Hojo Genan sighed helplessly.
“The plan is very big.
The mobilization of the Uesugi family has stopped. Tsutado-dono should have dissuaded Uesugi Teruhora, and the plan to counterattack Sano Territory was cancelled.
Jinduodian announced the establishment of the Wujia Yili Promotion Association in Jinshan City. The first investment amounted to 16,000 shi of food to help the local Wujia children in Guanba Prefecture to study, accommodate and build water conservancy.
This time he went to the countryside to inspect the disaster situation in villages in the middle and lower reaches of the Tone River in order to implement relevant subsidies for children and repairs of water conservancy facilities.
As far as I know, before the heavy snow arrives in late winter, Tsutama will visit more than 200 villages in the middle and lower reaches of the Tone River, Nitta County, Tatebayashi County in Ueno Province, Saitama County in Musashi Province, and Katsushika County.
He would personally go to the countryside to persuade the local martial arts family to allow their heirs to travel westward to near Sibo, promising to cover the food and lodging expenses related to the study tour.
In addition, he hopes that the villages will raise funds to renovate water conservancy facilities that have been in disrepair due to the war. It is best to re-plan and solve the flooding problem in the middle and lower reaches of the Tone River. "
Hojo Ujiyasu kept frowning when she heard it, like a book from heaven, she said in confusion.
“I can understand not attacking Sano Territory.
This was originally my design to drive a wedge between Uesugi Teruhora and the Sekihashishu samurai family, so that the Sekihashishu samurai family would be afraid of Uesugi Teruhu's abuse of force and feel fearful.
I admire Tsutado-don for being able to stop such a reckless woman as Terutora Uesugi.
But investing 16,000 koku of grain in the villages in the middle and lower reaches of the Tone River was such a big deal. . What is he going to do? "
Hojo Genan said solemnly.
"Your Majesty Ujiyasu, food is the next best thing. The most terrifying thing is that Tsuta-dono personally went to the countryside to inspect and visited the villages in the middle and lower reaches of the Tone River.
It is said that before Tsudaden left for the trip, his husband dissuaded him, saying that going to the countryside was meaningless and that noble people should not ask for trouble.
But Tsudoden insisted on going, saying that without investigation, he had no right to speak. He wanted to see with his own eyes the suffering in the countryside and go to the grassroots martial arts families.
Once he is allowed to complete this feat, coupled with the continuous investment of food by the Wu Family Ethics Promotion Association, the grassroots Wu families in Guanbazhou will definitely be grateful, and it will be difficult for my family to control the hearts of Guanbazhou. "
Hojo Genan was worried about Yoshiyin's move to the countryside.
The Hojo family was able to rise in Kanto for three generations because her family always implemented benevolent governance and worked tirelessly to win over the middle and lower-class samurai families in the eight states of Kanto.
Ever since Idaimu outsmarted Odawara Castle and set a tax rate of four citizens and six citizens, the local grassroots samurai were very surprised. Is there such a low tax rate in the world?
It was not until the third generation of Hojo Ujiyasu that he devoted himself to sorting out the territory, unifying the tax system, and greatly reducing the burden on the middle and lower classes. Only then did Hojo rise, who was feared by the famous families in the eight states.
As for Yoshihiro Shiba's trip south this time, he seems to be competing with the Hojo family for the public support that the Hojo family should be best at managing.
Hojo Ujiyasu smiled bitterly.
"Even if I knew the consequences, could I still stop it?
Tsutaden holds the royal white flag of Hachiman Tainiang, and is regarded as a deity by the Kanto samurai family. Now he goes deep into the countryside and spreads a lot of food to win people's hearts. What can I do?
I don't have the financial resources of the Hokuriku Road trade route. If I dare to give him 16,000 koku of food to compete for his heart, the saliva of the retainers will drown me.
The Tone River has been called Bando Tainyang since ancient times and is the mother river of the Kanto samurai family. The flooding of the middle and lower reaches of the Tone River has been a thorny problem for thousands of years. Can it be solved by sending some food?
No matter how high Tsudoden's stance is, he can't compete with the sky or the earth, so let him be.
In the past two years, there have been droughts and then floods. Almost all the villages there have lost their harvests, which is miserable. Even though sixteen thousand shi is a lot of food, how many years can he give it away?
The people's hearts are impetuous and cannot be repeated again and again. Let's see what good ending he can get from doing such a thankless job.
On the other hand, the local famous families, how could they just watch Tsudoden win over people's hearts without secretly obstructing him? "
Hojo Genan said helplessly.
"Jin Dudian is very powerful. He used his identity as a man to persuade the brotherhood and publicize the matter through the channels of the husbands of the martial arts family.
The Jinshan Castle Brotherhood headed by Miaoyin Monk was originally the most influential brotherhood in the middle and lower reaches of the Tone River. They took the lead in praising Tsutaden as a saint and naturally spared no effort to support it.
The members of Jindo Palace have not yet left Jinshan City, and letters from the brotherhood have been sent to husbands everywhere.
From Kanayama Castle in the middle reaches of the Tone River to Edo Castle at the outlet, brothers from all over the country responded in large numbers. Who would oppose it?
These husbands usually have low eyebrows and submissive looks, but if they want to be more serious, the Ji warriors of each family don't want to make the family uneasy.
After all, Jinduodian is going to provide travel expenses for our children to avoid disasters, and to help us repair water conservancy, not to lead troops to seize the territory.
As you just said, the middle and lower reaches of the Tone River have experienced drought and then flooding in the past two years, resulting in no harvest and many places have turned into hells on earth.
I won't talk about anything else, but only the 63rd village of Katsushika County. The women and untouchables in the village are starving to death everywhere, and even the servants in the field have starved to death.
The brotherhood circles communicated with each other, and the news spread to the local villages. All the martial arts families were eagerly waiting for Prince Tsudo to go to the countryside to provide relief.
Help students travel abroad to protect their children from starvation. Repairing water conservancy projects is also done through work-for-relief, which will save a few people in the family from starving to death and improve the yield per mu in the coming year.
Which famous family would have the guts to stop such a good thing? From good to complex, the long tail becomes long, Narita grows tall, Ota Shimasei, Ota Yasushi, who is not watching quietly?
Tsudaden was actually helping them calm down the turmoil at the grassroots level, or going to the countryside through the channels of the brotherhood in the form of mutual aid between husbands, and not getting involved in the political struggles of the samurai family.
If even such a good thing must be blocked and vetoed, let alone the husband at home, the servants in the village below will raise their swords to rebel. Do they dare? "
Hojo Ujiyasu nodded silently, thought for a long time, and finally said helplessly.
"Tsudadon's soft knife cuts flesh, but it is much more brutal and sophisticated than Uesugi Teruhora's brutal use of force. It is really hard to imagine that this was planned by a man less than twenty years old.
If he is a woman, I will bring the Hojo family under his command and achieve the hegemony of the shogunate. "
Hojo Umasa looked at her mother in astonishment. She had never seen her mother admire someone so highly.
The Sagami lioness fought with the two Uesugi families throughout her life, and was forced into desperate situations several times. However, she was unyielding and built the prosperity of the Hojo family today.
But today, my mother was willing to accept the defeat and admired Sibo Yiyin very much.
Hojo Ujiyasu felt Hojo Umasa's surprised look and smiled.
"What? Do you think I have no fighting spirit?"
Hojo Umasa bowed slightly and said.
"My daughter didn't dare, but she didn't expect that mother would have such a high opinion of Jindado Hall."
Hojo Ujiyasu sighed.
"In the five hundred years that the Wu family has conquered the world, there has never been a man of this staggering talent. If given a choice, who would be willing to be an enemy of such a person?"
Hojo Ushimasa rolled his eyes and said.
"In that case, why can't we make peace with Tsudo-den?"
Hojo Ujiyasu sighed.
"I can form an alliance with the Uesugi family, and of course I hope to make peace with Tsutado-don, but he doesn't give me a chance. Your aunt just said that Tsutado-don has been avoiding her.
I really don’t understand what’s so unique about Terutora Uesugi. She ruined the Kanto strategy that Tsutado-don worked hard for for more than two years. Tsutado-don refused to abandon her and was still helping her.
If Tsuda-den breaks up with the Uesugi family in a fit of anger, then God will really bless my family. "
Hojo Umasa shook his head and said.
"Tsudadon is a man of justice, a man of great promise, and abides by the covenant. He cannot betray Uesugi Teruhora unless the Uesugi family breaks the covenant first."
Hojo Ujiyasu glanced at his daughter in surprise, nodded in approval, and said.
"Yes, I've made great progress. You saw it correctly this time.
Just because Tsutado-don is consistent as a person, I hope he can positively acknowledge the alliance between the Uesugi family and my family.
Teruhora Uesugi is already the governor of Kanto. She and I are different from each other, so it is unreasonable to form an alliance.
If it is not endorsed by Tsudo-don, this paper covenant is an arrogance of dignity and is a piece of waste paper that can be torn up at any time.
Now it seems that Tsudoden is unwilling to admit this matter.
He didn't talk about fighting, just because Teruhora Uesugi's defeat was too tragic, the disaster in Kanto was too tragic, and there was no opportunity to use force in the land of Kanto. Forcible conquest will only lead to devastation and the loss will outweigh the gains.
It's really powerful to use Tonegawa to talk about things.
The middle and lower reaches of the Tone River are where the core area of Kanto is located. The situation there is very complicated. I have worked hard for most of my life but have not been able to get over this hurdle.
I would like to see if Jindoden can make a hole with grains? "
At the end of the sentence, Hojo Ujiyasu and Hojo Genan looked at each other and smiled.
The two of them were very jealous of Shiba Yiyin himself, but they were somewhat disapproving of Shiba Yiyin's approach of using food to clear the way.
For those wallflowers like Guan Bazhou, if it was such an easy-to-manipulate Samurai Hime, why would the Hojo family have been in and out of trouble for decades?
If it could be settled with just food, Hojo Ujiyasu would have conquered the core area of Kanto long ago, so why would Uesugi Terutora have anything to do with it? Shiba Yiyin was too careless after all. Just wait and see him fall.
People of the older generation always tend to overlook one thing, that is, they despise children. In their eyes, children will always be children, but they will eventually grow up and replace the current Ji Warriors.
On the other hand, Hojo Ushimasa has far stronger confidence in Shiba Yoshigan than the two elders.
She said in a deep voice.
"I do think that Tsudoden may succeed."
Hojo Ujiyasu looked at his daughter, who had a strange yearning and smile on her face. Mother and daughter were connected, and she had felt something early on.
Hojo Umasa is her chosen successor. Even though she suffered a major setback in Sano, Hojo Umasa is still her unchanging choice and the best successor to the Hojo family.
At this time, seeing Hojo Ushimasa's persistence in Shiba Yigen, Hojo Ujiyasu's heart palpitated. She wanted to say something, but her lungs suddenly felt heavy and she couldn't help coughing heavily.
"Your Majesty Ujimasa!"
"Mother!"
Hojo Genan and Hojo Ushimasa stepped forward at the same time. Hojo Ujiyasu stretched out a hand to stop them, lowered his head and covered his mouth with a handkerchief to wipe it.
"It's okay. It's just that I'm getting old. When the weather changes, my throat becomes uncomfortable."
Hojo Ujiyasu looked up at his daughter. The warning he wanted to say just now was stuck in his throat and he swallowed it back.
My daughter has grown up and I have grown old. Many things cannot be solved with just a few words. The Hojo family will eventually be handed over to her. Many things can only be understood by herself. Warning is useless.
Hojo Ujiyasu tightened the handkerchief in his hand and folded the blood spots on the handkerchief in his palm to prevent others from seeing it.
She smiled and said.
"If one day, Tsutaden really conquers the core area of Kanto, then there is nothing wrong with the Hojo family surrendering to the Shiba family and becoming Shiba's lackeys.
Speaking of which, Uzumasa is not young, and for the sake of the continuation of the family business, it is time to marry a husband. "
Hojo Ushimasa was stunned. Why did his mother mention this matter again?
Hojo Genan said on the side.
“This is my fault.
When my family formed an alliance with the Imagawa Takeda family, I was thinking that I should marry a husband from the Takeda family to deepen the relationship between the two parties, so I asked His Highness Ujiyasu to postpone his consideration.
Later, when Echigo's army moved south, the family business was in danger of being overturned, and this matter was delayed until now.
Now, the relationship between my family and the Takeda family is no longer suitable for marriage, and the Uesugi family's offensive has also eased. It is time to choose a good match for His Majesty Ujimasa to achieve good things. "
Seeing that the two elders had reached a consensus, Hojo Clan couldn't help but said anxiously.
"Mother, I don't want to marry yet."
Hojo Ujiyasu said coldly.
"The continuation of the family business is a top priority, how can we allow you to act recklessly?
I'm not dead yet, so it's not your turn to make the decision. Marry a good husband and calm down. "
Hojo Umasa was a little lost. He wanted to say something more, but couldn't.
Hojo Genan's eyes flickered, she seemed to understand something, but pretended not to know anything.
Hojo Ujiyasu knew in his heart that it was impossible for Shiba Yoshigan and Hojo Ushimasa to come together.
Yoshigan Shiba is the widow of Ashikaga Yoshiteru. Now he has become a monk and practiced Buddhism, praying for his deceased wife's blessing and keeping her chastity.
His marriage is related to a major event in the world. The shogunate of Kyoto, the governor of Echigo and Kanto, and the great names of the samurai family, big and small, who are not watching?
It would be fine if Shiba Yiyin was alone all his life. How easy would it be for him to get married?
If Yoshigan Shiba is willing to marry into the Hojo family, Ujiyasu Hojo will definitely hand over all military and political power to Yoshigan Shiba. Even if she died, she could still close her eyes peacefully in the coffin.
But this dream cannot come true. Hojo Ujimasa is destined to have unrequited love, and even Uesugi Teruhu has a better chance than her.
Teruhora Uesugi made a huge mistake, and Yoshigan Shiba was unwilling to abandon her. The Hojo family was an enemy that the Echigo army must conquer, and the Hojo clan had no chance.
In this case, it is better to put an end to Hojo Umasa's delusions as soon as possible and let her wake up as soon as possible.
Hojo Ujiyasu swallowed, feeling that his mouth was filled with the smell of blood.
She knew that she couldn't survive much longer. Before she died, she had to make arrangements for her family business so that she could die with peace of mind.
But Hojo Ujiyasu didn't know that Hojo Umasa across the street was full of grief and anger.
My mother controls everything, and now she has to control even the little bit of love in her own mind. It's too much!
Sano led the battle, and the Hojo clan's politics made a big mistake. Although her position as family governor was retained by her mother, her actual power was taken back by her mother.
She knew that her sin was serious and she suffered the consequences silently. The mother was very capable, and it only took half a year to trap Teru Uesugi in Shimonoseokuni.
Usui Castle was defeated, and the Echigo army's Kanto strategy fell short. The Hojo family applauded and took the opportunity to make a comeback.
But behind the glory of Hojo Ujiyasu, there is an increasingly humble figure of Hojo Ushimasa. The more powerful the mother is, the more incompetent she appears.
She is already a marionette in her mother's hands, and she can do whatever she wants.
But now, my mother has put her hand into the last bit of Hojo Umasa's dream, which is really too much.
Ashikaga Yoshiteru is dead, and Shiba Yoshigan can remarry someone else. Why can't this person be me, the Hojo Ushimasa?
Maybe there is indeed no future between her and Shiba Yiyin, but why should she break even this illusion? Is her mother too lenient?
Hojo Umasa secretly glanced at Hojo Uyasu. His mother was in good health. It seemed that the Hojo family was in his hands, but in fact, it was his mother who made the final decision.
Hojo Ujimasa could endure other things and leave everything to his mother's mercy. This was her last insistence and she would never compromise.
drag! Anyway, it’s just dragging!
People often have to pay for a mistake in their youth for a lifetime.
Hojo Umasa did not expect that a battle in Sano Territory would change her life. The suspicion of the retainers and the arbitrariness of Hojo Ujiyasu made her feel deeply humiliated and trapped.
A trace of admiration for Shiba Yigen and the pressure of his mother to conceal his critical illness made Hojo Ushimasa become stubborn once again.
.
