Seeing that the war is about to begin, all the famous names in Japan have very complicated emotions. Looking back at Japan over the past forty years, I can’t tell whether I wish there would be more civil unrest or if I wish Taikaku’s general peace order would still be in effect.
Forty years ago, "the best archer in the East China Sea" Imagawa Yoshimoto died in Okehazama on the way to Luo Luo, which led to Oda Nobunaga becoming famous in one battle and then growing in size. Twenty-two years later, Nobunaga, who had broken through the siege network several times, suddenly died in the Honnoji Incident when he had almost completed his ambition of "distributing weapons to the world", and the "people of the world" began to spin up and perish.
After the Incident at Honnoji Temple, Hashiba Hideyoshi immediately carried out an ingenious "China Return" plan under Kuroda Kanbei's plan, killing the Oda family traitor Akechi Mitsuhide at lightning speed, and burying his deceased in a grand ceremony first. The leader, Oda Nobunaga, then presided over the Qingzhou Conference, which kicked off the power struggle within the Oda Group.
By defeating the Oda family's biggest rival, Shibata Katsuie, and Komaki's draw with Tokugawa Ieyasu in the Nagakute battle, Hashiba Hideyoshi finally became the leader of the "Original-German Alliance" and began to assume the power of "a man of the world". What followed was the Shikoku Conquest, the Kyushu Conquest, and the Kanto Conquest. By the end of the Odawara Conquest, the whole world was finally convinced.
Hashiba Hideyoshi, or Toyotomi Hideyoshi, finally inherited Oda Nobunaga's legacy and unified the entire Japan - although there are still careerists who are just cautiously dormant, at least in name, all the major names in Japan have submitted oaths of allegiance to Toyotomi Hideyoshi .
However, Hideyoshi's background prevented him from becoming a general who conquered the barbarians, so he had to adapt to Toyotomi Gongyi, which was "a combination of public and military affairs". No one dared to question this system when Hideyoshi himself was alive. Even when he trained Toyotomi Hideji to become Guanbai, no one thought there was any hidden danger.
However, the birth of Hideyoshi's son finally broke things. During the imperial conquest, Hideyoshi forced to kill Hidetsu, the heir recognized by all the daimyo, but he hoped that his infant son would grow up.
If he could live another twenty years, this might not be a big mess. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Toyotomi Hideyoshi was severely hit by the successive defeats in the Conquest Campaign, and he finally died of illness at Fushimi Castle when Hideyori was only six years old.
Zhu Shaokuni suspected that although the Toyotomi regime had the "five elders and five followers" auxiliary system established before Hideyoshi's death, the conflicts between the dogmatist and observant factions had lost Hideyoshi as the final judge, and the conflicts between the two sides were simply irreconcilable. .
Therefore, the dogmatic faction chose Tokugawa Ieyasu, the nominal "chief assistant", as the signature of their faction under the combined efforts of the "seven generals"; the observant faction, under the overt and covert promotion and control of Ishida Mitsunari, established a loyalist faction. The banner of the Lord is nominally united around Yododen in Osaka.
Therefore, thirteen years after Toyotomi Hideyoshi's "Nothing to Do" was issued, the world once again entered a period of turmoil. As Uesugi Kagekatsu repeatedly refused to return to the capital, Tokugawa Ieyasu launched a conquest in the name of the Toyotomi regime and was about to do so.
However, have all the famous names in the world really taken sides at this time? not at all. Except for the dozen or so daimyo who are the core members of the dogmatist and observant factions, almost all the other daimyo prefer to wait and see the situation first.
The lord of Enshu Kakegawa Castle, Yamauchi Kazutoyo, also took a wait-and-see attitude. On this day, as soon as he arrived at the gate of Xiyuan, he said to Otani Yoshitsugi behind him: "Master Shaofu of the Criminal Ministry, the Zuofu decided to attack Uesugi. Apart from the obvious rhetoric, there must be other reasons, right? "
Among the four expeditions, only Otani Yoshitsugi, who was ill, was ordered to go out. How Otani Yoshitsugi feels about this matter is undoubtedly of great significance to Yamauchi Kazutoyo.
"The Zuofu seems to have far-reaching considerations." The leper Otani Yoshitsugi smiled slightly with his bandaged face and replied softly.
"What are the considerations?"
"Perhaps Zuofu wants to kill him as a warning to others. Once there is rebellion, they will quickly send troops to exterminate them."
"But even so, there is absolutely no need to rebuke the supervisor. I always feel that this matter is unusual."
"It's not because he is angry. Once he gets angry, he becomes terrifying... Some people are like this. They seldom get angry, just like a Maitreya, but once they get angry, they become thunderous."
"Does the Master of the Criminal Department want to go on an expedition with the Zuofu?"
"Of course. The Zuofu went to great lengths to personally conquer Aizu, and even the palace and the Young Master have sent envoys to express their condolences. If I don't go along, wouldn't it be considered a traitor? I think the Zuofu's determination is unshakable."
After hearing this, Yamauchi Yitong solemnly bowed to Yoshitsugi, turned around and left.
The time seems to be ripe. Relying on his many years of achievements and prestige, Ieyasu put tremendous pressure on the generals with an angry shout. In this situation, who else dares to say no? Osaka, Fushimi, and Kyoto are all shrouded in thick clouds of war.
On the second day of August, Quan Da Nayan persuaded the temple to be built. Qing Fengqing came to Osaka as an emissary, visited Ieyasu and gave him a hundred pieces of bleached cloth. After seeing off the emissary, Ieyasu immediately gathered his troops, and by the 15th, everything was ready. Then he went to see Hideyori and bid farewell to him.
"I heard that Grandpa Edo is going on an expedition to Oshu?"
Hearing Hideyori's question, Ieyasu smiled and maintained his usual kindness in front of the young master, and at the same time replied: "That's right. The late Taikaku's last wish was to realize the unification of the world. Now someone dares to violate Taikou's last wish, so no matter what he is doing, I will never forgive you anywhere."
"Oshu is far away. Grandpa, thank you for your hard work."
Under Katagiri Shimoto's hint, the rewards given by Hideyori were piled in front of Ieyasu. The gift list was clearly written: an authentic dagger, several tea sets, twenty thousand taels of gold, and twenty thousand shi of rice.
Mrs. Yodo stood beside Hideyori with a stiff expression. Back then, there were widespread rumors inside and outside Osaka that Mrs. Yodo was having an affair with Ieyasu. It is said that when Ieyasu showed his favor to Mrs. Yodo in the past, Mrs. Yodo was pregnant with Ohno's wife [Note: "Xiu Liang" is an official position, here refers to the mayor of Ohno], so she had to decline quietly. Later, Mrs. Yodo turned to Ieyasu, but at this time Ieyasu already had a young side wife, Mrs. Agui, so the competitive Mrs. Yodo became alienated from Ieyasu...
"It's nonsense! How could such a thing happen? If you spread some false rumors again, I will not take it lightly!" Katagiri Qigen was furious after hearing the rumors, and this became a new talking point in the market.
Facing the reward nominally provided in the name of Hideyori, Ieyasu smiled and said: "Don't worry, young master, Grandpa Edo is invincible and invincible, and he will return victorious this time. You are lucky enough to stay at home with your mother, Just wait patiently.”
Hideyori nodded easily.
He is a young master in name only, but in fact he is too young and does not understand anything at all. He is just a parrot trained by Qi Yuan and Mrs. Yodo to repeat what they taught him. He didn't know how Ieyasu should answer this sentence, so he just nodded.
After a relaxed farewell to Hideyori, Ieyasu withdrew from the city and returned to Saien. He invited Maeda Genki, Masuda Nagamori, Nagasuke Masaie and Sano Tsunamasa to convey Hideyori's order.
After Ieyasu left, Mito took over the acting government affairs, while Sano Tsunamasanori led a team of 500 people who were not under the control of Hideyori's seven generals to guard Saien.
After everything was arranged, on June 16, the fifth year of Keicho, Ieyasu led three thousand soldiers and set out from Osaka Castle towards Fushimi. His followers were all Tokugawa elites who had shared life and death with him, including Ii Naomasa, Honda Tadakatsu, Kambara Yasumasa, Okubo Tadahori, Honda Masanobu, Hiraiwa Oikayoshi, Sakai Ieji, Sakai Tadage, and Osuga Tadamasa. , Nobumasa Okudaira, Yasushige Honda, Yasumichi Ishikawa, Hidemasa Ogasawara, Tadashi Korikusa, Masadasa Enuma, Nobunari Naito, Ieshira Matsudaira, Iekiyo Matsudaira, Masaji Abe, Tadashige Kotoyama, Yasutoshi Honda, Yasukage Amano et al.
Of course, there are also several upstarts secretly sent to the Tokugawa family by high pragmatism, such as Shingu Yoshikatsu and others.
In addition, Ieyasu also ordered forty-five daimyo, including Asano, Fukushima, Kuroda, Hachisuka, Ikeda, and Hosokawa, to lead their troops to concentrate on Edo, with a total of fifty-six thousand men and horses.
There is no bolder decision than this - gather all friendly forces together, set off in a mighty manner, and turn Osaka into an empty city...
Even Ishida Mitsunari sent Sumito Gonroku as an envoy, saying to Ieyasu: "I originally wanted to go with Zuofu, but I am thinking about it, so I ask for permission to let Inuko Hayato Masashigee lead the troops and go with Otani Yoshitsugi. .”
Ieyasu knew Ishida Mitsunari's intention and agreed with a smile.
When Ieyasu led a large group of troops to Fushimi Castle, Torii Hikoemon, who was in charge of staying at Fushimi, had already made a mountain of peony cakes, cut them into large pieces and piled them locally, and also prepared sencha tea. Reward the three armies.
Seeing this scene, those drunkards frowned: "Hikoemon, why did you only make some peony cakes?"
Torii Motochu also seemed to get angry and replied: "I prepare this specially for people who love to eat." After saying that, he bowed deeply to those who ate with gusto, and did not forget to ask people to wrap some more ribbons. Walk.
"There is still a lot left at home. If you think it is good, just take some more and save them for the road. Eat well and drink well." Torii Motochu has been following Ieyasu since he was thirteen years old. He is now sixty-two this year. Ieyasu is three years older, but standing side by side now, he seems to be more than ten years older than Ieyasu.
Although his lameness has often been painful recently, he still uses crutches to command in the city. In addition to Motoda, three other people, including Naito Yajiemon's head, Matsudaira's main assistant Ietada, and Matsudaira Gozaemon Chimasa, also stayed in Fushimi Castle and were responsible for the defense.
The main castle is guarded by Hikoemon Mototada, Saien is in charge of the Naito family, the main gate is guarded by Matsudaira Ietada and Konmasa, the Nago Estate is Iwama Hyogo, the Administrative Department Shaosuke Mansion is in charge of Komai Inosuke, and Matsuen is The residences of Fukao Seijuurō and Kōkazu, and Uemon are guarded by lower-ranking soldiers...
Ieyasu quickly completed the arrangement and ordered everyone to retreat. Only Ieyasu and Motochu were left in the main hall. Ieyasu asked distressedly: "Hikoemon, does your foot still hurt?"
With just these words, their hearts became closer. When Ieyasu was sent to Sunfu as a hostage when he was young, the two were inseparable. Fifty years later, although they were different masters and servants, they were even closer than brothers.
"As you grow older, you become more and more like Mr. Iga."
Mototada did not reply to this, but said: "My lord, you have finally made a decision." Under his half-white eyelashes, his eyes were like needles piercing Ieyasu. After a long time, he sighed again: "The arrow is on the string, so I have to shoot it... But if the arrow misses this time, half of my hard work will be in vain."
"Are you saying I'm a little reluctant, Hikoemon?"
Motochu chuckled: "I am saying that such a decision is really rare for the lord. During the battle of Komaki Nagakute, despite the great victory, the lord still avoided the decisive battle with Taige. But now, You actually took the initiative to initiate a war that will determine the general trend of the world. In my humble opinion, there may be some inside information that others don’t know, is that right, my lord?"
Ieyasu wanted to laugh, but couldn't. As expected of Yuan Zhong, he could see through his mind at a glance. He continued: "That's because if there is a decisive battle at that time, regardless of victory or defeat, the world will only fall into chaos."
"But this time is no exception. Once defeated, the situation will be uncontrollable. Once civil strife breaks out in Japan, Ming Dynasty may not turn a blind eye to it..." Yuan Zhong murmured to himself, suddenly stood up and said: "Lord! Stay here. I am enough for the castle. Please bring Yajiemon and the main assistant with you." His expression was serious and his eyes were shining.
Ieyasu couldn't help but shudder. Even Torii Motoda, Ieyasu didn't dare to tell him: "It's not that Ming Dynasty may not ignore it indifferently, but this battle is what Ming Dynasty requires me to fight."
Yuan Zhong was clearly worried that this would be the last time the two of them would see each other. Although his mind was as clear as a mirror, Ieyasu could only pretend to be confused, interrupting and asking: "How can you defend this city with your own strength?"
"Lord!"
"What, are you worried?"
"I guess this battle was not your intention?" Ieyasu didn't expect that Torii Motoada still insisted on understanding this.
"It's not my intention, what is it?"
Perhaps realizing that his tone was too extreme, Yuan Zhong smiled with emotion: "In my lord's life, this is the second big gamble. The first time was the battle of Mikatahara. At that time, my lord was young and impulsive and wanted to prove himself in front of Nobunaga. As a result, the Takeda family suffered a huge loss, and this time they used the world as a bet... No matter what the reason is, I will not stop my lord."
"Do you view this expedition as a gamble?"
"God is also watching you. If my lord does not act, the world will fall into chaos again."
"You're right, Hikoemon. If I just sit there and wait for death, the world will fall apart within half a year. However, I don't regard this as a gamble - how can there be a gamble that is 100% sure in the world?"
"My lord, do you have such a chance of winning?"
"Yes."
"That being the case, I am enough for this city. My lord, please bring Naito Yajiemon and the Lord's assistant. If you are here, you can only die with me. At this critical time, it would be too much to die like this." Pity."
This was Motoada's heartfelt words, and Ieyasu couldn't help but tremble: "Hikoemon! Do you think that after I set out, this city will be surrounded by a large army sooner or later?"
"My lord, haven't you seen through it already? It's written clearly on your face."
"Now that you have seen it, I will no longer hide it. Yes, this city will be the first to be surrounded."
"Please don't say anything. Hikoemon will let them see what kind of men we Mikawa samurai are after he dies! In short, I will go first. My death will definitely divide the world into two, and then you, sir, will Unify the country quickly and happily!
Hahaha... In order not to leave any regrets, you see, I made all the rice into peony cakes, and also performed rituals for those who ate them. "As he said that, Motochu grabbed a peony cake and started chewing it in front of Ieyasu.
Ieyasu also smiled. While smiling, he stretched out his hand and picked up a peony cake, but at this moment, his eyes were blurred and he couldn't even see the cake in his hand clearly.
"Hikoemon, I think you are becoming more and more like Mr. Iga. At that time, Mr. Iga always scolded me and always loved to teach me. Ieyasu finally heard the voice of gods and Buddhas, and finally became what you call A person who can engage in great gambling. Take Yajiemon and the Lord's Assistant. These are the people I gave you for burial. Take them to the underworld so that they can be your talking companions. .”
"That's such a waste." Motoada continued to insist: "As long as Matsudaira Gozaemon and Konmasa alone are enough, I will be responsible for the main city and Gozaemon will be responsible for guarding the outer city. And you take away Yajiemon and Helping the two of them in the main hall will definitely be of greater use!"
After saying that, he was filled with emotion and laughed: "My lord is going to Aizu. If the situation does not change, Gozaemon and I can stay behind. If something unexpected happens after you go east, this city will be surrounded by the enemy sooner or later. , and there is no rescuer nearby. Therefore, even if you leave five or ten times as many troops, the result will be the same, but it will result in unnecessary sacrifices."
"It's definitely not a unnecessary sacrifice!" Ieyasu finally shed tears and choked up: "Yes, there is indeed no reserve team nearby, and there are no people who can come to the rescue. But if Fushimi Castle's defense is strong, it will be enough to contain those who take advantage of the situation. The most important thing is that even if I only leave you alone and take away the other two people, they will never agree.
No one fights a battle to the death. Even for the unique hope of survival, Ieyasu always tried his best to arrange everything, otherwise, future generations would scold Tokugawa Ieyasu for being unjust. Don't force yourself on this matter! "
Motochu turned his face away and listened quietly to Ieyasu's words. He no longer forced himself and nodded happily in agreement: "My lord, it is not unreasonable to think so."
"Do you understand what I mean?"
"No, my understanding may be different from that of my lord. My lord wants to win and unify the world. For this purpose, my lord put Yuan Zhong to death from the very beginning. You are so sensible and cruel... But to be honest with my lord, this is the right thing to do. This is the reason why I am willing to follow you to the death!
However, it would not be Yuan Zhong's original intention if people all over the world also had this kind of understanding. Therefore, I will obey the Lord's arrangement. "
Tokugawa Ieyasu trembled slightly and said, "Hikoemon, I remember that when I was young, I raised a hawk and asked it to imitate an eagle, but you taught me a lesson."
"Hahahaha. Yuan Zhong was indeed very angry at that time. He was kicked down the corridor by the lord at that time. He was very frightened."
"Thanks to you, Ieyasu became an eagle."
"I understand this deeply. But it is not enough to be an eagle in Edo. My lord, please pass this war and become an eagle in the world."
"Yuan Zhong, can you and I get drunk tonight?"
"Yuan Zhong is honored to be honored by my lord."
That night, the two drank until late at night. They frequently raised glasses and indulged in reminiscing about the past.
——
Thanks to book friend "Cao Mianzi" for your reward and support, thank you!
Thanks to book friend "Yun Fu Yu Yu" for your monthly ticket support, thank you!
(End of chapter)
