"Zhenmi, it doesn't have to be like this." Taiyuan Xuesai raised his hand to stop Ohara Zhenmi, "The situation is urgent now. We need the Ogasawara family and the Shinno family to return, and we also need the hostages of the Sena family to return. Don't cause any extraneous matters."
"Koichiro, take them with you." Taiyuan Xuezai looked at Hayasaka Nao, who immediately led the hostages out after hearing the words, as if Obara Zhenni was really chasing after him with a knife.
"This defeat has shaken the morale of the army, and the prestige of the family governor has plummeted. As the poor monk expected, when the two captured soldiers in the reserve were released back, they would definitely bring new rumors about the First Lord. It was you who assassinated him." Taiyuan Xuezhai patted Imagawa Shigen on the shoulder and sighed, "You, the real family governor, have never fought against the fake ones, and you have lost most of the people from Yuanjiang to them. After that, the Imakawa clan family It’s going to be difficult.”
"I've already told you that I'm not good at military affairs. You insisted on letting me come, teacher. If you came by yourself, teacher, how could you be tricked?" Imagawa Shimoto shook his head in frustration, and then sighed, "Until now, I I still don’t understand why those wealthy families betrayed me?”
"What's not clear about this? Between families, we only talk about the word 'profit'." Taiyuan Xuezhai smiled bitterly and explained the analysis.
·
"Between families, we only talk about the word 'profit'."
At the same time, Imagawa Yoshima, who was waiting to exchange hostages outside the western castle town of Kakegawa Castle, was also explaining his strategy for this battle to his cronies.
"Toe is different from Suruga. Suruga is mostly a member of the clan, while Ene is almost always a foreigner. The clan is loyal to the Imagawa clan, and the kindness of the former master is even more solid. Therefore, they have a deep understanding of 'I murdered the former master.' I am so sensitive to the rumors, and they all fell in love with Imagawa Ujimoto, wishing to tear me into pieces. But Suruga's appearance has no feelings for the former master, and they don't care who killed the former master. All they care about is Whoever can give them more benefits will follow whoever can.”
"If Imagawa Clan is in charge of Yuanjiang, will it be of any benefit to them? No. If there are any benefits, they will all belong to Suruga's descendants. But it will be different when I come. I am no better than Imagawa Clan. , my foundation is not stable, and I must rely more on them and give them a higher degree of freedom in exchange for support. And I don’t have any direct subordinates. In the future, whether it is the Imagawa family or Mikawa, if I conquer new territories, will there be any problems? The younger ones will also be entrusted to them."
"Then tell me, if you were from the Toe country, who would you be willing to follow? It's really ridiculous for Imagawa Clan to use the banner of 'crueling the lord-killing traitors'. Does he think that Toe has all the loyal ministers he met in Suruga? Or does he think that Are all the people in the country the good people he met in the temple?"
"So I decided on this plan as a secondary strategy. Even if Sena Shijun's first-line primary strategy fails, it can attract all their attention, and the secondary strategy will be ignored. The old monk of Taiyuan Xuezhai is not here, who Can you detect this plan? I have already made an agreement with the Ii family, Amano family and other wealthy families who are dissatisfied with the Imagawa clan, and asked them to hand over the hostages to Kakegawa Castle first to win the trust of Imagawa clan. Then I chose the battlefield. On the bank of Tianlong River, we should open up our formation and trick the enemy into crossing the river for a sneak attack. As soon as the enemy army crosses the river, the people from Yuanjiang will rise up and attack, defeat the main army, capture the deputy army across the river, and exchange them for hostages. "
Imagawa Yoshima sneered twice, "I suffered a loss last time, but I've learned the lesson this time. If the main policy doesn't work, then use the deputy policy, and you will be tricked no matter what. Once the hostages are obtained, most of the Yuanjiang River is in my hands. Suruga is not far away either. The Imagawa family can finally be back in my hands."
·
"I see..." After listening to Taiyuan Xue Zhai's explanation, Imagawa Ujimoto suddenly realized that his previous thoughts were too simple.
"No matter what, we have to find a way to restore your prestige now. Otherwise, if Imagawa Yoshima's eloquence is used to lobby, there will only be countless people who are disappointed with your talent and defect. It would be too hurt to be defeated in a head-to-head confrontation." Taiyuan Xuezhai came back to his senses and looked at Sena Ujitoshi, "The poor monk heard that Sena Mutsu's son communicated with Imagawa Yoshima under the instruction of the household governor?"
"Exactly." Sena Shitoshi nodded.
"Then let's put the blame on you. Let's say that you were in vain for your kindness, betrayed the information to Imagawa Yoshima, and led to a huge defeat. Now that the incident has happened, you have been forced to commit suicide." Taiyuan Xuezhai said without mercy. The punishment was issued, "In this way, the prestige of the home governor can be restored. This is not a crime of war."
"I am willing to take the responsibility." Sena Ujitoshi knelt down and saluted with clasped fists, "I have been very kind to you at the house governor's palace. In order to save my mother, I am willing to let you give away the information. Now that my mother is about to return safely, Ujitoshi will die without regrets. This means committing seppuku to repay the kindness of His Highness, the Governor of the family."
"No. I said, don't be proud of 'foolish loyalty' and 'death' anymore." Imagawa Shimoto glared at Sena Shitoshi with dissatisfaction, "You haven't reunited with your father yet, have you?"
"Let's just say that Sena Ujitoshi's bodyguard had an affair with my third brother, and he himself was not strict with his subordinates, so he was released. Isn't that okay?" Imagawa Ujimoto argued with Taiyuan Xue Zhai.
"It's possible, but the effect is not as good as the previous plan. But I know I can't resist you, so I'll do as you say." Taiyuan Xuezhai nodded very reasonably this time, and Imagawa Shimoto was relieved.
"Main hall..." Sena Toshi, who had not expected Imagawa Gento to be so protective of him, was stunned again, and after a moment he was so moved that his eyes filled with tears. But Imagawa Ujimoto just smiled at him, patted him lightly on the shoulder, and whispered:
"Sena, don't cry."
·
After everyone left, Imagawa Shimoto was informed that Osawa Jiyin asked for an audience. His father, Kisō Ohsawa, was unable to respond because his residence in Horie Castle was behind enemy lines, so he strictly maintained neutrality in the previous battle of Tenryu River. But now that Imagawa Yoshizhin has returned with a great victory, he will definitely demand the submission of all Yuanjiang people, and the Osawa family cannot escape this time. If there is no way to hand over the eldest son Osawa Motoin by then, the Osawa family's secret communication with Imagawa Shimoto will be revealed, and the Osawa family will inevitably be liquidated by Imagawa Yoshima.
"Are you planning to go back quietly?" Imagawa Shimoto naturally understood Osawa Jiyin's difficulties, and said considerately, "It doesn't matter, go back, go to my third brother's place, I'm sure. The loyalty of the Osawa family, I I’ve already made a note of it in my mind.”
"I'm indeed here to ask His Highness to let you go, but when I go back, I'm not going to lead Ma Cheng as a hostage to surrender, but to help my family guard the city." Osawa Kiyin knelt down, clasped his hands, and bowed respectfully to Imagawa Shimoto. , "When my grandfather was fighting in Yuanjiang, he was on the verge of despair. It was the old master of the Imagawa family who led his guards to save him desperately. The Osawa family remembered it in their hearts and swore that they would be loyal to the Imagawa clan for generations to come. How could they fall in love with the regicide traitors?"
"If you don't surrender, you will soon be besieged by 5,000 troops. There are only more than 200 people in Horie City, and there are only 2,000 residents, so how can we defend it? Our Imagawa family has suffered a new defeat and is temporarily unable to raise troops. You have no reinforcements." Imagawa Shiyuan shook his head, "No need to be embarrassed."
"Horie City is surrounded by water on three sides and is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Our Osawa family has passed down defensive military strategies from generation to generation. How can we be easily captured?" Osawa Jiyin pointed to his chest with his thumb confidently, "When will the main hall send troops?" Come to rescue, Horie Castle will be defended as long as possible."
"Okay, that's amazing. I don't have such ambitions as you." Imagawa Shimoto laughed when he heard the words, and was infected by Osawa Motoin's heroic ambition, "But if you really can't survive, you might as well save the family's life. The Imagawa family has already recorded your loyalty and will never pursue it again."
"That day will never come, please wait and see in the main hall." After Daze Jiyin gave his last salute, he turned and left.
"I just lied to you with good words. I surrendered when I got back." Taiyuan Xuezhai watched the whole process from the side and couldn't help but tease.
"How can you be such a young person with such awe-inspiring righteousness?" Imagawa Shiyuan shook his finger unmoved, and then said to Taiyuan Xuezhai, "Teacher, are you willing to make a bet? If you win, I won't touch you for a month. Cuju, Japanese songs, and pictures of flowers and birds. I win. Master, you can go to the Whale House without drinking or eating meat for a month."
"Isn't this going to cost me my life... You are a good master and apprentice, why are you risking your life? Tonight I want to go to the Whale House in Kakegawa City to have fun. There is an oiran there who I have coveted. It's been a long time... Hahahaha..." Taiyuan Xuezhai laughed naively as he spoke, with a hint of laughter hanging from the corners of his mouth.
"You are disrespectful to me," Imagawa Shimoto complained angrily.
"We are about to clean up the mess left by the defeat of you brat. Why don't you relax first?" Taiyuan Xuezhai glared at Imagawa Ujimoto.
"I know I'm not good at it, and I never said I was good at it. It was you who insisted on pushing me to come to Yuanjiang, old man." The Imagawa clan became angrier the more he thought about it, and simply gave up the job. "We agreed that I would be the governor of the house. This is the last time Yuanjiang ignores government and military affairs. After that, I went back to Imagawa Hall to play Cuju, watch flowers and birds, and sing Japanese songs. Do whatever you like. I don’t like these things either, who would? Are you wasting your good time here?"
"Okay, I'll give you a few months off. You can go to Kyoto to have some fun. Is Kyoto more fun than the small Imagawakan?" Taiyuan Xuezhai approached Imagawajimoto with a smile.
"Really?" Imagawa Ujimoto raised his head in surprise. Kyoto was his favorite place of romance. But after seeing the look in Taiyuan Xuezhai's eyes, Imagawa Shimoto, who was familiar with his teacher, became a little wary, "I'm afraid there is no such good thing? Tell me, what does the old man want me to do?"
"The main strategy of pacifying Yuanjiang cannot be implemented, so the only choice is to be the deputy strategy of the division." Taiyuan Xuezhai patted Imagawa Shimoto hard on the shoulder, "Go to Kyoto and pay homage to the Gongfang Hall, the imperial court and the shogunate. Everything has been taken care of for you. The shogunate said that as long as you arrive and show your sincerity, Gongfangdian will give you the word "Qing". After that, you can ask Gongfangdian to adjudicate the dispute over the Imagawa family governor and let him The position of family governor is awarded to you. After you are done, come back with your great righteousness and see which wealthy family in Yuanjiang refuses to obey?"
"The shogun gave you the word?" Imagawa's Yuan was stunned when he heard this, and then said with a wry smile:
"Then I have to change my name to Imagawa Harumoto again? It sounds so ugly... I really can't help it."
"You brat, you still have a lot of demands after the general gave me the word?" Taiyuan Xuezhai shook his head in confusion.
"Can the general give me the character "Imagawa Yoshimoto"? I think 'Imagawa Yoshimoto' is not bad." Imagawa Shigen smiled and made a face at Taiyuan Xuezhai, and then ran away before Taiyuan Xuezhai scolded him.
