When he woke up in the morning, Imagawa Shimoto found that he had fallen asleep in the house without knowing when. He was leaning on the broken treasure box brought by Taiyuan Xue Zhai, with a quilt covering him. Taiyuan Xuezhai, who was sitting at the table with thick dark circles under his eyes, held up a piece of pork knuckle in his left hand and chewed it. There were several bottles of finished wine on the table, and he was still making corrections with a brush in his right hand.
"Old man, have you just woken up or are you still awake?" Imagawa Shimoto wanted to step forward to care, but suddenly he found a drop of oil and water running down the corner of Taiyuan Xuezhai's mouth and dripping directly onto the paper. Imagawa's eyes were sharp and he hurriedly took away the official document. He saw the dirty and sticky oil dripping on the table, and quickly wiped it with a rag. When he turned around, he saw that the approved official document on the side was covered with stains. Oil stains dripping from Taiyuan Xuezhai.
"It's so dirty!!! Old man, what are you doing!" The mysophobic Imagawa Ujimoto suddenly became irritable, and the heartache he felt just now was fleeting.
"You're being quarreled, don't disturb the teacher's work." Taiyuan Xuezhai muttered vaguely while chewing meat. He swung the greasy pig's trotters at Imagawa Shimoto and wiped the clean clothes off his back. The reporter was so frightened that he backed away. "Someone just reported that there is a young man at the gate of the castle tower who claims to be here to see you. You fell asleep and I didn't wake you up. You can go and have a look now."
·
At the door of Imagawakan Castle Tower, Koshichiro was standing aside with some fear, quietly turning his head to look in the door. His real name is Hayasaka Koichiro Nao, and his father is the military officer of the Imagawa family. Because he refused to give false testimony on behalf of his corrupt superiors, he was persecuted and his family was destroyed, leaving only an orphan and a widow. In order to make ends meet, Hayasaka Nao pawned all the samurai swords at home and ran a small business to support her family. Naturally, she no longer qualified to use the word samurai.
It seems that the loyalty of her late father moved God. Hayasaka Nao happened to meet the noble Imagawa Ujimoto. After helping to report the news to the Takeda family, she got the opportunity to become the family governor's bodyguard. Therefore, he was able to restore his family name and return to Imagawakan.
"Koichiro?" Imagawa Ujimoto called out when he saw Hayasaka Nao at the door. Hayasaka Nao came looking for her and was slightly startled when she saw the Imagawa clan Empress, then immediately knelt down to salute.
"You will be my bodyguard from now on, so you don't have to be so formal." Imagawa Shimoto said with a smile, "Get back on your feet."
"Yes, Young Master...Oh no, Your Highness!" Hayasaka Nao saluted again after standing up, and the worn-out baggage she was carrying almost fell off.
"Do you only have this little luggage?" Imagawa Ujimoto sighed slightly, and then asked, "Where is your daughter-in-law? You will stay with me from now on, and take her to Honmaru as well so that I can take care of her more easily."
However, as soon as Imagawa's words came out of his mouth, Hayasaka Nao suddenly lowered his head. After a while, he actually sobbed and burst into tears.
"Why..." Imagawa Ujimoto realized what he was saying halfway through. He stretched out his hand to support Hayasaka Nao and said very apologetically, "I'm sorry...for bringing up sad things. But more than ten days ago, your father's condition was clearly not bad...how?" It will be so soon…”
"I'm sorry! Your Highness!" Hayasaka Nao ignored Imagawajimoto's support and suddenly knelt down, kowtowed to Imagawajimoto, and kept mumbling and repeating: "I'm sorry..."
"What do you have to apologize for? It's because I was irrational and came here to return my death without asking you to honor your mother...Has your funeral been finished?"
Hearing Imagawa Ujimoto's words, Hayasaka Nao cried even harder, "How can there be such a kind person in the world like His Highness...I am really...I'm sorry for Your Highness..."
Just when Imagawa Ujimoto was hesitating about how to comfort Hayasaka Nao, Obara Zhenmi hurried over.
"Your Highness, Master Xue Zhai invites you."
·
"Didn't I just come out? Is there something urgent?" Imagawa Ujimoto arranged for someone to take Hayasaka Nao to stay while he followed Ohara Zhenmi back to the castle tower in a hurry. Only then did he realize that Taiyuan Xuezhai was no longer in the house, but instead gathered in the assessment room with the important officials of the Imagawa family. As soon as Imagawa's Yuan sat down, Taiyuan Xuezhai said:
"The latest information sent back by Ogasawara Sakyou (Ogasawara Haruyoshi) from the High Sky Shrine, Imagawa Yoshima officially appeared in Toe Country yesterday. He gathered in Toe with the edict that Ni Odai had previously appointed him as the governor of the Imagawa family. The retainers of the Imagawa family supported his succession. No wonder so many retainers and wealthy families in Yuanjiang did not send an oath or send hostages to the Imagawa Hall after receiving the document that His Highness would succeed to the throne."
"What is certain is that the Horikoshi family and the Iio family have clearly expressed their support for Imagawa Yoshima's succession as governor. The Toda clan, Okudaira clan, and Kira clan of Mikawa have also joined them. The rebel force has reached three thousand and is heading towards Iio. Izumi Castle gathered at Hina Castle. Asahina Bichu and Sena Mutsu (Sena Shisada) have led their troops and set off to return to Toe Ju Castle."
After the Hanakura Rebellion in the history of the previous life, the wealthy families who supported Imagawa Yoshima in Yuejiang also colluded with the forces of Higashi Mikawa to launch a rebellion against the Imagawa family. Not to mention that Imagawa Yoshima did not die this time, but fled to Yuejiang to gather strength in person.
"The rebellion needs to be put down immediately." Okabe Otsuna was the first to shout loudly, "How can we allow the traitor who is plotting to kill our former lord to deceive the samurai in our family so wildly? I am willing to be the vanguard and take the head of Imakawa Yoshima to comfort my former lord. "
"Although Toe is not as wealthy as Suruga, it has a vast land, rich resources, and a large population. Imagawa Yoshima has Imagawa blood. If he is allowed to confuse people and manage power in Toe, the Imagawa family will not be far away from being divided." Shiroku Sekiguchi also expressed his position. He said, "I also support quickly quelling the chaos and regaining Yuanjiang before Imagawa Yoshima establishes a firm foothold."
"Then Imagawa Yoshima is indeed very eloquent. Even I was deceived by him before I knew that he actually murdered the former lord. I have entrusted you to an unworthy person. I hope His Highness will atone for his sins!" Miura Shimitsu defended himself for supporting Imagawa Yoshima in the past. He apologized for his behavior, and said to the Imagawa clan, "If he is allowed to talk nonsense in Yuanjiang, I am afraid that not only the current family will be deceived, but I hope your highness will make a decision quickly! I am willing to make amends for my mistakes and lead the army to go to war!"
After Miura Shimitsu spoke, many retainers who once supported Imagawa Yoshima came to apologize, and Imagawa Shimoto naturally did not embarrass them. Forced by the situation, there is no choice.
"What you all said is true." Taiyuan Xue Zhai confirmed the views of the previous elders, but then changed the topic, "But now the Hojo Army has formed a balance with the Takeda Army. The northern part of Hedong belongs to Takeda, and most of Hedong belongs to the Hojo Family. Occupied, the Katsurayama family and other wealthy families have surrendered to Hojo, and the Hojo army is besieging Fuji Castle. Once Fuji Castle falls, they will have the remaining strength to cross the Fuji River and march westward to Kamabahara Castle."
"The Kamahara family originally stood on the side of the Hanakura Rebellion in the previous civil strife, and they later turned against each other and offered hostages, but in the end it was difficult to bridge the gap. Now, Kamahara Castle has sent back messengers for three consecutive days warning of the Hojo Army's movements and asking for help. If we If reinforcements are not sent, the movement of Kamahara Castle will be unpredictable. The top priority is to protect the natural barrier of Kamahara Castle and Fuji River to prevent the Hojo army from crossing the river. The Suruga people are led by Okabe Sakyo, and the main force is stationed in Kamahara Castle to assist in the defense."
"Master Yukisai, our main force is all going to Fujigawa, are we going to leave the traitor alone in the distant river?" Okabe Otsuna asked angrily, obviously "never forgetting" Imagawa Yoshima's head.
"No matter what, we can just send one person there." Taiyuan Xuezhai smiled, and then looked at Imagawa Shimoto.
·
After the evaluation meeting, Taiyuan Xuezai first took out a letter from Fuji Castle and gave it to Imagawa Ujimoto.
"A letter from Fuji Nobutada, the lord of Fuji Castle and the grand secretary of Fujiyama Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine." Taiyuan Xuesai gave the letter to Imagawa Ujimoto and asked him to read it himself. "He said that Hojo had previously Domestic violence started to invade Hedong, and the Katsurayama family responded immediately. Many small wealthy families were unable to respond and had to surrender, and the Fuji family was left alone. Now the city has been holding on for many days and has reached its limit. I hope to get your permission to surrender to the Hojo family for the time being. Stay undercover. When the Imagawa army marches eastward to regain their homeland in the future, the Fuji family will definitely be the first to respond."
"The words are sincere, and he must be a loyal minister." Imagawa Shimoto sighed after reading the entire letter, "Many of the wealthy families in Hedong must have surrendered due to the situation, so don't make it difficult for the hostages they left in Junfu. Let’s release them all. Reply to the Tomi Soldiers Department and say that I allowed him to surrender, and thank him for sticking to the death for the Imagawa family in the past few days.”
"Okay, I'll send someone to prepare it for you."
"No, for such a loyal minister, I will write a reply myself." Imagawa Shiyuan waved his hand, and then asked, "Old man, you asked me to go to Yuanjiang alone to quell the chaos. How is this possible?"
"On the far river, four important officials of the Asahina, Sena, Ogasawara, and Matsui families support you, with more than 2,000 troops. Kakegawa Castle, Shayama Castle, Takaten Jinjo, Futamata Castle and other important eastern towns are also still under control. You have With his righteous status as the governor, he will definitely not be at a disadvantage when it comes to winning the support of other Yuanjiang noble families, so why should he be afraid?"
"But my third brother's eloquence is obvious to everyone. I only heard about it from Asahina Binchu that day, and I was very shocked. I definitely can't compare with him..." Imagawa Ujimoto said and complained again, "Besides, Didn't we originally agree that I only need to be a nominal supervisor, and I can take care of my own business? I was just helping you with the official documents yesterday, but it didn't mean that I was really willing to do what the supervisor does. Ah. Why did you arrange for me to go to Yuanjiang this time? Countering the rebellion is your business."
"It's not that we really can't spare manpower, so I have to ask my beloved disciple for a favor. Otherwise, when the rebellion cannot be contained, the Imagawa family will be destroyed, and we will still be unable to escape death. Help me, and you are also helping yourself." Taiyuan Xuezhai With a mischievous smile, he gave Imagawa Shimoto a step forward, and then pointed at the letter in Imagawa Shimoto's hand, "Besides, if you don't go, many loyal ministers like the rich soldiers in Yuanjiang will just If you can commit yourself to a thief, wouldn't it mean that your loyalty has become cold?"
"Huh..." Mr. Imagawa sighed, and then shook his head helplessly: "There is really no way. Then reluctantly help the teacher one more time. We have agreed that this kind of nonsense will not happen again."
Brother, I will never do this for you to protect the Imagawa family.
