In Takasuki Castle, Ashikaga Yoshiaki and Wada Weimasa had secret discussions in the inner chamber, and calculated Oda Nobunaga carefully and clearly.
But Wada Weizheng didn't know that every move she made was betrayed.
As soon as she returned to Takatsuki Castle, her daughter Wada Wenaga wrote a letter and sent it to Niwa Nagahide, revealing the details of the shogunate to the Oda family.
Niwa Nagahide, who was coordinating logistical supplies for the Oda Army, received this letter and did not dare to neglect, and immediately went to Oda Nobunaga's main camp.
At this time, the Oda army had advanced to the Ibaraki Castle area in central Settsu. The trouble is, I really don’t know who to hit.
The Miyoshi Army was huddled near Sakai Port, ready to escape by boat at any time. Continuing to the west is the Itami family, and continuing to the north is the Ikeda family. They are all Juyi samurai families who have awakened and surrendered to the shogunate.
It was also evening when Niwa Nagahide arrived.
After Oda Nobunaga scanned Wada Nobunaga's letter, he threw it into the brazier nearby. The letter instantly disappeared, she said with a sneer.
"What a great Ashikaga General who knows how to repay his kindness, what a loyal minister of the shogunate, and what a group of Settsu people who know the righteousness."
Niwa Nagahide said worriedly.
“The shogunate is weak and cool, even if it is as virtuous and prestigious as Tsutaden, it is ruthless and can do evil things.
Before going to Luo, His Highness accepted Takenaka Shigeharu's strategy of raising the bandits and respecting themselves, which was actually the best choice for my family. "
Oda Nobunaga glanced at Niwa Nagahide and said.
"What, are you complaining that I sent troops too hastily this time? Do you think I did something wrong?"
Niwa Nagahide naturally knew that speaking like this would displease Oda Nobunaga, but she dared to speak out because of her extraordinary relationship with Oda Nobunaga.
"You are naturally wise and powerful, otherwise how could the Oda family be as prosperous as it is today?
It's just that the shogunate has always used checks and balances to deal with foreign vassals, and its methods of weakening the strong and supporting the weak are hard to guard against, and we must not deal with them carelessly. "
Oda Nobunaga sneered.
"I didn't expect this general to be able to do anything. I made a mistake and was too weak in Miyoshi's family. Is Miyoshi Yoshitsugu, a coward, worthy of being Miyoshi Changkei's successor?
Even if Settsu is lost, Sakai Port and the Miyoshi family are still one of the most powerful vassals in the world. As long as the Sanhao family showed some ambition in this battle, even if they were defeated in a fierce battle, the martial arts families in the world would not dare to look down upon them.
But Miyoshi Yoshitsugi didn't even have the courage to fight, which was really unreasonable.
The people in Kanto all know that they have to fight first and then negotiate terms. Itami, Ikeda and other Settsu members are so weak that they kneel down without fighting.
The ups and downs of Setjin opened my eyes and gained me knowledge. "
Although Oda Nobunaga's tone was unkind, he still vaguely admitted his miscalculation. This means that in front of Niwa Nagahide, if someone else is present, she will never say a soft word.
Takenaka Shigeharu advised Oda Nobunaga in order to keep the Miyoshi family as a foreign threat so that the shogunate would rely heavily on the Oda family and have no scruples in doing things.
But the Miyoshi family knelt down too quickly, and the Settsu people surrendered without fighting, which made Ashikaga Yoshiaki swell. In her eyes, Oda Nobunaga is now of little use and a great threat.
It's strange that Oda Nobunaga was impatient.
She deliberately planned to capture Sakai Port to control the supply of saltpeter and lead shot needed for the iron cannon. She accidentally pierced Miyoshi's tiger skin and took off Miyoshi Yoshitsugu's underwear.
Even though Ashikaga Yoshiaki now dares to look down on the Miyoshi family, without the strong intervention of Oda Nobunaga, Ashikaga Yoshiaki would definitely not dare to attack Settsu and attack the Miyoshi family head-on.
But it's too late to say regret now. The Miyoshi family has become cowardly, Ashikaga Yoshiaki is also crazy, and the strategy of raising the bandits to respect themselves has been completely completed.
Since there is no point in regretting, Niwa Nagahide gave a direct reminder and stopped irritating the master's nerves, and turned to talk about other things.
"I heard that Hideyoshi did well in Sakai Port, and Tsuda Muneki, one of the three wealthy merchants in Sakai Port, has joined my family."
Niwa Nagahide passed the ladder to Mianzi, and Oda Nobunaga stepped down and followed.
"Monkey did a good job, give her credit."
The monarch and his ministers relaxed the atmosphere, and Oda Nobunaga took a breath and sneered.
"Wada Weimasa has calculated everything, but she doesn't know that her daughter was persuaded by you, Mi Wu Niang, to help us now when she was in Minami Omi."
Niwa Nagahide said.
“Wada Weimasa was obsessed with shogunate politics, but could not see the reality of the decline of the Ashikaga family.
She can't even tolerate the lenient Tsudo Hall of today's shogun, and many people inside and outside the shogunate have already become disheartened. Wada Weichang joined our family to leave a way out for the Wada family.
But even if we know the shogunate's plan, it will be difficult for us to fight back.
The people in Settsu put more emphasis on the generals and less on the main palace. This time we march westward, no local military family will join us. On the contrary, it was Itami Ikeda's family who colluded with Wada Noimasa, and this led to the proposal of the Settsu Three Guardians.
I was sent away from the Oda family just because I wanted to use a useless Sakai Port. It is really abominable.
Although the Miyoshi family retreated, Takada Yono, who was stationed at Tsutado-den, was still at Sakai Port. The general will most likely expand the power of the Shiba family in Sakai Port to check and balance my family's presence in Sakai Port.
In the secret, Sen Rikyu, who is from Kyoto background, is the leader of the wealthy businessmen, and my family may not be able to gain any advantage. "
Oda Nobunaga said coldly.
"Now I am a big influence, and everyone wants to take advantage of me.
The Nanman Sect wanted to lure me into Sakai Port and encourage me to go to Doushiyama Honganji Temple. The shogunate, the public servant, also hoped that the Oda Shiba family would not get along at Sakai Port so that she could profit from it.
There are so many pairs of eyes here in Settsu secretly staring at me, waiting for me to get angry, be reckless, and make mistakes.
It's interesting, as if I have to follow the pace they want and walk the road they paved. "
Niwa Nagahide's eyes lit up, as long as Oda Nobunaga didn't fall into the shogunate's scheme in anger. With the current capital of the Oda family, as long as they don't mess up, there are plenty of ways to continue playing with the shogunate.
In the final analysis, the battle between the Wu family is still a battle of strength. Ashikaga Yoshiaki is not strong enough, so he can only play some conspiracy and tricks, which is disgusting and cannot be put on the stage.
Niwa Nagahide was most worried about Oda Nobunaga losing his mind, which was why he was reminded of his previous advice. Now it seems that the Lord is very calm.
she laughed.
"Does the main hall have a countermeasure?"
Oda Nobunaga glanced at her and said.
"I came to Settsu for the supply of supplies to Sakai Port. With Hideyoshi controlling Tsuda Muneji, my goal has been achieved.
Tsutama is a sensible person, he will not block my supply of goods, make me angry, and benefit Ashikaga Yoshiaki in vain.
As for what the shogunate did to set the Three Guardians of Settsu and the Miyoshi family to surrender, what did they do to me? "
Niwa Nagahide was stunned. She did not expect that Oda Nobunaga would choose to settle the matter and take a step back to explore the world. This was not in line with her character.
At this moment, there was movement outside, a Hatamoto entered the formation and bowed, and Oda Nobunaga asked.
"What's up?"
"Lord Matsunagahide, please come in."
"Let her come."
Watching Hatamoto bow and go out, Oda Nobunaga smiled, but there was no smile in her eyes. She said to Niwa Nagahide.
"Our general is truly a wonderful man.
She scooped all the benefits into her own bowl, but she let a group of moths eat the bowl to the point where it leaked, and she couldn't get much benefit from it.
Some people benefit, and some people suffer.
Ashikaga Yoshiaki did some stupid things that harmed others and benefited herself, all of which benefited the speculators who followed her. I didn't get any benefits, and I still had to bear the blame for offending others and be hated by others.
The Wada, Itami, and Ikeda families may not be grateful to this confused general when they have gained real benefits. But if someone's interests are harmed, they will definitely be resentful.
I'm not in a hurry. The Oda family has a big business and can afford to suffer. I can take it slow, but some people may not be willing.
Look, isn’t Matsunaga Hide here?
This is only the first one, I don’t believe that the Settsu people are monolithic. If the Itami family of the Ikeda family eats meat, will anyone be jealous?
As for the Miyoshi family, will everything be fine if they run back to Shikoku? Miyoshi Yoshitsugi had such a beautiful idea. The Miyoshi family has declined, and the Shikoku martial arts family has been suppressed by the Miyoshi family for many years. Don’t you have any ideas?
She helped Ashikaga Yoshiaki stumble me, and she will have to pay the price for it.
I heard that wars are raging across the four countries, and the samurai families of Tosa, Iyo, and Japan have long been in trouble. Let’s see if there is any Shikoku martial artist worth supporting, and then add fuel to Miyoshi Yoshitsugi’s side.
There is also the Sanhao Retainer Group, and the benefits that Sanhao Changqing helped everyone get are now spit out. How can they be happy?
Miyoshi Yoshitsugi, hey, I’m not having a good time, and you can’t have a good time either. "
Niwa Nagahide shook his head secretly, he just said that the master had changed his temper, but it turned out that he had not changed at all, and he would retaliate.
The shogunate made a big profit from the Settsu strategy, but the Oda family actually did not suffer any loss.
With a place in the supply center of Sakai Port, the needs of the Oda family were met.
If he wanted to go further and completely control Sakai Port at this time, he would inevitably be used as a gunman. Oda Nobunaga wisely chose to stop here.
Ashikaga Yoshiaki's move of crossing the river and demolishing the bridge obviously angered Oda Nobunaga.
Wada Weimasa, the guy who is adding fuel to the flames, has been targeted by Oda Nobunaga. Coupled with the presence of Wada Weichang, the tip-off daughter, Wada Weizheng will be in serious trouble.
Niwa Nagahide whispered.
"Matsuhisa Nagahide has a lot of connections in Settsu Country. She probably heard the news when she came here this time and wants you to make the decision for her."
Oda Nobunaga said coldly.
"Making the decision? Of course she can't make the decision. She must suffer the loss. Only when she suffers a big loss and harbors hatred can this person be useful."
Niwa Nagahide nodded.
Soon, Matsunaga Hide entered the formation, with a face full of bitterness and hatred, and knelt down in front of Oda Nobunaga, saying with grief and anger.
"I beg the palace to make the decision for me!"
Niwa Nagahide looked on coldly, and she suddenly thought of a question.
For someone as smart as Matsunaga, would she not know that Oda Nobunaga was using her? Doesn't she know that the Oda family may use her as a gun user?
If she already understood, then she immediately came to Oda Nobunaga and asked for an audience. This was to find a backer to gain confidence and prepare to fight back against Wada Nobunaga.
In the land of Higashisettsu, it seems that Wada Weimasa and Matsunagahide are fighting each other, but behind the scenes is the game between Ashikaga Yoshiaki and Oda Nobunaga.
After thinking about this clearly, Niwa Nagahide looked at the two people in front of him. Oda Nobunaga looked surprised and pretended not to know anything, while Matsunaga Hide complained at the top of his lungs about the unfairness of the world.
Life is like a play, it all depends on acting skills.
———
After the re-establishment of the shogunate, the three giants of Shangluo changed from a cooperative relationship to a power struggle.
Yiyin had the strongest status and the highest prestige, so it was the first to be disgraced.
Under the guidance of Akechi Mitsuhide, he kept a low profile and withdrew from the competition. Relying on his unique physical advantage, he escaped from the eye of the storm in Kyoto and waited to see what happened.
Unsurprisingly, after a brief honeymoon period, Ashikaga Yoshiaki and Oda Nobunaga quickly broke up. Although they were still smiling on their faces at this time, the two sides were already starting to feel jealous in their hearts.
The Wu family is accustomed to using force to solve problems. It is likely that the two sides will not be able to resist fighting each other before long.
At this time, Yoshihiro, who was far away in Kanto, was still continuing his work of going to the countryside to inspect grassroots and win over the people in the middle and lower reaches of the Tone River.
Although Japan is an island country, it is an agricultural nation through and through. It is impossible to go to the sea, and you will only be persistent in throwing food into the land.
Honshu Island is located on a volcanic belt, and the movement of the earth's crust has pushed up the ridges. Viewed from the air, the mountain group centered on the Shinano Mountains divides the land suitable for farming in the island country into countless small plains.
With the backward agricultural level in ancient times, there was not much land that could actually be cultivated. The ownership of land and the methods used to distribute land and land profits are core issues in political struggles.
The Emperor's court once learned from the land equalization law of the Tang Dynasty, promulgated the class-field ownership system, and took over the tribal farmland and people as state-owned.
However, as powerful people and religions continued to annex land for various reasons, this ancient state-owned system soon became unsustainable and headed towards collapse. The distribution method has also become a manorial system of private land ownership.
The rich and powerful live in the city and are unwilling to suffer losses in the countryside. As a result, the Wu family who managed the manor took away the ownership of the land. In the end, the Wu family became the masters of the world.
However, when high-level warriors entered the city, they gradually transformed into powerful people. In addition to collecting taxes and recruiting soldiers, they also ignored the chores in the village to reduce the cost of governance.
The relationship between the upper and lower levels of the samurai family is like that of the emperor's ministers and the lackeys of the samurai family who managed the estate under them. History is indeed just a cycle.
In the Chinese dynasty, this is called imperial power not going to the countryside. In the samurai society, villages gradually formed a political ecology in which the land was responsible for the daimyo, and the grassroots landlord groups were responsible for the land.
High-level martial artists only have the idea of levying downward taxes and recruiting troops, while the thankless management powers of administration, justice, and public security are in a vacuum.
The power vacuum at the grassroots level will inevitably be filled. As a result, the joint autonomy of landlords gradually took shape, taking over village management rights and forming a tradition of collective decision-making.
What’s more interesting is that the strengthening of collective consciousness has given the village a tendency towards public ownership.
As the territory of the samurai family, the farmland is privately owned by the daimyo. However, the forests, orchards, hills, and streams within the village are the common property of the village.
Yiyin went to the countryside. It was a rare high-ranking daimyo who understood the people's sentiments and brought food to provide disaster relief. It was a strange thing that had not been encountered in thousands of years.
The common people in ancient times were landowners of all sizes and landless tenant farmers? Those are cows and horses, they are not humans.
The big landowners are the heads of the land, and the small landowners are the land servants. When Yiyin goes to the countryside to send warmth, it means caring about the local servants. As for the life and death of cattle and horses, who cares about that thing.
Even if Yiyin is willing to care about cattle and horses, does he have so much food? Are local servants willing to be treated the same as cows and horses?
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