Isonoyama Castle is the residence of the Isono clan, a powerful family in the central and western regions of Ika County.
Isono Mountain Castle is located in the west of Ika County, with Akao Castle of the Akao family to the north and Yamamoto Castle of the Aki family to the south. The three territories are adjacent to each other, and their strength is roughly equal. They have been fighting endlessly in the past, but the relationship has eased a lot in the past two years.
The territory of the Isono clan is mainly Isono Township located in the middle reaches of the Yuwu River.
Yuwuchuan originates from Yuwu Lake near Hangshi Mountain and Gianyue Mountain, and flows from north to south into Biwa Lake. It is an important water system in Ixiang County.
The outbreak in Ika County this year is extremely serious, but if we want to find a person who is the most serious among the people in Ika County, it must be the Isono family.
There are many temples in the Isono clan territory, such as Matsuo Temple located on a hilltop opposite Isonoyama Castle, Shomyoji Temple located at the foot of Isonoyama Castle, and there are more than ten large and small temples such as Hokoji Temple and Honshuji Temple.
More than half of these temples are temples of the Yixiang sect.
It is no exaggeration to say that 50% of the people in the Isono clan's territory are followers of the Ichikai Sect. So when the Ichiku broke out, the Isono clan's territory was filled with mobs participating in the Ichiku almost overnight.
Several villages under Isonoyama Castle were ransacked in less than half a day, and then Isonoyama Castle was besieged by Ikaku.
The leader of the Isono family, Isono Kanakiki, initially went out of the city to engage in a fierce battle with Ichigo, but was defeated in one battle. The clan's party suffered heavy casualties, so Isono Kanashikiyuki abandoned the city and fled. After searching the territory of the Isono clan, Ichigo continued to march north and invaded the territory of the Akao clan.
The Akao family was not in serious trouble at first, but they were tricked by the Isono family, and now they are in a very uncomfortable situation.
Since the Yanjin streets leading to Akao Castle and Isonoyama Castle were blocked by the Asai family, Hayashi Masanobu and Akao Kiyosuna had to set out quietly at night. Fortunately, Akao Kiyosuna was familiar with the surrounding terrain, otherwise the two of them might have gotten lost in Shiyue.
Early the next morning, the two finally arrived at Akao's house. Akao Kiyozuna pointed out the direction of Isonoyama Castle to Hayashi Masanobu and then diverted to Akao Castle, while Hayashi Masanobu continued southward towards Isonoyama Castle.
It was already noon by the time Hayashi Masanobu arrived near Isonoyama Castle.
Along the way, there were ruins everywhere, and one village was even burned into ruins by fire. Lin Zhengxin walked on the road in fear, his right hand holding the saber at his waist tightly, fearing that a martial artist might suddenly appear on the roadside to hunt him down. You must know that Lin Zhengxin's martial arts skills were quite average.
Climbing up the Isonoyama mountain trail, soon Isonoyama Castle came into sight.
It seemed that a battle had just broken out here. There was still blood on the ground, and there were even arrows stuck in the surrounding trees.
When he reached the Otemon gate of Isonoyama Castle, Lin Masanobu was stopped.
"Stop! Who are you!"
Several shabby ashiqing in shabby clothing and without even armor held up a spear without even a tip to block Lin Zhengxin from the outside. The first man, who looked like a samurai, looked at Lin Zhengxin carefully and said: "This is Isonoyama Castle, all the rest of us are waiting to leave quickly!"
Having just experienced a robbery, everyone in the Isono family was in panic. If you had to use one word to describe the Isono family's current situation, it would be unrest.
Hayashi Masanobu raised his hands above his head to show that he meant no harm, and then said in a low voice, "I am Asai's retainer Hayashi Sahei. I have something important to ask to see Dr. Isonoemon!"
Lin Zhengxin did not dare to directly say that he was from the Kyogoku family. If the samurai in front of him had any ill intentions towards the Kyogoku family, he would probably kill him on the spot. Lin Zhengxin had served as an official in the Asai family for a period of time. Even if the other party doubted his identity, he could handle it calmly.
"A member of the Asai family?"
"Mad! How dare you come here? Get it for me!"
Unexpectedly, after hearing Masanobu Hayashi claiming to be a retainer of Asai, the samurai became even more angry and asked Ashigaru to tie Masanobu Hayashi up.
"???"
what's the situation.
Lin Zhengxin looked confused.
"Sir, is there any misunderstanding in this? We are one of our own!"
"One of our own people? Those who are captured are our own people!"
"Bring it in!"
The samurai punched Hayashi Masanobu without any explanation, and then asked the ashigaru to escort Hayashi Masanobu in.
Isonoyama Castle is full of busy Ashigaru. A group of women are gathering together to make rice balls, seemingly preparing for war.
Soon, Lin Zhengxin was brought to the imperial palace of Isonoyama Castle.
The samurai left Lin Zhengxin outside and entered the imperial palace alone. After a while, he walked out and took Lin Zhengxin inside.
Entering the imperial palace, Lin Zhengxin looked around carefully, feeling unlucky in his heart.
"You said you are an Asai retainer?"
At this time, a slightly immature but energetic voice came into Lin Zhengxin's ears.
Lin Zhengxin raised his head and saw a half-year-old child sitting on the main seat of the palace.
Lin Zhengxin was stunned for a moment, then shook his head suddenly and said, "No, no, no, I am not an Asai retainer!"
"Hmph! This man just kept claiming to be a retainer of the Asai family outside the city, and he also wanted to see Youemon Dafu. He must be a member of the Asai family without a doubt!" The samurai standing next to Lin Masanobu said in a deep voice.
Hearing this, the young man on the throne immediately said angrily, "The Asai family is indeed full of rats!"
"Previously, when Yikui besieged the city, we sent people to ask for help from Xiaogu City. Unexpectedly, the reinforcements never arrived. We had no choice but to go out of the city to fight Yikui, but we were defeated due to the outnumbered enemy!"
"My family has always supported the Asai family's rule over Ixiang County. I didn't expect that the Asai family would turn a blind eye to my family's situation. How can this move convince the public?"
"It's really a misunderstanding. I am a retainer of the Kyogoku family. I came to Isonoyama Castle this time on the order of Sakyo, the young master of the Kyogoku family, to enter the palace!" Hayashi Masanobu denied it flatly.
"Kyogoku retainer?" The young man on the throne looked at Lin Zhengxin suspiciously, "Do you think I am easy to bully when I am young?"
"I never meant this!"
"I have a letter as proof!"
"Where is the letter?"
"Right in my arms!"
The warrior on the side quickly reached out and groped through Lin Zhengxin's clothes.
Suddenly, a blush flashed across Lin Zhengxin's handsome face, "Um...did you touch the wrong place?"
"..."
The samurai was stunned for a moment, then with an embarrassed look on his face he let go of something indescribable that he was holding in his hand, and continued to look for it.
"found it!"
The warrior found a letter from Lin Zhengxin's arms and handed it to the young man's hand.
After opening the letter and reading for a while, the young man nodded lightly, "You are undoubtedly the Kyogoku family's monogram. It seems that you are indeed a member of the Kyogoku family. But why did you call yourself an Asai retainer just now?"
"I'm afraid that if I reveal my true identity, I won't be able to enter the city!" Lin Zhengxin answered truthfully.
"Well... let go!"
"ha!"
After the rope around Lin Zhengxin was untied, the young man on the throne continued: "I am the head of the Isono family, Masaru Isono. I have offended many people just now. Please don't blame me."
"Isono Yumasa?"
"Isn't the head of the Isono family Dr. Isonoemon?"
