guess what is written in Qianxin’s official letter? "
Maeda Toshiie said calmly.
"The Lord is coming back."
Oda Nobunaga narrowed her eyes. She didn't expect that Maeda Toshiie really guessed it right.
When she saw the letter herself, she was shocked and angry. My mind was full of trying to figure out who was eating the food, and I didn't think about anything else.
At this time, she saw Maeda Toshiie's calm tone with a hint of strange thoughts, and couldn't help but hum.
"He's really a Zhuge Liang, yes, you guessed it right.
Then guess again, what will I do with you? "
Looking into Oda Nobunaga's violent and stern eyes, Maeda Toshiie said without fear.
"Don't you miss him? Don't you want to see him?
It had been more than three years since he left Owari Province for Luo in the winter of that year, and it was now almost the early spring of the fourth year. "
Oda Nobunaga was furious, and Maeda Toshiie's words "do you miss him" made his heart feel cold.
She paused and said angrily.
"It's none of your business!"
Maeda Toshiie smiled, feeling a little lonely.
“I miss him, I miss him so much.
He is my master, and you are my Bole. I really don’t want you to go into confrontation.
I know him very well. I have seen everything he did in recent years and in Kanto.
He is still the same boy as before, nothing has changed. "
Oda Nobunaga remained silent, and Maeda Toshiie kowtowed to the ground again, saying sincerely.
"Your Majesty Oda, you are not against him. Wouldn't you rather believe in those two-faced people these days who hide their swords in their smiles than join forces with my master?
How did Ashikaga General die? A clue can be seen in the information sent back by Niwa Nagahide-sama.
The Miyoshi family was no longer the Miyoshi family during the Miyoshi Chōkei period. Her family did not have the strength to go to Luo, and General Ashikaga was killed by his own people in the shogunate.
These shogunate warriors killed their masters, and then they thought of supporting another puppet to take over and continue to enjoy their power.
Can you trust this kind of person? Would you rather believe these people than give my loyal and benevolent master a chance?
When I sent the letter to Echigo, I knew that the master would definitely choose to come back. He is an Owari, he is one of our own!
Please put aside your prejudice. The Spo family is not your enemy, but your comrade-in-arms. "
After saying that, Maeda Toshiie lay down on the ground and waited for his fate.
Although she is the acting official of Owari Shiba, the status of Owari Shiba is quite special and belongs to the foreign domain of the Oda family.
What if Oda Nobunaga really got mad and deprived her of the twenty thousand stone territory? No matter how awesome the Shiba family is, they only have 200,000 koku, and they are still far away. Can they really come to Owari Mino and kill the Oda family?
Maeda Toshiie knew this day would happen when he wrote a letter to Echigo. But she thought about it and wrote the letter.
She couldn't put Shiba Yiyin in a difficult situation for her own selfish reasons. That was her master, the one she loved, and she had to take this risk.
Although Oda Nobunaga was surly, Maeda Toshiie knew that he still had a chance.
Over the years, there has been a vague rumor among the Owari warriors. It is said that Oda Nobunaga has almost never touched his husband, No-kun, since his two love affairs with Shiba Yoshigin.
For this reason, there was a major purge in Oda Nobunaga's inner courtyard, and a group of servants serving her mother Tsuchida were replaced.
Oda Nobunaga looked at the sincere face of Maeda Toshiie and couldn't help but sigh. The little girl who was blowing her nose behind him has finally grown up.
Maeda Toshiie betrayed her, and with Oda Nobunaga's temper, he would never trust this traitor again.
This guy just pretends to be a pig and eats the tiger, making himself think that she has given in. Unexpectedly, her feelings for Shiba Yiyin were so deep that she was willing to sacrifice her future for him.
Maeda Toshiie's title was given by Shiba Yoshigan, but everything except her title was given by Oda Nobunaga. If she disobeys Oda Nobunaga, she will lose everything.
Even though she knew this was the fate, she still did it without hesitation.
