The collapse crisis of Guan Bazhou was finally stabilized by Yiyin.
Externally, the daimyo from all over Kanhachi Province could not understand the soft-knife play of the Samurai Giri Promotion Association, but they were frightened by Yoshigami's busy sharpening of knives and became cautious and respectful.
In particular, Sano Masatsuna's death was so painful that many people who were ready to move stood back and watched, not daring to move again.
Inside, Teru Uesugi and Takeo Shimakatsu, who were put into sleepwear by Yoshigan, chose to remain silent. The tacit understanding between the two parties to maintain cooperation and stabilize the overall situation of Kanto is based on their love for Yoshibank.
Perhaps one day in the future, a distant butterfly flapping its wings could set off a violent storm in Kanto, completely shattering this fragile balance.
But no matter what, at least now Yiyin endured his uneasy conscience and finally suppressed all the thorns inside and outside, which is a unique skill with Xini.
———
Winter turns to spring, the earth wakes up, and the war at the western end of the Tokaido Road resumes.
Unlike Yoshigoshi, who would feel guilty, he had already fed his conscience to the dog, and Oda Nobunaga, who never knew what a debt was, embarked on a journey again.
Taking advantage of the separation of farmers and soldiers, the Oda family's army entered Kitaise again before spring plowing and launched anti-season operations.
It was too late for the Kitaise samurai family, who was incited by Ashikaga Yoshiaki, to regret. They had been writing letters to Gifu Castle all winter to express their loyalty, but they still could not escape this disaster.
Oda Nobunaga was determined to solve the hidden dangers to avoid recurrence in the rear when he used all his strength to deal with Ashikaga Yoshiaki in the future.
The most important spring plowing of the year was approaching, and the Kitaise samurai family's last remaining efforts to fight against the Oda family were completely shattered by the Oda army who fought out of season, and they surrendered one after another to avoid missing their own spring plowing.
Kobe Tomori was dragged out by Oda Nobunaga to kill chickens to scare monkeys, and was chased and expelled on the grounds of inciting rebellion. The Kitaisei samurai family were all in trembling fear, and no one dared to come out and say a word to her.
After quickly suppressing Northern Ise, Oda Nobunaga turned to accuse the Kitahata family of Southern Ise.
It was clearly Ashikaga Yoshiaki who incited the Ise samurai family to rebel, and wrote imperial letters to both the northern and southern Ise samurai families, hinting that they would turn to the shogunate.
But Oda Nobunaga confuses right and wrong and puts the blame for inciting the unrest in the North Ise samurai family on the Minami Ise Kitahata family.
What can I say about Kitahata Gujiao? Could it be that if she took out Ashikaga Yoshiaki's imperial letter, she could prove that she was wronged?
Will Ashikaga Yoshiaki admit it? If she had the courage to confront Oda Nobunaga head-on, why would she secretly trick the local samurai family into causing trouble?
Will Oda Nobunaga admit it? Now is not the time to fall out with Ashikaga Yoshiaki, not to mention there must be a justifiable reason for going south to attack the Kitahata family.
Since neither Ashikaga Yoshiaki nor Oda Nobunaga would admit it, Kitahata Goto taught the blame even if they didn't want to.
In desperation, Kitahata Goji could only mobilize the military to defend the branch cities with Okouchi Castle as the core. I hope that after Oda's army is defeated, he can negotiate terms with Oda Nobunaga before surrendering.
But at this time, spring plowing and farming had already begun, and the local samurai families were unwilling to miss the season, so the Kitahata family's mobilization became very reluctant.
Oda's army was already approaching the city, but Kitahata Tomoko could only hold on with one-eighth of Oda's army and struggled to hold on.
Oda Nobunaga had a large number of people, so he calmly mobilized his troops and generals, and sent out various troops to first uproot the seven branch cities on the periphery of Ogauchi Castle one by one.
———
At the foot of Asaka Castle, Hashiba Hideyoshi is in the main formation.
"It hurts, it hurts!"
Hashiba Hideyoshi was sitting on a folding stool, sweating profusely. The hem of her clothes was lifted up, revealing her white lotus-like left leg. A doctor was carefully applying medicine to her.
In front of her, her subordinates Takenaka Shigeharu, Hidena Hashiba, Kato Kiyomasa, Fukushima Masanori, Asano Nagamasa and others were all present and serving at her side.
This time Oda Nobunaga mobilized a large army to conquer Ise country, Hashiba Hideyoshi did not need to participate in it. As a garrison in Kyoto, her responsibilities are in recent times.
But since I have returned to Gifu City to report on my work, I can't go back to Koji empty-handed. Military merit is too little for anyone.
The Oda family was already a 2 million-koku daimyo, and Kitaisei had long been reduced to a subsidiary.
In this expedition, Oda Nobunaga used shameless off-season tactics. The Ise samurai family simply did not have the strength to compete with the Oda family for food.
Loyalty to the emperor and serving the public is no match for farming and eating, so the Ise samurai family must kneel down. How could Hashiba Hideyoshi miss this sure-fire expedition?
She begged Oda Nobunaga for a chance, and Niwa Nagahide and others helped to intercede. Oda Nobunaga asked her to follow him to fight before returning to Konki.
Oda's army marched forward with great success. From North Ise to South Ise, most of the local samurai surrendered without a fight. But Hideyoshi Hashiba was unlucky and encountered a tough situation.
The Kitahata family faced an overwhelming offensive from the Oda family, and the retainers were unwilling to delay spring plowing. Even the entire Kitahata family and relatives were wavering and surrendering.
However, the Omiya family of Asaka Castle resisted stubbornly. Hashiba Hideyoshi did not expect to encounter such tenacious resistance. He accidentally received an arrow in his left leg. Fortunately, it did not damage the arteries and muscles, only the flesh and blood.
After the doctor finished bandaging and bowed out, Hashiba Hideyoshi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and sighed.
"What bad luck."
Takenaka Shigeharu advised.
"Your Majesty has a different status now. He should stay in the formation to command and dispatch during the war."
Hideyoshi Hashiba smiled bitterly.
"What's the difference, the difference between one thousand stone and two thousand stone? If the master hadn't assigned men to me, it would be difficult for me to gather fifty ashigaru by myself.
Now the Minami Ise samurai family was defeated like a mountain, and the samurai families in the army were busy grabbing credit. It's better for me, I got an arrow in vain, and I will be laughed at by Shibata-sama and the others again when I get back. "
Takenaka Shigeharu wanted to speak, but Masakatsu Hoshiga came in from outside the curtain and bowed to Hideyoshi Hashiba.
Hideyoshi Hashiba nodded and asked softly.
"Did something happen?"
Takenaka Shigeharu and Hachisuga Masakatsu were the forces sent by Oda Nobunaga to Hashiba Hideyoshi, and their identities were different from those of Hashiba Hideyoshi's own relatives.
As the governor of the Hazosuga family, Masakatsu Hazosuka had deep connections with the Shimowari old warrior family and was of great use to Hashiba Hideyoshi. Given Hashiba Hideyoshi's character, he was always very polite and polite to her.
After seeing the ceremony, Hazuka Masakatsu said solemnly.
"Lord Takigawa Ichimasu is here, with the order from the main hall, requesting to take over the defense of Asaka Castle."
Hashiba Hideyoshi frowned.
"What does this mean in the main hall? I finally captured Asaka City, but before I even finished cleaning the battlefield, someone came to take over the defense?"
Takenaka Shigeharu guessed.
"Kitahata Tokyo probably can't hold on any longer. During the busy farming season, the Kitahata retainers' group's will to resist is very weak.
Everyone understands that the Kitahata family is no match for the Oda family, so why should they ruin their spring plowing plans for a meaningless war.
The inner city of Dahe has been besieged for more than a month, and most of the seven surrounding branch cities have been eradicated. If Kitahata Goji doesn't surrender, he will have no leverage to negotiate terms. "
Hachisuka Masakatsu nodded.
"I heard some rumors. It seems that the main hall intends to put Mr. Takigawa Kazumasu in charge of the management of Northern Ise, and will also temporarily take over the defense of the important towns in Southern Ise."
Hideyoshi Hashiba was not surprised that Takigawa Kazumasushi was reused.
Takigawa Kazumasu is a good friend of Ikeda Hengxing. He was recommended to join Oda Nobunaga's maiden to take on important responsibilities and has a bright future.
The mother-in-laws were the confidants in Oda Nobunaga's pocket, and Takigawa Kazuki, who had been trained in them, was naturally someone Oda Nobunaga could trust.
Oda Nobunaga now has too many things to deal with. It is no longer possible for her to work as intensively as she did when she first conquered Owari and Mino, and waste too much time in Ise Country.
Having already stepped onto the stage of the world, her eyes are focused on the near future, in the world.
Takigawa Kazumasu is just the first one. In the future, Oda Nobunaga may choose to hand over the responsibilities to his ministers for the affairs of a country and a place, while he will control the overall situation.
Hashiba Hideyoshi's eyes moved, he caught a word in Hachisuka Masakatsu's words, and asked.
"For now? What about after that? Who will Minami Ise be responsible for?"
Hachisuka Masakatsu whispered.
"I heard that the main hall intends to let His Highness Oda Shinbao join the Kitahata family."
Hashiba Hideyoshi's eyes widened, and his gaze subconsciously turned to Takenaka Shigeharu. Takenaka Shigeharu nodded slightly. The two of them actually talked about some taboo topics.
Oda Nobunaga has not slept with Nobunaga in the past two years, so naturally no heir will be born, and there has been some criticism among Oda's retainers.
It's just that everyone was intimidated by Oda Nobunaga's strong and domineering attitude, and no one dared to point the finger at her. They had no choice but to let Nogun, the poor husband, take the blame and be ridiculed as a loser who couldn't produce rice.
Because the family governor has no heirs, the issue of heirs has been vaguely mentioned.
The most likely successors are the two people closest to Oda Nobunaga, his younger sister Oda Nobunaga and his niece Oda Nobsumi.
Oda Nobunaga will not let Kitahata Gujiao pass easily. Once she surrenders, she will be forced to retire and no longer serve as the governor of the Kitahata family.
If Oda Shinpao succeeds the Kitahata family, he can succeed as governor of the Kitahata family as Kitahata Shinpao, and he can legitimately manage the Minami Ise territory.
At the same time, Kitahata Nobubo also naturally lost the right to inherit the Oda family and was no longer an alternative to the Oda retainers group.
As for Oda Nobsumi, she is the child of Oda Nobunaga, the second sister of Oda Nobunaga.
Oda Nobuyuki competed with Oda Nobunaga for the position of family governor, but was killed by Oda Nobunaga himself. How could Oda Nobunaga allow her daughter to become the heir of the Oda family?
Therefore, there is a high probability that Oda Nobsumi will be sent out to succeed other samurai families and lose the right to inherit the Oda family.
Hideyoshi Hashiba couldn't help but think.
Oda Nobunaga is still young and in his prime, so the issue of inheriting the Oda family business can be suppressed for the time being. But as the years go by, this issue will eventually come to the fore.
So what exactly does Oda Nobunaga want to do? She has left the position of heir vacant for the time being. Who is she planning to leave it to?
In other words, who does she want to have a child with and become the heir to the Oda family?
In Hashiba Hideyoshi's mind, the peerless face of Shiba Yoshigan appeared, and his hands unconsciously clenched into fists.
———
Omi Country, Mitsui Temple.
Mitsui Temple is located on the west bank of Lake Biwa, with Mount Hiei in the background and close to Kyoto. Since ancient times, it has been an important stronghold of Buddhist forces between Omi Kingdom and Yamashiro Kingdom.
Sakamoto Castle, built by Ashikaga Yoshiteru, is an important town that protects Omi Province from Biwa Lake and enters Yamashiro Province. In fact, it is not far from Mitsui Temple.
The Buddhist temples in Kyoto have been one of the most troublesome forces for the rulers of the island country since ancient times. Master Nara and Master Yama ran rampant, and had fierce conflicts with the emperor, the ministers, and the samurai family.
In fact, within the Buddhist forces, the fighting between various sects is even more fierce. Heretics are more hateful than heretics. The latter can be converted, but the former are companions.
Colleagues and enemies deserve to die.
Mitsui Temple is precisely a temple with an extremely important geographical location. For many years, various sects have never stopped fighting around it.
As a result, Mitsui Temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times, and it is also known as the Temple of the Phoenix.
Mount Hiei is revered by Enliji Temple, and Mitsui Temple has always been a thorn in the side of Enliji Temple. It is the thorn in the side of various factions secretly pushing out against Enliji Temple.
In the 11th century BC, thousands of monks from Enryaku Temple destroyed Mitsui Temple. Later, in the 14th century, the Tiantai Temple sect independently formed the Tiantai sect, with Mitsui Temple as its main headquarters, competing with the Tiantai sect Enryaku Temple.
In the view of the Tendai Sect, the leader of Kyoto's Buddhist sects, Mitsui Temple is a gathering place for rebels.
Even the Ichiko sect has a place in Mitsuiji Temple. After the Yamashina Honganji Temple was destroyed by the Nichiren sect, Mitsuiji Temple was used to operate openly and secretly in the mountain city of Omi and the Ichiko sects in various places were contacted.
At this time, in the Guangjing Courtyard of Mitsui Temple, there were two concubines sitting opposite each other in the Zen room drinking tea.
Ninagawa put the tea to his lips, dipped it lightly and put it down, smiling.
“Good tea.”
She is the biological daughter of Ninagawa. Since the Ise family was beheaded by Oda Nobunaga, the Ninagawa family's political representative has become the leader of the shogunate group.
Ninagawa's personal power has increased greatly, and her daughter is naturally getting along like a fish in water and is very proud of herself.
Opposite Ninagawa's father was a beautiful woman dressed as a Hime Samurai. But her hair only reached her ears, so she was obviously a nun who had just grown her hair and returned to secular life.
Ninagawa asked, looking at her short hair and samurai attire.
"Master Siam Qing, have you returned home?"
The Ji warrior opposite shook his head.
"Ashamed, I have been practicing for many years but my ordinary mind has reappeared, making you laugh.
The director of Guangjingyuan, Siam Qing, is no longer here. The only one here is Shanggang Jingyou who has returned to the mortal world. "
Ninagawa smiled and expressed his understanding.
The Yamaoka family is a retainer of Rokkaku. Now that the Rokkaku family has declined and the trees have fallen, the Yamaoka family naturally has to find another way out.
Yamaoka Kagetomo became a monk and served as the abbot of Mitsui Temple's lower temple. On the one hand, she was talented, and on the other hand, because Mitsui Temple was within the Yamaoka family territory, the temple always had to give face to the local lords.
The location of the Yamaoka family's territory is too sensitive. It is at the junction of the spheres of influence of Ashikaga Yoshiaki and Oda Nobunaga. It is not safe to surrender to anyone.
Clearly, the family made a wise choice.
Since I was in Minami Omi, I naturally had to hang out with the Oda family. However, Yamaoka Kagetomo, a son of a monk, was called back to return to the secular life and became an official in Ashikaga Yoshiaki, serving the general.
Hedging your bets is the wisdom of surviving in troubled times. No matter how chaotic the situation is, a bloodline can still be left behind.
Yamaoka Keitomo and Ninagawa's eldest brother were relatives, and they also had many connections among the shogunate's public. Ashikaga Yoshiaki also seemed to like this Omi-hime samurai who came to serve, and he was very favored.
The elder Ninagawa secretly wondered why Yamaoka Keiyu specially invited him to Mitsuiji Temple for a spring outing and a cup of tea.
