(PS: The map of Nishi Kinki has been posted to the book review area, author’s talk section)
At noon on February 25, the twelfth year of Tianwen (1543), Myoshinji Temple in the northwest of Kyoto.
Like Kenninji, Myoshinji is also a temple of the Rinzai sect. As the headquarters of the Rinzai Myoshinji sect, it is nicknamed "Shohozan". It is said that its founder is Hanazono Hoshino.
When Imagawa Yoshimoto was young and practicing in Kyoto with Taiyuan Xuezai, apart from Kenninji Temple, Myoshinji Temple was where they stayed the longest. The abbot of Miaoshin Temple, Daikyu Sokyu, was also full of praise for Imagawa Yoshimoto's talent, so he interceded with Changan Ryuuchong and Taiyuan Xuezhai on behalf of Imagawa Yoshimoto, and made an exception to allow him to practice on his behalf.
"Master Zongxiu." After Imagawa Yoshimoto saw Daxiu Zongxiu, he immediately bowed with great courtesy and said, "Master, I apologize for the long absence. Seeing that you are here and safe is better than anything else."
"Excuse me, Chengfang, I miss you." When Xiu Zongxiu saw his beloved disciple after so many years, his old face immediately burst into laughter, "That handsome young man back then was already the head of the family in a blink of an eye. Time flies so fast. ah."
"Master, he doesn't look old at all." Imagawa Yoshimoto noticed that Daxiu Zongxiu's man was more gray than a few years ago, but he still said it optimistically and politely.
"Nonsense, monks don't tell lies, I'm too old to be honest." Daxiu Zongxiu sighed and stroked his gray beard with his hand, "Old, old, this abbot of Miaoxin Temple is too old. It's so exhausting, I already want to abdicate in favor of others and stay away from this chaotic place in Kyoto."
"If you don't mind Master Zongxiu, why don't you come to Suruga after you retire?" Imagawa Yoshimoto enthusiastically extended the invitation, "Master Xuezhai and Master Lengquan often talk about you."
"Haha, it's hard to say, Master Lengquan. That old guy Xuezhai must have bad intentions. He wants me to go to your place to open a mountain for Suruga's Linji Temple." Daxiu Zongxiu keenly saw through Taiyuan Xuezhai's plan. But then he laughed with relief, "This is because he doesn't want me to have a free day. Let him invite me in person, don't expect to send Chengfang to do the math."
"Haha, listen to Master Zongxiu." Imagawa Yoshimoto smiled and performed a Buddhist salute.
"It won't delay the appointment of you juniors. You all came to the temple early in the morning. It's not just to see me, an old guy, right?" Daxiu Zongxiu was not too polite and made an "invite" gesture inwards. "They have been here a long time ago and have prepared tea."
"Excuse me, Master Zongxiu."
·
He quickly came to the reception room, and he could hear the laughter and laughter inside even though he was far away. Imagawa Yoshimoto seemed to have suddenly returned to the carefree days of his youth. So much so that when the paper door was opened in front of him, he didn't even react.
"Here we come, the child prodigy Chengfang!" The young man who opened the door laughed and clapped his hands, "We haven't seen you for many years. The former Yue Chengfang is now His Highness Imagawa, the famous daimyo of Tokaido!"
"Ichijo, please stop making fun of me." Imagawa Yoshimoto also laughed, took off his shoes and walked indoors, "It's not like you don't know that I have no interest in this governor at all."
The young man who was called "Ichijo" by Imagawa Yoshimoto was named Ichijo Kanesada. He was the concubine of Lieutenant General Sakonoe Ichibo Fudichi and came from the same family as the Tosa Ichichi family (the famous "Okami" Ichijo Kanesada came from the Tosa Ichichi family). . He was dressed in blue and had a handsome appearance. Because he was traveling privately, he rarely wore the white face and black teeth makeup - Imagawa Yoshimoto always felt that this official makeup really ruined his beauty.
"Chengfang." The other two people sitting in the room also stood up to welcome Imagawa Yoshimoto when they saw him coming.
The person on the left looks vaguely similar to Imagawa Yoshimoto, and the eyebrows are more delicate than Imagawa Yoshimoto. His name is Nakamikado Notsusuna, and he comes from the Nakamikado family of the famous Fujiwara Kita family who encouraged the construction of the temple. He is the son of Nakamikado Nobhide, a powerful Nanayan, who is also the nephew of Shouguini, and Imagawa Yoshimoto. There is a kinship.
The one on the right has a typical appearance of a minister, but his slightly tough outline tells his experience, and he is also slightly older than Imagawa Yoshimoto and others. His name is Yamashina Yantsugi, and he comes from the Yamashina family, a branch of the Shijo family of the Fujiwara Kita family, and has the noble family character of the Habayashi family. His father, Yamashina Yantsuna, is the son-in-law of Nakamikado Notsuyin (the father of Shouguini and the grandfather of Imagawa Yoshimoto). He is considered a brother-in-law to the Imagawa family, so Yamashina Yantsugi, Imagawa Yoshimoto, and Nakamikado Notsuna can also climb. Go to relatives. (Yamashina Entsugi is also a famous Warring States figure in later generations.
During this period, he was a public minister and had close relations with various famous families. His diary "Yan Jiqing Ji" also recorded many of his experiences at that time. )
It is also because of this kinship that the Nakamikado family and the Yamashina family have always been regarded as the agents of the Imagawa family in the court. They will follow the instructions of Shougui Ni and Taiyuan Xuezai to manage the Imagawa family.
"Long time no see." Imagawa Yoshimoto said with emotion as he greeted Nakamikado Notsusuna and Yamashina Entsugi one by one, "I almost don't recognize you all."
"I heard from my aunt, Chengyang, you came to Kyoto once when you were young (1536)." Nobutsuna Nakamikado offered tea to Imagawa Yoshimoto with some complaints, "Why don't you come and stay with us for a while?"
"That time I went to Luo in secret, and there were people chasing me. I was in a hurry to go back to quell the rebellion, so I came and went in a hurry." Imagawa Yoshimoto bowed and apologized to his friends, "I have free time this time, so why not I’ll come find you immediately.”
"Is that the reason?" Kanamasa Ichijo came close to Imagawa Yoshimoto and tilted his head. The hat on his head was almost drooping on Imagawa Yoshimoto's shoulders. His slovenly and casual look didn't look like a minister at all, "Why should I?" I heard that it was Chengfang who met a beautiful woman on your way to Luo last time and spent all day and night having fun, so why don’t you have time to see us?"
"It's groundless." Imagawa Yoshimoto's face turned red, but he still decisively refuted the rumor.
"It is also said that although Chengfang married the daughter of the lord of Kai Kingdom, you still loved that woman and hid her in the maple forest in the north mountain of Imagawakan. You would often leave your real wife in the empty room and go to the maple forest to spend the night. ." Ichijo Kanemasa came up with another rumor. This time Imagawa Yoshimoto gave up completely and defended himself loudly: "You are just talking about someone's innocence. Instead of clarifying it for me, you are just making false accusations!"
"So that woman is indeed a real person?" Yamashina Yantsugi on the side also became interested and asked with curled lips, "Chengfang, why don't you give me a confirmation? Today's diary has another topic to write about."
"Spare me, every time I go to Luo from now on, I will come to your house to pay a visit and apologize." Imagawa Yoshimoto clasped his hands together and bowed as if he was admitting defeat.
"Forget it, that means Chengfang owes us a favor." Ichijo Kanamasa accepted it and changed the topic lightly, "Should you do us a favor?"
"Huh?" Imagawa Yoshimoto was a little surprised when he heard this, "I thought you invited me to catch up on old times, but I didn't expect you had something to ask me for?"
"We are all adults, how can there be any time left for pure feelings." Nobutsuna Nakamikado let out a long sigh, and said to Imagawa Yoshimoto apologetically, "Chengfang, I wonder if I can let you meet someone?"
"What does cousin mean?" Imagawa Yoshimoto then became serious.
"The court is closed." Nakagomon Nobutsuna gestured behind him, and a somewhat frail middle-aged man slowly appeared from behind the screen - it was none other than Taisho Minister Konoe Ueie (the famous Konoe Maekyuyuki). father).
"Konoe Prime Minister?" Imagawa Yoshimoto never expected that the Taizheng Minister, who is inferior to one person but superior to ten thousand people, would suddenly appear at the gathering of old acquaintances. He hurriedly took half a step back and knelt down to salute, "Imagawa. Yoshimoto, I have met Konoe Prime Minister. I did not inform you in advance and did not come to the residence to pay my respects. I am really ashamed and extremely rude. Please atone for your sins!"
If it were placed in the era of Sheguan politics, the Minister of Taizheng would be a powerful and uncompromising being. Even the leader of the Wu family would have to respect him. Even if you make an appointment half a month in advance, you may not have a chance to meet him. Ordinary ministers may not have the opportunity to meet the Taizheng Minister once in their lives. Even if they meet by chance on the road, they have to kneel down and give way, let alone a local samurai like Imagawa Yoshimoto who has no official position in the court.
But in today's troubled times, even the shogunate, which has taken a stand on the imperial court, is in turmoil, and the imperial court itself is even more miserable. There is not much left in the manor, and the court's income every year can only be provided by local lords, so that nearly half of the ministers are sent by the court to visit various places, in order to allow them to meet their daily needs and try their best to serve the court. Raise some funds.
However, a centipede is still alive and dead, and even if it is a peaceful court, it still has the ability to bully chickens and dogs. A high-ranking official position is enough to win the support of many warriors and people in the local area. The long-term authority of the imperial court has long been ingrained in people's minds and has formed an inherent concept. Even though the imperial court itself has long since changed, the concept will not change easily. Although those powerful figures who suppressed the superiors knew in their hearts that the imperial court was no longer capable.
, but there was nothing they could do about it, the common people and the middle and lower class warriors just fell into this trap, so they had no choice but to do what they wanted and buy officials and join the ranks.
However, Konoe Ueie was the Taishei Minister of the current dynasty. He actually met Imagawa Yoshimoto, who was also wearing casual clothes, not at his own residence but in the temple without informing him of the meeting in advance. - This is really a ruin of etiquette and joy. So much so that it had an impact on Imagawa Yoshimoto, who was very observant of etiquette - to what extent had the imperial court fallen so low that the minister of Taizheng would not even care about the slightest etiquette? Is there something important?
"His Majesty Imagawa, I'm sorry to say that I can't go to the house anymore, and there are Xiaoxiao under surveillance everywhere. If I want to have a little bit of freedom, I have to hide in this temple." Konoe Ueucheng sighed longly. In a tone of voice, "Please straighten yourself."
"I am willing to share the worries of the Prime Minister." Seeing that the Konoe Ue family had already mentioned this, Imagawa Yoshimoto had no choice but to bite the bullet and accept this development.
"Kizawa Nagamasa, a treacherous minister." Konoe Ueie took a deep breath, but still couldn't control his emotions. He gradually became excited and almost gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice: "Collude with courtiers, collude with internal and external parties, and deceive the emperor. No matter what, everyone will get it and kill him!"
