Ninagawa himself was the leader of the shogunate group and was very well-informed about the upper echelons of the shogunate.
Tamba country has almost become an independent kingdom, and the Kyoto shogunate has declined, and it can no longer affect the samurai families in Tamba country.
Even if the Hatano family was willing to support the shogunate in conquering Settsu Kingdom, it was because of their own interests and they were by no means willing to surrender to the shogunate.
However, the Tamba Highlands, located northwest of Kyoto, is condescending and always threatens the security of the Kyoto Basin.
Whether it is Ashikaga Yoshiaki or Oda Nobunaga, no matter who wins in the end, they will have to deal with the unruly mountain people of Tanba Kingdom.
Kyoto turned a blind eye to the threats at hand and allowed the Tanba samurai to remain independent for a long time. This is unacceptable to any ruler of Kyoto.
Tango Kingdom is located to the north of Tamba Kingdom and is the wedge behind Tamba Kingdom. It has been valued by Kyoto since ancient times.
Tango's Isshiki family is one of the four positions in the shogunate. The service office controlled by her family has long been stripped of most of its power.
The military core of the shogunate that managed the imperial family in the world gradually became the Kyoto police station. Now, Luozhong's legal system has passed the review, and the police station no longer has to serve as the Kyoto police station.
The Isshiki family obviously no longer cares about whether they can return to the palace, they just hope that the general will give the Isshiki family dignity and retain their status as companions.
The three of them thought about how cowardly and greedy the Isshiki family looked, and couldn't help but smile at each other. Ninagawa Makoto mentioned another thing.
"I heard that His Highness Yoshikage, the governor of the Asakura family, is very dissatisfied with His Highness Oda."
When Akechi Mitsuhide heard this, he suddenly became interested and asked.
"Where did the news come from? Did the Asakura family send someone to Kyoto?"
Ninagawa Makoto shook his head and said.
"Every time there is trouble in Kyoto, some famous families go to Echizen Province to take refuge. The Asakura family's Ichijo Valley Castle, also known as Little Kyoto, has many educated people.
His Highness Asakura didn't need to send someone specially to Kyoto. What she said in Ichijogani Castle could be spread by word of mouth and ears in a few days, and spread to Kyoto. "
Akechi Mitsuhide smiled.
"It seems that His Highness Asakura is very jealous of the Oda family's gains in Kyoto."
Ninagawa Himashi nodded.
"you do not say.
Lord Kokata went to Echizen Country in person to seek the Asakura family's support in going to Luo. The conditions offered are quite generous.
It's a pity that the Asakura family didn't seize the opportunity and gave it to the Oda family in vain. "
Hatakeyama Takamasa smiled.
"Times have changed and it's too late to regret it."
The three of them made fun of the Asakura family, but Akechi Mitsuhide secretly remembered it in his heart.
It's not that Asakura Yoshikage can't see the situation clearly, it's just that she is powerless.
The two strongest clans of the Echizen Asakura family, the Tsuruga clan and the Ono clan, each had their own selfish motives and did not listen to the master's call and were unwilling to participate in the battle of Kamiro.
Without the help of these two powerful armies, even if Asakura Yoshikage forcibly launched Shangluo, he would not be sure to defeat the Miyoshi family entrenched in Kyoto, so there was no need to humiliate himself.
Ashikaga Yoshiaki came to ask for help. She couldn't seize the opportunity herself. It was hard to blame the shogunate, let alone expose her own shortcomings.
There was no other way, Asakura Yoshikage had no choice but to scold Oda Nobunaga to relieve his resentment.
Asakura Yoshikage complained a few words, and Oda Nobunaga was not easy to care about. The territories of both sides were separated by the Asai family's Kitaomi River.
The Asai family and the Asakura family have been allies for many years, and they are related by marriage to the Oda family. Both parties have to give the Asai family face.
Nowadays, the top priority of the Oda family is to cooperate with the shogunate to conquer Settsu Kingdom. I believe that Oda Nobunaga will not take those unpleasant words of Asakura Yoshikage to heart for the time being.
But in the future, that may not be the case.
Oda Nobunaga's ambition is to conquer the world, and the Asakura family of Echizen Province is powerful. They occupy the Hokuriku Road and enter the important towns of Konka, peeking at Kyoto.
Between the Oda and Asakura families, there was always a decision about the priority between the monarch and his ministers. Today's few jokes may not be an excuse for war in the future, and Akechi Mitsuhide is also looking forward to it.
Akechi Mitsuhide thought for a while and asked.
"I heard that His Highness Oda is leaving Kyoto to return home?"
Ninagawa Himashi nodded.
"Yes, it is said that the army has been away for a long time and is eager to return home. It will set off to return in the next few days.
Except for Hashiba Hideyoshi's troops who are left to guard Kyoto, all Oda troops in Kyoto will withdraw to the Minami Omi front line.
Most of the Oda troops in Minami Omi would return to participate in the busy farming season. After the summer and autumn harvests, they would be mobilized again to participate in the Settsu expedition. "
Akechi Mitsuhide nodded slightly, mentally weighing whether he should meet Oda Nobunaga.
No-kun's cheap cousin is the mistress of the Oda family, and Mitsuhide Akechi has a good chess piece in his hands, Ryuuki Saito, so he might be able to get married to Nobunaga Oda.
It's just that this Oda family governor has a surly temperament, so Akechi Mitsuhide has to think carefully about how to contact him appropriately.
Ashikaga Yoshiaki was immoral and incompetent. Although she was backed by the title of direct descendant of Kawachi Genji, Akechi Mitsuhide felt that she would not be able to hold on for too long before she would be completely overwhelmed by Oda Nobunaga.
Oda Nobunaga was so ambitious that the governor of the shogunate did not want him, and the deputy general was not moved. This was obviously his attitude of replacing him.
The Oda family has achieved great success, and Akechi Mitsuhide will naturally not do the stupid thing of trying to do something like a chariot. But strong fortresses are often breached from the inside, so it's always better to lay out your plans early.
He was still talking about being married to Ninagawa, and Hatakeyama Takamasa was talking about the gossip of the shogunate. Akechi Mitsuhide's thoughts had already drifted to Tofukuji Temple and to Oda Nobunaga.
———
Nijo Imperial Palace.
Ashikaga Yoshiaki said softly in front of Akechi Mitsuhide who came to see him.
"Mingzhi Ji came here today to express her gratitude?"
Akechi Mitsuhide bowed.
"My lord Gongfang ordered me to guard Kyoto. I was flattered and frightened day and night."
Ashikaga Yoshiaki laughed.
"I succeeded to the throne in Luo, and all those who follow me will be rewarded. How can I leave out Mingzhiji Ji?
If it weren't for your letter of advice, how could I be the general I am today? "
Akechi Mitsuhide kowtowed and said.
"My lord Gongfang has spoken harshly."
Ashikaga Yoshiaki shook his head and said sincerely.
"I know Akechi-hime's loyalty very well. Only when you are responsible for the defense of Kyoto can I feel relieved and sleep well."
Akechi Mitsuhide smiled bitterly.
"I'm just a retainer of the Shiba family. I'm lucky that the general values me so much, but it's really not convenient for me to take on this position."
Ashikaga Yoshiaki frowned.
"What? Is Tsudoden not happy?"
Akechi Mitsuhide shook his head.
"The Lord has sent a letter, asking me to go back to the mountain city immediately. The Sibo family will review the merits and demerits of the Sibo leader in the past two years, and judge merits, rewards, and crimes."
Akechi Mitsuhide sighed.
"Three good things went to Luo, and my ancestors were murdered. I am the one waiting for the crime after all.
If I go to Duowen Mountain City, my lord will definitely punish me for my sins and reduce my territory. "
Ashikaga Yoshiaki said solemnly.
"Akechi Ji didn't do anything wrong.
When Miyoshi went to Luka, so many shogunate samurai stood by and watched, but Akechihime not only fought in Kyoto to the end, but also wrote to me to explain her powerful strategy to go to Luka.
Although you are only a servant, your loyalty to the Ashikaga Shogun family far outweighs those people with ulterior motives who only try to deal with me.
With you by my side, I feel at ease. "
Ashikaga Yoshiaki had long wanted to win over Akechi Mitsuhide. After the Rakuchu legal system was passed, Wada Weimasa and others wanted to install their own people.
However, after experiencing a political education before and after the Ise Sakyo case, Ashikaga Yoshiaki had some distrust and resistance towards these ministers who followed the dragon in Shangluo.
Akechi Mitsuhide had just arrived in Beijing and helped her untie the knot between the Ashikaga families, which made Ashikaga Yoshiaki very satisfied.
Such a capable and loyal minister should be given the opportunity to serve him, the master of the world, instead of being wasted in the Sibo family.
Ashikaga Yoshiaki couldn't help but extend an olive branch and wanted to recruit Akechi Mitsuhide.
Akechi Mitsuhide heard what she meant and shook his head.
"Your Excellency, the Lisboa family has just restored peace. My master is willing to retire from his residence and become a monk. This is a huge concession.
At this time, if I leave the Shiba family, join the shogunate, and serve under your command, what will the head of my family think?
I have tried my best to bring peace between the two families of Zulisbo. If I leave, the master will definitely suspect my bad intentions, and the discord between the two families of Zulisbo will arise again. "
Akechi Mitsuhide looked up at Ashikaga Yoshiaki and said sincerely.
"Forefathers and you, two generations of generals have valued me. It is my honor and my pride. How could I put Ashikaga's family in trouble for my own selfish interests?
I, Akechi Mitsuhide, live in Shiba and my heart is in Ashikaga. I am willing to devote my whole life to the sake of peace between the Ashikaga and Lisbo families until my death. "
After speaking, Akechi Mitsuhide bowed deeply, Ashikaga Yoshiaki's eyes were reddish and he nodded frequently.
"I understand your good intentions.
I will not mention the matter of changing my position to the Ashikaga family again. However, it is you who defends Kyoto, and it must be you.
I am Ashikaga Shogun, and all the samurai families in the world are my subjects. What's wrong with me asking Tsutama for a companion?
I only recognize you as the Shiba family stationed in Kyoto. If Jindo Hall doesn’t let you come back, there’s no need to send anyone else! "
Akechi Mitsuhide's affectionate performance moved Ashikaga Yoshiaki very much. She thought that Akechi Mitsuhide would be severely punished by Shiba Yoshiyin when he returned, and she was determined to do her best to keep Akechi Mitsuhide.
In fact, how can the words "lord and minister" explain the whole mess between Shiba Yoshigan and Akechi Mitsuhide?
Akechi Mitsuhide was certain that Shiba Yiyin would definitely use him. Even if outsiders looked at him as miserable and deprived of his territory, it didn't matter.
She knew very well that Sibo Yiyin needed her. No matter what, your power will be guaranteed. In this case, there is no need to worry about the temporary gains and losses of the territory.
But Ashikaga Yoshiaki values himself so much and does not make good use of her touch, then it would not be Akechi Mitsuhide.
After all the pretentiousness and goodwill of Ashikaga Yoshiaki, Akechi Mitsuhide suddenly changed the subject.
“It’s my blessing that Mr. Gongfang is considerate.
Thunder, rain, and dew are all your kindness. No matter what the Lord does to me, I beg you not to interfere.
If I am lucky enough to return to Kyoto, I will work hard to bring peace between the Lisboa family and repay your kindness, General.
But before I leave Kyoto, I also want to go to Tofukuji Temple to meet His Highness Oda. "
Ashikaga Yoshiaki, who had just nodded with satisfaction, froze for a moment. She looked at Akechi Mitsuhide and asked tentatively.
"What? Akechi-hime has something else to ask Her Majesty Oda for advice?"
Akechi Mitsuhide looked uneasy and nodded.
"Actually, it's a private matter.
But since I am in Kyoto and dealing with local powerful feudal lords, I should always get your permission before going to Tofukuji Temple.
Mr. Kokata, I am from the Toki branch family, Oda-sama's husband is a descendant of the Mino Saito family, and we are cousins.
When Mino was in civil strife, Saito Yoshiryu entrusted his only daughter Saito Ryuuki to me. Nowadays, Meinong has regained its stability, and the child is growing up year by year.
I thought that I had to consider the future of that child and asked to see His Majesty Oda. "
Ashikaga Yoshiaki nodded, understanding.
Oda Nobunaga seized Mino Country in the name of revenge for his husband's mother. The opponent is Saito Yoshiryu, the husband's sister who committed patricide.
The civil strife in the Wu family has always been a mess. Relatives are killing each other, but in the end those who survive are all relatives.
Oda Nobunaga's husband and Saito Yoshiryu's daughter were close relatives, and Mitsuhide Akechi came to mediate. It was not a big problem to leave a way for the child to survive, and he could even make a living in the Oda family in the future.
Today is different from the past.
When Oda Nobunaga wanted to kill Saito Ryuuki, it was because the Oda family had not established a stable foothold in Mino and needed to eradicate the root causes and eliminate future troubles.
Now, Oda Nobunaga is the leader of several countries, with a stone height of two million, the Mino samurai family has been subject to the rule for a long time, and the Mino Saito family has long been a thing of the past.
For the sake of her husband, it shouldn't be difficult to give Saito Ryuuki a way out.
Akechi Mitsuhide's prudence in coming to say hello to him in advance for such a private matter made Ashikaga Yoshiaki very satisfied.
Such cautious and loyal people are good candidates for the garrison of Kyoto.
Ashikaga Yoshiaki waved his hand and said generously.
"I'm not a suspicious person, Akechi Ji is too cautious.
The exchanges between in-laws and relatives are the normal state of the shogunate. You can go there with peace of mind and don't think too much. "
Akechi Mitsuhide thanked him with a smile on his face.
Ashikaga Yoshiaki's doubts were eliminated, and she could go back to that person with peace of mind.
The Oda Nobunaga who took away her sweetheart's first love, the careerist who made her sweetheart extremely afraid, the one whose flesh she wished she could eat, sleep on his skin, and drink his blood. . Oda Nobunaga. .
———
Tofukuji Temple, inside the quiet room.
Oda Nobunaga carefully looked at Mitsuhide Akechi, who was bowing respectfully in front of her. She had long heard that there was such a long-sleeved and good dancer under Yoshigan Shiba.
When I went to Luo, I learned about the relationship between Akechi Mitsuhide and Nogun from Matsunagahide, and wrote a letter to confirm with Nogun.
I thought that there would always be a chance to deal with this person in the future, but I didn't expect that she would rush to see him first.
Oda Nobunaga, who was busy finishing up his departure from Kyoto, finally gave himself a chance and came out to meet Nogun-kun's cheap cousin.
Oda Nobunaga looked at the elegant Akechi Mitsuhide without saying anything, and Akechi Mitsuhide was also secretly observing the beautiful face, heroic and domineering His Highness Oda.
When their eyes touched, Akechi Mitsuhide smiled shyly and bowed.
"His Majesty Oda is well."
Oda Nobunaga played with the paper fan in his hand and said.
"My time is very tight. If you have anything to say, please say it quickly."
Akechi Mitsuhide said with a straight face.
"The foreign minister took the liberty of visiting for the sake of Saito Ryuuxing."
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