As the direct rivals of the Hosokawa family and the Rokkaku family, should Asakura Soutei be the starter?
"Your Highness, I apologize for my rudeness. But under the current situation, it is difficult for the Asakura family to trust you no matter what. We are here to avenge the late Duke Fangdian and to help the shogunate. If you are Nannan The leader of the military alliance is the mastermind behind the murder of Gongfangdian, so the Asakura family has no choice but to become your enemy."
"That's right." Takeda Harunobu, who knew the stakes well, immediately responded and jointly put pressure on Hosokawa Harumoto: "Your Highness, shouldn't you give us an explanation?"
"This is a non-existent matter, how can I explain it?" Hosokawa Harumoto was so anxious that he was sweating profusely and speaking incoherently. He hurriedly turned his attention to his ally Rokkaku Nobuyori, hoping to ask him to help explain. But Rokkaku Sadayori had already made up his mind at this moment: How could Asakura Sotechi and Takeda Harunobu want the truth about the death of a general? It's just an opportunity to launch an attack, to bring down Harumoto Hosokawa and seek more benefits for himself. What's the use of explaining? What's more, in the current situation, Hosokawa Harumoto cannot be cleansed no matter what. Therefore, the division of the Southern Army and the Civil War may be inevitable.
After all, he is a veteran who has been in Kinki for many years. In a few breaths, Rokkaku Sadayori has made up his mind - the current situation is very special. The daimyo of the Southern Army are far away from their own troops and gathered in Xiangoku Temple. There are not many guards brought by the family. In other words, whoever can mobilize troops into Xiangguo Temple first will have the opportunity to control all the daimyo of all hostile factions, and victory will be easy to come by.
However, what Rokkaku Sadayori wants to do, other people here will certainly not think of. Just when these heavyweight names were confronting each other, the original
Without hesitation, Rokkaku Sadayori led his own bodyguards and rushed out. With a few big steps, he completely controlled Ashikaga Yoshitoshi, who was originally under the surveillance of the Hosokawa family. Then, the Hosokawa family and the Wakasa Takeda family, two in-law allies, He also hurriedly drew his sword and joined the Rokkaku family.
Seeing this, Imagawa Yoshimoto also reacted quickly, leading Kira Hoshige, Taro Shen Kentaro and others to quickly retreat to the entrance of the courtyard. With random swords, they forced back Tsunari Hojo and the people of the Hojo family who were waiting at the door, and controlled the access. aisle. In the flash of lightning, Rokkaku Sadayori and others wanted to fight for it, but they were also blocked by people from the Asai family and the Asakura family. Takeda Harunobu also led his people and retreated along the corner to where Imagawa Yoshimoto was, successfully rendezvousing.
For a time, a confrontation between two groups formed in the courtyard of Shokokuji Temple: the Hosokawa family, the Rokkaku family, and the Wakasa Takeda family who controlled Ashikaga Yoshito, and the Hojo family who was eyeing the door. The Imagawa family, who controlled the door, The Takeda family, and the Asakura family and the Asai family who are confronting the Rokkaku Army and the Hosokawa family.
Asakura Sodi took a moment to cast a glance at Taiyuan Xuezhai, and Taiyuan Xuezhai nodded slightly in agreement - the temporary cooperation between the two families was simply achieved. Later, Taiyuan Yuzhai patted Imagawa Yoshimoto on the back. Imagawa Yoshimoto also understood and took Kira Wesei and Tian Shen Kentaro to press the samurai of the Hosokawa family to reduce the pressure faced by the Asakura family and the Asai family.
"Are you going to rebel?" Hosokawa Harumoto has not fully reacted to the sudden change of circumstances, and his eyes have not left Ashikaga Yoshiharu's blackened bones. He feels that no matter what, he should not let Ashikaga Yoshiharu return again. Before he was laid to rest, he fought again in front of his soul.
"I'm offended." But Imagawa Yoshimoto didn't tell him this. He only listened to Taiyuan Xuezai's words, raised his hand and stabbed the Hosokawa family's flag with a sword. The Hatakemotos of the Hosokawa family were no match for Imagawa Yoshimoto and others. Even if Imagawa Yoshimoto and the others did not use their full strength, they had already defeated the Hatakemotos of the Hosokawa family. The Asakura family and the Asai family also took the opportunity to join the battle group, while the Takeda family stayed at the door to keep an eye on the Hojo family. The situation in the entire courtyard quickly tilted in a direction that was not conducive to Hosokawa Harumoto.
"Master Yukisai, why are you doing this?" Rokkaku Sadayori complained endlessly. He had no choice but to direct his men to fight and shouted to Taiyuan Yukisai at the entrance of the courtyard: "Don't you see that the Oda family and the Saito family have disappeared? We are just with the North Korean family. The Kurasa and Asai families are not on good terms, but they have no grievances against you, the Imagawa family and the Takeda family. Instead of dealing with your own enemies, you are making things difficult for us? If the Oda family and the Saito family lead their troops first, what will happen to you? But what should we do?”
"Of course I'm waiting for you to give me the corresponding bargaining chips." Taiyuan Xuezhai responded cheerfully.
"Chips? What chips?" Rokkaku Sadarai replied with a smile.
"Isn't this already in your hands? As a leader, didn't you think clearly and take the life-saving bargaining chip for yourself at the first opportunity?" Taiyuan Xuezhai also smiled and raised his hand, pointing to the six-corner Ashikaga Yoshitō, who was guarding the back by Sadeyori and others, said, "Please stay, Kōho-den. As for His Highness and the Lord Commander, we don't want to embarrass them. After all, we are allies, even if we have doubts, our Imagawa family will not I wish to go straight to the point of death. But after all, there is a suspicion of treason against the master. No matter what, I cannot leave Kōhoden (Ashikaga Yoshitō) in your hands. Please also keep the bones and blood of the late Kōhoden. Get off."
"Master Xue Zhai, I'm afraid it's inappropriate?" Hearing that Taiyuan Xue Zhai intends to reconcile with Rokkaku Ding, Asakura Sodi on the side reminded him coldly: "The murderer of Xian Gong Fangdian may have Right before our eyes, if we just let it go, how will Jiuquan face the resentful spirit of Xian Gongfang Hall?"
"Senior Sotechi, why rush for the moment? The current situation is critical and there is no room for wasting time again. If the real culprit is found in the future, the Imagawa family will definitely go to Luo again, and together with the Asakura family, they will bring justice to Gongfangdian. But the truth is not yet clear, and it is absolutely inevitable Don't act too hastily." Taiyuan Xuezhai explained to Asakura Sodi unhurriedly, and Asakura Sodi could only frown when he saw this. After all, the Imagawa family has no quarrel with the Hosokawa family and the Rokkaku family, so there is no need to fight to the death. However, the conflict between the Asakura family and the Rokkaku family cannot be adjusted, and there is no possibility of peace. They can only allow the Imagawa family to play both sides and take Ashikaga Yoshitō into their arms.
Seeing that Asakura Sodai no longer had any objections, the Asai family naturally had no objections either. And Takeda Haru also understood confidently that Taiyuan Xuesai's connections in Kinki were here, and his Takeda family could only drink soup with the Imagawa family, and was not qualified to stand up and preside over the situation. And if the Imagawa family, as an ally, can really control Ashikaga Yoshiharu's eldest son, Ashikaga Yoshito, and has the reputation of being the cause of Ashikaga Yoshiharu's death, then he will definitely be able to influence everything in Kinki. If you want to go to Luo again at any time, it is justifiable.
"Then, let's wait until Master Yukisai finds out the truth and clears my name." Hosokawa Harumoto also walked down the slope, nodded slightly and approved the temporary agreement. The warriors on both sides who were fighting fiercely also followed suit. Close hand. While Rokkaku Sadayori arranged for someone to push Ashikaga Yoshitō into the corner, he immediately took the arrangements of his family, the Hosokawa family, and the Wakasa Takeda family to go around the entrance of the courtyard. Taiyuan Xuezai did not stop him, but immediately signaled the guards of the Imagawa family to move closer to the corner of the courtyard, ensuring the control of Ashikaga Yoshito.
The Imagawa family, who occupied the middle position, did not take action, and the Takeda family, Asakura family, and Asai family naturally had no intention of forcibly blocking them, and allowed Hosokawa Harumoto, Rokkaku Sadayori and others to lead the crowd to leave. When the Hojo family at the door saw that they were the only ones left, they did not dare to stay for a long time and immediately withdrew.
"After a confrontation, nothing good was gained. It all fell into the arms of your Imagawa family." Asakura Sodi sheathed his sword and complained to Taiyuan Xuezhai from a distance.
"The setbacks of the Hosokawa family and the Rokkaku family are the biggest advantage of Sotetsu-senpai and the Asakura family." Taiyuan Xuezhai smiled and made a Buddhist salute, "Go back and assemble the troops, although I don't know if it will really evolve into weapons. We meet, but if we are not well prepared, Shiro (Rokkaku Sadayori) will definitely not let you go."
"Let's bury the public hall first." Imagawa Yoshimoto came over and ignored the conversation between Taihara Sekssai and Asakura Sotechi. Instead, he greeted several of his subordinates and walked to Ashikaga Yoshiharu's coffin. Seeing that the senior who once cared for and encouraged him has now turned into bones - to be precise, I don't even know where his bones are. Imagawa Yoshimoto only felt inexplicable sadness. The place where the bright eyes used to be on the skull was now horribly empty.
Although he knew it was meaningless, Imagawa Yoshimoto carefully closed the coffin, as if to allow Ashikaga Yoshiharu's soul to rest in peace. Afterwards, he and several of his subordinates refilled the soil. Taiyuan Xuezai also walked to the side, took out his rosary beads, started playing them, and chanted the Buddha's name to pray for Ashikaga Yoshiharu.
"You're not going to let your apprentice waste time doing these things and not quickly rendezvous with the troops at this moment when every second counts, are you?" Asakura Sotechi had already walked to the door, and finally looked back at Taiyuan meaningfully. Yukisai: "The Imagawa Army's troops are far away from Shokokuji Temple, but Oda Saburo can clearly understand
I can see that you did not mobilize the troops. If you stay in this undefended temple and rely on the few flags at hand, you will be surrounded and killed in the temple. "
"It is important for a person to die, so he must settle the funeral affairs of Gongfang Hall no matter what. After all, it was the poor monk who suggested disturbing his tomb." Taiyuan Xue Zhai laughed and laughed, watching the Asakura family and Asai family go. People leave.
As soon as he turned around and left the Xiangguo Temple, Asakura Sotechi led his men to evacuate quickly and went straight to the Asakura family's residence. Several samurai from the Asakura family turned around many times, but never saw anyone from the Imagawa family coming out of Xiangguo Temple. They all asked Asakura Sodi for advice in great confusion:
"Are Imagawa Osamu and Master Yukisai crazy? Are they not going back to the army at this time? Oda Saburo has been gone for a long time, right? It's already too late to send people to raid them. They might all die here."
"No, Master Yukisai will never miscalculate." Asakura Sodai shook his head lightly and sighed with some regret: "Oda Saburo... This young talent has unlimited possibilities and future, but Being taken into consideration by Xue Zhai... he is probably going to die without a burial place now."
