"There are two ways now. Either go back to Ogaki Castle, go all the way south to Ise, then go around from Ise to Yamato, and then go around to Kyoto." Taiyuan Xuezhai sighed and listed two options - but in fact After everyone heard the route of the first plan, they knew that it was impossible to go this way. It was too far, and the war there was no less than that of Meinong. If Oyuan City is closed under martial law due to the war, it will be even more troublesome if you can't go through the official route.
Therefore, Taiyuan Xuezhai's second plan naturally became everyone's first choice: "Either go north into the mountains, detour from the mountains to Kitaomi Otani Castle, and then go to Kyoto along the shores of Lake Biwa."
"It's just that if you go into the mountains, you can't take these horses with you, so you can only sell them." Although Takeda Hironobu is also an old monk, he obviously cannot transcend worldly money. "It's only been a few days since I bought it, and I haven't even sat down yet. If it's hot, we have to sell it. Now the war is in chaos, and if we want to sell it quickly, we can only sell it cheaply, but not at a good price."
"It's okay. Money is a trivial matter. It's good to sell it to people who are fleeing and carrying their luggage." Imagawa Yoshimoto didn't care about this.
"The rich man in Suruga is different. He throws away thousands of gu of money at will and spends money like water." Takeda Harunobu listened and shook his head repeatedly, "We Kai people, we can't wait to break up a penny and use it as two pennies." .”
"Don't lie to me by saying this. Don't think that I don't know how many gold mines there are in Kai." Imagawa Yoshimoto said to amuse Takeda Harunobu.
"Those are all military expenses used to prepare for war." Takeda Harunobu patted his chest as a matter of course.
"With so much money, you can't improve people's livelihood?" Imagawa Yoshimoto was amused by Takeda Harunobu's attitude, "Do you have to pretend to be poor?"
"What do you know, Wulang? My neighbor stores grain and I store guns. My neighbor is my granary."
·
When we first entered the mountain, the mountain road was fairly flat. Mrs. Sanjo, who was infected, was using crutches and could barely walk with the help of her maid. But as we walked further in, the mountain became steeper, and Mrs. Sanjo could no longer climb it. Her maid was also a public girl who came from Kyoto as a dowry. She was so delicate that it was difficult for her to walk, let alone covet Mrs. Sanjo.
Mrs. Sanjo had always had a strong temper, so naturally she couldn't do anything to actively ask Takeda Harunobu to help her, so she deliberately started breathing loudly, hoping to attract Takeda Harunobu's attention.
"Is it important? Do you want to take a rest?"
The voice of concern rang out, but it was not for Takeda Harunobu, but for Ginkgo from Yoshimoto Imagawa.
"Who do you think I am, sir?" Ginkgo said as he changed his lazy pace and walked quickly on the mountain road. At the same time, he tilted his head and smiled at Imagawa Yoshimoto, "Don't forget the first time we met, a certain People’s feet are covered in blisters after just a few steps.”
"There is really no way." Imagawa Yoshimoto smiled bitterly and admitted defeat, fanning himself with the folding fan on his waist, "I always settle old scores, but I can't defeat you."
Hearing this, Mrs. Sanjo felt the blisters on her feet hurt even more. However, she was suffocating in her heart but she was determined not to give in. She gritted her teeth and followed suit. However, she had long since lost strength, and it was inevitable that she would stumble when she walked, and she suddenly fell down. If Ginkgo hadn't grabbed her sleeve quickly and quickly, she would have almost rolled down the mountain.
Mrs. Sanjo wanted to say thank you subconsciously, but when she thought that this was the Ginkgo she had been at odds with before, she couldn't say it. Ginkgo did not take the opportunity to taunt, but immediately got angry at Takeda Harunobu:
"What's wrong with you? My brothers and sisters are so tired, why don't you help me?"
"Huh?" Takeda Harunobu turned around leisurely after hearing this, glanced at Mrs. Sanjo casually, and still greeted politely: "Do you need my help, Madam?"
"Your Highness, thank you for your trouble. It's not necessary." Mrs. Sanjo said back angrily, but Takeda Harunobu was obviously not interested in playing the "down the stairs" game with her, so he ended the conversation directly and continued to climb the mountain.
"None of the men are good, they are all unreliable." Ginkgo muttered resentfully, and then without waiting for Mrs. Sanjo to speak, she took a step back and put Mrs. Sanjo's hand on her shoulder. Go up and help Mrs. Sanjo forward, "At this point, we women have to rely on ourselves."
"The city wall was on fire, and the pond fish was affected." Imagawa Yoshimoto heard Ginkgo's complaint, and he held the folding fan behind his back and tapped Takeda Harunobu's elbow, "I was also blamed."
"What, are you saying 'people are the city, people are the walls, and people are the borders'?" Takeda Harunobu also joked with a smile.
·
After an arduous journey among the mountains, the group finally saw the wilderness beside Lake Biwa in the distance on the mountain road on February 11, the 12th year of Astronomy (1543) - the mountain road was coming to an end. Through the gap between the stacked mountains, you can faintly see a touch of green grass, and behind the green grass, there is a blue lake with blue sky and white clouds, and the reflection of the clouds in the lake - it makes people fascinated for a while.
"This is Yibe Mountain." Taiyuan Xue Zhai stepped on a big rock, raised his cane and pointed to the south bank, "I came to this mountain to worship Buddha when I was young. After walking around the tail root rib in front, you can see Xiaogucheng. The city walls. Then walk down the mountain road and out of the mountain."
"I didn't expect that after living in the mountains for half my life, the happiest time is when I go out of the mountains." Takeda Harunobu put his hands behind his head and stretched comfortably.
"His Majesty Takeda's words are somewhat philosophical. It would be better to become a monk and become a monk and practice some good practice." Taiyuan Xuezai said jokingly to Takeda Harunobu while crossing his legs and performing a Buddhist salute.
"Then Master Xuesai must give me a dignified title." Takeda Harunobu laughed.
"Listening to what His Highness Takeda said, you must have already found someone you like?" Taiyuan Xuezhai heard the subtext of Takeda Harunobu from just a few words.
"Tokueigen Shingen." Takeda Harunobu reported without hesitation, "What do you think, Master Yukisai?"
"Hey, my lord, the title was given by a very accomplished abbot, so how can I be justified in my own nonsense?" Takeda Hironobu, who couldn't stand it anymore, couldn't help but lecture his lord.
"Abbot? He has thousands of soldiers?" Takeda Harunobu showed a disdainful smile, "Whatever I want to call you then, they will have to take it honestly. Just give them some face."
"Be quiet." Ginkgo suddenly interrupted Takeda Harunobu.
"What's wrong, sister, so fierce?" Takeda Harunobu laughed and looked at Ginkgo, but the latter was unmoved. After frowning for a moment, he knelt down and put his ears to the ground.
"The ground is dirty." Imagawa Yoshimoto was slightly dissatisfied. He pulled up Ginkgo and took out a handkerchief to wipe Ginkgo's face that was stained by dirt.
"There is movement at the bottom of the mountain." Ginkgo was unmoved and continued to stick to the ground. Then he said to everyone with a solemn expression, "It feels like the sound of fighting."
"Oh?" Taiyuan Xuezhai was a little surprised, "Tuyuan, go up and have a look."
"Yes!" Tu Yuanjing took the order and left, climbed up a big tree in three steps, looked to the south behind the mountain, and then jumped down in a hurry:
"Master, it's not good. There seems to be a fight in Kotani Castle. The castle tower is on fire. The city gate is also being fought for. A group of soldiers is coming to the back mountain!"
"What's going on?" Everyone was a little panicked at this moment and hurriedly climbed up the mountain to observe the situation. I saw thick smoke billowing inside Kotani Castle, and fires were burning on the castle tower. Even from a distance, the sounds of fighting and shouts of death could be faintly heard.
"The Asakura family is trying to destroy Mino?" Takeda Harunobu immediately had a guess, "Could it be that he wanted to take advantage of the death of Asai Bizen (Asai Ryomasa) and the unstable foundation of the Asai family to use the name of conquering Mino to conquer Mino? In fact, swallowing up the Asai family in one go?"
"There is absolutely no such possibility." Taiyuan Xue Zhai gave a negative answer very firmly, "Judging from the battle situation in Otani City and the situation around the city, it is more like a coup within the Asai family."
"How did Master Yuksai see it?" Just as Takeda Harunobu was about to ask again, dense and messy footsteps suddenly came from the woods on the other side. Everyone was startled when they saw more than twenty scarred warriors surrounding a young man in warrior attire, staggering over in embarrassment. They were also shocked when they saw a group of more than thirty people, and they all drew their knives and prepared to fight to the death.
"Bah! You bastards!" The yellow-armored warrior in the lead yelled while thrusting his sword forward: "The former lord's body is still cold, and you treacherous ministers and thieves followed Taya Mingmasa's fellow conspirators to conspire against you. You are worthy of the former lord's favor. With Miss?"
"Please wait a moment!" Imagawa Yoshimoto raised his other hand while hastily pulling out the Sozomoji to block, "I'm afraid there is a misunderstanding. We are just travelers passing by, and we are undoubtedly your enemies!"
"It's useless to talk more!" The yellow-armored warrior didn't care about this and called his men to attack together, "Protect the lord!"
"Yabei, wait!" At this moment, another samurai wearing a purple formation and feathers behind the yellow-armored samurai raised his hand high and shouted to stop the fight.
"What's the matter, Meisaku Mamoru?" the yellow-armored warrior asked gruffly.
"I met some of these people seven years ago. They are indeed travelers from Kanto. They must not be members of Tanaya Meimasa." The samurai with purple jinhaori took a step forward and held the sword-holding hand of the yellow-armored samurai. It was pressed down.
"Is he... an adult of the Asai family?" Imagawa Yoshimoto looked at the face of the purple-robed warrior for a moment, and finally recalled it - it was seven years ago when he, Ginkgo and Takeda Harunobu first went to Luo, at a restaurant in Omi. When they met, the two sides also argued over the issue of "justice in war."
